Wearable data input interface

• US 20030179224A1
• Filed: 02/24/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gunilla Alsio
• Original Assignee: Gunilla Alsio
• Inventors: Alsio, Gunilla
• Granted Patent: US 6,748,281 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/702
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves

Abstract

The method is for entering data into a computer device (11) and comprises providing a wearable device (10) that is attached to a hand (200). The device (10) has extensions (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) disposed below metacarpophalangeal joints (212) and first bone segments (202) of the fingers (208). The extensions (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) have sensors (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) in operative engagement with sensor channels (15, 17, 19, 21, 23) mounted thereon. The first bone segments (202) may be moved relative to second bone segments (214) at the metacarpophalaneal joints (212) to bend at least one of the sensor channels (15, 17, 19, 21, 23). One of the sensors (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) sensing the bending of one the sensor channels (15, 17, 19, 21, 23) and sending an activation signal (57) to a computer device (11) in operative engagement with the device (10).

Claims

1. A method of entering data into a coputer device, comprising:

providing a wearable device (10) having an extension (14, 16, 18, 20, 22), the extension (14, 16, 18 20, 22) having a sensor (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) in operative ezigagement with a sensor chael (15, 17, 19, 21, 23) mounted thereon;

plsaing a hand (200) on top of the device (10) so that the extesion (14, 16, 19, 20, 22) is postioned immediately below a metacarpophalangeal joint (212) and a first bone sent (202) of the hand (200) and the sensor channel (15, 17, 19, 21, 23) extends under and across the joint (212) and into the extension (14, 16, 10, 20, 22);

moving the first bone segunet (202) relative to a second bone segment (214) of the head (200) at the metacarpophalangeal joint (212);

the movement of the bone segment 202 bending the sensor channel (15, 17, 19, 21, 23);

the sensor (50, 52, 54, 56, 50) sensing te bending of the sensor channel (15, 17, 19, 21, 23); and

the sensor (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) souding an activation signal (57) to a computer device (11) in operative engagement with the device (10).

2. The mathod according to claim 1 wherein the method further corises carrying a tirst aount of light in the sensor channel (15, 17, 19, 21, 23).

3. The method aicording to claim 2 wherein the imethod further comprises the sensor 50, 52, 54, 56, 58) being an optronical device (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) for sensing the amount of light carried in the sensor channel (15, 17, 19, 21, 23).

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the method further comprises the optronical device (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) sending the activation signal (57) to the computer device (11) when a second amount of light is sensed and the second amount is less than the first amount of light.