Patent application for a computer motional command interface

• US 20040251918A1
• Filed: 02/05/2004
• Published: 12/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomas G. Cehelnik
• Original Assignee: Thomas G. Cehelnik
• Inventors: Cehelnik, Thomas G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,078,911 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/663
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/088 operating with electric fields G01V3/082 takes precedence
• 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: G08B 31/00 Predictive alarm systems characterised by extrapolation or other computation using updated historic data

Abstract

A method and apparatus is described for interacting with electronic devices via motional commands. The method uses perturbations of the background quasistatic electric fields. The apparatus measures perturbations in electric potential relative to the background. Body movement is recognized by comparing changes in signals in time with signals collected from training sets for specified motional commands or gestures. Upon recognizing the commands, the apparatus issues the predetermined response to the motion.

Claims

1. A method for sensing motion of a body using quasistatic electric potential measurements consisting of:

a. at least one sensor capable of detecting said quasistatic electric potential perturbations relative to the background electric potential caused from the presence or motion of a body in proximity to sensor;

b. a least one motional command perturbing the said electric potential;

c. a means electronically conditioning and acquiring the signal data from the at least one sensor, or a plurality thereof, in time;

d. a means processing the acquired data to produce a signal indicative of a body'"'"'s motion of its presence;

e. a means of recognizing the said signal associated with body'"'"'s motion or its presence;

f. a means of maintaining or modulating the electrical conductivity of the body such that the A.C. amplitude changes in a fairly predictable way with changes in relative proximity between the said sensor and body;

g. a means of dispatching a command to an electronic device upon recognition;

2. An apparatus using the method in claim 1 when used to sense motion of a body through walls, ceilings, doors, and containers;

3. An apparatus using the method in claim 1 used to communicate motional commands to a device using perturbations in the A.C. background potential;

4. An apparatus using the method in claim 1 used to communication motional commands to a device using perturbation in the D.C. background potential;

5. An apparatus using the method in claim 1 communicating motional commands to a device using perturbations in both the D.C. and A.C. signal components;

6. An apparatus as in claim 1 used to detect the D.C., A.C., or combination of both signal components of inanimate objects including a machine and matter;

7. An apparatus as in claim 1 used to detect the D.C., A.C., or combination of both signal components of a animate objects including people, and animals, and fish, and insects;

8. An apparatus using method of claim 1 in a toys;

9. An apparatus using method in claim 1 used to communicate motional commands to a device by recognizing perturbations in the background signal originating from the A.C. power wiring or equipment;

10. An apparatus using method in claim 1 used to communicate motional commands to a device by recognizing perturbations in the background signal originating from static field transmitter or and A.C. transmitter;

11. An apparatus as in claim 1 consisting of:

a. a high input impedance amplifier with low frequency response to signals about 4 Hz while still having sensitivity to the background A.C. signal;

b. a means for filtering the pass band signals from said amplifier in part a to extract the A.C. and D.C. part;

12. An apparatus using method in claim 11 used to communicate motional commands to a device using perturbations in the A.C. background potential and consisting of:

a. an array of said sensors on a viewing monitor with at least 2 sensors forming a pair and having a component of the vector joining them in the direction of motion sensed;

13. An apparatus using the method in claim 12 as a part of a portable computing device;

14. An apparatus using the method in claim 12 as a part of a device for viewing pictures and videos;

15. An apparatus using the method in claim 12 as a part of a computer monitor device;

16. An apparatus using the method in claim 12 as a part of a computer keyboard device;

17. An apparatus using the method in claim 12 as a part of baby mobile toy;

18. An apparatus using the method in claim 12 as a part of;

19. An apparatus using method in claim 12 where the means for modulation is a switch in a shoe;

20. An apparatus using method in claim 12 used to detect fish;