Input device using elastic material
US7479903B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 10, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 20, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 16, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S20/14
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A conventional mouse and keyboard poses great load on the user's finger and hands at key operation, and the material used for its surface is rigid. An input device which can reduce the load on the user's finger, and gives soft touch by avoiding abrupt change in downward pressure at key operation. The input device includes elastic material on the surface, a camera to image the back surface of a key when the key is pressed, an image processor which determines finger position from the image, and an output which generates a signal according to the finger position. By using this input device, the user can carry out operations similar to those achieved by a mouse and keyboard for a computer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.