Dwell time indication method and apparatus

• US 6,160,536 A
• Filed: 09/16/1997
• Issued: 12/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Donald K. Forest
• Original Assignee: Donald K. Forest
• Inventors: Forest, Donald K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Liang, Regina
• Application Number:
  US08/913,822
• Time in Patent Office: 1,183 Days
• Field of Search: 345/145, 345/156, 345/168, 345/146, 345/118, 345/155, 345/157, 345/158, 345/159, 345/160, 345/161, 345/353, 351/209, 351/210, 351/352
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/018 Input/output arrangements for oriental characters
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0236 using selection techniques to select from displayed items
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/16 Sound input; Sound output speech processing G10L
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 345/902 Menu display

Abstract

The apparatus and method of the invention relate to data entry in ideographic languages, including Chinese, Japanese and Korean, and to interactive displays and interactive display methods for use by persons temporarily or permanently lacking normal motor capabilities. In a preferred embodiment, each option of a menu is associated respectively with a selectable region (3606), (3610), etc. displayed adjacent an edge of a display (2112), forming a perimeter menu and leaving a region (3680) in the center of the perimeter menu for the output of an application program. Selectable regions may be on the display, outside the display, or both. A menu option may be selected by clicking on the associated selectable region, by dwelling on it for a selection threshold period or by a cursor path toward the selectable region, or by a combination thereof. Remaining dwell time required to select a selectable region is preferably indicated by the brightness of the selectable region. Submenus of a perimeter menu may also be perimeter menus and the location of a submenu option may be foretold by the appearance of its parent menu option. Menu options may be ideographs sharing a sound, a structure or another characteristic. Ideographs, which may be homophones of one another, may be associated with colored indicating regions and selection of an ideograph may be made by speaking the name of the associated color.

Claims

1. An apparatus for indicating the remaining dwell time required to select a selectable region, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a display with respect to which the selectable region is capable of being at least partially delimited, the selectable region associated with a sequence of one or more graphic symbols including an ideograph, the sequence displayed on the display;

(b) a movement related signal receiver for receiving a movement related signal responsive to user movement of a user, the user movement indicating successive locations with respect to the display;

(c) an indicating device for;

(1) modifying in a first manner the appearance of a first indicating region on the display responsive to a difference between;

(i) a predetermined period; and

(ii) the duration of a first period of intersection of two or more of the successive locations and the selectable region,

the duration of the first period of intersection not equalling or exceeding the predetermined period; and

(2) modifying in a second manner the appearance of a second indicating region on the display responsive to the duration of a second period of intersection of two or more of the successive locations and the selectable region equalling or exceeding the predetermined period, the second period of intersection including all of the first period of intersection; and

(d) a selector for selecting the sequence responsive to the duration of the second period of intersection equalling or exceeding the predetermined period.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the modification in the first manner includes a slight modification and the modification in the second manner includes a marked modification.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein either the modification in the first manner or the modification in the second manner includes a modification in any one of:

(1) a visible signal, including any one of;

(a) a size;

(b) a shape;

(c) a hue;

(d) a brightness;

(e) a contrast;

(f) a tone;

(g) a dithering;

(f) a fill;

(h) a font;

(i) a blinking;

(j) a hatching; and

(k) a pattern;

(2) an audible signal; and

(3) a tactile signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first indicating region intersects the second indicating region.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of the first and second indicating regions intersects the selectable region.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of the first and second indicating regions is coterminous with the selectable region.

7. An apparatus for indicating dwell time comprising:

(a) a surface with respect to which each of a plurality of regions is capable of being at least partially delimited;

(b) a movement related signal receiver for receiving a movement related signal responsive to user movement of a user, the user movement indicating;

(i) a first starting location intersecting a particular one of the regions;

(ii) at a time at or after the time the first starting location occurs, a second starting location intersecting the particular region;

(iii) at a time after the time the second starting location occurs, a second intermediate location intersecting the particular region;

(iv) at a time after the time the second intermediate location occurs, a second ending location intersecting the particular region; and

(v) at a time after the time the second ending location occurs, a first ending location intersecting the particular region;

wherein a first period of intersection starts in response to the first starting location intersecting the particular region and ends in response to the first ending location intersecting the particular region;

wherein a second period of intersection starts in response to the second starting location intersecting the particular region and ends in response to the second ending location intersecting the particular region; and

wherein the duration of the second period of intersection increases between the time the second intermediate location occurs and the time the second ending location occurs;

(c) a selector for selecting the particular region responsive to a first quantity equalling or exceeding a first predetermined quantity, the first quantity being a function of the duration of the first period of intersection; and

(d) a plurality of indicators, each associated respectively with one of the regions, the particular indicator associated with the particular region, the particular indicator for providing a continuous or apparently continuous indication to the user prior to the selector selecting the particular region, the indication responsive to the increasing duration of the second period of intersection.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein each indicator either intersects or is adjacent its associated region.

9. For use with a user interface system wherein a body member of a user indicates successive locations with respect to a surface, a menu option selector comprising:

(a) the surface with respect to which a selectable region is capable of being at least partially delimited, the selectable region associated with a menu option;

(b) a detector for detecting the successive locations indicated by the body member; and

(c) an indicator for indicating the duration of each of;

(1) a first period of time during which two or more of the successive locations intersect the selectable region;

(2) a second period of time, occurring after the first period, during which two or more of the successive locations do not intersect the selectable region; and

(3) a third period of time, occurring after the second period, during which two or more of the successive locations intersect the selectable region; and

(d) a selection device, responsive to a first quantity equalling or exceeding a first predetermined quantity, the first quantity being a function of the duration of each of the first, second, and third periods, for selecting the menu option.

10. A device controller comprising:

(a) a display device for at least partially displaying a plurality of selectable regions on a display area, each selectable region associated respectively with a device control function;

(b) a movement related signal receiver for receiving a movement related signal responsive to user movement of a user, the user movement capable of indicating a potential user selection, the user movement capable of indicating three or more successive locations with respect to the display area;

(c) an indicator for providing to a user of the device controller a steadily increasing indication of the increasing duration of a period of intersection of three or more of the successive locations indicated by the user movement and a particular one of the selectable regions; and

(d) an initiation device, responsive to the duration of the period of intersection equalling or exceeding a predetermined period, for initiating the control function associated with the particular selectable region.

11. The device controller of claim 10 further comprising a controlled device, responsive to the initiation device, for performing the device control function.

12. The device controller of claim 11 wherein the controlled device includes any one of:

(1) a computer peripheral;

(2) a device capable of playing previously recorded sound;

(3) a device capable of playing previously recorded video;

(4) a household appliance;

(5) a lamp;

(6) a microprocessor;

(7) a motorized transport device including either one of a scooter and a wheelchair;

(8) a radio;

(9) a robot;

(10) a security system;

(11) a television;

(12) a thermostat;

(13) a voice output device;

(14) a workstation

(15) an alarm

(16) an office appliance;

(17) an order entry device; and

(18) a data entry device.

13. For use with a system allowing a user to select a particular menu option from a plurality of menu options, the particular menu option associated with a particular region, the system including:

(1) a display area; and

(2) a computer coupled to the display area for receiving a movement related signal responsive to user movement of the user, the user movement capable of indicating a potential user selection, the user movement capable of indicating;

(i) a first starting location intersecting the particular region;

(ii) at a time at or after the time the first starting location occurs, a second starting location intersecting the particular region;

(iii) at a time after the time the second starting location occurs, a second intermediate location intersecting the particular region

at a time after the time the second intermediate location occurs, a second ending location intersecting the particular region; and

(iv) at a time after the time the second ending location occurs, a first ending location intersecting the particular region;

wherein a first period of intersection starts in response to the first starting location intersecting the particular region and ends in response to the first ending location intersecting the particular region;

wherein a second period of intersection starts in response to the second starting location intersecting the particular region and ends in response to the second ending location intersecting the particular region; and

wherein the duration of the second period of intersection increases between the time the second intermediate location occurs and the time the second ending location occurs

an apparatus for indicating dwell time comprising;

(a) a carrier readable by the computer; and

(b) a first program, stored on or transmitted via the carrier and executable by the computer, for;

(1) at least partially delimiting the particular region with respect to the display area;

(2) selecting the particular menu option responsive to a first quantity equalling or exceeding a first predetermined quantity, the first quantity being a function of the duration of the first period of intersection; and

(3) providing a continuous or apparently continuous indication to the user prior to the first program selecting the particular menu option, the indication responsive to a second quantity, the second quantity being a function of the increasing duration of the second period of intersection.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a general purpose computer system either coupled to or including the processor, the general purpose computer system capable of executing an application program, wherein the particular region is capable of being associated with an input to the application program;

and wherein the first program is further operative to input the input to the application program responsive to the first quantity equalling or exceeding the first predetermined quantity.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the first program and the application program include at least some common code.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the carrier is capable of being coupled to and uncoupled from the processor.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the carrier includes any one of:

(a) a random access memory;

(b) a magnetic store;

(c) an optical store; and

(d) a communications network.

18. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising:

(a) a general purpose computer system which includes the processor; and

(b) a pointer, coupled to the general purpose computer system, for generating the movement related signal.

19. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the continuous or apparently continuous indication includes any one of:

(1) a visible signal, including any one of;

(a) a size;

(b) a shape;

(c) a hue;

(d) a brightness;

(e) a contrast;

(f) a tone;

(g) a dithering;

(f) a fill;

(h) a font;

(i) a blinking;

(j) a hatching; and

(k) a pattern;

(2) an audible signal; and

(3) a tactile signal.

20. A data entry system comprising:

(a) a display having thereon a plurality of selectable data entry items and a region for indicating the number of units of the data entry item selected;

(b) a plurality of detectors, each associated respectively with one of the selectable data entry items;

(c) a pointer for producing and emitting signals directed at a particular one of the data entry items for a steadily increasing period of time; and

(d) a control device for controlling the operation of said data entry system, the control device including;

(1) a first indicator for producing signals in response to the signals falling on the detectors, the first indicator giving a continuous or apparently continuous first indication to a user of the data entry system of the steadily increasing period of time that the pointer has been directed at the particular data entry item;

(2) a second indicator for giving a second indication to the user that the pointer has been directed at the particular data entry item for a period equalling or exceeding a predetermined period of time and that the particular data entry item is selected for entry into the data entry system; and

(3) a third indicator for indicating in the region the number of units of the particular data entry item selected.

21. An order entry system comprising:

(a) a display having thereon a plurality of selectable order entry items, a first region for indicating the number of units of the order entry item selected and a second region for indicating the total monetary value of the units selected;

(b) a plurality of detectors, each associated respectively with one of the selectable order entry items;

(c) a pointer for producing and emitting signals directed at a particular one of the order entry items for a steadily increasing period of time; and

(d) a control device for;

(1) producing signals in response to the signals falling on the detectors, the control device giving a continuous or apparently continuous first indication to a user of the order entry system of the steadily increasing duration of the period that the pointer has been directed at the particular order entry item;

(2) producing signals in response to the signals falling on the detectors, the control device giving a second indication to the user that the pointer has been directed at the particular order entry item for at least a predetermined period of time and that the particular order entry item is selected for entry into the order entry system;

(3) indicating in the first region the number of units of the order entry item selected;

(4) totaling the monetary value of the units selected; and

(5) indicating in the second region the total monetary value of the units selected.

22. The order entry system of claim 21 wherein the control device is further operative to give a third indication to the user of the duration of a period that the pointer has not been directed at the particular order entry item to which it was previously directed.

23. The order entry system of claim 21 wherein the display further includes a pictorial representation of the particular order entry item and wherein the particular one of the detectors associated with the particular order entry item is located within the pictorial representation.

24. The order entry system of claim 23 wherein the pictorial representation is in the form of a food item at a fast-food restaurant.

25. The order entry system of claim 21 wherein the pointer includes:

(a) an infrared light source; and

(b) a lens for producing a narrow beam of light in cooperation with the infrared light source.

26. The order entry system of claim 21 further comprising a stationary housing for housing the pointer, said housing positioned relative to the display to enable a person using the order entry system and seated in a vehicle to pick up the pointer, use it, and return it to the stationary housing while seated in the vehicle.

27. A method of indicating to a user the remaining dwell time required to select a selectable region, said method comprising the steps of:

displaying the selectable region on a surface;

receiving a movement related signal responsive to user movement by the user, the user movement indicating a first location and at least two successive locations, each of the locations intersecting the selectable region, each of the at least two successive locations occurring after the occurrence of the previous location, and wherein the duration of a period of intersection of the locations and the selectable region increases between the time the earliest of the at least two successive locations occurs and the time the latest of the at least two successive locations occurs;

providing a continuous or apparently continuous indication to the user responsive to a first quantity, the first quantity being a function of a first difference between;

(a) a second predetermined quantity; and

(b) the increasing duration of the period of intersection; and

selecting the selectable region responsive to the duration of the period of intersection equalling or exceeding the second predetermined quantity.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a movement related signal indicating, at a time after the time the latest of the at least two successive locations occurs, a second location not intersecting the selectable region; and

indicating to the user the non-intersection of the second location and the selectable region.

29. The method of claim 28 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a movement related signal indicating, at a time after the time the second location occurs, a third location not intersecting the selectable region; and

indicating to the user the difference between the time the third location occurs and the time the second location occurs.

30. A voice output system comprising:

(a) a display with respect to which each of a plurality of selectable regions is capable of being at least partially delimited, each of the selectable regions capable of being associated respectively with a sequence of one or more graphic symbols, wherein either a first one of the sequences is capable of representing a phrase including one or more words, or two or more of the sequences, when concatenated, are capable of representing the phrase;

(b) a movement related signal receiver for receiving a movement related signal responsive to user movement by a user of the voice output system, the user movement capable of indicating a potential user selection, the user movement capable of indicating first successive locations intersecting any of the selectable regions for a steadily increasing period of time;

(c) an indicator for providing to the user a continuous or apparently continuous indication of either;

(1) a steadily increasing first period of time, the indication responsive to the duration of a first period of intersection of the first successive locations and the selectable region associated with the first sequence, or

(2) the durations of each of two or more second periods of intersection of the first successive locations and each of the selectable regions associated with the two or more sequences; and

(d) a voice output device for speaking the phrase in response to a first quantity equalling or exceeding a first predetermined quantity, the first quantity being a function of either the duration of the first period of intersection, or of the duration of each of the two or more second periods of intersection.

31. The voice output system of claim 30 wherein the graphic symbols represent any one of:

(a) a letter of an alphabet;

(b) a kana;

(c) an ideograph;

(d) a phoneme;

(e) a sign of a sign language;

(f) a topic of conversation;

(g) a sentence; and

(6) a symbol of a symbol set including but not limited to any one of the Picture Communication Symbols symbol set, the Rebus symbol set, the Picsyms symbol set, the Pictogram Ideogram Communication Symbols symbol set, the Yerkish symbol set, the Minspeak symbol set; and

the Blissymbolics symbol set.

32. The voice output system of claim 30 wherein the user movement is further capable of indicating second successive locations not intersecting a selectable region previously intersected by the first successive locations;

and wherein the indicator is further operative to indicate that the previously intersected selectable region is not intersected by the second successive locations.

33. The voice output system of claim 30 wherein the user movement is further capable of indicating for a steadily increasing second period of time second successive locations not intersecting a selectable region previously intersected by the first successive locations;

and wherein the indicator is further operative to provide to the user a continuous or apparently continuous indication of the steadily increasing second period of time.

34. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the continuous or apparently continuous indication includes any one of:

(1) a visible signal, including any one of;

(a) a size;

(b) a shape;

(c) a hue;

(d) a brightness;

(e) a contrast;

(f) a tone;

(g) a dithering;

(f) a fill;

(h) a font;

(i) a blinking;

(j) a hatching; and

(k) a pattern;

(2) an audible signal; and

(3) a tactile signal.

35. For use with a system allowing a user to select a particular menu option from a plurality of menu options, the particular menu option associated with a particular region, the system including a display area, a method of indicating dwell time, said method comprising:

(a) at least partially delimiting the particular region with respect to the display area;

(b) receiving a movement related signal responsive to user movement of the user, the user movement capable of indicating a potential user selection, the user movement capable of indicating successive locations with respect to the display area, the successive locations including;

(1) a first starting location intersecting the particular region;

(2) at a time at or after the time the first starting location occurs, a second starting location intersecting the particular region;

(3) at a time after the time the second starting location occurs, a second intermediate location intersecting the particular region;

(4) at a time after the time the second intermediate location occurs, a second ending location intersecting the particular region; and

(5) at a time after the time the second ending location occurs, a first ending location intersecting the particular region;

wherein a first period of intersection starts in response to the first starting location intersecting the particular region and ends in response to the first ending location intersecting the particular region;

wherein a second period of intersection starts in response to the second starting location intersecting the particular region and ends in response to the second ending location intersecting the particular region; and

wherein the duration of the second period of intersection increases between the time the second intermediate location occurs and the time the second ending location occurs;

(c) selecting the particular menu option responsive to a first quantity equalling or exceeding a first predetermined quantity, the first quantity being a function of the duration of the first period of intersection; and

(d) providing a continuous or apparently continuous indication to the user prior to selecting the particular menu option, the indication responsive to a second quantity, the second quantity being a function of the increasing duration of the second period of intersection.

36. For use with a system allowing a user to select a particular menu option from a plurality of menu options, the particular menu option associated with a particular region, the system including:

(1) a display area; and

(2) a movement related signal receiver for receiving a movement related signal responsive to user movement of the user, the user movement capable of indicating a potential user selection, the user movement capable of indicating successive locations with respect to the display area, the successive locations including;

(i) a first starting location intersecting the particular region;

(ii) at a time at or after the time the first starting location occurs, a second starting location intersecting the particular region;

(iii) at a time after the time the second starting location occurs, a second intermediate location intersecting the particular region;

(iv) at a time after the time the second intermediate location occurs, a second ending location intersecting the particular region; and

(v) at a time after the time the second ending location occurs, a first ending location intersecting the particular region;

wherein a first period of intersection starts in response to the first starting location intersecting the particular region and ends in response to the first ending location intersecting the particular region;

wherein a second period of intersection starts in response to the second starting location intersecting the particular region and ends in response to the second ending location intersecting the particular region; and

wherein the duration of the second period of intersection increases between the time the second intermediate location occurs and the time the second ending location occurs;

an apparatus for indicating dwell time comprising;

(a) a delimit device for at least partially delimiting the particular region with respect to the display area;

(b) a selection device for selecting the particular menu option responsive to a first quantity equalling or exceeding a first predetermined quantity, the first quantity being a function of the duration of the first period of intersection; and

(c) an indicator for providing a continuous or apparently continuous indication to the user prior to the selection device selecting the particular menu option, the indication responsive to a second quantity, the second quantity being a function of the increasing duration of the second period of intersection.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the indicator includes an indicating region for the continuous or apparently continuous indication;

and wherein the indicating region;

(1) intersects the particular region;

(2) does not intersect the particular region;

(3) is coterminous with the particular region;

(4) is at least partially outside the display area;

or

(5) is at least partially on the display area.

38. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the delimit device is further operative to at least partially delimit a plurality of regions with respect to the display area, the particular region being one of the plurality of regions;

wherein the successive locations further include;

(i) at a time at or after the time the first starting location occurs, a third starting location intersecting a specific one of the regions other than the particular region;

(ii) at a time after the time the third starting location occurs, a third intermediate location intersecting the specific region; and

(iii) at a time after the time the third intermediate location occurs, a third ending location intersecting the specific region; and

wherein a third period of intersection starts in response to the third starting location intersecting the specific region and ends in response to the third ending location intersecting the specific region;

wherein the duration of the third period of intersection increases between the time the third intermediate location occurs and the time the third ending location occurs; and

wherein the indicator is further operative to indicate to the user prior to the selection device selecting the particular menu option the increasing duration of the third period of intersection.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 further comprising a cursor movement device for:

(1) displaying a cursor on the display area and moving the cursor on the display area responsive to the user movement; and

(2) inhibiting movement of the cursor for a fourth period of time in response to an action of the user.

40. The apparatus of claim 39 wherein the action of the user includes either one of:

(1) a third quantity equalling or exceeding a second predetermined quantity, the third quantity being a function of the duration of the third period of intersection; and

(2) a switch operation.

41. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the display area has a periphery;

and wherein each of the regions is adjacent the periphery.

42. The apparatus of claim 38 further comprising cursor movement device for:

(1) moving a cursor on the display area along a cursor path responsive to the user movement; and

(2) indicating which one of the regions is most nearly along the cursor path.

43. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the successive locations further include:

(vi) at a time later than the time the second ending location occurs and earlier than the time the first ending location occurs, a third starting location not intersecting the particular region; and

wherein the indicator is further operative to indicate the non-intersection of the third starting location and the particular region.

44. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein the successive locations further include:

(vii) at a time later than the time the third starting location occurs and earlier than the time the first ending location occurs, a third ending location not intersecting the particular region;

wherein a third period of non-intersection starts in response to the third starting location not intersecting the particular region and ends in response to the third ending location not intersecting the particular region; and

wherein the second quantity is further a function of the duration of the third period of non-intersection.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the successive locations further include:

(viii) at a time later than the time the third ending location occurs and earlier than the time the first ending location occurs, a fourth starting location intersecting the particular region; and

(ix) at a time later than the time the fourth starting location occurs and earlier than the time the first ending location occurs, a fourth ending location intersecting the particular region; and

wherein a fourth period of intersection starts in response to the fourth starting location intersecting the particular region and ends in response to the fourth ending location intersecting the particular region; and

wherein the second quantity is further a function of the duration of the fourth period of intersection.

46. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the indicator is further operative to produce an output signal which varies in at least one way as the duration of the second period of intersection increases and varies in at least the opposite way as the duration of the third period of non-intersection increases.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the variation includes a variation in brightness.

48. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the indicator is further operative to indicate a third quantity to the user prior to the selection device selecting the particular menu option, the third quantity being a function of a first difference between the first predetermined quantity and the first quantity.

49. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the indicator is further operative to indicate in a first manner that the first quantity equals or exceeds the first predetermined quantity.

50. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein the indicator includes a first indicator on the display area and the indication in the first manner includes a modification in the appearance of the first indicator.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the indicator is further operative to modify in a second manner the appearance of a second indicator on the display area responsive to the first quantity not equalling or exceeding the first predetermined quantity.

52. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein the modification in the first manner includes a marked modification and the modification in the second manner includes a slight modification.

53. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the system further includes a display area;

further comprising a cursor movement device for moving a cursor on the display area along a cursor path responsive to the user movement; and

wherein the first quantity is further a function of the cursor path.

54. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the cursor path is a function of any one of:

(1) a velocity indicated by two or more of the successive locations;

(2) an acceleration indicated by three or more of the successive locations;

(3) a distance between the particular region and a third location, the third location being one of the successive locations indicated by the user movement; and

(4) a difference between the time a third location occurs and the time a fourth location occurs, each of the third and the fourth locations being one of the successive locations indicated by the user movement.

55. The apparatus of claim 53 wherein the indicator is further operative to indicate a change in the first quantity.

56. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the delimit device is further operative to at least partially delimit a plurality of regions with respect to the fixed location, the particular region being one of the plurality of regions;

wherein the selection device is further capable of selecting each of the regions; and

wherein the selection device is further responsive to which one of the regions has previously been selected.

57. The apparatus of claim 36 further comprising a computer system operative to execute an application program;

wherein the particular region is capable of being associated with an input to the application program; and

further comprising an input device for inputting the input to the application program responsive to the first quantity equalling or exceeding the first predetermined quantity.

58. The apparatus of claim 36 further comprising a signal generator, capable of being coupled to a controlled device, for generating a device control signal corresponding to a device control function for controlling the controlled device;

wherein the particular region is capable of being associated with the device control function; and

wherein the signal generator, in response to the first quantity equalling or exceeding the first predetermined quantity, is operative to generate the device control signal.

59. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the controlled device includes any one of:

(1) a computer peripheral;

(2) a device capable of playing previously recorded sound;

(3) a device capable of playing previously recorded video;

(4) a household appliance;

(5) a lamp;

(6) a microprocessor;

(7) a motorized transport device including either one of a scooter and a wheelchair;

(8) a radio;

(9) a robot;

(10) a security system;

(11) a television;

(12) a thermostat;

(13) a voice output device;

(14) a workstation;

(15) an alarm;

(16) an office appliance;

(17) an order entry device; and

(18) a data entry device.

60. The apparatus of claim 36 further comprising a user fatigue detector for detecting user fatigue;

and wherein the selection device is further responsive to detected user fatigue.

61. The apparatus of claim 60 further comprising a fatigue indicator for indicating detected user fatigue.

62. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the particular menu option is capable of including or representing any one of:

(1) a letter of a sign alphabet;

(2) a sign of a sign language;

(3) a topic of conversation;

(4) a sentence;

(5) a sequence of one or more graphics including an ideograph;

(6) a symbol of a symbol set including but not limited to any one of the Picture Communication Symbols symbol set, the Rebus symbol set, the Picsyms symbol set, the Pictogram Ideogram Communication Symbols symbol set, the Yerkish symbol set, the Minspeak symbol set; and

the Blissymbolics symbol set; and

(7) a letter of an alphabet.

63. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the delimit device is further operative to at least partially delimit a plurality of regions with respect to the display area, the particular region being one of the plurality of regions;

and further comprising a disabling device, responsive to a third quantity equalling or exceeding a second predetermined quantity, for preventing the selection device from selecting the particular menu option while maintaining a power supply to the apparatus, the third quantity being a function of the duration of a third period of intersection, the third period of intersection starting in response to a third starting location intersecting a specific one of the regions other than the particular region and ending in response to a third ending location intersecting the specific region, the third starting and third ending locations each being one of the successive locations indicated by the user movement.

64. The apparatus of claim 63 wherein the disabling device, responsive to a fourth quantity equalling or exceeding a third predetermined quantity, is further operative to enable the selection of the particular region, the third quantity being a function of the duration of a fourth period of intersection, the fourth period of intersection starting in response to a fourth starting location intersecting a certain one of the regions and ending in response to a fourth ending location intersecting the certain region, the fourth starting and fourth ending locations each being one of the successive locations indicated by the user movement.

65. The apparatus of claim 64 wherein the disabling device is further operative, responsive to the third quantity equalling or exceeding the second predetermined quantity, to disable all functions of the apparatus except the enabling function.

66. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein each of the first starting location, the first ending location, the second starting location, the second intermediate location, and the second ending location, is relative either to a previous location indicated by the user movement or to a predetermined location with respect to the display area.

67. The apparatus of claim 36 further comprising a pointer, responsive to movement of a body member of the user, for indicating the first starting location, the first ending location, the second starting location, the second intermediate location, and the second ending location, the body member of the user including any one of:

(1) the head of the user;

(2) an eye of the user;

(3) a shoulder of the user;

(4) an arm of the user;

(5) an elbow of the user;

(6) a wrist of the user;

(7) a hand of the user;

(8) a finger of the user;

(9) a thumb of the user;

(10) a knee of the user;

(11) a leg of the user;

(12) a foot of the user;

(13) a toe of the user;

(14) an ankle of the user; and

(15) the trunk of the user.

68. The apparatus of claim 67 further comprising a tactile indicator for indicating tactilely to the user the position of the body member.

69. The apparatus of claim 36 further comprising a pointer, responsive to movement of a body member of the user, for producing and emitting a signal;

and wherein the movement related signal receiver includes a detector for detecting the emitted signal.

70. The apparatus of claim 36 further comprising a pointer, responsive to movement of a body member of the user, for generating the movement related signal;

and wherein the pointer includes any one of;

(a) a mouse;

(b) a trackball;

(c) a joystick;

(d) a stylus and graphics tablet;

(e) a lightpen;

(f) a thumb wheel;

(g) a touch screen;

(h) a head pointer;

(i) an intraoral pointer; and

(j) a device for determining a direction an eye of the user is looking.

71. The apparatus of claim 36 further comprising:

(d) a pointer, responsive to movement of a body member of the user, for generating the movement related signal; and

(e) a stationary housing for housing the pointer, said housing positioned relative to the display area to enable a person using the apparatus and seated in a vehicle to pick up the pointer, use it, and return it to the stationary housing while seated in the vehicle.

72. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the continuous or apparently continuous indication includes any one of:

(1) a visible signal, including any one of;

(a) a size;

(b) a shape;

(c) a hue;

(d) a brightness;

(e) a contrast;

(f) a tone;

(g) a dithering;

(f) a fill;

(h) a font;

(i) a blinking;

(j) a hatching; and

(k) a pattern;

(2) an audible signal; and

(3) a tactile signal.

73. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein:

(1) the delimit device includes a computer and program instructions on a carrier, the program instructions when executed by the computer operative to at least partially delimit the particular region with respect to the display area;

(2) the selection device includes a computer and program instructions on a carrier, the program instructions when executed by the computer operative to select the particular menu option responsive to the first quantity equalling or exceeding the first predetermined quantity;

or

(3) the indicator includes a computer and program instructions on a carrier, the program instructions when executed by the computer operative to indicate the continuous or apparently continuous indication.

74. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the movement related signal receiver for receiving a movement related signal is responsive to movement of a body member of the user other than either of the user'"'"'s eyes.

75. For use with a system allowing a user to select a particular menu option from a plurality of menu options, the particular menu option associated with a particular region, the system including a display area, an apparatus for indicating dwell time comprising:

(a) delimit means for at least partially delimiting the particular region with respect to the display area;

(b) movement related signal receiving means for receiving a movement related signal responsive to user movement of the user, the user movement capable of indicating a user potential selection, the user movement capable of indicating;

(1) a first starting location intersecting the particular region;

(2) at a time at or after the time the first starting location occurs, a second starting location intersecting the particular region;

(3) at a time after the time the second starting location occurs, a second intermediate location intersecting the particular region;

(4) at a time after the time the second intermediate location occurs, a second ending location intersecting the particular region; and

(5) at a time after the time the second ending location occurs, a first ending location intersecting the particular region;

wherein a first period of intersection starts in response to the first starting location intersecting the particular region and ends in response to the first ending location intersecting the particular region;

wherein a second period of intersection starts in response to the second starting location intersecting the particular region and ends in response to the second ending location intersecting the particular region; and

wherein the duration of the second period of intersection increases between the time the second intermediate location occurs and the time the second ending location occurs;

(c) selection means for selecting the particular menu option responsive to a first quantity equalling or exceeding a first predetermined quantity, the first quantity being a function of the duration of the first period of intersection; and

(d) indicating means for providing a continuous or apparently continuous indication to the user prior to the selection device selecting the particular menu option, the indication responsive to a second quantity, the second quantity being a function of the increasing duration of the second period of intersection.

76. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein the user movement is further capable of indicating:

(6) at a time earlier than the time the first starting location occurs, a third starting location not intersecting the particular region; and

wherein the indicating means is further operative to indicate the non-intersection of the third starting location and the particular region.

77. The apparatus of claim 76 wherein the user movement is further capable of indicating:

(7) at a time later than the time the third starting location occurs and earlier than the time the first starting location occurs, a third ending location not intersecting the particular region;

and wherein the second quantity is further a function of a first difference between the time the third ending location occurs and the time the third starting location occurs.

78. The apparatus of claim 77 wherein the user movement is further capable of indicating:

(8) at a time earlier than the time the third starting location occurs, a fourth starting location intersecting the particular region; and

(9) at a time later than the time the fourth starting location occurs and earlier than the time the third starting location occurs, a fourth ending location intersecting the particular region; and

wherein the indicating means is further operative to indicate a second difference between the time the fourth ending location occurs and the time the fourth starting location occurs.

79. The apparatus of claim 77 wherein the user movement is further capable of indicating:

(8) at a time later than the time the third starting location occurs and earlier than the time the third ending location occurs, a third intermediate location not intersecting the particular region;

wherein a third period of non-intersection starts in response to the third starting location not intersecting the particular region and ends in response to the third ending location not intersecting the particular region; and

wherein the duration of the third period of non-intersection increases between the time the third intermediate location occurs and the time the third ending location occurs; and

wherein the indicating means is further operative to produce an output signal which varies in at least one way as the duration of the third period of non-intersection increases and varies in at least the opposite way as the duration of the second period of intersection increases.

80. The apparatus of claim 79 wherein the variation includes a variation in brightness.

81. The apparatus of claim 75 wherein the continuous or apparently continuous indication includes any one of:

(1) a visible signal, including any one of;

(a) a size;

(b) a shape;

(c) a hue;

(d) a brightness;

(e) a contrast;

(f) a tone;

(g) a dithering;

(f) a fill;

(h) a font;

(i) a blinking;

(j) a hatching; and

(k) a pattern;

(2) an audible signal; and

(3) a tactile signal.

82. For use with a system allowing a user to select a particular menu option from at least three menu options, the system including:

(1) a display area for simultaneously displaying the at least three menu options; and

(2) outside the display area, a switch activatable by the user, the switch having at least three discrete positions, each of the positions associated respectively with one of the at least three menu options, the switch being positionable with respect to the location of each of the menu options for selection thereof, the position of the switch capable of corresponding to the location of the particular menu option at;

(i) a first time;

(ii) a second time occurring at or after the first time;

(iii) a third time occurring after the second time; and

(iv) a fourth time occurring after the third time;

wherein a first period is capable of starting at or near the first time and ending at or near the fourth time, a second period is capable of starting at or near the second time, during the second period the position of the switch is capable of corresponding to the location of the particular menu option, and the duration of the second period is capable of increasing between the second time and the third time,

an apparatus for indicating dwell time comprising;

(a) a selector for selecting the particular menu option in response to a first quantity equalling or exceeding a first predetermined quantity, the first quantity being a function of the duration of the first period; and

(b) an indicator for providing a continuous or apparently continuous indication to the user prior to the selector selecting the particular menu option, the indication responsive to a second quantity, the second quantity being a function of the increasing duration of the second period.

83. The apparatus of claim 82 wherein either:

(1) the selector includes a computer and program instructions on a carrier, the program instructions when executed by the computer operative to select the particular menu option responsive to the first quantity equalling or exceeding the first predetermined quantity;

or

(2) the indicator includes a computer and program instructions on a carrier, the program instructions when executed by the computer operative to provide the continuous or apparently continuous indication.