DE3932508A1 - Optical input for computer systems - has multiple optical transmitters and receivers operated in time shared mode - Google Patents

Abstract

The optical input system has a number of optical transmitter (1) and receivers (2) that are screened relative to the user (8) by a light transmitting medium. In order to handle a large number of inputs the multiple optical paths are operated in a time shared mode. The input transmitters are enabled using a time shared control stage (4) and the received signals are handled by a similar unit (3). The timing is provided by a generator circuit (5) with a coupled timebase unit (6). ADVANTAGE - Uses time shared signal transmission for energy saving.

Description

The present invention relates to optical input device, an input device for a computer system, comprising a translucent medium, min at least one optical fiber transmitter or transmitter and one Plurality of light wave receivers and a related one Lich process, and in particular such a facility device, in the signals in a computer system, in particular an automatic control or monitoring system are given, using light waves, as well a procedure for making this entry. The one direction and the method of the present invention are suitable for a keypad that is for typing of data and / or instructions to the computer system is used.

With conventional keypads, both static, as well as the mechanical type, an operator must for example use their fingers to move data and / or Enter instructions into an electrical system. Consequently, the whole electrical system or its Keypad exposed to the surrounding environment. If that surrounding environment high demands or loads (such as high pressure, extremely high and low tempera doors, high humidity or rapid change in the states), the keypad or the electrical system lose the ability to function properly to function freely or high against destruction to be endangered.

According to the current state of the art and technology sealed computer systems have been proposed in the information and / or instructions  Computer system entered in a protective medium are remotely controlled using Kind of a "remote control". The remote control brings however complicated encryption, decryption and other communication techniques. In addition would be the manufacturing cost of such a precision one system grow significantly if the isolation or Protection medium used for the purpose of blocking becomes what to use in conjunction with marketable Products and is unsuitable on a wide scale. Of Furthermore, the above problem could not be solved or be decreased if the remote control input is on direction is still exposed to the surrounding environment.

The object of the present invention is a device device and a method of the type described above to improve in such a way that a user can enter the a computer system is made possible that runs in one medium is shielded without the input device exposure to the surrounding environment.

This object is achieved in that the receiver inputs of the light wave receiver in the same direction as the transmitter output are classified and that the receiver and the transmitter against Abge above the operator using said medium can be shielded. So that between the Optical wave transmitter and the receivers moving Light waves of suitable wavelength used so that an input to that isolated in the protective medium optical input device according to the key input by the operator at the lightwave receivers can be made. So it is possible to make an entry to make available in a ver sealed environment is protected, but at the same time light executable input functions. Besides, can such an impact-protected optical keypad for on transfer of signals into a computer. An input can also be made according to the present invention  device for use in connection with market common products are created that cost is cheap and easy to manufacture. Finally can according to the present invention an optical input Create keypad for computer that is free of possible mechanical errors and malfunctions.

Nowadays, a time sharing Operation (time nesting) process for the light waves receiver and / or the transmitter (transmitter) of the present used the invention. As a result, works according to the In principle, every button instead of always always only during a very short time interval, for example about a 1/60 second. Every button works based on time sharing and pulsing or swings only once during operation, the Vibration or pulse time depending on the use ten transmitter and receiver elements will vary. Each the shorter the pulse or dialing time, the less Electricity is needed and the relatively higher it is Speed at which the element works.

In the circuit, the electrical current is during of the non-transmission period slowly charge a capacitor strikes, and all the current flows like this at the Transmission / sending that it is for the transmitter element it is easy to get impulses with intense current.

After this execution and provided that a Current of 100 mA is used at the moment the light is transmitted through each button and that a total of 16 buttons are available, then the by an optical keypad used for transmission Electricity if at that moment through a condenser sator is leveled,

amount, in this formula TD the transmission time each button represents.

In this way, electricity savings can be achieved will.

Further advantages and embodiments or possibilities th of the invention will become apparent from the following description the Ausfüh shown in the schematic drawing examples. It shows

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic system of an optical input device according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a timing diagram for the optical input device and the method according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a flow chart for the optical input device and the method according to the vorlie invention;

Fig. 4 is a block diagram for another embodiment of the optical input device according to the present invention; and

Fig. 5 is a flowchart for another embodiment of the optical input device according to the present invention.

In a device according to the present invention, as shown in Fig. 1, the optical input device comprises at least one light wave transmitter or transmitter 1 (hereinafter only referred to as light wave transmitter), a plurality of light wave receiver 2 with the same reception direction as the transmitter direction of the transmitter and shielded from the operator by a translucent medium 7 , and a time-sharing unit 3 for the reception process. If a plurality of light wave transmitters 1 are used, it is also required to provide a time sharing unit 4 for the transmission process.

According to the above-mentioned basic system, the operating cycles of the transmission time-sharing unit 4 and the reception time-sharing unit 3 can be achieved by using an operating sequence generator 5 which, for example, is designed with counters. In general, a reference time signal for the operating sequence generator 5 must be provided by a reference time generator 6 .

Fig. 2 is an operation timing chart for the above parts, and Fig. 3 shows the flow chart therefor.

In Fig. 31 , the operation flow generator 5 generates a pulse T 1 of the time TD at 34 by selecting a given light wave receiver 2 to be operated and decoding by the reception time sharing unit 3 and confirmation by the unit at 33 to enable the optical receiver. 2

When the time TC has elapsed after the power is stabilized for the optical receiver 2, the transmission time-sharing unit 4 selects the lightwave transmitter 1 to transmit the light waves (when only a lightwave transmitter 1 is used, that station is 1 activated directly), and generates a short pulse T 2 of the time TD at 37 by the confirmation by means of the operating sequence generator 5 at 36 .

Now the light wave receiver 2 is still in operation. At this time no output is in the Ausgangsan circuit of the optical receiver 2 abut when no reflecting body 8 is positioned above the receiver 2 to the short optical signal from T 2 to the receiver portions of the optical receiver 2 to reflec ren. If reflective body 8 of adequate surface and are so short a distance that they give sufficient reflection, then after a delay through the parts of the circuit, signals with "reflex information" are emitted at the output terminals of the light wave receiver 2 , approximately at the time when the Information T 3 , which was generated by the operating sequence generator 5 , is just rising.

Preferably, the information from the output connection of the light wave receiver 2 z. B. processed or processed by a Schmitt trigger, not shown, to reduce the voltage jump problem of information between passing and failing.

If signals with "reflex information" are output from the output connections of the light wave receiver 2 at the time the information T 3 is just rising, the key is determined to be "pressed".

The input device that the above components ten includes, can be used as an optical switch or optical Button. For what is to be processed "Operated" signal of this switch or button the present invention further sees optical buttons signal processing means forward to this signal to process so that accurate signal processing radio tion can be achieved.

Fig. 4 is a view showing the system structure of the optical input device comprising the optical key and the optical key signal processing means in which the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 1. In Fig. 4, the portion 41 enclosed in broken lines represents this optical key and 42 the optical key signal processing means. In the present invention, these means 42 comprise at least one receive-interrogation locking device 43 , a "just actuated" detector 44 , a lock for first actuated keys 45 , a memory for actuated keys 46 , a "release" discriminator 47 and a signal - Output interface 48 .

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device, and the timing of this process is shown in FIG. 2.

When a certain key has been "pressed", the reception time-sharing unit 3 has also selected the reception-query locking device 43 for this key and is ready to be queried when the information T 3 rises at 52 . If the key has just been pressed, the output terminal of the receive interrogation latch 43 will rise in synchronism with the information T 3 , and thereafter this information will remain constant. A counter (not shown) adds "1" to the number of operations at 53, and the increasing information remains until the next time the pulse T 3 of this key reappears. If T 3 remains again in the "actuated" position for the second time, then the output connection from the receive interrogation lock 43 will continue to remain in the "actuated" position.

In order to ensure that the signal is correct, means are provided according to the present invention for detecting whether the "actuated" signal is a malfunction. This means that at 54 a decision is made based on the number of times reached in 54 . If any given key cannot be actuated n times consecutively, that key is not recognized as "actuated," where

* n = the number of times that any key works in a time-sharing manner, and
* n <1.

After a key is found to be "pressed", the output of the lightwave receivers 2 does not produce the "reflex information" on the next pulse T 3 , and then when the information T 3 increases, the signal at the output terminal of the reception interrogation lock 43 decreased synchronously (this means that T 3 increases while the output connection decreases). This phenomenon is called "releasing" the button.

From the foregoing, it can be seen that the receive interlock 43 can receive two types of information:

• a) If the information T 3 rises and the signal at the output connection grows with it, which means that this key is currently "pressed".
• b) If the information T 3 is increasing, but the signal at the output terminal is in the process of falling, which means that this key is currently "released".

There are two additional types of information:

• a) The signal at the output port continues to rise gene, which means that the button is constantly "pressed" becomes.
• b) The signal at the output port continues to drop len, which means that the key never "pressed" has been.

The output information from the receive interrogation lock 43 causes selection by means of the receive time-sharing unit 3 that the information which indicates "actuated" or "not actuated" of the operation key is fed individually to the discriminator 44 being actuated to decide the generation of the "just pressed" information at 55 .

The manner in which the "just actuated" discriminator 44 operates includes: If the T 4 generated by the operational sequence generator is used as a reference, then if an "actuated" event before T 4 or no "actuated" results -Procedure takes place before and after T 4 , the "just operated" discriminator 44 has no reaction. If an "actuate" operation occurs within the time of T 4 , then the information at the output terminal of the "just actuated" discriminator 44 increases , which means that a particular key is being actuated. The information at the output terminal remains until a pulse T 5 , generated by the duty cycle generator 5 , appears when the information is deleted. (T 5 represents the end of the operating cycle of a key.) When a first key is "pressed", increasing information is generated at the output port of the discriminator 44 being operated, this information being applied to the lock 45 of the first key pressed is what this lock 45 at 56 gives lock information to the key pressed memory 46 which stores the number of that key at 57 while the lock 45 is locked to the first key pressed without paying attention to any key that is short is then operated until the release discriminator 47 decides that the operated key has been released, whereupon the lock for the first actuated key 45 is unlocked.

At 57 , when the key 45 actuation latch has received the "first key actuated" information, said information is provided to the key actuation memory 46 from the output port of the key actuation latch 45 so that the number of be determined by the operating cycle generator 5 certain operating key, which key is stored as the current operating key.

At 59 , the number of this operation key is given to the key information output interface 48 for conversion into information representing this key and given to the outer circuit.

In some implementations of the present invention, means and methods are provided for deciding whether the time of actuation is too short or too long. According to these means and methods, at 57, a misuse discriminator 49 , after the actuated key memory 46 has stored this operational key, calculates the operational cycles for which this key was actuated. If this key has not been pressed for a sufficient period of time, and if the release discriminator 47 has determined that the operated key has been "released", then the release discriminator 47 outputs information to delete the operated key memory 46 and the Unlock lock 45 for first pressed button. When this button sufficiently long been "activated", then outputs the error operation discrimi nator 49, a control information to the key informa tion-output interface 48 to thereby control the energy or power output from this interface 48th If this button has been pressed for too long, the control information given by the operator error discriminator 49 to the interface 48 is interrupted in order to switch off the power of the interface 48 .

In addition, methods for determining incorrect operation are provided in other embodiments. For example, after a key is pressed, other keys can also be pressed; then the first key actuation lock 45 can be used so that the circuitry recognizes the actuation of the first actuated key as an action until the finger leaves that key or the actuation time exceeds a predetermined deletion time.

Again there are z. For example, if a particular key is detected, other keys that are also operated and the operation key is released, but the other operated keys remain operated, and the release discriminator 47 for the operated key and the discriminator 44 for currently operated Keys are inserted, causing the circuit to overlook these keys. If a specific key is then pressed or a key that remains pressed is released and then pressed again, the operation of this key is considered to be established.

In an effort to commercialize the present invention the following possibilities were found ten can be used to size and scope of the front to minimize lying invention:

• 1. Since the distance between the individual buttons propor tional to the detection distance at which a Button is pressed, and also to the square root the area of the reflecting objects that bet it is preferred to use a thinner isola medium to be used in manufacturing. Also is the required distance between the buttons the smaller the area of the reflection, the smaller object.
• 2. To reduce the dimensions of the keypad, it is preferred that the transmission output of the Lichtwel lensenders the receiving elements or light waves is adjacent to recipients.
• 3. If a time sharing method is used and only one key is operated at a time, the operating cycle T 5 will be the operating interval for any key. This is the only way to ensure that the light beam emitted by any key does not interfere with that from other keys.
• 4. In addition, the interference in the recipients also by using blocking material be reduced to the transmission angle of the Limit lightwave transmitter.

As for the light source that are associated with the is to use the invention, so everyone can Types of light rays used by the Medium is transmitted (let through), i. H. either visible and invisible rays. But from the consequences The and other reasons are in the present inven stimulated that infrared rays (IR) as a light source le can be used for possible better results.

• 1. IR light, which is a compared to red light has a longer wavelength, can by the human Sense of sight cannot be registered.
• 2. No heat is generated during the transfer, if IR light of this wavelength is used.
• 3. IR light of this wavelength cannot be out of the ordinary Liche animals are registered so that it do not disturb or their curiosity or attention will excite.

There is still one difficulty in using it the facility and method of the present Invention exists. That is the optical elements under intense light due to saturation in their Function fail. Therefore, if the present Invention to be used in this environment, a appropriate precaution or possibility to put a filter on the To provide receiver element and the transmission intensi act of the light wave transmission element to enlarge.  

Additionally, in order to operate at night or on a Place where no external light source is available enable a light emitting body or light reflective material can be used to position and Mark any type of key so that it Markings can only be illuminated when an actuator signal is obtained from any of the keys. It a light detector can also be used, so that this Markers do not send out light if one is sufficient de brightness is reached.

From the foregoing, the invention sees an optical one Input device and a method by which this Easily set up for the operator can be shielded by using a medium and which has the advantage that the computer system and the Input device are protected so that they are available de invention indeed the special requirements corresponds to a patent.

The above description is for the purpose of illustration stration of the present invention and diverse Changes can be made to it without to leave their nature and scope.

Claims (32)

1. Input device for a computer system comprising a translucent medium, at least one light wave transmitter or transmitter and a plurality of light wave receivers, characterized in that the receiver inputs of the light wave receiver ( 2 ) arranged in the same direction as the transmission output of the transmitter ( 1 ) and that the receiver ( 2 ) and the transmitter ( 1 ) can be shielded from the operator by means of said medium ( 7 ). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a receive time sharing (time nesting -) - unit ( 3 ) such that by means of the operating time-sharing instruction generated by this unit one of the recipients ( 2 ), which is to be operated in a certain period of time, can be selected and actuated in accordance with the specified sequence and intervals. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of light wave transmitter ( 1 ) is the same as that of the receiver ( 2 ), and that this device further comprises a time sharing unit ( 3 ) such that the Transmitter ( 1 ), which is to be operated in a specific time period, can be selected and actuated by means of the operating time-sharing instruction generated by this unit in accordance with preset sequence and intervals. 4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the light wave transmitter ( 1 ) emits infrared rays. 5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the light wave transmitter ( 1 ) emits light rays of a wavelength of approximately 940 nm. 6. Input method for a computer system, in which the input is carried out by an input device which comprises the following components:
a translucent medium,
at least one light wave transmitter or transmitter, and
a plurality of lightwave receivers, characterized in that the receiver inputs of the lightwave receivers are in the same direction as the transmitter output of the transmitter and the receiver and the transmitter are shielded from the operator by means of said medium, and that the method of entering such characteristics into the Computer system summarizes which are represented by the corresponding Lichtwellenempfän ger by moving reflecting bodies relative to said light wave receivers. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized ge identifies that the body fingers are. 8. The method according to claim 6, characterized ge indicates that the input device a reception time sharing unit summarizes in such a way that one of the recipients working in a certain period of time to be operated with of the operating Presetting the time sharing instruction accordingly sequence and intervals selected and actuated becomes.   9. The method according to claim 6, characterized ge indicates that the number of light wave transmitter is the same as that of the receiver, and that this device further has a receive time Sharing unit includes such that the sender who be operated in a certain period of time by means of those generated by this unit Operating time sharing instruction accordingly preset sequence and intervals selected and is operated. 10. The method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the light wave transmitter emits infrared rays, that are part of the red light. 11. The method according to claim 10, characterized ge indicates that the light wave transmitter Light rays with a wavelength of approx. 940 nm sends. 12. Data processing method for the input device of a computer system, in which the data processing is carried out by means of the said input device, which comprises the following components:
a translucent medium,
at least one light wave transmitter, and
a plurality of light wave receivers, characterized in that the method comprises the steps:
Actuating the light wave receivers,
Operating the light wave transmitter,
Decide whether a sufficient number of pulsed light waves are reflected on the light wave receivers, and
Outputting receiver codes that indicate that a sufficient number of reflected, pulsed light waves have been received. 13. The method according to claim 12, characterized ge indicates that the input device a reception time sharing unit summarizes such that by means of the generated thereby Operating time-sharing instruction of the recipient who to work in a certain period of time, ent speaking pre-set sequence and intervals can be selected and operated. 14. The method according to claim 12, characterized ge indicates that the number of light wave transmitter is the same as that of the receiver, and that this device further has a receive time Sharing unit includes such that the sender who be operated in a certain period of time by means of those generated by this unit Operating time sharing instruction accordingly preset sequence and intervals can be selected and can be actuated. 15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the light wave transmitter emits infrared rays. 16. The method according to claim 15, characterized ge indicates that the light wave the light rays with a wavelength of approx. 940 nm sends out. 17. Input device for a computer system, characterized by
at least one light wave transmitter ( 1 ),
Receiver ( 2 ) with receiver inputs that are in the same direction as the transmitter output of the transmitter ( 1 ),
a translucent medium ( 7 ) capable of shielding at least the transmitter ( 1 ) and the receiver ( 2 ) from the operator, and
Receive-query locking means ( 43 ) for recording the light wave reception process of the light wave receiver ( 2 ) in response to
Discriminating means for discriminating a "just pressed" key in response to the operation of the reception interrogation locking means ( 43 ) at a predetermined time,
Locking means for first actuation for generating signals corresponding to the codes of the light wave transmitter ( 1 ), which was actuated for the first time, in response to the output signal of the "just actuated" discrimination means ( 44 ),
Storage means for actuated key ( 46 ) for storing these signals in response to the generation of the code by the locking means for first actuation,
an output interface ( 48 ) for outputting the signals stored in the actuated key storage means ( 46 ) to the computer system. 18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that the light wave receiver ( 2 ) receive pulsed light waves. 19. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that it further operating time sharing means ( 4 ) for selecting and actuating the light wave transmitter ( 1 ), the light wave receiver ( 2 ), the receive-query locking means ( 43 ), and / or locking means for first actuation. 20. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that the operating time-sharing means ( 4 ) allow the components selected and actuated thereby to work only in intermittent operation, so that the total operating time is reduced. 21. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that the "just actuated" discrimination means ( 44 ) in response to the operation of the receive-interlock ( 43 ) only within a short period immediately after the operating time of the selected light wave receiver ( 2nd ) work. 22. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that the codes for the selected light wave receiver ( 2 ) are stored by means of the storage means for the actuated key ( 46 ) and are issued by the operating time sharing means ( 4 ). 23. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises a "release" discrimination means ( 47 ) for the decision "release" in the first period when no more reflected light wave by the selected receiver ( 2 ) after the reception of the light wave is received by this receiver ( 2 ). 24. The device according to claim 23, characterized in that it further comprises a discriminating means for excessive actuation time for deleting the memory for actuated key ( 46 ) when the number of operations of the selected th light wave receiver ( 2 ) between the decision "just" actuates "the means of discrimination concerned and the decision" release "of the relevant means of discrimination is less than a predetermined value. 25. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that it further comprises a discriminating means for excessive actuation time to interrupt the power supply to the information output interface ( 48 ) when the selected light wave receiver ( 2 ) within a predetermined time was operated after the "just operated" decision taken by the discrimination means concerned. 26. Data processing method for the input device of a computer system, in which the data processing is carried out by means of the said input device, which comprises the following components:
at least one light wave transmitter, receiver with receiver inputs which are arranged in the same direction as the transmitter output of the transmitter, a translucent medium which is capable of
shield at least the transmitter and the receiver from the operator, receive-query-locking means, "just actuated" -discrimination means, locking means for first actuation, storage means for actuated key and an output interface, characterized in that the method comprises the steps :
Actuating the light wave receivers ( 2 ),
Actuating the light wave transmitter ( 1 ),
Deciding whether a sufficient quantity of pulsed light waves is reflected on light wave receivers ( 2 ),
Outputting the codes for the light wave receiver ( 2 ) which has received enough reflected, pulsed light waves,
Recording the light-wave reception process of the light-wave receiver ( 2 ) by the reception-query locking means ( 43 ) in response to
Deciding "just actuated" by the "just actuated" discriminating means in response to the operation of the receive-poll locking means,
Generating signals corresponding to the codes of the light wave receiver, which was first actuated by means of the locking means for the first actuated key in response to the output signal of the "just actuated" discriminating means,
Recording the codes by the storage means for actuated keys in response to the code generation by the locking means for the first actuated key,
Enter the signals recorded in the actuated key storage means from the output interface into the computer system. 27. The method according to claim 26, characterized ge indicates that the input device further operating time-sharing Means and the procedure in question the step of Selecting the light wave transmitter, the light waves receiver, the receive-query locking means and / or the locking means for first actuation by means of operating time sharing funds in one Time-sharing manner that specifically addresses this is aimed that only one of the world of light lenempfänger through the time sharing means at the moment is selected. 28. The method according to claim 27, characterized ge indicates that the "just betä "discriminatory in response to Receive-poll lock operation only within a short period of time immediately after the operating time of the selected light wave temp work catcher. 29. The method according to claim 27, characterized ge indicates that the codes for the selected lightwave receiver by the Operation time sharing funds are spent by the storage means for the pressed key be drawn. 30. The method according to claim 27, characterized ge  indicates that the input device "Discrimination" means and the procedure in question the steps of the decision "Release" in the first period, if no more reflected light wave through the selek tated receiver after receiving the light waves received by these recipients, as well as the Unlocking the locking means for first actuation te button according to the "release" decision of the "free give "means of discrimination. 31. The method according to claim 30, characterized ge indicates that the input continues Establish discriminatory measures for excessive Operating time and the procedure in question Step of clearing the memory for actuated Button through said means of discrimination for excessive operating time includes when the number of Operations of the selected light wave receivers between the decision "just actuated" by the means of discrimination concerned and the Decision "release" by the concerned Discrimination means smaller than a given one Is worth. 32. The method according to claim 27, characterized ge indicates that the input is still on towards discriminatory measures for excessive time and the procedure in question Step of interrupting the power supply Information output interface through the be said means of discrimination if the selek Tiert light wave receiver for a given Number of times after the decision "just bet tigt "by the relevant discrimination mit tel was pressed.