Finger Indicia Input Device for Computer

• US 20100177039A1
• Filed: 01/11/2010
• Published: 07/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Donn K. Harms, Isaac Grant
• Original Assignee: Donn K. Harms, Isaac Grant
• Inventors: Harms, Donn K., Grant, Isaac
• Application Number:
  US12/685,661
• Publication Number:
  US 20100177039A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0386 for light pen

Abstract

A device for controlling a computer to input commands using only hand motion. The device employs visually distinct indicia upon the thumb and at least one other finger of a user'"'"'s hand. Using cameras or other means to capture movement of the user'"'"'s hand, any contact between the thumb and a finger bearing the distinct indicia is ascertained as an input command. A laser or dot projecting pointer may be controlled using indicia in the form of a line on one finger.

Claims

1. A device for controlling a computer to input commands comprising:

means for positioning visually distinct indicia upon the thumb and at least one other finger of a user'"'"'s hand;

means to capture electronic video of said hand;

software running upon a computer, said software adapted to ascertain a contact between said indicia on said thumb and said indicia positioned on at least one other finger of said user'"'"'s hand, achieve a contact with each other; and

said software configured to execute a computer command upon ascertaining said contact, whereby said user can input said command to said computer without a conventional mouse or input device.

2. The device for controlling a computer of claim 1, additionally comprising:

said visually distinct indicia positioned upon said user'"'"'s thumb, and a plurality of said fingers of said user'"'"'s hand;

respective individual said contacts being ascertained by said software for a respective contact between said indicia on said thumb, and each respective finger; and

said software configured to execute separate respective computer commands for each respective contact ascertained between said user'"'"'s thumb, and an individual said finger bearing respective said visually distinct indicia.

3. The device for controlling a computer to input commands of claim 1, additionally comprising:

said visually distinct indicia positioned upon said finger also including an axial line running a length along said finger;

said means to capture electronic video capturing said electronic video from a plurality of angles relative to said user;

said software configured to extend imaginary lines from said axial line as viewed by each of said plurality of angles;

said software determining an intersection point of said imaginary lines and ascertain a highlight point; and

means to project said highlight point substantially at said intersection point, whereby a pointing of said finger bearing said axial line, by said user, positions said highlight point. plurality of said

4. The device for controlling a computer to input commands of claim 2, additionally comprising:

said visually distinct indicia positioned upon said finger also including an axial line running a length along said finger;

said means to capture electronic video capturing said electronic video from a plurality of angles relative to said user;

said software configured to extend imaginary lines from said axial line as viewed by each of said plurality of angles;

said software determining an intersection point of said imaginary lines and ascertain a highlight point; and

means to project said highlight point substantially at said intersection point, whereby a pointing of said finger bearing said axial line, by said user, positions said highlight point.

5. The device for controlling a computer to input commands of claim 1, wherein said means for positioning visually distinct indica upon the thumb and at least one other finger of a user'"'"'s hand comprises one of a group of covers engageable over said finger and said thumb, said group including a glove and covers adapted to slide upon the distal end of said finger and said thumb.

6. The device for controlling a computer to input commands of claim 3, wherein said means for positioning visually distinct indica upon the thumb and at least one other finger of a user'"'"'s hand comprises one of a group of covers engageable over said finger and said thumb, said group including a glove and covers adapted to slide upon the distal end of said finger and said thumb.

7. The device for controlling a computer to input commands of claim 2, wherein said means for positioning visually distinct indicia upon the thumb and a plurality of fingers of a user'"'"'s hand comprises one of a group of covers engageable over said fingers and said thumb, said group including a glove and covers adapted to slide upon the distal end of said finger and said thumb.

8. The device for controlling a computer to input commands of claim 4, wherein said means for positioning visually distinct indicia upon the thumb and a plurality of fingers of a user'"'"'s hand comprises one of a group of covers engageable over said fingers and said thumb, said group including a glove and covers adapted to slide upon the distal end of said finger and said thumb.

9. A device for controlling a computer to project a highlight point on a screen or object comprising:

means to position visually distinct indicia upon a finger of a user'"'"'s hand;

said indicia including an axial line running a length along said finger;

means to capture electronic video of said finger from a plurality of angles relative to said user;

said software configured to extend imaginary lines from said axial line as viewed relative from each of said plurality of angles;

said software determining an intersection point of said imaginary lines and ascertaining a highlight point; and

means to project said highlight point substantially at said intersection point, whereby a pointing of said finger bearing said axial line, by said user, positions said highlight point.

10. A device for controlling a computer to project a highlight point on a screen or object of claim 9 additionally comprising:

said means to position visually distinct indicia upon a finger of a user'"'"'s hand comprises one of a group of covers engageable over said finger, said group including a glove and a finger cover adapted to slide upon the distal end of said finger.