Head operated computer pointer

• US 6,545,664 B1
• Filed: 09/29/2000
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tong Kim
• Original Assignee: Tong Kim
• Inventors: Kim, Tong
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, FRANCIS N
• Application Number:
  US09/676,611
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 345/158, 345/156-157, 345/163-166, 701/220, 735/041.2, 735/041.4, 735/041.3
• US Class Current: 345/158
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements

Abstract

A pointer control for movement of a pointer or cursor across a computer display includes a movement sensor mounted on a headband to translate motions of a user'"'"'s head into movements of the pointer. The movement sensor may be an inertia sensor. Wired and wireless configurations are provided. Selection switches for selection of the graphical elements indicated by the pointer are provided in an auxiliary keyboard module for mounting on the keyboard or alternately as foot operated switches. Add-on modules convert the head movement sensor to a hand-moved sensor. A laser pointer may be provided.

Claims

1. A pointer control for use with a computer having a display including graphical elements for selection, comprising:

a movement sensor capable of sensing movement, said movement sensor being an inertia sensor;

a head support for engagement with a user'"'"'s head, said movement sensor being mounted on said head support to sense head movement of a user for translation into movement signals;

selection switches separate from said movement sensor, said selection switches being selectively activated by a user to select ones of the graphical elements;

a communication link between said movement sensor and the computer to cause movement signals sensed by said movement sensor to be communicated to the computer so as to be displayed as movements of a pointer on the display of the computer;

a further communication link communicating selection signals from said selection switches to the computer;

said movement sensor being, removably mounted on said head support and being capable of sensing movement when removed from said head support and held in a user'"'"'s hand; and

an orientation switch on said movement sensor for selectively switching between orientation of sensor signals corresponding to head movements translated to pointer movements and orientations of signals for hand movements translated to pointer movements.

2. A pointer control as claimed in claim 1, wherein said head support is a headband to be worn on the user'"'"'s head.

3. A pointer control as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication link includes a cable connected between said movement sensor and the computer.

4. A pointer control as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication link includes a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver.

5. A pointer control as claimed in claim 4, wherein said wireless transmitter and said wireless receiver operate at radio frequencies.

6. A pointer control as claimed in claim 4, wherein said wireless transmitter and said wireless receiver operate at infrared frequencies.

7. A pointer control as claimed in claim 1, wherein said selection switches include an auxiliary keypad for selective operation by a user'"'"'s hand.

8. A pointer control as claimed in claim 7, wherein said auxiliary keypad is attached to a keyboard of the computer.

9. A pointer control as claimed in claim 1, wherein said selection switches include foot pedals for operation by a user'"'"'s foot.

10. A pointer control as claimed in claim 1, wherein said movement sensor is removably mounted on said head support and is capable of sensing movement when removed from said head support and held in a user'"'"'s hand.

11. A pointer control as claimed in claim 10, further comprising:

an auxiliary module for selective connection to said movement sensor, said auxiliary module including;

selection switches operable by a user'"'"'s hand while holding said movement sensor to select ones of the graphical elements.

12. A pointer control as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

a battery module for selective connection to said movement sensor, said battery module including a battery connected to power circuitry in said movement sensor.

13. A pointer control as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication link includes a Y-connection linking said movement sensor and said selection switches and the computer.

14. A pointer control as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication link includes:

a receiver housing with a receiver for receiving wireless signals;

a cable connecting said receiver housing to the computer; and

a transmitter for transmitting wireless signals from said movement sensor to said receiver of said receiver housing.

15. A pointer control as claimed in claim 14, further comprising:

a cable connecting said selection switches to said receiver housing.

16. A pointer control for use with a computer having a display including graphical elements for selection, comprising:

a movement sensor capable of sensing movement, said movement sensor being an inertia sensor;

a head support for engagement with a user'"'"'s head, said movement sensor being mounted on said head support to sense head movement of a user for translation into movement signals;

selection switches separate from said movement sensor, said selection switches being selectively activated by a user to select ones of the graphical elements;

a communication link between said movement sensor and the computer to cause movement signals sensed by said movement sensor to be communicated to the computer so as to be displayed as movements of a pointer on the display of the computer;

a further communication link communicating selection signals from said selection switches to the computer;

said movement sensor being removably mounted on said head support and being capable of sensing movement when removed from said head support and held in a user'"'"'s hand;

an auxiliary module for selective connection to said movement sensor, said auxiliary module including;

selection switches operable by a user'"'"'s hand while holding said movement sensor to select ones of the graphical elements; and

a laser emitter mounted in said auxiliary module.