Spherical Touch Sensors and Signal/Power Architectures for Trackballs, Globes, Displays, and Other Applications
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a spherically-shaped user interface device comprising a tactile sensing arrangement for at least generating tactile sensing measurements in response to tactile input on a spherically-shaped surface and a processor for processing the tactile sensing measurements and producing user interface signals responsive to user touch. The tactile sensing can use capacitive or optical methods employing, for example a spherically-arranged array of Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs). Employing high resolution and lensless imaging, the latter arrangement can provide a range of additional valuable functions, such as operation as a fingerprint sensor. lensless camera, and 3-space hand gesture detector. The device can be used as a trackball, interactive globe, and many other applications.
1 . A system for implementing a user interface comprising a spherically-shaped touch surface, the system comprising:
a spherically-shaped tactile sensing arrangement for generating tactile sensing measurements in response to tactile input on a spherically-shaped surface; and
a processor for receiving the tactile sensing measurements and executing instructions to:
process the tactile sensing measurements,
recognize at least one user interface event responsive to the tactile sensing measurements,
generate user interface output signals responsive to the recognition event,
wherein the system produces user interface output signals responsive to user touch.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a measurement signal transmission arrangement for transmitting the tactile sensing measurements to the processor.
3 . The system of claim 2 wherein the signal transmission arrangement comprises an optical transmitter arrangement and an optical receiver arrangement.
4 . The system of claim 2 wherein the signal transmission arrangement comprises an inductive transmitter arrangement and an inductive receiver arrangement.
5 . The system of claim 2 wherein the signal transmission arrangement comprises an electric circuit.
6 . The system of claim 2 wherein the signal transmission arrangement comprises a radio link.
7 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a user interface signal transmission arrangement for transmitting the user interface output signals from the processor.
8 . The system of claim 7 wherein the signal transmission arrangement comprises an optical transmitter arrangement and an optical receiver arrangement.
9 . The system of claim 7 wherein the signal transmission arrangement comprises an inductive transmitter arrangement and an inductive receiver arrangement.
10 . The system of claim 7 wherein the signal transmission arrangement comprises an electric circuit.
11 . The system of claim 7 wherein the signal transmission arrangement comprises a radio link.
12 . The system of claim 1 wherein the tactile sensing arrangement comprises a capacitive matrix.
13 . The system of claim 1 wherein the tactile sensing arrangement comprises an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs).
14 . The system of claim 13 wherein the light emitting diodes (LEDs) are organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs).
15 . The system of claim 13 wherein the tactile sensing arrangement is further configured to operate as a lensless camera.
16 . The system of claim 13 wherein the tactile sensing arrangement is further configured to operate as a fingerprint sensor.
17 . The system of claim 13 wherein the tactile sensing arrangement is further configured to operate as a 3-space hand gesture user interface.
18 . The system of claim 1 wherein the system is configured to recognize at least one touch gesture.
19 . The system of claim 1 wherein the system is configured to recognize at least one touch location.
20 . The system of claim 1 wherein the system is configured to recognize multi-touch.