System and method for selecting actions based on the identification of user's fingers
First Claim
1. A system for selecting by a user a function from n functions, wherein said n is at least 2 and wherein said selection of said function is dependent on the identification of said user'"'"'s fingertip, comprising:
- (a) an input sensor, wherein said input sensor is associated with said n functions, and said n functions correspond to n fingertips of said user; and
(b) said user to select said function by selecting only one of said n fingertips at a given time, and only said selected fingertip touches and activates said input sensor.
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Abstract
Provided is a system and method that increases the functionality of input devices and control panels. A dependent relationship between n functions and n fingertips is associated with an input sensor. Including different motions for each fingertip could extend this dependent relationship and further increase functionality. A user selects only one of his/her fingertips, which then activates the input sensor (through on/off activation and/or motion). The selected fingertip is the only fingertip that is required to activate the input sensor, thereby allowing the input sensor to be arbitrary small. An imaging means is included to identify which fingertip activates the input sensor. Imaging means requires the acquisition of at least one image of a part of the user'"'"'s hand large enough to identify the selected fingertip activating the input sensor. A processing means is included to determine from data of the input sensor and acquired images which function is selected.
186 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A system for selecting by a user a function from n functions, wherein said n is at least 2 and wherein said selection of said function is dependent on the identification of said user'"'"'s fingertip, comprising:
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(a) an input sensor, wherein said input sensor is associated with said n functions, and said n functions correspond to n fingertips of said user; and
(b) said user to select said function by selecting only one of said n fingertips at a given time, and only said selected fingertip touches and activates said input sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for selecting by a user a function from n functions, wherein said n is at least 2 and wherein said selection of said function is dependent on the identification of said user'"'"'s fingertip, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing an input sensor, wherein said input sensor is associated with said n functions, and said n functions correspond to n fingertips of said user;
p1 (b) selecting by said user said function by selecting only one of said n fingertips at a given time; and
(c) activating said input sensor with only said selected fingertip, wherein only said selected finger touches said input sensor. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A system for selecting by a user a function from n functions using tactile information, comprising:
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(a) an input sensor, wherein said input sensor is associated with said n functions, wherein said n functions correspond to n fingertips of said user, and wherein said input sensor comprises tactile stimuli to provide said user with said tactile information related to said input sensor;
(b) said user to select said function by selecting only one of said n fingertips at a given time and only said selected fingertip touches and activates said input sensor, and wherein said user is prevented from looking at said input sensor during user'"'"'s selection; and
(c) an imaging means, wherein said imaging means images a part of said user'"'"'s hand large enough to identify said selected fingertip that activates said input sensor.
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38. A system for communicating a user'"'"'s intent, comprising:
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(a) an input sensor, wherein said input sensor is associated with said n intents, and said n intents correspond to n fingertips of said user;
(b) said user to select said intent by selecting only one of said n fingertips at a given time, and only said selected fingertip touches and activates said input sensor; and
(c) an imaging means, wherein said imaging means images a part of said user'"'"'s hand large enough to identify said selected fingertip that activates said input sensor.
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- 39. A system for selecting by a user a function from
Specification