Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6965374?ie=ISO-8859-1&dq=mezick
Timestamp: 2014-07-14 02:50:47
Document Index: 799188852

Matched Legal Cases: ['art.\n17', 'art.\n18', 'art.\n22', 'art.\n28', 'Application No. 1996', 'Application No. 1996']

Patent US6965374 - Information input method using wearable information input device - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsAn information input method using a wearable information input device is provided. The information input method using a wearable information input device, which is worn on predetermined body parts of a user and has sensors for sensing motions of the predetermined body parts on a plane or in a space,...http://www.google.com/patents/US6965374?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6965374 - Information input method using wearable information input deviceAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6965374 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/195,475Publication dateNov 15, 2005Filing dateJul 16, 2002Priority dateJul 16, 2001Fee statusPaidAlso published asUS20030011573Publication number10195475, 195475, US 6965374 B2, US 6965374B2, US-B2-6965374, US6965374 B2, US6965374B2InventorsJean-Yves Villet, Sang-goog Lee, Kyung-ho ParkOriginal AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (5), Referenced by (54), Classifications (10), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetInformation input method using wearable information input deviceUS 6965374 B2Abstract An information input method using a wearable information input device is provided. The information input method using a wearable information input device, which is worn on predetermined body parts of a user and has sensors for sensing motions of the predetermined body parts on a plane or in a space, includes selecting a key group including a desired key corresponding to information that the user desires to input by moving a first predetermined body part, and selecting the desired key from the selected key group by moving a second predetermined body part. Accordingly, the user can easily and quickly select a key on an information screen externally, and areas overlapped by the information screen in a monitor can be minimized.
(a) selecting a key group from a plurality of key groups, the selected key group including a desired key corresponding to information that the user desires to input by moving a first predetermined body part; and
2. The information input method of claim 1, wherein the first predetermined body part is a hand, and the second predetermined body part is a finger.
3. The information input method of claim 2, wherein the sensor for sensing the motion of the hand and the sensor for sensing the motion of the finger are attached to the same hand.
4. The information input method of claim 2, wherein the sensor for sensing the motion of the hand and the sensor for sensing the motion of the finger are separately attached to different hands.
5. The information input method of claim 1, wherein the second predetermined body part is a thumb, an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, or a little finger.
6. The information input method of claim 1, wherein the information screen is displayed on a monitor attached to the user's body.
7. The information input method of claim 1, wherein the keys are for characters and functions.
8. The information input method of claim 1, wherein the keys are only for characters.
9. An information input method using a wearable information input device which is worn on predetermined body parts of a user's body and has sensors for sensing motions of the predetermined body parts on a plane or in a space, the information input method comprising the steps of:
wherein the information corresponding to the selected key is determined as input information; and
wherein the key group has a predetermined pattern and is included in at least one information screen embodied and virtually displayed using software, and the information screen has a plurality of key groups.
10. The information input method of claim 9, wherein the input information is displayed for the user.
11. The information input method of claim 9, wherein the information screen is a virtual keyboard embodied in software and displayed for the user.
12. The information input method of claim 11, further comprising the step of:
13. The information input method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:
14. The information input method of claim 13, wherein step (e) comprises the sub-steps of:
15. The information input method of claim 14, wherein step (e2) comprises selecting a type conversion key among the keys on the displayed virtual keyboard by moving the second predetermined body part, thereby displaying the virtual keyboard having keys of the same type as the desired key.
16. The information input method of claim 14, wherein step (e2) comprises displaying the virtual keyboard having keys of the same type as the desired key by moving the second predetermined body part and a third predetermined body part.
17. The information input method of claim 16, wherein step (e4) comprises displaying the virtual keyboard having the desired key by moving the third predetermined body part.
18. The information input method of claim 16, wherein the third predetermined body part is a thumb, an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, or a little finger.
19. The information input method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:
(f) when the desired key does not exist on the displayed virtual keyboard in step (d), determining whether there is the virtual keyboard including the desired key exists and going to step (e) when it is determined that there is the virtual keyboard including the desired key exists; and
20. The information input method of claim 19, wherein the third predetermined body part is moved a different number of times in steps (g), (e2), and (e4).
21. The information input method of claim 14, wherein step (e4) comprises displaying the virtual keyboard having the desired key by moving a third predetermined body part.
22. The information input method of claim 21, wherein the third predetermined body part is a thumb, an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, or a little finger.
23. The information input method of claim 14, wherein step (e4) comprises selecting a keyboard conversion key among the keys on the displayed virtual keyboard by moving the second predetermined body part, thereby displaying the virtual keyboard having the desired key.
24. The information input method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:
25. The information input method of claim 24, wherein step (g) comprises generating at least two key data, which do not exist on the virtual keyboard, by moving the third predetermined body part a different number of times.
26. The information input method of claim 11, wherein at least one key on the virtual keyboard has at least two key data, step (b) comprises consecutively selecting the at least two key data corresponding to the desired key by consecutively moving the second predetermined body part, and the selected key data is the input information.
27. The information input method of claim 26, wherein step (b) comprises consecutively selecting the at least two key data corresponding to one key by moving a third predetermined body part.
28. The information input method of claim 27, wherein step (b) comprises the sub-steps of:
A familiar type of information input device is a QWERTY keyboard. However, recently, a virtual keyboard, which is virtually displayed and embodied in software, is used instead of a QWERTY keyboard for the convenience in portability and utilization. A virtual keyboard is disclosed in Korea Utility Model Application No. 1996-033413 published on 15 Jul. 1998 and entitled �Computer System with Virtual Keyboard�. In Korea Utility Model Application No. 1996-033413, a mouse or a touch pad is used for selecting a key on a virtual keyboard pop-up displayed on a monitor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To solve the above-described problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an information input method of using a wearable information input device to easily and quickly select information displayed on an information screen in a predetermined pattern suitable for a user.
FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram for explaining an information input method according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment of an information input method according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of step 66 shown in FIG. 2 according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of step 72 shown in FIG. 2 according to the present invention;
FIGS. 5A through 5D are diagrams of first embodiments of a virtual keyboard according to the present invention;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams of second embodiments of a virtual keyboard according to the present invention;
FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams of third embodiments of a virtual keyboard according to the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of a virtual keyboard according to the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a diagram of a finger for explaining a finger angle which is sensed by a sensing unit;
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an information input method using a finger angle;
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an information input device for performing the information input method of FIG. 10;
FIG. 12 is a diagram of the appearance of a first embodiment of a first sensor shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 13 is a diagram of an equivalent circuit of the first sensor shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a diagram of the appearance of a second embodiment of the first sensor shown in FIG. 11;
FIGS. 15A through 15C are diagrams of the appearances of a third embodiment of the first sensor shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the first sensor shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 17 is a diagram of the appearance of a fifth embodiment of the first sensor shown in FIG. 11;
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of step 444 shown in FIG. 10;
FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of an information selection unit shown in FIG. 11 for performing step 444A shown in FIG. 18;
FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of step 444 shown in FIG. 10; and
FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the information selection unit shown in FIG. 11 for performing step 444B shown in FIG. 20.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Hereinafter, an information screen and a wearable information input device which are used for performing an information input method according to the present invention, will be described with reference to the attached drawings.
FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram for explaining an information input method according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a monitor 10 displaying an information screen 6, 8, or 12 and a sensing unit 4 of a wearable information input device.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an embodiment of an information input method according to the present invention. The information input method of FIG. 2 includes displaying a virtual keyboard including a desired key in steps 60 through 66, selecting a desired key group on the virtual keyboard in steps 68 and 70, and selecting a desired key on the selected key group in step 72.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment 66A of step 66 shown in FIG. 2 according to the present invention. The embodiment 66A of step 66 includes displaying virtual keyboards having keys of the same type as a desired key in steps 80 and 82 and displaying a virtual keyboard including the desired key among the virtual keyboards which have the same type in steps 84 and 86.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an embodiment 72A of step 72 shown in FIG. 2 according to the present invention. The embodiment 72A of step 72 includes moving the third predetermined body part according to whether key data desired to be selected is displayed on a previously selected key in steps 90 and 92 and selecting the desired key data in step 94.
FIGS. 5A through 5D are diagrams of first embodiments of the virtual keyboard 12 displayed on the monitor 10 shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention. A virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 5A is composed of two key groups 130 and 132. A virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 5B is composed of two key groups 134 and 136. A virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 5C is composed of two key groups 138 and 140. A virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 5D is composed of two key groups 142 and 144.
It is assumed that a desired key group is selected among the key groups shown in FIGS. 5A through 5D by moving the hand 14 to the left or right, a row including a desired key is as a kind of key group selected by moving the hand 14 up or down in the selected key group, keys at the left, center, and right of the selected row are selected by moving the index finger 18, the middle finger 20, and the ring finger 22, respectively, step 86 is performed by moving the third predetermined body part, and step 82 is performed by selecting a type conversion key A/N by moving the ring finger 22. In addition, it is assumed that when a type conversion key A/N is selected, the virtual keyboard of FIG. 5A is displayed prior to the virtual keyboard of FIG. 5B, and the virtual keyboard of FIG. 5C is displayed prior to the virtual keyboard of FIG. 5D. Under these assumptions, an information input method for inputting the information �YEAR: 2001� using the virtual keyboards of FIGS. 5A through 5D according to the present invention will be described.
First, a procedure of selecting a desired �Y� key to determine key data �Y� as input information will be described. Because the initially displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 5A is a virtual keyboard including keys of the same type as the desired �Y� key although the initially displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 5A has the �Y� key, the virtual keyboard of FIG. 5B is displayed by moving the thumb 16 in step 86. Then, in step 70, the key group 136 including the �Y� key is selected by moving the hand 14 to the right, then a middle row including the �Y� key in the selected key group 136 is selected by moving the hand 14 up or down. After step 70, if the �Y� key is selected by moving the ring finger 22 in step 72, key data �Y� is determined as input information.
Next, a procedure of selecting an �E� key is performed. The currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 5B does not have the �E� key but has keys of the same type as the �E� key. Accordingly, the virtual keyboard of FIG. 5A is displayed by moving the thumb 16 in step 86. Then, in step 70, the key group 132 including the �E� key is selected by moving the hand 14 to the right, then a top row including the �E� key in the selected key group 132 is selected by moving the hand 14 up. After step 70, if the �E� key is selected by moving the middle finger 20 in step 72, key data �E� is determined as input information.
Next, a procedure of selecting an �A� key is performed. The currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 5A has the �A� key, and the �A� key is not included in the previously selected key group 132. Accordingly, the hand 14 used when selecting the �E� key is moved to the left to select the top row in the key group 130 including the �A� key in step 70. After step 70, if the �A� key is selected by moving the index finger 18 in step 72, key data �A� is determined as input information.
Next, a procedure of selecting an �R� key is performed. The currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 5A does not have the �R� key but has keys of the same type as the �R� key. Accordingly, the virtual keyboard of FIG. 5B is displayed by moving the thumb 16 in step 86. Then, in step 70, the key group 136 including the �R� key is selected by moving the hand 14 to the right, and a top row including the �R� key in the selected key group 136 is selected by moving the hand 14 up. After step 70, if the �R� key is selected by moving the middle finger 20 in step 72, key data �R� is determined as input information.
Next, a procedure of selecting a �:� key is performed. Keys included in the currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 5B do not include keys of the same type as the �:� key. Accordingly, in step 82, the key group 134 including the type conversion key (A/N) 122 is selected by moving the hand 14 to the left, a bottom row including the type conversion key (A/N) 122 in the selected key group 134 is selected by moving the hand 14 down, and the type conversion key (A/N) 122 is selected by moving the ring finger 22. Then, the procedure goes to step 84. The virtual keyboard of FIG. 5C currently displayed as a result of step 82 does not have the �:� key but has keys of the same type as the �:� key. Accordingly, the virtual keyboard of FIG. 5D is displayed by moving the thumb 16 in step 86. Then, in step 70, the key group 142 including the �:� key is selected by moving the hand 14 to the left, and a middle row including the �:� key in the selected key group 142 is selected by moving the hand 14 up or down. After step 70, if the �:� key is selected by moving the index finger 18 in step 72, key data �:� is determined as input information.
Next, a procedure of selecting a �2� key is performed. The currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 5D does not have the �2� key but has keys of the same type as the �2� key. Accordingly, the virtual keyboard of FIG. 5C is displayed by moving the thumb 16 in step 86. Then, in step 70, the key group 138 including the �2� key is selected by moving the hand 14 to the left, and a top row including the �2� key in the selected key group 138 is selected by moving the hand 14 up. After step 70, if the �2� key is selected by moving the ring finger 22 in step 72, key data �2� is determined as input information.
Next, a procedure of selecting �0�, �0�, and �1� is performed. The currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 5C has both a �0� key and a �1� key, and the �0� key and the �1� key are included in the previously selected key group 138. Accordingly, if the �0� key, the �0� key, and the �1� key are selected by sequentially moving the index finger 18, the index finger 18, and the middle finger 20 in step 72, key data �0�, �0�, and �1� are sequentially determined as input information.
FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams of second embodiments of the virtual keyboard 12 displayed on the monitor 10 of FIG. 1 according to the present invention. A virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 6A includes four key groups 220, 222, 224, and 226. A virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 6B includes four key groups 230, 232, 234, and 236. Since only two virtual keyboards as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B are used, steps 84 and 86 shown in FIG. 3 are not performed.
It is assumed that a desired key group is selected among the key groups 220, 222, 224, 230, 232, and 234 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B by moving the hand 14 to the left or right, a row including a desired key is selected by moving the hand 14 up or down in the selected key group, keys at the left, center, and right of the selected row are selected by moving the index finger 18, the middle finger 20, and the ring finger 22, respectively, and a space key 204 or 206, a Delete (DEL) key, and an Enter key at the top row in the virtual keyboard of FIG. 6A or 6B are selected by moving the index finger 18, the middle finger 20, and the ring finger 22, respectively. Under these assumptions, an information input method for inputting the information �YEAR 2001� using the virtual keyboards of FIGS. 6A and 6B according to the present invention will be described.
The initially displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 6A has a �Y� key. Accordingly, in step 70, the key group 224 including the �Y� key is selected by moving the hand 14 to the right, and a bottom row including the �Y� key in the selected key group 224 is selected by moving the hand 14 down. After step 70, if the �Y� key is selected by moving the index finger 18 in step 72, key data �Y� is determined as input information.
Next, the currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 6A has an �E� key, and the �E� key is not included in the previously selected key group 224. Accordingly, in step 70, the key group 222 including the �E� key is selected by moving the hand 14 slightly to the left, and a top row including the �E� key in the selected key group 222 is selected by moving the hand 14 up. After step 70, if the �E� key is selected by moving the middle finger 20 in step 72, key data �E� is determined as input information.
Next, the currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 6A has an �A� key, and the �A� key is not included in the previously selected key group 222. Accordingly, in step 70, the key group 220 including the �A� key is selected by moving the hand 14 slightly to the left, and a top row including the �A� key in the selected key group 220 is selected. After step 70, if the �A� key is selected by moving the index finger 18 in step 72, key data �A� is determined as input information.
Next, the currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 6A has an �R� key, and the �R� key is not included in the previously selected key group 220. Accordingly, in step 70, the key group 224 including the �R� key is selected by moving the hand 14 to the right, and a row including the �R� key in the selected key group 224 is selected by moving the hand 14 down. After step 70, if the �R� key is selected by moving the ring finger 22 in step 72, key data �R� is determined as input information.
Next, since the currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 6A does not have a �2� key, the virtual keyboard of FIG. 6B is displayed by moving the thumb 16 in step 82. Then, in step 70, the key group 230 including the �2� key is selected by moving the hand 14 to the left, and a bottom row including the �2� key in the selected key group 230 is selected by moving the hand 14 down. After step 70, if the �2� key is selected by moving the middle finger 20 in step 72, key data �2� is determined as input information.
Next, the currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 6B has a �0� key, and the �0� key is not included in the previously selected key group 230. Accordingly, in step 70, the key group 232 including the �0� key is selected by moving the hand 14 slightly to the right, and a row including the �0� key in the selected key group 232 is selected by moving the hand 14 up. After step 70, if the �0� key is selected two times by moving the index finger 18 two times in step 72, key data �00� is determined as input information.
Next, the currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 6B has a �1� key, and the �1� key is not included in the previously selected key group 232. Accordingly, in step 70, the key group 230 including the �1� key is selected, and a bottom row including the �1� key in the selected key group 230 is selected by moving the hand 14 down. After step 70, if the �1� key is selected by moving the index finger 18 in step 72, key data �1� is determined as input information.
FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams of third embodiments of the virtual keyboard 12 displayed on the monitor 10 shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention. A virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 7A includes three key groups 280, 282, and 284. A virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 7B includes three key groups 286, 288, and 290. Since only two virtual keyboards as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B are used, steps 84 and 86 shown in FIG. 3 are not performed.
If it is either determined that the desired key exists on the currently displayed virtual keyboard, or after step 66, it is determined that the desired key is included in a previously selected key group in step 68. If it is determined that the desired key is not included in the previously selected key group, a key group including the desired key is selected among key groups on the currently displayed virtual keyboard by moving the first predetermined body part in step 70. However, if it is determined that the desired key is included in the previously selected key group, or after step 70, the desired key is selected from the selected key group by moving the second predetermined body part in step 72. Here, whenever the second predetermined body part is consecutively moved, three key data corresponding to a selected key are sequentially selected as input information. For example, a procedure of determining �CAB� composed of key data �C�, �A�, and �B� corresponding to an A-B-C key as input information will be described.
When �C� has already been determined as input information, the next desired key data �A� corresponds to a previously selected key. Accordingly, the third predetermined body part is moved a predetermined number of times in step 92. Alternatively, the second predetermined body part is moved to select a space key. For example, a cursor is moved to the right one time when the third predetermined body part is moved one time, and key data of a blank is selected as input information when the third predetermined body part is moved two times. Then, the A-B-C key is selected by moving the second predetermined body part one time in step 94, thereby determining the key data �A� as input information. Since the next desired key data �B� corresponds to the previously selected key, the third predetermined body part is moved the predetermined number of times in step 92. Then, the A-B-C key is selected by moving the second predetermined body part two times in step 94, thereby determining the key data �B� as input information.
It is assumed that a desired key group is selected among the key groups 280, 282, 284, 286, 288, and 290 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B by moving the hand 14 up or down, keys at the left, center, and right of the selected key group are selected by moving the index finger 18, the middle finger 20, and the ring finger 22, respectively, a key 262 or 264 is used as a type conversion key A/N, and the thumb 16 functions as a space key. Under these assumptions, an information input method for inputting the information �YEAR 2001� using the virtual keyboards of FIGS. 7A and 7B according to the present invention will be described.
The virtual keyboard of FIG. 7A initially displayed on the monitor 10 has a �W-X-Y-Z� key corresponding to key data �Y�. Accordingly, the key group 284 including the �W-X-Y-Z� key is selected by moving the hand 14 down in step 70. Then, if the �W-X-Y-Z� key is selected three times by moving the ring finger 22 three times in step 72, the key data �Y� is determined as input information.
Next, the currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 7A has a �D-E-F� key corresponding to key data �E�, but the �D-E-F� key is not included in the previously selected key group 284. Accordingly, the key group 280 including the �D-E-F� key is selected by moving the hand 14 up slightly in step 70. After step 70, if the �D-E-F� key is selected two times by moving the middle finger 20 two times in step 72, the key data �E� is determined as input information.
Next, the currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 7A has an �A-B-C� key corresponding to key data �A�, and the �A-B-C� key is included in the previously selected key group 280. Accordingly, if the �A-B-C� key is selected one time by moving the index finger 18 one time in step 72, the key data �A� is determined as input information.
Next, the currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 7A has a �P-Q-R� key corresponding to key data �R�, but the �P-Q-R� key is not included in the previously selected key group 280. Accordingly, the key group 284 including the �P-Q-R� key is selected by moving the hand 14 down in step 70. After step 70, if the �P-Q-R� key is selected three times by moving the index finger 18 three times in step 72, the key data �R� is determined as input information. Then, key data of a blank is generated by moving the thumb 16 a predetermined number of times, for example, two times in step 64.
Next, the currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 7A does not have a key corresponding to key data �2�. Accordingly, in step 66, the key group 282 in a middle portion is selected by moving the hand 14 up or down, and the type conversion key 262 in the selected key group 282 is selected by moving the middle finger 20, thereby displaying the virtual keyboard of FIG. 7B. Then, the key group 286 is selected by moving the hand 14 up in step 70. After step 70, if a �2�3� key in the selected key group 286 is selected one time by moving the middle finger 20 one time in step 72, the key data �2� is determined as input information.
Next, the currently displayed virtual keyboard of FIG. 7B has a �0�1� key corresponding to key data �0�, and the �0�1� key is included in the previously selected key group 286. Accordingly, if the �0�1� key is selected one time by moving the index finger 18 one time in step 72, the key data �0� is determined as input information.
Since the next desired key data �0� corresponds to the previously selected �0�1� key, the thumb 16 is moved one time in step 92. After step 92, if the �0�1� key is selected one time by moving the index finger 18 one time in step 94, the key data �0� is determined as input information.
Since the next desired key data �1� corresponds to the previously selected �0�1� key, the thumb 16 is moved one time in step 92. After step 92, if the �0�1� key is selected two times by moving the index finger 18 two times in step 94, the key data �1� is determined as input information.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the virtual keyboard 12 displayed on the monitor 10 shown in FIG. 1 according to the present invention. A virtual keyboard shown in FIG. 8 includes two key groups 260 and 262 and four indicating points 280, 282, 284, and 286 for allowing a user to recognize a currently selected key. In an information input method using the virtual keyboard of FIG. 8 according to the present invention, steps 60 through 66 shown in FIG. 2 are not performed.
Hereinafter, an information input method for inputting the information �YEAR 2001� using the virtual keyboard of FIG. 8 according to the present invention will be described.
The key group 260 is selected by moving the hand 14 down in step 70. After step 70, in step 72 the indicating point 280 is positioned at a �Y� key by moving the hand 14 up, down, left, or right, and the �Y� key is selected by moving the thumb 16, thereby determining key data �Y� as input information. Next, an �E� key is included in the currently selected key group 260. Accordingly, in step 72 the indicating point 282 is positioned at the �E� key by moving the hand 14 up, down, left, or right, and the �E� key is selected by moving the index finger 18, thereby determining key data �E� as input information. Next, an �A� key is included in the currently selected key group 260. Accordingly, in step 72 the indicating point 280 is positioned at the �A� key by moving the hand 14 up, down, left, or right, and the �A� key is selected by moving the thumb 16, thereby determining key data �A� as input information. Next, an �R� key is included in the currently selected key group 260. Accordingly, in step 72 the indicating point 282 is positioned at the �R� key by moving the hand 14 up, down, left, or right, and the �R� key is selected by moving the index finger 18, thereby determining key data �R� as input information.
Next, since a �2� key is not included in the current selected key group 262, the key group 260 is selected by moving the hand 14 down in step 70. After step 70, in step 72 the indicating point 282 is positioned at the �2� key by moving the hand 14 up, down, left, or right, and the �2� key is selected by moving the index finger 18, thereby determining key data �2� as input information. Next, a �0� key is included in the currently selected key group 260. Accordingly, in step 72 the indicating point 280 is positioned at the �0� key by moving the hand 14 up, down, left, or right, and the �0� key is consecutively selected two times by-moving the thumb 16 two times, thereby determining key data �00� as input information. Next, a �1� key is included in the currently selected key group 260. Accordingly, in step 72 the indicating point 282 is positioned at the �1� key by moving the hand 14 up, down, left, or right, and the �1� key is selected by moving the index finger 18, thereby determining key data �1� as input information.
FIG. 9 is a diagram of a finger 422 for explaining a finger angle θ which is sensed by the sensing unit 4. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 9, a user moves the finger 422 up or down, as illustrated by an arrow 432, while viewing the information screen 6, 8, or 12 displayed on the monitor 10 to select desired information to be input among a plurality of pieces of information. The information input device senses the bend of the finger 422 using the sensing unit 4, detects a finger angle θ, at which the finger 422 is bent, from the result of sensing, and selects information, which the user wishes, based on the detected finger angle θ.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an information input method using a finger angle. The information input method includes obtaining necessary information from the motion of a finger or hand in steps 440 and 442, and selecting information located at a one-dimensional position derived from the obtained information in step 444.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a preferred embodiment of an information input device for performing the information input method of FIG. 10. The information input device includes a sensing unit 4A, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 462, a signal processor 464, an interface unit 466, and an information selection unit 468.
FIG. 12 is a diagram of the appearance of a first embodiment of the first sensor 480 shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 12 shows a glove 490 worn on the finger 422 and a first sensor 500 attached to the glove 490.
FIG. 13 is a diagram of an equivalent circuit of the first sensor 500 shown in FIG. 12. The equivalent circuit includes resistors R1 and R2. Referring to FIG. 13, when the finger 422 is spread out without being bent, the resistors R1 and R2 have the same value. As the finger 422 is bent downward, the resistors R1 and R2 have different values. Accordingly, as the finger 422 is bent, a voltage value output through an output terminal OUT2 changes. Consequently, the first sensor 500 of FIG. 12 outputs a voltage having a level varying with a bend of the finger 422 as the result of sensing.
FIG. 14 is a diagram of the appearance of a second embodiment of the first sensor 480 shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 14 shows a glove 518 worn on the finger 422 and a first sensor 540 attached to the glove 518.
FIGS. 15A through 15C are diagrams of the appearances of a third embodiment of the first sensor 480 shown in FIG. 11. FIGS. 15A through 15C show a glove 562 worn on the finger 422 and a first sensor 560 attached to the glove 562.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the first sensor 480 shown in FIG. 11. The fourth embodiment of the first sensor 480 includes a light emitter 590, a rotary circular plate 592, and a light receiving unit 594.
FIG. 17 is a diagram of the appearance of a fifth embodiment of the first sensor 480 shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 17 shows a glove 610 worn on the finger 422 and a first sensor 630 attached to the glove 610.
After step 440, the signal processor 464 calculates an angle θ, at which the finger 422 is bent, from the result of sensing received from the first sensor 480 in step 442. If the first sensor 480 is realized as shown in FIG. 12, 14, 15A, 15B, or 15C, the signal processor 464 calculates an angle θ, at which the finger 422 is bent, from a voltage having a level corresponding to varied resistance, varied capacitance, varied angular velocity or acceleration in a digital form. However, if the first sensor 480 is realized as shown in FIG. 16, the signal processor 464 counts the number of pulses of an electrical signal received from the light receiver 594 per unit time and calculates an angle θ, at which the finger 422 is bent, from the result of counting. If the first sensor 480 is realized as shown in FIG. 17, the signal processor 464 calculates an angle θ from a direction measured by the flux direction measurer 612.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the first embodiment 444A of step 444 shown in FIG. 10. The step 444A includes finding information at a one-dimensional position found based on a relevant first angle range among first angle ranges in sub-steps 650 through 654.
FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a first embodiment 468A of the information selection unit 468 shown in FIG. 11 for performing step 444A shown in FIG. 18. The first embodiment 468A of the information selection unit 468 includes a first angle range determiner 670, a first position mapper 672, and an information recognizer 674.
In the case where the signal processor 464 calculates only the angle, in order to perform step 650, the first angle range determiner 670 compares the angle input from the signal processor 464 through an input terminal IN1 with a first predetermined number of the predetermined first angle ranges, selects a first angle range including the angle calculated by the signal processor 464 in response to the result of comparison, and outputs the selected first angle range to the first position mapper 672. For example, when it is assumed that the angle can be calculated in a range of 0��90�, the first predetermined number is 3, and the predetermined first angle ranges are 0��30� E, 30��60�, and 60��90�, the first angle range determiner 670 determines in which range the angle calculated by the signal processor 464 is included among the three first angle ranges in step 650.
FIG. 20 is a flowchart of the second embodiment 444B of step 444 shown in FIG. 10. The second embodiment 444B of step 444 includes searching one-dimensional positions based on a relevant first angle range among first angle ranges and a relevant second angle range among second angle ranges in steps 690 and 692, and searching information using a two-dimensional position searched based on the one-dimensional positions in step 694.
FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a second embodiment 468B of the information selection unit 468 shown in FIG. 11 for performing step 444B shown in FIG. 20. The second embodiment 468B of the information selection unit 468 includes first and second angle range determiners 670 and 710, first and second position mappers 672 and 712, and an information recognizer 714.
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