ITNA20110031A1 - ROTATIONAL CONTROL SYSTEM WITH REPOSITIONABLE CONTACT. - Google Patents

Description

REPOSITIONABLE CONTACT ROTATIONAL CONTROL SYSTEM

DESCRIPTION

In recent years, the appearance on the market of technological systems developed according to a functional and enabling perspective has allowed a significant improvement in the quality of life. The devices for entering information into the computer are technological tools that allow to compensate for some functional limitations in order to facilitate the activities of daily life.

According to several authors (Cook & Hussey, 1995; SÃ nchez, 1997; Suarez, Aguilar, Roseli and Basii, 2000; Martin-Caro and Junoy, 2001) the inputs and access methods to the computer can be of two types:

Direct access - Access to the computer takes place directly through one's body (voice, hand, finger, foot, eye <'>; or through a specific control device. In direct access, no intermediate tools are used, so the interaction between input and output is immediate. Indirect access - Access to the computer occurs indirectly, through the use of intermediate devices (in particular through the use of sensors) to activate the desired options and through the use of specific computer programs. Indirect access systems are intended for people with severe motor limitations. The scanning system is the most used access method and can be of two types: simple and complex. In simple scanning the cursor it automatically scrolls through all the options until you reach the desired one. The complex scan allows you to select in advance the row or block in which the desired option is located, making the process faster. Conversely, this command requires the user to have consolidated skills relating to rhythm and motor control sufficient to achieve the pressures corresponding to the points and lines, as well as an intellectual level such as to allow the association of the code to the spelling. The direct access devices include pointing devices grouped according to different criteria, based on the technology used or based on the function for which they were designed.

The aiming systems - whether normal or special - are suitable for people who have retained the ability to finely move any part of the body in a continuous range (analog aiming), or who are able to control four or more distinct sensors ( digital pointing).

It is therefore necessary to distinguish between analogue and digital aiming, and between relative positioning and absolute positioning. The pointing is analog when the movement of the virtual pointer is proportional to the physical one according to a parameter called sensitivity, while it is digital when the physical pointer is actually a multi-effect switch that controls the movement of the virtual pointer. In both cases, the speed of the pointer is adjustable through the software, in the first case it is possible to introduce special effects that make the aiming simpler and more natural.

An analog pointer is also called a "mouse emulator", since it has the functional characteristics, and is also seen by the computer as a full-fledged application mouse.

The positioning of the aiming can be absolute or relative. When it is relative the translation of the physical pointer has no effect on the position of the virtual cursor in this case you can lift a mouse from its position on the work surface and move it to a different point without causing any movement of the cursor on the screen. On the other hand, it is absolute when the physical pointer moves on an active surface, which is in turn related to the active area of the screen. This is the case of graphic tablets and touchscreens, where the physical pointing element is in the first case a stylus, and in the second case the user's hand. All related pointing devices have appropriate buttons for carrying out accessory functions of selection and dragging (click, double click, drag). It often happens that people with disabilities are unable to coordinate their hand sufficiently to operate these buttons.

From the analysis of the state of the art, in particular of the operation of some pointing devices existing on the market and in relation to the target user considered, it was possible to highlight the technologies in use and the criticalities of the existing pointing systems listed below in in order to improve the performance and usability characteristics of the product through a new repositionable contact rotational control system.

the mouse or trackball [relative analog pointer] is a sort of "inverted mouse" that uses the sphere to move the cursor and has the advantage of having an ergonomic formal structure and the possibility of inversion of the command keys but has the disadvantage to impress in use, a considerable effort both in terms of movement of the sphere and pressure of the keys arranged separately from the sphere.

the digital joystick or multiswitch, [relative digital pointer], has the advantage of applying a minimum force of pressure and positioning the buttons in an ergonomic way, but it has the disadvantage of impressing a considerable effort in terms of use. of movement ;

sensor emulators have the advantage of arranging keys in the most functional position possible, but have the disadvantage of making a greater effort in terms of movement and, moreover, they are invasive;

scanning emulators have the advantage of minimizing the efforts required for use, but have the disadvantage of interacting with imprecise scanning time intervals;

infrared emulators have the advantage of being minimally invasive, but have the need to interact through good coordination of the head / body movement;

keyboard emulators have the advantage of minimizing the efforts of use thanks to a sensitive pressure of the keys, but have the disadvantage of making a greater effort in terms of movement.

The purpose of this patent application for industrial invention is to propose a new rotational control system with repositionable contact, i.e. equipped with the ability to initiate and automatically realign, characterized by additional features compared to existing pointing systems such as reducing efforts to a minimum. and the movements necessary for the input commands; maximum flexibility and high adaptability in use and excellent grip, ease of interaction and correspondence between input and output, high personalization of peripheral user use, accessible and usable to the greatest number of users.

The repositionable rotational contact control system, according to the invention, can be used both by people able to carry out standard movements normally, and by people with different levels of motor disability in the upper limbs up to people without upper limbs (specifically the hands) through the use of a "bracelet" accessory.

These and other advantages will be clarified by the attached figures given by way of non-binding example which show the repositionable contact rotational control system in various views and in an assembly hypothesis.

Le fìgg, 1), 2), 3), 4), 5) in pl. 1/6, show a schematic of the components of the contact rotational control system in different views.

Figs. 6), 7), and 8) in pl. 2/6, show a schematic section of the spherical-shaped pointing device, respectively, seen from above, in a front view and a side view.

Fig. 9) in table 3/6, shows a schematic of the spherical pointing device, in an axonometric section.

Figs. 10), 11), 12) and 13) in pl. 4/6, show some modes of operation of the spherical pointing device in the palm of the hand in different views.

Figs. 14), 15) and 16) in pl. 5/6, show some of the different adaptable formal types of the pointing device in the respective perspective views.

Fig. 17) in pl. 6/6, shows a schematic of the operation of the repositionable contact rotational control system in a perspective view. With reference to the attached figures, the repositionable contact rotational control system consists of a spherical pointing device (1) (fig. 1 in table 1/6, figs. 6, 7 and 8 in table 2) / 6, fig. 9 in table 3/6, figs. 10, 11, 12 and 13 in table 4/6, figs. 14, 15 and 16 in table 5/6, fig, 17 in table 6 / 6) from a transmitting antenna (2) (fig. 2 in table 1/6 and fig. 17 in table 6/6), from a charging docking station (3) (fig. 3 in table 1) / 6, fig. 17 in table 6/6), by a USB receiving device (4) (fig. 1 in table 1/6, fig. 17 in table 6/6), and by an accessory removable shape memory helical bracelet (5) (fig. 5 in table 1/6).

Specifically, the spherical pointing device (1) is composed of a touch-sensitive coating (la), a processor (Ib) for managing the input-output data, a data transmission module (le), a module for determining the position and movement parameters (Id) and a power supply module (le).

The data transmission module (le) provides for the transmission of data relating to orientation, acceleration and angular velocity. Data in digital form is transmitted using the wi-fi bluetooth standard.

The module for determining the movement parameters (Id) provides a first function for the absolute determination of the orientation (fi) and a second function for determining the movement parameters of the cursor (f2).

The first function of absolute determination of the orientation (fi) is obtained from the interaction of two components, a transmission system consisting of a transmitting antenna (2) positioned at the edges of the screen and a receiving antenna (ld. 1), formed by four sensors placed according to a non-coplanar geometric configuration. The orientation of the device is determined absolutely through the phase difference of the electromagnetic signals emitted by the transmitting antenna (2) and detected by the four reception sensors (ld.1).

The second function of determining the movement parameters of the cursor (f2) is obtained through an inertial system (ld.2} composed of accelerometers and gyroscopes.

Finally, the last of the constituent elements of the spherical pointing device (1) is the power supply module (le), which is constituted by the battery with magnetic induction module positioned inside the pointing device itself ( 1) in order to allow it to be recharged by induction, without connection via cables but only by positioning it on the docking station (3).

Another component of the repositionable contact rotational control system is the docking station (3) consisting of a magnetic induction module (3a), a system equipped with self-positioning (3b) and a power cable (3c).

The correct positioning for recharging is automatically determined by the autonomous positioning system, without any operator intervention and confirmed by the lighting of a led positioned on the docking station (3).

The system is completed with a removable shape memory bracelet accessory (5) equipped with an interactive display (5a). The structure of the bracelet allows it to adapt to the limb of the user and to people without hands. In this case, the movement of the cursor occurs through the rolling of the spherical device (1) on any surface anchored to the wrist / forearm by means of the removable shape memory bracelet (5).

The shape is given by means of adequate heat treatments and the fixing geometry will provide for a helical winding suitably programmed with respect to the needs of functional application. In other words, the metal alloy inserted in the sheath of polymeric material (comfortable in contact with the skin and hypoallergenic), exceeding a predetermined temperature value (max about 40 ° C) will allow the device to be mechanically deformed by adapting it to the limb of the user by means of heating by applying a low voltage current flow. The heat deriving from the contact with the limb guarantees the maintenance in position (wrapped on the limb itself), while the removal of the device must take place by extraction (the locking tensions around the arm will in any case be expected to be modest), being able to perform these operations a countless number of times.

The spherical pointing device (1) performs the functions of a mouse, which can be used, by means of suitable drivers, with any software package and operating system.

It can be used in two different ways, either by holding it in the palm of the hand and imparting rotational movements of the sphere (1) on two or three axes, or by placing it on any surface and imparting rotational movements of the sphere on two axes (figs. 10, 11, 12, 13 in table 4/6}.

The operation of the spherical pointing device {1) takes place, unlike the devices on the market, without any conventional positioning, so it is possible to use it regardless of the modalities in which it is grasped and its orientation without the need for any operation initialization. The spherical pointing device (1) also has additional characteristics with respect to the pointing devices currently on the market such as high sensitivity of the external surface of the sphere in order to allow its use with minimum control pressures; high variability of the positioning of the device with respect to the screen in order to allow its use regardless of its position; repositionability, understood as the ability to automatically initiate the functionality each time it is reactivated, in any position and orientation through the continuous and real-time measurement of the phase difference of the electromagnetic signals emitted by the transmission antenna (2) and detected by four reception sensors (ld.l), continuous determination of the movement parameters through the inertial system (ld.2) consisting of gyroscopes and accelerometers, customization of the commands via a calibration system that defines the degree of sensitivity and other parameters operational, linked to motor skills (type and amplitude of movements and their speed), The spherical pointing device (1) provides the cursor movement and data entry functions (input).

The movement of the cursor is determined by the rotation around two axes according to the initial settings and such as to allow the cursor to be moved along the horizontal and vertical axes of the screen.

The cursor is moved either by rotating the spherical pointing device (1} in space, holding it in the palm of the hand, or by rolling the device (1) on any surface.

The movement of the cursor can also take place through the translation of the sphere along the axes.

Among the possible input commands the following modes can be identified:

- rapid rotational acceleration

This command makes it possible to perform the rapid acceleration movement by holding the spherical pointing device (1) in the palm of the hand and moving in space in any direction to be defined at the time of installation. - single surface touch

This command allows you to enter an input through a single touch on any point on the outer surface of the sphere either by holding the spherical pointing device (1) in the palm of your hand and rotating it in space or by rolling the device (1) on top of it. any surface.

- double surface touch

This command allows you to enter an input by double-tapping any point on the outer surface of the sphere yes by holding the spherical pointing device (1) in the palm of your hand and rotating it in space or by rolling the device (1) on of any surface.

- linear touch

This command allows you to scroll through a linear touch on any point of the external surface of the sphere either by holding the spherical pointing device (1) in the palm of your hand and rotating it in space or by rolling the device (15 on any surface.

- single timed touch

This command allows you to enter an input through a single touch defined by a time variation on any point on the outer surface of the sphere either by holding the spherical pointing device (1} in the palm of your hand and rotating it in space or by rolling the device ( 1) on any surface.

Formal and structural variations may be made to the solution idea within the scope of the same inventive concept which remains defined by the following claims.

All as described and with reference to the attached tables.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1- Repositionable contact rotational control system consisting of: * a spherical pointing device il) composed of a data transmission module (le), a touch-sensitive coating (la), a processor for the management of input-output data (lb), a module for determining the position and movement parameters (ld) and a power module (le). * a transmission system consisting of a transmitting antenna (2) positioned at the edge of the screen, * a docking station (3}, consisting of a magnetic induction module (3a), an autonomous positioning system (3b) and a power cable (3c). * a USB data receiving device (4) * a removable shape memory helical bracelet accessory (5) equipped with an interactive display (Sa), Characterized by additional features compared to existing pointing systems such as minimizing the efforts and movements required for input commands; maximum flexibility and high adaptability in use and excellent grip, ease of interaction and correspondence between input and output, high personalization of peripheral user use, accessible and usable to the greatest number of users. 2 Rotational control system with repositionable contact, as in the previous claim, consisting of a spherical pointing device (1) whose functionality occurs regardless of the modalities with which it is gripped and its orientation without the need for any initial operation alization- 3. Rotational repositionable contact control system, as in the previous claims, characterized by a spherical pointing device (1) that can be used in two different modes, either by holding it in the palm of the hand and rotating it in space, or by placing it on any surface and impressing rotational movements of the sphere on two axes (figs. I, 11, 12 and 13 in table 4/6). 4. Rotational repositionable contact control system, as in the previous claims, characterized by the fact that it has the repositionability function, intended as the ability to automatically initialize the functionality every time it is reactivated, in any position and orientation, through continuous measurement and in real time of the phase difference of the electromagnetic signals emitted by the transmission antenna and detected by the four reception sensors. 5. Rotational repositionable contact control system, as in the preceding claims, characterized by a spherical-shaped pointing device (1) with a high sensitivity of the external surface of the sphere in order to allow its use with minimum control pressures. 6. Rotational repositionable contact control system, as in the previous claims, characterized by a spherical pointing device {1} with a high variability of the positioning of the device with respect to the screen in order to allow its use regardless of its position . 7. Rotational repositionable contact control system, as in the preceding claims, characterized by a docking station (3) which thanks to a magnetic induction module (3a), a system equipped with self-positioning (3b) and a cable power supply (3c) allows correct positioning for recharging autonomously and without any operator intervention. 8. Rotational repositionable contact control system, as in the preceding claims, characterized by a removable shape memory bracelet accessory (5) which allows it to be adapted to the limb of the user and to people without the use of hands. 9. Rotational repositionable contact control system, as in the preceding claims, characterized by a pointing device (1) which can also assume formal polyhedral configurations. 10. Repositionable contact rotational control system, as in the preceding claims, which can be standardized on all video systems that require input from computers to televisions, thus becoming "universal".