Facilitating user input via arm-mounted peripheral device interfacing with head-mounted display device

• US 9,053,654 B2
• Filed: 08/29/2014
• Issued: 06/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Sherman
• Original Assignee: John Sherman
• Inventors: Sherman, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Hiep V
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, TERESA S
• Application Number:
  US14/473,894
• Publication Number:
  US 20150095063A1
• Time in Patent Office: 284 Days
• Field of Search: 345/1.1, 345/8, 345/167, 705/2, 705/3, 705/4, 600/300
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 2027/0178 Eyeglass type eyeglass details G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/017 Head mounted
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0381 Multimodal input, i.e. interface arrangements enabling the user to issue commands by simultaneous use of input devices of different nature, e.g. voice plus gesture on digitizer
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/005 Input arrangements through a video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0227 Cooperation and interconnection of the input arrangement with other functional units of a computer G06F3/023 - G06F3/037 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/041 Digitisers, e.g. for touch screens or touch pads, characterised by the transducing means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/453 Help systems
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2354/00 Aspects of interface with display user
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2370/16 Use of wireless transmission of display information
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2380/08 Biomedical applications
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/003 Details of a display terminal, the details relating to the control arrangement of the display terminal and to the interfaces thereto specific for a CRT G09G1/165; for a flat panel G09G3/2092
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/60 for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/17 delivered via infusion or injection
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/67 : for remote operation
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 : Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass

Abstract

An apparatus for performing data entry by a user includes a first electronic device configured to be attached to a person'"'"'s head and including a display for viewing by the person; and a second electronic device configured to be attached to a person'"'"'s forearm and used in combination with the first electronic device. The first and second electronic devices are configured for wirelessly communications with each other, at least some of the wireless communications representing user input by the person for interfacing with a user interface displayed to the person on the display of the first electronic device, whereby data entry by the person is accomplished. The first electronic device is configured to wirelessly transmit data entered by the person to a computer system for electronic storage in a non-transitory computer readable medium.

Claims

1. An apparatus for performing data entry by a user of healthcare information relating to a patient for storing in an electronic healthcare record of the patient, comprising:

(a) a head-mounted electronic display device mechanically configured to be attached to a user'"'"'s head and comprising,

(i) a rechargeable power supply,

(ii) one or more wireless receivers and one or more wireless transmitters,

(iii) an integrated microphone,

(iv) an auditory communication component for providing audible communications to a user wearing the device, and

(v) a display for viewing, by the user, displayed user interfaces; and

(b) an arm-mounted peripheral electronic device comprising,

(i) an attachment portion mechanically configured to be attached to a user'"'"'s arm,

(ii) a palm control portion comprising a user input area at which user input is received when a finger or thumb actuates the user input area, and

(iii) an adjustable extension arm secured to the attachment portion and extending between and supporting the palm control portion relative to the attachment portion and mechanically transition between an extended position spanning a user'"'"'s wrist to support the palm control portion adjacent a user'"'"'s palm, and a stowed position to support the palm control portion adjacent a user'"'"'s forearm, wherein the extension arm is mechanically configured to swivel relative to the attachment portion for minor angular adjustment of the palm control portion when the extension arm is in the extended position;

(c) wherein the head-mounted electronic display device and the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device are configured to wirelessly communicate with each other at least insofar as user input received at the user input area of the palm control portion of the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device generates a signal that is wirelessly communicated to and received by the head-mounted electronic display device as user input relative to a displayed user interface on the display of the head-mounted electronic display device; and

(d) wherein the head-mounted electronic display device further is configured to use the display to visually prompt a user wearing the head-mounted electronic display device to enter data regarding an object of observation, interaction, or both by the user; and

to receive from the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device user input representing the data for which the head-mounted electronic display device has visually prompted the user and to wirelessly transmit the data to a computer system over a computer network.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head-mounted electronic display device is configured to wirelessly transmit the data as healthcare information relating to a patient for storing in an electronic healthcare record of the patient.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user input area of the palm portion of the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device is touch-sensitive, whereby user input is received when a finger or thumb touches or taps the touch-sensitive area.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extension arm of the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device is retained to the attachment portion of the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device by a support that defines an opening through which the extension arm slides.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein an end of the extension arm comprises an enlarged peripheral area that exceeds the dimensions of the opening defined by the support such that the peripheral area acts as a stop limiting the extent to which the extension arm slides relative to the support.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device comprises an optical device configured to read a bar code.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device comprises a wireless transceiver or receiver for reading a wireless electronic identification device.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head-mounted electronic display device comprise a camera configured to capture one or more images of the object of observation or of the interaction of the user with the object, and wherein the wireless communication components are further configured to wirelessly transmit the captured one or more images to the computer system.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head-mounted electronic display device comprises eyewear.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head-mounted electronic display device comprises telecommunication capabilities—

including voice and data.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head-mounted electronic display device is configured such that the act of inverting the head-mounted electronic display device locks the device from use until a user is authenticated for data entry.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more wireless transceivers comprise the one or more wireless receivers and one or more wireless transmitters.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the palm control portion of the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device comprises a plurality of touch-sensitive user input areas.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each user input area is tactile so as to be differentiable by touch from another user input area.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the palm control portion of the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device further comprises a scroll wheel.

6. An apparatus for performing data entry by a user of healthcare information relating to a patient for storing in an electronic healthcare record of the patient, comprising:

(a) a head-mounted electronic display device mechanically configured to be attached to a user'"'"'s head and comprising,

(i) a rechargeable power supply,

(ii) one or more wireless receivers and one or more wireless transmitters,

(iii) an integrated microphone,

(iv) an auditory communication component for providing audible communications to a user wearing the device, and

(v) a display for viewing, by the user, displayed user interfaces; and

(b) an arm-mounted peripheral electronic device comprising,

(i) an attachment portion mechanically configured to be attached to a user'"'"'s arm

(ii) a palm control portion comprising a user input area at which user input is received when a finger or thumb actuates the user input area, and

(iii) an adjustable extension arm secured to the attachment portion and supporting the palm control portion, the extension arm comprising a hinge mechanism providing hinge type articulation by which the palm control portion is transitionable between being adjacent a user'"'"'s palm and being adjacent a user'"'"'s forearm, the extension arm transitioning from an unfolded position to a folded position when the palm control portion transitions from being adjacent the user'"'"'s palm to being adjacent the user'"'"'s forearm;

(c) wherein the head-mounted electronic display device and the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device are configured to wirelessly communicate with each other at least insofar as user input received at the user input area of the palm control portion of the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device generates a signal that is wirelessly communicated to and received by the head-mounted electronic display device as user input relative to a displayed user interface on the display of the head-mounted electronic display device; and

(d) wherein the head-mounted electronic display device further is configured to use the display to visually prompt a user wearing the head-mounted electronic display device to enter data regarding an object of observation, interaction, or both by the user; and

to receive from the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device user input representing the data for which the head-mounted electronic display device has visually prompted the user and to wirelessly transmit the data to a computer system over a computer network.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the hinge mechanism is located near a base of the palm control portion.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the attachment portion comprises one or more magnets that attract and retain the palm control portion to the attachment portion when the extension arm is in the folded position.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more magnets deactivate the user input area of the palm control portion when the palm control portion is retained to the attachment portion by the one or more magnets.

20. An apparatus for performing data entry by a user of healthcare information relating to a patient for storing in an electronic healthcare record of the patient, comprising:

(a) a head-mounted electronic display device mechanically configured to be attached to a user'"'"'s head and comprising,

(i) a rechargeable power supply,

(ii) one or more wireless receivers and one or more wireless transmitters, and

(iii) a display for viewing, by the user, displayed user interfaces; and

(b) an arm-mounted peripheral electronic device comprising,

(i) an attachment portion mechanically configured to be attached to a user'"'"'s arm,

(ii) a palm control portion comprising a user input area at which user input is received when a finger or thumb actuates the user input area, and

(iii) an extension arm secured to the attachment portion and extending between and supporting the palm control portion relative to the attachment portion,

(iv) wherein the extension arm is movable relative to the attachment portion such that the palm control portion is transitionable between,

(A) a first position for supporting the palm control portion adjacent a user'"'"'s palm, and

(B) a second position for supporting the palm control portion adjacent a user'"'"'s forearm;

(c) wherein the head-mounted electronic display device and the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device are configured to wirelessly communicate with each other at least insofar as user input received at the user input area of the palm control portion of the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device generates a signal that is wirelessly communicated to and received by the head-mounted electronic display device as user input relative to a displayed user interface on the display of the head-mounted electronic display device; and

(d) wherein the head-mounted electronic display device further is configured to use the display to visually prompt a user wearing the head-mounted electronic display device to enter data regarding an object of observation, interaction, or both by the user; and

to receive from the arm-mounted peripheral electronic device user input representing the data for which the head-mounted electronic display device has visually prompted the user and to wirelessly transmit the data to a computer system over a computer network.