Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
  • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
  • G06F3/044—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
  • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
  • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
  • G06F3/04886—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
  • G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
  • G06F1/266—Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
  • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
  • G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
  • G06F3/03543—Mice or pucks
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
  • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
  • G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
  • G06F3/03547—Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
  • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
  • G06F3/038—Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
  • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
  • G06F3/039—Accessories therefor, e.g. mouse pads
  • G06F3/0393—Accessories for touch pads or touch screens, e.g. mechanical guides added to touch screens for drawing straight lines, hard keys overlaying touch screens or touch pads
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
  • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
  • G06F3/039—Accessories therefor, e.g. mouse pads
  • G06F3/0395—Mouse pads
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
  • G06F3/041—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
  • G06F3/044—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means
  • G06F3/0443—Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means by capacitive means using a single layer of sensing electrodes
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
  • G06F3/0484—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
  • G06F3/0485—Scrolling or panning
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/00 - G06F3/048
  • G06F2203/01—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/01
  • G06F2203/013—Force feedback applied to a game
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/00 - G06F3/048
  • G06F2203/041—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/041 - G06F3/045
  • G06F2203/04104—Multi-touch detection in digitiser, i.e. details about the simultaneous detection of a plurality of touching locations, e.g. multiple fingers or pen and finger
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F2203/00—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/00 - G06F3/048
  • G06F2203/048—Indexing scheme relating to G06F3/048
  • G06F2203/04809—Textured surface identifying touch areas, e.g. overlay structure for a virtual keyboard

Definitions

• capacitive touch screens become much more popular on a range of computing devices including PC's, laptops, electronic tablets, smartphones and now TVs.
• This patent uses the finger touch areas on capacitive touch screens in the same way as the above mentioned two dimensional card objects.
• this invention can use between 1 and 10 multiple finger touch points to create various three dimensional foldable interface objects, such as packaging that can interact directly with the screen, a fully functioning computer on-screen mouse, or toys, all constructed from a simple printed sheet of plastic or paper.
• the first embodiment of the invention is where one single face of the 3 dimensional (3D) object bears a unique pattern of conductive ink, and is linked to other patterns of conductive ink on the other faces of the 3D object. Touching one of the faces of the 3D object that is not touching the computing device screen triggers a specific action.
• the second embodiment of the invention is where different faces of the 3 dimensional object bear different, but linked unique patterns of conductive ink and when a specific face is placed on the screen of a computer device the pattern recognition component of the embedded software in the computing device recognizes that pattern and a specific action is triggered.
• the shape around the conductive pattern can be cut out and folded to form a computer interface object.
• this printed folded object can become a fully functional and usable screen mouse or other more complex interface object for games or applications of many types.
• the first embodiment of the invention was constructed using a cardboard box and copper tape folded into the shape shown in Fig 1.
• Fig 1.1 is the folded box and pads.
• Fig 1.4 and Fig 1.2 are made from copper tape. No other components or materials were necessary for this first simple embodiment.
• the copper pads and tracks Fig 1.4 and Fig 1.2 simply transfer the touch from the person holding the object to a computer recognizable touch pattern on the underside of the object, Fig 2.7 Fig 2.8 and Fig 2.9, which form a software recognisable touch pattern.
• Other touch surfaces can be transferred from the top, or sides of the object to become uniquely recognisable patterns of pads under the object which are recognised in all rotational orientations by the software.
• the patterns under the object simulate single or multi finger touches, Fig 2.5 and Fig 2.6. For simplicity, we will refer to this simple embodiment as 'touch transfer technology'.
• mice in the form of a computer screen mouse.
• the term mouse in this description refers to a cordless mouse computer interface object which is used on the capacitive touch screen of a computer device.
• the mouse is symmetrical and hence usable by both left and right handed people).
• the scroll wheel which is found on many good mouse pointers, can be functionally simulated.
• Fig 4.18 shows such a printed pattern which can be folded into, for example, a functional computer interface mouse.
• the conductive pad areas which simulate fingers touching the screen are shown in Fig 4.18,19,20,21 and 22.
• Embodiment is a folded multi-sided tube which can be rolled on the screen then pressed or held to identify the face touching the screen to the computer software.
• Fig 3.16 shows a figure made from flat card attached to a folding base. Other parts of the figure figurine can also be touched at the same time as the base; for example a sword, Fig 3.15. This can be recognised by the touch screen and appropriate gaming or promotional material executed by the software.
• Capacitive touch screens are generally constructed using a cross-point matrix of transparent conductive wires which forms a grid pattern under or within the glass. Each vertical wire will give an 'x' coordinate and the horizontal wires will gives the 'y' coordinate. Usually all the wires in the display are driven with a frequency of about 40kHz as this is above audio hearing and hence reduces interference. Each wire is driven from a high impedance source and has a sensitive detector attached so that when the A.C. signal is loaded or cross coupled between wires, the drop in signal on that wire is seen by the detector. The A.C. voltage on both a vertical and horizontal transparent wire will decrease and an increase and so cross talk will be seen between adjacent wires. The detectors on each wire can easily see these effects and report an x,y coordinate for a large number of screen touches. For example finger 1 is located at x1 ,y1 and finger 2 is located at location x2,y2 and so on.
• the loading on the wire is simply caused by the conductivity of human skin.
• the wire does not require actual physical contact as the small amount of capacitance, in the order of 1pF, from a finger to the wire gives enough signal drop for reliable detection; the signal is not only absorbed by the human body it is also re-radiated from the body which adds to the signal drop on the capacitance screen.
• This patent embodiment uses finger contacts as described in the known state of the art above; however, the finger contact locations are simulated using conductive areas Fig 2.7, 8, 9, which can be set very accurately in specific locations on the base of the touch screen interface object. Finger pad locations on the top or side of the device, Fig 1.2 and Fig 2.10, can be transferred through a non conductive material, Fig 1.1 , using wires or conductive tracks, Fig,3.13, 14, to become fixed pattern of accurate finger touch areas on the base, Fig 2.7 ,8, 9.
• the pattern of conductive areas on the top or side of the interface object, Fig 1.2 and Fig 2.10, only need to relate to the simulated finger patterns below the object; they do not need to conform to the same shape or pattern on the top or side; this lends itself to many interesting applications based on the inventive step of converting conductive shapes on the top or side of an object and wiring these to other shapes on the bottom of an object to simulate patterns of one or more finger touches on a capacitive touch screen.
• the software for identification of the patterns and shapes at the bottom of the interface object for example Fig 2.7, 8, 9 are critical to reliable detection and functionality.
• the prototype software uses a very simple technique to recognize the touch patterns under the object.
• x1 ,y1 are the coordinates for pad Fig 2,8 on the screen and x2,y2 are the coordinates for pad fig 2,9 on the screen, this can be extended beyond x10,y10 if so desired.
• Ra is the distance between Pad Fig 2.8 and pad Fig 2.9. So we can see now that Ra is now constant for all angles of the interface object, in real time, and is the distance between two of the fixed simulated finger touch areas on the base of the object.
• the number of individual items which can be identified is very large indeed and only restricted by the area of finger touch (about 28mm 2 ), the number of detectable fingers (ten or more in modem devices) the accuracy of detected location and the physical size of the base of the interface object, mouse or figure are only restricted by the area of the screen.
• the mouse or interface object in the first embodiment has extra pads on the base of the unit Fig 2.5, 6 connected to a similar pad on the surface of the unit Fig 1.3 & 4.
• the pads below the object do not discharge or load the touch screen and hence cannot be seen by the software.
• the pads on the bottom Fig 2.5, 6 simply load the screen and are seen by the touch screen as extra finger presses.
• the software can easily detect this extra simulated finger press and hence take the required action which could be, as mentioned earlier, right click, left click, fire, jump etc. 7.0 Applications for this invention.
• Two or more surface pads on the top of the interface object such as already described and shown in Fig 2.5, 6 and Fig 1.3, 4 can be stroked to trigger finger areas on the base of the object with timing intervals.
• a forward direction could be instigated when pad Fig 1.3 is touched before pad Fig .4 and vice versa for a reverse direction scroll.
• the pads for scrolling could obviously be positioned in the location of a conventional mouse scroll wheel and added along with the right and left mouse click pads.
• a crude joystick can be formed on the surface of the interactive object.
• the second embodiment for promotional collectable or gaming figures is more complex; however, of greater game play value. Whilst holding the body of the item or figure, other parts of the figure can be touched at the same time. For example, a figure could be identified on the screen within a game, when the user holding the figure then squeezes the sword held by the figure; the sword is then used within the game play; if the user then squeezes the shield on the cardboard figure whilst holding the body of the figure the game play then uses the defensive shield.
• the embodiment for this function is exactly the same as the mouse description earlier where the mouse has right and left click touch transfer pads which are are simply connected to the arms and conductive areas in the hands of the figure. This embodiment is not restricted to just two areas of contact, touching various areas of the figure could trigger sounds, videos, extra game play etc.
• An example embodiment would be a foldable mixer desk which could be placed on the screen and used to control a virtual party; changing songs and creating sound effects.
• a further embodiment of this invention splits the computer interface object into two separate sections which are both used on the screen at the same time. These objects are connected to each other by wires; this allows complex game play and joint control of functions and game play actions.
• Augmented Reality is a means to enhance or augment your real-life surroundings through the use of a object.
• Augmented Reality is currently being used in game play selling and promotional objects.
• One embodiment of this technology uses an appropriate touch pattern to trigger an augmented reality experience on a two dimensional of three dimensional folded figure.
• One example would be with the training shoes box, where placing part of the box on the screen and then touching another part of the box, an authentication screen could then be displayed.
• a further enhancement of this invention is to use transistors such as Field Effect Transistors (FET) fixed or printed onto the card or plastic sheet Fig 2.
• FET Field Effect Transistors
• This hand held unit contains the main connection to the human body and a number of touch contacts. These touch contacts operate the gates of FET devices in the base of the unit which then force conduction paths within the folded 3D box or 2 dimensional card.
• relays could be used to provide these simulated finger touch connections but are much more cumbersome and high power.
• opto-couplers within the base unit can also be implemented to prevent radiation leakage from the pads and FEETs.
• a microprocessor can be installed into the unit.
• the micro processor or processors can then measure inputs from accelerometers and other transducers along with button press, and timing circuits to form a myriad of game play functions; for example, joy stick inputs can be constructed.
• the processor can drive FEET transistors to pulse or hold various low impedance paths and generate combinations of simulated touch areas to transfer the data through the touch screen to the computer software.
• ten bit parallel data words can be transferred through the screen to the software in the computer.
• the FEET devices simply connect touch areas to the user's fingers on the top of the unit Fig 2.10 which is in turn connected to the users hand or hands on the unit.
• Each simulated touch pad would provide a one or zero data bit so that each instigation of say ten parallel simulated finger presses could transmit a number between 0 and 1024. It is therefore possible to transmit over 2000 bits per second from a object through the touch screen using this activated touch transfer technology method.
• Very complex controls and functions can be communicated to the software in the TV, pad or phone by these means; this embodiment can transfer real data through the screen of the touch device such as ASCI characters or graphics patterns for complex control functions.
• One clear inventive step is the design of a base unit where multiple low cost hand units can be plugged in.
• the application of this embodiment would obviously be board games or interactive game play. All the relevant sounds for the game play could be stored in the computer making the screen and base unit very low cost.
• the screen unit could be held onto the screen using suction, elastic straps or even spring clips etc.
• real data can be transferred through the screen to the computer software.
• USB port connected to a touch transfer technology object would be a very practical and low cost solution to a data transfer unit which would require no connection at the phone or pad end.
• control object For example if the control object is placed over a picture of a corrugated surface and a finger moved over the control object surface, the surface of the control object feels like a corrugated surface and the control object is moved over the picture or a corrugated surface the control object feels like it is moving over a corrugated surface.
• This patent covers the use of this 'touch transfer technology' where the high voltage low current signals used in haptic technologies and other static electric screen technologies are transferred through a mouse, games controller, promotional figure figurine, pack, collectable or toy so that the object when touched takes on the texture generated by static forces created and transferred through the screen.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
• Position Input By Displaying (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=47225557

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Cited By (3)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2012
  • 2012-10-02 GB GB1217623.6A patent/GB2512266B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2013
  • 2013-09-27 WO PCT/GB2013/000407 patent/WO2014053798A2/fr not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events