Optical system for inputting pointer and character data into electronic equipment

Abstract

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.

1. A data input device optically interfacing with an operator to detect the position of one or more objects within an input zone to allow the operator to enter character data into associated electronic equipment, wherein each position of the objects within the input zone corresponds to a unique selection of data to be entered into the electronic equipment, the input device comprising:
 a source of optical sensor light illuminating the input zone with sensor light, the sensor light reflecting off the objects in a direction generally toward the input device;  
 an optical detector arranged to receive the reflected sensor light as a reflected light pattern representing the position of the objects within the input zone, the optical detector converting the reflected right pattern to an electrical signal;  
 a light generator positioned to emit visible light and a deflective optical element that projects an optical image of an input device having discrete sub-images at unique positions within the optical image that represent different character data that may be selected for input into the electronic equipment; wherein the deflective optical element comprises a stencil designed to allow light to pass through portions of the stencil and wherein the light generator is positioned to emit visible fight through the portions of the stencil such that the light passed through the stencil forms the optical image; and  
 a microprocessor that receives the electrical signal from the optical detector and correlates the electrical signal to the unique selection of data.  
 
     
     
       2. The optical data input device of  claim 1  wherein the light generator emits visible light having a wavelength sufficiently different than the wavelength of the light emitted by the source of optical sensor light. 
     
     
       3. A data light device optically interfacing with an operator to detect the position of an object within an input zone to allow the operator to control the location of a pointer displayed on a viewing screen of associated electronic equipment, the input device comprising:
 a source of optical sensor light illuminating the input zone with sensor light, the sensor light reflecting off the object in a direction generally toward the input device;  
 an optical detector arranged to receive the reflected sensor light as a reflected light pattern that represents the position of the object within the input zone, the optical detector converting the reflected light pattern to an electrical signal representing the position of the object within the input zone;  
 a microprocessor that receives the electrical signal from the optical detector and is programmed to correlate the electrical signal to the location of the pointer displayed on said viewing screen; and  
 further comprising an image generator that projects an optical image within the input zone, wherein the optical image has discrete sub-images within the optical image; and  
 wherein the image generator comprises a light generator positioned to emit visible light and a deflective optical element designed to form the optical image; and  
 wherein the deflective optical element comprises a stencil designed to allow light to pass through portions of the stencil and wherein the light generator is positioned to emit visible light through the portions of the stencil such that the light passed through the stencil forms the optical image.  
 
     
     
       4. A device, comprising:
   an optical detector configured to receive a light pattern reflected from one or more objects in an associated input zone, wherein positions of said one or more objects within said input zone correspond to desired input data from a user of said device, wherein said optical detector is configured to convert said reflected light pattern into an electrical signal;        a microprocessor configured to receive said electrical signal and generate actual input data to said device therefrom;        wherein said device is configured to receive information from said user that is usable to associate said positions of said one or more objects with said desired input data.     
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4 , further comprising a light source configured to illuminate said input zone. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 4 , wherein said one or more objects include said user's fingers. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 4 , wherein said one or more objects include a writing stylus. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 4 , wherein said one or more objects include a pointing device. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 4 , further comprising a display. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9 , wherein, for actual input data corresponding to character data, said device is configured to display said character data on said display. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 4 , further comprising an image generator. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11 , wherein said image generator is configured to display a virtual keyboard within said input zone. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 5 , further comprising an image generator. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 11 , wherein said image generator is configured to display a virtual keyboard within said input zone. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 14 , wherein said image generator is configured to display said virtual keyboard using a different wavelength of light than the wavelength of light from said light source. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 5 , wherein said optical detector is configured to detect only a first wavelength of light, wherein said first wavelength of light is the wavelength of light used by said light source to illuminate said input zone. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 4 , wherein said device is configured to associate a first reflected light pattern from said input zone with input data corresponding to two or more desired characters. 
     
     
       18. The device of  claim 14 , wherein said device is configured to associate a first reflected light pattern from said input zone with input data corresponding to two or more desired characters. 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 5 , wherein said light source includes first means for deflecting light. 
     
     
       20. The device of  claim 4 , wherein said device is a mobile telephone. 
     
     
       21. The device of  claim 4 , wherein said device is a notebook computer. 
     
     
       22. The device of  claim 4 , wherein said device is a personal digital assistant. 
     
     
       23. A method, comprising:
   receiving a first light pattern reflected from one or more objects in an input zone associated with a computing device, wherein position and/or motion of said one or more objects correspond to desired input data from a user of said computing device;        generating, from said first light pattern, actual input data;        conveying said actual input data to said user via said computing device;        receiving feedback from said user regarding correspondence between said desired input data and said actual input data; and        using said feedback to configure said computing device to associate said first light pattern with said desired input data.     
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 23 , further comprising illuminating said input zone with a light source, wherein said first light pattern includes light emitted from said light source. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said reflected light pattern is from ambient light. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 23 , further comprising optically displaying a virtual keyboard within said input zone, wherein said virtual keyboard includes one or more virtual keys, and wherein said actual input data corresponds to at least one of said one or more virtual keys. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 26 , wherein said conveying includes displaying characters corresponding to said actual input data on a display of said computing device. 
     
     
       28. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said one or more object in said input zone include fingers of the user. 
     
     
       29. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said actual input data is generated using position and intensity of said first light pattern. 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said computing device is a computing system. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said computing device is a mobile telephone. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 23 , wherein said actual input data is usable to move a pointer on a display of said computing device. 
     
     
       33. A device, comprising:
   an optical detector configured to receive light patterns reflected from one or more objects in an input zone, wherein positions of said one or more objects within said input zone correspond to desired character input data from a user of said device, and wherein said optical detector is configured to convert said reflected light patterns into electrical signals;        a microprocessor configured to receive said electrical signals from said optical detector and generate actual input data therefrom;        wherein said device is configured to receive input from said user assigning a first set of positions of said one or more objects in said input zone to represent two or more characters of desired actual input data, such that said device, upon subsequently receiving a first reflected light pattern corresponding to said first set of positions of said one or more objects, is configured to generate actual input data that corresponds to said two or more characters of desired actual input data.     
     
     
       34. The device of  claim 33 , further comprising a light source configured to illuminate said input zone. 
     
     
       35. The device of  claim 33 , wherein said reflected light patterns are from light emitted by said light source. 
     
     
       36. The device of  claim 33 , wherein said reflected light patterns are from ambient light. 
     
     
       37. The device of  claim 33 , wherein said one or more objects in said input zone include said user's fingers. 
     
     
       38. The device of  claim 33 , further comprising a display. 
     
     
       39. The device of  claim 33 , further comprising an image generator, wherein said image generator is configured to display a representation of a keyboard within said input zone. 
     
     
       40. The device of  claim 34 , wherein said light source includes first means for deflecting light. 
     
     
       41. The device of  claim 33 , wherein said device is a mobile telephone.  
     
     
       42. The device of  claim 33 , wherein said device is a notebook computer. 
     
     
       43. The device of  claim 33 , wherein said device is a personal digital assistant. 
     
     
       44. A method, comprising:
   receiving a light pattern reflected from one or more objects in an input zone associated with a computing device, wherein said one or more objects are arranged in a first set of positions within said input zone, and wherein said first set of positions correspond to desired input data from a user of said computing device;        receiving information from said user assigning said first set of positions to a sequence of two or more desired input characters;        upon subsequently receiving a reflected light pattern corresponding to said first set of positions of said one or more objects, generating actual input data corresponding to said sequence of two or more desired input characters.     
     
     
       45. The method of  claim 44 , wherein said one or more objects include said user's fingers. 
     
     
       46. The method of  claim 44 , further comprising displaying said two or more desired input characters on a display of said computing device. 
     
     
       47. The method of  claim 44 , wherein said receiving said reflected light pattern corresponding to said first set of positions of said one or more objects include determining position and intensity of said reflected light pattern. 
     
     
       48. A device, comprising:
   an optical detector configured to receive light patterns reflected from one or more objects in an input zone, wherein position and/or motion of said one or more objects in said input zone correspond to desired input data from a user of said device, wherein said optical detector is configured to convert said reflected light patterns into electrical signals;        a microprocessor configured to receive said electrical signals from said optical detector and generate actual input data therefrom;        a display;        wherein said device is configured to operate in a plurality of input modes including a first input mode and a second input mode;        wherein, in said first input mode, positions of said one or more objects within said input zone correspond to virtual keyboard input data, and wherein said actual input data generated by said microprocessor in said first input mode corresponds to said virtual keyboard input data;        wherein, in said second input mode, positions and/or motion of said one or more objects within said input zone correspond to virtual pointing device input data, and wherein said actual input data generated by said microprocessor in said second input mode is usable to control a location of a pointer on said display.     
     
     
       49. The device of  claim 48 , wherein said device is configured to toggle between said plurality of input modes in response to detecting a reflected light pattern corresponding to a first position and/or motion of said one or more objects within said input zone. 
     
     
       50. The device of  claim 48 , further comprising a light source configured to illuminate said input zone. 
     
     
       51. The device of  claim 48 , wherein said reflected light patterns are from ambient light. 
     
     
       52. The device of  claim 48 , wherein said one or more objects in said input zone include said user's fingers. 
     
     
       53. The device of  claim 48 , wherein said one or more objects in said input zone include a pointing device. 
     
     
       54. The device of  claim 48 , further comprising an image generator, wherein said image generator is configured to display a representation of a keyboard within said input zone. 
     
     
       55. The device of  claim 50 , wherein said light source includes first means for deflecting light. 
     
     
       56. The device of  claim 48 , wherein said device is a mobile telephone. 
     
     
       57. The device of  claim 48 , wherein said device is a notebook computer. 
     
     
       58. The device of  claim 48 , wherein said device is a personal digital assistant. 
     
     
       59. A method, comprising:
   receiving light reflected from one or more objects in an input zone associated with a computing device, wherein a pattern of said reflected light is usable to determine position and/or motion of said one or more objects within said input zone;        operating said computing device in a first input mode for receiving virtual keyboard input data; and        operating said computing device in a second input mode for receiving data usable to control a location of a pointer on a display of said computing device.     
     
     
       60. The method of  claim 59 , further comprising toggling between input modes of said computing device in response to detecting a first reflected light pattern. 
     
     
       61. The method of  claim 59 , further comprising illuminating the input zone. 
     
     
       62. The method of  claim 59 , further comprising displaying a virtual keyboard within the input zone. 
     
     
       63. The method of  claim 59 , wherein said one or more objects include fingers of a user of said computing device. 
     
     
       64. The method of  claim 59 , wherein said one or more objects include a pointing device.