WO1993004424A1 - Pointeur a detection a distance pour ordinateur - Google Patents

Pointeur a detection a distance pour ordinateur Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1993004424A1
WO1993004424A1 PCT/AU1992/000443 AU9200443W WO9304424A1 WO 1993004424 A1 WO1993004424 A1 WO 1993004424A1 AU 9200443 W AU9200443 W AU 9200443W WO 9304424 A1 WO9304424 A1 WO 9304424A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
computer
signal
pointer means
pointer
ultrasonic
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1992/000443
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Peter James Vernon Lucas
Katrina Margaret Shearer
Original Assignee
Sybiz Software Pty. Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sybiz Software Pty. Ltd. filed Critical Sybiz Software Pty. Ltd.
Publication of WO1993004424A1 publication Critical patent/WO1993004424A1/fr

Links

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
    • G06F3/043—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means using propagating acoustic waves
    • 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
    • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
    • G06F3/0346—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/00 - G06F3/048
    • G06F2203/033—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/033
    • G06F2203/0331—Finger worn pointing device

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a cursor control device for computers. It will be appreciated that the invention can be used with many computerised devices such as personal computers, main frame computers and televisions where it is desired to control a cursor appearing on a display screen.
  • the Mouse is by far the most popular cursor control device for computers. This is supplied as a standard device on many personal computers and is a very common accessory on many others. It operates by converting a signal derived from the movement of the mouse over a surface to a signal which controls the position of a cursor on a visual display unit of the computer.
  • the Trackball is an alternative to the mouse when desk space is limited. It is operated by rotating a ball in a socket, the relative movement of the ball being converted to movement of the cursor on the VDU. It is essentially an inversion of the mouse principle.
  • the third device is the Touch Pad. This device relies on a finger or stylus being moved across a position sensitive pad. It is mostly commonly used for CAD/CAM applications.
  • cursor control devices are known.
  • the problem with existing devices is that they require the hand to be moved from the keyboard in order to operate the device.
  • These devices are ideal for applications with very little or no keyboard usage such as CAD/CAM, drawings, games, etc. They are not so good for business applications such as accounting, word-processing and spread-sheets where the bulk of the input is through the keyboard.
  • business applications such as accounting, word-processing and spread-sheets where the bulk of the input is through the keyboard.
  • keys are often used in preference to the mouse, despite requiring a lot of key pressing and often the use of both hands to operate the "control" or "alt” keys.
  • a cursor control device for a computer with a visual display means comprising : pointer means attachable to a user's hand; position sensing means adapted to detect a position of the pointer means relative to the position sensing means; translator means adapted to translate pointer position information generated by the position sensing means into a computer intelligible form such that a cursor on the visual display means is moved in accordance with movement of the pointer means.
  • the cursor control device is further characterised by the position sensing means including at least one transmitter and at least one receiver, the transmitter or transmitters being adapted to transmit a signal which is receivable by the receivers and wherein the position of the pointer means is determined by calculating the phase difference between the transmitted signal or signals and the signal received by the receiver or receivers.
  • the transmitter or transmitters are adapted to transmit into the vicinity of the pointer means above the keyboard
  • the receiver or receivers are releasably attached to, fixed to or incorporated within a computer in a spaced apart relationship
  • the pointer means includes reflective means adapted to reflect transmitted signals to the receivers.
  • the pointer means need not have an electrical power source.
  • the size and weight of the pointer means can be reduced and also the complexity of the pointer means simplified.
  • the reflective means can be switchable from a reflecting state to a non-reflecting state with respect to transmitted signals. This can be achieved by the reflective means being hidden from the transmitted signals until the pointer means is desired to be used to control the position of a cursor on a computer display unit.
  • a predetermined key sequence may be typed and then the pointer means moved to control the cursor.
  • the transmitters may be ultrasonic devices in which case the reflective means is a metal-coated plastic device or may be optical devices in which case the reflective means is a retroreflecting prism.
  • a transmitter and a receiver are integrally formed into a transducer and there are at least two transducers releasably attached to, fixed to, or incorporated with a computer in spaced apart relationship.
  • transducers it is convenient and functionally suitable to position the transducers at one or both sides of a computer keyboard or visual display unit. Two spaced apart transducers are sufficient to provide the appropriate precision in the determination of the position of the pointer means to result in the required cursor control accuracy on the VDU. If a greater degree of accuracy is required further transducers can be employed.
  • Power and signals for the transducers may conveniently be drawn from an output port of the computer.
  • the output port may be the mouse port or a serial port supplied as standard on most computers.
  • a cursor control device for a computer with a visual display means comprising : a pointer means incorporating an electromagnetic receiver and an ultrasonic transmitter; two ultrasonic receivers mounted in spaced apart relation on the computer; an electromagnetic transmitter mounted in the vicinity of the ultrasonic receivers said electromagnetic transmitter being adapted to transmit a synchronisation signal to the electromagnetic receiver; buffering means incorporated in the pointer means adapted to buffer said synchronisation signal to said ultrasonic transmitter for retransmission as an ultrasonic signal receivable by said ultrasonic receivers as a received ultrasonic signal; and translator means adapted to compare the phase relationship between the synchronisation signal and the received ultrasonic signal to determine the position of the pointer means and translate said position of the pointer means into computer intelligible form such that a cursor on the visual display means is moved in accordance with movement of the pointer means.
  • power and signals are supplied to and from the ultrasonic receivers and electromagnetic transmitter by supply means communicating with an output port of the computer.
  • Power for the pointer means is preferably supplied by a battery although further supply means could be provided.
  • the active pointer means disclosed herein incorporates a battery as the preferred power source, it will be appreciated that power can be supplied to the pointer means by use of wires. Further, it will be appreciated that the power can be supplied to the pointer means by use of transponder techniques where a signal is received and energy therein is used to power a subsequent transmission.
  • the electromagnetic transmitter is an infrared transmitter and the electromagnetic receivers are infrared receivers.
  • a pointer means can be constructed of appropriate material and of a suitable to size and shape to minimise hindrance to normal typing.
  • the pointer means includes a band adapted to attach the pointer means to the wrist or fingers of the user's hand.
  • the pointer means is attached to the user's hands by a flexible band, the band may surround the wrist or be adapted to go about the fingers below the first and above the second knuckles, or be adapted to pass about a finger.
  • the pointer means is held to a user's hand and need not hinder the user during typing.
  • the pointer means is characterised by at least one button being incorporated into the band from which means the user can transmit a message to the computer.
  • a button or buttons may be positioned to be operable by a user's thumb.
  • the pointer means can be placed upon other fingers and if desired a button can be pressed by the closing of fingers. Further, if the pointer means is attached to the hand by a band going around the fingers between the first and second knuckle then a button or buttons may be positioned also to be operable by the users thumb.
  • the invention resides in a method of controlling the position of a cursor on a visual display unit of a computer, including the steps of : communicating a first signal or signals from a first transmitting means attached to the computer to first receiving means incorporated in the pointer means; further communicating a second signal or signals from the pointer means by second transmitting means to second receiving means attached to the computer; determining a position of the pointer means relative to the second receiving means by calculating the phase differences between the first and second signal or signals; translating said position of the pointer means into computer intelligible form such that a cursor on the computer display means is moved in accordance with movement of the pointer means.
  • first transmitting means transmits electromagnetic signals and the second transmitting means transmits ultrasonic signals.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer employing the invention
  • FIG. 2 is schematic of the principle of determining the position of the pointer means
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the major components of the cursor controlling device
  • FIGS. 4a and 4b are schematic diagrams of the interface electronics according to one preferred embodiment
  • FIG. 5 is a drawing of a first preferred embodiment of the pointer means
  • FIG. 6 is a drawing of a second preferred embodiment of the pointer means
  • FIG. 7 is a drawing of a third preferred embodiment of the pointer means
  • FIG. 8 is a drawing of a fourth preferred embodiment of the pointer means.
  • FIG. 9 is a drawing of a laptop computer illustrating transmitter configuration according to one preferred embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • the pointer means is passive and incorporates a reflector. In a subsequent and most preferred embodiment the pointer means is an active unit and incorporate a transmitter.
  • a computer 1 is fitted with a pair of transducers 2.
  • Transducers being useful as transmitters and also as receivers.
  • the transducers are ultra-sonic transducers with an operating frequency exceeding 40KHz.
  • Such transducers can be purchased as off the shelf components.
  • the transducers emit an ultrasonic signal which is retro-reflected by a reflector 3.
  • the phase relation between the reflected and transmitted beams determines the distance from the transducer 2 to the reflector 3.
  • the position of the reflector is uniquely defined by the distances 6 and 7 from the respective transducers 2.
  • the distance 6 and 7 are translatable to a position on the visual display unit 5.
  • the translation means 9 converts the signals derived from the transducers into positional co-ordinate which are translated to signals which are input to the mouse port 10 of a computer 11.
  • Software on the computer translates the receive signals to cursor positions on the visual display unit 5.
  • the software is analogous to the software used to drive current technology devices such as a mouse.
  • the transducers 2 can conveniently be powered from the serial port 8 of the computer 11. Alternatively, power can be derived from signals passed to the computer via the same port. This can be either the serial port 8 or the mouse port 10.
  • the position sensing means includes an infrared signal transmitter 12 and two ultrasonic receivers 13 and 14.
  • a transmit signal is generated from oscillator 15 by dividing the output of oscillator 15 with divider 16 to a 40KHz signal and applying this through buffer 17 to infrared transmitter 12.
  • the received signals of each receiver 13 and 14 are amplified by amplifiers 18 and 19 respectively.
  • the received signals are compared with the transmit signals and the phase difference is calculated.
  • the determined phase difference is calculated by processor 20 which communicates via an RS232 link to the computer.
  • the pointer means includes an infrared receiver and an ultrasonic transmitter.
  • the infrared signal transmitter 12 and two ultrasonic receivers 13 and 14 are affixed to the computer at one side of the keyboard, as shown in FIG 9.
  • the pointer means is an active device and is powered by a battery.
  • the pointer means can take a number of forms, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying diagrams.
  • the first form is illustrated in Figure 5 where it can be seen that the pointer means 21 is shaped and sized to include a band so as to fit over a finger 22 of a user's hand 23.
  • the size and weight of the pointer means 21 is such that a user can type without hindrance from the pointer means 21.
  • the pointer means includes an ultrasonic transmitter 24 and an infrared photo-transistor 25.
  • the photo-transistor 25 is used to receive the 40KHz pulse train transmitted by the infrared transmitter 12.
  • the ultrasonic pulse train transmitted by ultrasonic transmitter 24 of the pointer means is synchronised to the transmit signal applied to transmitter 12. This is necessary so as to ensure that the phase difference detected will be attributable to distances 6 and 7.
  • the pointer means also incorporates a button 26.
  • Button 26 is used to switch the pointer means 21 into an active mode and also to act as a select button in a similar means as is well known in computer mouse systems. It will be appreciated that there can be a number of buttons although one is preferred due to size limitations. It will be apparent that the button 26 can be activated by the user's thumb 27.
  • button 26 can be omitted and key strokes used in place of the button 26.
  • the pointer means is only being used to indicate the desired movement of the cursor.
  • the form of the pointer means shown in Figure 6 is similar to that of Figure 5 except the band is adapted to slide over the fingers and rest between the first and second knuckles 28 and 29. In this case key strokes can be used instead of the button 26.
  • the form of the pointer means shown in Figure 7 is similar to that in Figure 6 except that button 30 is included. Operation of the button 30 is by the user's thumb and its uses are the same as that for button 26.
  • FIG. 8 A further form of the pointer means is disclosed in Figure 8 where it can be seen that the band of the pointer means 31 is adapted to hold the pointer means 31 to the wrist of a user. This form is similar to that disclosed in Figure 7.
  • a laptop computer which includes a keyboard 33 and a display 34.
  • the receivers 35 and 36 are spaced apart at a side of the keyboard 33. This form is useable with the pointer means of Figures 5 to 8 inclusive.
  • the device may be permanently fitted to a laptop computer, giving the user quicker and easier portability; and 3. It is quicker and more convenient to use than existing devices because the user does not have to move a hand far away from the normal data entry position on the keyboard.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Abstract

On décrit un dispositif de commande du curseur ou un pointeur pour ordinateur comportant un moyen permettant de détecter le mouvement de la main d'un utilisateur dans l'espace et un moyen de traduction permettant de traduire le mouvement détecté en signaux de façon à commander le mouvement d'un curseur sur un écran d'affichage vidéo de l'ordinateur. Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, deux récepteurs ultrasoniques ainsi qu'un transmetteur infrarouge sont montés espacés les uns des autres à l'une des extrémités du clavier d'un ordinateur. L'alimentation est prévue et les signaux sont transmis vers et à partir des récepteurs ainsi que du transmetteur à travers le point de communications d'un ordinateur. Le transmetteur infrarouge est utilisé pour transmettre un signal de synchronisation vers un récepteur infrarouge dans un pointeur adapté pour être porté sur un doigt. Le signal reçu par le récepteur infrarouge est retransmis comme un signal ultrasonique au moyen d'un transmetteur ultrasonique également monté sur le pointeur. L'alimentation pour l'électronique du pointeur peut être fournie par une petite pile. Le signal ultrasonique transmis est reçu par les récepteurs ultrasoniques et la comparaison du rapport de phase de chaque signal reçu et du signal de synchronisation permet d'établir la distance de chaque récepteur ultrasonique au pointeur. Le pointeur se fixe de préférence à la main de l'utilisateur, la dimension et le moyen de fixation n'empêchant pas de tapper normalement. Selon un mode de réalisation supplémentaire, le pointeur comporte un commutateur ou un bouton pouvant être utilisé de la même manière qu'une souris classique.
PCT/AU1992/000443 1991-08-23 1992-08-21 Pointeur a detection a distance pour ordinateur WO1993004424A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPK791791 1991-08-23
AUPK7917 1991-08-23
AUPK8978 1991-10-18
AUPK897891 1991-10-18

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1993004424A1 true WO1993004424A1 (fr) 1993-03-04

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PCT/AU1992/000443 WO1993004424A1 (fr) 1991-08-23 1992-08-21 Pointeur a detection a distance pour ordinateur

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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2710432A1 (fr) * 1993-09-21 1995-03-31 Bouvarel Rolland Dispositif de reconnaissance des coordonnées d'un point.
EP0789320A2 (fr) * 1996-02-09 1997-08-13 Pegasus Technologies Ltd. Souris d'ordinateur et support
WO2000016252A1 (fr) * 1998-09-14 2000-03-23 Inmotion, Inc. Systeme et procede pour mener et authentifier des transactions
US6552714B1 (en) * 2000-06-30 2003-04-22 Lyle A. Vust Portable pointing device
WO2004053823A1 (fr) * 2002-12-09 2004-06-24 Adam Kaplan Procede et appareil pour interface utilisateur
US7158126B2 (en) 2002-04-08 2007-01-02 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Acoustic based pointing device
FR3002337A1 (fr) * 2013-02-19 2014-08-22 Tanguy Roche Joystick semi virtuel

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3924107A (en) * 1971-08-11 1975-12-02 Hideo Sakai The path of a vehicle method and apparatus for recording
US4317005A (en) * 1979-10-15 1982-02-23 Bruyne Pieter De Position-determining system
DE3036948A1 (de) * 1980-09-30 1982-05-13 Siemens Ag System zur uebertragung von koordinaten ausgewaehlter punkte von bild- und/oder textvorlagen
US4758691A (en) * 1986-01-23 1988-07-19 Zellweger Uster Ltd. Apparatus for determining the position of a movable object
DE3709464A1 (de) * 1987-03-23 1988-10-06 Stefan Dipl Ing Burger X-y-eingabevorrichtung
EP0312481A2 (fr) * 1987-09-16 1989-04-19 José Manuel Ezquerra Perez Procédé de détermination de la position et de l'état d'un objet au moyen d'ultrasons
EP0366112A2 (fr) * 1988-10-26 1990-05-02 Wacom Co., Ltd. Dispositif optique pour l'entrée de coordonnées et indicateur de position associé

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3924107A (en) * 1971-08-11 1975-12-02 Hideo Sakai The path of a vehicle method and apparatus for recording
US4317005A (en) * 1979-10-15 1982-02-23 Bruyne Pieter De Position-determining system
DE3036948A1 (de) * 1980-09-30 1982-05-13 Siemens Ag System zur uebertragung von koordinaten ausgewaehlter punkte von bild- und/oder textvorlagen
US4758691A (en) * 1986-01-23 1988-07-19 Zellweger Uster Ltd. Apparatus for determining the position of a movable object
DE3709464A1 (de) * 1987-03-23 1988-10-06 Stefan Dipl Ing Burger X-y-eingabevorrichtung
EP0312481A2 (fr) * 1987-09-16 1989-04-19 José Manuel Ezquerra Perez Procédé de détermination de la position et de l'état d'un objet au moyen d'ultrasons
EP0366112A2 (fr) * 1988-10-26 1990-05-02 Wacom Co., Ltd. Dispositif optique pour l'entrée de coordonnées et indicateur de position associé

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2710432A1 (fr) * 1993-09-21 1995-03-31 Bouvarel Rolland Dispositif de reconnaissance des coordonnées d'un point.
EP0789320A2 (fr) * 1996-02-09 1997-08-13 Pegasus Technologies Ltd. Souris d'ordinateur et support
EP0789320A3 (fr) * 1996-02-09 1998-10-21 Pegasus Technologies Ltd. Souris d'ordinateur et support
WO2000016252A1 (fr) * 1998-09-14 2000-03-23 Inmotion, Inc. Systeme et procede pour mener et authentifier des transactions
US6552714B1 (en) * 2000-06-30 2003-04-22 Lyle A. Vust Portable pointing device
US7158126B2 (en) 2002-04-08 2007-01-02 Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. Acoustic based pointing device
WO2004053823A1 (fr) * 2002-12-09 2004-06-24 Adam Kaplan Procede et appareil pour interface utilisateur
FR3002337A1 (fr) * 2013-02-19 2014-08-22 Tanguy Roche Joystick semi virtuel

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