Touchless pointing device
US8907894B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 2010 |
| Grant date | Dec 9, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/0428
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A touchless input device for a computer replaces a computer mouse and does not require physical contact between the user-operator and any part of the input device. The touchless input device uses multiple, linear near infrared, optical sensors and multiple near infrared light emitters working in a plane in space, all held inside a frame with an opening that defines the detection region. The device images the plane and processes the images to determine the presence, location and velocity of objects in the plane. The operator introduces an object, such as a finger, into the plane and moves the object in the plane to emulate the motion of a computer mouse across a desktop. Mouse buttons and other functions are emulated by unique motions in the plane. The device communicates these motions and events to the computer typically using a Universal Serial Bus.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.