Abstract:
The present invention relates to a pointer device for operation of interactive screen surfaces, comprising: a closed ring ( 10 ) or a ring shaped segment for placement on a finger, where the ring or ring-shaped segment comprises a extractable pointer device ( 11, 21, 68 ), where the pointer device is adapted for interaction with a touch-sensitive screen in that the extractable pointer device has an end face functioning as an interface with interactive screens where the end face is less than 25 mm2.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a pointer device for operation of interactive screen surfaces. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Today, a diversity of screens and interactive surfaces are operated by inactive or active electronic pens, in addition to the use of fingertips. Interactive screens and surfaces such as on mobile telephones, navigation, signing, admission and control systems, tablet PCs, tablets, interactive boards, writing and drawing tablets. 
         [0003]    Pens can disappear and it is time consuming to find them or loosen them from a holder on place. 
         [0004]    Where the technology demands the use of pens, it is required with a storing place for the pen. Interactive products are designed with a placeholder for pen, alternatively are the pens kept in external placeholder or loose. Pens can disappear and it is time consuming to find them or loosen them from the placeholders. 
         [0005]    Devices such as Smartphones, tablets or the like with interactive screen surfaces are furnished with active icons and active virtual buttons, a limitation for developers of user interface is the users lack of ability to “hit” small icons or virtual buttons on an interactive screen. The use of finger tips on icons and connections has uncertainty linked to precision/hits. The same relates to situations where it is important to get the right insertion point in text and tables. With a tool giving a better precision in interaction with an interactive screen, the developers of user interfaces will provide the user with broader and more alternatives as the icons or the like can be packed closer to each other. A better precision will provide the possibility to use advanced tools, such as drawing tools on small interactive screens which is not possible today. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]    It is an object according to the present invention to provide a device solving the above mentioned problems. 
         [0007]    A device according to the present invention gives the producers of software increased space for data and information on surfaces and does not have a need for placeholders or place for pens. The consumer is given reduced need for cleaning of writing or operational surfaces. The user is given reduced loss of time as a consequence of inaccurate navigation with finger tips. The pointer device according to the present invention gives time-saving as it is operative faster than loose pens and cost saving as the problem of loose pens which frequently disappear is reduced. 
         [0008]    A plurality of interactive units also demands a plurality of tools. The pointer device according to the present invention is a technology and a plurality of tools unified as a functional unit. 
         [0009]    Compared to the pointer device according to the present invention does a fingertip provide relatively little precision when it is necessary to write on an interactive surface. Even if it is technically possible to produce small surfaces with high precision, does a fingertip have a relatively large area and low precision compared to the tip of a pen. The pointer device according to the present invention provides precision. 
         [0010]    The use of finger tips on interactive systems can be regarded as unhygienic. Hygiene can be a weighty factor in use of interactive boards on schools, kinder gardens and enterprises. Hygiene can also be a weighty factor in admission control and operational systems in the private sector and in public, such as for example hospitals. 
         [0011]    The pointer device according to the present invention is a quickly accessible tool with a high degree of accuracy and which ensures quick activation of desired functions for the user. The pointer device according to the present invention ensures correct point of insertion when writing and navigating and reduces the need for a step backwards in the process. Increased accuracy makes it possible to arrange more objects on a surface and gives a good utilisation when navigating. 
         [0012]    According to one aspect of the invention is a pointer device for operation of interactive screen surfaces provided, comprising:
       a closed ring or a ring shaped segment for placement on a finger, where the ring or ring-shaped segment comprises a extractable pointer device, where the pointer device is adapted for interaction with a touch-sensitive screen in that the extractable pointer device has an end face functioning as an interface with interactive screens where the end face according to an aspect of the present invention is less than 25 mm 2 .       
 
         [0014]    According to an aspect of the pointer device, does the pointer device comprise an outer ring and an inner ring defining a void there between. 
         [0015]    According to a second aspect of the pointer device, does the pointer device comprise an outer ring and an inner ring defining a void, which void is provided with an inner spool ring, where the inner spool ring is adapted to be movable in relation to the inner and outer ring, the spool ring is furthermore adapted to receive a wire/cord being connected to a pointer element. 
         [0016]    According to a further aspect of the pointer device, the pointer device comprises a ring with a ring extension arranged adjacent to the shoulder of the ring, the ring extension is integrated in the ring, the ring extension comprises an elongated groove running coaxially or approximately coaxially with the ring, at a first end of the ring extension there is provided a hole in the ring extension, through this hole there is arranged a wire/cord being adapted for use as a pointer tool for touch sensitive screens. The wire/cord can be retracted and extracted from the hole in the ring extension, at one end of the wire/cord being coupled to the ring extension, there is arranged a button, the button being slidably arranged in the ring extension in the groove is such a way that the wire/cord can be retracted or extracted in and out of the ring extension. 
         [0017]    Further characteristics of the present invention will be apparent from the dependent claims. 
     
    
     
       SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0018]    To facilitate understanding of the invention, the following description will refer to the attached drawings, where 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a pointer device according to one embodiment of the invention, 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of a pointer device in a ring according to a second embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  shows a section of a pointer device in the ring shown in  FIG. 2 , 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  shows a cross section of a ring for a pointer device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  shows a cross section of the ring in  FIG. 4  seen from another angle, 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of a pointer device in a ring according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  shows the ring in  FIG. 6  seen from another angle, 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  shows a cross section of the ring in  FIG. 6 , 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  shows a cross section of the ring in  FIG. 6 , and 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  shows the ring in  FIG. 6  seen from another angle, 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  shows an embodiment of a pointer device in a ring according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0030]      FIG. 12  shows another wire of the ring in  FIG. 11 , 
           [0031]      FIG. 13  shows an embodiment of a pointer device in a ring according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 14  shows another view of the ring in  FIG. 12 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the figures. In the following there will be given a general description of a pointer device arranged in a ring or on a ring. 
         [0033]    The pointer device according to the present invention is an operational and writing tool for interactive screens and surfaces. A technology where a tip of a pen is attached to a ring sitting on a finger. The pointer device according to the present invention refines the qualities of the fingertip as a writing and operational tool and maintains an overall need for active and inactive pens. 
         [0034]    In the following description will pen, the pen, the tip of the pen and pointer element all be used as a description of the part of the pointer device according to the present invention that is adapted for interaction with touch sensitive screens/surfaces. With the pointer device it is meant a combination of the pointer element in itself and the belonging ring. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 1   a - c  shows an example of a pointer device according to the present invention. In  FIG. 1   a  is the ring  10  seen attached to a finger  15  with an adjustable extracted pointer element  11 .  FIG. 1   b  and  c  shows the same ring with the pointer element  11  retracted into the ring  10 . 
         [0036]    The pointer device according to the present invention is multifunctional, quickly accessible, precise, accurate, hygienic and time and cost saving. A users overall need for electronic operation and writing tools in 2D and 3D systems is covered by a pointer device according to the present invention on a finger. 
         [0037]    The pointer device according to the present invention has a hibernation mode and a user mode. In user mode is the tip of the pen, the pointer element  11 , held between index finger and thumb for writing and operation. The other end of the tip of the pen is attached to the ring  10 . In hibernation mode, the pointer device according to the present invention has the shape and function of a ring on a finger  15 . 
         [0038]    The purpose of having the pointer device in hibernation mode on the finger as a ring, is to ensure quick access for the user to the functionalities the user requires, and that constitutes the pointer device according to the present invention in user mode. Functionality can be changed from hibernation mode to user mode with one continuous and natural movement for the finger. If the pointer device according to the present invention is put on the index finger, the thumb is pushed towards the pen element, rotating the upper layer of the ring, which the pen element is attached to. Thereafter, the pen element is turned and the pen tip is pulled in a continuous movement forward, until it is situated between the index finger and the thumb. 
         [0039]    For operational tasks that does not require that the pen tip is held between the fingers, for example NFC (Near Field Communication), can the pointer device according to the present invention be changed from hibernation mode to user mode with only a rotation of the pen element. The pointer device according to the present invention is comfortable and a natural part of the hand in hibernation mode as it sits on the index fingers second or third joint or on the second joint on the thumb. The joint closest to the hand. 
         [0040]    The pointer device according to the present invention is a complete solution with a two-layer ring being attached to the finger joint closes to the hand, and the solution can be transformed to a pen covering active and passive communication with interactive screens and systems. 
         [0041]    Alternative methods for transforming is thinkable in that the pen element is attached to the ring and can be folded, turned, twisted or pushed. The ring part can include two layers—two rings rotating ungraded around each other. The inner ring is resting towards the skin. The outer movable part functions as an anchoring for the movable pen element. 
         [0042]      FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  shows a second embodiment of a pointer device according to the present invention. The second embodiment of the present invention comprises a ring  20  with a pointer tip (pointer element)  21  adapted for attachment to the ring  20 . The pointer element  21  is designed so that it can be trapped in the ring  20 . The pointer element is provided with a wire/cord which is not shown in  FIG. 2  or  3 . This wire/cord makes it possible for the pointer element  21  to be extracted from the ring  20  and simultaneously be mechanically connected to the ring  20 .  FIG. 3  shows that the ring  20  comprises an inner  33  and outer ring  32 . The inner ring can be movable in relation to the outer ring in one embodiment. Between the inner  33  and outer ring  32 , there is provided a cavity  34  suitable for receiving the above mentioned wire/cord. 
         [0043]      FIGS. 4 and 5  shows a third embodiment of a pointer device according to the present invention. The third embodiment of the present invention comprises a ring  40  comprising an inner ring  43 , an outer ring  42  and a free running ring  45  arranged in a cavity formed between the inner ring  43  and the outer ring  42 . The free running ring  45  can form a spool for a wire/cord to a pointer device. The pointer device in itself is not shown on  FIG. 4  or  5 , but is can for example be designed as suggested for the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 6-10  shows a fourth embodiment of a pointer device according to the present invention. The fourth embodiment of the present invention comprises a ring  60  with a ring extension  67  arranged adjacent to the shoulder  66  of the ring. The ring extension  67  is integrated in the ring  60 . The ring extension  67  comprises an elongated groove  65  running coaxially or approximately coaxially with the ring  60 . At a first end  65  of the ring extension  67 , a hole is provided in the ring extension  67 , through which hole there is arranged a wire/cord  68  adapted for use as pointer tool for touch sensitive screens. The wire/cord  68  can be retracted or extracted in and out of the hole in the ring extension ring extension  67 . At the end of the wire/cord  68  being attached to the ring extension ring extension  67 , there is provided a button  69 , the button  69  is slidably arranged in the ring extension  67  in the groove, ref.  FIGS. 8 and 9 .  FIGS. 8 and 9  shows a cross section of the ring  60 .  FIG. 10  shows the ring seen parallel to a virtual axis extending coaxially with the ring  60 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 11 and 12  shows a fifth embodiment of a pointing device according to the present invention. The figures shows a principle in which one or two outer ring segments  110  are movably in engagement with a groove in an inner ring segment  119 , where the inner ring segment  119  is adapted to fit a finger, and where the inner ring segment  119  has a longer arc length than that of the one or two outer segments  110 . The tip of the pointing device and its arm is fixed to one of the outer ring segments  110  or the outer ring segment  110 . As is seen from the  FIGS. 11 and 12  a protruding part  111  is protruding from the outer ring segment  111 . The protruding part  111  includes the tip of the pointing device and the tip is adapted to interact with interactive displays. 
         [0046]    A user of the pointing device according to the fifth embodiment will simply rotate the one or two outer ring segments  110  from an upper position, which is comfortable when the pointing device is not in use, to a side position where the protruding part  111  is on the left or right side of the carrying finger. In  FIG. 11  the protruding part is shown on the left side of the finger. The upper position is on top of the finger carrying the pointing device and the side position is approximately 90° in any direction along the curvature defined by the inner ring segment  119  starting from the top of the finger/ring. From the protruding part  111  a pointing tip can be activated in the same manner as indicated for the wire/tip  68  in  FIG. 6 , or it may be a wire which is winded up in a spool in the protruding part  111 . The wire/tip may be attached to the tip of a finger or the wire in itself may be stiff enough to be used in interaction with a display screen. Alternatively the tip of the wire may be designed so that it will fit well between two fingers when in use such as a pencil, i.e. under pressure between two neighbour fingers. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 13 and 14  shows a sixth embodiment of a pointing device according to the present invention. The figures shows a principle where an elongated nail shaped part  131  is designed to be used as a pointing tip for interactive use with an interactive display. The nail shaped part  131 , is adapted to fit into a holster  132 . The nail shaped part  131  may be fixed to the tip of a finger by an elastic  135 . In  FIG. 14  the elastic  135  is adapted to be in a groove of the nail shaped part  131  when not in use. In use the elastic is released from parts of the groove and the released part of the elastic forms a loop which will fit around the tip of a finger. The elastic  135  may also be a non-elastic band provided that the size of the loop is adapted to fit a finger or if the attachment between the non-elastic band and the nail shaped part  131  is elastic or the band is spring mounted. 
         [0048]    The hoister  132  is attached to a ring  139 . The attachment to the ring  139  may be provided as a movable engagement as indicated in the fifth embodiment so that the holster  139  is fixed to one or more outer ring segment. 
         [0049]    It can be seen from  FIG. 14  that the nail shaped part  131  is anchored/fixed to the holster by a fixing means  133 . The fixing means may be any of a rubber band/elastic, a wire or a cable. If the fixing mean is of a non-elastic type, a spring activated spooling mechanism may be arranged in the holster to accommodate the fixing means  133  when the nail shaped part  131  is in the holster  132 . 
         [0050]    The sixth embodiment may be combined with the second embodiment with reference to  FIGS. 2-5 . The tip  21  of the second embodiment may include an elastic as indicated in the sixth embodiment. The elastic can be hidden on the back/non visible part of the tip  21  when not in use or it can replace the wire indicated in the second embodiment of the present invention.