WO2018037426A2

WO2018037426A2 - An input device

Info

Publication number: WO2018037426A2
Application number: PCT/IN2017/050356
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fazle-Imdad ALTAF SHIRPURWALA
Original assignee: Altaf Shirpurwala Fazle Imdad
Priority date: 2016-08-22
Filing date: 2017-08-22
Publication date: 2018-03-01
Also published as: WO2018037426A3

Abstract

The present invention is directed towards an input device which in addition to providing input also provides feedback regarding user activity – position of user's finger on the input device. The input device comprising at least one input key, each input key corresponding to an input command and having a switch provided below the input key, the switch operates when the input key is pressed, a sensor associated with each input key for detecting position of a user finger with respect to the input key, a first drive circuit connected with the switch for providing a first signal in response to operation of the input key/switch, a second drive circuit connected with the sensor for providing a second signal in response to operation of the sensor, a processing unit connected with the drive circuits for receiving the first signal and/or second signal and converting the first signal and/or second signal into corresponding command signals to provide input and/or position of the user's finger via a communication module to a portable device and/or a display unit.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

An input device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The invention relates to an input device. More particularly, the invention provides an input device which in addition to providing input also provides feedback regarding user activity - position of user's finger on the input device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Computing technology in the recent years has experienced an exponential growth in the number of users, especially portable computing technology. With portable computing technology, one is always able to access social networking platforms, as well as send emails, prepare documents, presentations, reports, etc., even while travelling.

[003] While portable devices provide portability, small size of the displays make it difficult for the user to use the device for long-periods, especially for execution of complex applications. Use of wearable-display or heads-up display which shows the screen of portable devices in an enlarged form is one convenient option to overcome the difficulty of small screen size. However, typing or providing input while wearing the wearable display is difficult as the user cannot see the keyboard. The same problem is also faced by users of other computing devices like tablets or similar devices who constantly have to look at the keyboard while typing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[004] In an embodiment, the invention provides an input device comprising at least one input key, each input key corresponding to an input command and having a switch provided below the input key, the switch operates when the input key is pressed, a sensor associated with each input key for detecting position of a user finger with respect to the input key, a first drive circuit connected with the switch for providing a first signal in response to operation of the input key/switch, a second drive circuit connected with the sensor for providing a second signal in response to operation of the sensor, a processing unit connected with the drive circuits for receiving the first signal and/or second signal and converting the first signal and/or second signal into corresponding command signals to provide input and/or position of the user finger via a communication module to a portable device and/or a display unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1A shows an input device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Figure IB shows an input device with input keys pressed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a block diagram of an input device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 show an input device with input keys made of conductive material in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 show an input device with a sensor arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 shows an input device with actuation keys and sensor arrangement in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 shows a display screen connected to the input device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[005] The present invention provides an input device for portable/mobile computing, TV, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), Mixed Reality (MR) and head mounted display devices. The present invention is directed towards providing an input device which in addition to providing input also provides feedback regarding user activity - position of user's finger on the input device.

[006] Figure 1 through 2 shows an input device 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The input device can be connected with a portable device and/or a display. Once the input device is connected to the portable device and/or the display, in addition to providing input to the portable device, a virtual keyboard is displayed, wherein the virtual keyboard provides feedback regarding user activity - position of user's finger on the input device.

[007] The input device includes an input key 110, a switch 120 and a sensor 130. The input device further comprises a first drive circuit 140, a second drive circuit 150, a processing unit 160 and a communication module 170.

[008] The input key corresponds to a unique input command. In this regard, the input can be an alphabet, a number, a mathematical operator, a special character, or any other command. The input key 110 is a button, and as shown in figure IB, is capable of moving upwards and downwards. The input key moves downwards when subjected to an external force i.e. when a user presses the key, and resumes its original position when the force is removed. The switch 120 as shown in the figure is provided below the key, and operates when the input key is moved down. The switch is preferably made of a compressible material which contracts and retracts depending upon pressure applied to it. Accordingly, as the key is pushed down the switch contracts i.e. moves down, and as pressure on the switch is released, the switch retracts and moves upwards pushing the key back to its original position. The first drive circuit is connected with the switch. The first drive circuit is configured to provide a first signal in response to operation of the input key/switch.

[009] In an embodiment, a sensor is associated with each input key for detecting position of a user's finger with respect to the input key. The sensor can be provided adjacent to i.e. on top, bottom or on any side of the key, or within the input key such that the sensor can detect a touch and/or user proximity. As shown in figure 1A and IB, the sensor is provided below the input key. The sensor is connected to the second drive circuit, and the second drive circuit is configured to provide a second signal in response to operation of the sensor. The sensor can be any of a conductive material, a proximity sensor, a touch sensor, a pressure sensor, etc. Accordingly, depending upon the type of sensor, the sensor detects touch and/or user proximity to the input device and the second drive circuit provides the second signal. The first drive circuit and the second drive circuit are connected to the processing unit. The processing unit receives the first signal and/or the second signal and converts the first signal and/or second signal into corresponding command signals to provide input and/or position of the user finger to the portable device and/or the display via the communication module. In this regard, the communication module allows the input device to be connected to electronic devices or portable devices such as smart phones, laptops, tablet pc etc. which may be configured to be further connected to a display such as a LCD/LED screen, a wearable display, augmented and virtual reality devices etc. Further, in case of a smart TV or an Independent AR/VR/MR device, the input device can be configured to connect directly to the AR/VR/MR and head mounted display device. The communication module can be designed to operate over any one of a radio frequency network, a Wi-Fi or WiMax network, a Bluetooth network or an infrared network.

[010] Figure 3 shows an input device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The input device includes an input key, a switch, a first drive circuit and a second drive circuit. The input key of figure 3 is similar to the input key illustrated in figures 1A and IB. A switch is provided below the input key and the switch is connected to a first drive circuit which provides a first signal in response to the operation of the switch. However, the input key of figure 3 is made of a conductive material and is connected to the second drive circuit as well. In this regard, a non conductive region 180 is provided between two adjacent input keys thereby providing insulation between the input keys. The second drive circuit provides a second signal in response to a touch and/or a user finger proximity to the input key. Accordingly, on any contact i.e. a charge like human touch on the conductive material of the input key, the second drive circuit will provide the second signal, and if any pressure is applied on the key, the first drive circuit will provide the first signal. The first drive circuit and the second drive circuit are connected to the processing unit which identifies and processes the inputs received from the drive circuits.

[Oi l] Figure 4 shows an input device 400 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The input device can be similar to the input device illustrated through figures 1 to 3 and further comprises a sensor arrangement. As shown, the sensor arrangement includes an infrared emitter 410 and detector 420 disposed above the input keys forming an infrared grid 430 above the input keys. The sensor arrangement is further connected to a third drive circuit. The sensor arrangement is configured to provide a third signal in case of interaction/intersection of the infrared grid by a user finger/thumb. The third drive circuit is further connected to a processing unit which processes the third signal and identifies the position where the infrared grid has been intersected. Further, the sensor arrangement can be configured to be operated only when actuated by an actuation key provided on the input device. Accordingly, position of the user finger is only detected by the sensor arrangement when the actuation key is operated. The processing unit is further connected to a communication module. The communication module allows the input device to be connected to electronic devices or portable devices such as smart phones, laptops, tablet pc etc. which may be configured to be further connected to a display such as a LCD/LED screen, a wearable display, augmented and virtual reality devices etc. Further, in case of a smart TV or an Independent AR/VR/MR device or a head mounted display, the input device can be configured to connect directly to the AR/VR/MR device. The communication module can be designed to operate over any one of a radio frequency network, a Wi-Fi or WiMax network, a Bluetooth network or an infrared network.

[012] Figure 5 shows an input device 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The input device as shown includes plurality of input keys 510 and a sensor arrangement 520. The input keys and the sensor arrangement are similar to the input keys illustrated through figures 1 to 4, and can be selected as per requirement. Accordingly, as discussed hereinabove, a switch and/or a sensor is provided for each input key, and accordingly the switch and/or the sensors are connected to drive circuits. The sensor arrangement is also connected to the third drive circuit and the processing unit, and the sensor arrangement can be configured to be operated only when actuated by an actuation key (530A, 530B) provided on the input device. As shown, the input keys are provided along the horizontal surface, and the actuation keys are provided along top edge or top side of the input device. Such an arrangement allows the user to operate the input device with ease whereby the input keys can be operated using the thumbs and the actuation keys with the index figures.

[013] An embodiment the present invention provides a method for processing an input from an input device. The method is implemented on an input device illustrated in figure 1A and IB. The method starts by monitoring the input key to detect whether the input received is a touch or a user finger in close proximity to the input device or a pressure applied to an input key. Depending upon the type of input detected, a first drive circuit and a second drive circuit provides a first signal and a second signal respectively. The first drive circuit provides the first signal if pressure is applied to the input key and the second drive circuit provides the second signal if a touch is detected or a user finger is detected in close proximity to the input key. Thereafter, the signals are processed by a processing unit and converted into corresponding command signals to provide input and/or position of the user's finger via a communication module to a portable device and/or a display unit. In another embodiment of the invention a method of processing an input on an input device is provided. The method is implemented on an input device illustrated in figure 4. In addition to the method as explained hereinabove in the preceding paragraph, the method further comprises monitoring an actuation key to detect if the input received is a touch or a user finger in close proximity or a pressure applied to the actuation key. Thereafter a third drive circuit provides a third signal in response to the input detected through the actuation key which actuates a sensor arrangement provided above the input keys. Any interaction/intersection of a user's finger with the sensor arrangement is detected. The position of intersection/interaction is provided to a processing unit if the actuation key is pressed. The processing unit identifies and processes the input from the sensor arrangement/ actuation key, and provides the processed input to a display device and/or a computing device connected to the input device.

[014] Referring now to figure 6, which shows a virtual keyboard on a display device in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Once, the input device is connected with a portable device and/or a display, a virtual keyboard is displayed on the display. When a user touches a key or is in close proximity to a key of the input device, the sensor or the conductive material senses the proximity of the user finger to the input key or the touch. Thereafter, the second drive circuit provides a second signal to the processing unit and the processing unit converts it to a command signal. The command signal causes an indicia to be displayed on or around the corresponding key of the virtual keyboard. Indicia on the virtual keyboard can be a bold border around the key or a change of colour/background colour of the key. The bold border indicates that a user's finger is hovering over or close to that particular region or key of the input device. When a user presses a key on the input device, the key operates the switch and the first drive circuit provides a first signal to the processing unit. The processing unit converts the first signal into a command signal, and the command signal causes an input to be given to the portable device for that particular key. Accordingly, the present invention provides an input as well as feedback to the user in relation to the user's position so the user is aware of his finger's position on the input device without looking at the input device. The present invention also allows opacity control of the virtual keyboard displayed to be varied as per user's requirement i.e. increase and decrease transparency of the virtual keyboard with respect to background object of the display.

[015] Further, the virtual keyboard may appear or disappear from the screen depending upon user's activity with the input device - keyboard. Accordingly, if the input device has not been accessed for a long period - predefined time period, the virtual keyboard disappears from the display. The virtual keyboard can be configured to reappear when a predefined key of the input device is pressed or when the infrared rays of sensor arrangement are interfered with etc. Optionally, the virtual keyboard can be configured to be displayed perpetually.

[016] Furthermore, the input device can be configured to only appear when keys other than alphabets are touched or only in case of numbers etc. Alternately, a specific key may be selected/configured to make the virtual keyboard appear/disappear. The virtual keyboard may appear completely with all keys, or just the keys being touched will be made visible and rest will not even appear. Another advantage of the present invention includes application based configuration of the keys of the input device. For example, application of the input device according to the invention can be many, like for gaming a developer can configure some keys for directions and some for shooting etc, and the functions of the keys and their relationship with the user Interface of the connected device can be left to the coder. Unlike the traditional keyboards, the function of the keys are not hardcoded, and are configurable as per requirement.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An input device, comprising:

at least one input key, each input key corresponding to an input command and having a switch provided below the input key, the switch operates when the input key is pressed;

a sensor associated with each input key for detecting position of a user finger with respect to the input key;

a first drive circuit connected with the switch for providing a first signal in response to operation of the input key/switch ;

a second drive circuit connected with the sensor for providing a second signal in response to operation of the sensor;

a processing unit connected with the drive circuits for receiving the first signal and/or second signal and converting the first signal and/or second signal into corresponding command signals to provide input and/or position of the user's finger via a communication module to a portable device and/or a display unit.

2. The input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is provided adjacent to the input key.

3. The input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sensor is provided within the input key.

4. The input device as claimed in claim 1 to 3, wherein the sensor can be selected from a proximity sensor, a touch sensor, or a pressure sensor.

5. The input device as claimed in claim 1 or 3, wherein at- least a portion of the input key is formed of a conductive material.

6. The input device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a sensor arrangement disposed above the input key forming an infrared grid above the input key, and a third drive circuit connected with the sensor arrangement, the sensor arrangement configured to provide a third signal in response to intersection of the user finger with the infrared grid.

7. The input device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the sensor arrangement is configured to be operated when actuated by an actuation key provided on the input device.

8. The input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein communication module is designed to operate over a radio frequency network, a Wi-Fi or a WiMax network, a Bluetooth network or an infrared network.