A motion sensing bar is sometimes used to provide input to a computing device. Such motion sensing bars have cords that are plugged into an external port of the computing device. Use of the motion sensing bar may be difficult in many circumstances.
As shown by
Infrared light sensing device 34 comprises one or more devices to sense infrared light that has been emitted by emitter 30 and that has been reflected by reflective object 44, such as a person's hand, extending over upper surface 38. In one implementation, light sensing device 34 comprises one or more cameras that capture frames of infrared light reflected off of object 44. At least portions of upper surface 38 of deck 20 that overlie infrared light sensing device 34 are transmissive to infrared light or infrared electromagnetic waves. In one implementation, such portions of upper surface 38 of deck 20 that overlie sensing device 34 are transparent.
In one implementation, infrared light emitter 30 and/or infrared light sensing device 34 are contained within deck 20 below an upper panel forming a part of the upper surface 38 of deck 20. In another implementation, infrared light emitter 30 and/or infrared light sensing device 34 are contained within deck 20 below a lattice surrounding keys 22, wherein the lattice forms a part of the upper surface 38 of deck 20. In yet another implementation, infrared light emitter 30 and/or infrared light sensing device 34 are contained within deck 20 below an upper surface of one or more of keys 22, wherein the upper surface of the one of more keys 22 forms a part of the upper surface 38 of deck 20.
Because motion sensing device 26 is contained within keyboard deck 20, emitter 30 and sensing device 34 of motion sensing device 26 are more consistently positioned relative to the display or other portions of the computing device which utilizes keyboard deck 20. For example, motion sensing bars are relatively small and are extremely mobile, communicating with a computing device in a wireless fashion or merely being tethered to the computing device by a cord. Due to such mobility, motion sensing bars may be positioned at any of a wide range of different positions with respect to a display screen. As a result, hand or other motions by a person using a motion sensing bar may not necessarily yield consistent input performance due to variations in the possible positioning of the motion sensing bar.
In contrast, in implementations where motion sensing device 26 is incorporated as part of a keyboard deck 20 that is fixed to the display, such as with a laptop or notebook computer, the emitter 30 and the sensing device 34 of motion sensing device 26 have consistent, fixed positions relative to the display screen upon which changes brought about by user input are visible. In implementations where motion sensing device 26 is incorporated as part of a keyboard deck that is independent of the computing device, the range of positions that the much larger keyboard deck 20 may be positioned relative to the display screen is much smaller, resulting in less variation in the location of emitter 30 and sensing device 34 relative to the display screen. As a result, a user of motion sensing device 26 may better utilize historical spatial relationships between motion by the person's hands (or other structures) and the display screen upon which the user's attention is focused. Rather than having to adjust his or her input motion every use based upon possibly varying positions of the motion sensing bar during each use, a user may simply focus his or her attention on the display screen and the impact of input. Consequently, use of motion sensing device 26, as incorporated as part of keyboard deck 20, is more intuitive and reliable.
Controller 154 comprises a device that receives signals from keys 22 and motion sensor 26 and that generates control signals based upon such signals that may result in the images and/or text being presented by display 152 to change. Controller 154 comprises processor 156 and memory 158. Processor 156 comprises one or more processing units configured to receive signals from keys 22 and motion sensor 26, to analyze such signals and to generate control signals based upon such signals and based upon instructions contained in memory 158.
For purposes of this application, the term “processing unit” shall mean a presently developed or future developed processing unit that executes sequences of instructions contained in a memory. Execution of the sequences of instructions causes the processing unit to perform steps such as generating control signals. The instructions may be loaded in a random access memory (RAM) for execution by the processing unit from a read only memory (ROM), a mass storage device, or some other persistent storage. In other embodiments, hard wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the functions described. For example, controller 154 may be embodied as part of one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs). Unless otherwise specifically noted, the controller is not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software, nor to any particular source for the instructions executed by the processing unit.
Memory 158 comprises a non-transitory computer-readable medium or circuitry embodying computer-readable code or programming to direct processor 156 in the generation of control signals based upon the signals received from motion sensor 26. In one implementation, memory 158 and processor 156 may be incorporated and contained within keyboard deck 20. In another implementation, memory 158 and processor 156 may be incorporated in a separate housing independent of keyboard deck 20. In one implementation, memory 158 directs processor 156 to carry out method 200 of
As indicated by step 212, infrared sensing device 34 within keyboard deck 20 and below upper surface 38 senses reflections of infrared light from locations spaced above the top or upper surface 38 of keyboard deck 20. In one implementation, infrared sensing device 34 comprises one or more cameras which capture frames or images of reflected light. In one implementation, infrared sensing device 34 captures frames at a rate of 300 frames per second. Signals representing such frames are transmitted to controller 154.
As indicated by step 214, processor 156 receives the signals from sensing device 26 and analyzes such signals to detect and determine motion in the volume of space lying above and spaced from upper surface 38. Based upon the determined motion, such as positioning and/or movement of a person's hand or hands in the volume of space overlying and spaced above upper surface 38, or the sensed reflections of infrared light, processing unit 46 (following instructions contained in memory 158) generates control signals which control navigation on display 152. Such “navigation” may comprise movement of a cursor, movement of an image, rotation of an image, creation or removal of an image and/or enlargement/reduction of an image.
Keyboard deck 320 is similar to keyboard deck 20. Keyboard deck 320 has a front edge 327 and an opposite rear edge 329 coupled to display 302. Keyboard deck 320 comprises outer housing 400, display mounting portion 402, keys array 406 and touchpad 410. Outer housing 400 comprises one or more panels or other structures that support, cover, shield or enclose electronic componentry of computing system 300. Housing 400 comprises a pair of palm rest panels 412 on opposite sides of touch pad 410 upon which a person may rest his or her palms when utilizing key array 406. Housing 400 further comprises one or more openings for exposing and/or receiving key array 406, touchpad 410 and motion sensor 326.
Display mounting portion 402 extends at the rear edge 329 of keyboard deck 320 and couples display 302 to keyboard deck 320 at a rear edge 329. In the example illustrated, display mounting portion 402 comprises a hinge mechanism. In other implementations, display mounting portion 402 may have other structures configured to clip, mount, slide are otherwise connect display 302 to rear edge 329 of keyboard deck 320.
Key array 406 comprises an array of keys serving as a keyboard for computing system 300. In one implementation, key array 406 comprises an array of QWERTY keys. In another implementation, key array 406 comprises other arrangements of the keys. In one implementation, the keys of key array 406 are depressable. In another implementation, the keys of key array 406 are actuatable or selected for input in other manners. As shown by
Touchpad 410 comprise a pad sensitive to touch to receive input based upon manual touching of or contact with pad 410. Such input may be in the form of a person sliding his or her finger or fingers across the surface of touchpad 410 or in the form of a person tapping the surface of touchpad 410. Touchpad 410 extends between key array 406 and front edge 327 of keyboard deck 320. Together, the upper surface of housing 400, including palm rest panels 412, key array 406 and touchpad 410 form an upper surface 338 of keyboard deck 320.
Motion sensor 326 is similar to motion sensor 26. As with motion sensor 26, motion sensor 326 comprises infrared light emitter 330 and infrared light sensing devices 334 (shown in
Infrared light sensing devices 334 comprise devices to sense infrared light that has been emitted by emitters 330 and that has been reflected by a reflective object, such as a person's hand, extending over upper surface 338. In one implementation, light sensing devices 334 comprise cameras that capture frames of reflected infrared light. At least portions of upper surface 338 of deck 320 that overlie infrared light sensing devices 334 are transmissive to infrared light or infrared electromagnetic waves. In one implementation, transparent panel 339 also overlies sensing device 334.
In the example illustrated in
Because emitters 330 and sensors 334 have longitudinal positions between rear edge 424 of key array 406 and rear edge 415 of touchpad 410, emitter 330 and sensors 334 are able to detect motion within a spatial volume spaced above keyboard deck 420 that is intuitive to a person using motion sensor 326 when viewing display 302. By being located in front of rear edge 424 of key array 406, the spatial volume in which motion is sensed is sufficiently spaced from display 302 to detect motion of a person's palms. At the same time, by being located in front of rear edge 415 of touchpad 410, the spatial volume which motion is sensed by the combination of emitters 330 and sensor 334 is less likely to detect extraneous motion or noise such as a user's torso or other persons passing nearby. Moreover, motion sensing device 326 is also less likely to interfere with the use of touchpad 410 or use of the surfaces provided by palm rest panel portions 412.
Controller 354 is similar to controller 54. Controller 354 comprises processor 156 and memory 158, described above. As shown by
Although controller 354 is schematically illustrated as being distinct from keyboard deck 320, in the example illustrated, controller 354 is house or contained within housing 400 of keyboard deck 320. In other implementations, controller 354 may be housed or contained independent of keyboard deck 320. For example, in some implementations in which display 302 is separable from keyboard deck 320 or is independent of keyboard deck 320, such as when display 302 comprises part of a tablet computer, controller 354 may be housed as part of display 302.
Keyboard deck 520 is similar to keyboard deck 420 except that keyboard deck 520 accommodates the different location of motion sensor 526. Motion sensor 526 is similar to motion sensor 326 except that motion sensor 526 is located to a side of touchpad 410. As with motion sensor 326 of computing system 300, motion sensor 526 of computing system 500 has emitters 330 and light sensors 334 (shown in
Key array 606 is similar to key array 406 except that key array 606 is specifically illustrated as being surrounded by a lattice 628 extending about the individual keys 629 of the array 606. Lattice 628 comprises a multi-opening framework having openings 632 through which the individual keys 629 or individual clusters of keys 629 of array 606 extend. Lattice 628 forms a grill about the individual keys 629 or groups of keys 629 that reduces a likelihood of debris falling between the individual keys 629. As shown by
Motion sensor 626 is similar to motion sensor 326 except that motion sensor 626 is contained within the outer perimeter 420 of key array 606. Motion sensor 626 comprises infrared light emitters 630A (shown in
Because emitters 630A and sensing devices 634A are located below lattice 628 in front of the front most keys 629 of key array 606, emitters 630A and sensing devices 634A sense motion in a spatial volume sufficiently close to front edge 327 to sufficiently capture a user's palm. Moreover, the provision of emitters 630A and sensing devices 634A in front of the front most keys 629 of array 606 is less likely to interfere with the spacing between key array 606. Because emitters 630B and sensing devices 634B are located between the individual keys 629 of array 606, emitters 630B and sensing devices 634B may located across a wider area along the upper surface 338 of keyboard deck 620. Because emitters 630 and sensing devices 634 are located within the outer perimeter 420 of key array 606, utilizing the space provided by lattice 628, motion sensor 626 consumes less valuable real estate along the upper surface of keyboard deck 620.
In one implementation, computing system 600 is configured to provide the user with the ability to adjust or select (through user input) which of emitters 630 and which of sensing devices 634 are utilized. For example, in one mode, user may select to utilize emitters 630A and sensing devices 634A while emitters 630B and sensing devices 634B are not active. In another mode, the user may alternatively select to utilize emitters 630B and sensing devices 634B while emitters 630A and sensing devices 634A are not active. In yet other implementations, motion sensor 626 may comprise one of the pair of emitters 630A, sensing devices 634B and emitters 630B and sensing devices 634B. In other implementations, emitters 630 and sensing devices 634 may have other locations below lattice 628 within perimeter 640 of key array 606.
Key array 706 is similar to key array 406 except that key array 606 is specifically illustrated as having individual keys 729 of the array 606 that contain or overlie portions of motion sensor 726. As shown by
Motion sensor 726 is similar to motion sensor 326 except that motion sensor 726 is contained within the outer perimeter 420 of key array 606. Motion sensor 626 comprises infrared light emitters 730A (shown in
Because emitters 730A and sensing devices 734A are located within our below front most keys 729 of key array 706, emitters 730A and sensing devices 734A sense motion in a spatial volume sufficiently close to front edge 327 to sufficiently capture a user's palm. Moreover, the larger size of space bar key 735 better accommodates the provision of both emitters 730A and sensing devices 734A. Because emitters 730B and sensing devices 734B are distributed amongst multiple individual keys 729 of array 606 that are spaced apart from one another, emitters 730B and sensing devices 734B may be located across a wider area along the upper surface 338 of keyboard deck 720, providing a larger spatial volume for detecting user input motion. Because emitters 730 and sensing devices 734 are located within the outer perimeter 420 of key array 706, utilizing the space provided by keys 629, motion sensor 726 consumes less valuable real estate along the upper surface of keyboard deck 720.
In one implementation, computing system 700 is configured to provide the user the ability to adjust or select which of emitters 630 in which of sensing devices 734 are utilized. For example, in one mode, user may select to utilize emitters 730A and sensing devices 734A while emitters 730B and sensing devices 734B are not active. In another mode, the user may alternatively select to utilize emitters 730B and sensing devices 734B while emitters 730A and sensing devices 734A are not active. In yet other implementations, motion sensor 726 may comprise one of the pair of emitters 730A, sensing devices 734B and emitters 630B, sensing devices 734B. In other implementations, emitters 630 and sensing devices 634 may have other locations below the upper surface of other keys 729 of key array 706. In yet some implementations, infrared light emitters and infrared light sensing devices may be provided below surfaces of both individual keys 729 and the surrounding lattice 628, if provided.
Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to example embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. For example, although different example embodiments may have been described as including one or more features providing one or more benefits, it is contemplated that the described features may be interchanged with one another or alternatively be combined with one another in the described example embodiments or in other alternative embodiments. Because the technology of the present disclosure is relatively complex, not all changes in the technology are foreseeable. The present disclosure described with reference to the example embodiments and set forth in the following claims is manifestly intended to be as broad as possible. For example, unless specifically otherwise noted, the claims reciting a single particular element also encompass a plurality of such particular elements.
The present application claims priority under 35 USC 120 and is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/471,487 filed on Nov. 1, 2013 by Dimitre D. Mehandjiysky, Kevin L. Massaro and Ming Chih Kuo, and entitled COMPUTER, the full disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 29471487 | Nov 2013 | US |
Child | 14167585 | US |