Patent EP0546704A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0546704A2
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Intelligent work surfaces
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1992-11-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-11-20
Abstract
Abstract Methods and apparatus for implementing intelligent work surfaces are provided. Work surfaces, such as desktops and floors, are covered with a tactile sensing array to provide tactile data to a processor. Regions on the sensing arrays may be defined to include predetermined sensing elements of the sensing array and may be specified to function as input devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. Once defined, regions may be redefined to reposition a specified input device. Regions also may be respecified to function as a different input device. The arrays also may collect data at predetermined intervals for analysis, such as for identifying an individual or an object. For example, the force-image of an individual's handprint or footprint could be taken, analyzed, and compared against data representing the force-images of known individuals.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas H. Speeter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 11:41
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/033; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/10; G07; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/30; G07C9/32; G07C9/37; G06F3/0414; G06F3/04144
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A work surface system comprising: an array of sensing elements to form a work surface, each sensing element of the array producing a data output in response to an input to the sensing element; means for defining a first input device as comprising a first plurality of sensing elements; means for mapping each data output from the first plurality of sensing elements to a corresponding output of the first input device; and means for redefining the first input device as comprising a second plurality of sensing elements, wherein the means for mapping maps data outputs from the second plurality of sensing elements to a corresponding output of the first input device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A work surface system comprising: an array of sensing elements to form a work surface, each sensing element of the array producing a data output in response to an input to the sensing element; means for defining a first input device as comprising a first plurality of sensing elements; means for mapping each data output from the first plurality of sensing elements to a corresponding output of the first input device; and means for redefining the first input device as comprising a second plurality of sensing elements, wherein the means for mapping maps data outputs from the second plurality of sensing elements to a corresponding output of the first input device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: means for mapping the data outputs from at least a portion of the first plurality of sensing elements to a corresponding output of a second input device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: means for defining a second input device as comprising a third plurality of sensing elements; and means for mapping each data output from the third plurality of sensing elements to a corresponding output of a second input device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for performing connected region analysis on the outputs from the first input device to separate the outputs into connected regions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising means for determining the centroid of at least one connected region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first input device is a keyboard interface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first input device is a mouse interface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first input device comprises an image interface, and wherein the apparatus further comprises means for storing as an image a multi-level representation the inputs to the first plurality of sensing elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for defining comprises means for defining simultaneously a plurality of input devices on the array, each of the plurality of input devices comprising predetermined ones of the sensing elements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
99 words
A work surface system comprising: a array of sensing elements to form a work surface, each sensing element of the array producing a data output in response to an input to the sensing element; means for defining a first input device as comprising a first plurality of sensing elements; means for mapping each data output from the first plurality of sensing elements to a corresponding output of the first input device; and means for mapping the data outputs from at least a portion of first plurality of the sensing elements to a corresponding output of a second input device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
99 words
A work surface system comprising: a array of sensing elements to form a work surface, each sensing element of the array producing a data output in response to an input to the sensing element; means for defining a first input device as comprising a first plurality of sensing elements; means for mapping each data output from the first plurality of sensing elements to a corresponding output of the first input device; and means for mapping the data outputs from at least a portion of first plurality of the sensing elements to a corresponding output of a second input device.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for using a sensor that has a plurality of sensing elements each of which produces a data output in response to an input, comprising the steps of: defining a first input device as comprising a first plurality of the sensing elements; mapping each data output from the first plurality of the sensing elements to a corresponding output of the first input device; and redefining the first input device as comprising a second plurality of the sensing elements, wherein the means for mapping maps data outputs from the second plurality of the sensing elements to a corresponding output of the first input device.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for using a sensor that has a plurality of sensing elements each of which produces a data output in response to an input, comprising the steps of: defining a first input device as comprising a first plurality of the sensing elements; mapping each data output from the first plurality of the sensing elements to a corresponding output of the first input device; and redefining the first input device as comprising a second plurality of the sensing elements, wherein the means for mapping maps data outputs from the second plurality of the sensing elements to a corresponding output of the first input device.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising: mapping the data outputs from at least a portion of the first plurality of the sensing elements to a corresponding output of a second input device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising: defining a second input device as comprising a third plurality of the sensing elements; and mapping each data output from the third plurality of the sensing elements to a corresponding output of a second input device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the defining step comprises the steps of: sampling the sensing elements of the sensor; determining whether a predetermined pattern of force has been applied to the sensor; and defining the location and orientation of a predetermined input device in response to the predetermined pattern of force.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of performing connected region analysis on outputs from the first input device to separate the outputs into connected regions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of determining the centroid of at least one connected region.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the first input device is a keyboard interface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the first input device is a mouse interface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of: defining an origin to be the centroid of a first force exerted within the defined region; determining whether the centroid of a second force is spaced apart from the origin by at least a first predetermined distance; and generating signals indicative of moving a cursor on a display screen in a predetermined direction by a second predetermined distance if the centroid of the second force is spaced apart from the origin by at least said first predetermined distance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of signaling a click event upon detecting a third force which exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for using a sensor that has a plurality of sensing elements each of which produces a data output in response to an input, comprising the steps of: defining a first input device as comprising a first plurality of the sensing elements; mapping each data output from the first plurality of the sensing elements to a corresponding output of the first input device; and mapping the data outputs from at least a portion of the first plurality of the sensing elements to a corresponding output of a second input device.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for using a sensor that has a plurality of sensing elements each of which produces a data output in response to an input, comprising the steps of: defining a first input device as comprising a first plurality of the sensing elements; mapping each data output from the first plurality of the sensing elements to a corresponding output of the first input device; and mapping the data outputs from at least a portion of the first plurality of the sensing elements to a corresponding output of a second input device.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for identifying a person, comprising the steps of: sampling a tactile sensor array to record a force-image that is characteristic of the person; determining from the recorded force-image information characteristic of the person; comparing the information characteristic of the person with information characteristic of known individuals; and identifying the person as one of the known individuals on the basis of the comparing step.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
65 words
A method for identifying a person, comprising the steps of: sampling a tactile sensor array to record a force-image that is characteristic of the person; determining from the recorded force-image information characteristic of the person; comparing the information characteristic of the person with information characteristic of known individuals; and identifying the person as one of the known individuals on the basis of the comparing step.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the force-image characteristic of the person comprises a force-image of a handprint.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the sampling step comprises: summing pixels output from successive samples of the sensor array to produce the force-image; subtracting a predetermined value from each non-zero pixel; setting to zero all pixels having a value less than zero; and setting to one all non-zero pixels.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
102 words
The method of claim 23, wherein the determining step comprises: defining an origin at a centroid of the force-image; determining a set of principle axes of the force-image; performing connected region analysis on the force-image to to separate the force-image into a plurality of connected regions; identifying the connected regions corresponding to fingertips of the force-image; identifying a pixel of each fingertip that is spaced furthest from the origin; calculating the distances between a predetermined point on the force-image and the pixel of each fingertip that is spaced furthest from the origin; and calculating the width of the palm of the force-image.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the force-image characteristic of the person comprises a series of sequential force-images of a footprint.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method of claim 22, wherein the determining step comprises: defining an origin at a centroid of the first force-image of the series of sequential force-images; calculating for each succeeding force-image: a centroid of the force-image, the distance between the centroid of the force-image and the origin, and a sum of all pixel values of the force-image; and correlating for each force-image the sum and the distance between he centroid of the force-image and the origin, to characterize the person.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of reinterpolating the sum and the distance to obtain data values at predetermined intervals for characterizing the person.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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