GB2254677A - Pressure-activated computer data input apparatus. - Google Patents
Pressure-activated computer data input apparatus. Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2254677A GB2254677A GB9207959A GB9207959A GB2254677A GB 2254677 A GB2254677 A GB 2254677A GB 9207959 A GB9207959 A GB 9207959A GB 9207959 A GB9207959 A GB 9207959A GB 2254677 A GB2254677 A GB 2254677A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- pressure
- transducer means
- person
- transducer
- mouth
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 description 2
- 231100000252 nontoxic Toxicity 0.000 description 2
- 230000003000 nontoxic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000000056 organ Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 230000003925 brain function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000003169 central nervous system Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001537 neural effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000029058 respiratory gaseous exchange Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005096 rolling process Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR 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
- G06F3/011—Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
- A61F4/00—Methods or devices enabling patients or disabled persons to operate an apparatus or a device not forming part of the body
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Biomedical Technology (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Vascular Medicine (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
- User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)
Abstract
The apparatus (2) comprises a force or pressure-responsive transducer (4) and a computer (12) for receiving the signals from the transducer (4) via connector means (14). The transducer (4) may take the form of an array of piezoelectric devices 6 activated by pressure from a part of the person's body, eg the hand or the mouth, eg of a handicapped person. The connector means (14) may be a wire, fibre optic or radio link. Data may be generated according to the sequence, duration or magnitude of pressure pulses. <IMAGE>
Description
PRESSURE ACTIVATED APPARATUS FOR ENABLING
A PERSON TO ENTER DATA INTO A SYSTEM
This invention relates to pressure activated apparatus for enabling a person to enter data into a system.
Accordingly, in one n,,on-limiting embodiment of the invention there is provided pressure activated apparatus for enabling a person to enter data into a system, which apparatus comprises pressure-responsive transducer means for producing signals consequent upon the application of pressure, computer means for receiving the signals from the transducer means, and connector means for affording a signal-transmittable connection between the transducer means and the computer means.
The pressure activated apparatus of the present invention may advantageously be used such that a person's hands are left free. Persons using the apparatus of the invention may be able to walk and talk in a free manner.
Different users of the apparatus of the invention may cause the computer means to interpret different pressure sequences in different ways. An airline pilot might use a morse code sequence of pressure pulses. A victim of cerebal palsey might use different tongue rolling actions on the transducer means to convey required information. A computer operator might use the apparatus of the invention as an alternative computer pointing device.
Preferably, the transducer means is a piezoelectric transducer means. Other types of transducer means may however be employed. Where the transducer means is a piezo-electric transducer means, then a plurality of piezoelectric transducers may be employed. The piezo-electric transducers may be employed in any configuration appropriate to the mode of use of the apparatus of the invention so that, for example, the piezo-electric transducers may be arranged in a circle, square or rectangle.
The transducer means may be constructed to be mouth-activated so that, in this case, the transducer means will normally be placed in a person's mouth. Data may be generated by a person exerting pressure on the device using the teeth and/or the tongue. An advantage of a mouthactivated device is that even in the most severely handicapped persons, enough brain function is left to control the organs in the mouth for eating, breathing and speech. Thus the apparatus of the present invention may be of extreme use for severely handicapped persons. Another advantage of a mouthactivated device is that the neural connections to the central nervous system, controlling the organs in the mouth cavity, have direct connections to the areas controlling speech and communications output, more so than in any other part of the body.This enables the apparatus of the present invention to be biologically appropriate for all forms of data generation.
An advantage of using piezo-electric transducers is that they can be activated by means of electronic pulses to generate a buzzing effect, so that the apparatus can also act as an output device, offering the user positive feedback.
If desired, the transducer. means may be activated by pressure from another part of a persons body, for example the persons hand. In this case, the required pressure may be generated by the person using his or her fingers.
The general shape and the materials used for the transducer means will be chosen to be appropriate for that part of the person's body which is to produce the pressure. Thus, for example, the apparatus may be made where possible from non-toxic materials.
The computer means may be any suitable computer means which is appropriate for the intended use.
The connector means may be a wire communications link, a fibre optic communications link, or a radio communications link having a radio transmitter and a radio receiver.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows first pressure activated apparatus for enabling a person to enter data into a system; and
Figure 2 shows second pressure activated apparatus for enabling a person to enter data into a system.
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown pressure activated apparatus 2 for enabling a person to enter data into a system. The apparatus 2 comprises pressure-responsive transducer means 4 for producing signals consequent upon the application of pressure. The transducer means 4 comprises a plurality of piezo-electric transducers 6 arranged in a circle and connected by electrical conductors 8 to a transmitter and power source 10. The transmitter and power source 10 may comprise an electrical or an optical transmitter.
The apparatus 2 further comprises computer means 12 for receiving signals from the transducer means 4. The apparatus 2 still further comprises connector means for affording a signal-transmittable connection between the transducer means 4 and the computer means 12. As shown in
Figure 1, the connector means is a wire or a fibre optic communications linking line 14. The wire or fibre optic communications linking line 14 is employed as appropriate in dependence upon whether the transmitter in the transmitter and power source 10 is an electrical transmitter or is an optical transmitter.
The piezo-electric transducers 6,the electrical conductors 8, and the transmitter and power source 10 may be housed in a protective outer covering 16.
Referring to Figure 2, similar parts as in
Figure 1 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding. In Figure 2, the connector means for affording a signal-transmittable connection between the transducer means 4 and the computer means 12 is a radio communications link 18.
The apparatus 2 shown in both Figures 1 and 2 is such that the transducer means 4 forms a mouth-activated device. As a result of exerting pressure by the teeth and/or the tongue on the transducer means 4, the piezo-electric transducers 6 act as sensors to sense the varying pressures and to generate appropriate signals for the computer means 12.
The computer means 12 can act on the received signals in any suitable and appropriate desired manner.
The illustrated piezo-electric transducers 6 may be used to inform the user of the current orientation of the transducer means 4 in the user's mouth. The piezoelectric transducers 6 may be positioned in dimples or domes under the outer covering 16. Because the apparatus 2 is to be used in a user's mouth, the outer covering 16 will be made of a non-toxic material. The outer covering 16 will also be flexible so that the piezo-electric transducers 6 can sense pressure variations. Many plastics materials can suitably be used. The translation process from the piezoelectric transducers 6 into data may take into consideration the sequence, duration and magnitude of pressures that are used to activate the piezo-electric transducers 6.
It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the piezo-electric transducers 6 can be replaced by other pressure-responsive transducer means. Also, the precise shape of the transducer means 4 may be varied, for example to suit the case where the pressure transducer means 4 is to be held in a user's hand and operated by finger pressure, or is to be held in another part of the user's body and operated by body pressure.
Claims (5)
1. Pressure activated apparatus for enabling a person to
enter data into a system, which apparatus comprises pressure
responsive transducer means for producing signals consequent upon the application of pressure, computer means for receiving
the signals from the transducer means, and connector means
for affording a signal transmittable connection between the
transducer means and the computer means.
2. Pressure activated apparatus according to claim 1 in which the transducer means is a piezo-electric transducer means.
3. Pressure activated apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the transducer means is constructed to be mouth-activated, whereby the transducer means is able to be placed in a person's mouth.
4. Pressure activated apparatus according to any one of
the preceding claims in which the connector means is a wire
communications link, a fibre optic communications link, or a radio communications link having a radio transmitter and a radio receiver.
5. Pressure activated apparatus for enabling a person to enter data into a system, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB919107559A GB9107559D0 (en) | 1991-04-10 | 1991-04-10 | Pressure activated apparatus for enabling a person to enter data into a system |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9207959D0 GB9207959D0 (en) | 1992-05-27 |
| GB2254677A true GB2254677A (en) | 1992-10-14 |
| GB2254677B GB2254677B (en) | 1995-01-04 |
Family
ID=10692982
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB919107559A Pending GB9107559D0 (en) | 1991-04-10 | 1991-04-10 | Pressure activated apparatus for enabling a person to enter data into a system |
| GB9207959A Expired - Fee Related GB2254677B (en) | 1991-04-10 | 1992-04-10 | Pressure activated apparatus for enabling a person to enter data into a system |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB919107559A Pending GB9107559D0 (en) | 1991-04-10 | 1991-04-10 | Pressure activated apparatus for enabling a person to enter data into a system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB9107559D0 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2004034937A1 (en) * | 2002-10-17 | 2004-04-29 | Arthur Prochazka | Method and apparatus for controlling a device or process with vibrations generated by tooth clicks |
| EP1756728A2 (en) * | 2004-05-13 | 2007-02-28 | Anthrotronix, Inc. | Electronic communication interface |
| RU227401U1 (en) * | 2024-04-03 | 2024-07-18 | Алексей Константинович Долгополов | DEVICE FOR HANDS-FREE COMPUTER CONTROL |
Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2094949A (en) * | 1981-03-03 | 1982-09-22 | Parker Colin Bramley | Improvements in or relating to aids for humans |
| GB2124777A (en) * | 1982-08-02 | 1984-02-22 | Illinois Tool Works | Force or pressure sensitive devices |
| GB2138545A (en) * | 1983-04-12 | 1984-10-24 | Walter Mueller | Devices for controlling electrically operated appliances |
| US4567749A (en) * | 1983-04-20 | 1986-02-04 | Commissariat A L'energie Atomique | Process and apparatus for determining the interfacial area in a two-phase mixture incorporating a gaseous phase flowing in the form of bubbles |
| GB2173597A (en) * | 1985-04-10 | 1986-10-15 | Taylor Miller Limited | Position sensing touch panel |
| WO1989006023A1 (en) * | 1987-12-21 | 1989-06-29 | Ncr Corporation | An apparatus for controlling a movable reference point on a display |
| US4961138A (en) * | 1987-05-01 | 1990-10-02 | General Datacomm, Inc. | System and apparatus for providing three dimensions of input into a host processor |
| US5018208A (en) * | 1990-04-02 | 1991-05-21 | Gladstone Karen S | Input device for dynamic signature verification systems |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU4806890A (en) * | 1988-12-16 | 1990-07-10 | Zofcom, Inc. | Tongue activated communications controller |
| US4983786A (en) * | 1990-01-17 | 1991-01-08 | The University Of British Columbia | XY velocity controller |
-
1991
- 1991-04-10 GB GB919107559A patent/GB9107559D0/en active Pending
-
1992
- 1992-04-10 GB GB9207959A patent/GB2254677B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2094949A (en) * | 1981-03-03 | 1982-09-22 | Parker Colin Bramley | Improvements in or relating to aids for humans |
| GB2124777A (en) * | 1982-08-02 | 1984-02-22 | Illinois Tool Works | Force or pressure sensitive devices |
| GB2138545A (en) * | 1983-04-12 | 1984-10-24 | Walter Mueller | Devices for controlling electrically operated appliances |
| US4567749A (en) * | 1983-04-20 | 1986-02-04 | Commissariat A L'energie Atomique | Process and apparatus for determining the interfacial area in a two-phase mixture incorporating a gaseous phase flowing in the form of bubbles |
| GB2173597A (en) * | 1985-04-10 | 1986-10-15 | Taylor Miller Limited | Position sensing touch panel |
| US4961138A (en) * | 1987-05-01 | 1990-10-02 | General Datacomm, Inc. | System and apparatus for providing three dimensions of input into a host processor |
| WO1989006023A1 (en) * | 1987-12-21 | 1989-06-29 | Ncr Corporation | An apparatus for controlling a movable reference point on a display |
| US5018208A (en) * | 1990-04-02 | 1991-05-21 | Gladstone Karen S | Input device for dynamic signature verification systems |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| "Dental plate touch pad gives more control for disabled users", Eureka, August 1990, page 49. * |
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2004034937A1 (en) * | 2002-10-17 | 2004-04-29 | Arthur Prochazka | Method and apparatus for controlling a device or process with vibrations generated by tooth clicks |
| US6961623B2 (en) | 2002-10-17 | 2005-11-01 | Rehabtronics Inc. | Method and apparatus for controlling a device or process with vibrations generated by tooth clicks |
| JP2006502767A (en) * | 2002-10-17 | 2006-01-26 | リハブトロニクス インコーポレーテッド | Method and apparatus for controlling a device or process using vibrations caused by tooth clicks |
| AU2003278018B2 (en) * | 2002-10-17 | 2008-09-04 | 2249020 Alberta Ltd. | Method and apparatus for controlling a device or process with vibrations generated by tooth clicks |
| AU2008264192B2 (en) * | 2002-10-17 | 2010-12-23 | 2249020 Alberta Ltd. | Method and Apparatus for Controlling a Device or Process with Vibrations Generated by Tooth Clicks |
| EP1756728A2 (en) * | 2004-05-13 | 2007-02-28 | Anthrotronix, Inc. | Electronic communication interface |
| EP1756728A4 (en) * | 2004-05-13 | 2009-12-30 | Anthrotronix Inc | Electronic communication interface |
| RU227401U1 (en) * | 2024-04-03 | 2024-07-18 | Алексей Константинович Долгополов | DEVICE FOR HANDS-FREE COMPUTER CONTROL |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9207959D0 (en) | 1992-05-27 |
| GB2254677B (en) | 1995-01-04 |
| GB9107559D0 (en) | 1991-05-29 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20030410 |
