Method and apparatus for human interface with a computer

• US 20040125076A1
• Filed: 09/12/2003
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: David Green
• Original Assignee: David Green
• Inventors: Green, David
• Application Number:
  US10/660,913
• Publication Number:
  US 20040125076A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0331 Finger worn pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/042 by opto-electronic means

Abstract

A method and apparatus for human interface with a computer is disclosed. The system comprises a member adapted to reside on a finger of a computer user; light emitting means disposed on the member; a camera operatively connected to the computer and adapted to view the member and the light emitting means; and means for converting a color viewed by the camera into a control signal for the computer. The light emitting means may be adapted to emit a first color when the member is in a first position, and a second color when the member is in a second position.

Claims

1. A system for providing control signals to a computer, said system comprising:

a member adapted for hand-held use by a computer user;

light emitting means disposed on said member, said light emitting means adapted to emit a first color responsive to a first member condition, and a second color responsive to a second member condition;

a camera operatively connected to the computer and adapted to view said member and said light emitting means; and

means for converting a color viewed by the camera into a control signal for the computer.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said light emitting means comprises:

a first LED adapted to emit the first color;

a second LED adapted to emit the second color; and

a battery selectively connected to said first LED and said second LED.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said battery is connected to said first LED responsive to the first member condition.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein said battery is connected to said second LED responsive to the second member condition.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein said first LED is disposed on a tip surface of said member.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein said second LED is disposed on a knuckle surface of said member.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said member comprises a tube-like member adapted to reside on a finger of the computer user.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first member condition comprises a pointed finger position and the second member condition comprises a closed finger position.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said member comprises a wand-like member adapted to be held by the computer user.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said member further comprises a distinct knuckle surface color and a distinct palm surface color.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said camera comprises a web cam.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said camera further comprises a mirrored lens surface.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said member comprises a finger puppet.

23. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the first position comprises a pointed finger position and the second position comprises a closed finger position.

14. A system for providing control signals to a computer, said system comprising:

a member adapted to reside on a finger of a computer user;

light emitting means disposed on said member, said light emitting means adapted to emit a first color when said member is in a first position, and a second color when said member is in a second position;

a camera operatively connected to the computer and adapted to view said member and said light emitting means; and

means for converting a color viewed by the camera into a control signal for the computer.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said light emitting means comprises:

a first LED adapted to emit the first color;

a second LED adapted to emit the second color; and

a battery selectively connected to said first LED and said second LED.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said battery is connected to said first LED when said member is in a pointed finger position.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein said battery is connected to said second LED when said member is in a closed finger position.

18. An apparatus for providing control signals to a computer, said apparatus comprising:

a tube-like member adapted to reside on the finger of a computer user, said member having a knuckle surface, a palm surface, and a tip surface; and

light emitting means disposed on said member, said light emitting means adapted to emit a first color when said member is in a first position, and a second color when said member is in a second position.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said light emitting means comprises:

a first LED adapted to emit the first color;

a second LED adapted to emit the second color; and

a battery selectively connected to said first LED and said second LED.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said battery is connected to said first LED when said member is in the first position and is connected to said second LED when said member is in the second position.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said first LED is disposed on the tip surface of said member.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said second LED is disposed on the knuckle surface of said member.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said member further comprises a distinct knuckle surface color and a distinct palm surface color.

25. A method of providing control signals to a computer using a camera and a tube-like member having a light emitting means and a power source disposed thereon, said method comprising the steps of:

placing the member on a finger on a hand of a computer user;

placing the member and the hand in the camera field of view;

selectively varying the position of the member;

selectively connecting the power source to the light emitting means to emit a first color or a second color responsive to the member position;

detecting a change in the color of the light emitting means in the camera field of view; and

generating a computer control signal responsive to the detection of a change in the light emitting means color.

26. A system for providing control signals to a computer, said system comprising:

a tube-like member adapted to reside on a finger of a computer user, said member having a distinct knuckle surface color and a distinct palm surface color;

a camera operatively connected to the computer and adapted to view said member; and

means for converting a member surface color viewed by the camera into a control signal for the computer.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the tube-like member further comprises a distinct tip surface color.

28. The system of claim 26 wherein the tube-like member comprises a finger puppet.

29. The system of claim 26 wherein the tube-like member is comprised of paper.