The invention is based on a device with a sensor.
There are known devices, which are moved by one hand over a surface so that a sensor can detect properties of the surface and the detected data can be displayed by means of a readout device, e.g. a display. For example, these devices can also be measuring devices that can measure distances, areas, or the like. With regard to the display, depending on the travel design and the grip design, the problem arises that in certain travel directions, the display is upside down and is therefore difficult to read, thus resulting in reading errors, particularly when the upside down numbers can signify other numbers that are not upside down, e.g. 6 and 9. One solution to this problem is to have the user of the device manually preset the direction of the display by means of an actuator. However, this step is often a nuisance and is therefore frequently skipped.
According to the invention, grasping surfaces for the hand are positioned on two approximately diametrically opposed sides of a grip, at least one of which sides has a sensor that detects the number of fingers resting against this grasping surface. In this connection, the grip and the grasping surfaces can be integral components of the housing of the device. It is only essential that the grip be in a preferred location on the housing of the device for maneuvering purposes so that the device is grasped at this location.
The invention is based on the knowledge that a different number of fingers of a hand rest against the diametrically opposed grasping surfaces. Whereas only the thumb rests against one grasping surface, several fingers of the hand rest against the other grasping surface. Since as a rule, the thumb points toward the user when grasping, the position of the thumb and of the other fingers permit the user's viewing direction to be deduced and consequently, the readout of the display unit can be oriented in the viewing direction.
The sensors detect the number of fingers resting against each grasping surface and generate a signal that orients the readout of the display unit accordingly. All suitable types of sensors can be used for this purpose, e.g. sensors that function according to a resistive, capacitive, or inductive measuring method, since the resistance, the capacitance, or the induction of a measuring circuit containing the sensors changes according to the number of fingers in contact with it. However, photoelectric sensors can also be used, which are covered to a greater or lesser degree by the fingers, thus changing the incidence of light. The signals of the sensors can be compared to reference values, which are characteristic of contact with the thumb or with the remaining fingers, thus allowing the device to detect whether the grasping surface is oriented toward or away from the body of the user. If sensors are provided on each grasping surface, their signals can be compared to each other in the evaluation unit.
One simple embodiment uses the resistive measuring method in which two neighboring contact strips are provided on each grasping surface and the resistance of a measuring circuit that is closed by the fingers is evaluated by means of an evaluation unit.
A device 10, e.g. a measuring device, is guided by hand over a surface 14. The device 10 has a sensor, not shown, which points toward the surface 14, and has a grip 12 with two diametrically opposed grasping surfaces 40 and 42. The device 10 also has a display unit 38, which displays the data detected by the sensor. If the device 10 is grasped with the right hand as depicted at the top in
In the longitudinal direction of the grip 12, contact strips 26, 28 are embedded in the grasping surface 42 and contact strips 30, 32 are embedded in the grasping surface 40; these contact strips are depicted in a schematic developed view in
The lower half of
If sensors 26, 28 or 30, 32 are only provided on one grasping surface 40 or 42, then the resistance values of the corresponding measuring circuit can be compared to a fixed reference value. If the resistance value is greater than the reference value, then only the thumb 22 is resting against the sensors 26, 28 or 30, 32; if the resistance value is less than the reference value, then the remaining fingers 20 are resting against the sensors 26, 28 or 30, 32.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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101 23 543 | May 2001 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/DE02/01416 | 4/17/2002 | WO | 00 | 1/8/2003 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
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WO02/093466 | 11/21/2002 | WO | A |
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20040021634 A1 | Feb 2004 | US |