Apparatus and method for controlling an electronic device with user action
First Claim
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1. An input apparatus for detecting a user'"'"'s action that indicates an input command and for outputting an operation signal corresponding to the input command to an electronic device, comprising:
- attention detection means for continuously detecting a first action of the user that indicates an attention status of the user, and for deciding that the electronic device is under the attention status of the user while the first action of the user is continuously detected;
action detection means for detecting a second action of the user that indicates the input command in accordance with the second action of the user, wherein the second action is different from the first action; and
operation signal output means for outputting the operation signal corresponding to the input command to the electronic device, if the second action is detected while the first action is continuously detected.
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Abstract
An input unit for controlling a device. The input unit first determines whether a user is actively operating the device. If such a detection is made, the input unit then determines whether the user performs an act that corresponds to a command. User attention may be indicated by a user observing the device, approaching the device, facing the device, or speaking. An input command may be indicated by touch, gesture, speech, or line of sight.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An input apparatus for detecting a user'"'"'s action that indicates an input command and for outputting an operation signal corresponding to the input command to an electronic device, comprising:
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attention detection means for continuously detecting a first action of the user that indicates an attention status of the user, and for deciding that the electronic device is under the attention status of the user while the first action of the user is continuously detected; action detection means for detecting a second action of the user that indicates the input command in accordance with the second action of the user, wherein the second action is different from the first action; and operation signal output means for outputting the operation signal corresponding to the input command to the electronic device, if the second action is detected while the first action is continuously detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for detecting a user'"'"'s action that indicates an input command and for outputting an operation signal corresponding to the input command to an electronic device, comprising the steps of:
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continuously detecting a first action of the user that indicates an attention status of the user; deciding that the electronic device is under the attention status of the user while the first action is continuously detected; detecting a second action of the user that indicates an input command in accordance with the second action of the user, wherein the second action is different from the first action; and outputting the operation signal corresponding to the input command, if the second action is detected while the first action is continuously detected. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer readable memory containing computer-readable instructions, comprising:
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instruction means for causing a computer to continuously detect a first action of the user that indicates the attention status of the user; instruction means for causing the computer to decide that an electronic device is under the attention status of the user while the first action of the user is continuously detected; instruction means for causing the computer to detect a second action of the user that indicates an input command in accordance with the second action of the user, wherein the second action is different from the first action; and instruction means for causing the computer to generate an operation signal corresponding to the input command to the electronic device, if the second action is detected while the first action of the user is continuously detected.
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Specification