AU607162B2 - Manual interface combined with the use of electronic digital character coding system - Google Patents

Description

-b4AUSTRALIA o- P/00/01"1 Form PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: It. Cl: 607162 Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: This document contains th andnients Made under SRelated Art: Secion 49 and is correct for oATO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT M"i~me of Applicant: 7 f44 7 01V o oeo Address of Applicant: $%fJ 4"ds- 0 C Actual Inventor: 4//I/677"/- Address for Service: /3 Complete Specification for the invention entitled: '44d' The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:-* Note: The description is to be typed in double spacing, pica type face, in an area not exceeding 250 mm in depth and 160 mm in width, on tough white paper of good quality and it is to be inserted inside this form.

14599/78- L Printed by C. J. THOMPSON, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra i "MANUAL INTERFACE" COMBINED WITH THE USE OF "ELECTRONIC DIGITAL CHARACTER CODING SYSTEM" The invention relates to a manual interface combined with the use of an electronic digital alpha-numerical coding language and coding proceedure to drive an Electronic Printer, Personal Computer or Command Station for the control of Robotics or Locking devices. Manual interface can be a plug-in peripheral or as an inbuilt component of the applied to apparatus depending on application.

There is a cross section of the community who suffer various diabilities such as the sight impaired and motor handicapped which lead to the loss of manual dexterity. This could mean the inability to moved their fingersover a conventional typewriter or computer keyboard. Similarly the ability to produce simultaneous multiple key 4 'input is often lacking. There are other occasions where through the need of portability or sheer physical size, a keyboard cannot be used.

In an attempt to overcome some of these problems a device has been invented which allows the user to produce alpha-numeric characters by simply writing within a prescribed input character window. As a consequence of this, the user has a pen with which he writes, in accordance with a prescribed format, the letters and numbers into a window approximately ,6mm square.

Key features in the design of this device are: j it .s 1. The physical and electrical deSt&n of the manual interface.

2. The coding and decodi;g of the input message to Si' produce serial ASCII coded data.

Through such a device being produced, the communication possibilities available to many people should be widened.

The invention comprising the manual interface together with the Electronic Digital Alpha-numerical character coding system,has been devised to provide a novel form of word processing, command station or module incorporating a compact manual interface operated by a hand held stylus or wand or by a finger operated key or button array, forming

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T 7 u AvT Q r <7 the entry componen of the manual interface. The easily memorised Digital Character Coding Alphabet has been developed around the normal hand movements used in forming alpha-numerical characters. This makes learning and remembering the code strokes or movements quick and easy, obviating the need to remember abstract forms and combinations of entry codes. Due to the entry on the manual interface being in a vertical progression process and the absence of hand movements normally required to cover a keyboard, the operation is simple and relaxing and utilizesand maintains the natural dexterous hand skills of writing against the otherwise tense, key finger punching process of normal keyboard operation.

Digital signals generated on\the manual interface when processed by the C.P.U. can be the driver for electronic printers, word processing, command stations, Robotics or synthethized speech output. Peripherals can also be pluggeainto computers as a editing, menu picker, display Sor as a programming tool. The invention has application to mini-hand held computers, pocket sized printers, translaters and interpreting s- machines due to the compact nature of the manual interface, and the precise Electronic coding schedule. The invention when adpted to a conventional electronic typewriter would eliminate the large normal keyboard showing the alpha-numerical key charactersto be replaced by one or a series of small entry boxes or orbitual keys accommodating the digital sending sensors, engaged by finger operation of keys or by stylus or wand ocerations. This method of entry by the operator would require none of the usual typing skills and would obviate hands having to move over the area of the usual whole typewriter keyboard to locate desired keys, instead requiring a very small finger or hand movement to enter digital coding signals within this manual interface, with arm and hand weight supported on apron of apparatus.

When either using finger operated key or hand held stylusto enter digital coding, operator would not require to site the position of key or stylus to enter the desired character coding, as the code can be blind formed due to the small amount of v-ea o{ the CdC .r i~p~lt to be contacted. This operational factor would assist the operator lacking keyboard operating skills to quickly enter the desired words or commands and would enhance the use of this device by the visual or motor handicapped.

The device would be a valuable aid to eliminate R.S.I. in the work place PA4,3 -1 3.

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by eliminating the tedious process and waste of energy of keeping hands and arms suspended whilst moving over the normal keyboard, with the resulting reflex strain injury. Energy expended in these keyboard operations is large compared with the actual energy required to generate the digital signal from the normal key operation, which is in the order of a micro-watt. The device can be produced in an economical manner and readily put into service, other advantages will be apparent from the following description.

According to the invention the device consists of the following in accordance with the embodiment of the apparatus and comprises the described components with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:- Figure 2. represents a layout incorporating the manual interface into an Electronic Printer.

Figure 1. shows the documented layout of the Electronic Digital coding Sc for Alpha-numerical characters.

SFigure 3. shows an enlarged perspective view of one system of arranging manual interface component.

f Figure 4A. shows a side elevation of an alternate type of manual interface as an Orbital finger operated key.

Figure 4B. shows the orbital sensor ow areas of the key movement.

Figure 5. shows a perspective view of a graphic mouse fitted with a r finger operated orbital key type manual interface.

Figure 6. shows a peripheral arrangement of the mn~nualinterface canponent.

Figure 7. shows one type of stylus with a telescopic contact point.

Figure 8. shows a schematic diagram of electronic components and circuitry S° Description of Embodiment In broad terms the device will now be described in greater detail 1j with reference to drawings:- The Electronic Digital Coding Language System is shown in Figure 1. of the drawings. This coding system when applied to the manual interface variations shown in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 provides the means of entering matched digital signals for the character selected to pass into the C.P.U. of the word processing procedure as the host or intelligent terminal. The twenty-six letters of the alphabet are code entered by the use of only a small group of foLr fo SAX Sensor areas, such as four as shown. Invention is not confined to this specific arrangement of signals or the precise number of elect--ronic 'Senso-r areas as shown in disclosure.

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This coding only takes a short time for operator to memorize, due to the stroke movements being directed in the normal formed character shapes. The operator does not have to remember banks of numerals or specific shapes as in short hand writing, or the position of characters as in normal keyboard operation. Referring to Figure 1. boxes shown located directly under each character represent the manual interface inpditatfidowocbousing the sensitive or sensitized areas.

These coding areas are shown in box III from which this digital arrangmeent is carried to each individual box representing each separate character with specific digital code shown under each box.

Manual Interface This component is the input station in the form of an orbital key or group of keys or the combination ofbase and stylus or wand. When applied to an electronic printer or typewriter as shown in Figure 2. of drawings, the manual interface and with itselectro-, sensor switching means areas.

form the digital coding areas. Thegensor switching means 4, 6, and 7 of the manual interface provide take-up and spacing functions.

The two units of this interface 2 and 3 act as separate entry area for alphabet and the other for numerals. The stylus or wand operates in conjunction with the panel mounted components and Figure 3.

shows a rather enlarged view of these component and showing the recessed nature of the component with the nib walls surrounding the character input window The spacing and take up contact a.'eas are shown at and The engaging stylus or wand used inconjunction with this panel component is shown at with (14) the light emitting telescopic writing tip and [15] thefinger- 'switch control button.Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of electronic components and circuitry of Interface base component.

Figure 4. shows Finger operated orbital key or joy stick arrangement of manual interface'where A. is a side elevation wherein (16) is the key body (17) the take up button switch (18) the orbital key support bearing (19) the digitizer strobe and (20) the sensor switching means.

zones. Figure 4B shows the range of movement of the orbital key to digitize the various codes where 1, 2, 3 and 4, on the diagonal corners of the guide compartment are the main digital coding areas and 4, 5, 6 and 7 are detent areas controlling character and word spacing.

In Figure 5. a computer graphic mouse (25) is shown with a finger operated orbital key manual interface as in Figure 4. fitted to allow random editing of graphics. Mode switch (23) controls entry function of manual interface key to change from alphabetic to numerals or to other desired inbuilt coding. Any of the known sensing methods could be used to produce the coded digital signals such as, Optical under microprocesseP control, electro-magnetic induction or optic bar code systems, and any of these system will adapt to the operation of the manual interface.

Figure. 6 shows a twin well arrangement of manual interface panel combined with a group of spacing and cursor control contact areas wherein 1. is the electronic sensor area in the form of 4 Photo diode placed at' each corner of character input window. Surrdunding raised nib walls 3. from which extends the slopingwalls housingphotdi ode seonsr. 2 used for mode tasks. The group of spacing and cursor control contact areas 4, i 6 and 7 are in this protrayal located adjacent or within the digitizer well assemblies for ease of operation. 9. can house an editing screen t to hold entry for checking before print out.Figure 7. shows the diagrametrical layout of the electronic stylus operated as the hand held writing means of the Manual Interface assembly wherein 1. is the distal end of the Light tube, 2. is the telescopic light tube, 3. Stylus main body, 4. L.E.D. light source, Frame connection, 6. Connection to contact, 7. Spigot extension of light tube 2, 8. Light tube compression spring, 9. Limiting sleeve, Spring loaded contact cap, 11. Spring, 12. Spring retaining sleeve, 13. Wiring flex, 14. Retaining cap. light tupe 2, sliding within stylus body 3, Spigot 7 of light tube 2 is extended by compression spring 8, Spigot 7 .it of light tube 2 extends through sleeve 9 which acts to retain spring 8 and guide Spigot 7. Spigot 7 of light tube 2 carries a contact on contact cap 10. Contact cap 10 is spring loaded by spring 11, held by retainer sleave 12, against retainer cap 14. Light tube movement is approximately The manual interface allows the operator to produce the characters required to make up a message. Basically these are alpha-numeric characters but rather than providing a multi-key keyboard, it was desired to have a small "writing" area available whereby characters could be "written into" the message system. To assist in this process it was determined that characters should be represented in a coded form and that as far as is practicable, that code should be generated during the course of a sequence of pen strokes which resembles those involved in normally forming that character eg. to form the character C it is possible to consider that the pen strokes are I 3.

If the corners as indicated by the are given numbers eg.

.r ^3 Then to form C involves a sequence

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If the switches are at each of the corners the sequence of switch closures for C is Z1^4-, To enable this pattern of behaviour to be incorporated in an interface, it was suggested that switches should be located at the corners of a shallow square well and that hand held pen or stylus would be used to initiate switch closure.

Prototype Interface The interface could employ any one of a variety of techniques for the switch closure, but for ease of operation and wear characteristics, it was decided to use a LED in the hand held pen and photo diodes at each corner of the "writing pad". Four other diodes were located, one in each wall of the sides of the well and these were used to indicate "end of character". Shovi.L 2t 40 c.Lierruati'vC ta pasitons 4,5.,6 trzd '7.

A drawing of the finished prototype Fig 6. illustrates the arrangement of the "writing pad".

Photo diodes show on-off characteristics similar to a mechanical switch even to the "contact bounce" phenomenon. The outputs of the W A 7.

4, _iphoto diodes were therfore buffered and debounced using the circuit of Fig. This is seen to be a unity gain buffer followed by a Schmitt trigger.

Coding Each character will be formed as a series of pen strokes and as a consequence there will be a pattern or code which represents the character in electrical terms. The manner of the input dictates that the code representing the characters is built up in serial fashion. The final output requires the transmission of all bits of a code in parallel.

Hence there are three distinct stages in the coding process i Coding of the serial input Conversion of the serial form to parallel Conversion of this parallel code to a code corresponding to ASCII code.

Input Coding If four input switches are used, they may be represented uniquely by a two digit binary coded number. Thus closure of tile switches could yield the following codes.

Switch 1 0001 Switch 2 0010 Switch 3 0011 Switch 4 0100 An IC chip, namely a 74LS148 which is a decimal to binary converter, may be used to generate this code. In Figure 8 this chip is located at the top right hand corner. The connections 1, 2, 3, 4 indicate inputs from the diode switches connected to pins 13, 12, 11 and respectively. The output of the chip appears on pins 7 and 9.

Using this arrangement, when the character C is input, a code 0011 0001 0010 0100 would be generated.

However if the character I is input the pen stroke is as shown, the switch closures would be 1-2, and the code 0001 0010 i.e. not only a different code has been generated but also a different length of code.

Similarly the character D may be generated by the series of pen strokes shown giving rise to the sequence t'i 1-o 1 I 3-44 2 and the code 0001 0010 0001 0011 0100 0010 Using a combination of six switch closures (there are 6 used to generate the character D) it is possible to have a code for all of the o, alpha numeric characters plus arithmetic signs and various punctuation marks.

Using the coding scheme for the switches, this means that the maximum length of a sequence is 12 bits.

On inspection of the code shown in Figure i it is seen that most of the characters do not use a sequence of length 6 and those of length 6 can be generated using either switch 1 or 2 as the starting switch of the sequence. Thus the initial bit will be a zero in all cases and as a consequence the sequence can be reduced to 11 bits in length.

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Conversion to Parallel Form Before attempting to convert the input code to a suitable output form, one must wait until all of the input has arrived.

It is convenient to take theoutputs of the decimal to binary converter and connect them to a pair of 8 bit shift registers 74LS164.

The most significant bit (from pin 9) is connected to one shift register and the least significant bit (from pin 7) to the other.

The "shift" of each of these registers is triggered each time one of the corners is contacted. This is achieved by forming the logical or 10 of the debounced inputs and connecting this signal to pin 8 of each shift W 4 register.

In this way, upon each switch closure a new bit enters each shift r t register and the previous contents are shifted by one bit position to it the left.

When an end of character is indicated all the most significant bits of the sequence are in one shift register which will contain no more than 5 bits of information and all the least significant bits will be in the second shift register with 6 bits being significant.

t4, On receipt of the end of character (EOC) signal, the contents of 20 the shift registers are transferred in parallel to a pair of latches 74LS374 Sfrom where they may be decoded. At the same time the shift registers are reset to 0 0 00 0 0 0.

Decoding The latches now contain an 11 bit code uniquely representing the input characters. It is required to convert this into the ASCII code which also provides a unique representation of the characters.

Whilst this may be done using appropriate logic elements, the most elegant solution is provided through the use of a programmable memory chip (an EPROM). This chip can be programmed to suit the user's requirements and through a set of equivalence tables the conversions can be made.

j t1v d~I The output of the EPROM is now converted from parallel to serial form for transmission through a standard serial interface part of a personal computer. This is done in chip LS74166.

Additional Features The use of capital letters is an obvious requirement on a alphanumeric system. On inspection of the table showing the ASCII character set code it is noted that: A is 41 a is 61 Similarly N is 4E n is 6E t h rl where the number equivalent of the code is in hexidecimal.

In binary form 0100 0110 0100 0110 0001 0001 1110 1110 rrr r "r o In each of these examples, it is noted that lower case and upper case letters have identical codes except for the third most significant bit. Hence the existing code can be extended to provide capitals as well as lower case simply through the addition of a switch. This switch has input directly to the latch and the appropriate output can bypass the EPROM and be added into the parallel to serial converter.

Timing To enable communication between this device and other equipment timing pulses must be available A 555 timer IC was used to generate clock pulses suitable for 300 band communication. An IC, 74121 which is a "one shot" was used to take the end of character (EOC) signal and enable the clock to be applied to the output chip,74166 which converts the parallel ASCII coded characters into serial information.

Some timing problems may occur with this and it was found prudent to beginF transmission on the third clock pulse and use the second clock pulse to transmit a "start" bit.

The output of the 74166 was passed through another IC chipa 1488 which changed the logic levels into the voltage levels compatable with RS232 specifications.

A manual mode switching means may be incorporated adjacent to the digitizing well to provide a change-over switching means to allow a variety of coding languages to be used through the same character input window sensor switching means,where-by numerals or punctuation may be entered i inplace of the alphabetical characters.

Sth Alternatively mpre than one digitizing well may be incorporated in the one device to allow greater variation of language coding entry.

SMode switching means would provide a set of different coding values to the output signals of the sensor switching means located within the I confines of the character window of the digitizing well.

t Due to the use of a specially formulated digital coding language, t 20. all characters are hand written into the message system in a coded format whereby the code is generated during the course of sequences of stylus I' o strokes as dictated by the entry fotmat of the coding language Said stylus strokes closely resemble those involved in normally formed hand written characters.

Hand held electronic stylus may use any of a variety of output signal generators such as those producing a magnetic feild whereby the receiver end of the apparatus in the form of a digitizing well would require a induction sensor switching means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION IS AS FOLLOWS: T:he invention is portrayed as a manual interface for the production and recognition of manually written alpha-numeric characters combined with the use of a easily memorized "Electronic Digital Coding Language" The imput receiving side of the device is composed of at least one digitizing well of dimensional form such as a trapezoidal, whereby the inward sloping adjacent walls house an array of specifically placed electronic sensor means arranged to perform mode tasks such as "end of c character "erasure", movement of spacing", and "setting out of outi 1O.-put data" Base surface of digitizing well is formed as a flat surface as the "character input window", housing second array of specifically placed electronic sensor switching means, to receive the input signals from the strokes of the stylus Sensor switching means may be performed by a variety kB of known devices such as "optodetectors, photodiode switching means com- -patable to electromagnetic radiation signals, such as infra red rays Sgenerated by light emitting diodes [LEDJ. A preferred arrangement would use four LEDs, one placed in each corner of the character input window.

Alternatively induction sensors compatable to magnetic field signals i 20.r2ay be used, other option are conventional mechanical switching means.

i Signals received by the "sensor switching means", of the chacacter input window from strokes of the hand held stylus provide a "series input", of switch closures to the "CPU" of the microprocessor component of the manual interface base component. Resultant output signal from the micropro- -cessor is electronically transferred as a series of digitized signals, as ASCII," which may be used to drive an electronic printer computer, rfl command station for the control of robotics, locking devices ,or other signal dependant appalatus.

Hand held electronic stylus writing component of the device may be with a central body portion having a switching means coupled to a energy signal generating and sending means compatable with the array of electronic sensor switching means specifically located within the confines of the "character input window", of the digitizing well. Said switching means of hand held stylus is responsive to the slidable telescopic tip component located centrally within the tapered first end of the stylus body.

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Centrally located within said slidable telescopic tip component is the signal generating andnsending means such as a LED.

Hand held electronic stylus emits this specific output signal on pressure contact with the surface of the character input window whereby the signal is maintained while ever the telescopic tip remains depressed, thereby actuating switching means controlling the energy signal generating and sending means housed within the slidable tip component.

Electronic componentry of stylus is electrically connected to the circuitry of the base mounted interface base component by a flexible lead means. A raised nib wall formed around the edge of the character input window provides an efficient stylus guiding means to allow easy and V precise location of the specifically placed electronic sensor means array.

Positive switching occurs in these sensors as the required code is entered by a series of strokes with the hand held stylus.

The electronic sensor switching means provide a series of switch i closures which detect the position of the hand held writing stylus on the surface of the character input window. Signals electronically pass as a series input to the programmable memory chip of the microprocessor component to be transcribed to a recognizable code compatable to signal driven apparatus.

As each entry is made, the timer built into the electronic circuitry automatically actuates take-up of each entry to be processed by the programmable chip to drive the output to form words or other tasks, which in the case of word processing devices, the entry appears on the monitor, t S when used with a personal computer, or as a print out when applied to an ,j electronic printer. Word processing or immediate spacing is controlled by contacting the electronic sensor switching areas of the wellsurround with the stylus. Other ways may be arranged of operating this sequence and the foregoing is only one way of performing the device.

To those skilled in the art to which this invention relates:many changes in construction, design and widely differing embodiments and application will suggest themselves without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the disclosures here in are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting or being restricted to a precise form.

ARURG. YARRINGTON.

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ABSTRACT

[57] TITLE: MANUAL INTERFACE COMBINED WITH THE USE OF ELECTRONIC DIGITAL CHARACTER CODING SYSTEM.

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C 4 I 44 The invention is portrayed as a manual interface for the production and recognition of manually written alpha-numeric characters combined with the use of a easily memorized "Electronic Digital Coding Language" The input receiving side of the device is composed of at least one digitizing well of dimensional form as'a trapezoidal, whereby the inward sloping walls house an array of specifically placed electronic sensor means arranged to perform mode tasks such as "end of character", "erasure", "movement of spacing", and "setting out of output data".

Flat base area of well is formed as the input character window, housing an array of electronic sensor means to detect the position of the strokes of the hand-held electronic stylus to provide a series of switch closures to drive signal dependant apparatus such as electric printers, computers, command station for the control of robotics.

Conversion of the code produced into ASCII is acheived through the use of a programmable memory chip in the CPU. ofthe microprocessor.

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Claims (2)

16. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A manual interface for the production and recognition of manually written alpha-numerical characters combined with the use of an "Electronic Digital Coding Laanguage" comprising, I at least one digitizing well of trapezoidal form -equipped with an array of specifically placed sensor switching means placed in adjacent walls, -having a base surface which forms a character input window, ihaving a second array of specifically placed electronic sensor switching means and -having a raised nib wall surrounding the base surface to contain 0 (O 0 l movement of a hand held electronic stylus; a hand held electronic stylus a° -equipped with a signal generating and sending means connected by electric o 0 circuitry to circuitry of a base mounted manual interface component and 00 0 compatable with the electronic sensor switching means,and 00o° -equipped with a telescopic tip housing the signal generating and sending o0 means centrally within a slidable tip component which incorporates a 0 000 S switching means controlling the "on-off" state of the signal generating and sending means, electronic circuitry of a base mounted manual interface component 'including a microprocessor, said microprocessor being equipped with a I t programmable memory chip,-to process "series input coding" generated by switch closures of the sensor switching means of 'the digitizing well, 2. to produce a resultant code in ASCII, and a mode switching means incorporated adjacent to the digitizing well. Ct 2. A manual interface as in claim I whereby the hand held electronic stylus incorporates a slidable telescopic tip component which when placed in contact -with the surface of the character input window causes the slidable tip component to retract within the housing of the stylus body portion to actuate a switching means to energize a centrally located light emitting diode to provide the energy signal

17. 3. A manual interface as in claim 1 whereby the hand held electronic i stylus incorporates a a slidable telescopic tip component which when placed in contact with the surface of the character input window causes the slid- -able tip component to retract within the housing of the stylus body portion to actuate a switching means to energize a centrally located magnetic field signal generating and sending means compatable with induction sensor switching means located within the confines of the digitizing well. 4. A manual interface as in claim 1 whereby the sensor switching means located in the character input window are positioned as four photodiodes ;located in the character input window corners. A manual interface as in claim 1 whereby the sensor switching means S 4 located within the confinesof the digitizing well have a electromagnetic radiation sensor switching means. 6. A manual interface as in claim 1 whereby the sensor switching means 4 9 9 incorporated in the sloping sides formed around the character input window S perform mode tasks related to "end of character", "erasure", "movement of spacing", and "setting out of output data",. 7. A manual interface as in claim 1 whereby a mode switching means placed adjacent to the digitizing well provides a change-over switching I n means of character input window sensor switching means thereby allowing S n entry of a variety of coding language related to alphabetical,numerical and punctuation to be used. 8. A manual interface as in claim 1 whereby more than one digitizing o wells are incorporated ,placed adjacent to each other to allow greater S variation of coding entry. 0a 9. A manual interface as described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings. 17. Dated this A ZS 1~44 1990. ARTHUR G RGE YARRINGTON Signed. a