Computer data entry and manipulation apparatus and method

• US 20030048312A1
• Filed: 07/17/2002
• Published: 03/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1987
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jaron Z. Lanier, Thomas G. Zimmerman
• Original Assignee: Jaron Z. Lanier, Thomas G. Zimmerman
• Inventors: Zimmerman, Thomas G., Lanier, Jaron Z.
• Granted Patent: US 7,205,979 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/863
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1114 Tracking parts of the body
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1125 Grasping motions of hands
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1127 using markers
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6806 Gloves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/7475 User input or interface means, e.g. keyboard, pointing device, joystick
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors

Abstract

Apparatus is disclosed for generating control signals for the manipulation of virtual objects in a computer system according to the gestures and positions of an operator'"'"'s hand or other body part. The apparatus includes a glove worn on the hand which includes sensors for detecting the gestures of the hand, as well as hand position sensing means coupled to the glove and to the computer system for detecting the position of the hand with respect to the system. The computer system includes circuitry connected to receive the gesture signals and the hand position signals for generating control signals in response thereto. Typically, the control signals are used to manipulate a graphical representation of the operator'"'"'s hand which is displayed on a monitor coupled to the computer system, and the graphical representations of the operator'"'"'s hand manipulates virtual objects or tools also displayed by the computer.

Claims

1. Apparatus adapted for a user to control a computer comprising:

display means connected to the computer for displaying objects on a screen;

glove means adapted to be worn on a hand of the user, the glove means including gesture sensing means coupled to the glove means for detecting flexure of fingers of the user'"'"'s hand and position sensing means couple to the glove means for detecting position of the hand with respect to the display means; and

interface means for coupling the glove means to the display means to control the display means in response to the flexure of fingers and the position of the hand.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the position sensing means comprises transmitting means affixed to the glove for transmitting signals to receiving means disposed about the display means.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the gesture sensing means further comprises flexure sensors affixed to the glove means to detect the extent of bending of the fingers of the user.

4. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the transmitting means transmits ultrasonic signals.

5. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the receiving means comprises a plurality of receivers of ultrasonic signals disposed about the screen.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the plurality is three and the three receivers are not linearly arranged.

7. Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein the interface means includes circuitry coupled to the flexure sensors and to the plurality of receivers.

8. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the display means is adapted to display a representation of a hand which mirrors the position and flexure of fingers of the user'"'"'s hand.

9. Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the transmitting means comprises a plurality of transmitters.

10. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the interface means includes a cable connecting the glove means to the computer.

11. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the interface means includes an electromagnetic transmitter connecting the glove means to the computer.

12. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the interface means includes an optical transmitter/receiver connecting the glove means to the computer.