Abstract:
An integrated computer optically controlled switching interface activated by detecting positional movement of a user&#39;s hands or feet or other body part within a perimeter optical sensor defined area. The controller includes a confinement pad, a pair of angularly disposed perimeter rails interconnected by an end rail between optical sensor transmission and receiving towers for rail aligned interface beam generation and associated circuit support within said housing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     This invention relates to computer interface controllers such as computer optical mouse and tracking devices to allow user access and control of electronic computer devices independently or in addition to a keyboard and mouse. 
     2. Description of Prior Art 
     Prior art devices of this type have been directed to a variety of controller interfaces; see for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,334,997, 5,367,315, 5,838,305, 7,145,520, 7,369,116, 7,454,309, 7,554,526 and U.S. Publication 2006/0125795. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,997, a foot operated input device for computers can be seen having a dual housing, each with a track ball positioned therewithin. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,315 is directed to an infrared light based system allowing user to input control by head or eye movement detected. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,838,305 illustrates a foot operated computer control mechanism wherein the computer cursor responds to movements of the operator&#39;s foot which rests on a movable platform on a YX axis rails for movement therealong. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,145,530 claims a pointing device for use with a computer to control a pointer on the screen by a tracking device. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,145,550 is directed to a method and apparatus to reduce repetitive motion injuries by utilizing a tracking device incorporated into two apparatus that are separately operable for multiple user inputs, such as by fingers, foot or eyes. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,454,309 claims a foot activated interface via a foot mounted position sensor having a light source to determine the relative position thereof. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,554,526 describes a foot activated data entry pad having multiple activation buttons similar to inventor&#39;s 116 patent, noted above. 
     Finally, in U.S. Patent Publication 2006/0125795 a controller computer mouse can be seen having movable foot engagement portions on a base having integrated sensors to determine the movable position relative a fixed position thereto. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A sensor input device providing a user interface with a computer by using a universal activation input venue that employs multiple pairs of spaced adapted optically sensor beams positioned in a housing that determines and detects user movement parameters therewithin. Proprietary software drives the beam interface controller via six optical sensored switches as triggers that are usable and configurable for specific program applications that they are intended to control. Multiple configurations can be saved and recalled at the discretion of the user. The system apparatus enables handicapped individuals to utilize a computer interface by a variety of different user directed body parts or controlled elements associated therewith. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the interface input controller of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view thereof including sensor beams shown in broken lines for illustration. 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view thereof on lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view on lines  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the interface with a user hand illustrated position therewithin for operational activation. 
         FIG. 6  is a graphic circuit control illustration for multiple sensors and associated electronically generated switch and computer connection interface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3  of the drawings, an optically controlled switching system  10  of the invention can be seen having a housing  11  with parallel spaced front edge  12  and rear rail  13 . A pair of angularly oriented spaced perimeter side rails  14  and  15  extend from an interconnect to the respective front edge  12  and the rear rail  13  defining a user engagement surface area  16  therebetween as best seen in  FIG. 2  of the drawings. The respective side rails  14  and  15  each have integrated raised beam sensor enclosures  16 A,  16 B,  17 A and  17 B at their respective ends with sensor enclosures  16 A and  17 B interconnecting the corresponding side rails  14  and  15  with the hereinbefore described rear rails  13 . The respective side rails  14  and  15  and rear rail  13  are defined by their upstanding respective outer side surfaces  14 A and  15 A and  13 A with spaced opposing inner parallel inner side surfaces  14 B,  15 B and  13 B. Each of the rails  13 - 15  have respective elongated flat top surfaces  14 C,  15 C and  13 C interconnecting same. The raised sensor enclosures  16 B and  17 B are identical having respective angular effacing end surfaces  18  and  19  which define optical beam sensor transmission and receiver placement areas in spaced aligned orientation overlying the rear wall&#39;s flat top  13 C and corresponding inner wall side surface  13 B. 
     Accordingly, each of the identical respective beams enclosures  16 A and  17 A at the respective ends of the side rails  14  and  15  have respective sensor placement surfaces  20  and  21  which are in perpendicular alignment with the wall&#39;s sensor enclosures  16 B and  17 B corresponding effacing end surfaces  22  and  23 . It will be evident from the above description that each of the hereinbefore defined housing perimeter rails  13 - 15  have therefore effacing sensor mounting surfaces both overlying their respective flat top surfaces  13 C,  14 C and  15 C and in spaced front alignment of their respective inner rail surfaces  13 B,  14 B and  15 B. 
     Multiple infrared beam generators  24  and oppositely disposed aligned optical receivers  25  are positioned within the respective aligned sensor enclosure end surfaces  18 ,  19 ,  20  and  21  as hereinbefore described. 
     An electronic power and control interface circuit  26  generally illustrated in  FIG. 6  of the drawings is enabled on a circuit board  27  indicated by broken lines within the housing  11  having a program control and command IC chip  28  with appropriate supportable known circuit elements including a wired  28 A or wireless  28 B output and transmitter ports to interconnect with a computer C, illustrated only for reference. 
     A power source PS may be any portable or power line configured dependent user venue orientation. 
     As illustrated, the infrared beam generators  24  create multiple sensor beams  29  in spaced pairs  29 A and  29 B overlying the respective flat top wall surfaces  13 C- 15 C and inner wall surfaces  13 B- 15 B of the of the herein described walls  13 - 15  defining bi-level elevated contact beams interface therebetween as graphically illustrated and indicated by multiple broken lines. 
     It will also be seen that multiple sensor beams  29 B define a lower contact beam border in front of the respective inner side surfaces  13 B,  14 B and  15 B indicated and best seen in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4  of the drawings. 
     In this preferred form, each of the sensor beam pairs  29 A and  29 B control through an electric circuit C defining corresponding electronic switches S 1 - 6  as seen graphically in  FIG. 6  of the drawings. It will thus be evident that when each of the generated sensor beam pairs  29 A and  29 B is broken by the user&#39;s as seen in  FIG. 5  of the drawings in which one of the optical sensor beams  29 B has been interrupted by the user&#39;s hand H, specifically their thumb T, for example. The circuit defined switch S 4  in this illustration will be activated and the programmed assigned action within the program will be enabled. 
     A proprietary computer software SW program supplied with the controlled switch system  10  will allow switch enablement assignment apparatus to implement applications to which it is applied. Given the multiple defined optical sensor beam&#39;s vertical orientation levels to one another, identical user&#39;s actions at different levels within the engagement surface area  16  will interact with so provided optical beams for different assignment actions within the defined program. Giving the spacing and relationship of the optical beam locations hereinbefore described in their respective angled side rails  14  and  15  and interconnected rear rail  13 , any number of user implemented tactile aids could be effectively directed by the user to engage and therefore interrupt the specific optical beam so chosen. It will also be seen that in some applications, different user body parts could be used wherein a user&#39;s primary task enablement means, such as their hands, are disabled. In such applications, the user&#39;s implementation can be indicated by indicia generated by software wherein alpha numeric representations are used and audio induced text to speech is so indicated, could be implemented as an indicator element within the parameters of the application controller. 
     As noted, the proprietary software program indicated at SW enables the controlled switching system  10  of the invention to be used as a stand alone input interface device by emulating keystrokes of a keyboard or a portion of a mouse addition to a real keyboard and/or mouse (not shown) for example to control the computer program as it is applied thereto. 
     While the software will have a variety of additive action use configurations, capable of multiple inputs with the critical distinguishable enablement of the invention is that of the hereinbefore disclosed and illustrated optical interface that provides the universal control through multiple input entity user indicators. 
     It will thus be seen that a new and useful binary optical interface device for advanced use with computers has been illustrated and described and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.