Method And Device For Controlling Pointer On A Computer Screen By Spatial Movements Such As Head Movements

• US 20080030467A1
• Filed: 08/30/2005
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Frans Joseph Maria Rouppe Van Der Voort
• Original Assignee: Frans Joseph Maria Rouppe Van Der Voort
• Inventors: Doornekamp, Ico, Rouppe van der Voort, Frans
• Application Number:
  US11/661,790
• Publication Number:
  US 20080030467A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/158
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a pointer on a computer screen, comprising of a. providing a holder having at least two acceleration sensors which are arranged with a sensitive axis at an angle to each other on the holder and which generate acceleration signals, b. processing the acceleration signal to an x-signal and a y-signal, c. processing each signal by subtracting a pre-value, d. adjusting the pre-value repeatedly by increasing or decreasing the pre-value if the position signal is respectively greater or smaller than the pre-value for a predetermined period, and e. sending the processed position signals to a computer connected to the computer screen. The invention also relates to a device for controlling a pointer on a computer screen, comprising a holder, at least two acceleration sensors which are arranged with a sensitive axis at an angle to each other on the holder and a processing device which at least comprises integrators for acceleration signals from the acceleration sensors and a converter for converting the integrated acceleration signals into an x-signal and a y-signal, wherein the processing device further comprises a correction unit which can adjust each signal with the method according to any of the foregoing claims.

Claims

1. Method for controlling a pointer on a computer screen, comprising of

a. providing a holder having at least two acceleration sensors which are arranged with a sensitive axis at an angle to each other on the holder and which generate acceleration signals,

b. processing the acceleration signals to an x-signal, and a y-signal,

c. processing at least one of the signals by subtracting a pre-value,

d. adjusting the pre-value repeatedly by increasing or decreasing the pre-value if the position signal is respectively greater or smaller than the pre-value for a predetermined period, and

e. sending the processed position signals to a computer connected to the computer screen.

2. Method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signals are digital signals which are sampled at a sampling frequency for processing purposes, the method comprising the steps of:

a. subtracting the pre-value from each sample,

b. wherein the repeated adjustment of the pre-value takes place by increasing a first counter or a second counter when the sample is respectively greater or smaller than the pre-value, and

c. increasing or decreasing the pre-value if respectively the first or the second counter reaches a predetermined counter value,

d. wherein the relevant counter is set to zero.

3. Method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein each position signal is set to equal zero if it is lower than a predetermined threshold value.

4. Method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sampling frequency amounts to substantially 150 Hz.

5. Method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the counter value is adjustable in the range of 100 to 200.

10. Device for controlling a pointer on a computer screen, comprising a holder, at least two acceleration sensors which are arranged with a sensitive axis at an angle to each other on the holder and a processing device which at least comprises integrators for acceleration signals from the acceleration sensors and a converter for converting the integrated acceleration signals into an x-signal and a y-signal, wherein the processing device further comprises a correction unit which can adjust each signal with the method as claimed in any of the foregoing claims.

6. Method for controlling a pointer on a computer screen, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a holder having at least two acceleration sensors which are arranged with a sensitive axis at an angle to each other on the holder and which generate acceleration signals,

b. processing the acceleration signals to an x-signal and a y-signal,

c. sending the processed signals to a computer connected to the computer screen,

d. wherein the computer screen is a screen wearable on the head as glasses and the position signals are processed such that the pointer moves in a direction opposed to that of the direction of movement of the holder.

7. Method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the computer screen is arranged on the holder.

8. Method for controlling a pointer on a computer screen, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a holder having at least two acceleration sensors which are arranged with a sensitive axis at an angle to each other on the holder and which generate acceleration signals,

b. processing the acceleration signals to an x-signal and a y-signal,

c. providing an apparatus provided with control buttons,

d. showing on the computer screen a representation of the apparatus and the control buttons,

e. sending the processed position signals to a computer connected to the computer screen for the purpose of controlling the pointer,

f. forming a control signal corresponding with operation of the control buttons by placing the pointer on the control button representation and activating a switching member, and

g. sending the control signal to the apparatus.

9. Method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the switching member is activated with a speech recognition system.

11. Software to be executed on a computer for controlling a pointer on a computer screen with the aid of a holder having at least two acceleration sensors which are arranged with a sensitive axis at an angle to each other on the holder and which generate acceleration signals, the software comprising routines for:

a. processing the acceleration signals to an x-signal and a y-signal,

b. processing at least one of the signals by subtracting a pre-value,

c. adjusting the pre-value repeatedly by increasing or decreasing the pre-value if the position signal is respectively greater or smaller than the pre-value for a predetermined period, and

d. sending the processed position signals to a computer connected to the computer screen.

12. Software according to claim 11, wherein the signals are digital signals which are sampled at a sampling frequency for processing purposes, the software further comprising routines for:

a. subtracting a pre-value from each sample,

b. increasing a first counter or a second counter, to achieve repeated adjustment of the pre-value, when the sample is respectively greater or smaller than the pre-value, and

c. increasing or decreasing the pre-value if respectively the first or the second counter reaches a predetermined-counter value,

d. wherein the relevant counter is set to zero.

13. Software as claimed in any of the foregoing claims 11 and 12, further comprising a routine for setting each position signal equal to zero if it is lower than a predetermined threshold value.

14. Software as claimed in claim 12, wherein the sampling frequency amounts to substantially 150 Hz.

15. Software as claimed in claim 14, wherein the counter value is adjustable in the range of 100 to 200.

16. Software for controlling a pointer on a computer screen with the aid of a holder having at least two acceleration sensors which are arranged with a sensitive axis at an angle to each other on the holder and which generate acceleration signals, the software comprising routines for:

a. processing the acceleration signals to an x-signal and a y-signal,

b. sending the processed signals to a computer connected to the computer screen, and

c. wherein the computer screen is a screen wearable on the head as glasses and the position signals are processed such that the pointer moves in a direction opposed to chat of the direction of movement of the holder.

18. Software for controlling a pointer on a computer screen with the aid of a holder having at least two acceleration sensors which are arranged with a sensitive axis at an angle to each other on the holder and which generate acceleration signals, the software comprising routines for:

a. processing the acceleration signals to an x-signal and a y-signal,

b. accepting signals from an apparatus provided with control buttons,

c. showing on the computer screen a representation of the apparatus and the control buttons,

d. sending the processed position signals to a computer connected to the computer screen for the purpose of controlling the pointer,

e. forming a control signal corresponding with operation of the control buttons by placing the pointer on the control button representation and activating a switching member, and

f. sending the control signal to the apparatus.

17. Software as claimed in claim 18, wherein the computer screen is arranged on the holder.

19. Software as claimed in claim 18, further comprising a routine for activating the switching member with a speech recognition system.