HEADSET COMPUTER THAT USES MOTION AND VOICE COMMANDS TO CONTROL INFORMATION DISPLAY AND REMOTE DEVICES

• US 20120287284A1
• Filed: 05/10/2012
• Published: 11/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kopin Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kopin Corporation
• Inventors: Jacobsen, Jeffrey J., Parkinson, Christopher, Pombo, Stephen A.
• Granted Patent: US 10,627,860 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/158
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0016 characterised by the operator's input device input arrangements for computing systems in general G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0038 by providing the operator with simple or augmented images from one or more cameras located onboard the vehicle, e.g. tele-operation images analyzed by a computer and used for automatic navigation G05D1/0246
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• 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 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback

Abstract

A wireless hands-free portable headset computer with a micro display arranged near but below a wearer'"'"'s eye in a peripheral vision area not blocking the wearer'"'"'s main line of sight. The headset computer can display an image or portions of an image, wherein the portions can be enlarged. The headset computer also can be equipped with peripheral devices, such as light sources and cameras that can emit and detect, respectively, visible light and invisible radiation, such as infrared radiation and ultraviolet radiation. The peripheral devices are controllable by the wearer by voice command or by gesture. The headset computer also can be broken down into component parts that are attachable to another article worn by an individual, such as a helmet or respirator mask.

Claims

1. A method performed by one or more processors disposed within a headset computer device, comprising:

receiving image data from a remote processor;

receiving voice, head motion, and/or hand gesture input(s) from sensors located within the headset computer;

determining a viewport into a three-dimensional (3D) virtual space from the voice, head motion and/or hand gesture inputs;

selecting an image portion from the image data depending on the field of view and scale factor; and

presenting the image portion on a microdisplay disposed within the headset computer.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

maintaining a representation of multiple graphical objects within the 3D virtual space.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

communicating with a host processor disposed outside of the headset computer device to maintain a representation of multiple graphical objects within the 3D virtual space.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

detecting a head motion to move the field of view within the 3D virtual space.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

detecting a voice input to move the field of view within the 3D virtual space.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the graphic objects are selected from a group consisting of an application window, digital image, etc.

7. A method performed by one or more processors disposed within a headset computer device, comprising:

operating a light source located within the headset computer according to voice, head motion, and/or hand gesture input(s) detected by sensors located within the headset computer;

operating a camera located within the headset computer according to voice, head motion, and/or hand gesture input(s) detected by sensors located within the headset computer;

the light source and camera operating at a non-visible wavelength; and

displaying the image data on a microdisplay disposed within the headset computer.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the light source and camera operate at an infrared (IR) or ultraviolet (UV) wavelength.

9. The method of claim 7 additionally comprising:

determining a field of view and scale factor from the voice, head motion and/or hand gesture inputs; and

selecting an image portion to be presenting on the microdisplay from the image data depending on the field of view and scale factor.

10. The method of claim 7 additionally comprising:

receiving voice, head motion and/or hand gesture inputs and in response thereto, controlling an operating wavelength for the light source and the camera.

11. The method of claim 7 additionally comprising:

receiving voice, head motion and/or hand gesture inputs and in response thereto, controlling an intensity of emissions from the light source.

12. The method of claim 7 additionally comprising:

receiving voice, head motion, and/or hand gesture inputs, and in response thereto, controlling a sensitivity of the camera.

13. The method of claim 7 wherein the light source is a laser range finder, and the response includes range information.

14. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

determining range information for at least two points;

determining distance information between the two points from the range information; and

displaying the distance information on the microdisplay.

15. The method of claim 7 wherein the range information is determined for multiple points and further comprising:

determining volume information for a space defined by the multiple points; and

displaying the volume information on the microdisplay.

16. A headset computer system comprising:

a first housing for a processor;

a second housing for a microdisplay;

a third housing for a power supply;

one or more signal and power connections between the first, second and third housings; and

fasteners for separately attaching and detaching the first, second and third housing to and from headgear.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the headgear is a helmet.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the fasteners additionally comprise hook and loop fasteners.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the first housing further encloses noise cancellation circuits.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the second housing further comprises a boom for supporting the microdisplay.

21. A method performed by one or more processors disposed within a headset computer device, comprising:

receiving image data from a remote vehicle;

receiving voice, head motion, and/or hand gesture input(s) from sensors located within the headset computer;

determining a control command from the voice, head motion, and/or hand gesture inputs; and

sending the control command to a remote vehicle.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the control command controls a camera located on the vehicle.

23. The method of claim 22 additionally comprising:

in response to sending the control command,

receiving image data from the camera located on the remote vehicle;

presenting the image data on a microdisplay disposed within the headset computer.

24. The method of claim 21 wherein the control command controls operation of the vehicle.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein a voice input generates a control command to control a path of the vehicle.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein a head motion input generates a control command to control the camera on the vehicle.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the control command controls position, attitude and/or direction of the camera.

28. The method of claim 27 additionally comprising:

receiving an input from a handheld controller; and

determining a command to control a path of the vehicle from the hand held controller input.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein the voice input generates a hover command to cause the vehicle and camera to remain fixed in position.