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US 6,906,699 B1Granted
Input unit, method for using the same and input system
AssigneeC Technologies AB
InventorsChrister Fåhraeus, Ola Hugosson, Petter Ericson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An input unit has a mouse function and at least one inputting function. The input unit comprises image-recording means (8) which record images. These images are used for providing both the mouse function and the inputting function. The images are processed in the input unit or in some other unit.
Claims29
An input unit having:
- a mouse function,
- at least one inputting function selected from the group consisting of a scanning function and a function for inputting hand-written/drawn information, and
- image-recording means having an area sensor comprising a plurality of sensing elements, and
- the image-recording means adapted to record with only the area sensor a plurality of images in such a way that content of one of plurality of images partially overlaps content of another of plurality of images, and
- the image-processing means are adapted to determine a relative position of the images with the aid of the partially overlapping contents of the images for both the mouse function and the at least one inputting function, and further, for the mouse function, obtaining positioning information using the relative position, and for the at least one inputting function, processing at least one image of the at least two images in a way which is specific to the at least one inputting function.
2 more elements
A method for providing a mouse function and at least one inputting function selected from the group consisting of a scanning function and a function for inputting hand-written/drawn information with the aid of an input unit, comprising the steps of:
- detecting which of said functions is selected, recording at least two images with partially overlapping contents with the aid of only one area sensor, comprising a plurality of sensing elements, of the input unit, determining a relative position of the images with the aid of partially overlapping contents of the images, and using information based on the relative position for:
- (1) obtaining a positioning signal and using the positioning signal for controlling a cursor on a computer screen when the mouse function is selected;
- and
- (2) processing at least one image of said at least two images in a way which specific to the at least one inputting function when the at least one inputting function is selected.
1 more element
An input system having:
- a mouse function,
- a scanner function,
- selection means,
- image recording means having an area sensor comprising a plurality of sensing elements, and
- image-processing means, such that:
- the selection means are adapted to determine which of said functions are selected,
- the image-recording means are adapted to record with only the area sensor a plurality of images in such a way that content of one of plurality of images partially overlaps content of another of plurality of images,
- the image-processing means are adapted to determine a relative position of the images with the aid of the partially overlapping contents of the images for both the mouse function and scanner function, and
- the image-processing means are further adapted to:
- (1) provide positioning information for positioning a cursor on the basis of the relative position when the mouse function is selected, and
- (2) put together the plurality of images to form a composite image and to carry out optical character recognition on the basis of the composite image when the scanner function is selected.
8 more elements
An input unit having:
- a first mode for performing a mouse function;
- a second mode for performing a scanning function;
- a housing having an interior and a portion admitting light into said interior;
- a single light sensitive area sensor comprising a plurality of sensing elements mounted in said housing and used both for recording positioning information which is used for performing the mouse function, and for imaging information which is to be input into an external unit;
- and
- a processor;
- said area sensor recording a plurality of images at a predetermined rate such that successive images have partially overlapping content;
- said processor receiving the images recorded by the area sensor and determining the relative positions, corresponding to the best overlapping positions, of the images both in the first or second mode of the input unit;
- said processor producing a position signal for performing the mouse function based on the relative positions of the images when the input unit is in the first mode and a scanning signal for performing the scanning function containing the information imaged by the area sensor when the input unit is in the second mode.
6 more elements
An input unit having:
- a first mode for performing a mouse function;
- a second mode for performing a handwriting capture function;
- a housing having an interior and a portion admitting light into said interior;
- a single light sensitive area sensor comprising a plurality of sensing elements mounted in said housing and used both for recording positioning information which is used for performing the mouse function, and for imaging information which is to be input into an external unit;
- and
- a processor;
- said area sensor recording a plurality of images at a predetermined rate such that successive images have partially overlapping content;
- said processor receiving the images recorded by the area sensor and determining the relative positions, corresponding to the best overlapping positions, of the images both in the first or second mode of the input unit;
- said processor producing a position signal for performing the mouse function based on the relative positions of the images when the input unit is in the first mode and a handwriting capture signal for performing the handwriting capture function containing the information imaged by the area sensor when the input unit is in the second mode.
6 more elements
A method of operating an input unit comprising the steps of:
- selecting either a first mode for performing a mouse function or a second mode for performing a scanning function;
- providing a single light sensitive area sensor comprising a plurality of light sensing elements;
- recording with the area sensor a plurality of images at a predetermined rate such that successive images have partially overlapping content;
- providing a processor operatively connected to the area sensor;
- determining from the plurality of images received by the processor the relative positions, corresponding to the best overlapping positions, of the images;
- producing a position signal based on the relative positions of the images for performing the mouse function when the input unit is in the first mode;
- and
- producing a scanning signal containing the information imaged by the area sensor for performing the scanning function when the input unit is in the second mode.
5 more elements
A method of operating an input unit comprising the steps of:
- selecting either a first mode for performing a mouse function or a second mode for performing a handwriting capture function;
- providing a single light sensitive area sensor comprising a plurality of light sensing elements;
- recording with the area sensor a plurality of images at a predetermined rate such that successive images have partially overlapping content;
- providing a processor operatively connected to the area sensor;
- determining from the plurality of images received by the processor the relative positions, corresponding to the best overlapping positions, of the images;
- producing a position signal based on the relative positions of the images for performing the mouse function when the input unit is in the first mode;
- and
- producing a handwriting capture signal containing the information imaged by the area sensor for performing the handwriting capture function when the input unit is in the second mode.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.