GB2266144A - A non-tactile control arrangement - Google Patents
A non-tactile control arrangement Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2266144A GB2266144A GB9307056A GB9307056A GB2266144A GB 2266144 A GB2266144 A GB 2266144A GB 9307056 A GB9307056 A GB 9307056A GB 9307056 A GB9307056 A GB 9307056A GB 2266144 A GB2266144 A GB 2266144A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- array
- light
- sensors
- emitters
- control arrangement
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
- G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
- G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
- G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
- G06F3/042—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means
- G06F3/0421—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by opto-electronic means by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
Abstract
The invention provides a non-tactile control arrangement including an array of light sensors 5, an array of light emitters 4, each one of which is adapted to illuminate, and thereby cause an output signal to be generated by, at least a respective one of the array of light sensors, detection means for detecting the output of each of one of array of light sensors and providing an output signal indicative of a change of state of the outputs of the array of sensors. The presence or absence of illumination of any one or more of the light sensors is detected by the detection means which provide an output in the form of a set of binary digits, in a suitable format, for use in the control of equipment, for example, a computer. The arrangement may be incorporated in a frame 1. <IMAGE>
Description
A NON-TACTILE CONTROL ARRANGEMENT
The invention relates to a non-tactile control arrangement having a particular, but not necessarily an exclusive, application as an interface for a computer.
Computer interfaces, such as a mouse, can be difficult to operate especially for individuals with limited co-drdination, for example, a handicapped person. It is known that children, in particular, derive considerable pleasure from computer games.
This can be difficult for the handicapped who have inadequate control of the input device of the computer. Improving coordination by physiotherapy exercises, often requires uninteresting and repetitive movements.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a nontactile control arrangement having a number applications, for example, as a computer interface for use by individuals, such as the handicapped, with limited co-ordination.
The invention provides a non-tactile control arrangement including an array of light sensors, an array of light emitters, each one of which is adapted to illuminate, and thereby cause an output signal to be generated by, at least a respective one of the array of light sensors, and detection means for detecting the output of each one of the array of light sensors and providing a output signal indicative of a change of state of the outputs of the array of sensors.
The presence or absence of illumination of any one or more of the light sensors is detected by the detection means which provide an output in the form of a set of binary digits, in a suitable format, for use in the control of equipment, for example, a computer.
In the case of the computer, the status of individual light sensors, or groups of light sensors, as detected by the detection means, is inputted to the computer which responds in a variety of ways in dependence upon a user selectable program. Examples of responses include computer generated sounds, a menu driven art program, or a set of educational programs. Other software could be used, for example, the Maze program.
According to one aspect of the present invention a non-tactile control arrangement is provided wherein the arrays of light sensors and light emitters are arranged in at least one plane, wherein the array of light sensors is in the form of two orthogonal rows of sensors, wherein the array of light emitters is in the form of two orthogonal rows of emitters, and wherein the illumination beams generated by the emitters form two arrays of substantially parallel beams, and thereby a two dimensional array of cross-over points, in the space defined by the rows of sensors and emitters.
According to another aspect of the present invention a non-tactile control arrangement is provided wherein the arrays of light sensors and light emitters are arranged in at least one plane, wherein the array of light sensors is in the form of four rows of sensors that define a closed four sided space, wherein the array of light emitters is in the form of four rows of emitters, each one of which is merged with a separate one of the rows of sensors in a manner whereby the sensors and emitters occupy adjacent positions in the merged rows and wherein the illumination beams generated by the emitters form two arrays of substantially parallel beams, and thereby a two dimensional array of cross-over points, in the space defined by the merged rows of sensors and emitters.
According to a further aspect of the present invention a non-tactile control arrangement is provided wherein the arrays of light sensors and light emitters are arranged in at least one plane, wherein the array of light sensors is in the form of a single row of sensors, wherein the array of light emitters is in the form of a single row of emitters, and wherein the illumination beams generated by the emitters form of an array of substantially parallel beams in the space between the rows of sensors and emitters.
In order to facilitate the detection of both the depth, and angle of entry, of the user's hand, or other object, an arrangement is provided wherein the arrays of light sensors and light emitters are arranged in a number of parallel planes and define a three dimensional space and wherein the arrays of light sensors and light emitters in each of the parallel planes create at least one array of substantially parallel beams.
In a preferred arrangement, the rows of sensors and emitters are infra-red devices and are housed in respective sides of a frame assembly, for example, a rectangular frame assembly, the angle of which is adjustable.
In order to facilitate efficient operation of the non-tactile control arrangement according to the present invention, the space defined by the frame assembly may be divided into a number of sectors, for example, four sectors, by a series of strip members attached to the sides of the frame assembly.
Alternatively, an indicator strip may be situated along at least one side of the frame assembly to give a user an indication of the positions within the space defined by the frame assembly where certain functions can be controlled by the insertion of the user's hand, or other object.
The foregoing and other features according to the present invention will be better understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates, in a perspective view, a non-tactile control arrangement according to the present invention,
Figure 2 diagrammatically illustrates a preferred arrangement for the sensor and emitter arrays of the non-tactile control arrangement according to the present invention,
Figure 3 illustrates, in the form of a block diagram, a preferred arrangement for the electronic circuitry of the nontactile control arrangement according to the present invention, and
Figure 4 illustrates a preferred arrangement for the circuit diagram of each of the light sensors that form part of the nontactile control arrangement according to the present invention.
As illustrated in a perspective view in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, the non-tactile control arrangement according to the present invention includes a four sided frame assembly 1 which can be positioned at an adjustable angle relative to a base member 3, by means of two support members 2. The manner in which the angular position of the frame assembly 1 can be adjusted is not illustrated, but would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. In a preferred arrangement, the frame assembly 1 is rectangular, is pivotally mounted on the base member 3 and folds down to form a flat pack. In a preferred arrangement, the dimensions of the folded frame assembly are 650 mm x 510 mm x 67 mm. The electronic circuitry for the non-tactile control arrangement which is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings, is housed within the base member 3.
A preferred arrangement for the sensor and emitter arrays of the non-tactile control arrangement according to the present invention is diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings and includes two orthogonal rows of seven light sensors 5, and two orthogonal rows of seven light emitters 4. In a preferred arrangement, each row of light sensors would include fourteen devices and each row of light emitters would include fourteen devices.
As illustrated in Figure 2, each one of the light emitters 4 is adapted to illuminate a respective one of the array of light sensors 5. The illumination beams generated by the two rows of emitters 4 form two arrays of substantially parallel beams, and thereby a two dimensional array of cross-over points, in the space defined by the rows of sensors 5 and emitters 4. In the preferred arrangement having twenty-eight light sensors 5, i.e. fourteen in each one of the two rows, and twenty-eight light emitters 4, i.e. fourteen in each one of the two rows, one hundred and ninety-six cross-over points would be provided in the space defined by the rows of sensors 5 and emitters 4. The illumination of a sensor 5 by the illumination beam generated by the respective light emitter 4 causes an output signal to be generated by the sensor 5 and applied to the circuitry of Figure 3.
In a preferred arrangement, the sensors 5 and emitters 4 are infra-red devices, although the non-tactile control arrangement according to the present invention could operate with other types of sensors and emitters, for example, the sensors and emitters could be adapted for operation in other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum or could be adapted to use ultra sound.
The rows of sensors 5 and emitters 4 are housed in respective ones of the sides of the rectangular frame assembly 1 illustrated in
Figure 1 of the drawings. The frame assembly 1 may be other than rectangular. In practice, the shape of the frame assembly is dependant upon the particular application of the non-tactile control arrangement.
Some applications, may require only a single row of light sensors 5 and a single row of an equal number of light emitters 4.
The single rows of sensors 5 and emitters 4 would be housed in opposite sides of the frame assembly 1 of Figure 1. The illumination beams generated by the single row of emitters 4 form an array of substantially parallel beams in the space between the rows of sensors 5 and emitters 4. Each one of the beams is adapted to illuminate a respective one of the single row of sensors 5.
The electronic circuitry illustrated in the form of a block diagram in Figure 3 of the drawings, is a preferred arrangement and is adapted to sense the status of the array of sensors 5 and to convert this data into a set of binary digits, in a suitable format, for use in the control of equipment, for example, a computer.
In the case of a computer, the status of individual light sensors 5, or groups of light sensors 5, as detected by the electronic circuitry, is inputted to the computer which can be adapted to respond in a variety of ways in dependence upon a user selectable program. As stated above, examples of responses include computer generated sounds, a menu driven art program, or a set of educational programs. Other software could be used, for example, the Maze program.
In order to facilitate higher resolution and more closely packed arrays of light sensors and emitters, the non-tactile control arrangement according to the present invention could include interspersed arrays of light sensors and emitters. With this arrangement, the array of light sensors 5 would be in the form of four rows of sensors that define a closed four sided space, the array of light emitters 4 would be in the form of four rows of emitters, and each one of the rows of emitters 4 would be merged with a separate one of the rows of sensors 5 in a manner whereby the sensors 5 and emitters 4 occupy adjacent positions in the merged rows. The illumination beams generated by each of the emitters 4 in each of the merged rows would be adapted the illuminate a sensor 5 in the opposite row of the four sided space.This will result in the formation of two arrays of substantially parallel illumination beams, and thereby a two dimensional array of cross-over points, in the space defined by the merged rows of sensors and emitters.
As illustrated in Figure 3, the circuit includes multiplexing and sensing means 9 connected to the outputs of each one of the array of sensors 5 and to counters 14. The output of the counters 14 are also connected to a parallel to serial converter (PSC) 10, the input of which is connected. to the parallel data output of the multiplexing means 9, and the serial data output of which is connected to a line driver 11. The PSC 10 and the counters 14 are connected to the output of a baud rate generator 13 for generating the timing signals for the PSC 10 and counters 14. The output of the line driver 11 is connected to the input of an equipment, for example, a computer, the operation of which is under the control of the non-tactile control arrangement.
The power supplies for the emitters 4 of the non-tactile control arrangement are provided by emitter drivers 12.
In operation, the multiplexing and sensing means 9, in association with the counters 14, effectively divide the parallel light sensor inputs into m-groups of n-inputs, for example, four groups, of seven inputs with the twenty eight sensors referred to above, and multiplex the n-inputs of each group into a serial data signal.
The parallel array of serial data signals applied to the input of the
PSC 10 are converted into a serial data output signal and applied to the input of line driver 11. The output of the line driver 11 is in the form of a set of binary digits, in a suitable format, for use in the control of equipment, for example, a computer.
In a preferred arrangement, the line driver 11 is a commercially available interface circuit which is in compliance with the requirements of EIA Standard RS -23 2-C. These devices are primarily used as interfaces between data terminals and data communications equipment over comparatively short lengths of line, normally using coaxial cable. The line driver 11 converts the data received from the PSC 10 to the standard signal levels, for example, + 10 volts/- 10 volts, required by the computer or the like. Other types of line driver could be used and could be adapted for use with either serial or parallel interfaces.
The circuit diagram : illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings is a preferred arrangement for each of the light sensors 5 that form part of the non-tactile control arrangement according to the present invention. This circuit includes a phototransistor 7 connected in series with a resistor 6 between earth potential (OV) and a positive supply voltage (+V). The junction between the phototransistor 7 and resistor 6 is connected to the input of a logic gate 8. In operation, the phototransistor 7 presents a low impedance on the application of a light input from a corresponding light emitter 4, and a high impedance in the absence of light. This change in impedance of the phototransistor 7 causes the output of the logic gate 8 to change state. A similar effect can be obtained if the resistor 6 and phototransistor 7 are interchanged in the circuit of
Figure 4.
Whilst the logic gate 8 can be of any desired type that satisfies the requirements of the circuit, a preferred device is a commercially available Transistor Transistor Logic (TTL) compatible
Complementary Metal Oxide Silicon (CMOS) logic device.
The light sensing circuit of Figure 4 is, as stated above, identical for each of the light sensors 5, and the output of each of the sensing circuits is connected to the electronic circuitry of Figure 3 which formats the data for transmission to the equipment under control, for example, a computer.
In a preferred arrangement, the light emitters 4 are adapted to operate continually but the emitters could be adapted to operate either intermittently, or in groups, in dependence upon the operational requirements of the equipment being controlled.
Whilst the interface RS-232-C of Figure 3 is adapted for unidirectional transmission between the PSC 10 and the equipment being controlled, interactive operation between a computer and the non-tactile control arrangement could be effected by means of a bi-directional transmission arrangement. The interactive operation could be such that the computer is adapted to control the operation of either individual, or selected groups of, light emitters 4.
In operation, the placing of a hand, or other object, in the space defined by the sensors 5 and emitters 4 causes one or more of the beams generated by the emitters 4 to be broken and thereby the illumination of the respective one(s) of the sensors 5 to be prevented. The presence or absence of illumination of any one or more of the light sensors 5 is detected by the sensing circuit of
Figure 4 and this data is used by the circuit of Figure 3, in the manner outlined above, to control the operation of a computer, or the like in accordance with a user selectable program.
In order to facilitate efficient operation of the non-tactile control arrangement according to the invention, an indicator strip can be placed along at least one side of the frame assembly 1 to give a user an indication of the positions within the frame where certain functions can be controlled by the insertion of the the user's hand, or other object. Also, the space defined by the frame assembly 1 may be physically divided into a number of sectors by means of a series of strip members placed across, and attached to the sides of, the frame assembly 1. For example, the space defined by the frame assembly 1 could be divided into four sectors by two strip members in the form of a cross.
Whilst the non-tactile control arrangements outlined above are arranged such that there is a one-to-one correspondence between the light sensors 5 and the light emitters 4, this is not essential. Different numbers of light sensors 5 and light emitters 4 could be used in each of the arrays, for example, each light emitter 4 could be used to illuminate at least two light sensors 5.
In order to obtain a three dimensional effect with the non-tactile control arrangements outlined above and to thereby facilitate the detection of both the depth, and angle of entry, of the user's hand, or other object, the arrays of light sensors 5 and light emitters 4 could be arranged in a number of parallel planes. With this arrangement the arrays of light emitters 4 and light sensors 5 would define a three dimensional space and the arrays of light sensors 5 and light emitters 4 in each of the parallel planes would be adapted to create at least one array of substantially parallel beams, in the manner outlined above. In a preferred arrangement, the rows of light emitters 4 and light sensors 5 in each of the parallel planes would be housed in a separate frame assembly, in the manner outline above, and the parallel array of frame assemblies would define the three dimensional space.
The non-tactile control arrangement according to the present invention allows the control of a computer, or the like, to be effected without the requirement of fine co-ordination and allows adaption of the resolution of the arrangement to suit different degrees of co-ordination.
Other applications of the non-tactile control arrangement according to the present invention include the control of equipment where physical contact between the operator and the equipment being controlled is undesirable. Also, control is obtained without the breaking of a physical contact so the control arrangement could safely be used in, for example, the presence of explosive gases.
In addition, the computer being controlled could also send control data to another device, for example, a MIDI keyboard, or another computer.
Claims (25)
1. A non-tactile control arrangement including an array of light sensors, an array of light emitters, each one of which is adapted to illuminate, and thereby cause an output signal to be generated by, at least a respective one of the array of light sensors, and detection means for detecting the output of each one of the array of light sensors and providing a output signal indicative of a change of state of the outputs of the array of sensors.
2. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the detection means detect the presence or absence of illumination of any one or more of the light sensors and provide an output in the form of a set of binary digits, in a suitable format, for use in the control of equipment
3. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in claim 2 wherein the equipment is a computer and wherein the status of individual light sensors, or groups of light sensors, as detected by the detection means, is inputted to the computer which is adapted to respond in dependence upon a user selectable program.
4. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in claim 3 wherein the said response is computer generated sounds, or a menu driven art program, or a set of educational programs.
5. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each of the light sensors includes a phototransistor connected in series with a resistor, and a logic gate connected to the junction of the resistor and the phototransistor, the output of the logic gate being indicative of the presence or absence of illumination of the light sensor.
6. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the detection means include first means for dividing the light sensor inputs into m-groups of n-inputs, second means for multiplexing the n-inputs of each group into a serial data signal, a parallel to serial convertor for converting the parallel array of serial data signal outputs of the second means into a serial data output signal, and a line driver the input of which is connected to the output of the parallel to serial convertor, the output of the line driver being in the form of a set of binary digits, in a suitable format, for use in the control of equipment.
7. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in claim 6 wherein the arrangement includes twenty-eight light sensors and wherein the light sensor inputs are divided into four groups of seven inputs.
8. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the arrays of light sensors and light emitters are arranged in at least one plane, wherein the array of light sensors is in the form of two orthogonal rows of sensors, wherein the array of light emitters is in the form of two orthogonal rows of emitters, and wherein the illumination beams generated by the emitters form two arrays of substantially parallel beams, and thereby a two dimensional array of cross-over points, in the space defined by the rows of sensors and emitters.
9. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 7 wherein the arrays of light sensors and light emitters are arranged in at least one plane, wherein the array of light sensors is in the form of a single row of sensors, wherein the array of light emitters is in the form of a single row of emitters, and wherein the illumination beams generated by the emitters form of an array of substantially parallel beams in the space between the rows of sensors and emitters.
10. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 7 wherein the arrays of light sensors and light emitters are arranged in at least one plane, wherein the array of light sensors is in the form of four rows of sensors that define a closed four sided space, wherein the array of light emitters is in the form of four rows of emitters, each one of which is merged with a separate one of the rows of sensors in a manner whereby the sensors and emitters occupy adjacent positions in the merged rows and wherein the illumination beams generated by the emitters form two arrays of substantially parallel beams, and thereby a two dimensional array of cross-over points, in the space defined by the merged rows of sensors and emitters.
11. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in any one of the claims 8 to 10 wherein the arrays of light sensors and light emitters are arranged in a number of parallel planes and define a three dimensional space, the arrays of light sensors and light emitters in each of the parallel planes creating at least one array of substantially parallel beams.
12. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in any one of the claims 8 to 11 including a four sided frame assembly for the arrays of light sensors and light emitters in the or each plane, and a support member for supporting the frame assembly at one of the sides thereof and at an angle relative to the support member, wherein the array of light sensors is housed in at least one side of the frame assembly and wherein the array of light emitters is housed in at least one other side of the frame assembly, at least one of the light sensors being adapted to be illuminated by a respective one of the light beams generated by the light emitter array.
13. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in claim 12 when appended to claim 8 wherein the array of light sensors are housed in two adjacent sides of the frame assembly, wherein the array of light emitters are housed in the other two sides of the frame assembly, wherein at least one of the light sensors is adapted to be illuminated by a respective one of the light beams generated by the light emitter array and wherein the illumination beams are in the form of two arrays of substantially parallel beams and thereby create a two dimensional array of cross-overs points in the space defined by the orthogonal rows of sensors and emitters.
14. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the light sensors and light emitters are infra-red devices.
15. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in any one of the claims 12 to 14 wherein the angle of the frame assembly is adjustable.
16. A non-tactile control arrangement including at least one four sided frame assembly, a support member for supporting the said at least one - frame assembly at one of the sides thereof and at an adjustable angle relative to the support member, an array of light sensors housed in two adjacent sides of the said at least one frame assembly, an array of light emitters housed in the other two sides of the said at least one frame assembly, each one of the light emitters being adapted to illuminate, and thereby cause an output signal to be generated by, at least a respective one of the array of light sensors, and detection means for detecting the output of each one of the array of light sensors and thereby the presence or absence of illumination, and providing a output signal, in the form of a set of binary digits, in a suitable format, that is indicative of a change of state of the outputs of the array of sensors and adapted for use in the control of equipment.
17. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in any one of the claims 12 to 16 including an indicator strip situated along at least one side of the frame assembly for giving a user an indication of the positions within the space defined by the frame assembly where certain functions can be controlled by the insertion of the user's hand, or other object.
18. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in any one of the claims 12 to 16 including means for dividing the space defined by the frame assembly into a number of sectors.
19. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in claim 18 wherein the division means include a series of strip members placed across, and attached to the sides of, the frame assembly.
20. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in claim 19 wherein the space defined by the frame assembly is divided into four sectors by two strip members in the form of a cross.
21. A non-tactile control arrangement including an array of detection devices, an array of energy sources, each one of which is adapted to apply an energy beam to, and thereby cause an output signal to be generated by, at least a respective one of the array of detection devices, and detection means for detecting the output of each one of the array of detection devices and providing a output signal indicative of a change of state of the outputs of the array of detection devices.
22. A non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in claim 21 wherein the energy beam is an ultra sound beam.
23. A non-tactile control arrangement substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
24. A system for the control of equipment including a non-tactile control arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
25. A system as claimed in claim 24 wherein the equipment is a computer and wherein the non-tactile control arrangement is adapted to control either computer generated sounds, or a menu driven art program, or a set of educational programs, or a Maze program.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB929208122A GB9208122D0 (en) | 1992-04-13 | 1992-04-13 | Beam music |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9307056D0 GB9307056D0 (en) | 1993-06-02 |
| GB2266144A true GB2266144A (en) | 1993-10-20 |
Family
ID=10713963
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB929208122A Pending GB9208122D0 (en) | 1992-04-13 | 1992-04-13 | Beam music |
| GB9307056A Withdrawn GB2266144A (en) | 1992-04-13 | 1993-04-02 | A non-tactile control arrangement |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB929208122A Pending GB9208122D0 (en) | 1992-04-13 | 1992-04-13 | Beam music |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB9208122D0 (en) |
Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4205304A (en) * | 1977-09-22 | 1980-05-27 | General Electric Company | Two dimensional light beam selection system |
| GB2082427A (en) * | 1980-07-04 | 1982-03-03 | Hewlett Packard France Sa | A sensor matrix for display screens |
| US4384201A (en) * | 1978-04-24 | 1983-05-17 | Carroll Manufacturing Corporation | Three-dimensional protective interlock apparatus |
| EP0135391A2 (en) * | 1983-09-16 | 1985-03-27 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Infrared touchscreens |
| US4521870A (en) * | 1981-04-09 | 1985-06-04 | Ampex Corporation | Audio/video system having touch responsive function display screen |
| GB2206203A (en) * | 1987-06-25 | 1988-12-29 | Amp Inc | Infrared touch input device having ambient compensation |
| US4998014A (en) * | 1989-04-04 | 1991-03-05 | Alps Electric Co., Ltd. | Optical coordinate-input system |
| GB2238866A (en) * | 1989-12-06 | 1991-06-12 | Dale Electronics | Touch panel for display screen |
-
1992
- 1992-04-13 GB GB929208122A patent/GB9208122D0/en active Pending
-
1993
- 1993-04-02 GB GB9307056A patent/GB2266144A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4205304A (en) * | 1977-09-22 | 1980-05-27 | General Electric Company | Two dimensional light beam selection system |
| US4384201A (en) * | 1978-04-24 | 1983-05-17 | Carroll Manufacturing Corporation | Three-dimensional protective interlock apparatus |
| GB2082427A (en) * | 1980-07-04 | 1982-03-03 | Hewlett Packard France Sa | A sensor matrix for display screens |
| US4521870A (en) * | 1981-04-09 | 1985-06-04 | Ampex Corporation | Audio/video system having touch responsive function display screen |
| EP0135391A2 (en) * | 1983-09-16 | 1985-03-27 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Infrared touchscreens |
| GB2206203A (en) * | 1987-06-25 | 1988-12-29 | Amp Inc | Infrared touch input device having ambient compensation |
| US4998014A (en) * | 1989-04-04 | 1991-03-05 | Alps Electric Co., Ltd. | Optical coordinate-input system |
| GB2238866A (en) * | 1989-12-06 | 1991-06-12 | Dale Electronics | Touch panel for display screen |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9307056D0 (en) | 1993-06-02 |
| GB9208122D0 (en) | 1992-05-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |