Hand-worn data input device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hand worn data input device, wearable on only a single hand, for inputting data into an electrical / computer device by means of reading and interpreting, via electromagnetic sensors, static / dynamic user input gestures between digits, other parts of the hand, and other hand worn components of the data input device relative to one another, wherein the sensing unit is configured to be placed on / near a specific spot / area of ​​the hand and is provided with fixing, insulating, and / or electromagnetic shielding means, wherein the data input device comprises at least one energy unit, at least one fingertip sensing unit worn on the thumb, at least one body contact sensing unit, at least one signal / data connection unit, and at least one data input connection unit, and wherein when multiple fingertip sensing units are worn, they are uniquely identified and simultaneous multi-channeled electromagnetic coupling between said fingertip sensing units and other sensing units is possible.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hand worn data input device, in particular to a one-hand worn device for inputting different types of data into a client electronic or computer device via an electromagnetic sensor by means of reading and interpreting different static or dynamic gestures made between the thumb, which is essentially handled by parts of the claimed device, and the remaining skin or nail of the digits (fingers) of the same hand, or other worn parts of the claimed device.

[0002] The device has the potential to replace / integrate with current possible input interface devices (keyboard, mouse, keypad, touch screen, touchpad, etc.) and offers a number of important advantages: Improved health and safety (because it eliminates the need to touch any hand-worn interface elements, thus preventing / minimizing the risk of spreading / infecting bacteria and viruses, especially during illness periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic) Wearable and portable (for ease of use, minimal volume, compactness, etc.) Suitable for one-handed users and those with one hand impairment (because they only use one hand) Suitability for slightly limited and disabled users (because it reads and interprets user input gestures that are performed and learned without having to look at the hands) Suitability in certain dangerous or inconvenient environments (since operation is not affected by occlusion or lighting conditions) Cost reduction linked to device simplification (since several different interface devices are unified into a single one) Optimizing for screen size (to eliminate the need to have an on-screen keyboard on computing devices such as mobile devices) wide applicability (because its richness of input possibilities can cover any language and any large set of characters and commands), and Unique user customization (because it can be used as a biometric authentication and secure access system) [Background technology]

[0003] Although several new wearable data entry solutions attempt to overcome the current complexity and cumbersome shortcomings of widely used data interface devices such as keyboards, mice, and touch screens, they have only been partially, poorly, or indeed inconveniently successful. Indeed, most of these new solutions raw These imply some new drawbacks such as cancellation of the skin touch capacity, poor fit, weight, complexity of use, limited operation (e.g., affected by occlusion), lack of richness of interaction (e.g., limited code width), unreliable reading, limited environmental factors, or dependence on additional external factors. Below are some of these unsuccessful or partially successful inventions:

[0004] US2016259408A1 discloses a complex data input device comprising a glove interface object with outward-facing sensors (with sensing conductive pads that do not contact the skin of the hand) combined with a head-mounted display, which needs to be attached not only to one hand (occluding the entire skin surface with a glove-like device), but also to one's eyes and head area.

[0005] US2013169420A1 discloses an outwardly oriented electrical control glove with no body contact sensors located on different spots on the outer surface of the glove covering the fingers to enable detection of basic hand gestures using a conductive pad on the thumb to act as a gesture selector but touching conductive pads on the digits. US20070132722 and US6141643A disclose a one-handed data input device entirely contained within a glove-type fabric that covers the entire hand.

[0006] US2010220054A1 discloses a ring-like data input wearable device configured to be worn on the thumb, comprising an adjacent pair of ring-shaped single electrodes that generate skin contact for current-facilitating sensing of the skin. WO2009024971 also discloses a single-finger ring-type data input device that is essentially based on mechanical sensor technology, in which user actions and gestures are identified through mechanical sensing of relative rotation and position between static and rotating sections provided within the device.

[0007] US20120139708 discloses a one or two hand device for tracking finger and hand gestures that is essentially based on RFID technology, where the signals used are in the range of 700-1000MHz, where the signal detection unit is a passive RFID tag attached to the terminal segment of the finger via a ring or stripe, and where the signal emitting unit is an RFID element attached to another part of the body via clothing, for example a belt or sleeve.

[0008] US2011187637 is a one-handed tactile input device basically based on capacitive sensing technology, where the sensing unit is a tactile capacitive sensor attached to a ring-shaped element attached to the end segments of digits 2-5.

[0009] US7109970B1 discloses a data input device that uses a combination of voice commands and finger movements using a plurality of finger-shaped sleeves equipped with at least touch-sensitive elements and microphones, where the receiving units of all the touch-sensitive elements are exterior.

[0010] US6380923B1 basically discloses a wearable data input device based on shock sensing technology, where user actions are performed via finger rests on a physical surface, and where sensors are shock sensors such as accelerometers and are supported on ring-shaped elements worn on all fingers.

[0011] US20120319940 discloses a two-hand multi-finger data input device essentially based on acceleration sensing technology, where sensors are attached to ring-shaped elements that can be attached to adjacent segments of the fingers.

[0012] US8743052B1 and US20150185852A1 disclose a ring-shaped thumb-worn data input device that is basically based on acceleration sensing technology (not capacitance sensing technology), where the main sensor is a single accelerometer attached to the user's thumb.

[0013] US20100156783 discloses a one-handed data input device supported by a partial hand covering garment that is essentially based on surface contact sensing technology. Similarly, US7839383B2 discloses a partial glove type device that does not cover all fingers.

[0014] US20040263473 discloses a one-handed data input device that detects motion essentially by means of photography and image recognition technology, where the device comprises a bracelet with a finger-worn ring-shaped element that includes a camera and a motion sensor.

[0015] Many novel manual systems for data entry, based on or not based on the above patents, have been presented through various scientific journals. However, none of them have realized a reliable, convenient, non-occlusive, one-hand wearable data entry solution. Below, we will discuss some of these disclosures and their basic shortcomings: 'SkinTrack', 'Abracadabra', 'SkinPut', 'iSkin', 'Omnitouch' and 'HoverFlow' are now recognized as two-handed rather than one-handed. 'Kitty', 'DigiTouch' and 'FJG Wearable Keypad' are based on gloves that can be worn with one hand but cover most of the skin on the hand. LightRing, SmartFinger, CyclopsRing, PickRing, PinchWatch, FingerInput and TypingRing are wearable glove-based single-hand / single-wrist devices, but are significantly limited in their functionality due to the use of only a single ring or wristband, and / or being primarily based on sensing user input gestures via infrared proximity / depth sensors, cameras, gyroscopes, accelerometers, and / or the need for additional elements, such as an external surface or hand / wrist attachment. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0016] In contrast to the above-referenced prior art, the present invention has several fundamental advantages which are synthesized as follows: minimal occlusion of only one hand, through the fingertip sensing unit and the body contact sensing unit. raw and electromagnetic sensing to identify contact between the user's skin and multiple electromagnetically distinct sensing units on the thumb selector to provide multiple channels of interaction.

[0017] By means of the present invention, not only are many of the common shortcomings of currently widely used interface systems overcome, but many of the advantages associated with a new, state-of-the-art wearable data entry system and method are provided. Moreover, the present invention potentially represents a valuable, revolutionary contribution to technology for a large number of users because of the significant improvements in simplicity, speed, and freedom of operation it offers to those users who interact with personal electronic devices every day.

[0018] (Object of the invention) In view of the above-mentioned prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for human-computer interaction via hand movements.

[0019] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device that is suitable for use with one hand of a user.

[0020] A further object of the present invention is to provide a device that is essentially based on contact (touch / proximity) sensing technology.

[0021] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device that detects and processes user input gestures that involve physical contact between the thumb and other digits (fingers) of the same hand, all with minimal manipulation.

[0022] A further object of the present invention is to provide a device that is essentially based on electromagnetic sensing technology. [Means for solving the problem]

[0023] At least some of the above objects are solved by the device of claim 1. Advantageous configurations and further aspects of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0024] For the purposes of summarizing and describing the present invention, some assumptions and clarifications of terminology are made: The device is described as being worn in the operating position. "Attachment" of a device or an element thereof is understood in its broadest sense and is the same as "delivery", and thus includes delivery of an element as an implant component in the skin or nail, for example. "Skin" is used in reference to "tissue of the human body" and includes not only skin but also nail tissue and any external or internal tissue of the human body. "Detect" is to be construed broadly and includes actions / activities that are close, similar and / or closely related, such as reading, measuring, detecting or identifying. "Electromagnetic" is interpreted in a broad sense, which relates to any phenomenon of electromagnetics related to magnetism, as well as electromagnetic fields / circuits. "Electromagnetic sensor" is to be interpreted broadly and includes any sensing technology related to electromagnetic reduction, such as capacitive (or capacitance) sensing, inductive sensing or simple current / capacitive sensing. A "sensing unit" is all or part of an electromagnetic sensor, such as capacitive / capacitive sensing, inductive sensing or electrical sensing. "Conductive terminal" is to be interpreted broadly and includes any component made of conductive material for holding, receiving or transmitting electromagnetic energy, such as a conductive pad, conductive plate, electrode, etc., and may have any shape, such as a plate, pad, pin, ring, coil, mesh, etc. "Electromagnetic coupling" is interpreted broadly and refers to the electromagnetic matching (possible transfer of electromagnetic energy) between two media that are mutually affected by the same electromagnetic field or circuit. Electromagnetically coupled sensing units having conductive terminals suitably configured and positioned within the electromagnetic field / circuit in which they participate can sense and measure changes in the quantity and quality of material acting as an insulator within said electromagnetic field / circuit and / or changes in the distance between conductive terminals participating in the same electromagnetic field / circuit. When the sensing units are coupled, one or more of them contain the necessary means to create / generate and shape the electromagnetic signals used in their sensing function (e.g., an oscillator circuit). "Electromagnetic signal" is interpreted broadly, referring to information from electrostatic circuits (e.g., electrical potential, current strength, resistance, conductance, etc.) as well as from electromagnetic radiation (e.g., wave amplitude, wavelength, frequency, capacitance, etc.). User input gestures consist of actions in which parts of the hand and / or elements of the device participate, leading to or executing static positions (chords or separate gestures) and / or dynamic movements (or dynamic gestures). User static and dynamic touch or touch actions refer not only to physical touch interactions, but also to proximity, near touch, or near touch physical / electromagnetic interactions. "Change" is interpreted broadly, and refers not only to change but also to difference or being different.

[0025] The solution, in a first form, includes a data input device for inputting data into a client electronic or computer device, the data input device configured to be worn by a user on a single hand only, i.e., on the thumb (referenced as first digit or first finger of the hand) and over at least one of the second, third, fourth and fifth digits (referenced as digits 2-5, fingers 2-5), or over at least one of the first, second, third and fourth interdigit areas of the hand (referenced as interdigits 1-4).

[0026] Data input for the client device (output of the data input device) reads and interprets user input gestures, which consist of the positions and movements between digits, other parts of the hand, and components of the hand-worn data input device relative to one another.

[0027] Most hand positions and movements of a user manipulating a data input device involve interactions between the thumb and other digits of the same hand that wear elements of the device.

[0028] User input gestures are classified as static gestures (static hand / finger positions, also referred to as chord or discrete gestures), dynamic gestures (dynamic hand / finger interactions, also referred to as continuous gestures), or a combination thereof. Dynamic gestures include various motion actions, such as proximity, pressing, and sliding actions, as well as any actions performed to reach a static gesture.

[0029] Reading and interpreting user input gestures is essentially achieved via an electromagnetic sensor, which detects changes in information read from an electromagnetic field / circuit in which the detection unit (all / part of the electromagnetic sensor) participates, and where, when a user input gesture is performed, the electromagnetically coupled conductive terminals of the detection unit change distance from each other and / or the amount or quality of insulating material (e.g., air or human body tissue) separating them from each other changes.

[0030] The electromagnetic sensor of the device is implemented by a sensing unit configured to be placed on / close to a particular spot / area of ​​the hand.

[0031] The sensing units are fingertip sensing units and non-fingertip sensing units: Fingertip sensing unit refers to a sensing unit that is instrumented or configured with conductive terminals attached to the terminal segments of the digits or areas adjacent thereto; A non-fingertip sensing unit refers to a sensing unit that is configured or equipped with conductive terminals that are attached to parts of the hand other than those to which the conductive terminals of the fingertip sensing unit are attached.

[0032] In a first form, the data input device comprises: At least one energy unit for providing the energy used by the data input devices (to generate, transform, and transfer the power required by all data input devices); At least one fingertip sensing unit attached to the thumb; at least one body-contacting touch sensing unit attached to a non-thumb digit or interdigit and configured to sense electromagnetic coupling, the touch sensing unit having a conductive terminal in contact with human body tissue, wherein the human body tissue acts as an insulator; at least one processing unit for processing information from the electromagnetic couplings sensed by the sensing unit (to perform tasks such as scanning, cleaning, transforming, processing, and storing information from the electromagnetic sensors) and generating data inputs to be sent to said client device; at least one energy connection unit for transmitting power (wirelessly or by wire) from an energy unit to other components of the data input device; at least one signal / data connection unit (wireless or wired) connecting the detection unit and the processing unit; At least one data input connection unit for connecting (wirelessly or wired) the processing unit with the client device.

[0033] The data entry device further includes various optional auxiliary components.

[0034] Each fingertip detection unit further includes: at least one outwardly oriented conductive terminal configured to avoid direct contact with human body tissue (configured to facilitate use of the fingertip sensing unit as a contact selector); insulating and / or electromagnetic shielding (or guarding) means (e.g. to prevent or reduce electromagnetic coupling between the fingertip sensing unit and the tissue of the person's body that supports this fingertip sensing unit, or to improve coupling between the fingertip sensing unit and other sensing units); - A fixing means for fixing and supporting the fingertip detection unit and ensuring that all or part of it can be detachably attached is provided.

[0035] In a more preferred first embodiment, two or more fingertip sensing units are attached to the same or different digits, and the electromagnetic signals used by the fingertip sensing units are generated with different frequencies and / or different characteristics, so as to enable unique identification of each individual fingertip sensing unit when participating in a user input gesture and to facilitate simultaneous multi-channeled electromagnetic coupling between the fingertip sensing unit and other sensing units. This feature of multi-channeled electromagnetic interaction / communication allows for complete separation of the physical participation of different fingertip sensing units in the same user input gesture, whether as a static gesture, a dynamic gesture, or a combination thereof, if necessary.

[0036] In a further embodiment, the data input device further comprises one or more sensing units attached to the interdigits or non-thumb digits (digits 2-5) and not attached to the fingertips, referred to as non-fingertip sensing units, which may be body contact sensing units and / or conductive contact sensing units.

[0037] As described above, the body contact sensing unit (at least one of which is provided in the data input device) is configured to use an electromagnetic sensor through the tissue of a person's body, and is a non-fingertip sensing unit attached to digits 2-5 or interdigits 1-4 (preferably on adjacent segments of the digits or interdigits) and having conductive terminals that contact the tissue of a person's body (when in the operating position).

[0038] In contrast, a conductive contact sensing unit has outwardly oriented conductive terminals that do not contact human body tissue and is configured to sense electromagnetic coupling, where air or air volume acts as an insulator.

[0039] When the conductive terminals of a conductive contact sensing unit are brought into direct contact with the conductive terminals of a fingertip sensing unit (electromagnetic coupling between the conductive material with air acting as an insulator between them or human body tissue), the conductive contact sensing unit detects a change in an electromagnetic signal (e.g., a difference in electrostatic potential energy) associated with the fingertip sensing unit and the electrical circuit in which the conductive contact sensing unit participates.

[0040] When a conductive terminal of a conductive touch sensing unit approaches a conductive terminal of a fingertip sensing unit (electromagnetic coupling between the conductive materials with at least some air acting as an insulator between them), the conductive touch sensing unit senses a change in an electromagnetic signal (e.g., capacitance) associated with the fingertip sensing unit and the electromagnetic field / circuit in which the conductive touch sensing unit participates.

[0041] In a further aspect, the conductive terminals of the conductive contact sensing unit are configured for placement near the palm and / or radial side of adjacent segments of the digits.

[0042] Each body contact detection unit is at least one conductive terminal configured to contact human body tissue; Insulating and / or electromagnetic sealing means, A fixing means for fixing and supporting the body contact detection unit and ensuring that all or part of it is detachably attached is provided.

[0043] In addition, each conductive contact detection unit is At least one conductive terminal configured not to contact human body tissue; Insulating and / or electromagnetic sealing means, - Fixing means for fixing and supporting the conductive contact detection unit and ensuring its detachable attachment in whole or in part.

[0044] The body contact sensing unit comprises a conductive terminal, a fixing means, an insulating means, and an electromagnetic shielding / guiding means configured to ensure and optimize the detection of electromagnetic coupling through human body tissue (e.g., preventing / minimizing possible interference from non-skin contact). Conversely, the conductive contact sensing unit comprises a conductive terminal, a fixing means, an insulating means, and an electromagnetic shielding / guiding means configured to ensure and optimize the detection of electromagnetic coupling accurately through air movement (approaching action from the fingertip sensing unit) or through no amount of insulation (during direct contact with the fingertip sensing unit) without through human body tissue.

[0045] When one or more fingertip sensing units are attached to the same digit, the fingertip sensing units are combined into a set of elements with a common support, which is referred to as a fingertip set. Meanwhile, when one or more non-fingertip sensing units are attached to the same digit, the non-fingertip sensing units are combined into a set of elements with a common support, which is referred to as a digit set.

[0046] Here, when one or more non-fingertip sensing units are attached to the same interdigit, the non-fingertip sensing units are combined into a set of elements having a common support, which set of elements is referred to as an interdigit set.

[0047] In the illustrated form, the support for a set of fingertips exhibits a shape essentially constituted by a hood-like element fitted over the digits that wholly / partially covers or wraps the fingertips and / or other parts of the skin surface.

[0048] In another exemplary embodiment, the support for a set of fingertips has a shape essentially comprised of a circular ring configured to be worn over digits that partially cover or occlude the skin surface. In another version of this exemplary embodiment, the support is a hybrid combination of a ring support and a hood support, as it includes a hood-like element attached to the ring-like element and configured to be worn over or over digits that fully / partially cover or wrap the fingertips.

[0049] In another exemplary embodiment, the fingertip set support has a small auxiliary component that is fixedly attached to the user's fingernail and is easily attachable / detachable to / from the digit by means such as an attachment mechanism that allows easy engagement / disengagement.

[0050] In a further embodiment, the support for the set of fingertips comprises artificial nails that complement, extend, or replace the user's fingertips and are integrated with at least one fingertip sensing unit.

[0051] In a further embodiment, the fingertip set support comprises partial implantation of at least one fingertip sensing unit within the human body tissue at the user's fingertips, with the outwardly oriented conductive terminals of the fingertip sensing unit facing outwards and against the skin.

[0052] In a further embodiment, the support for the fingertip set comprises: the circular ring-like element combined with a hood-like element; - the circular ring-like element combined with the fingernail attachment mechanism, etc. the circular ring-like element to be combined with the artificial nail; - the circular ring-like elements combined into a partial implant.

[0053] Furthermore, in a more preferred form, the support for the digit set is in the form of a fully / partially circular ring-like element configured to fit over adjacent segments of the digits.

[0054] In another version of the above preferred embodiment, the digit set support exhibits adjustment components / adjustments to allow rotational and / or translational adjustment of the supported non-fingertip sensing units to their particular mounting / operating positions.

[0055] In another version of the above form, the support for the interdigit set exhibits a shape comprising a combination of a hook-like shape configured to fit over the interdigit and two partially circular ring-like shapes configured to fit over adjacent segments of digits adjacent to the interdigit.

[0056] In a further version of the above embodiment, the support for the interdigit set comprises a movable joint that allows an articulated connection between two parts of the support, the movable joint being configured to prevent separation and / or proximity of the two connected parts of the support from each other while maintaining their connection via the movable joint. To improve wearability and facilitate proper contact of the support body contact detection unit to the digit person's body tissue, different configurations are contemplated for causing proximity and / or separation from each of the two jointly connected parts of the support while maintaining their connection via the movable joint, for example via specific shapes and / or materials of the parts, and / or via an additional simple pressure mechanism such as a spring mechanism.

[0057] In a further preferred form, at least one digit set or one interdigit set is provided with a non-fingertip set contact detector for detecting contact with said at least one set intervening and without the intervening fingertip sensing unit.

[0058] The non-fingertip-set contact detector is a sensor-like component that can distinguish interactions between adjacently attached non-fingertip sets, and / or between a non-fingertip set and an adjacent digit, and / or between parts of the same interdigit set. Contacts where the non-fingertip-sensing unit participates and the fingertip-sensing unit does not interfere are referred to as non-fingertip-set contacts. Detection of these contacts, which are essentially binary (touch or no touch), can be achieved using similar electromagnetic sensors with the aid of the data input device or auxiliary elements. For example, to detect contact between adjacently attached non-fingertip sets, the elements are configured to be positioned facing each other, one near the ulnar side of the digit to which one non-fingertip set is attached and the other near the radial side of the nearest digit to which the other non-fingertip set is attached.

[0059] In a further possible form, adjacent digit or inter-digit sets are connected to each other by means of flexible bridge elements. Such bridge elements, referred to as bridges, have various purposes, such as for example facilitating the manipulation of non-fingertip sets and reducing the number and length of signal / data connection units.

[0060] In a further preferred embodiment, the conductive terminals of the conductive contact sensing units are configured for placement near the palm and / or radial side of the adjacent segment of the digit, and in a further preferred embodiment, there are two conductive contact sensing units attached to the same digit, one configured for attachment near the palm side of the adjacent segment of that digit and the other configured for attachment near the radial side of the adjacent segment of that digit.

[0061] In a further preferred form, the data input device comprises a bracelet-type component that is worn on the wrist of the hand and is configured to facilitate temporary hosting of all or part of the components of the data input device, this wrist-worn bracelet-type component being referred to as a bracelet and hosting elements of the data input device that do not need to be permanently worn on the digit or interdigit, such as an energy unit, a processing unit and certain auxiliary components.

[0062] In another preferred form, the energy unit is permanently located within the bracelet and the energy connection unit is a wireless or automatic or semi-automatic retractable or cable system that can be wound up or housed within the bracelet.

[0063] In a further preferred embodiment, the processing unit is permanently located within the bracelet and the signal / data connection unit uses a wireless or automatically or semi-automatically retractable or cable system that can be wound up or housed within the bracelet.

[0064] The body contact detection units are at least two and are attached to different digits, and the processing unit is configured to enable use of a skin-based surface as a touchpad, where dynamic gestures consisting of placing and / or sliding a fingertip set acting as a pointer on the touchpad are translated into dynamic changes in data input for the client device. The skin-based surface is referred to as a "skin touchpad."

[0065] In this last aspect, the performance of the data input device when dynamic user input gestures are interpreted depends to a large extent on the increased number and location of the detection units, and on whether the processing power of the data input device is sufficiently enhanced to allow for fast detection and transformation of user input gestures into data input for use by the client device.

[0066] In a further preferred form, all or part of the palm of the hand where the thumb is located and the radial skin area of ​​digits 2-5 are configured as a skin touchpad that allows the user to wear a data input device that introduces dynamic two-dimensional positional data input to the screen of the client device.

[0067] In a further preferred embodiment, the data input device further comprises one or more fingertip sensing units attached to digits other than the thumb, and / or one or more non-fingertip sensing units attached to the thumb.

[0068] And in another preferred form, when one or more body-contact sensing units are attached to the same digit, said body-contact sensing units support and are attached to said digit by means of a non-removable non-fingertip set support configured as a total implant of said body-contact sensing units within the tissue of the person's body of the user's digit, said body-contact sensing units remaining entirely under the skin and in contact with the tissue of said person's body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0069] [Figure 1] Right hand static gesture or chord example [Figure 2] Dynamic gestures of the right hand [Figure 3] Fingertips of the right hand - example of skin contact [Figure 4] Illustration of non-set fingertip contact on the right hand [Figure 5] Example of skin-to-skin contact on the right hand [Figure 6] Right hand fingertips - example of non-fingertip contact [Figure 7] Illustration of a chord with simultaneous multiple fingertip-skin and skin-skin contacts on the right hand [Figure 8] (A) Schematic front cross-sectional view of a digit with body contact sensing units implanted in digits D2-5 and conductive contact sensing units implanted in digits D2 and D3. (B) Schematic upper dorsal view of a hand in the form of FIG. 8A. [Figure 9](A) Schematic front cross-section of the digit set. (B) Schematic upper dorsal view of the hand in the form of Figure 9A. [Figure 10] (A) Schematic frontal cross-section of a bridged digit set. (B) Schematic upper dorsal view of the hand in the form of Figure 10A. [Figure 11] Upper side perspective view of hood support thumb fingertip set [Figure 12] Upper side perspective view of ring support thumb fingertip set [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic side view of a nail-mounted thumb fingertip set having only one fingertip detection unit. [Figure 14] Schematic side view of a nail-integrated thumb fingertip set with only one fingertip sensing unit. [Figure 15] Schematic side view of a skin-implanted thumb fingertip set with only one fingertip sensing unit. [Figure 16] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional front view of a possible arrangement of a body contact sensing unit and a conductive contact sensing unit within a digit set; [Figure 17] (A) Front view of a digit set having two body contact sensing units and two conductive contact sensing units, (B) bottom view of the configuration of FIG. 17A, (C) top view of the configuration of FIG. 17A, (D) right side view of the configuration of FIG. 17A. [Figure 18A] A dorsal view of the hand of the entire device worn on the right hand according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18B] 18B is a palm-side view of the embodiment of FIG. 18A, but does not show the client device. [Figure 19] (A) Schematic front cross-sectional view of the interdigit set, (B) Schematic top view of the configuration of Figure 19A. [Figure 20] (A) Illustration of the palm of a right hand using a data input device to perform a dynamic gesture on a specific skin touchpad; (B) The path of movement along the screen of a smartphone generated by the device after processing the dynamic gesture of FIG. 20A; (C) The path of movement of a cursor along the screen of a computer / tablet generated by the device after processing the dynamic gesture of FIG. 20A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0070] The following aspects are important to different aspects of the invention.

[0071] In several consecutive text paragraphs, reference numerals are shown which appear in the accompanying drawings.

[0072] <Wearability> The data input device is worn by the user on one of his / her hands, preferably over the thumb (first digit / finger, referred to as digit 1 or D1) and at least one of the second, third, fourth, and fifth digits (a digit / finger that is not the thumb, referred to as digits 2-5 or D2-5), or the first, second, third, and fourth interdigits (interdigit area of ​​the hand, referred to as interdigits 1-4 or I1-4).

[0073] The data entry device does not completely cover or fully occlude any part of the user's skin or fingernails except for the thumbnail and the skin areas adjacent to the digits 2-5 or interdigits 1-4 segments, a feature that is significantly different from glove-type state-of-the-art devices.

[0074] <User Input Gestures> The data provided by the data input device (referred to as data input) is used by a client electronic device, computer device, or the like (referred to as client device or CD). Such data input involves reading, identifying, and interpreting user input gestures of a user's hand operating the data input device, where most such gestures are interactions between digits, attachments, or non-elemental components of the same hand. These user input gestures, singly or in combination, basically include: Separate static positions (referenced as chords or static gestures) and and dynamic actions (referred to here as dynamic gestures) such as contact or near contact (proximity) actions, such as sliding, or pressing actions.

[0075] A large extended range of user input gestures may be detected by the data input device and executed in the process leading to specific discrete or dynamic gestures.

[0076] Most of the user input gestures identified or processed by the data input device are Static and dynamic gestures that apply interactions between elements of a data input device worn on the thumb and other parts of the hand or worn devices, such as digits 2-5 or interdigits 1-4, where the thumb being operated is in direct contact with the skin or nail of the digit or interdigit, or in contact with elements of a data input device worn on the digit or interdigit, be implemented without any need for physical interaction with external elements other than those contained within the data input device and worn on the user's hand; · Can be generated by the user without having or using his / her visual abilities.

[0077] Reading and interpreting user input gestures where the skin is touched and / or pressed is achieved via electromagnetic coupling detection between the fingertip detection unit and the body contact detection unit (referenced BU1 / 2 / 3...), which is configured to detect electromagnetic signals through the human body tissue acting as an insulator, indicating a conductive terminal of contact with the human body tissue.

[0078] Reading and interpreting user input gestures where the non-fingertip set is in near contact (such as a proximity action) or direct contact is achieved via detecting electromagnetic coupling between the fingertip sensing unit and the conductive contact sensing unit (referred to as CU1 / 2 / 3...), which is configured to detect electromagnetic signals through a volume of air (proximity or near contact) or a volume of air representing a conductive terminal that is not in contact with human body tissue and acts as an insulator.

[0079] Sensing direct contact between a fingertip sensing unit and a conductive touch sensing unit can be understood as a very basic case of electromagnetic sensing, where there is no insulation in the electromagnetic coupling (because neither air nor human body tissue acts as an insulator between the conductive pads of the sensing units), and where contact or non-contact sensing is achieved through the simple recognition of electrical contact between pairs of conductive components participating in a simple electrostatic circuit.

[0080] The fundamental technology used by the data entry device is electromagnetic sensing, so sensors such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, infrared, optical or other physical pressure or bending sensing devices are complementary but not key to the present invention.

[0081] Many of the electromagnetic signals used by data entry devices have low radiance, with currents of amperes below 1 mA and frequencies below 1 MHz.

[0082] <Key configuration> In a first aspect, the present invention comprises the following arrangement. one or more energy source units (referred to as energy units) for providing the power required for all data input devices and in particular for their electromagnetic detection; one or more sensing units (referred to as fingertip sensing units or FU1 / 2 / 3 / ...) mounted on the fingertips, preferably digit 1, where said fingertip sensing units are organized in sets with common support functions (the sets are referred to as fingertip sets, or when mounted on the thumb as thumb fingertip sets or FS1), at least one body contact detection unit having a conductive terminal for contact with a human body tissue, attached to an interdigit or attached to a non-thumb digit, and configured to detect electromagnetic coupling, wherein the human body tissue acts as an insulator; one or more processing and data storage elements (referred to as processing units) that scan, clear, process, and convert information from the detected electromagnetic signals and data derived therefrom to generate data inputs that are sent to the client device; one or more wireless or wired energy delivery elements (referred to as energy connection units or ECs) that deliver power to the data input device components; one or more wireless or wired signal or data carrying elements (referred to as signal / data connection units, or SCs) that convey information from the detected electromagnetic signals, data derived therefrom, and information from the detection unit to a processing unit; one or more wireless or wired data input conveying elements (referred to as data input connection units or ICs) that convey data input from the processing unit to the client device; and various optional auxiliary components such as on / off switch units, mode buttons, reset buttons, connectors, light-emitting status indicators, or other aids that further facilitate proper configuration, adjustment, installation, operation, and other activities associated with the data input device.

[0083] <Fingertip detection unit> Many fingertip sensing units are configured to be placed at or near a specific spot / area on the hand (which is roughly always the same, pre-set or pre-fixed).

[0084] Each fingertip sensing unit comprises: at least one outwardly directed sensing conductive terminal configured to avoid direct contact with the body tissue of the person to whom the fingertip sensing unit is attached; At least one element (referred to as an insulating / guarding arrangement or IN) with insulating and / or electromagnetic guarding or shielding properties to control and improve the quality of electromagnetic coupling (and preferably disposed between the conductive pad and the body tissue of the person wearing the fingertip sensing unit, in order to prevent / mitigate electromagnetic coupling between said sensing unit and the body tissue of the person wearing the digit) Various support configurations (fixing means) that can be attached (and detached) to support the fingertip detection unit and identify the approximate skin surface or spot / area of ​​the digit's nail on which the detection unit is attached.

[0085] <Non-fingertip detection unit> Most non-fingertip sensing units are configured to be placed on / near a specific spot / area on the hand (pre-set, almost always the same fixed position).

[0086] The non-fingertip sensing unit may be a body contact sensing unit or a conductive contact sensing unit.

[0087] The body contact detection unit (referred to as BU1 / 2 / 3 / ...) is configured to process electromagnetic signals detected via human body tissue generated / shaped as a result of physical interaction (typically contact, but also other possible actions such as proximity, sliding or pressing actions) between the fingertip detection unit and human body tissue (usually skin and nails) of the user's hand.

[0088] Each body contact detection unit comprises: At least one inwardly directed conductive terminal having a sensing surface configured for direct contact with human body tissue. Insulating and / or electromagnetic guarding or shielding means for controlling and improving the quality of electromagnetic coupling through human body tissue (preferably disposed / supported on top of said conductive terminals to prevent / mitigate interference with the detected electromagnetic signals between the fingertip sensing unit and the body contact sensing unit) Fixing means for fixing and supporting the body contact sensing units and for securing each body contact sensing unit to be removably attached to the hand (digit, interdigit or other part of the hand to which it is attached);

[0089] The body contact sensing units are preferably configured to be mounted on adjacent segments of digits 1-5 and / or on interdigits 1-4.

[0090] The data input device includes at least one body contact sensing unit.

[0091] The conductive touch-sensing units (referred to as CU1 / 2 / 3...) are configured to process electromagnetic signals detected in the electromagnetic coupling between the fingertip sensing unit and the conductive touch-sensing unit, where human body tissue does not act as a key insulator (as it does in the electromagnetic coupling with the body touch-sensing unit). The key insulator in the electromagnetic coupling between the fingertip sensing unit and the conductive touch-sensing unit is either a variable amount of air (e.g., in the case of proximity action) or a seemingly non-existent or negligible amount of air (e.g., in the case of direct contact or sliding action between the conductive terminals of the fingertip tip and the conductive touch-sensing unit).

[0092] Each conductive contact sensing unit comprises: At least one outwardly oriented conductive terminal having a sensing surface configured to avoid direct contact with the body tissue of the person's hand supporting the conductive contact sensing unit. Insulating and / or electromagnetic shielding or guarding means for controlling and improving the quality of the device's electromagnetic coupling (preferably placed / supported between said conductive terminals and human body tissues to prevent / mitigate unintended electromagnetic coupling precisely through human body tissues) Fixing means for fixing and supporting the conductive touch-sensing units and for securing each conductive touch-sensing unit removably attached to a hand or finger.

[0093] In a preferred form of the invention, the conductive contact sensing unit is configured to be positioned near the palmar or radial side of an adjacent segment of the digit.

[0094] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present application, there are two conductive contact detection units attached to the same digit, one configured to be attached with a conductive terminal located near the palm side of the adjacent segment of the finger, and the other configured to be attached with a conductive pad located near the radial side of the adjacent segment of the finger.

[0095] <Contact Type> User input gestures consist of the positions and movements between digits and other parts of the hand that may or may not manipulate components of a data input device relative to one another. These user input gestures can be static (discrete) or dynamic, and they comprise one or more of the following: · Referred to as "fingertip-skin" contact or FS, the contact action between the fingertip sensing unit and the body tissue of the hand (e.g., skin or digit nails) · Contact action between the fingertip sensing unit and the conductive touch sensing unit, referred to as "fingertip-non-fingertip contact" or FN · Referred to as "non-fingertip set contact" or NN, contact actions between a non-fingertip set and adjacent parts of the hand, or between two non-fingertip sets, or between parts of a non-fingertip set The action of contact between parts of a person's body tissue (e.g., skin and nails) on different parts of the hand (referred to as "skin-to-skin" contact or SS)

[0096] Most of the user input gestures processed by data input devices represent actions involving the fingertip set of the thumb, which are fingertip-skin contact and fingertip-non-fingertip contact.

[0097] <Multi-channel coupling> In a preferred form of the invention, there are one or more fingertip sensing units attached to the same digit, most of which use electromagnetic signals of different frequencies and / or have different characteristics intended to enable simultaneous multi-channel electromagnetic sensing between fingertip and non-fingertip sensing units and to facilitate unique identification of each fingertip sensing unit when participating in a user input gesture.

[0098] <Fingertip sets and their supports> When one or more of the fingertip sensing units are attached to the same digit, the fingertip sensing units are combined into a set of elements referred to as a "fingertip set." The fingertip sensing units of a fingertip set are preferably connected to each other and attached to the same digit by means of a common support.

[0099] Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the support for the fingertip set is a "hood support", which basically refers to the shape constituted by a hood-like element attached to the digits that fully / partially covers or wraps the fingertip and / or other parts of the skin surface.

[0100] To facilitate proper adjustment to the fingers, the foot support of the fingertip set is more preferably constructed from a flexible material with a certain degree of elasticity.

[0101] In another preferred form of the invention, the support for the fingertip set is a "ring support", essentially presenting a shape constituted by a fully / partially circular ring-like element (referred to as ring element or RE), configured to be worn on the digits partially covering or occluding the skin surface thereof.

[0102] To facilitate proper adjustment to the fingers, the ring support of the fingertip set is more preferably constructed from a rigid or semi-rigid material.

[0103] In another version of this variation of the invention, the support for the set of fingertip is a hybrid combination of a ring support for the set of fingertip (which includes ring-like elements) and a hood support for the set of fingertip (which also includes hood-like elements that cover part or all of the fingertip);

[0104] In another aspect of the invention, the fingertip set support has a small auxiliary component that is fixedly attached to the user's fingernail and is easily attachable / detachable to / from the digit by means of an attachment mechanism or the like that allows easy engagement / detachment.

[0105] In a further embodiment, the support for the set of fingertips comprises artificial nails that complement, extend, or replace the user's fingertips and are integrated with at least one fingertip sensing unit.

[0106] In a further aspect, the fingertip set support comprises implantation of at least one fingertip sensing unit in the human body tissue at the user's fingertips, leaving outwardly oriented conductive pads of said fingertip sensing units protruding from the skin and having outwardly oriented sensing surfaces.

[0107] <Digit sets and interdigit sets> When one or more non-fingertip sensing units are attached to the same digit, the non-fingertip sensing units are combined into a set of elements referred to as a "digit set." The non-fingertip sensing units of a digit set are preferably linked together and attached to the same digit by means of a common support. A digit set is referred to as DS2-5 if each is attached to digits 2-5 (D2-5).

[0108] When one or more non-fingertip sensing units are attached to the same interdigit, the non-fingertip sensing units are combined into a set of elements referred to as an “interdigit set.” The non-fingertip sensing units of an interdigit set are preferably linked together by means of a common support, and an interdigit set attached to the same digit is referred to as IS1-4 if each is attached to interdigits 1-4 (I1-4).

[0109] A signal / data connection unit (SC) is referred to as SC1-4 if it is associated with digit set DS1-4 or inter-digit set IS1-4, respectively, and as SC5 if it is associated with digit set DS5.

[0110] <Ring support digit set> Furthermore, in a preferred form of the invention, the support of at least one digit set exhibits a "ring support" shape, which is essentially a shape formed by a wholly / partially circular ring-like element configured to fit over adjacent segments of the digits.

[0111] In a further embodiment of the above preferred embodiment, the digit support exhibits adjustment components / adaptations that allow fast, easy and precise rotation and / or translation adjustment of the supported non-fingertip sensing units to their specific (almost always the same) optimum wearing / operating position.

[0112] Examples of these adjustment components / indications (referred to as "lateral rotation adjusters" or LRAs) are the ulnar, and the radial planes belonging to the attached ring-supported digit sets facing each other and adjacent digits.

[0113] Another example of an adjustment component / adaptation (referred to as an "upper rotating adjustment" or TRA) is a particular mark, curvature or protrusion located on the upper outer surface of the ring-supported digit set.

[0114] <Hook / Ring Support Interdigit Set> In a further aspect of the invention, at least one support of an interdigit set exhibits a hook / ring support shape, which comprises a combination of a hook-like shape configured to fit onto said interdigit and two non-perfect circular ring-like shapes configured to fit onto adjacent segments of digits adjacent to said interdigit.

[0115] In a further aspect, the hook and ring support of the interdigit set comprises a moveable joint (referred to as MJ) to allow an articulated connection between two parts of the interdigit set.

[0116] The hook / ring support of the interdigit set having a movable joint may also be configured, via a particular shape and / or material, and / or via an additional simple spring mechanism or the like, to prevent separation and / or abutment of the two connected parts with each other, while maintaining their connection via the movable joint to improve wearability and facilitate proper contact of the support body contact detection unit to the digit person's body tissue.

[0117] <Implant detection unit> In a further aspect, when one or more body contact sensing units are attached to the same digit, the body contact sensing units are supported or attached to the digit by means of a non-removable support component, which is configured as a complete implant of the body contact sensing unit within the person's body tissue at the user's digit, leaving the body contact sensing unit completely under the skin and in contact with the person's body tissue.

[0118] <Non-fingertip contact detector> In a further preferred form of the invention, at least one digit set or one interdigit set comprises a component that detects contact with said at least one set and does not detect contact with the fingertip sensing unit (referred to as a "Non-Fingertip Set Contact Detector" or NND), which is for example a simple electric or magnetic sensor that can detect contact between said set and a digit / digit adjacent to the interdigit to which said set is attached, or contact between said set and another digit / interdigit attached adjacently, or contact between parts of said set that can move relative to each other.

[0119] These non-fingertip set contact detectors enrich and extend the range of detectable user input gestures that can be processed by the data input device.

[0120] Furthermore, in a preferred form of the invention, non-fingertip set contact detectors are mounted in a first set and an adjacent second set and identify non-fingertip set contact by detecting simple contact between existing or auxiliary elements of the data input device representing digit or interdigit sets, said elements being arranged to face each other, one near the ulnar side of the digit associated with the first set and the other near the radial side of the nearest adjacent digit associated with the second set.

[0121] <bridge element> In a possible form of the invention, digit sets or interdigit sets can be "bridged" or connected to each other by means of bridge elements (see "bridge" or BR), the purpose of which is fast, easy and accurate handling (attaching, detaching and adjusting) that reduces the number and complexity of digit sets / interdigit sets and / or signal / data connection units.

[0122] To facilitate proper adjustment and attachment of the digit set / interdigit set, while also allowing for comfortable attachment and sensitive operation of the data input device, the bridge is preferably constructed of a material that has a certain degree of flexibility and elasticity.

[0123] <User Input Gesture Identification> The data input device is intended to identify and interpret a fairly rich and wide range of user input gestures unambiguously and unambiguously by means of the following configuration means: Different fingertip sensing units attached to different specific spots / areas on the same or different fingertips Different body contact sensing units and conductive contact sensing units attached to different characteristic spots / areas of the same digit / interdigit or different digits / interdigits on the hand Coupling different electromagnetic channels by using electromagnetic signals with different characteristics (implying multi-channel communication between fingertip and non-fingertip sensing units)

[0124] The specific code can be properly identified by proper reading, for example, the following is an example: -Which chord mode and hand gesture language is active when executing chords Which body contact detection unit detects electromagnetic signals and what are the specific characteristics of these signals (to characterize the fingertip detection unit / channel of electromagnetic coupling used and the possible / approximate point of skin contact at fingertip-skin) Which conductive contact detection unit is contacted by which fingertip detection unit (to identify fingertip vs. non-fingertip contact) Non-fingertip sets that touch adjacent digits or other non-fingertip sets (to identify non-fingertip set contacts)

[0125] The performance of a data input device, understood as the speed and resolution of the sensor (e.g., a key when detecting a dynamic user input gesture such as proximity or sliding action relative to a set area of ​​the skin of the hand) or the accuracy of estimating the contact point of fingertip-skin contact (including the accuracy of other contact types intervening during a user input gesture), increases with the number and variety of communication / electromagnetic coupling channels and arrangements of body contact sensing units and conductive contact sensing units, as well as the processing power, sensitivity, and resolution of the detector / sensor unit.

[0126] The inclusion of an additional set of fingertips apart from the thumb set also further increases the performance of the data input device.

[0127] <Interpreting user input gestures> In order for the data input device to properly interpret and convert data input for client device user input gestures performed by the user, the user must use a particular hand gesture language and have the data input device configured to upload / register and activate said hand gesture language.

[0128] The hand gesture language provides a rich and varied set of static and dynamic gestures necessary to cover the full range of possible data input required by the client device, which can be standardized and customized, and which generally maximizes speed and ease of gesture action.

[0129] Some user input gestures, whether static or dynamic, are interpreted and not translated during data entry for the client device, but are translated into commands for the data input device. Specific codes are stored, for example, for resetting the data input device, for a user to switch data entry modes (e.g., static vs. dynamic gestures), for a user to switch between sets of codes (e.g., numbers vs. letters vs. symbols, or features vs. words, or selecting from different hand gesture languages), for a switch in interpretation / transformation rules used by the data input device (e.g., Spanish vs. English), for a switch between skin touchpads (e.g., whole hand vs. dorsal-only area of ​​digits 2-5 vs. index finger long radius area vs. non-skin touchpad mode), etc.

[0130] The identification code may be interpreted differently depending on the active mode at the time of execution of the code and / or depending on user actions taken before or after execution of the code.

[0131] The resulting data entry sent to the client device may be various sorts, combinations of letters and numbers, numbers, symbols, commands, spatial location data, and the like.

[0132] In different forms of data input devices, in conjunction with the fundamentally improved number, arrangement, and sensing capabilities of the sensing units and the processing capabilities of the processing units, the performance of the data input device is sufficient to enable fast and reliable detection, interpretation, and conversion of dynamic user input gestures, such as proximity, sliding, and pressing gestures (detected and processed as multiple, very quickly executed, separate user input gestures). These enhanced In one embodiment, the data input device is configured to enable use of an area of ​​the skin of a hand as a skin touchpad, where dynamic user input gestures associated with the skin touchpad are immediately translated into equivalent variations of data input for a client device.

[0133] By way of example illustrating this last advanced feature, when using the back area of ​​digits 2-5 as a skin touchpad, the spatial contact position of a set of fingertips associated with said skin touchpad is automatically translated into an equivalent spatial position of a pointer within the screen of the client device.

[0134] In a more preferred form of the data input device, the body contact sensing units are at least two and are attached to different digits, and the processing unit is configured to enable using a set surface of the skin of the hand as a touchpad, and dynamic gestures consisting of placing and / or sliding a set of fingertips acting as a pointer on the touchpad are translated into dynamic variations of data input on the client device.

[0135] <Bracelet and connection unit> Yet another preferred form of the invention comprises a bracelet-type component (referred to as a "bracelet" or BR) that is worn on the wrist of the hand and can permanently or temporarily host several elements of a data input device. Exemplary permanent host elements can be elements that do not necessarily need to be worn on the digits or interdigits of the hand when in operational mode (e.g., all or part of the energy unit, processing unit, and auxiliary components). Exemplary temporary host elements can be elements that do necessarily need to be worn on the digits or interdigits of the hand when in operational mode (e.g., all or part of the fingertip set, digit / interdigit set, energy connection unit, and signal / data connection unit).

[0136] The bracelet may also integrate additional auxiliary elements such as a clock, a screen, a camera, an accelerometer or other sensors into the data input device.

[0137] In a further aspect of the invention, the energy unit is of minimal size and weight and is contained within the fingertip set.

[0138] In a further preferred form of the invention, the energy unit is permanently located within the bracelet and the energy connection unit uses a wireless or automatically semi-automatically retractable cable system or is wrappable or foldable within the bracelet, possibly with an auxiliary function of generating an appropriate pulling pressure against the wrist to assist the support function of wearing the digit / interdigit set, and in addition facilitates and hosts the storage of the cable within the bracelet when the data input device is not worn in operational mode.

[0139] In a further preferred form of the invention, the processing unit is permanently located within the bracelet and the signal / data connection unit uses a wireless or automatically semi-automatically retractable cable system or is wrappable or foldable within the bracelet, possibly with an auxiliary function of generating appropriate pressure against the wrist to assist the support function of wearing a non-fingertip set, and in addition, facilitates and hosts the storage of the cable within the bracelet when the data input device is not worn in operational mode.

[0140] <Detailed description of the drawings> To explain the concepts and features common to the different embodiments, the different embodiments reflected in the accompanying drawings will now be described in more detail.

[0141] 1 shows a static right-hand user input gesture or chord, which is one of the relevant types of user input gestures that are recognized and interpreted by the proposed data input device. In this figure, the chord is illustrated as a touch contact between a first digit (thumb) D1 and a second digit D2.

[0142] Figure 2 shows a right-hand dynamic user input gesture, which is one of the relevant types of user input gestures that are recognized and interpreted by the proposed data input device. In this figure, the dynamic gesture is illustrated as a sliding touch between a first digit (thumb) D1 and a second digit D2.

[0143] 3 shows an example of a right-hand chord executed by a user wearing the above-described data input device, where chord identification is based on detection of fingertip-skin contact FS, here shown as skin contact between the thumb fingertip set FS1 (wearing digit D1) and the fourth digit D4. This figure also shows digit sets D2-5, each wearing digits D2-5 (non-thumb digits).

[0144] Figure 4 shows the same right-hand chord of Figure 3, where chord identification is complemented with detection of non-fingertip set contact NN, here showing contact between digit set DS2 (attached to digit D2) and digit set D3 (attached to digit D3). In Figure 3, thumb fingertip set FS1 is attached to thumb D1.

[0145] Figure 5 shows the same right-hand chord of Figure 3, where chord identification is complemented by detection of skin-to-skin contact SS, here indicating contact between the fourth digit D4 and the fifth digit D5. Again, in Figures 3-4, thumb fingertip set FS1 is worn on thumb D1.

[0146] FIG. 6 shows another different example of a right-hand chord executed by a user wearing a data input device, where chord identification is based on detection of fingertip-non-fingertip contact FN, here showing contact between thumb fingertip set FS1 worn on thumb D1 and digit set DS2 worn on the second digit.

[0147] 7 shows another example of a more complex chord of the right hand executed by a user wearing a data input device, where chord identification is primarily based on detecting multiple fingertip-to-skin contacts FS, possibly supplemented by detecting skin-to-skin contacts SS. This figure shows examples of simultaneous fingertip-to-skin contacts FS between thumb fingertip set FS1 and second digit D2, between thumb fingertip set FS1 and third digit D3, between thumb fingertip set FS1 and fourth digit D4, and between thumb fingertip set FS1 and fifth digit D5, and simultaneous skin-to-skin contacts SS between second digit D2 and third digit D3, between third digit D3 and fourth digit D4, and between fourth digit D4 and fifth digit D5.

[0148] 8A-8B are a front cross-sectional view (FIG. 8A) and a top dorsal view (FIG. 8B) of a hand worn on a right hand, showing one embodiment of the present invention, in which a body contact sensing unit and a conductive contact sensing unit are implanted in fingers D2-5. Cross-sections of digits D2-5, excluding the thumb, are functionally shown as circles in FIG. 8A. Each of digits D2-5 shows a body contact sensing unit BU implanted under the skin on the superior radial side of the digit's adjacent segment. Additionally, digit D3 shows a conductive contact sensing unit CU partially implanted under the skin on the palm-radial side of the digit's adjacent segment. Digit D2 shows a body contact sensing unit BU and a conductive contact sensing unit CU integrated into a single component partially implanted under the skin on the palm-radial side of the digit's adjacent segment, with the body contact sensing unit BU remaining completely under the skin in contact with the person's body tissue and the conductive contact sensing unit CU facing outward and attached to the skin.

[0149] 9A-9B show a ring-supported digit set DS2-5 for each digit D2-D5 in one form of the invention worn on the right hand, in a front cross-sectional view (FIG. 9A) and in a top rear hand view (FIG. 9B). In this form, the support for digit sets DS2-5 has a substantially circular shape, and digit sets DS2-5 are connected to a processing unit by respective cabled signal / data connection units SC2-5.

[0150] 10A-10B show a configuration similar to that of FIGS. 9A-9B, showing the same front cross-sectional view (FIG. 10A) and the same upper back hand view (FIG. 10B), and some of the same reference numerals are used. However, in this configuration, digit sets DS2-5 are joined to each other by means of bridge-like elements (bridges) B2-4, making attachment, removal, and adjustment of the non-fingertip sets quick, easy, and accurate. In these figures, the support for digit sets DS2-5 is a partial circular ring, and digit sets of adjacent digits are each connected in the following manner: bridge B2 connects digit set DS2 to digit set DS3, bridge B3 connects digit set DS3 to digit set DS4, and bridge B4 connects digit set DS4 to digit set DS5. To facilitate proper adjustment of digit sets DS2-5 while ensuring a responsive operation of the data input device, bridges B2-4 are preferably constructed of a material with a certain degree of flexibility and elasticity. In this configuration, the digits DS2-5 are connected to the processing unit by a single cabled signal / data connection unit SC.

[0151] FIG. 11 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in which the fingertip set support FSS of the thumb fingertip set FS1 has a hood-like shape and is configured to be worn on the thumb D1, fully or partially covering or wrapping the fingertip and / or other portions of the surface of the thumb D1. This figure shows a perspective view of the upper side of the hood-supported thumb fingertip set FS1 of a right hand. The thumb fingertip set FS1 includes multiple fingertip sensing units FU1-6 supported on an integrated fingertip set support FSS that includes insulating / shielding / guarding components IN, in this example, necessary to impede / mitigate and / or directly control the flow of electromagnetic radiation between the conductive pads of the fingertip sensing units and the tissues of the person holding the fingertip sensing units, here on the thumb D1. Each of the fingertip sensing units FU1-6 includes one or more conductive terminals (not shown).

[0152] 12 shows a similar configuration for the thumb fingertip set FS1, however, it is a ring support rather than a hood support, since it is supported on a basically ring-like element RE. In another form of the invention, the fingertip set FS1 shows an integral support FSS based on a fully circular ring-shaped element RE, configured to be worn on the thumb D1 covering only a portion of it (the front and its upper part). The integral support FSS also includes an insulating / shielding / guarding component IN, which in this example is necessary to prevent / attenuate and / or control the flow of electromagnetic signals from the fingertip sensing unit into the body tissue of the person holding the fingertip sensing unit.

[0153] FIG. 13 shows a further embodiment of the present invention, in which the support FSS of the thumb fingertip set FS1, including one fingertip sensing unit FU1, can be easily attached to and detached from the digit by means of an attachment mechanism or the like that allows easy engagement / disengagement with / from a small auxiliary component AUX that is fixedly attached to the user's fingernail. For clarity of this illustration, the depicted embodiment shows a fingertip set including a single fingertip sensing unit. However, as noted above, there may be more than one fingertip sensing unit in the same fingertip set.

[0154] 14 shows a further embodiment of the present invention, in which a support FSS for a thumb fingertip set FS including one fingertip sensing unit FU1 is integrated into an artificial nail that supplements, extends, or replaces a user's fingernail. For clarity of this illustration, the depicted embodiment shows a fingertip set including a single fingertip sensing unit. However, as noted above, there may be more than one fingertip sensing unit in the same fingertip set.

[0155] 15 shows a further embodiment of the present invention, in which a thumb fingertip set FS support FSS including one fingertip sensing unit FU1 is implanted in the human body tissue at the user's fingertips, with the outwardly directed conductive terminals of the fingertip sensing unit facing outwards and in contact with the skin. For clarity of this illustration, the depicted embodiment shows a fingertip set including a single fingertip sensing unit. However, as noted above, there may be more than one fingertip sensing unit in the same fingertip set.

[0156] Figure 16 is a schematic front view of a preferred arrangement of body contact sensing units BU1-BU2 and conductive contact sensing units CU1-CU2 on four full-circular ring-supported digit sets DS2-5 for right-hand digits D2-5, respectively. Each of digit sets DS2-5 is mounted on a first conductive contact sensing unit CU1 located near the radial side of the corresponding mounted digit (the lateral side closest to the thumb) and a second conductive contact sensing unit CU2 located near the palm side of the corresponding mounted digit (the bottom or palm side of the digit). Each of digit sets DS2-5 in this illustration is mounted on a first body contact sensing unit BU1 and a second body contact sensing unit BU2 located on diametrically opposite sides of the inner surface of the non-fingertip set support.

[0157] 17A-17B-17C-17D show several views (front, top, bottom, and side, respectively) of a ring-supported digit set DS configured for a third or fourth digit on the right hand. The digit set DS shown comprises an integral support in the shape of a full circular ring, one conductive contact sensing unit CU1-CU2 configured for placement near the radial and palmar side of the worn digit, one diametrically opposed body contact sensing unit BU1-BU2 configured for placement in contact with the skin of the worn digit, one non-fingertip set contact detector NND configured for placement near the ulnar side of the worn digit, and several auxiliary components (not shown). The digit set DS comprises a cabled signal / data connection unit SC (located in the child form on the rear upper radial side of the digit set), an upper rotation adjustment component TRA located on the upper side of the digit set, a planar lateral rotation adjuster LRA and a non-fingertip set contact detector NND on the palm of the digit set, and another planar lateral rotation adjuster LRA integrated with a conductive contact detection unit CU1 on the radial side of the digit. The adjustment components TRA and LRA facilitate fast, easy and accurate rotation and / or adjustment of the digit set to a specific optimum wearing position for operation of the data input device.

[0158] 18A-18B show a further form of the invention worn on the right hand, showing the dorsal side (FIG. 18A) and palm side (FIG. 18B) of the hand, where FIG. 18A shows a schematic representation of an associated client device CD and wireless data input connection unit IC for communicating data input from a processing unit (not shown) to the client device Cd. Both figures show a hood-supported thumb fingertip set FS1 worn on the thumb D1, four ring-supported digit sets DS2-5 worn on digits D2-5, a bracelet BR worn on the wrist of the same hand, a cabled energy connection unit EC, and four cabled signal / data connection units SC2-5. The bracelet-type component BR includes at least one energy unit (not shown) and at least one processing unit (also not shown), and a cabled energy connection unit EC connects the energy unit with the fingertip sensing units of thumb fingertip set FS1, and a cabled signal / data connection unit SC2-5 makes connections between the body contact sensing unit and the conductive contact sensing units of each digit set DS2-5 and the processing unit hosted within the bracelet BR. The diagram shown is an example; the energy connection unit carries power to any component of the data input device. In this configuration, the skin surface and nails of the hand are essentially uncovered and unoccluded, except for the main upper portion of thumb D1 and the bottom adjacent sections of digits D2-5. Figure 18B also shows interdigits I1-4 of the hand.

[0159] 19A-19B show a front cross-sectional view (FIG. 19A) and an upper back side of the hand (FIG. 19B) of another embodiment of the present invention, which has no digit set and two interdigit sets IS2 (attached to interdigit 2 adjacent to digits D2 and D3) and IS4 (attached to interdigit 4 adjacent to digits D4 and D5). The supports for interdigit sets IS2 and IS4 exhibit a combination of a hook-like shape (attached to the interdigit) and two ring-like shapes (attached to adjacent segments of the digits adjacent to said interdigit). Each of the supports for interdigit sets IS2 and IS4 is divided into two parts that rotate relative to each other about a movable joint referred to as MJ2 (part of IS2) or MJ4 (part of IS4). SC2 and SC4 represent cabled signal / data connection units that make the connection between the sensing and processing units of the two interdigit sets.

[0160] 20A-20B-20C illustrate dynamic user input gestures performed by a right hand wearing a data input device shown essentially with a thumb fingertip set FS1, a four-digit set DS2-5, and a bracelet BR (other components not shown). In the figures, the thumb, wearing the thumb fingertip set FS1, while maintaining dynamic touch contact with the skin of the palmar surface of the digits D2-5, follows a roughly semicircular path PA1 moving from the upper right to the center left to the lower right within a skin touchpad STP defined by the illustrated points ABCD on the user's palm. The dynamic user input gesture on / on the skin touchpad (including the entire palmar surface of the digits D2-5) is translated by the data input device into positional movements describing a corresponding path PA2 along a triangular screen, defined by the corners abcd of a client device CD, exemplified by a smartphone (FIG. 20B), tablet, or computer screen (FIG. 20C). It is emphasized that neither discrete nor dynamic user input gestures require the hands to be held in a static position, since each user input gesture is performed between different parts of the associated hand (whether or not manipulated by the data input device). Furthermore, in skin-contact dynamic user input gestures, the skin-contact surface need not be held rigid. As an example of this gesture flexibility, in FIG. 20A , the right hand forming the four digits D2-5 or skin touchpad STP can bend and / or move relative to one another, while the path PA1 is traced by the thumb-fingertip set FS1; in fact, these movements actually facilitate a suitable range and improved quality of user input gesture execution.

[0161] The example configuration shown in Figures 20A-20B-20C refers to an example in which a user performs dynamic user input gestures using a worn fingertip set FS1 used as a pointer to draw on a skin touchpad STP, where the data input device interprets and converts the user input gestures into corresponding two-dimensional positional data inputs that are shown on the screen of the client device CD in the shape of the drawn path.

[0162] A simple example of an application using a skin touchpad consisting of a palm area of ​​digits 2-5 is where static, rather than dynamic, user input gestures are performed on the skin touchpad (a set of fingertips used as if it were a pointer only used for selecting points on the screen). In this application, a data input device (not shown) interprets and converts the separate contact actions between the set of fingertips and the skin touchpad into, for example, an equivalent two-dimensional positional data input, which is displayed on the screen of the client device in the form of a set of drawn points.

[0163] Another example of an application using a skin touchpad is one in which the skin touchpad is defined as the longitudinal radial area of ​​the index finger, and dynamic user input gestures including skin-contact sliding actions performed by the tips of the thumb fingertips (up and down) along the skin touchpad are interpreted and translated into corresponding changes in one-dimensional data input used by the client device (e.g., volume on a music player). This described user input gesture is similar to that shown in Figure 2.

[0164] In the above example, before initiating a user input gesture, the user executes a specific code to activate the touchpad of the skin being used. Similarly, the user executes another specific code to deactivate the touchpad of the skin being used.

[0165] <Preparing the data input device> Below is a list of exemplary steps to start the data entry device in the preferred form below and prepare it for operation. 1) The user takes the data input device fully bent and guarded with or without a bracelet on his / her wrist. 2) The user pulls out the thumb fingertip set from the bracelet and puts it on his / her thumb, making any necessary adjustments to properly position all the conductive terminals of the fingertip sensing unit located at / near a specific spot / area on the thumb. 3) The user removes the digits and / or interdigits from the bracelet, places them on his / her digits 2-5 and / or interdigits 2-4, and makes the necessary adjustments (with the aid of the upper or side rotation adjusters) to ensure that they are properly aligned with all inwardly oriented conductive terminals of the body contact sensing unit and the outwardly oriented conductive terminals of the conductive contact sensing unit located at the specific spots / areas of digits 2-5 and / or interdigits 2-4. The removal, attachment, and adjustment means vary and are easier to implement depending on whether the data input device has a greater or lesser number of digits / interdigits and bridge elements. For example, operating two interdigit sets instead of four digit sets is easier and faster without representing a reduction in number and without positioning non-fingertip set contact sensing. 4) The user activates the data input device, for example, by means of an auxiliary component such as a switch located on a bracelet, and the user also authenticates himself and does not block the data input device, either through an auxiliary component in the form of a fingertip sensor integrated with a thumbtip sensing unit, or through a specific user input gesture known only by the user linked to specific biological and behavioral characteristics of the user's fingers that are read by the device. 5) The processing unit runs initial internal processes that check and verify sufficient operational conditions, such as component loading, connection validity, and stability of environmental conditions. 6) The user checks the status of the data entry device by reading an auxiliary component placed on the bracelet or integrated with other elements of the data entry device that indicates the results of the processing run by the processing device. 7) If necessary and advised, the user performs auxiliary operations, for example to partially / fully reset the data input device, to calibrate it, to load configuration information such as the hand gesture language he wants to use, or to customize functions according to his / her requirements and the particular shape and movement characteristics of his / her hands.

[0166] Once all checks, repairs, configuration and operational customizations are complete, the data entry device is ready for operation.

[0167] <Operating a data input device using static user input gestures (codes)> Below is a list of steps that illustrate how the data input device works when a user performs a static user input gesture or code. 1) A user wants to generate a separate user input gesture, such as a hand sign representing a command or character, to be input into a client device, and he / she knows which specific code needs to be executed to generate the desired data input (the command or character) because he / she already knows or can consult a specific hand gesture language registered and activated in the data input device. 2) If necessary, the user activates a mode for entering codes via a switch on an auxiliary component or by executing a specific code or combination of codes. 3) The user executes a basic chord consisting of a simple fingertip-skin contact by moving his / her fingers / hand to a static contact position between a specific area of ​​the thumb-worn fingertip set (contact of one or more specific fingertip sensing units) and a specific spot on the body tissue of his / her hand, such as on the skin of his / her digit 4 (Figure 3).

[0168] The user also performs basic chords consisting of simple fingertip-non-fingertip contacts by moving his / her fingers / hand to static contact positions between the thumb-mounted fingertip set (contact of one or more specific fingertip sensing units) and a specific non-fingertip set, such as a conductive contact sensing unit mounted on the palm side of his / her index finger (Figure 6).

[0169] The user also executes a basic chord that constitutes a simple non-fingertip-set contact, e.g., two adjacent digits of digits 2-5, to generate a contact between adjacent-set digits that can be detected with the aid of a detection component, e.g., a non-fingertip-set contact detector.

[0170] Users may also perform user input gestures that are combinations of different types of contact, including not only the fingertip-skin contact, fingertip-non-fingertip contact, and non-fingertip contact mentioned above, but also skin-to-skin contact.

[0171] Users may also execute more complex chords such as interactions where several fingertip sensing units of the thumb fingertip set are engaged simultaneously, and / or more than one spot / area of ​​skin of the same digit are contacted simultaneously (e.g., skin areas on either side of the apex separating them), and / or more than one conductive contact sensing unit is also engaged simultaneously, or even when skin contact and non-fingertip set contact chords are combined.

[0172] The code is also run with different types of contact time periods and pressures ( this The last case is understood to be a dynamic user input gesture, since many of the structures of a person's body and / or many of the auxiliary components of a device change dynamically.

[0173] The identification of the chords is supported by the additional identification of preceding or subsequent dynamic actions, such as, for example, a movement from the thumb tip set to one of the adjacent digits 2-5 or to one of the digits 2-5 close to this thumb tip set.

[0174] The execution of the code replaces the action of, for example, tapping a key or keys on the on-screen keyboard of a smartphone or a key combination on a regular computer keyboard.

[0175] 4) In the case of a code that makes fingertip-skin contact between a fingertip sensing unit and a spot on the skin of a digit (in the case of fingertip-skin contact), the engaged fingertip sensing unit on the thumb fingertip set senses an electromagnetic signal from the electromagnetic field between the outwardly oriented conductive terminal of the engaged fingertip sensing unit and the inwardly oriented conductive terminal of the body contact sensing unit located near the joint between the bones of the finger, through the person's body tissue of the digit contacted by the fingertip set.

[0176] Prevention / mitigation of electromagnetic coupling between the fingertip sensing unit and the tissues of the human body is achieved by the insulating / guarding components of the thumb fingertip set.

[0177] If the cord constitutes a direct contact between the fingertip sensing unit and the conductive contact sensing unit (in the case of fingertip-non-fingertip contact), the detection of electromagnetic energy becomes a simple electrical detection (detection of current flow between the conductive terminals of the engaged fingertip sensing unit and the conductive terminals of the engaged conductive contact sensing unit, which participate in the same basic electrostatic circuit).

[0178] The improved quality of code interpretation and extended range of interpretation of user input gestures is significantly improved by the ability of the input device to detect (or at least approximately inferentially detect) additional skin-to-skin contact (contact made between different parts of the human body tissue of the hand) and non-fingertip set contact (contact between part of a digit / interdigit set and either the human body tissue of an adjacent digit or other parts of the same digit / interdigit set or other digit / interdigit sets). Although more difficult to detect than fingertip-to-skin contact or fingertip-to-non-fingertip contact, non-fingertip-set contact and skin-to-skin contact are detected by the data input device because any such contact necessarily changes, to some extent, the characteristics of the electromagnetic field / circuit that is guided through the human body tissue of the hand manipulating the data input device.

[0179] 5) The body contact detection unit and the conductive contact detection unit transmit the detected electromagnetic signals or data derived therefrom to the processing unit via the data connection unit.

[0180] 6) The processing unit performs various pre-processing steps to scan, clear, filter, refine, transmit and prepare the received electromagnetic signals, turning the raw data into properly sensed and interpreted pre-processed data to facilitate identification of correctly executed code with the maximum level of accuracy. Some of the pre-processing functions are shifted to other components based within the non-fingertip sensing unit.

[0181] 7) The processing unit also performs various operations to convert data associated with the preprocessed code into specific data inputs, and some or all of the data processing is shifted from the data input device to the client device.

[0182] 8) The processing unit sends the generated data input to the client device via the data input connection unit. If some or all of the data processing is shifted to the client device, it is not the final data input, but rather the raw data or pre-processed data that is sent to the client device.

[0183] 9) The client device receives and processes data input sent by the data input device. If some or all of the data processing is shifted to the client device, it is not data input, but raw or pre-processed data that is received and processed by the client device.

[0184] <Operating a Data Entry Device Using Dynamic User Input Gestures> Below is a list of illustrative steps of how the data input device works when a user performs a user input gesture that is a dynamic user input gesture. 1) The user wants to generate certain dynamic variations of data input for the client device, such as gradual variations of changes in the client device or movements of the position of elements within the screen of the client device.

[0185] The user knows how to perform dynamic user input gestures that generate the desired dynamic variations of data input, and the transformation rules that transform the user input gestures into data input are already coded and uploaded to the data input device activated by the user, e.g., via execution of specific code.

[0186] Some applications where dynamic user input gestures are translated into variations of data entry (and specific areas of the hand are used as skin touchpads) are, for example: Vertical slider movement on the client device (requires linear position data input) is achieved by touching and moving the back tip of the thumb fingertip set up and down along the skin at the tip of digits 2-5. Horizontal slider movement on the client device (requires linear position data input) is achieved by contact and movement of the dorsal tips of the left and right thumb fingertips along the skin of any of digits 2-5. Cursor movement across the screen of the client device (requiring two-dimensional positional data input) is accomplished by contact and movement of the palm tips of the thumb fingertip set across the skin traversed within the tips of digits 2-5, the adjacent vertices of digits 2-5, the entire radial surface of digit 2, and the entire palm surface of digit 5.

[0187] In the above-mentioned applications using evolved / enhanced configurations of data input devices, the device detects, processes, and transforms electromagnetic signals derived from dynamic user input gestures using electromagnetic sensing in a similar manner as static user input gestures, but must interpret the dynamic sensing readings as many separate readings and must detect and process the changing electromagnetic coupling at a greater speed, for example, when interpreting a slowly executed series of static user input gestures.

[0188] 2) If necessary, the user activates or deactivates a mode for allowing input of dynamic user input gestures via a switch on the auxiliary component or by executing a specific code or combination of codes. Different dynamic user input gestures (associated with different skin touchpads) exist for example to move a vertical slider, a horizontal slider, a cursor.

[0189] 3) The user performs a dynamic user input gesture, for example, by bringing his / her fingertip set close together, touching, and sliding along the skin portion of one of the digits 2-5, or by bringing his / her thumb-mounted fingertip set close together, touching, and sliding along the skin portion of his / her index finger that is wearing the digit set.

[0190] Dynamic user input gestures are performed with different types of pressure and duration of contact, if any.

[0191] Performing dynamic user input gestures with a data input device replaces actions such as adjusting the volume, brightness of an electronic device screen, moving a slider, or positioning the cursor on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.

[0192] 4) As mentioned above, the rest of the functional steps of operating a data input device using dynamic user input gestures are quite similar to those using static user input gestures or codes, with the difference being that they must handle a larger amount of data and run faster, more intensive and complex processes, which in turn requires advanced configuration of the data input device including high-end components with high performance in terms of various capabilities such as sensing capabilities, connectivity, static determination, processing power, memory capacity, etc.

[0193] The application is not limited to the above forms, above referenced aspects and functions, and many adjustments and combinations may be made within the scope of the claims.

[0194] <Glossary> Terms are capitalized when referring to codes / numbers in the figures, and they are also followed by a composite explanatory note. Electromagnetic: Electromagnetic: relating to magnetic / electrical phenomena, also referred to as EM (electromagnetic) Electromagnetic signals: EM phenomena, signals of EM radiation Electromagnetic Coupling: Transfer of EM Energy Between Media Electromagnetic Sensing: Allows detection and quantification of changes in the quality / position of insulation / conductivity within an EM field / circuit

[0195] Human body related: Digit (D): Finger Digit 1 (D1): Thumb, first digit, or first finger Digits 2-5 (D2-5): Second, third, fourth, fifth digits Interdigit (I): Interdigit area of ​​the hand Interdigit 1-4 (I1-4): First, second, third, and fourth interdigits Skin (S): Any human body tissue (skin, nails, etc.)

[0196] Detection unit: Sensing unit: Part of the EM sensor, referred to as SU (Sensing Unit) Fingertip detection unit (FU): worn on the fingertip Non-fingertip detection unit: Not attached to the fingertip, acts as a body contact detection unit and conductive contact detection unit Body contact detection unit (BU): Contact with human body tissue Conductive Contact Sensing Unit (CU): No contact with human tissue

[0197] Detection Set: Fingertip Set (FS): Integrates various fingertip SUs Digit 1 Fingertip Set (FS1): A fingertip set worn on the thumb Non-fingertip sets: Various non-fingertip SUs are integrated to form digit sets and interdigit sets. Digit Set (DS): A non-fingertip set attached to a digit Interdigit Set (IS): A non-fingertip set attached to an interdigit. Fingertip Set Support (FSS): When attached to digits 1-5 ,finger First set support

[0198] User Input Related: User Input Gestures: Digits / Hand Position / Motion Code: digit , hand or part of hand Static position or static gesture of Dynamic Gestures: Digits , hand or part of hand movement (not a static gesture)

[0199] Contact Type: Fingertip-skin contact (FS): contact between a set of fingertips and the tissues of a person's body Non-fingertip set contact (NN): using parts of non-fingertip sets or adjacent sets / skin that are in contact between them Fingertip-non-fingertip contact (FN): contact between fingertip sets and non-fingertip sets Skin-to-skin contact (SS): contact between parts of a person's body tissue

[0200] connection: Signal / Data Connection Unit (SC): Connection between the detection unit and the processing unit Data Input Connection Unit (IC): Device-Client Device Connection Energy Connection Unit (EC): Connects energy power to devices

[0201] others: Processing unit: the component that has the computing power Energy unit: a component that has energy power Conductive terminal: Made of conductive material and of any shape Auxiliary Component (AUX): Any auxiliary component Bridge (B): physically connects a set of SUs Bracelet ( / p): Worn on the wrist and holds the device elements Client Device (CD): Receives data input generated by the device Skin Touchpad (STP): An area of ​​the skin of the hand configured to act as a tactile pad, where static or dynamic contact is made by the fingertips SU. Isolation / Shielding Components (IN): Guide EM radiation and control EM coupling Lateral Rotation Adjuster (LRA): SU Set Support Lateral Adjust the fit with Upper Rotation Adjuster (TRA): SU Set Support Top Adjust the fit with Movable Joint (MJ): Facilitates rotation between components Non-Fingertip-Set Touch Detector (NND): Facilitating the Detection of NN Touches Path (PA): Virtual path of fingertip SU movement Ring Element (RE): A ring-like support component

Claims

[Claim 1] 1. A data input device for data entry into an electrical or computer client device (CD), wherein said data input device is configured to be worn by a user on a single hand; wherein the data input comprises reading and interpreting user input gestures; wherein the user input gesture consists of the position and movement of the thumb (D1) and other digits (D2, D3, D4, D5), other parts of the hand, and between components of the data input device worn on the hand; reading and interpreting the user input gestures is accomplished via an electromagnetic sensor; wherein the electromagnetic sensor is implemented by a sensing unit configured to be placed on / near a specific spot or area of ​​the hand; The detection unit is composed of a fingertip detection unit and a non-fingertip detection unit, the fingertip sensing units (FU1, FU2, FU3, etc.) are located on / close to the fingertips, and the non-fingertip sensing units are located not on / close to the fingertips; Here, the data input device is at least one energy unit for supplying the energy used by said data input device; At least one fingertip detection unit (FU1) attached to the thumb (D1) of the hand; At least one non-fingertip detection unit attached to a digit (D5, D2, D3, D4) that is not a thumb or an interdigit (I1, I2, I3, I4) that is a web between fingers; at least one processing unit for processing information from the electromagnetic coupling detected by said detection unit and generating said data input sent to said electrical or computer client device (CD); at least one energy connection unit for transmitting power wirelessly or by wire from at least one energy unit to other components of the data input device; at least one signal / data connection unit (SC, SC2, SC3, SC4) for connecting said detection unit and said at least one processing unit wirelessly or by wire; at least one data input connection unit (IC) for connecting said at least one processing unit and said electrical or computer client device (CD) wirelessly or by wire; and wherein the at least one fingertip detection unit (FU1) further comprises: at least one outwardly directed conductive terminal configured to avoid direct contact with human body tissue; insulating and / or electromagnetic shielding means (IN); a fixing means for fixing and supporting the at least one fingertip sensing unit and for ensuring releasable attachment of all or part of the at least one non-fingertip sensing unit; and wherein the data input device comprises two or more fingertip sensing units (FU1, FU2, FU3, etc.), and the electromagnetic signals used by the fingertip sensing units are generated using different frequencies and / or different wavelengths, amplitudes, or other characteristics of the electromagnetic signals, in order to enable unique identification of each individual fingertip sensing unit when participating in the user input gesture and to facilitate simultaneous multi-channeled electromagnetic coupling between the fingertip sensing unit and other sensing units; and wherein in the data input device, the at least one non-fingertip sensing unit is a body contact sensing unit (BU, BU1, BU2), the body contact sensing unit is configured to sense the electromagnetic coupling and comprises a conductive terminal for contacting human body tissue of the hand, wherein the human body tissue acts as an insulator.

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