Optical computer input controller device

An integrated computer optically controlled switching interface activated by detecting positional movement of a user'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.

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'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'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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS. 1-3of the drawings, an optically controlled switching system10of the invention can be seen having a housing11with parallel spaced front edge12and rear rail13. A pair of angularly oriented spaced perimeter side rails14and15extend from an interconnect to the respective front edge12and the rear rail13defining a user engagement surface area16therebetween as best seen inFIG. 2of the drawings. The respective side rails14and15each have integrated raised beam sensor enclosures16A,16B,17A and17B at their respective ends with sensor enclosures16A and17B interconnecting the corresponding side rails14and15with the hereinbefore described rear rails13. The respective side rails14and15and rear rail13are defined by their upstanding respective outer side surfaces14A and15A and13A with spaced opposing inner parallel inner side surfaces14B,15B and13B. Each of the rails13-15have respective elongated flat top surfaces14C,15C and13C interconnecting same. The raised sensor enclosures16B and17B are identical having respective angular effacing end surfaces18and19which define optical beam sensor transmission and receiver placement areas in spaced aligned orientation overlying the rear wall's flat top13C and corresponding inner wall side surface13B.

Accordingly, each of the identical respective beams enclosures16A and17A at the respective ends of the side rails14and15have respective sensor placement surfaces20and21which are in perpendicular alignment with the wall's sensor enclosures16B and17B corresponding effacing end surfaces22and23. It will be evident from the above description that each of the hereinbefore defined housing perimeter rails13-15have therefore effacing sensor mounting surfaces both overlying their respective flat top surfaces13C,14C and15C and in spaced front alignment of their respective inner rail surfaces13B,14B and15B.

Multiple infrared beam generators24and oppositely disposed aligned optical receivers25are positioned within the respective aligned sensor enclosure end surfaces18,19,20and21as hereinbefore described.

An electronic power and control interface circuit26generally illustrated inFIG. 6of the drawings is enabled on a circuit board27indicated by broken lines within the housing11having a program control and command IC chip28with appropriate supportable known circuit elements including a wired28A or wireless28B 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 generators24create multiple sensor beams29in spaced pairs29A and29B overlying the respective flat top wall surfaces13C-15C and inner wall surfaces13B-15B of the of the herein described walls13-15defining bi-level elevated contact beams interface therebetween as graphically illustrated and indicated by multiple broken lines.

It will also be seen that multiple sensor beams29B define a lower contact beam border in front of the respective inner side surfaces13B,14B and15B indicated and best seen inFIGS. 2,3and4of the drawings.

In this preferred form, each of the sensor beam pairs29A and29B control through an electric circuit C defining corresponding electronic switches S1-6as seen graphically inFIG. 6of the drawings. It will thus be evident that when each of the generated sensor beam pairs29A and29B is broken by the user's as seen inFIG. 5of the drawings in which one of the optical sensor beams29B has been interrupted by the user's hand H, specifically their thumb T, for example. The circuit defined switch S4in 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 system10will allow switch enablement assignment apparatus to implement applications to which it is applied. Given the multiple defined optical sensor beam's vertical orientation levels to one another, identical user's actions at different levels within the engagement surface area16will 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 rails14and15and interconnected rear rail13, 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's primary task enablement means, such as their hands, are disabled. In such applications, the user'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 system10of 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.