Foot activated user interface

• US 20020180695A1
• Filed: 03/18/2002
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Slatter, David Neil, Lawrence, Richard Anthony, Hall, Glenn Peter
• Granted Patent: US 6,922,184 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0334 Foot operated pointing devices

Abstract

A computing apparatus comprises a processor unit 10 and a foot control unit 13, in addition to a device for presenting information to a user such as a microdisplay. Movement of the foot, which drives operation of a selection element, provides user input to the processor unit. The foot control unit contains a position sensor 27 that detects position relative to a reference unit 26 in the processor unit 10. A stream of relative position data is used to indicate alternative options at the information presentation device. Selection may be carried out by various alternative methods in different embodiments—if the position sensor 27 is also an orientation sensor, this may be by rotation of the foot. This arrangement is particularly suitable for a wearable computing apparatus.

Claims

1. Wearable computing apparatus, comprising:

a processor;

a device for presenting information from the processor to a user; and

a device for providing user input to the processor in response to the information presented to the user, wherein the device is adapted to be activated wholly or partly by a foot of the user.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for presenting information to a user is a visible display.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the visible display is an eyeglass display.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the user input device is adapted to select an item from a list displayed on the visible display.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the user input device is adapted to select a point on an area displayed on the visible display.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the user input device is adapted to select an arbitrary area from an area displayed on the visible display.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for presenting information to a user provides audible output.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the user input device is adapted to allow selection from menu options.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user input device comprises a foot mounted position sensor.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the user input device further comprises a reference unit for the position sensor, wherein the reference unit is also adapted to be worn by the user.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein translation of the foot mounted position sensor causes translation of a selection device across a space presented by the information-presenting device.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the foot mounted position sensor is further adapted to sense orientation.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein rotation of the foot mounted position sensor beyond a threshold value causes a predetermined operation to be carried out by the processor in respect of information indicated to be available for selection by the information-presenting device.

15. Computing apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the processor, the display and the user input device are wearable by a user.

16. Computing apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the user input device is adapted for selection of an item from a list displayed on the display.

17. Computing apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the user input device is adapted for selection of a point on an area displayed on the display.

18. Computing apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the user input device is adapted for selection of an arbitrary area from an area displayed on the display.

20. A user input device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the program instructions cause the processor to be adapted to interpret predetermined changes in relative position information as a selection event for the selection element.

21. A user input device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the position sensor is also an orientation sensor, and wherein the data structure is adapted to interpret predetermined changes in relative orientation as a selection event for the selection element.

14. Computing apparatus, comprising:

a processor;

a display for presenting information from the processor to a user; and

a user input device comprising a foot mounted position and orientation sensor, wherein translation of the foot mounted position sensor causes translation of a selection device across the display and rotation of the foot mounted position sensor causes a predetermined operation to be carried out by the processor in respect of information indicated by the selection device.

19. A user input device for computing apparatus, comprising:

a foot control unit adapted to be worn on a user'"'"'s foot and comprising

a position sensor for sensing relative position with respect to a reference unit;

a reference unit remote from the foot control unit; and

a data carrier containing program instructions for execution by a processor of said computing apparatus, wherein the processor executing said program instructions is adapted to receive a stream of relative position information from the foot control unit or the reference unit and to convert the stream of relative position information into a position of a selection element on a user display.

22. A method of providing user input to a computing device, comprising:

mounting a control unit on a foot of a user;

providing signals indicating a position of the control unit relative to a reference unit not mounted with the control unit on the foot of the user;

and

representing changes in the relative position of the control unit and the reference unit as changes in data presented to a user on a data presentation device.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said changes in relative position determined include a translation of the control unit relevant to the reference unit.

24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said translation is determined in a plane defined relative to the control unit or the reference unit.

25. A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein translation normal to said plane is detected and compared with a predetermined threshold, and translation exceeding said threshold is determined to be a selection event.

26. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said presentation device is a display, and said translation is represented by a translation of a cursor across said display.

27. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said presentation device is a loudspeaker, and said translation is represented by movement through a list of menu options and playing of a relevant menu option.

28. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said position indicating signals comprise signals indicating a relative orientation of the control unit and the reference unit, and said changes in relative position determined include a change in relative orientation of the control unit and the reference unit.

29. A method as claimed in claim 28, wherein a change in relative orientation in excess of a predetermined criterion is interpreted as a selection event.