An arrangement for the optical remote control of an apparatus such as a data terminal, an online bill payment terminal, movement surveillance equipment or the like, employing the palm of a hand or a finger of an operator as a control includes a light transmitter part in which there are several sources of light. The light from each of the sources of light of the light transmitter travel through a first collector member to a presumed keyboard in which a keyboard layout is arranged. Each presumed key in the keyboard layout is connected to at least one source of light in the transmitter part. The image of the source of light is visible at the location of the relevant presumed key. Also provided is a light receiver part and a second collector member through which the image of the source of light at the key in question, travels to the receiver part. A processor controls the operation of the light transmitter part. Each source of light is timed to light up in turn as part of a group and/or separately so that when the finger or palm of the hand is at the position of a presumed key, the light coming from the source of light is reflected from it through the second collector member to the receiver part. The processor recognizes the moment when the various sources of light are on, and on the basis of data relating to the moment of reception of the light arriving at the receiver, it recognizes which key is in operation.
The invention relates to a method and arrangement for generating a virtual keyboard in connection with an electronic apparatus (10) on a planar surface (16). The virtual keyboard is drawn by a laser transmitter (11), and the light reflected from an obstacle (15b) in the area of the virtual keyboard is received. The angle of incidence and time of arrival of the received signal are observed, and on the basis thereof a conclusion is drawn about whether a certain key in the virtual keyboard has been pressed.
A virtual data input device to optically interface with an operator to detect the position of objects within a particular input zone, i.e., an area in which the operator may interact to enter character data into associated computing equipment. Each character data corresponds to a unique arrangement and position of the objects within the input zone, e.g., operator's fingers on a virtual keyboard. The input device includes a source of optical sensor light illuminating the input zone with sensor light, which reflects off the operator's fingers. The data input device also includes an optical detector to receive the reflected sensor light as a reflected light pattern representing the position of the operator's fingers within the input zone. The optical detector converts the reflected light pattern to an electrical signal representing the particular character data. A microprocessor then receives the electrical signal and correlates the electrical signal to character data.
Electronic devices having image-based data input systems are described. In one aspect, an electronic device includes a window, multiple indicia, an image sensor, and a data input processor. The window has a contact surface with an input region. The multiple indicia are viewable in the input region of the contact surface. The image sensor is constructed and arranged to produce image signals corresponding to images of the input region. The data input processor is coupled to the image sensor and is operable to produce input signals based on image signals produced by the image sensor and a mapping between areas of the input region images and locations of the input indicia.
An optical keyboard having a plurality of keys formed on a sheet of transparent material used as light guide. Each key is a dome-shaped element such that the light beam launched into one end of the dome-shaped element spreads over at least part of the dome-shaped element and then converges at another end. The intensity of the re-focused light beam at the converging end can be sensed by a photosensor. When a key is pressed, the deformity on the dome-shaped element changes the focusing properties of the key and thus the sensed light intensity. The dome-shaped elements can be used as individual keys or as a group of keys arranged in a two-dimensional matrix.
A virtual data input device to optically interface with an operator to detect the position of objects within an input zone, i.e., an area defined as a "virtual keyboard" in which the operator may interact to enter character or other data into computing equipment. The input device includes a source of optical sensor light illuminating the input zone that reflects off the objects in a direction generally toward the input device. The device also includes an optical detector arranged to receive reflected sensor light as a light pattern, representing the position of the objects within the input zone, and converts the reflected light pattern to an electrical signal. A microprocessor then receives the electrical signal and correlates the electrical signal to character or other data. An image generator may be used to project an optical image that represents, for example, an image of a keyboard.
