Virtual workstation

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention there is provided devices and methods for controlling a microprocessor controlled device in a virtual environment through the use of at least one sensor disposed at least one user's finger and a scanner, said sensor and scanner being utilized to input position data, the method comprising the steps of: loading an operating system in a computing environment; displaying a virtual keyboard and a virtual pointing device on a display device; initializing coordinates defining individual keys of said keyboard; initializing coordinates defining a location of said pointing device in relation to the keyboard; monitoring the position of at least one sensor disposed on a user's finger; determining if sensor movement correlates to depression of a key on the keyboard and providing feedback to the user to indicate that a key was depressed on the keyboard; transmitting data correlating to the depression of the key; and returning to the monitoring step.

1 . (canceled) 
   
   
       2 . A method for controlling a microprocessor-based system, the method comprising:
 receiving data generated from movement that interacts with a substantially horizontal surface;   calculating coordinates of the movement relative to the surface;   using the coordinates to determine an input;   controlling the microprocessor-based system using the input; and   displaying at least one output on a display based on the controlling of the microprocessor.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein receiving data generated from movement that interacts with the surface comprises determining at least one movement that physically contacts the surface. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein receiving data generated from movement that interacts with the surface comprises only receiving data generated from movement that physically contacts the surface. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein receiving data generated from movement that interacts with the surface comprises simultaneously receiving a plurality of data generated from movements that interact with the surface. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the surface comprises the display. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising transmitting at least one signal from at least one transmitter, wherein receiving data generated from movement that interacts with the surface comprises receiving data generated from movement that interacts with the at least one signal. 
   
   
       8 . A method for controlling a microprocessor-based system, the method comprising:
 transmitting at least one signal from at least one transmitter;   simultaneously receiving a plurality of data generated from movements that interact with the at least one signal;   calculating coordinates of the movement relative to a display;   using the coordinates to determine an input;   controlling the microprocessor-based system using the input; and   displaying at least one output on the display based on the controlling of the microprocessor.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein transmitting the at least one signal comprises transmitting at least one of an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal and an acoustical signal. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein simultaneously receiving a plurality of data generated from movements that interact with the at least one signal comprises receiving a plurality of data generated from movements that interact with a substantially horizontal surface. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the surface comprises the display. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein simultaneously receiving a plurality of data generated from movements that interact with the at least one signal comprises only receiving data generated from movements that physically contact the surface. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the surface comprises the display. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein transmitting the at least one signal comprises transmitting within a range of about zero to three feet relative to the surface. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein transmitting the at least one signal comprises transmitting within a field of view of about zero to 180 degrees relative to the surface. 
   
   
       16 . A microprocessor-based system, comprising:
 an output device configured to transmit at least one signal;   an input device configured to simultaneously generate a plurality of data in response to movements that interact with the at least one signal;   a display device, at least one of the output device and the input device being associated with the display device such that the interaction with the at least one signal is relative to the display device; and   a processor in communication with at least the input device and the display device, the processor being configured to be controlled by the data generated by the input device and to cause the display device to display at least one output based on the control of the microprocessor.   
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the input device is configured to simultaneously generate a plurality of data in response to movements that interact with the at least one signal and with a substantially horizontal surface. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the surface comprises the display. 
   
   
       19 . A microprocessor-based system, comprising:
 an input device configured to generate data in response to movement that interacts with a substantially horizontal surface;   a display device associated with the input device;   a processor in communication with at least the input device and the display device, the processor being configured to be controlled by the data generated by the input device and to cause the display device to display at least one output based on the control of the microprocessor.   
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the input device configured to simultaneously generate a plurality of data in response to movements that interact with the surface. 
   
   
       21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the surface comprises the display.