DE19513825C1 - Evaluation of operational inputs for personal computer of e.g. disabled person and environment control - Google Patents

Abstract

The CPU (1) is connected to a keyboard (2) and mouse controller (3), and has an input interface (4) for signals from single-, double- and multiple-contact switches (5-7) and a switch matrix (8). A decoder associating input signals with output functions has a conversion table for transformation of switch operations into operating signals for the personal computer (14) and video display unit (15) via an output interface (13). Peripheral interfaces (9-12) are provided for environment control, infrared remote control, an LCD display and telephonic communication.

Description

The invention relates to a device for evaluation of operator input that has at least one input Interface for connection to an input device device, at least one output interface for one Output device and a decoder for the assignment of Has input signals to output functions and at that of the decoder for emulating input signals is trained for a personal computer and at the at least one output interface to one Personal computer input interface of the personal computer can be connected.

To operate modern devices is usually before suspended that a user with the usual  human handling skills. This often makes it difficult for disabled people or impossible to operate such devices. In particular special the operation of computers, which is usually using keyboards or graphical inputs, so-called "mice" is for disabled people other connected with considerable difficulties. There are similar difficulties with the Be operation of telephones, radio and television sets as well other devices of everyday life.

The problems outlined above occur particularly intensive for severely disabled and severely disabled who have little motor skills.

DE 40 37 049 C2 describes an operating device described, which can be used for personal computers to be operated by disabled people. The Be Service device has a control unit which is connected to a switching device, the one Has keypad. The switches in the area of The keypad can be operated by tongue contacts. To the Connection to the personal computer is a corresponding one Output interface provided. For coupling the It is the control device on the personal computer required a special on the personal computer Install driver software.

DE 41 14 926 C1 describes a data processing system location described with optical input device, the also provided as an input aid for the disabled is. Optical sensors are around a screen units arranged illuminated by an operator can be. Depending on the minimum time illumination times become signals for a keyboard or a mouse interface. The operation  however, requires considerable motor skills ahead, because a precise entry of an input field on the screen, or operating one Signal glove, is required. It is also required significant interventions in the be serving personal computer to make an Appli to enable cation.

DE 42 34 680 A1 is a general Device for generating coordinate data be wrote which a decoder and an implementation table for the transformation of switching signals of a Mouse in operating signals for a personal computer having. However, it is not possible to create a con conventional keyboard to replace, neither is Ease of use for disabled people give.

From the magazine article US-Z .: Personal Computer Keyboard port multi-device adapter. In: IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin, Vol. 33, No. 6A, November 1990, S. 204/205 it is known to be reusable for to implement a keyboard interface. The usable Can be used for input devices such as scanners, magnetic cards reader or a computer mouse may be provided.

The object of the present invention is to provide a direction of the type mentioned in the beginning to con structure that even with low motor skills operation of complex devices is made possible.

This object is achieved in that the decoder a conversion table for transformation of switching signals of the input device in Be has service signals for the personal computer,  that for the generation of the switching signals of the input direction of various differently complex switching devices consisting of at least one simple contact switch, at least one double contact switch and at least one multiple contact switch provided are, each by a switching device can optionally be activated, and that as an operating aid an optical display of a user interface is provided which can be activated at an operating time Represents circuit options.

By transforming simple switching functions in complex operator input it is possible to make complex Input units such as keyboard and mouse through simple Switching arrangements to replace. The optional activation of differently complex switching devices allows the switch arrangement used in each case individual on the degree of disability of the Be tailor the servant. This makes it possible to maximum available motor skills from too use. One with greater motor skills  Disabled person is not forced to have one cumbersome operation via elementary simple switch. Rather, this can depend on his skills single contact, double contact or Use multiple contact switches. To make it possible is an adaptation to standardized devices provided the device to a usual Keyboard input interface to connect. There are thus no changes in the area of to be operated Device required.

To simulate common keyboard input is pre suggest that the conversion table to transform from switching signals to output signals of a keyboard is trained.

For the operation of graphically supported Pro It is planned that the conversion table for Transformation of switching signals into output signals a mouse is trained.

Operation of house installation technology is there supported by that a peripheral interface for Control of environmental control functions trained is.

Communication with people not present will thereby facilitated that a peripheral interface trained to control communication devices for example to control a telephone.

A further expansion of the range of services can in that a peripheral interface to Connection of a remote control is formed.

An optional operation of the personal computer both by healthy as well as by disabled people supported by the fact that a central unit for Functional coordination is provided, and that by the central unit optionally  the switching devices or conventional on can be activated.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawing shown schematically. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the device and

Fig. 2 is a simplified block diagram for the surrender of the essential device components.

Fig. 1 illustrates the structure of the device. A central unit ( 1 ) is provided for coordinating the processes and can be connected to a keyboard ( 2 ) and a mouse ( 3 ) via conventional connections. A connection to switching devices ( 5 ) is possible via an input interface ( 4 ). The Schaltvorrich lines ( 5 ) can for example be designed as a single-contact switch, double-contact switch ( 6 ), multiple-contact switch ( 7 ) in the form of a joystick or as a switching matrix ( 8 ).

Additional functions can be activated via additional peripheral interfaces ( 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ). For example, it is possible to carry out an environmental control, to connect an infrared remote control, to connect an LCD display as an input aid or to operate a telephone or other communication devices. It is also possible, for example, to operate entertainment devices such as televisions or radios if they have an infrared interface.

A connection to a personal computer ( 14 ), which can be equipped with a screen ( 15 ), can be established via an output interface ( 13 ).

Fig. 2 illustrates the essential functional components in a further simplified block diagram representation. In addition to the central unit ( 1 ), the input interface ( 4 ) and the output interface ( 13 ), the decoder ( 16 ) and the conversion table ( 17 ) are shown. Exemplary of the peripheral interfaces (9, 10, 11, 12), the peripheral port (9) located. The central unit ( 1 ) is provided with standard interfaces (18) for connecting the keyboard ( 2 ) or the mouse ( 3 ).

At the peripheral interface ( 9 ) for environmental control, for example, heating devices, lamps or door openers can be connected. By equipping the central unit ( 1 ) with additional standard interfaces ( 18 ), the connected personal computer ( 14 ) can be operated by both healthy and disabled people. A changeover takes place depending on whether the keyboard ( 2 ) or the mouse ( 3 ) or the switching devices ( 5 ) have input signals pending for processing.

By means of appropriate configuration commands, the central unit ( 1 ) can be adapted to the input devices actually present or to the keyboards or input mice to be simulated by the switching devices ( 5 ). The adaptation can be done for example with regard to the data speed, the data format and transmission protocols. It is also possible, depending on the physical constitution of a user, to keep reaction time and reaction frequency when operating in the area of the switching devices ( 5 ) by means of control commands in the area of the central unit ( 1 ).

When operating via a switching device ( 5 ), which is only equipped with individual contacts, the currently selectable command is highlighted on a user interface. If the contact is triggered, the selection is made. When using a double contact switch ( 6 ), two switching options are shown on the user interface. Each of the switching functions is assigned to one of the contacts. When operating using multiple contact switches, the selectable switching variants are displayed on the user interface depending on the number of contacts that can be operated. A switching matrix with 4, 8, 16, 32 or 64 switching options is expediently used.

In the event that the number of selectable variants exceeds the number of contacts of the switching device ( 5 ), it is possible to group the switching variants. The assigned group is then selected first, followed by the selection of the switching variant within the selected group.

The device can be implemented in terms of circuitry with the aid of a single-board computer. The single-board computer takes over the operation of the input interface ( 4 ) and the output interface ( 13 ) designed as a keyboard interface in the connection area to the personal computer ( 14 ). Likewise, the input interface ( 13 ) controls the input interface of the personal computer ( 14 ) for the mouse. Likewise, the peripheral interfaces ( 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ) are operated by the single-board computer. A special configuration interface can be provided for the system configuration options already mentioned.

There are a multitude of possibilities for realizing the switches provided in the area of the switching device ( 5 ). Single contact switches can be designed, for example, as tongue contacts, cushion contacts or blow contacts. The double contact switches ( 6 ) are designed, for example, as suction blowpipes or pillow contacts. Cross contacts can be designed, for example, as a commercially available joystick. For switching matrices ( 8 ), ten-keyboards or prefabricated matrix arrangements can be used to form multiple contacts. In principle, it is also conceivable to use mixed arrangements of the switch variants described above.

The output interface ( 13 ) ensures that the device outputs standardized signals from conventional keyboards ( 2 ) or mice ( 3 ) to the personal computer ( 14 ). Interventions in the area of the personal computer ( 14 ) are thereby avoided. There is thus a signal adaptation both in terms of output level, timing and data format as well as the dialog format. This applies both to the signals from conventional keyboards ( 2 ) and from conventional mice ( 3 ).

In the area of the peripheral interface ( 12 ) for communication devices, for example for telephones or fax machines, signal profiles and signal levels are provided in accordance with commonly used devices. Devices of consumer electronics can also be connected via a peripheral interface ( 10 ) if they have an infrared interface. It is also possible to connect learning remote controls.

The signal levels in the area of the peripheral interface ( 9 ) for environmental control are also adapted both to the signal level and to the data formats to conventional technical devices that are used to control light, temperature or other environmental functions.

Claims (7)

1. Apparatus for evaluating operator input, which has at least one input interface for connection to an input device, at least one output interface for an output device and a decoder for assigning input signals to output functions and in which the decoder for emulating input signals for a personal computer is formed and in which the at least one output interface can be connected to a personal computer input interface of the personal computer, characterized in that the decoder ( 16 ) has a conversion table ( 17 ) for transforming switching signals of the input device into operating signals for the personal computer ( 14 ), that for the generation of the switching signals of the input device ver different different complex Schaltvor devices ( 5 ) consisting of at least one single-contact switch, at least one double-contact switch ( 6 ) and at least egg Nem multi-contact switch ( 7 ) are provided, which can be optionally activated by a switching device, and that as an operating aid, a visual display of a user interface is provided which represents switching options that can be activated at an operating time. 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the conversion table ( 17 ) for transforma tion of switching signals in output signals of a keyboard ( 2 ) is formed. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the conversion table ( 17 ) for transforma tion of switching signals in the output signals of a mouse ( 3 ) is formed. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a peripheral interface ( 9 ) is designed for controlling environmental control functions. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a peripheral interface ( 12 ) for controlling devices is formed. 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that a peripheral interface ( 10 ) for connecting a remote control is formed. 7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a central unit ( 1 ) is provided for function coordination, and that by the central unit ( 1 ) either the switching devices ( 5 ) or conventional input devices ( 2 , 3 ) can be activated are.