MXPA00010541A - Input unit, method for using the same and input system - Google Patents

Abstract

An input unit has a mouse function and at least one inputting function. The input unit comprises image-recording means (8) which record images. These images are used for providing both the mouse function and the inputting function. The images are processed in the input unit or in some other unit.

Description

UNIT OF ENTRY. METHOD FOR USING THE SAME AND ENTRY SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an input unit having a mouse function and at least one input function, whose input unit comprises image recording means for providing the input function. The invention also relates to a method for providing a mouse function and at least one input function with the help of an input unit, as well as an input system having a mouse function and at least one input function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Currently, personal computers are usually equipped with a computer mouse which is used to place a cursor on the computer screen. The positioning is done by the user passing the mouse over a surface, the manual movement indicating, thus, how the mouse should be placed. The mouse generates positioning signals that indicate the way in which the mouse moves and in this way, the way in which the cursor must move. For this purpose, the mouse usually has a tracking ball, which rotates as a result of friction against the surface when the mouse is passed over it and which activates position sensors, which in turn generate the positioning signals. Normally, the mouse can also be used to provide instructions to the computer through the intermediary of one or more buttons that the user presses. However, when the term "mouse function" is used later, it only refers to the function of placing a cursor or the like. To enter text and images into a computer, sometimes a hand scanner is used, which represents the text or image that will be introduced with the help of a light-sensitive detector. The scanner can only represent a very limited area of text / image at a time. Consequently, in order to register one or several words or a complete image, the scanner must pass over the text / image and several sub-images must be registered. Normally, the scanner has some type of position sensor which determines how these sub-images should be stored in the computer to allow the creation of a composite image from it. It is known to combine a mouse function and an input function in a housing which is connected to a simple cable to a computer. US 4,906,843, for example, shows a combined mouse, optical scanner and digitizing bearing. In mouse mode, a tracking ball is used, which drives 2 position sensors, which generate the positioning signals. In scanner mode, it is used in CCD line sensor, as well as position sensors to enter characters or graphic information to the computer. US 5,355,146 shows a similar input unit with a combined mouse function and scanner function, which also uses a trackball and a CCD line sensor. EP 0 782 321 shows another input unit having a mouse function and a scanner function. In this case, a trackball is also used for the mouse function, but instead of the line sensor, an area sensor is used which is able to represent a document in a single step and which does not need to be moved through the document. It is said that this has the advantage that no software is required to correlate image data with position data. US 5,633,489 shows a combined mouse and a bar code reader, wherein the mouse function is provided by means of a trackball and the bar code reader comprises a laser diode, which generates a laser beam emitted from the bottom side of the mouse and a photodetector which detects the variable intensity of the reflected light. All these known input units have a rather complicated mechanical design with moving parts and many sensors, moreover, they only provide limited synergies between the combined functions in one and in the same housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an input unit having a mouse function and at least one input function, as well as a method for providing the mouse function and the input function with the help of the input unit, whose unit of entry and whose method reduce the aforementioned deficiencies. This object is achieved by an input unit according to claim 1, a method according to claim 19 and an input system according to claim 24. Preferred embodiments are mentioned in claims 2-18 and claims 20. -23, respectively. An input unit according to the invention thus comprises means for recording images to provide said input function, also using the image recording means to provide the mouse function. Instead of using the image recording means only for one of these functions, according to the present invention, they are used to provide both the mouse function and the input function, whereby the improved integration of these functions is achieved. . In addition, the trackball can be omitted and both functions can be based on the same sensor technology, so signals for both functions can be handled by the same hardware and / or software. In this way, you get the real integration of the two functions instead of just meeting in the same accommodation as in the prior art. In addition, it becomes possible to provide an input unit without moving parts, which is advantageous from the point of view of durability and manufacture. As will be evident below, it is also possible to provide an input unit which does not require special position determination means or additional auxiliaries in the form of a frame or the like. In this context, it should be noted that in this patent specification, the term "input function" refers to a function by which the user can enter information to a receiver to store and process it, unlike the mouse function. which is used for positioning purposes. In addition, it should be noted that the mouse function can be used to place a cursor or similar on a plane or in a space. More specifically, the estrada unit is advantageously adapted to emit positioning signals to provide the mouse function, as well as input signals to provide said input function, the positioning signals, as well as the input signals are based on images registered through the means of image registration. The positioning signals can be used to control a cursor on a computer screen, while the input signals can contain information that will be input to the computer.

The positioning signals and the input signals can be output as electrical signals on cables, as IR signals, as radio signals, or in some other suitable manner. Naturally, the input unit can also emit other signals apart from positioning signals and the input signals, for example, instruction signals based on clicks. The receiver of the signals can be a computer or some other input unit to which positioning information and / or any other information is entered. The input unit is especially suitable for use with small laptops where it is convenient to have few accessories, but versatile. The image recording means may comprise a first image registration unit for providing the mouse function and a second image registration unit for providing the input function. This can be particularly advantageous, if different image registration characteristics are desired for the two functions, for example, if different focuses are desired for the image registration. For example, when using the mouse function, you may wish to be able to move the input unit across a surface in the same way that a traditional mouse would move, and when using the input function, you would want to be able to use the input as a camera to represent objects located at a distance from the unit. In this case, the different image registration units can be provided with different lens means with different focuses. The image registration units may, for example, be located on different sides of the input unit, but have shared hardware and software. Alternatively, the image recording medium may comprise an image registration unit, which is used to provide both the mouse function and the input function. This embodiment is advantageous because it requires fewer components in the input unit and only one beam path. The image recording units may comprise any type of sensor which may be used to record an image but preferably, it must be a light-sensitive detector with a two-dimensional sensor surface, a so-called area sensor. In a less complex mode of the input unit, both the positioning signals and the input signals may consist essentially of the actual images recorded by the image registration means. In this case, essentially all the processing of the images takes place in the receiver of the signals, for example, in a computer. If so, the latter must have software to process the signals in an appropriate manner. Said software may already be stored in the computer or for example, it may be included in the input unit according to the invention and be transferred to the receiver when the input unit is in use. The receiver of the signals of the input unit must be able to determine whether the signals are positioning signals or input signals to know how it will process the signals. For this purpose, the input unit is adapted to output the positioning signals and the input signals, in such a way that the receiver can identify whether it is receiving positioning signals or input signals. For example, the input unit can use different protocols for the different signals. Conveniently, the input unit must also know whether the user wishes to use the mouse function or the input function to know how the images recorded by the image recorder should be processed. For this purpose, preferably the input unit comprises switching means, for example, a button, which are adapted to switch the input unit between its different functions when operated by the user. Preferably, at least for the mouse function, the image recording means are adapted to register a plurality of images, such that the content of each image superimposes the content of the previous image, if any. This can be achieved by recording the images frequently high enough in relation to the expected speed of movement. By virtue of the fact that the images are superimposed, their relative positions are determined and there is no need to use special means of position determination. Once the images have been recorded, subsequent processing can occur either in image processing means in the input unit or in the receiver of the signals from the input unit. The advantages of processing at least the input signals in the input unit are that in this way, the input unit can be used as an independent unit without being connected to an adjacent receiver, that the information that has been entered can be shown. directly in a deployment in the input unit, so that the user can verify that the information actually recorded is the information he was trying to register and that the information can be transferred in a more compressed format for the receiver. In addition, the input unit can be connected to any receiver that supports a mouse without requiring special software in the receiver to process the images. In this way, the input unit advantageously comprises image processing means used both for the mouse function and for the input function. These image processing means may comprise a processing unit that operates according to different program modules depending on the function of the input unit that is used. Moreover, to process the images of the input unit, the input unit advantageously comprises means for determining the relative position of the images with the help of the partially superimposed content. The means for determining the relative position of the images can be included in the shared image processing means and can be implemented by means of software. If the mouse function is used only for linear positioning, it is sufficient to determine the relative position of the images horizontally. However, if it is to be used for bidimensional positioning, the relative position must be determined both horizontally and vertically. In a favorable embodiment, the input unit comprises means for generating the positioning signals based on the relative position of the images. The positioning signals can be composed, for example, of one or more vectors that indicate how the input unit has been moved between the registration of two images, or one or more positioning coordinates. The means for generating the positioning signals can also be included in the shared image processing means and be implemented by means of software. The input unit is advantageously manual, so that it can be taken anywhere. Thus, this technology allows the user to have a personal mouse and an input unit with personal values and personal information stored. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the input unit further comprises a transmitter for wireless connection of the input unit to the receiver, which further facilitates the use of the input unit. The Bluetooth standard can be used advantageously for this purpose. Advantageously, the input function comprises a scanner function so that the input unit can be used to register text and / or images. The input function may also comprise a camera function, wherein the image recording means are used to represent objects located at a distance from the input unit. The input function may also comprise a function for entering handwritten / drawn information, i.e., manually generated information. The scanner function, the camera function and the manuscript / drawing function can be the only input function or one of several input functions. In this way, the input unit has a plurality of functions, which are based on images which are registered by the image recording means and which are processed efficiently by means of hardware and shared software. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for providing a mouse function and at least one input function with the help of an input unit, comprising the steps of detecting the function that is desired, registering the minus an image with the help of an input unit; and process at least said image in different ways depending on the function that is desired.

The advantages of the method according to the invention are evident from the previous description of the input unit according to the invention. According to a third aspect of the invention, this relates to an input system having a mouse function and at least one input function, comprising image recording means for recording images and image processing means for processing the images recorded by the image recording means for providing the mouse function and at least said input function, the image recording means being located in a first housing and the image processing means being located in a second housing. In this regard, the input system comprises the housing in which the image registration means are located in an input unit and the image processing means is located in a computer or other receiver to which the input unit is connected and the which transmits registered images. All of the aforementioned with respect to the image recording means and the processing of the images recorded by the image recording means also applies to the input system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described in greater detail in the manner of an embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows schematically one embodiment of an input unit according to the invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram of the electronic circuit system in a mode of an input unit according to the invention; Figure 3 is a flow diagram of the mouse function; Figure 4 is a flowchart of the manuscript / drawing function; Figure 5 shows schematically how a surface is represented in relation to the introduction of handwritten information; Figure 6 shows how the handwritten entry can be displayed in a display; Figure 7 is a flowchart of the scanner function; Figures 8a-8c show schematically how the text is recorded in the scanner mode; and Figure 9 is a flow diagram of the camera function.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITY The following is a description of an embodiment of an input unit according to the invention, having a mouse function, a scanner function, a camera function, as well as a function for entering handwritten / drawn information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 shows the design of the input unit according to this modality. The unit has a housing 1 that has approximately the same shape as a conventional marker pen. A small side of the housing has a window 2, by the intermediary from which the images for the different image-based functions of the input unit are recorded. The housing 1 contains essentially an optical part 3, an electronic circuit system part 4 and a power source 5. The optical part 3 comprises a light emitting diode 6, a lens system 7 and an image recording means in form of a light-sensitive detector 8, which constitutes the interface with the electronic circuit system part 4.

The task of LED 6 is to illuminate a surface which is currently located below the window. A diffuser 9 is installed in front of the LED 6 to diffuse the light. The lens system 7 has the task of projecting an image of the surface located below the window 2 in the light sensitive detector 8 in the most accurate manner possible. The lens system can be moved between two positions, the second of which is indicated by dotted lines. The first position is used when the images will be recorded from a surface located directly below the window of the input unit and mainly for the mouse function, the scanner function and the manuscript / drawing function. The second position is used when the images will be registered from objects located at a distance from the input unit and is basically for the camera function, but can also be used for the other functions. In this example, the light sensitive detector 8 comprises a CCD (CCD = charge coupled device) square, two-dimensional unit with an included A / D converter. Such sensors are commercially available. The sensor 8 is installed at a small angle to the window 2 and on its own printed circuit board 11. The power supply to the device is obtained from a battery 12 which is mounted in a separate compartment 13 in the housing.

The block diagram in figure 2 schematically shows the part of electronic circuit systems 4. This comprises a processor 20, which through the intermediary of a bus 21 connects to a ROM 22, where the processor programs are stored, to a read / write memory 23, which constitutes the working memory of the processor and where the images are stored from the sensor, to a logic control unit 24, as well as to the sensor 8 and the LEDs 6. The processor 20 , the bus bar 21, the memories 22 and 23, the logic control unit 24, as well as the associated software together constitute the image processing means. The control logic unit 24, in turn, is connected to a number of peripheral units, comprising a display 25, which is installed in the housing, a transmitter 26 for transferring information to / from an external computer, buttons 27, for example. means of which the user can control the input unit and specifically adjust the input unit between the mouse function, the scanner function, the camera function and the manuscript / drawing function, the buttons 27 'correspond to the buttons of the mouse in a traditional mouse, a tracer LED 28 that emits a beam of light, making it easier for the user to kwhat information is being entered, as well as an indicator 29, for example, an LED, which indicates when the pen is ready to be used . The control signals to the memories, the sensor 8, and the peripheral units are generated in the logic control unit 24. The logic control also handles the generation and priority of the interrupts to the processor. The buttons 27 and 27 ', the transmitter 26, the display 25, the tracing LED 28 and the LEDs 6 are accessed by the read and write processor in the register in the logic control unit 24. Buttons 27 and 27 'generate interrupts to the processor 20 when activated.

Unit operation the different functions of the input unit will be described, ie the mouse function, the scanner function, the manuscript / drawing function and the camera function. All these functions are based on images which are recorded with the help of a sensor 8. When the first of the three functions is used, a plurality of images are recorded so that the content of each image partially overlays the content of the image. previous, if there is any. As the images are recorded, the relative position of the images is determined, that is, the position that allows the best possible correspondence between their contents. Subsequently, the processing is performed depending on the function selected by the user. When the images are recorded, the input unit can pass over a surface with the window 2 in contact with it, or it can be maintained at a smaller or greater distance from the surface depending on the lens system setting. The surface does not need to be flat. For example, it could be a sheet of paper with text on it, a wall with decorated wallpaper or a candy bowl. What is important is that images with variable contents can be recorded, so that the relative positions of the images can be determined with the help of the content of the images.

The mouse function First, suppose that the user wishes to use the input unit as a mouse, in this case, adjusts the unit to the mouse function with the help of the buttons 27, whereby the input unit starts to operate in mouse mode and enters the computer, so the input unit operates like a mouse. Subsequently, the user directs the window 2 of the input unit on a configured surface, for example, a mouse pad. One of the buttons 27 is pressed to activate the input unit, whereby the processor 20 commands the LED 6 to start generating strobe strokes at a predetermined frequency, preferably, at least 50 Hz. Subsequently, the user passes the input unit on the surface in the same way as if it were a traditional mouse, so that the images with partially overlapping contents are recorded by means of sensor 8 and they are stored in the read / write memory 23. The images are stored as images, that is, with the help of a plurality of pixels, each having a gray scale value in a range from white to black. The flow chart in Figure 3 shows in more detail how the input unit operates when the mouse function is used. In step 300, a start-up image is recorded. In step 301, the following image is recorded. The content of this image partially overlays the content of the previous image. As soon as an image has been recorded in step 301, the method begins to determine how it superimposes the previous image both vertically and horizontally, step 302, that is, in which relative position the best match between the content of the image is obtained. the images. For this purpose, each possible overlapping position between the images is examined, at the pixel level, and an overlay measurement is determined as follows: 1) For each superimposed pixel position, the gray scale values of two pixels are added relevant, if the latter are not white. Such a pixel position where none of the pixels is white is designated as an addition position. 2) Add the gray scale sums of all the addition positions. 3) The neighboring positions of each pixel position are examined. If a superimposed pixel position is not a neighboring position of an addition position and consists of a pixel that is white and a pixel position that is not white, the gray scale value of the non-white pixel is subtracted, possibly multiplied by a constant, from the sum of point 2). 4) The superimposed position that provides the highest superposition measurement is selected as indicated above. Swedish patent application No. 9704924-1 and corresponding US application No. 024 641 describe an alternative way to couple the images to find the best overlap. The content of these applications is incorporated herein by reference. As soon as the best overlap between the current image and the previous image has been determined, the previous image is discarded, so that the current image becomes the previous image in relation to the next registered image. When determining the relative position of the two images, a motion vector is obtained, which indicates how far and in which direction the input unit has moved between the register of the two images. Accordingly, a positioning signal is transmitted, which includes this motion vector, step 303, by the transmitter 26 to the computer for which the input unit is operating as a mouse. The computer uses the motion vector to position the cursor on its screen. Consequently, the flow returns to step 301. In order to increase the speed, the steps can be performed partially in parallel, for example, by starting the recording of the next image while determining the relative position of the current image and the previous image . In mouse mode, buttons 27 'can be used as mouse buttons to enter instructions to the computer.

The manuscript and drawing function Next, assume that the user wishes to enter handwritten text into the computer. In this case, with the help of the buttons 27, it adjusts the input unit to the manuscript function, whereby the input unit starts to operate in the manuscript mode. When the user subsequently activates the input unit, the processor 20 commands the LED 6 to start generating strobe strokes at a predetermined frequency. Subsequently, the user "writes" the text that he wishes to enter with the input unit directed to the selected surface, whereby the sensor 8 records images with partially superimposed content and stores them in the read / write memory 23. The tracer LED 28, successively indicates the trajectory of movement on the surface by means of a luminous point to give the user an idea of the movement. The text is entered by one character at a time. Between each character, the user indicates that an information unit has been entered, for example by releasing the activation button 27 for a short time or by not moving the input unit for a short time. Figure 4 illustrates in detail how the input unit operates in the manuscript and drawing mode. The first three steps correspond to those made in mouse mode. When the input unit is activated, a start image is recorded, step 400. The next image, whose content is superimposed on the previous image, is recorded, step 401 and its relative position, step 402, is determined with the help of the superimposed content, so you get a motion vector. Accordingly, the processor 20 determines whether the entry of an information unit is complete or not, step 403. If not, the flow 5 returns to step 401 and the next image is recorded. If the input is complete, the processor 20 reads the motion vectors determined for "The information unit in question to an ICR module, which identifies which character represents the motion vectors, step 404. Subsequently, the identified character is stored in 10-character format encoded in memory, step 405, and the unit input indicates that it is ready to enter a new information unit, step 406. Preferably, the introduced and identified character is transferred to a computer in character format encoded by the intermediary of the radio transmitter 26 and displayed directly on the screen of computer. If the input unit is used as a separate unit, the character can be displayed in the display. Figure 5 schematically shows how images with superimposed content are recorded when the input unit moves in a movement path that forms the letter "R". For reasons of simplicity, the content of the images is not shown in Figure 5. If, however, the user indicates that the drawing function will be used, only steps 400-403 are implemented. Figure 6 shows how an R letter introduced in the display of the input unit or the computer can be reproduced based on the relative positions of the images in Figure 5 determined by the input unit when the drawing function is used. In this case, a "drawn image" of the registered character is shown with the help of motion vectors, not an interpreted character. Obviously, you can introduce characters and figures drawn arbitrarily to the input unit or to a computer in this way.

The scanner function Now, suppose that the user wishes to use the input unit to record predefined text in an information vehicle, for example, a sheet of paper, a newspaper or a book. In this case, the input unit is set to the scanner function with the help of the buttons 27, whereby the input unit starts to operate in the scanner mode. Consequently, direct the input unit on the sheet of paper with the text in the location where you want to start recording text, activate the input unit with the help of buttons 27 and pass it on the text to be registered , following the text in the same way that one reads the text. The tracer LED 28 emits a beam of light that makes it easier to follow the lines. When the user activates the input unit, the processor 20 commands the LED 6 to record images in the same manner as described above with respect to the mouse function. When the user has passed the input unit over the selected text or has reached the end of a character line, he removes the unit from the sheet of paper and releases the activation button, so that the processor 20 turns off the LED 6. The flow diagram in Figure 7 illustrates in more detail how the input unit operates in this mode. In step 700, a start-up image is recorded. In step 701, a new image is registered whose content superimposes that of the previous image. In step 702, the best overlap for the current image and the previous image is determined in the same manner as described above with respect to the mouse function. In this position, the images are combined into a composite image, step 703. In step 704, the input unit detects whether the character entry is complete. If not, the flow returns to step 701. If the user has released the activation button, indicating that the entry is complete, the composite image is fed as an input signal to an OCR software which identifies and interprets the characters in the image, step 705. The identified and interpreted characters are obtained in a predetermined format of encoded character, for example, ASCII code, as output signals from the OCR software. They are stored in the read / write memory in a memory area for interpreted characters. When character identification and storage is completed in encoded character format, the processor activates indicator 29 to inform the user that he is ready to register a new character sequence, step 706.

The interpreted characters can be transferred to a computer or other receiver in encoded character format with the help of the transmitter 26. The above steps are performed in this way by the processor 20 with the help of the associated units and suitable software. Said software can be created by the person skilled in the art with the help of the above instructions, if it is not commercially available. Figures 8a-8c illustrate how the input unit operates when the character sequence "Flygande báckasiner" is recorded. Figure 8a shows the text on a sheet of paper. Figure 8b shows the images that are being recorded with the help of the sensor. As you can see in this figure, the content of the images partially overlap. For example, the letter I appears completely in the image No. 1 and partially in the image No. 2. The degree of overlap depends on the traction speed, that is, the speed with which the user passes the input unit over the text in relation to the frequency with which the content of the sensor 8 is read. Figure 8c shows what the complete composite image looks like. It should be noted that the image is still stored in the form of pixels. When the method has been performed, the text "Flygande báckasiner" is stored in the read / write memory 23 of the input unit as ASCII code.

The camera function Next, assume that the user wants to register an image of an object located at a distance from the input unit. The "object" for example, can be three-dimensional or it can be an image in a book. In this case, the user adjusts the input unit to the camera function with the help of the buttons 27, whereby the input unit starts to operate in the camera mode and the position of the lens system 7 changes to a suitable position to register localized images at a distance from the input unit. Consequently, the user activates the input unit, whereby the processor begins to read images from the sensor 8. The read images can be displayed either in the display 25 of the input unit or in a computer to which the unit input is connected and to which the images are transferred as recorded by the broker of the transmitter 26. When the user is satisfied with the appearance of the image, press one of the buttons 27, which then records an image of the object. When the image of the object has been registered, the user can instruct the input unit to display the image recorded in the display 25 or transfer the image to the computer by the broker of the transmitter 26. The flow diagram in figure 9 illustrates how the input unit is adapted to operate in camera mode. In step 901, the degree of the image is indicated in the display 25 of the input unit. When the user is satisfied with the appearance of the image, he presses the button 27, whereby the image freezes and is recorded in a buffer in step 902. The image is recorded with the help of a plurality of pixels, the which can have either gray scale values from white to black or have color values. The user can then choose whether or not to keep the current image. If the user decides to maintain the image, the process continues along the solid line to step 903, in which the image is stored in memory 23. When the image has been stored, the unit indicates, in step 904 , which is ready to register a new image. If the user does not wish to maintain the image, the procedure continues, from step 902, along the dotted line back to step 901 in order to register a new image.

Alternative Modes The previous unit is described by way of example only.

An input unit according to the invention does not need to understand all the functions mentioned above. It is possible to combine the mouse function with one or more of the scanner function, the camera function, the manuscript function or other input functions. In the modality described above, all the processing of the recorded information is done in the input unit. This is not essential. All the above measures, with the exception of the current image registration, can be performed with the help of image processing means in an external computer or in some other external unit to which the images are transferred.

In the above-described embodiment, the recording of images is carried out by means of a simple light sensitive detector. However, it is also possible to adapt a second light-sensitive detector, for example, at another end of the housing. In this case, it is possible to use one end with the first sensor for the mouse function and the other end with the second sensor for one of the input functions. It is not completely essential that images be recorded with overlapping content in mouse mode, the manuscript mode and the drawing mode. In these modes, a special substrate with position indications can be used instead. For example, the positions can be written as coordinates, which are read and interpreted to provide positioning signals for a cursor or movement indications that allow the reproduction of a drawn image or a drawn character. However, this has the disadvantage of requiring a special substrate, as well as software to interpret the position indications.

Claims (23)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1. - An input unit having a mouse function and at least one input function, comprising image recording means (8) for providing both the mouse function and the input function, as well as image processing means ( 20-24), characterized in that at least with respect to the mouse function, the image recording means are adapted to register a plurality of images in such a way that the content of each image partially superimposes the content of the previous image, and the image processing means (20-24) are adapted to determine the relative position of the images with the help of the partially superimposed content of the images and to provide positioning signals for positioning a cursor based on the relative positions of the images.
2. 2. The input unit according to claim 1, further characterized in that with respect to at least said input function, the image recording means are adapted to register a plurality of images in such a way that the content of each image superimpose the content of the previous image and the image processing means (20-24) are adapted to determine the relative position of the images with the help of the partially superimposed content of the images.
3. 3. The input unit according to claim 1 or 2, further characterized in that at least said input function comprises a scanner function.
4. 4. The input unit according to claim 1, 2 or 3, further characterized in that at least said input function comprises a function for entering handwritten / drawn information.
5. 5. The input unit according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the image processing means (20-24) are arranged to determine the reactive position of the images horizontally as well as vertically.
6. 6. The input unit according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the image recording means (8) comprise a first image registration unit for providing the mouse function and a second image registration unit to provide the input function.
7. 7. The input unit according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the image recording means (8) comprise an image registration unit which is used to provide both the mouse function and the function of entry. 8. - The input unit according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the image recording means comprise at least one area sensor. 9. The input unit according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that it comprises switching means (27), which when operated by a user, are adapted to switch the input unit between its different functions. 10. The input unit according to any of the preceding claims, which is manual. 11. The input unit according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that it comprises a transmitter (26) for wireless connection of the input unit to a receiver. 12. The input unit according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said input function comprises a camera function to represent objects located at a distance from the input unit. 13. A method for providing a mouse function and at least one input function with the help of an input unit, comprising the steps of detecting which of said functions is desired; when the mouse function is desired, register at least two images with partially superimposed content with the help of the input unit, determine a positioning signal based on the relative position of the images and use the positioning signal to control a cursor on a computer screen; and, when the input function is desired, register at least one image with the help of the input unit and process at least said image in a manner which is specific to the input function. 14. A method according to claim 13, further characterized in that the step of determining the relative position comprises determining the relative position of the images both horizontally and vertically. 15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, 10 further characterized in that the input function is a character input function and which, when desired, the character input function further comprises the steps of: registering a plurality of images with partially superimposed content, the images of which together represent the characters that will be introduced; combine the images 15 both horizontally and vertically in a composite image; identify the characters in the composite image; interpret the identified characters and * store the characters in encoded character format. • i r 16.- The method according to any of claims 13-15, further characterized in that the input function is 20 a function for entering handwritten / drawn information and which, when the manuscript / drawing function is desired, also comprises the steps of: registering a plurality of images with partially superimposed content; determine the relative position of the images both horizontally and vertically and determine the movement of the input unit based on the relative position of the images. 17. The method according to claim 16, further characterized in that it comprises the step of interpreting the character 5 that the movement of the input unit represents and storing this character in encoded character format. 18. - An input system that has a mouse function and The least one input function, comprising image registration means (8) for providing said mouse function and said input function, as well as 10 image processing means (20-24), characterized in that at least with respect to the mouse function, the image recording means are adapted to register a plurality of images in such a way that the content of each image partially overlaps the image. The content of the previous image, and the image processing means (20-24) are adapted to determine the relative position of the images with the help of the partially superimposed content of the images and provide positioning signals to place a cursor on the image. basis to the relative positions of The images, the image recording means being located in a first housing and the image processing means being located in a second housing. 19. The input system according to claim 18, further characterized in that with respect to at least said input function, the image recording means are adapted to register a plurality of images in such a way that the content of each image superimpose the content of the previous image, and the image processing means (20-24) are adapted to determine the relative position of the images with the help of partially overlaid content of the images. 20. The input system according to claim 18 or 19, further characterized in that at least said input function p comprises a scanner function. 21. The input system according to claim 10, 18, 19 or 20, further characterized in that at least said input function comprises a function for entering handwritten / drawn information. 22. The input system according to any of claims 18-21, further characterized in that the image processing means (20-24) are arranged to determine the relative position of the images horizontally and vertically. 23.- The entry system in accordance with any of the < * claims 18-22, further characterized in that the image registration means (8) comprise a first image registration unit for 20 provide the mouse function and a second image registration unit to provide the input function.