Automated visual tracking for computer access
First Claim
1. A method for providing input to a system which uses a visual display for providing user information, comprising:
- (a) choosing a feature associated with a system user;
(b) determining a location of the feature in a video image from a video camera at an initial time;
(c) determining a subsequent location of the feature in a video image from the video camera at a subsequent given time; and
(d) providing input to the system at the subsequent given time based upon the location of the feature in the video image at the subsequent given time.
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Abstract
The invention comprises a system and method for permitting a computer user or the user of a system comprising a video display to control an indicator, such as a mouse pointer or cursor, on a computer monitor or video display screen. The system and method uses a video camera pointed at the user to capture the user'"'"'s image. The location in the video camera field of view of a chosen feature of the user'"'"'s image is used to control the location of the indicator on the monitor or display screen. Thus, by control of the motion of the chosen feature, which for example may be the user'"'"'s nose, the user may control or provide input into a computer program, video game or other device or system.
79 Citations
46 Claims
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1. A method for providing input to a system which uses a visual display for providing user information, comprising:
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(a) choosing a feature associated with a system user;
(b) determining a location of the feature in a video image from a video camera at an initial time;
(c) determining a subsequent location of the feature in a video image from the video camera at a subsequent given time; and
(d) providing input to the system at the subsequent given time based upon the location of the feature in the video image at the subsequent given time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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23. A method of providing input to a system which uses a visual display for providing user information, comprising:
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(a) capturing a first video image of at least a part of a system user;
(b) choosing a feature in the first video image associated with the user;
(c) choosing a base pixel corresponding to a location of the chosen feature in the first video image;
(d) capturing a successive video image of at least the part of the user;
(e) choosing a successive pixel corresponding to the location of the chosen feature in the successive video image; and
(f) controlling the input to the system based on the location of the base pixel and the successive pixel.
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44. A system for providing input to a computer by a user, comprising:
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(a) a video camera for capturing video images of at least a part of the user and outputting video signals corresponding to the video images;
(b) a tracker for receiving the video output signals from the camera and outputting data signals corresponding to a feature associated with the user; and
(c) a driver for receiving the data signals and controlling an input device of the computer in response thereto. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46)
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Specification