Apparatus to support a device to control an electronic or computer system by means of a fluid flow and a method of manufacturing the same

• US 20040252103A1
• Filed: 03/29/2004
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Inputive Corporation
• Original Assignee: Inputive Corporation
• Inventors: Bonnat, Pierre
• Application Number:
  US10/812,565
• Publication Number:
  US 20040252103A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0383 Signal control means within the pointing device

Abstract

A device to provide input to a computer system, utilizing alternate means of input that do not require hands and limbs support. The device includes a flexible member that enables the device to wrap around objects of various shapes and sizes. In another aspect of the present invention, the device is designed to be wearable by a user, such as but not limited, to his neck area.

Claims

1. A device to provide a pressure current input to a computer system, the device including:

a first module having a sensor, the sensor operationally to detect the pressure current input provided by a user and to convert the pressure current input into an electric signal;

a second module having a signal processing unit, the signal processing unit to process the electric signal; and

a flexible arm connecting the first module and the second module, the flexible arm being deformable to secure the device to a support and having at least a portion of sufficiently rigidity to support the first module in an input position to detect the pressure current input provided by the user.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure current input is a fluid current.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the fluid current is an exhaled breath.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the fluid current is an inhaled breath.

5. The device of claim 2, wherein the fluid current is in one or both of gaseous and liquid states.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the pressure current input is a deformation force.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the signal processing unit further includes a processor, a power unit and a wireless data transfer unit.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the input position is proximal to a chin area of a user.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the flexible arm includes a plurality of wires connecting the first module and the second module.

10. A device to provide a motion input to a computer system, the device including:

a first module having a sensor, the sensor operationally to detect the motion input provided by a user and to convert the motion input into an electric signal;

a second module having a signal processing unit, the signal processing unit to process the electric signal; and

a flexible arm member connecting the first module and the second module, the flexible arm member being deformable to secure the device to a support and having at least a portion of sufficiently rigidity to support the first module in an input position to detect the motion input provided by the user.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the signal processing unit further includes a processor, a power unit and a wireless data transfer unit.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the input position is proximal to a chin area of a user.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the flexible arm includes a plurality of wires connecting the first module and the second module.

14. A device to provide a pressure current input to a computer system, the device including:

a first housing including at least one of a sensor and a signal processor; and

at least one arm coupled to and extendable relative to the housing so as to support the first housing relative to a support;

wherein the arm is deformable and has at least a portion of sufficiently rigidity to support the first housing in an input position to detect the pressure current input provided by the user.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the pressure current input is a fluid current.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the fluid current is an exhaled breath.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the fluid current is an inhaled breath.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the fluid current is in one or both of gaseous and liquid states.

19. The device of claim 14, wherein the pressure current input is a deformation force.

20. The device of claim 14, wherein the first housing defines a chamber to accommodate the arm.

21. The device of claim 14, wherein the arm is foldable relative to the first housing.

22. The device of claim 14, wherein the first housing includes the sensor.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the first housing is coupled to a first end of the arm, a second housing is coupled to a second end of the arm and the second housing is to accomodate the signal processing unit.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein at least the first or the second housing defines a chamber to accommodate the arm.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein the arm is foldable relative to at least the first or the second housing.

26. The device of claim 14, wherein the input position is proximal to a chin area of a user.

27. A device to provide a motion input to a computer system, the device including:

a first housing including at least one of a sensor and a signal processor;

at least an arm coupled to and extendable relative to the housing so as to support the housing relative to a support; and

the arm being deformable and having at least a portion of sufficiently rigidity to support the first housing in an input position to detect the motion input provided by the user.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the first housing defines a chamber to accommodate the arm.

29. The device of claim 27, wherein the arm is foldable relative to the housing.

30. The device of claim 27, wherein the first housing includes the sensor.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the first housing coupled to a first end of the arm, a second housing coupled to a second end of the arm and the second housing to accommodate the signal processing unit.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein at least the first or the second housing defines a chamber to accommodate the arm.

33. The device of claim 32, wherein the arm is foldable relative to at least the first or the second housing.

34. The device of claim 27, wherein the input position is proximal to a chin area of a user.

35. A method of manufacturing a device to provide a pressure current input to a computer system including:

providing a first module having a sensor, the sensor detects the pressure current input and converts the pressure current input into an electric signal;

providing a second module having a signal processing unit, the signal processing unit processes the electric signal generated by the sensor; and

connecting a flexible member between the first and the second module, the flexible member being deformable to secure the device to a support and having at least a portion of sufficiently rigidity to support the first module in an input position to detect the pressure current input provided by the user.

36. A apparatus for providing a pressure current input to a computer system, the apparatus including:

first means for sensing the pressure current input and converting the pressure current input into an electric signal;

second means for processing the electric signal; and

third means for electrically connecting the first means and second means, wherein the third means includes means for securing the device to a support.