Abstract:
A method of providing non-contact data selection, comprising the steps of providing at least one data selection, transmitting at least one signal in proximity to the at least one data selection, altering the path of the at least one transmitted signal through interaction with a selection device, detecting at least one altered signal, and determining selection of the selection device from the at least one altered signal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing non-contact data selection. More particularly, the invention relates to using ultrasonic and electromagnetic signals in a non-contact manner to detect the position of a selection device and to correlate such a position to a data selection. 
     (2) Description of the Related Art 
     The advent of the outbreaks of potentially dangerous diseases, such as SARS, serves to raise concern regarding the potential transmission of diseases via contact with surfaces routinely used by the public, such as elevator buttons. In the case of SARS outbreaks in Asia, building managers in China covered elevator call buttons with cellophane wrap which was removed and replaced every hour in order to minimize potential widespread infection of building occupants. In addition, there exists a general aversion by certain populations to touch public use surfaces as they are often times regarded as unsanitary and conducive to the transmission of germs and other diseases. 
     What is therefore needed is an apparatus, and method for using such apparatus, to allow for the non-contact activation of a data selection, such as the buttons of an elevator, activated to select a desired floor destination. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for providing non-contact data selection. More particularly, the invention relates to using ultrasonic and electromagnetic signals in a non-contact manner to detect the position of a selection device and to correlate such a position to a data selection. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a method of providing non-contact data selection, comprises the steps of providing at least one data selection, transmitting at least one signal in proximity to the at least one data selection, altering the path of the at least one transmitted signal through interaction with a selection device, detecting at least one altered signal, and determining selection of the selection device from the at least one altered signal. 
     In further accordance with the present invention, a non-contact data selection system comprises at least one data selection, means for transmitting a plurality of signals in proximity to the plurality of data selections, means for receiving at least one of the plurality of signals has been altered, means for determining a position of a selection device from the at least one of the altered signals, and means for correlating the position of the selection device to the at least one data selection. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram of an embodiment of the non-contact data selection system of the present invention utilizing a plurality of electromagnetic signal emitters. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram of an embodiment of the non-contact selection system of the present invention utilizing a plurality of ultrasonic signal emitters. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  in operation. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  in operation. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It is therefore a teaching of the present invention to provide an apparatus, and method for using such an apparatus, to provide for the non-contact activation of a data selection. In each embodiment, at least one signal emitter and one signal receiver associated with at least one data selection, such as a button, is utilized to determine a user&#39;s activation of a data selection in a non-contact manner. In the instance in which the signal emitted from the signal emitter and received by the signal receiver is an electromagnetic signal, the present invention operates to detect a blockage or alteration of the signal between the signal emitter and the signal receiver. By arranging an array of signal emitters and signal receivers about a data selection field, such blockage or blockages of one or more emitted signals can be processed to determine the position of a data selector, typically a finger or a hand, in proximity to a data selection field. In the instance wherein the signal emitted from the signal emitter and received by the signal receiver is acoustic, it is possible to determine the duration of time which passes between the emission of a signal and the reflection of a signal back to a signal receiver, from three or more signal emitter/signal receiver pairs so as to determine in three dimensional space the position of a data selector off which the signals are reflected. From such a determination of the position of the data selector in three dimensional space, it is therefore possible to deduce a data selection desired to be activated within the data selection field. 
     There is further taught the use of either a pair of acoustic emitters and receivers or an acoustic transducer to perform non-contact data selection. In such case, the pair or the transducer detects reflected signals and deduces a data selection based on the magnitude of the reflected signal. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated an embodiment of the non-contact data selection system  10  of the present invention. Data selection field  19  is comprised of numerous data selections  17  arrayed in a grid-like pattern. Each data selection  17  represents a discrete choice which may be activated using a data selector  31  as explained more fully below. Each data selection  17  may correlate, for example, to a floor in a building which a user wishes to select in order to guide the conveyance of an elevator. Arrayed about and in proximity to data selection field  19 , are opposing arrays of signal emitters  13 , and signal receivers  15 . By “in proximity” it is meant that the signal emitters  13  and signal receivers  15  are arranged to emit and receive signals generally over or in front of data selection field  19  at a distance not greater than one meter. In a preferred embodiment, there is a single signal receiver  15  situated so as to correspond with single signal emitter  13 . Signal emitters  13  emit a signal comprised of electromagnetic energy. In a preferred embodiment, the signals are comprised of infrared pulses emitted by light emitting diodes (LED). However, the present invention is broadly drawn to encompass any and all electromagnetic signals which may be emitted from the signal emitter  13  and received by a signal receiver  15 . As noted above, in the present example, each signal emitter  13  possesses a corresponding signal receiver  15 . For example, signal emitter  13 ′ directs its signal to signal receiver  15 ′. Similarly, signal emitters  13 ″ and  13 ′″ emit their signals predominantly towards signal receivers  15 ″ and  15 ′″, respectively. In the present example, two sets of signal emitters  13  and signal receivers  15  are arrayed, one horizontally and one vertically, about data selection field  19 . 
     Because each signal emitter  13  is configured to aim its emission of electromagnetic energy at a single signal receiver  15 , the intensity of the signal received by the corresponding signal receiver  15  is largely dependent upon the degree to which, if any, the expanse between a signal emitter  13  and its corresponding signal receiver  15 , is obstructed. While the signal emitted from each signal emitter  13  is preferably concentrated so as to fall predominantly upon a single signal receiver  15 , in operation it is likely that a small amount of the signal emitted from each signal emitter  13  will strike a signal receiver  15  adjacent to the signal receiver  15  at which the signal is aimed. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , there is illustrated a non-contact input device  10  of the present invention in proximity to a data selector  31 . Data selector  31  is any physical object placed in proximity to a data selector  31  sufficiently close to block at least one signal emitted from a signal emitter  13  towards a signal receiver  15 . As illustrated, the signal  21  emitted from signal emitter  13 ″ is partially blocked in its path to signal receiver  15 ″. As a result, the intensity of the signal  21  recorded by signal receiver  15 ″ experiences a diminution in intensity. This diminution in intensity is sensed by processor  41 . 
     Processor  41  is any form of computer or electronic device capable of activating the signal emitters  13  to emit signals  21 , detecting the receipt of such signals by the signal receivers  15 , and computing a position of the data selector and a corresponding data selection therefrom. Processor  41  receives information on the intensity of signals received by each signal receiver  15 , as well as instructs each signal emitter  13  when to emit a signal  21 . As noted above, each signal  21  emitted from a signal emitter  13  will most likely emit a portion of the signal to more than one signal receiver  15 . As noted, while a single signal receiver  15  will receive a predominant amount of the signal  21  aimed at it by corresponding signal emitter  13 , the signal receivers  15  adjacent to the signal receiver  15  corresponding to the signal emitter  13  generating the signal  21  will receive amounts of signal  21  dissipating in a generally Gaussian manner as the distance of adjacent signal receivers  15  increase away from a signal receiver  15  to which signal  21  is directed. As a result, placing a data selector  31  in such a way as to block a portion of a signal emitted from a signal emitter  13  to a signal receiver  15 , often times results in a pattern of diminution of received signal strength across a plurality of signal receivers  15 . Processor  41  can interpolate or average the signals across a plurality of signal receivers  15  receiving a signal  21 . Through such a process of averaging or interpolation, processor  41  is able to determine precisely where across the expanse of arrayed signal receivers  15  and signal emitters  13  the data selector  31  is located. As signal emitters  13  and signal receivers  15  are arrayed both horizontally and vertically, it is possible therefore for processor  41  to determine the position of data selector  31  both horizontally and perpendicularly so as to identify a single point on data selection field  19  corresponding to a horizontal and vertical position of data selector  31 . Specifically, having determined the horizontal and vertical position of data selector  31 , processor  41  can correlate the position of data selector  31  to a single data selection  17 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, not all of the signal emitters  13  are activated at the same time. Rather, signal emitters  13  are activated in rapid succession, preferably progressing both horizontally and vertically until each signal emitter  13  has been activated, at which point the process is repeated. By performing this action in rapid succession, all of the signal emitters  13  arranged horizontally, as well as those arranged vertically, are repeatedly activated in sequence to identify the position of a data selector  31  and the corresponding data selection  17 . To further minimize the amount of energy transmitted by the signal emitters  13 , the activation sequence of the signal emitters  13  is not begun until a data selector  31  in proximity to the data selection field  19  is sensed or otherwise activated. In one embodiment, a proximity detector  37  is utilized to activate the non-contact selection system  10  in the presence of a data selector  31 . The proximity detector  37  may be comprised of a signal emitter and a signal receiver similar or identical to the signal emitters  13  and signal receivers  15  comprising the non-contact system detector  10  of the present invention. In operation, proximity detector  37  repeatedly emits electromagnetic or ultrasonic signals  21  while detecting any reflections of such signals indicating the presence of a body or object in front of data selection field  19 . While such body is detected, the non-contact selection system  10  of the present invention is activated. Likewise, when proximity detector  37  detects that the body has left the vicinity of data selection field  19 , the non-contact data selection system  10  of the present invention is deactivated. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated, at least three, preferably four groupings, each group consisting of a signal emitter  13  and a signal receiver  15 , are located about the periphery of a data selection field  19 . Each of the several signal emitters  13  is configured to emit a signal having a frequency unique from those of all other signal emitters  13 . In such an instance, the signal is an ultrasonic signal comprised of sound waves. With reference to  FIG. 4 , there is illustrated the method by which the position of data selector  31  is ascertained. Each signal emitter  13  emits a signal of a specific frequency. In addition, a signal receiver  15  corresponding to each signal emitter  13  listens for reflected sound waves. As illustrated, sound waves  21  emanate from each signal emitter  13  and are reflected by data selector  31  as reflections  23 . Once a signal receiver receives a reflection  23  of a frequency corresponding to the signal receiver&#39;s  15  corresponding signal emitter  13 , it communicates with processor  41  to indicate the receipt of such a reflection  23 . Processor  41 , is responsible for activating each signal emitter  13  and therefore records the time at which a signal emitter  13  emits its signal  21  of a unique frequency. When processor  41  is alerted with the reception of a reflection  23  by a signal receiver  15 , processor  41  computes a time interval separating the emission of a signal  21  from a signal emitter  13  and its reception via signal receiver  15  of its corresponding reflection  23 . Knowing this time interval and the speed of sound, processor  41  is able to compute a distance of data selector  31  from each signal receiver  15  receiving a reflection. In the instance that at least three such reflections are received, processor  41  can compute in three dimensional space a position of the data selector  31  either in front of or behind data selection field  19 . In the instance where four signal emitters  13  are employed, the position of data selector  31  may be computed more precisely in three dimensional space. Then having determined the position and three dimensional space of data selector  31 , processor  41  can correlate the position of data selector  31  to the data selection  17  residing most closely to a position on data selection field  19 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, a single grouping is installed in a button or area serving as a data selection  17 . When a signal is emitted from the signal emitter  13  of the grouping and reflected to the signal receiver  15  of the grouping, processor  41  detects the presence of a data selector  31 , and hence, selection of the data selection  17 . 
     In both embodiments discussed thus far, it is possible that as data selector  31  moves across data selection field  19 , numerous determinations of its position will be generated from its movement. In a preferred embodiment, processor  41  is programmed to determine a number of positions of data selector  31  and to note the amount of time elapsing between each position. Processor  41 , in addition, does not determine a final position of data selector  31 , until data selector  31  has maintained a nearly identical position over a set period of time. By “nearly identical position” it is meant that the data selection corresponding to the determined position of data selector  31  does not change. In a preferred embodiment, such a period of time is preferably between one twentieth of a second and one half second. Most preferably, this period of time is approximately 0.1 second. 
     One or more embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.