US5686942A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote computer input system which detects point source on operator
Assignee: National Semiconductor Corp
•
Filing: 1994-12-01
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Granted: 1997-11-11
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Expires: 2014-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A computer input system for input of data to a computer from a remote location by a human operator. The computer input system includes a detecting means which remotely detects the movement of a point object, such as an operator's nose, and a processing means for converting the detected motion into an output signal. The output signal may be used by a computer to move an image within a picture on a display. The detecting means detects the motion of the point object by detecting a ray which is reflected from or radiated by the point object.
Inventors
- 👤 James V. Ball
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 10:53
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/011; G06F3/012; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/042; G06F3/0421
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A computer input system for the input of information to a computer by operator, the computer input device comprising: detecting means for remote detection of a movement of a point object which is closest to the detecting means by detection of a ray reflected from the point object; and processing means for converting the movement detected by the detecting means into an output signal; and a display for displaying pictures successively generated by the computer, with the detecting means being mounted on the display.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A computer input system for the input of information to a computer by operator, the computer input device comprising: detecting means for remote detection of a movement of a point object which is closest to the detecting means by detection of a ray reflected from the point object; and processing means for converting the movement detected by the detecting means into an output signal; and a display for displaying pictures successively generated by the computer, with the detecting means being mounted on the display.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer input system according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means includes means for detecting movement of the point object by detecting at least the position of the point object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer input system according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means includes means for detecting movement of the point object by detecting at least the velocity of the point object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A computer input system according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means includes means for detecting movement of the point object by detecting at least the acceleration of the point object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer input system according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means comprises a sensor for detecting electromagnetic radiation, and the reflected ray detected by the detecting means is a ray of electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A computer input system according to claim 5, wherein the sensor detects the movement of a point object which exhibits a predetermined level of reflectivity with respect to the electromagnetic radiation detected by the detecting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer input system according to claim 5, wherein the detecting means further comprises an electromagnetic radiation source for irradiating the point object, so that the ray comes from the electromagnetic radiation source.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A computer input system according to claim 7, wherein the electromagnetic radiation source is a laser.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A computer input system according to claim 7, wherein the electromagnetic radiation source is a scanning laser.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer input system according to claim 5, wherein the detecting means comprises a visible light sensor for detecting a ray of visible light reflected by the point object.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A computer input system according to claim 10, wherein the visible light sensor comprises an array of photodiodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
55 words
A computer input system according to claim 10, wherein the visible light sensor comprises at least two sensor elements which are disposed at least 1 centimeter apart from each other and the processing means includes means for calculating the motion of the point object by triangulation utilizing signals generated by the at least two sensors.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computer input system according to claim 10, wherein the visible light sensor comprises a charge-coupled device image array.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A computer input system according to claim 5, wherein the sensor comprises an infrared sensor, and the reflected ray detected by the detecting means is a ray of infrared radiation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
A computer input system according to claim 14, wherein the infrared sensor comprises at least two infrared sensor elements which are disposed at least 1 centimeter apart from each other and the processing means includes means for calculating the motion of the point object by triangulation utilizing signals generated by the at least two sensors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
A computer input system according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means comprises: an ultrasonic wave generator for emitting ultrasonic waves; and an ultrasonic sensor for detecting the position of the point object based on detection of the reflected ray, with the reflected ray being an ultrasonic wave emitted from the ultrasonic wave generator which has been reflected by the point object.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
A computer input system according to claim 16, wherein the ultrasonic sensor comprises at least two sensing elements which are disposed at least 1 centimeter apart from each other and the processing means includes means for calculating the motion of the point object by triangulation utilizing signals generated by the at least two sensors.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer input system according to claim 1, wherein the processing means calculates movement of the point object along a first direction, calculates movement of the point object along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and generates the output signal at a level determined on the basis of the calculated movement in the first and second directions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer input system according to claim 18, wherein the level of the output signal is serially determined on the basis of movement in the first direction and movement in the second direction.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A computer input system according to claim 18, wherein the output signal is comprised of at least two parallel signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
50 words
A computer input system according to claim 20, wherein at least one of the parallel signals has a level determined on the basis of movement in the first direction and at least one of the parallel signals has a level determined on the basis of movement in the second direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A computer input system according to claim 1, wherein the detecting means comprises a sensor disposed along the periphery of the display.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
A computer input system according to claim 1, wherein the display has rectangular shape and the detecting means comprises at least two sensors which are respectively disposed along two adjacent sides of the periphery of the display.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
44 words
A computer input system according to claim 1, wherein the computer utilizes the output signal of the processing means to generate successive pictures so that location of an image contained in the successive pictures is moved corresponding to the movement of the point object.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer input system according to claim 24, wherein the image is a cursor which is used to select icons on the display.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
A computer input system according to claim 1 further comprising a switch which can be switched between at least a first condition and a second condition by the operator to enable and disable the computer input system.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
A computer input system according to claim 26 further comprising a keyboard with a plurality of buttons, so that the switch can be switched by depressing a predetermined combination of buttons of the plurality of buttons.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
A computer input system according to claim 26, wherein the detecting means only detects movement of the point object when the switch is in the first condition.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer input system according to claim 26, wherein the computer only receives the output signal from the processing means when the switch is in the first condition.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer input system according to claim 26, wherein the processing means only converts detected movement of the point object when the switch is in the first condition.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of inputting data to a computer by an operator comprising the steps of: detecting a ray reflected from a point object which is a tip of a nose of the operator; and generating an output signal corresponding to motion of the point object based on the detected reflected ray.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
51 words
A method of inputting data to a computer by an operator comprising the steps of: detecting a ray reflected from a point object which is a tip of a nose of the operator; and generating an output signal corresponding to motion of the point object based on the detected reflected ray.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of inputting data to a computer according to claim 31, wherein the point object is a reflective spot mounted on the nose of the operator.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of inputting data to a computer according to claim 31, wherein the reflected ray is a ray of ambient visible light reflected from the point object.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of inputting data to a computer according to claim 31 further comprising the steps of: irradiating the point object with a ray of electromagnetic radiation; and reflecting of the ray of electromagnetic radiation by the point object.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of inputting data to a computer according to claim 34, wherein the point object is irradiated by a laser.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of inputting data to a computer according to claim 34, wherein the point object is irradiated by a scanning laser.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method of inputting data to a computer according to claim 31, further comprising the steps of: irradiating the point object with a ray of infrared radiation; and reflecting of the ray of infrared radiation by the point object.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of inputting data to a computer according to claim 31 further comprising the steps of: generating an ultrasonic wave which is directed toward the point object; and reflecting of the ultrasonic wave by the point object.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method of inputting data to a computer according to claim 31 further comprising the steps of: generating successive pictures, which contain at least one image, so that the location of the image within the picture corresponds to the detected motion of the point object; and displaying the successive pictures on a display.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of inputting data to a computer according to claim 39, wherein the image is a cursor used to select among icons on the display.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method of inputting data to a computer according to claim 39, further comprising the steps of: determining whether a switch, which is operated by the operator, is in a predetermined condition; and generating the successive pictures so that the location of the image corresponds to the detected motion of the point object only when the switch is in the predetermined condition.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
96 words
A computer input system for the input of information to a computer by an operator, the computer input device comprising: a computer; a display for displaying pictures successively generated by the computer; detecting means for remote detection of movement of a point on the body of the operator by detection of a ray of infrared radiation which is generated at and radiates from the point on the body of the operator, with the detecting means being mounted on the display; and processing means for converting the movement detected by the detecting means into an output signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
96 words
A computer input system for the input of information to a computer by an operator, the computer input device comprising: a computer; a display for displaying pictures successively generated by the computer; detecting means for remote detection of movement of a point on the body of the operator by detection of a ray of infrared radiation which is generated at and radiates from the point on the body of the operator, with the detecting means being mounted on the display; and processing means for converting the movement detected by the detecting means into an output signal.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
19 words
A computer input system according to claim 42, wherein the detecting means comprises an array of infrared sensor elements.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
70 words
A computer input system according to claim 43, wherein the detecting means includes means for outputting infrared-image data corresponding to the amount of infrared radiation detected by each of the infrared sensor elements of the array of infrared sensor elements to the processing means, and the processing means includes means for processing the infrared-image data in order to determines a position of the point on the body of the operator.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
42 words
A computer input system according to claim 44, wherein the processing means processes the infrared-image data by locating a predetermined pattern within the infrared-image data, where the predetermined pattern corresponds to the position of the point on the body of the operator.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
59 words
A computer input system according to claim 45, wherein the predetermined pattern corresponds to infrared-image data with a first area exhibiting a relatively low level of detected infrared radiation surrounded by a second area exhibiting a higher level of detected infrared radiation, where the first area corresponds to the position of a nose on the body of the operator.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
23 words
A computer input system according to claim 42, wherein the detecting means comprises an infrared sensor disposed along the periphery of the display.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
44 words
A computer input system according to claim 42, wherein the computer utilizes the output signal of the processing means to generate successive pictures so that location of an image contained in the successive pictures is moved corresponding to the movement of the point object.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
24 words
A computer input system according to claim 48, wherein the image is a cursor which is used to select among icons on the display.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer input system according to claim 42 further comprising a switch which can be switched between at least a first condition and a second condition by the operator.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
36 words
A computer input system according to claim 50 further comprising a keyboard with a plurality of buttons, so that the switch can be switched by depressing a predetermined combination of buttons of the plurality of buttons.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
28 words
A computer input system according to claim 50, wherein the detecting means will only detect movement of the point object when the switch is in the first condition.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer input system according to claim 50, wherein the computer will only receive the output signal from the processing means when the switch is in the first condition.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
29 words
A computer input system according to claim 50, wherein the processing means will only convert detected movement of the point object when the switch is in the first condition.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of inputting data to a computer by an operator comprising the steps of: detecting an infrared ray which is radiated from a point on the body of the operator; and generating an output signal corresponding to motion of the point on the body of the operator based on the detected infrared ray.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
54 words
A method of inputting data to a computer by an operator comprising the steps of: detecting an infrared ray which is radiated from a point on the body of the operator; and generating an output signal corresponding to motion of the point on the body of the operator based on the detected infrared ray.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
110 words
A computer input system for the inputting information to a computer by an operator, the computer input device comprising: detecting means for remote detection of a movement of a point object by detection of a ray reflected from the point object; processing means for converting the movement detected by the detecting means into an output signal; a display for displaying pictures successively generated by the computer, the detecting means being mounted on the display; and wherein the detecting means includes means for detecting the movement of the point object by detecting a tip of a nose of the operator who is positioned at a location suitable for observing the display.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
110 words
A computer input system for the inputting information to a computer by an operator, the computer input device comprising: detecting means for remote detection of a movement of a point object by detection of a ray reflected from the point object; processing means for converting the movement detected by the detecting means into an output signal; a display for displaying pictures successively generated by the computer, the detecting means being mounted on the display; and wherein the detecting means includes means for detecting the movement of the point object by detecting a tip of a nose of the operator who is positioned at a location suitable for observing the display.
Claim 62
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of inputting data to a computer by an operator comprising the steps of: detecting, by a detecting means, a point object which is closest to the detecting means by detection of a ray reflected from the point object; and generating an output signal corresponding to motion of the point object based on the detected reflected ray.
Claim 63
Independent Claim
58 words
A method of inputting data to a computer by an operator comprising the steps of: detecting, by a detecting means, a point object which is closest to the detecting means by detection of a ray reflected from the point object; and generating an output signal corresponding to motion of the point object based on the detected reflected ray.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-11-10 | 2001-05-12 | 2001-11-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-11-10 | 2005-05-12 | 2005-11-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-11-10 | 2009-05-12 | 2009-11-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |