Wearable data input interface

• US 6,748,281 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2003
• Issued: 06/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gunilla Alsio
• Original Assignee: Gunilla Alsio
• Inventors: Alsio, Gunilla
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bahta, Kidest
• Application Number:
  US10/362,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20030179224A1
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 700/83, 700/84, 700/85, 700/180, 700/159, 700/252, 345/157, 345/156, 345/158, 341/122, 341/173, 341/137, 341/22, 382/140
• US Class Current: 700/83
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves

Abstract

The method is for entering data into a computer device (11) and comprises providing a wearable device (10) that is attached to a hand (200). The device (10) has extensions (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) disposed below metacarpophalangeal joints (212) and first bone segments (202) of the fingers (208). The extensions (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) have sensors (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) in operative engagement with sensor channels (15, 17, 19, 21, 23) mounted thereon. The first bone segments (202) may be moved relative to second bone segments (214) at the metacarpophalangeal joints (212) to bend at least one of the sensor channels (15, 17, 19, 21, 23). One of the sensors (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) sensing the bending of one the sensor channels (15, 17, 19, 21, 23) and sending an activation signal (57) to a computer device (11) in operative engagement with the device (10).

Claims

1. A method of entering data into a computer device, comprising:

providing a wearable device (10) having an extension (14, 16, 18, 20, 22), the extension (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) having a sensor (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) in operative engagement with a sensor channel (15, 17, 19, 21, 23) mounted thereon;

placing a hand (200) on top of the device (10) so that the extension (14, 16, 18, 20, 22) is positioned immediately below a metacarpophalangeal joint (212) and a first bone segment (202) of the hand (200) and the sensor channel (15, 17, 19, 21, 23) extends under and across the joint (212) and into the extension (14, 16, 18, 20, 22);

moving the first bone segment (202) to change a direction of the bone segment (202) relative to a second bone segment (214) of the hand (200) at the metacarpophalangeal joint (212);

the movement of the bone segment 202 bending the sensor channel (15, 17, 19, 21, 23) that extends across the metacarpophalangeal joint (212);

the sensor (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) sensing the bending of the sensor channel (15, 17, 19, 21, 23) due to the change of direction of the bone segment (202) at the metacarpophalangeal joint (212); and

the sensor (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) sending an activation signal (57) to a computer device (11) in operative engagement with the device (10).

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises carrying a first amount of light in the sensor channel (15, 17, 19, 21, 23).

3. The method according to claim 2 wherein the method further comprises the sensor (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) being an optronical device (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) for sensing the amount of light carried in the sensor channel (15, 17, 19, 21, 23).

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the method further comprises the optronical device (50, 52, 54, 56, 58) sending the activation signal (57) to the computer device (11) when a second amount of light is sensed and the second amount is less than the first amount of light.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises providing the device (10) with hooks (24, 26, 28) to attach the device (10) to the hand (200).

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises providing the device (10) with an underside (30) having a keypad (32).

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises providing the device (36) with an underside (37) having a mouse arrangement (34) mounted thereon.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises the computer device (11) receiving the activation signal (57) and displaying a command represented by the activation signal (57).

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein the method further comprises the computer device (11) displaying a letter in response to the activation signal (57).

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises connecting the device (10) to the computer device (11) by wireless technology.