Patent Publication Number: US-2006001646-A1

Title: Finger worn and operated input device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to input devices and more particularly to a finger worn and operated input device.  
      Conventional input devices such as the computer mouse and trackballs suffer from the disadvantage of requiring that a user strain the muscles of his arm, and more particularly, of his forearm which often leads to conditions such as repetitive strain injury, carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, and tendonitis. Improvements in the art have resulted in input devices having ergonomic features intended to relieve the user of these conditions.  
      One approach to reducing strain involves moving the input device from a desktop to the user&#39;s hand. To this end, gloves having an integral mouse are disclosed in U.S. patent application Publication 2003/0137489 and in U.S. patent application Publication 2004/0012564. A wearable ergonomic computer mouse is disclosed in U.S. patent application Publication 2003/0038783 and a hand-supported mouse for computer input is disclosed in U.S. patent application Publication 2002/0175894.  
      A finger mounted computer mouse is disclosed in U.S. patent application Publication 2002/0067342. The disclosed mouse includes a ball which can be rotated with the user&#39;s thumb to move a cursor to different positions on a computer screen. The position of the mouse on the user&#39;s finger is adjusted by a second finger which is adjacent the finger on which the mouse is mounted. The ball can be used to click on areas of a computer screen over which the cursor is superimposed.  
      An input device worn on a user&#39;s thumb is disclosed in U.S. patent application Publication 2003/0214481. The disclosed device includes a thimble shaped housing having a three dimension position sensor. By touching the position sensor with a finger, a three dimensional vector may represent the fingertip touch position and the pressure of the touch.  
      U.S. patent application Publication 2004/0080493 discloses an index-finger computer mouse. The mouse includes a sleeve for wearing on an index finger at a natural anatomic resting position of the thumb on the finger. Mouse manipulation is achieved by the combined action of the thumb and the index finger, which is controlled by the intrinsic musculature of the hand and is more accurate and more sensible to joint movement than the extrinsic extensor muscles of the forearm. The mouse further includes a tracking roller for controlling movements of a cursor on a screen, a first switch for performing left-key mouse functions, and a second switch for performing right-key mouse functions. A scrolling roller may provide for page-up and page-down scrolling operations.  
      The finger worn and operated input devices of the prior art suffer the disadvantage of not being adapted to fit different finger sizes of various users. The input device disclosed in U.S. patent application Publication 2004/0080493 includes a sleeve. The input device disclosed in U.S. patent application Publication 2003/0214481 includes a thimble. Neither input device is adjustable. Additionally, the finger worn and operated input devices of the prior art do not provide for acceleration of a cursor or other object being controlled by the input device.  
      As such there is a need in the art for a finger worn and operated input device that is adjustable to fit different finger sizes of various users. The input device preferably provides for acceleration of the cursor or other object being controlled by the input device.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In accordance with the present invention, a finger worn and operated input device includes a housing having a “C” shaped cross section, a control portion disposed on the housing, and a processing circuit coupled to the control portion.  
      In accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a finger worn and operated input device includes a first portion having a “C” shaped cross section, a control portion disposed on the first portion, a second portion coupled to the first portion, and a processing circuit disposed in the second portion, the processing circuit coupled to the control portion.  
      In accordance with yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention, a fingerworn and operated input device includes a housing having a first portion of arcuate cross section coupled to a second portion of arcuate cross section, a hinge coupled between the housing first portion and the housing second portion, a control portion disposed on the first portion, and a processing circuit coupled to the control portion.  
      In accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention, a finger worn and operated input device includes a housing having a “C” shaped cross section, a first control portion disposed on the housing, a second control portion disposed on the housing, and a processing circuit coupled to the first and second control portions.  
      These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a finger worn and operated input device in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the finger worn and operated input device showing a “C” shaped cross section in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a first portion of the finger worn and operated input device in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a top view of a control portion of the finger worn and operated input device in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the control portion of the finger worn and operated input device in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of a processing circuit in accordance with the invention;  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of the finger worn and operated input device in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of the finger worn and operated input device in accordance with the present invention;  
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart of a motion detection method in accordance with the present invention; and  
       FIG. 9  is a flow chart of a motion command method in accordance with the present invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the present invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.  
      A finger worn and operated input device generally designated  100  is shown in  FIG. 1 . Finger worn and operated input device  100  may include a first portion  110  and a second portion  120 , second portion  120  electrically and mechanically coupled to first portion  110 . First portion  110  may be worn on a user&#39;s index finger at a intermediate phalangeal section of the index finger. In this position, finger worn and operated input device  100  may be advantageously operated by the user&#39;s thumb. While the finger worn and operated input device  100  is shown disposed on the user&#39;s index finger at the mid-phalangeal section of the index finger, it will be clear from the description herein that the finger worn and operated input device  100  may be worn on any user finger and in any convenient position upon such finger.  
      Second portion  120  may be worn on a same user finger as first portion  110  at a proximate phalangeal section of the user&#39;s finger. Second portion  120  may include a processing circuit as described herein. In alternative embodiments of the invention, finger worn and operated input device  100  may include only first portion  110  in which case the processing circuit may be disposed in first portion  110 .  
      With reference to  FIG. 2 , finger worn and operated input device  100  may have a “C” shaped cross section as shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . Preferably finger worn and operated input device  100  may be formed of a flexible material such as plastic and silicone. In this manner finger worn and operated input device  100  may be adapted to fit various sizes of user fingers.  
      First portion  110  may include a control portion  130 . Control portion  130  may be disposed proximate a first portion edge  320  as shown in  FIG. 3  such that the user can access control portion  130  with his thumb while the finger worn and operated input device  100  is mounted on the user&#39;s finger.  
      With reference to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , control portion  130  may include sensing devices  410 ,  420 ,  430 , and  440  disposed orthogonally one from the other. Sensing devices  410 ,  420 ,  430 , and  440  may include single layer thin film on/off switches, double layer thin film on/off switches, variable resistance switches, variable capacitance switches, and optical light sensors. Double layer thin film on/off switches may include two single layer thin film on/off switches stacked one upon the other.  
      A pad  400  may be moveably disposed in control portion  130  for contact engagement with sensing devices  410 ,  420 ,  430 , and  440 . Pad  400  may be formed from an elastic material such as plastic and silicone. Pad  400  may include lateral tabs  450  for retaining pad  400  within stops  500 . Movement of pad  400  by the user&#39;s thumb making contact with sensing devices  410 ,  420 ,  430 , and  440  may be operable to provide sensing devices  410 ,  420 ,  430 , and  440  with a signal indicating a direction. Thus by way of example, contact of pad  400  with sensing device  410  may indicate an upward direction, contact of pad  400  with sensing device  420  may indicate a rightward direction, contact of pad  400  with sensing device  430  may indicate a downward direction, and contact of pad  400  with sensing device  440  may indicate a leftward direction. Additionally, contact of pad  400  with sensing devices  410  and  420  may indicate an upward/rightward direction, contact of pad  400  with sensing devices  420  and  430  may indicate a rightward/downward direction, contact of pad  400  with sensing devices  430  and  440  may indicate a leftward/downward direction, and contact of pad  400  with sensing devices  440  and  410  may indicate an upward/leftward direction. Other directions may be achieved as described herein.  
      A selection button  460  may be disposed under pad  400  and be operable to provide a selection function. Depression of selection button  460  by the user&#39;s thumb may provide the selection function. Depression of selection button  460  in combination with contact of pad  400  with sensing devices  410 ,  420 ,  430 , and  440  may be operable to provide a “click and drag” function.  
      A processing circuit generally designated  600  is shown in  FIG. 6 . Processing circuit  600  may be disposed in second portion  120 . Processing circuit  600  may include a processing chip  610  operable to encode data for transmission by an RF transmitter  620  coupled to processing chip  610  and antenna  630 . A receiver (not shown) may receive signals from the finger worn and operated input device  100  for control of the cursor or other object being controlled.  
      Processing chip  610  may receive input signals from control portion  130  in response to the user&#39;s thumb movements which may move pad  400  into contact with sensing devices  410 ,  420 ,  430 , and  440  and selection button  460 . Input signals may include an upward direction signal, a rightward direction signal, a downward signal, a leftward signal, a selection signal, and combinations of these signals. Processing chip  610  may be operable to encode these signals to provide encoded data to the RF transmitter  620 .  
      Processing chip  610  may be operable to encode data representative of acceleration of a cursor or other object being controlled. Processing chip may receive as input a signal from sensing devices  410 ,  420 ,  430 , and  440  indicating the persistent contact of pad  400  with sensing devices  410 ,  420 ,  430 , and  440 . Processing chip  610  may be programmed to encode such persistent contact as acceleration of the cursor or other object being controlled. In an aspect of the invention sensing devices  410 ,  420 ,  430 , and  440  may include double layer thin film on/off switches. Turning on a first layer switch by contact of pad  400  may represent a constant velocity while turning on a second layer switch may represent acceleration of the cursor or other object being controlled. Movement of the cursor or other object being controlled in a plurality of directions may be accomplished by accelerating the cursor or other object being controlled in a first direction and then simultaneously contacting pad  400  with a sensing device representative of a second direction thereby effecting movement in a third direction.  
      In another aspect of the invention, a finger worn and operated input device generally designated  300  is shown in  FIG. 3 . A housing  310  may include control portion  130 . Processing circuit  610  may be disposed inside housing  310 .  
      In yet another aspect of the invention, a finger worn and operated input device generally designated  700  is shown in  FIG. 7 . A housing  710  may include control portion  130 , a right click selection button  710 , and a second control portion  720  having two sensing devices  730 ,  740  and a pad  750  for providing an up/down scrolling function.  
      With reference to  FIG. 8 , a finger worn and operated input device generally designated  800  is shown including a housing  810  having a first housing portion  820  having disposed thereon control portion  130  and a second housing portion  830  attached to first housing portion by means of hinge  840 . Processing circuit  600  may be disposed inside housing  810 . Hinge  840  may be of conventional design and provide for step wise movement of first housing portion  820  relative to second housing portion  830 . In this manner, finger worn and operated input device  800  may be adjustable to fit various user&#39;s finger sizes and shapes.  
      A motion detection method generally designated  900  is shown in  FIG. 9 . In a step  910  processing circuit  600  may wait for a signal from control portion  130 . Signals may include contact with sensing devices  410 ,  420 ,  430 ,  440 ,  730 , and  740  or selection of selection button  460 . In a step  920  it is determined if a signal has been received. If no signal has been received then in a step  930  it is determined if the finger worn and operated input device  100  is on and a predetermined time has elapsed since a last signal has been received. If the finger worn and operated input device  100  is either not on or a predetermined time has not elapsed, then the method  900  returns to step  910  else the finger worn and operated input device  100  is turned off in a step  935 .  
      If a signal is received in step  920 , then the finger worn and operated input device  100  is turned on in a step  940 . In a step  950  the processing circuit  600  may encode the signal and in a step  960  the encoded data may be transmitted. The encoded data may include a finger worn and operated input device  100  identification. The method  900  then returns to step  910  to wait for another signal.  
      A motion command method generally designated  1000  is shown in  FIG. 10 . In a step  1010  the encoded data may be received by a receiver coupled to a PC or other device having a cursor or other object being controlled by the finger worn and operated input device  100 . The encoded data may be decoded in a step  1020 . In a step  1030  it may be determined if the finger worn and operated input device  100  identification matches a receiver identification. If there is no match the method  1000  returns to step  1010 . If there is a match, then in a step  1040  the encoded data is further decoded to determine the movement of the pad  400  by the user and the selection of selection button  460  by the user. In a step  1050  the user&#39;s movement and selections are translated into cursor movements or movements of other objects being controlled.  
      The finger worn and operated input device  100  of the present invention provides an input device adapted to fit various finger sizes and shapes. Furthermore, the input device provides a means for accelerating the cursor or other object being controlled. The input device advantageously does not have any protruding features thereby enabling use of the finger worn and operated input device  100  without fear of injury. The input device further provides clicking and dragging functionality.  
      It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to preferred embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. More particularly, the finger worn and operated input device  100  may be used in connection with any device requiring user input such as game devices, audio equipment, and video equipment in addition to conventional personal computers having cursors.