THREE DIMENSIONAL HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERFACE

• US 20080068376A1
• Filed: 11/09/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: F Poszat Hu LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Qinetiq Limited (QinetiQ Group PLC)
• Inventors: Ibrahim, Saquib, ANDERSON, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 9,541,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/423
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04802 3D-info-object: information is displayed on the internal or external surface of a three dimensional manipulable object, e.g. on the faces of a cube that can be rotated by the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04845 for image manipulation, e.g. dragging, rotation, expansion or change of colour
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path

Abstract

A system includes a three dimensional display device configured to project computer generated controls and a target image in a three dimensional target volume; and an actuator configured to be worn by an operator. The system further includes one or more sensors configured to sense a movement of the actuator, wherein the controls are configured to be manipulated corresponding with the movement of the actuator within the target volume to alter an appearance of the target image.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a three dimensional display device configured to project computer generated controls and a target image in a three dimensional target volume;

an actuator configured to be worn by an operator; and

one or more sensors configured to sense a movement of the actuator, wherein the controls are configured to be manipulated corresponding with the movement of the actuator within the target volume to alter an appearance of the target image.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the controls substantially surrounds the target image.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein the actuator is configured to be worn on an operator'"'"'s hand.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein the controls are further configured to be manipulated by immersing the actuator into the control and moving the actuator.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein movement of the actuator generates a haptic feedback response when the actuator contacts the control.

6. The system according to claim 5 wherein the haptic feedback response simulates contact with the control by providing a resistance to further movement of the actuator.

7. The system according to claim 1 wherein an appearance of the control changes substantially simultaneously as the appearance of the target image is altered.

8. A method comprising:

displaying a three dimensional hologram in a target volume;

displaying a computer generated operator control;

detecting movement of an actuator positioned in the target volume, the operator control responsive to the movement of the actuator; and

varying one or more characteristics of the hologram according to the response of the operator control.

9. The method according to claim 8 further comprising detecting movement of the actuator within the operator control, wherein the operator control is displayed within the target volume.

10. The method according to claim 8 wherein the actuator is configured to be worn on an operator'"'"'s hand.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the actuator is configured to detect a change in position of the operator'"'"'s hand from a clenched fist to fingers spread out.

12. The method according to claim 8 wherein the operator control substantially surrounds the hologram.

13. The method according to claim 8 farther comprising changing a size of the operator control in response to the movement of the actuator.

14. The method according to claim 8 further comprising changing an orientation of the operator control in response to the movement of the actuator.

15. The method according to claim 8 wherein the operator control appears as a first image encased within a second image, and the relative sizes of the first and second images change in response to the movement of the actuator.

16. A human-computer interface comprising:

means for displaying a three dimensional image in a target volume;

means for displaying one or more computer generated operator controls;

means for detecting movement of an actuator positioned in the target volume, the one or more operator controls responsive to the movement of the actuator; and

means for varying one or more dimensions of the three dimensional image according to the response of the one or more operator controls.

17. The human-computer interface according to claim 16 wherein the one or more operator controls comprise three loops surrounding the three dimensional image, each of the loops located orthogonally to the other loops.

18. The human-computer interface according to claim 17 wherein each of the three loops operates to vary one of the dimensions of the three dimensional image.

19. The human-computer interface according to claim 16 wherein the actuator is configured to be worn on an operator'"'"'s hand.

20. The human-computer interface according to claim 19 wherein the movement of the actuator corresponds to simultaneous movement of the operator'"'"'s hand within the target volume.