Data input device

• US 20050172734A1
• Filed: 12/31/2004
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gunilla Alsio
• Original Assignee: Senseboard Technologies AB
• Inventors: Ekstrand, Fredrik, Alsio, Gunilla, Asplund, Lars
• Granted Patent: US 7,362,305 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/865.400
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0331 Finger worn pointing device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/014 Hand-worn input/output arrangements, e.g. data gloves
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors

Abstract

The method of entering data into a computer device. A wearable device is attached to a first body part. The device has a lower unit and an upper unit connected to the lower unit. The device has sensors in operative engagement therewith for registering movements. The wearable device has a first accelerometer and a second accelerometer. The lower unit is provided with non-movable parts. A segment of a second body part is moved relative to the device without having physical contact with the sensors. The movement of the segment activates the sensors. The sensors sending sensor signals to a microprocessor unit. The first accelerometer senses an acceleration movement in a first direction. The second accelerometer senses an acceleration movement in a second direction. The first and second accelerometers send acceleration movement signals to a microprocessor unit that stores acceleration movement signals from the accelerometers together with the sensor signals to learn movements of the body part.

Claims

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

providing a wearable device and attaching the wearable device to a first body part, the device having a lower unit and an upper unit connected to the lower unit, the device having sensors in operative engagement therewith for registering movements, the wearable device having a first accelerometer and a second accelerometer;

moving a segment of a second body part relative to the device;

the movement of the segment of a second body part activating the sensors;

the sensors registering the movement of the segment of the second body part relative to the device; and

the sensors sending signals to a microprocessor unit;

the first accelerometer sensing at least an acceleration movement in a first direction;

the second accelerometer sensing at least an acceleration movement in a second direction; and

the first and second accelerometers sending acceleration movement signals to a microprocessor unit; and

the microprocessor unit storing acceleration movement signals from the accelerometers and signals from the sensors to learn movements of the body part.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises activating the sensors without having any physical contact with the sensors.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises attaching the first accelerometer on a board disposed in the upper unit of the device.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the method further comprises placing the second and a third accelerometers on a board disposed in the lower unit of the device so that the second and third accelerometers are remote from the first accelerometer.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein the method further comprises making the lower unit of a non-deformable material.

6. The method according to claim 2 wherein the method further comprises measuring a distance between the sensors and a finger of a hand.

7. The method according to claim 2 wherein the method further comprises calculating a capacitance value.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein a finger is not in physical contact with the sensors during activation of the sensors.

9. The method according to claim 1 wherein the sensors are activated by a loss of current flowing from an electrode to the sensors as a result of a proximity of a finger to the sensors.

10. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises registering movements in the metacarpophalangeal joint.

11. The method according to claim 1 wherein the method further comprises providing a third accelerometer, the first accelerometer measuring acceleration movements in a y-direction and a z-direction, the second accelerometer measuring acceleration movements in a x-direction and in a z-direction, the third accelerometer measuring acceleration movements in a x-direction and a y-direction.