Optical controller
First Claim
1. An optical controller comprising:
- a plurality of lights, wherein each of said plurality of lights transmits a different color;
a processor coupled to said plurality of lights, wherein said processor sequentially pulses each light of said plurality of lights in a predetermined light sequence;
a user response sensor coupled to said processor, said user response sensor having a first state of operation and a second state of operation;
a memory coupled to said processor, wherein for each light of said plurality of lights pulsed by said processor, said processor registers said state of operation of said user response sensor in said memory as a user response; and
a comparator circuit coupled to said processor, wherein for each light of said plurality of lights pulsed by said processor, said comparator circuit compares said user response to a predefined response, wherein said comparator circuit outputs a first signal if said user response does not match said predefined response for each light of said plurality of lights, and wherein said comparator circuit outputs a second signal if a predefined plurality of user responses match a predefined response sequence.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for controlling access to, or interaction with, a variety of different types of devices is provided. The system includes a plurality of different lights that flash sequentially, the lights being distinguishable on the basis of color, location within a light pattern, or labeling. Alternately the system includes a single light that sequentially flashes different colors. The user enters data into the system by responding to particular lights in accordance with a predetermined light sequence. Alternately, the user enters data by responding to a particular light where each light corresponds to a predefined response. In general, a user responds to a particular light by triggering a response with the system'"'"'s controller while the particular light is lit or before the next light in the sequence becomes lit. A user can trigger a response in a variety of ways, ranging from blinking an eye to pressing or otherwise operating a mechanical switch.
119 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An optical controller comprising:
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a plurality of lights, wherein each of said plurality of lights transmits a different color;
a processor coupled to said plurality of lights, wherein said processor sequentially pulses each light of said plurality of lights in a predetermined light sequence;
a user response sensor coupled to said processor, said user response sensor having a first state of operation and a second state of operation;
a memory coupled to said processor, wherein for each light of said plurality of lights pulsed by said processor, said processor registers said state of operation of said user response sensor in said memory as a user response; and
a comparator circuit coupled to said processor, wherein for each light of said plurality of lights pulsed by said processor, said comparator circuit compares said user response to a predefined response, wherein said comparator circuit outputs a first signal if said user response does not match said predefined response for each light of said plurality of lights, and wherein said comparator circuit outputs a second signal if a predefined plurality of user responses match a predefined response sequence. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
a light source directing a beam of light at a user'"'"'s eye; and
a detector for receiving reflected light from said user'"'"'s eye, wherein said detector outputs a first detector output signal when an amplitude associated with said reflected light is less than a first predetermined amplitude, and wherein said detector outputs a second detector output signal when said amplitude associated with said reflected light is greater than a second predetermined amplitude, wherein said first detector output signal corresponds to said first state of operation of said user response sensor, and wherein said second detector output signal corresponds to said second state of operation of said user response sensor.
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7. The optical controller of claim 6, wherein said first predetermined amplitude is equivalent to said second predetermined amplitude.
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8. The optical controller of claim 6, wherein said light source is an infrared light source.
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9. The optical controller of claim 1, further comprising a controller power switch.
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10. The optical controller of claim 9, wherein said controller power switch is vibration activated.
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11. The optical controller of claim 1, further comprising an electronic locking mechanism having a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein said electronic lock is maintained in said locked position when said comparator circuit outputs said first signal, and wherein said electronic lock is maintained in said unlocked position when said comparator circuit outputs said second signal.
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12. An optical controller comprising:
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a housing;
an eyepiece coupled to said housing, wherein an interior portion of said housing is viewable through said eyepiece;
a plurality of lights located within said interior portion of said housing, wherein each of said plurality of lights transmits a different color;
a processor coupled to said plurality of lights, wherein said processor sequentially pulses each light of said plurality of lights in a predetermined light sequence;
a user response sensor coupled to said processor, said user response sensor having a first state of operation and a second state of operation;
a memory coupled to said processor, wherein for each light of said plurality of lights pulsed by said processor, said processor registers said state of operation of said user response sensor in said memory as a user response; and
a comparator circuit coupled to said processor, wherein for each light of said plurality of lights pulsed by said processor, said comparator circuit compares said user response to a predefined response, wherein said comparator circuit outputs a first signal if said user response does not match said predefined response for each light of said plurality of lights, and wherein said comparator circuit outputs a second signal if a predefined plurality of user responses match a predefined response sequence. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
a light source mounted within said interior portion of said housing, said light source directing a beam of light at an opening of said eyepiece; and
a detector mounted within said interior portion of said housing, said detector receiving reflected light from a user'"'"'s eye located at said opening of said eyepiece, wherein said detector outputs a first detector output signal when an amplitude associated with said reflected light is less than a first predetermined amplitude, and wherein said detector outputs a second detector output signal when said amplitude associated with said reflected light is greater than a second predetermined amplitude, wherein said first detector output signal corresponds to said first state of operation of said user response sensor, and wherein said second detector output signal corresponds to said second state of operation of said user response sensor.
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18. The optical controller of claim 17, wherein said first predetermined amplitude is equivalent to said second predetermined amplitude.
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19. The optical controller of claim 17, wherein said light source is an infrared light source.
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20. The optical controller of claim 12, further comprising a controller power switch mounted to said eyepiece.
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21. The optical controller of claim 20, wherein said controller power switch is a pressure sensitive switch.
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22. The optical controller of claim 12, said user response sensor further comprising a pressure sensitive switch mounted on an exterior surface of said housing.
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23. The optical controller of claim 12, further comprising an electronic locking mechanism having a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein said electronic lock is maintained in said locked position when said comparator circuit outputs said first signal, and wherein said electronic lock is maintained in said unlocked position when said comparator circuit outputs said second signal.
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24. An optical controller comprising:
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a housing;
an eyepiece coupled to said housing, wherein an interior portion of said housing is viewable through said eyepiece;
a plurality of lights located within said interior portion of said housing, wherein each of said plurality of lights emits a different color;
a processor coupled to said plurality of lights, wherein said processor sequentially pulses each light of said plurality of lights in a predetermined light sequence;
a light source mounted within said interior portion of said housing, said light source directing a beam of light at an opening of said eyepiece;
a detector mounted within said interior portion of said housing, said detector receiving reflected light from a user'"'"'s eye located at said opening of said eyepiece, wherein said detector outputs a first detector output signal when an amplitude associated with said reflected light is less than a first predetermined amplitude and a second detector output signal when said amplitude associated with said reflected light is greater than a second predetermined amplitude;
a memory coupled to said processor, wherein for each light of said plurality of lights pulsed by said processor, said processor registers said first detector output signal and said second detector output signal in said memory as a user response;
a comparator circuit coupled to said processor, wherein for each light of said plurality of lights pulsed by said processor, said comparator circuit compares said user response to a predefined response, wherein said comparator circuit outputs a first signal if said user response does not match said predefined response for each light of said plurality of lights, and wherein said comparator circuit outputs a second signal if a predefined plurality of user responses match a predefined response sequence; and
an electronic locking mechanism coupled to said optical controller, said electronic locking mechanism having a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein said electronic lock is maintained in said locked position when said comparator circuit outputs said first signal, and wherein said electronic lock is maintained in said unlocked position when said comparator circuit outputs said second signal.
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25. An optical controller comprising:
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a plurality of lights, wherein said plurality of lights are individually distinguishable;
a processor coupled to said plurality of lights, wherein said processor sequentially pulses each light of said plurality of lights in a predetermined light sequence;
a user response sensor coupled to said processor, said user response sensor having a first state of operation and a second state of operation;
a memory coupled to said processor, wherein for each light of said plurality of lights pulsed by said processor, said processor registers said state of operation of said user response sensor in said memory as a user response;
a comparator circuit coupled to said processor, wherein for each light of said plurality of lights pulsed by said processor, said comparator circuit compares said user response to a predefined response, wherein said comparator circuit outputs a first signal if said user response does not match said predefined response for each light of said plurality of lights, and wherein said comparator circuit outputs a second signal if a predefined plurality of user responses match a predefined response sequence; and
an electronic locking mechanism having a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein said electronic lock is maintained in said locked position when said comparator circuit outputs said first signal, and wherein said electronic lock is maintained in said unlocked position when said comparator circuit outputs said second signal. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. A method of generating control signals, the method comprising the steps of:
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sequentially pulsing each light of a plurality of lights following a predetermined sequence, wherein each light of said plurality of lights emits a different color;
registering a user response for each light of said plurality of lights;
comparing said user response to a predefined response;
outputting a first control signal if said user response does not match said predefined response; and
outputting a second control signal if a plurality of user responses for a predefined portion of said plurality of lights matches a predefined response sequence. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of generating control signals, the method comprising the steps of:
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sequentially pulsing each light of a plurality of lights following a predetermined sequence, wherein each light of said plurality of lights emits a different color;
monitoring at least one eye of a user;
registering a first user response for each light of said plurality of lights wherein said monitored eye does not blink;
registering a second user response for each light of said plurality of lights wherein said monitored eye blinks;
comparing said first and second user responses to a predefined response sequence;
outputting a first control signal if said first and second user responses do not match said predefined response sequence; and
outputting a second control signal if said first and second user responses do match said predefined response sequence. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35)
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Specification