DE9310983U1 - Novel input system based on optoelectronics, consisting of a receiver system and a transmitter / control system that emits directional radiation, for information input and control - Google Patents

Description

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i State of the art

Input and control elements as key components of modern technology are available in a wide variety of forms. In principle, there are manual input elements with discrete elements that are operated by hand (keyboard), those with limited direct functionality that can also control complex processes via downstream software (mouse, trackball), light pens that are placed directly on the screen, radio systems, etc.

Criticism of the state of the art ,

The conventional input elements are optimized for specific tasks and cover a wide range. A specific problem is that the input and display areas are usually separate (eg keyboard/screen); systems with touch screens and light pens require direct screen contact and are susceptible to dirt. Contactless radio-based systems can cause EMC problems and shift the full functionality to the control device. What all systems have in common is that they are difficult or impossible to use for people with limited motor skills.

Task

The aim of the invention is to develop an input system that

- works without contact

'2 O - can work over longer distances

- EMC safety offers

- ergonomically flexible design

- also enables people with limited motor skills to make the most of modern communication and control technology.

The invention is based on the use of a directed radiation source that is directed at the receiver element and - directly or via the downstream electronics - triggers the desired function. This method works without contact, is largely interference- and tamper-proof, even on larger

distances and can also be used by people with limited mobility. Both discrete, individual receiver elements (e.g. in an array) and quasi-continuous versions, similar to a touch screen, are possible. If the new input elements are transparent

_ is to apply it to the information monitor itself and

- to ensure consistent positioning of input and output of the

desired information is possible.

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Since the distance from the transmitter/input element to the receiver can be chosen to be quite large - up to a few meters - the eyes can be accommodated in a relaxing way. The visualization of the targeted point can be achieved, for example, by using a laser transmitter via its own light spot or that of a specially designed spotlight, hereinafter referred to as the positioning spotlight, if the beam used to trigger the function and hereinafter referred to as the function beam itself is not visible.

The design of the receiver and the receiving elements arranged on it can also follow geometric principles appropriate to the task, since the human hand physiognomy does not have to be taken into account. For example, the elements can be arranged in a circle around a central point (e.g. confirmation button) in order to achieve the shortest possible path from "button" to "button"; however, other criteria such as psychological conditions or task-specific requirements are also possible.

Description of some examples

In principle, the new system consists of a transmitter (1) that emits directed radiation permanently, periodically or when activated, and a receiving system (2) with an integrated (rechargeable battery, solar cell, etc.) or external power supply, e.g. via a connected computer (3) or the network. The receiving system, in this example referred to as the light keyboard, is equipped with detectors (4) for the radiation (5) emitted by the transmitter, which in this example is assumed to be visible light.

Devices can be connected directly (6) as well as computers or other control and input-capable systems.

Fig. I shows an overall overview of the system,
Fig. II a section through a reception confirmation element and
Fig. &Pgr;&Igr; an exemplary structure of the receiving element with
Arrangement of the individual function keys.

The universality of the operating principle makes it possible to use a very wide range of transmitters/receivers over a very wide frequency range. The requirements to direct the beam, to make it visible on the receiving system, as well as range, cost and safety aspects currently make the use of visible wavelengths and neighboring ranges (UV, IR) "> particularly interesting. It is possible, for example, to couple an invisible function beam with a visible position beam. In the simplest case, however, one beam can fulfill both functions.

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^ In this example, a weak laser with visible radiation that is harmless to the eyes is used as a transmitter. Advantages include the good visibility of the emitted light on the light keyboard, the possibility of beam modulation (masking out stray light, etc.), and the long range

5" even in bright ambient light.

In this case, the beam position is reported back by the radiation spot (8) on the surface of the light keyboard. The receiving elements (9) are receiver diodes that are mounted in the receiver plate (10) and whose wiring (11) is led out at the back. In order to increase the /70 switching active area of the individual elements, optical lenses (12) are connected in front in this example, which focus the incident radiation onto the receiver diode.

The selected function can be triggered, for example, using a confirmation "button" (13) - here centrally located - or also using a corresponding switch (14) on the transmitter itself if immediate triggering of the irradiated element is not desired. The feedback of the selection made or the triggering can be provided, for example, using LEDs (16) or other signal elements that can be installed next to the receiving diodes or in their vicinity - possibly also on a separate 1Ω display surface. In areas at risk of explosion or in contaminated areas, the transmitter and receiving system can be separated by a wall (15) that is permeable to the selected radiation without affecting functionality, since no galvanic connection is required between the two components.

The desired process (e.g. triggering a signal) can be triggered directly via the receiver diode if the switching capacity is sufficient and the corresponding function is assigned directly to the diode. The system is more flexible if a computer or similar system is controlled via the light keyboard. This enables flexible, software-controlled control, regulation and information input and output. For example, a user with severely limited motor skills can enter text in this way and forward it via telephone (17), modem or other communication systems or receive such messages.

With contactless operation over long distances of up to many meters, the design of the light keyboard does not have to take the physiognomy of the human hand into account. The design can instead focus on speed-optimizing, psychological aspects, symbolism and specific visual behavior. In this example, a concentrically constructed light keyboard with a complete keypad (22), 10-key block (21), mouse (19) and function keys (20) was designed to optimize the path, the central elements of which are the confirmation key (13) and cursor keys.

In order to enable people with severely limited motor skills to use the light keyboard, the transmitter can be as small as possible and incorporated into glasses or a ring, for example.

Claims (2)

1 Protection claims I. Novel input system comprising a receiving system and a transmitting unit emitting radiation for operation, characterized in that the receiving system yf &ogr; 1.1. is controlled by a directed radiation source, 1. 2. Can detect radiation pulses and forward them as signals to an evaluation unit, 1.3. with discrete receiving elements such as diodes or with one or more elements with quasi-continuous, analog sensor properties such as st s" radiation-sensitive foils can be fitted, 1.4. with modulated or unmodulated and 1.5. with visible or invisible radiation 1.6. can be controlled contactlessly or by touch, 1.7. can be equipped with one or more confirmation elements for defined input or &ogr; triggering, 1.8. can be equipped with elements for optical, acoustic or other feedback of the triggered function, 1.9. can be equipped with integrated or downstream signal conversion and evaluation for coded control, IS 1.10. in its form similar to a conventional input element (keyboard, touchscreen) or · 1.11. can be developed in a novel form resulting from the novel input sequence and behavior without taking into account the specific manual and motor characteristics of the healthy person, t
$ O 1.12. can work with diodes with digital or analog output as receiving elements, 1.13. can be equipped with upstream optical elements such as lenses in order to achieve a larger active radiation area for the receiving elements, ^s " 1.14. may be coated, covered or composed on its surface in such a way that even originally invisible radiation becomes visible upon impact, • * -2- and that the control element 1.15. can emit visible and/or invisible directed radiation, 1.16. is directed at the receiver element by the user or a technical device for operation, 5" 1.17. can be equipped with a visible beam as an additional guidance and positioning aid, 1.18. can be a freely movable single element as well as being built into another element (e.g. glasses, a ring, etc.) /t &ogr; 1.19. can have an integrated power supply (e.g. via batteries) or an external supply, 1.20. a modulated or unmodulated radiation 1.21. can emit continuously, periodically or controlled by actuation and 1.22. has the opportunity to confirm the input.