METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OBJECT CONTROL

• US 20070120834A1
• Filed: 11/21/2006
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Navisense
• Original Assignee: Navisense
• Inventors: BOILLOT, MARC
• Granted Patent: US 7,834,850 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user

Abstract

A system (111 ) and method (200) for providing sensory feedback (210) for touchless feedback control is provided. The system can include a touchless sensing unit (110) that detects at least one position (304) of an object in a touchless sensing space (300), and an indicator (166) communicatively coupled to the touchless sensing unit that provides sensory feedback associated with the at least one position. The indicator can change in accordance with a location, a recognized movement, or a strength of the touchless sensing space. The sensory feedback can be associated with acquiring a touchless control or releasing a touchless control. The sensory feedback can be visual, auditory, or haptic.

Claims

1. A system for touchless feedback control, comprising:

a touchless sensing unit, wherein the touchless sensing unit detects at least one position of an object in a touchless sensing space; and

an indicator communicatively coupled to the touchless sensing unit, the indicator providing sensory feedback associated with the at least one position,

wherein the sensory feedback is visual, auditory, or haptic.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicator further comprises:

a timer, wherein the timer identifies a time length the object is moving; and

a feedback unit cooperatively connected to the timer for changing a behavior of the sensory feedback in accordance with the time length.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the touchless sensing unit recognizes a movement of the object, and the indicator changes the sensory feedback based on the movement that is recognized.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensing unit generates a touchless sensing space that includes a plurality of boundary regions each associated with at least one color, wherein the indicator changes to a color when the position of the object is within a boundary region corresponding to the color.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the touchless sensing unit is an array of ultrasonic sensors that is integrated within a keyboard, laptop, or mobile device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicator is at least one of a light emitting diode, a monitor, a light contrast display (LCD), an array of illuminating elements, a laser, a color strip, a sound speaker, or a vibration element.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the indicator projects a light pattern on the object, and the light pattern that changes behavior in accordance with the location of the object.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicator is an illumination element behind a keypad that emanates visible light through the keys.

9. A method for touchless feedback control the steps of:

monitoring a movement of an object in a touchless sensing space; and

providing sensory feedback in accordance with the movement, wherein the sensory feedback is visual, auditory, or haptic.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

identifying a location of the object; and

adjusting a behavior of the sensory feedback based on the location.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising

determining a length of time the object is at a location;

and

adjusting a behavior of the sensory feedback based on the length of time.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

tracking a finger in a touchless ultrasonic sensing space; and

adjusting an illumination in accordance with a location of the finger in the touchless ultrasonic sensing space,

wherein the ultrasonic sensing space is between 1 cm and 10 cm above the touchless sensing unit.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining if a location of the object is within a boundary region of a touchless sensing space; and

changing to an illumination that corresponds to the boundary region.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of providing sensory feedback changes a lighting pattern, a blinking rate, an intensity, or a color.

15. A method for providing sensory feedback during touchless object control, comprising:

detecting a movement of a finger within a touchless sensing space;

controlling an object in accordance with the movement; and

providing sensory feedback in accordance with the controlling, wherein the sensory feedback is visual, auditory, or haptic.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising adjusting the sensory feedback in accordance with a strength of the touchless sensing space.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

determining if the finger is within a boundary region; and

changing to an illumination that corresponds to the boundary region,

18. The method of claim 16, wherein providing sensory feedback further comprises:

adjusting a sensory feedback to signify gaining control of the object; and

adjusting the sensory feedback to signify relinquishing control of the object.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the providing sensory feedback further comprises changing an intensity of the illumination based on a strength of the touchless sensing space at the location of the finger.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising recognizing a movement of the object, and changing the sensory feedback to identify the movement that is recognized.