Pressure sensitive peripheral devices, and associated methods of use

• US 10,124,246 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2014
• Issued: 11/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ActivBody, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ActivBody, Inc.
• Inventors: Yanev, Kostadin Dimitrov, Yanev, Ivo Kostadinov, Kalaydjiyski, Ludmil Borissov
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Doshi, Ankit
• Application Number:
  US14/257,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20150301613A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,667 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/021 Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels A61B5/0205 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02438 with portable devices, e.g. worn by the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6897 Computer input devices, e.g. mice or keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/028 made of material having high internal friction, e.g. rubber, steel wool, intended to be compressed resistance provided by plastic deformable materials A63B21/00189
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/03508 For a single arm or leg, A63B21/0726 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/16 for hands or fingers for teaching typing G09B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation

Abstract

Facilitating a user to provide inputs to a computing platform by applying varying pressure to one or more external points on a pressure sensitive peripheral device is disclosed. The pressure sensitive peripheral device may include one or more pressure sensors disposed within a housing body or housing bodies of the pressure sensitive peripheral device. The pressure sensors may provide pressure signals conveying information associated with compressive forces applied to the housing body or bodies of the pressure sensitive peripheral device. Inputs to control one or more aspects of a computing platform coupled to the pressure sensitive peripheral device may be provided based on the pressure signals. The one or more aspects of the computing platform may include one or more aspects of a graphical user interface on a display associated with the computing platform, operational aspects of the computing platform and/or any other aspects of the computing platform.

Claims

1. A pressure sensitive peripheral device with one or more pressure sensors to facilitate receipt of user inputs to a computing platform, the pressure sensitive peripheral device comprising:

a housing body;

one or more pressure sensors disposed within and in contact with the housing body, the one or more pressure sensors being configured to provide a pressure signal conveying information from a compressive pressure applied to the housing body, the pressure signal being provided responsive a first set of two opposing forces applied to the housing body, wherein the first set of two opposing forces does not perform a clicking motion; and

,

wherein the one or more pressure sensors are further configured to transmit the pressure signal to electronic circuitry configured to;

receive the pressure signal provided by the one or more pressure sensors, and

responsive to receiving the pressure signal provided by the one or more pressure sensors, provide an input to the computing platform based on the received the pressure signal which is constant or variable in time, the input being provided to facilitate controlling a graphical user interface presented on a display associated with the computing platform in accordance with a fitness exercise shown by the graphical user interface,

wherein providing the input to the computing platform based on the received pressure signal provided by the one or more pressure sensors comprises determining whether the compressive pressure applied to the housing body has reached a minimum magnitude that corresponds to a minimum physical exercise level, and only providing the input to the computing platform responsive to the compressive pressure reaching the minimum magnitude, wherein controlling the graphical user interface in accordance with the fitness exercise includes movement of an indicator shown by the graphical user interface by compressing the housing body of the pressure sensitive peripheral device such that the indicator moves along a curve line displayed by the graphical user interface for a time period.

2. The pressure sensitive peripheral device of claim 1, wherein the one or more pressure sensors are further configured to provide a second pressure signal conveying information associated with a second compressive pressure applied to the housing body, the second pressure signal being provided responsive to a second set of two opposing forces applied to parts of the housing body, wherein the second set of two opposing forces are separate and discrete from the first set of two opposing forces.

3. The pressure sensitive peripheral device of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuitry is further configured such that providing the input to the computing platform based on the received pressure signal provided by the one or more pressure sensors comprises determining whether the compressive pressure applied to the housing body has breached a threshold minimum magnitude level that corresponds to the minimum physical exercise level.

4. The pressure sensitive peripheral device of claim 1, wherein controlling the graphical user interface presented on the display associated with the computing platform as facilitated by the provided input also includes one or more of:

input of a value in the graphical user interface;

selection from a menu in the graphical user interface;

scrolling the graphical user interface;

moving a pointer in the graphical user interface;

manipulation of a virtual object in the graphical user interface;

entry of a password or a code in the graphical user interface;

interaction with a rehabilitation program through the graphical user interface;

interaction with a medical treatment program through the graphical user interface; and

interaction with a game through the graphical user interface.

5. The pressure sensitive peripheral device of claim 1, wherein the fitness exercise is an isometric exercise.

6. The pressure sensitive peripheral device of claim 1, wherein controlling the graphical user interface in accordance with the fitness exercise includes compression of the pressure sensitive peripheral device with a threshold force, for a threshold duration of time, and/or for a number of repetitions.

7. The pressure sensitive position device of claim 4, wherein interaction with the game includes performing one or more game actions through the pressure sensitive peripheral device.

8. The pressure sensitive peripheral device of claim 4, wherein entry of the password or the code based on the pressure signal is achieved by a sequence of forces applied on the pressure sensitive peripheral device, a rotation of the pressure sensitive peripheral device, and/or one or more gestures input through display associated with the computing platform.

9. The pressure sensitive peripheral device of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope configured to provide a position signal conveying a position and/or a change in position of the pressure sensitive peripheral device, and wherein the input to the computing platform is further based on the position signal provided by the accelerometer and/or the gyroscope.

10. The pressure sensitive peripheral device of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuitry is further configured to receive multiple contemporaneous pressure signals provided by the one or more pressure sensors and to interpret the multiple contemporaneous pressure signals for providing the input to the computing platform.

11. The pressure sensitive peripheral device of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuitry is further configured to quantify the compressive pressure applied to the housing body.

12. The pressure sensitive peripheral device of claim 1, further comprising:

a heart rate sensor disposed within the housing body, the heart rate sensor being configured to provide a heart rate signal of a user of the pressure sensitive peripheral device;

a blood pressure sensor disposed with the housing body, the blood pressure sensor being configured to provide a signal measuring a blood pressure of the user of the pressure sensitive peripheral device; and

/or

a vibration sensor disposed within the housing body, the vibration sensor being configured to provide a vibrating signal conveying information indicating a vibration of the pressure sensitive peripheral device; and

,

wherein the electronic circuitry is further configured to process the heart rate signal, the signal measuring the blood pressure of the user, and/or the vibration signal for generating the control input.

14. The pressure sensitive peripheral device of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuitry is disposed within the pressure sensitive peripheral device.

15. The pressure sensitive peripheral device of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuitry is disposed within the computing platform.

13. The pressure sensitive peripheral device of claim wherein the pressure sensitive peripheral device includes a computer mouse, a trackball, a joystick, a gamepad, a driving wheel, or a remote control.

16. A system for facilitating receipt of user inputs through a pressure sensitive peripheral device, the pressure sensitive peripheral device having a housing body with one or more pressure sensors disposed therein, the system comprising

one or more physical processors configured to execute computer program instructions to cause the one or more physical processors to:

receive, from the one or more pressure sensors, a pressure signal which is constant or variable in time conveying information associated with a compressive pressure applied to the housing body of the pressure sensitive peripheral device, the pressure signal being provided responsive to a first set of two opposing forces applied to the housing body, wherein the first set of two opposing forces does not perform a clicking motion; and

responsive to receiving the pressure signal provided by the one or more pressure sensors, provide an input to a computing platform based on the received pressure signal, the input being provided to facilitate controlling a graphical user interface presented on a display associated with the computing platform in accordance with a fitness exercise shown by the graphical user interface,

wherein providing the input to the computing platform based on the received pressure signal provided by the one or more pressure sensors comprises determining whether the compressive pressure applied to the housing body has reached a minimum magnitude that corresponds to a minimum physical exercise level, and only providing the input to the computing platform responsive to the compressive pressure reaching the minimum magnitude, wherein the fitness exercise is an isometric exercise performed through the pressure sensitive peripheral device by squeezing and/or moving the pressure sensitive peripheral device such that an indicator shown by the graphical user interface moves along a curve line displayed by the graphical user interface for a time period.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute computer program instructions to cause the one or more physical processors to provide a second pressure signal conveying information associated with a second compressive pressure applied to the housing body, the second pressure signal being provided responsive to a second set of two opposing forces applied to parts of the housing body, wherein the second set of two opposing forces are separate and discrete from the first set of two opposing forces.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein providing the input to the computing platform based on the received pressure signal provided by the one or more pressure sensors comprises determining whether the compressive pressure applied to the housing body has breached a threshold minimum magnitude level that corresponds to the minimum physical exercise level.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein controlling the graphical user interface presented on the display associated with the computing platform as facilitated by the provided input also includes one or more of:

input of a value in the graphical user interface;

selection from a menu in the graphical user interface;

scrolling the graphical user interface;

moving a pointer in the graphical user interface;

manipulation of a virtual object in the graphical user interface;

entry of a password or a code in the graphical user interface;

interaction with a rehabilitation program through the graphical user interface;

interaction with a medical treatment program through the graphical user interface; and

interaction with a game through the graphical user interface.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein interaction with the game includes performing one or more game actions through the pressure sensitive peripheral device.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to execute computer program instructions to cause the one or more physical processors to receive multiple contemporaneous pressure signals provided by the one or more pressure sensors and to interpret the multiple contemporaneous pressure signals for providing the input to the computing platform.

22. A method for facilitating receipt of user inputs through a pressure sensitive peripheral device, the pressure sensitive peripheral device having a housing body with one or more pressure sensors disposed therein, the method being implemented in one or more physical processors configured to execute computer instructions, the method comprising:

providing, with the one or more pressure sensors, a pressure signal which is constant or variable in time conveying information associated with a compressive pressure applied to the housing body of the pressure sensitive peripheral device, the pressure signal being provided responsive to the housing body being squeezed by a first set of two opposing forces applied to the housing body, wherein the first set of two opposing forces does not perform a clicking motion;

receiving, with the one or more physical processors, the pressure signal provided by the one or more pressure sensors in contact with the housing; and

responsive to receiving the pressure signal provided by the one or more pressure sensors, providing, with the one or more physical processors, a control input to a computing platform based on the received pressure signal, the input being provided to facilitate controlling a graphical user interface presented on a display associated with the computing platform in accordance with a fitness exercise shown by the graphical user interface,

wherein providing the input to the computing platform based on the received pressure signal provided by the one or more pressure sensors comprises determining whether the compressive pressure applied to the housing body has reached a minimum magnitude that corresponds to a minimum physical exercise level, and only providing the input to the computing platform responsive to the compressive pressure reaching the minimum magnitude, wherein interaction with the fitness exercise is an isometric exercise performed through the pressure sensitive peripheral device by squeezing and/or moving the pressure sensitive peripheral device such that an indicator displayed by the graphical user interface moves along a curve line displayed by the graphical user interface for a time period.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing a second pressure signal conveying information associated with a second compressive pressure applied to the housing body, the second pressure signal being provided responsive to a second set of two opposing forces applied to parts of the housing body, wherein the second set of two opposing forces are separate and discrete from the first set of two opposing forces.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein providing the input to the computing platform based on the received pressure signal provided by the one or more pressure sensors comprises determining whether the compressive pressure applied to the housing body has breached a threshold minimum magnitude level that corresponds to the minimum physical exercise level.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein controlling the graphical user interface presented on the display associated with the computing platform as facilitated by the provided input also includes one or more of:

input of a value in the graphical user interface;

selection from a menu in the graphical user interface;

scrolling the graphical user interface;

moving a pointer in the graphical user interface;

manipulation of a virtual object in the graphical user interface;

entry of a password or a code in the graphical user interface;

interaction with a rehabilitation program through the graphical user interface;

interaction with a medical treatment program through the graphical user interface; and

interaction with a game through the graphical user interface.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein interaction with the game includes performing one or more game actions through the pressure sensitive peripheral device.

27. The method of claim 22, further comprising receiving multiple contemporaneous pressure signals provided by the one or more pressure sensors and to interpret the multiple contemporaneous pressure signals for providing the input to the computing platform.