US6650318B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data input device
Assignee: Lumio Home Services LLC
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Filing: 2000-10-13
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Granted: 2003-11-18
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Expires: 2020-10-13
Abstract
Abstract A data input device including an optically generated image of a data input device, the image including at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user, a sensor operative to sense the action performed on the at least one input zone, and to generate signals in response to the action, and a processor in communication with the sensor operative to process the signals for performing an operation associated with the at least one input zone.
Inventors
- 👤 Boaz Arnon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:10
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/042; G06F3/0421; G06F3/0423; G03; G03H; G03H1/00; G03H1/22; G09; G09B; G09B21/00; G09B21/001; G09B21/002; G03H1/0005; G03H2001/0061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A data input device comprising: an optically generated image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user; a sensor operative to sense the action performed on said at least one input zone, and to generate signals in response to said action, said sensor being an optical position sensing device (PSD); and a processor in communication with said sensor operative to process said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
A data input device comprising: an optically generated image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user; a sensor operative to sense the action performed on said at least one input zone, and to generate signals in response to said action, said sensor being an optical position sensing device (PSD); and a processor in communication with said sensor operative to process said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device according to claim 1 and further comprising a light source which generates a light beam, and beam-moving apparatus which moves said light beam to generate said optically generated image of said data input device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 2 wherein said beam-moving apparatus comprises a mirror arranged to reflect said light beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device according to claim 3 and further comprising an actuator operatively connected to said mirror, wherein said actuator moves said mirror to reflect said light beam to form at least a two-dimensional image of said data input device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device according to claim 2 wherein said beam-moving apparatus comprises a scanner arranged to scan said light beam, and an actuator operatively connected to said scanner, wherein said actuator moves said scanner to scan said light beam to form at least a two-dimensional image of said data input device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said data input device comprises a key of a keyboard.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said data input device comprises a keyboard.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said data input device comprises a mouse with at least one input button.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said data input device comprises a key of a touch pad.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
A data input device comprising: an optically generated image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user; a sensor operative to sense the action performed on said at least one input zone, and to generate signals in response to said action, said sensor being an acoustic sensor; and a processor in communication with said sensor operative to process said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
86 words
A data input device comprising: an optically generated image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user; a sensor operative to sense the action performed on said at least one input zone, and to generate signals in response to said action, said sensor being an acoustic sensor; and a processor in communication with said sensor operative to process said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 1 wherein said processor is in communication with an output device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device according to claim 11 wherein said output device comprises at least one of a computer, a mobile telephone, a switch, and a palm-held computer/calculator.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for data input comprising: generating an optical image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user; performing an action on said at least one input zone; sensing the action performed on said at least one input zone, said sensing comprising: detecting light reflected from an object within a silhouette of said image; and analyzing a reflection of said light to determine a spatial position of the object; generating signals in response to said action; and processing said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for data input comprising: generating an optical image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user; performing an action on said at least one input zone; sensing the action performed on said at least one input zone, said sensing comprising: detecting light reflected from an object within a silhouette of said image; and analyzing a reflection of said light to determine a spatial position of the object; generating signals in response to said action; and processing said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein the step of generating the optical image comprises generating an image of a keyboard and the step of performing an action comprises pressing keys of said image of said keyboard.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 14 wherein the step of processing said signals causes typing alphanumeric characters on at least one of a computer, cell phone, palm-sized computer/calculator and PDA.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 14 and further comprising modifying said image of said keyboard so as to modify a configuration of keys of said keyboard.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method according to claim 14 and further comprising: optically generating an image of characters of a first language on keys of said keyboard; selecting a second language different from said first language; and optically generating an image of characters of said second language on keys of said keyboard.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein said optical image of said data input device is a holographic image.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein said optical image of said data input device is generated by means of a monochromatic laser.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein said optical image of said data input device is generated by means of multiple laser sources having different colors and wavelengths.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein said optical image of said data input device is generated by means of a single laser source and using color and wavelength splitters to split light from said single laser source.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein said optical image of said data input device is generated by means of differently polarized light beams.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
70 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein the step of sensing comprises: providing a light beam emanating from a light source; detecting light reflected from an object within a silhouette of said image, corresponding to said light beam; and analyzing an angle of said light beam and a time for the beam to be reflected back from said object to a reference to determine a spatial position of the object.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method according to claim 23 wherein said reference comprises an optically readable reference.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 24 wherein said optically readable reference comprises a tangible bar code strip.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method according to claim 24 wherein said optically readable reference comprises an optically generated bar code strip.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 23 wherein said optical image of a data input device is generated by the same light beam whose reflection is used to determine the spatial position of the object.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method according to claim 13 wherein the step of sensing comprises: providing a non-visible-light beam emanating from a non-visible light source; detecting an image of said non-visible light impinging upon an object within a silhouette of said image of the data input device; and analyzing said image of said non-visible light to determine a spatial position of the object.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 28 wherein said non-visible light beam comprises an infrared beam and said image of said non-visible light comprises an infrared image of said object.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 13 and further comprising detecting light reflected from an object within a silhouette of said image and preventing said image from impinging upon said object.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 13 and wherein said sensing also comprises providing a light beam emanating from a light source.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 31 and wherein said sensing also comprises analyzing an angle of said light beam to determine a spatial position of the object.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for data input comprising: generating an optical image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user; performing an action on said at least one input zone; sensing the action performed on said at least one input zone, said sensing comprising: providing a non-visible light beam emanating from a non-visible-light source; detecting an image of said non-visible light impinging upon an object; and analyzing said image of said non-visible light to determine a spatial position of the object; generating signals in response to said action; and processing said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for data input comprising: generating an optical image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user; performing an action on said at least one input zone; sensing the action performed on said at least one input zone, said sensing comprising: providing a non-visible light beam emanating from a non-visible-light source; detecting an image of said non-visible light impinging upon an object; and analyzing said image of said non-visible light to determine a spatial position of the object; generating signals in response to said action; and processing said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 33 and wherein said step of analyzing also comprises analyzing an angle of said light beam to determine a spatial position of the object.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method according to claim 33 wherein the step of analyzing also comprises analyzing an angle of said light beam and a time for the beam to be reflected back from said object to a reference to determine a spatial position of the object.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
112 words
A data input device comprising: an optically generated image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user; a sensor operative to sense the action performed on said at least one input zone, and to generate signals in response to said action, said sensor being operative to: detect light reflected from an object within a silhouette of said image; and analyze a reflection of said light to determine a spatial position of the object; and a processor in communication with said sensor operative to process said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
112 words
A data input device comprising: an optically generated image of a data input device, said image comprising at least one input zone actuable by an action performed thereon by a user; a sensor operative to sense the action performed on said at least one input zone, and to generate signals in response to said action, said sensor being operative to: detect light reflected from an object within a silhouette of said image; and analyze a reflection of said light to determine a spatial position of the object; and a processor in communication with said sensor operative to process said signals for performing an operation associated with said at least one input zone.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device according to claim 36 and further comprising a light source which generates a light beam, and beam-moving apparatus which moves said light beam to generate said optically generated image of said data input device.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 37 wherein said beam-moving apparatus comprises a mirror arranged to reflect said light beam.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device according to claim 38 and further comprising an actuator operatively connected to said mirror, wherein said actuator moves said mirror to reflect said light beam to form at least a two-dimensional image of said data input device.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device according to claim 37 wherein said beam-moving apparatus comprises a scanner arranged to scan said light beam, and an actuator operatively connected to said scanner, wherein said actuator moves said scanner to scan said light beam to form at least a two-dimensional image of said data input device.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device according to claim 36 wherein said data input device comprises a key of a keyboard.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device according to claim 36 wherein said data input device comprises a keyboard.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device according to claim 36 wherein said data input device comprises a mouse with at least one input button.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 36 wherein said data input device comprises a key of a touch pad.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 36 and wherein said sensor analyzes an angle of determine a spatial position of the object.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
39 words
The device according to claim 36 wherein said sensor analyzes an angle of said light and a time for said light to be reflected back from said object to a reference to determine a spatial position of the object.
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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) | 2006-11-17 | 2007-05-19 | 2007-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-11-17 | 2011-05-19 | 2011-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-11-17 | 2015-05-19 | 2015-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |