Method and apparatus for voluntary communication

• US 6,246,344 B1
• Filed: 11/25/1997
• Issued: 06/12/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: William C. Torch
• Inventors: Torch, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr., Timothy
• Application Number:
  US08/978,100
• Time in Patent Office: 1,295 Days
• Field of Search: 341/21, 341/20, 341/173, 341/176, 340/575, 340/825.19, 340/576, 607/7, 607/6, 128/902, 128/903
• US Class Current: 341/21
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/0008 provided with illuminating means A61B3/117 takes precedence; goniolenses used for laser treatment A61F9/009; illuminating means for optical instruments G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 3/113 for determining or recording eye movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1103 Detecting eye twinkling
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/16 Devices for psychotechnics using teaching or educational appliances G09B1/00 - G09B7/00; Testing reaction times ; Devices for evaluating the psychological state
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/163 by tracking eye movement, gaze, or pupil change
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/18 for vehicle drivers or machine operators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/486 Bio-feedback A61B5/375 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6821 Eye
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 4/00 Methods or devices enabling patients or disabled persons to operate an apparatus or a device not forming part of the body operating or control means for prostheses A61F2/48, A61F2/68
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 128/903 Radio telemetry

Abstract

A method and apparatus for voluntary and involuntary communication by means of transmitting, receiving, interpreting, and displaying messages detected and generated by relative eyelid movement, particularly by using the differences in reflectivity of the human eye and eyelid to produce the messages.

Claims

1. A method of communication of a voluntary human desire of a first human which includes:

the first human imparting movement to at least one eyelid of the first human which movement is coded to indicate a mental desire or condition of the first person;

detecting said eyelid movement by a detecting means;

transmitting said detection to a detection recording means;

recording the detection of the coded eyelid movement by said recording means; and

observing said recording by a second human.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the detection is based upon the relative reflectivity of the eyelid and the eyeball of the first human.

3. The method of communicating the mental desires of an individual comprising:

moving at least one eyelid of the individual in a coded sequence by comparing the reflectivity of the eyeball and the eyelid; and

decoding the detected coded sequence eyelid movement into a communication of the mental desires of the individual.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the detection of eyelid movement is by means of light rays of a wavelength such that ambient light or other rays do not interfere with the detection.

5. A silent communication and signaling system comprising:

means to detect eyelid movement of an individual in a coded sequence;

means to transmit the detected eyelid movement to a remote location; and

means to decode the detected coded movement into a meaningful message or action.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the means to detect the eyelid movement includes rays of invisible wavelength.