Device for inputting data
AssigneeDeutsche Telekom AG
InventorsHans Wilfried Koops, Ulrich Koops
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In an apparatus for the input of information, it is provided that a raster or an array of light-emitting screen elements is associated with a raster or an array of photodetectors, the light emitted by at least one of the screen elements being reflected to at least one of the photodetectors when an object approaches the apparatus; it is further provided that output signals of the photodetectors are used to obtain information on which of the photodetectors are receiving reflected light.
Claims16
A data input device comprising:
- an array of light-emitting screen elements;
- an array of photodetectors associated with the array of screen elements;
- an array of lenses associated with the array of screen elements, the lenses, screen elements and photodetectors being spaced apart so that light emitted by the screen elements is not focused when an object is not near the device, and that when the object is near the device, light emitted by at least one of the screen elements is reflected by the object and is focused onto at least one of the photodetectors;
- and
- an evaluation apparatus receiving output signals from the photodetectors so as to be able to determine which of the photodetectors receives the reflected light;
- wherein the light emitting screen elements are on a screen, screen areas of the screen being each formed by a plurality of the light emitting screen elements which are programmable to form an output on the screen, so that intensity measured by the photodetectors is compared to a background intensity and, when the background intensity is exceeded, the object is ascertained as near so as to input the data in accordance with the programmable plurality of the light emitting screen elements.
A method for inputting information to a device having an array of light-emitting screen elements, an array of photodetectors associated with the array of screen elements, and an array of lenses associated with the array of screen elements, the lenses, screen elements and photodetectors being spaced apart so that light emitted by the screen elements is not focused when an object for causing the inputting of information is not near the device, and light emitted by at least one of the screen elements is reflected by the object when the object nears the device and is focused onto at least one of the photodetectors, the photodetectors having output signals, the method comprising:
- energizing the screen elements during a first phase to reproduce an image;
- during a second phase, de-energizing the screen elements so that the screen elements emit no light and evaluating the output signals from the photodetectors for image recording;
- and
- in a third phase, energizing the screen elements so that the screen elements emit light and evaluating the output signals from the photodetectors so as to be able to determine which of the photodetectors receives the reflected light and thereby to obtain information to be input;
- wherein the light emitting screen elements are on a screen, screen areas of the screen being each formed by a reproduced programmable plurality of the light emitting screen elements which are programmable to form an output on the screen, so that intensity measured by the photodetectors is compared to a background intensity and, when the background intensity is exceeded, the object is ascertained as near so as to input the information in accordance with the programmable plurality of the light emitting screen elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.