WEARABLE DATA INPUT DEVICE

• US 20100156783A1
• Filed: 03/05/2010
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mark Bajramovic
• Original Assignee: Mark Bajramovic
• Inventors: BAJRAMOVIC, Mark
• Application Number:
  US12/718,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20100156783A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0331 Finger worn pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0335 Finger operated miniaturized mouse
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

A wearable data input device. A garment to be worn on a user'"'"'s hand includes at least one digit portion for receiving a corresponding digit of the user'"'"'s hand; a palmar portion; and a dorsal portion. A plurality of contact sensors includes at least one sensor on each digit portion of the garment. Each contact sensor is configured to detect contact between a corresponding portion of the user'"'"'s hand and another object, and to generate contact signals in accordance with the detected contact. A surface movement sensor detects 2-dimensional (2-D) movement of the user'"'"'s hand across a surface, and generates corresponding 2-D movement signals in accordance with the detected movement. A consol is configured to receive signals from each sensor, and to selectively transmit the received signals to a computer. At least the consol is selectively removable from the garment.

Claims

1. A wearable data input device comprising:

a garment to be worn on a user'"'"'s hand, the garment including;

at least one digit portion for receiving a corresponding digit of the user'"'"'s hand;

a palmar portion; and

a dorsal portion;

at least one contact sensor disposed on the garment, each contact sensor configured to detect contact between a corresponding portion of the user'"'"'s hand and another object, and to generate contact signals in accordance with the detected contact;

a surface movement sensor to detect 2-dimensional (2-D) movement of the user'"'"'s hand across a surface, and to generate corresponding 2-D movement signals in accordance with the detected movement; and

a consol disposed on the garment, the consol being configured to receive signals from each sensor, and to selectively transmit the received signals to a computer;

wherein at least the consol is selectively removable from the garment.

2. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface movement sensor is selectively removable from the garment.

3. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a first fitting affixed to the garment for removably receiving the consol;

a second fitting affixed to the garment for removably receiving the surface movement sensor; and

at least one electrical conductor affixed to the garment for electrically connecting the first and second fittings.

4. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 3, comprising a plurality of second fittings such that a user can affix the surface movement sensor to the garment at any one of a plurality of user-selected locations, each second fitting being connected to the first fitting by at least one respective electrical conductor.

5. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one contact sensor comprises at least one contact sensor disposed on each digit portion of the garment.

6. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one contact sensor includes at least one contact sensor disposed on the palmar portion of the garment.

7. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the contact sensors is non-removably affixed to the garment.

8. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the contact sensors is selectively removable from the garment.

9. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

a plurality of third fittings affixed to the garment, each third fitting for removably receiving a respective contact sensor, such that a user can affix contact sensors to the garment at any one or more of a plurality of user-selected locations; and

respective electrical conductors affixed to the garment for electrically connecting the console to each one of the third fittings.

10. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 9, wherein each third fitting is individually addressable, such that a response of a computer to a contact signal generated by a contact sensor affixed to any given third fitting is user-programmable.

11. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the consol comprises:

a transmitter for transmitting signals to the computer; and

a controller configured to;

detect when the user'"'"'s hand is positioned to enable detection of 2-D movement across the surface by the surface movement sensor, and control the transmitter to transmit the 2-D movement signals to the computer; and

otherwise, control the transmitter to transmit no signals to the computer.

12. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit signals to the computer via a wireless connection or a cable connection.

13. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the controller is responsive to a first switch signal to detect when the user'"'"'s hand is positioned to enable detection of 2-D movement across the surface.

14. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the first switch signal is generated by a contact sensor associated with the surface movement sensor, and configured to detect contact between the surface movement sensor and the surface.

15. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the first switch signal is generated by a processor for deriving the first switch signal from respective outputs of the surface movement sensor and at least one other contact sensor of the wearable data input device.

16. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one motion sensor for detecting 3-dimensional (3-D) motion of the user'"'"'s hand, and for generating 3-D motion signals in accordance with the detected motion.

17. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the motion sensor comprises a 6-axis accelerometer, and wherein the 3-D motion signals contain information of measured motion and attitude of the of the user'"'"'s hand.

18. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the motion sensor is disposed in the consol.

19. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the consol comprises:

a transmitter for transmitting signals to the computer; and

a controller configured to;

detect when the user'"'"'s hand is positioned to enable detection of 2-D movement across the surface by the surface movement sensor, and control the transmitter to transmit the 2-D movement signals to the computer;

detect when the user'"'"'s hand is positioned for controlling a cursor in a 3-D coordinate system, and control the transmitter to transmit the 3-D motion signals to the computer; and

otherwise, control the transmitter to transmit no signals to the computer.

20. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit signals to the computer via a wireless connection or a cable connection.

21. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the controller is responsive to a first switch signal to detect when the user'"'"'s hand is positioned to enable detection of 2-D movement across the surface.

22. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first switch signal is generated by a user-controlled switch.

23. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first switch signal is generated by a contact sensor associated with the surface movement sensor, and configured to detect contact between the surface movement sensor and the surface.

24. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first switch signal is generated by a processor for deriving the first switch signal from respective outputs of the surface movement sensor and at least one other contact sensor of the wearable data input device.

25. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the controller is responsive to a second switch signal to detect when the user'"'"'s hand is positioned for controlling a cursor in a 3-D coordinate system.

26. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the second switch signal is generated by a user-controlled switch.

27. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the second switch signal is generated by a processor for deriving the second switch signal from at least the first switch signal and an output of the 3-D motion sensor.

28. A wearable data input device comprising:

a garment to be worn on a user'"'"'s hand, the garment including;

at least one digit portion for receiving a corresponding digit of the user'"'"'s hand;

a palmar portion; and

a dorsal portion;

at least one contact sensor disposed on the garment, each contact sensor configured to detect contact between a corresponding portion of the user'"'"'s hand and another object, and to generate contact signals in accordance with the detected contact;

a surface movement sensor disposed on the garment, to detect 2-dimensional (2-D) movement of the user'"'"'s hand across a surface, and to generate corresponding 2-D movement signals in accordance with the detected movement;

at least one motion sensor for detecting 3-dimensional (3-D) motion of the user'"'"'s hand, and for generating 3-D motion signals in accordance with the detected motion; and

a consol configured to receive signals from each sensor, and to selectively transmit the received signals to a computer.

29. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the at least one contact sensor comprises at least one contact sensor disposed on each digit portion of the garment.

30. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the motion sensor comprises a 6-axis accelerometer, and wherein the 3-D motion signals contain information of measured motion and attitude of the of the user'"'"'s hand.

31. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the motion sensor is disposed in the consol.

32. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the consol comprises:

a transmitter for transmitting signals to the computer; and

a controller configured to;

detect when the user'"'"'s hand is positioned to enable detection of 2-D movement across the surface by the surface movement sensor, and control the transmitter to transmit the 2-D movement signals to the computer;

detect when the user'"'"'s hand is positioned for controlling a cursor in a 3-D coordinate system, and control the transmitter to transmit the 3-D motion signals to the computer; and

otherwise, control the transmitter to transmit no signals to the computer.

33. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the consol is selectively removable from the garment.

34. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 28, wherein the surface movement sensor is selectively removable from the garment.

35. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 34, further comprising:

a first fitting affixed to the garment for removably receiving the consol;

a second fitting affixed to the garment for removably receiving the surface movement sensor; and

at least one electrical conductor affixed to the garment for electrically connecting the first and second fittings.

36. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 35, comprising a plurality of second fittings such that a user can affix the surface movement sensor;

to the garment at any one of a plurality of user-selected locations, each second fitting being connected to the first fitting by at least one respective electrical conductor.

37. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 28, wherein at least one of the contact sensors is selectively removable from the garment.

38. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 37, further comprising:

a plurality of third fittings affixed to the garment, each third fitting for removably receiving a respective contact sensor, such that a user can affix contact sensors to the garment at any one or more of a plurality of user-selected locations; and

respective electrical conductors affixed to the garment for electrically connecting the first fitting to each one of the third fittings.

39. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 38, wherein each third fitting is individually addressable, such that a response of a computer to a contact signal generated by a contact sensor affixed to any given third fitting is user-programmable.

40. A wearable data input device comprising:

a garment to be worn on a user'"'"'s hand, the garment including;

at least one digit portion for receiving a corresponding digit of the user'"'"'s hand;

a palmar portion; and

a dorsal portion;

at least one contact sensor disposed on the garment, each contact sensor configured to detect contact between a corresponding portion of the user'"'"'s hand and another object, and to generate contact signals in accordance with the detected contact;

a motion sensor for detecting 3-dimensional (3-D) motion of the user'"'"'s hand, and for generating motion signals in accordance with the detected motion; and

a consol configured to receive signals from each sensor, and to selectively transmit the received signals to a computer;

wherein the consol is operative in a 2D mode to process the motion signals from the motion sensor to derive 2-dimensional movement signals representative of 2-dimensional movement of the user'"'"'s hand relative to a surface, and to transmit the derived 2-D movement signals.

41. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 40, wherein the at least one contact sensor comprises at least one contact sensor disposed on each digit portion of on the garment.

42. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 40, wherein the motion sensor comprises a 6-axis accelerometer, and wherein the motion signals contain information of measured motion and attitude of the of the user'"'"'s hand.

43. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 40, wherein the motion sensor is disposed in the consol.

44. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 40, wherein the consol comprises:

a transmitter for transmitting signals to the computer; and

a controller configured to;

detect when the user'"'"'s hand is positioned to enable detection of 2-dimensional movement, and control the transmitter to transmit the 2-D movement signals to the computer;

detect when the user'"'"'s hand is positioned for controlling a cursor in a 3-D coordinate system, and control the transmitter to transmit the 3-D motion signals to the computer; and

otherwise, control the transmitter to transmit no signals to the computer.

45. The wearable data input device as claimed in claim 40, wherein the consol is selectively removable from the garment.