GB2434854A

GB2434854A - Data input using a head mounted torch and spaced radiation sensors

Info

Publication number: GB2434854A
Application number: GB0700530A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Lambert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-11
Filing date: 2007-01-11
Publication date: 2007-08-08
Also published as: GB0700530D0; GB0600469D0

Abstract

Input control apparatus for a data processor 9 (e.g. a personal computer PC 15) comprises two radiation sensors or detectors 2a,2b spaced apart by at least 50mm and able to sense radiation emitted by a radiation emitter (e.g. torch 19) controlled by a user, and signal generator 6 configured to issue a signal indicative of which of the sensors has sensed radiation. In an embodiment the sensors are either side of a keyboard 11, spaced by 50-60cm, the computer presents a graphical interface GUI (fig 3), and torch 19 can be fitted to a user's head 13. A circuit diagram (fig 2) of a light sensitive detector is described, with visual indication of activation. The torch may emit modulated light, the detectors only responding to the modulated characteristic.

Description

INPUT CONTROL APPARATUS

The present invention relates to input control apparatus, and in particular, although not exclusively, to input control apparatus for computers which apparatus are adapted for use by individuals who are unable to use conventional input devices such as a keyboard.

People with limited physical movement or limited control of physical movement may be unable to use conventional input control means, such as a keyboard or a mouse, to control a computer. The present invention seeks to provide alternate input control means.

*.,. 10 According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided input control apparatus for a data processor, the apparatus comprising two * :.: radiation sensor devices and signal generating means and the arrangement * of the apparatus being such that, in use, the radiation sensor devices are :.::.. adapted to be capable of being spaced apart by at least 50mm, and each sensor device is adapted to sense radiation emitted by a radiation emitter controlled by a user and the signal generating means is configured to issue a signal indicative of which of the sensor devices has sensed radiation.

The signal generating means is preferably adapted to be connected to a Personal Computer (PC) that comprises the data processor so as to provide an input thereto.

At least one of the sensor devices is preferably adapted to be moved relative to the other so as to adjust the spacing between the sensor devices. At least one of the sensor devices is a free-standing structure.

Up to four sensor devices are preferably provided, each sensor device being adapted to be capable of being spaced from each other sensor device by at least 50mm.

The apparatus preferably comprises visual indicator means which is adapted to visually respond when either of the radiation sensor devices sense radiation from the radiation emitter. Preferably the visual indicator means comprises a visual indicator associated with each sensor device.

:. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an input * *" 10 control assembly comprising the apparatus of the first aspect of the ***.

invention and a radiation-emitting device.

:. ** The radiation-emitting device is preferably adapted to be worn by a user.

* Most preferably the radiation-emitting device is adapted to be worn on :::. the head of the user. S. * * , * * *.

The radiation-emitting device is preferably adapted to emit radiation modulated to have a predetermined characteristic, and each radiation sensor device or associated signal generating means, being adapted to recognise the characteristic.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling input to a data processor, the method comprising directing a radiation-emitting device towards one of at least two spaced apart radiation sensor devices, the sensor devices being spaced apart by at least 50mm.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a computer system comprising input control means connected to data processing equipment, Figure 2 is a circuit diagram of a light sensitive detector shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a representation of screen shot of various selectable graphic objects. S.. * S

With reference to Figure 1 there is shown a computer system 1 : comprising two light sensitive detector assemblies 2a and 2b, signal * 1 processing equipment 6 and a head-mounted torch assembly 19. The : . * light sensitive detector assemblies 2a and 2b are connected to the signal S...

*:. generating equipment 6 by cables 7 and the signal processing equipment 6 is connected to a data processing unit 9 of a Personal Computer (PC) assembly 15 by a cable 8.

The PC assembly 15 further comprises a keyboard 11, a mouse 12, and a visual display unit 10, all of which are connected to the data processing unit 11.

The data processor unit 9 comprises a Central Processing Unit (CPU), Random Access Memory (RAM) connectable to the CPU, and an optical disc reader device (not shown).

The data processor unit 9 is loaded with assistive technology software which is configured to present a suitable Graphical User Interface (GUI) to a user on the display unit 10 and is configured to cause the CPU to process signals received from the signal generating unit 6.

As shown in Figure 1 each light sensitive detector assembly 2a and 2b comprises a respective light sensitive region 3a and 3b, a respective stem 4a and 4b, and a respective base 5a and 5b.

The light sensitive detector assemblies are conveniently located at each side of the keyboard 11, spaced by a distance X. In the instance shown :... 10 in Figure 1 the spacing between the assemblies 2a and 2b is approximately in the range of 50cm to 60cm.

:: :: A circuit diagram of one of the circuitry 30 of each of the assemblies 2a and 2b is shown in Figure 2. The circuit comprises a power source Vi, a light sensitive diode R6, a transistor Qi, a relay RL2, a double throw switch assembly 31, and a bulb BL1. The circuit also comprises various resistors Ri, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R7.

Switch components 32 and 33 are connected to a respective cable 7 and onto the signal generating equipment 6.

The signal generating equipment 6 comprises electrical circuitry which is operative tb determine which of the light sensitive detector assemblies 2a and 2b has sensed light from the torch assembly 19 and to issue a signal that is indicative of the respective assembly. More particularly the equipment 6 comprises a microcontroller (not shown) which is configured to issue a first binary output if a signal from assembly 2a is received and a second (different) binary output if a signal from the assembly 2b is received.

The torch assembly 19 comprises a light emitting device 20 (for example comprising one or more electrical bulbs or light emitting diodes, and a power source) and a strap 21. The strap 21 is connected to the light emitting device 20 and is adapted to fit around the head 13 of a user.

The computer system 1 operates as follows. The assistive technology software causes the data processing unit 9 to present on the display device 10 a GUI. Such a GUI may allow a user access to, for example, word processing functions, email or the Internet. Accordingly the GUI presents various graphic options/objects or icons comprising images, symbols and/or alphanumeric characters, and in order to select a required input the user causes a curser device or the like to move on the graphic options/objects. The graphic options/objects are conveniently presented in a particular configuration, for example in rows, in a circle or in the * form of an on-screen QWERTY keyboard. For the purpose of explanation the GUI will be considered to present to the user a horizontal row of graphic options/objects, each of which can be scanned by moving a curser device along the objects.

Figure 3 shows a possible realisation of such an embodiment.

Specifically the display device 10 shows four graphic option objects 50, 51, 52 and 53. Each object, once selected, allows the user to access the functionality stated. A curser device 60 is provided underneath the row of objects and is in the form of arrow. As stated by displayed text 70 by directing light to the light sensitive detector assembly 2a on the left-hand side (as viewed in Figure 2) the user is able to move the curser along the row of objects in the direction of the arrow shown. The user continues to do this until the curser device 60 points at the required object. In order to select the required object the user needs to rotate his head so that the light emitted by the torch assembly 19 is directed at the sensitive device 2b. The user is then able to access the desired functionality using the assemblies 2a and 2b to scan' and then select'.

Returning to Figure 2, if either of the light sensitive detector assemblies senses light from the torch assembly 19 the transistor Qi causes the relay RL2 to switch the switch elements 34 and 35 into an ON state (whereas Figure 2 shows the switch assembly 31 in an OFF state). In such a state the element 34 completes a circuit between the elements 32 and 33 and the signal generating equipment 6 is operative to sense that the circuit has been completed and issue a signal indicative of that fact.

Furthermore the switch element 35, in an ON state, is operative to complete the Circuit for the bulb BL1 and so provide a visual indication * * to the user that he has successfully activated that light sensitive detector * assembly.

Advantageously for those users whose physical capabilities are limited but who have sufficient control of movement of their heads, the above described arrangement allows such users an easy-to-use input control for a computer.

Various alternative embodiments of the invention are possible.

Although two spaced apart light sensitive detector assemblies are described and shown, an alternative embodiment many comprise more than two such assemblies, for example four spaced apart assemblies, and so allow a user enhanced input control. However it will be appreciated that more than four light sensitive detector assemblies could be employed.

In one embodiment the torch assembly 19 may be configured to emit modulated light (for example having a modulated frequency), and each of light sensitive detector assemblies is configured to respond only when light having a predetermined (modulated) characteristic is sensed.

Although the light sensitive detector assemblies 2a and 2b and the signal generating equipment 6 are shown as being interconnected by way of cables, connections between those components and/or between the equipment 6 and the data processing unit 9 may be by way of wireless connection.

In yet a further embodiment the signal generating equipment 6 is omitted, I...

and each light sensitive detector assembly is provided with signal generating means which is configured to issue a characteristic signal which is indicative that a respective assembly has sensed light and so : allowing the data processing unit 9 to distinguish between signals. S...

*:*. 15 Although the torch assembly is described as being provided with a power source (eg batteries), in one embodiment the torch assembly may be connected to a remote mains power source by a cable, and wherein the remote power source may comprise voltage regulation means to ensure that a sufficient power is supplied to the torch assembly, and so maintain a minimum light intensity. Such an embodiment would also have the advantage of reduced weight as compared to an assembly which carries one or more batteries.

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Input control apparatus for a data processor, the apparatus comprising two radiation sensor devices and signal generating means and the arrangement of the apparatus being such that, in use, the radiation sensor devices are adapted to be capable of being spaced apart by at least 50mm, and each sensor device is adapted to sense radiation emitted by a radiation emitter controlled by a user and the signal generating means is configured to issue a signal indicative of which of the sensor devices has sensed radiation.

2. Input control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the signal generating means is adapted to be connected to a Personal Computer (PC) that comprises the data processor so as to provide an input thereto.

SS

*. : 3. Input control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which at least one of the sensor devices is adapted to be moved relative to the other so as to adjust the spacing between the sensor devices.

4. Input control apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in any preceding claim in which at least one of the sensor devices is a free-standing structure.

5. Input control apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which up to four sensor devices are provided, each sensor device being adapted to be capable of being spaced from each other sensor device by at least 50mm.

6. Input control apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim comprising visual indicator means which is adapted to visually respond when either of the radiation sensor devices senses radiation from the radiation emitter.

7. Input control apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which the visual indicator means comprises a visual indicator associated with each sensor device.

8. Input control assembly comprising the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7 and a radiation-emitting device.

9. Input control assembly as claimed in claim 8 in which the radiation-emitting device is adapted to be worn by a user.

10. Input control assembly as claimed in claim 9 in which the radiation-emitting device is adapted to be worn on the head of the user. * *

11. Input control assembly as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10 in which the radiation-emitting device is adapted to emit radiation * modulated to have a predetermined characteristic, and each radiation :.. sensor device or associated signal generating means, being adapted to recognise the characteristic.

12. A method of controlling input to a data processor, the method comprising directing a radiation-emitting device towards one of at least two spaced apart radiation sensor devices, the sensor devices being spaced apart by at least 50mm.

13. Input control apparatus substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. Input control assembly substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

15. A method of controlling input to a data processor substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings. * * * *.* * . *.*. * S * S S * *1 * 0** * S * S * S * S... *. . * * S

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