Method and apparatus for monitoring physical positioning of a user

• US 5,177,872 A
• Filed: 10/05/1990
• Issued: 01/12/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Gove, Robert J., Lewis, Russell F., Cone, Dale A.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAROIAN, HARRY
• Application Number:
  US07/593,823
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 33/366, 33/377, 33/312, 33/313, 340/686, 340/689, 340/566, 250/573, 250/577, 250/231 R
• US Class Current: 33/366.16
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1121 Determining geometric values, e.g. centre of rotation or angular range of movement
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1126 using a particular sensing technique
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 2009/066 optical
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 9/20 the indication being based on the inclination of the surface of a liquid relative to its container
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 3/12 for distributing signals to two or more loudspeakers specially adapted for hearing aids H04R25/407

Abstract

There is disclosed a device and method for providing signals representative of the positional altitude of a user. The device is responsive to hand or head movements to move a dampened substance contained within a confined tube past one or more sensors. Light passing through the tube is interrupted by the movement of the dampened substance which can be a liquid or a solid object within a viscous liquid.

Claims

1. A motion detector, said motion detector comprising:

a tube containing a liquid, said liquid having a surface area defining a plane, said surface area movable within said tube in response to the inclination of said tube such that said plane forms an angle with respect to said tube;

an emitter for transmitting first signals and positioned on a first side of said tube;

a sensor positioned on a second side opposite to said first side and operable to detect said first signals so that said first signals may be transmitted from said emitter to said sensor;

wherein said liquid is operable to restrict the transmission of said first signals and wherein the amount of said first signals detected by said sensor is indicative of said angle between said surface area and said tube; and

a processor connected to said sensor and operable to continously monitor changes in said angle, thereby measuring said motion.

2. The detector set forth in claim 1 wherein said sensor includes:

a signal generator for providing discrete second signals indicative of the length of said surface area within said tube.

3. The detector set forth in claim 2 wherein said emitter emits light rays;

and

said signal generator includes a plurality of discrete light detectors, each said detector spaced apart along the length of said tube and adapted to provide said signals depending upon the changing magnitude of light rays detected.

4. The detector set forth in claim 3 wherein said discrete light detectors include CCD devices.

5. A motion sensor comprising:

at least one emitter operable to emit a first signal;

a defined space adjacent to said at least one emitter within which a fluid is free to flow in accordance with gravity, wherein said fluid restricts the propagation of said first signal, said fluid having a surface area defining a plane whereby said plane forms an angle with respect to said defined space;

a plurality of detectors abutting said defined space for continuously detecting said first signals and wherein the amount of first signals detected is indicative of said angle; and

a processor connected to said plurality of detectors and operable to continously monitor said angle, thereby detecting said motion.

6. The motion sensor set forth in claim 5 further comprising:

a signal generating device connected to said plurality of detectors for providing second signals representative of the status of said detectors.

7. The sensor set forth in claim 5 wherein said first signal is light and said detectors are sensitive to light passing through said confined space as modified by said liquid moving within said space.

8. The sensor set forth in claim 7 wherein said detectors include a linear CCD array spaced along the longitudinal axis of said defined space.

9. The sensor set forth in claim 7 wherein said light is provided by a light source abutting said defined space.

10. A method of detecting motion comprising the steps of:

providing within a tiltable vessel having walls a liquid restrictive of the transmission of a first signal and having a surface area defining a plane, said surface area movable within said vessel in response to the tilting of said vessel thereby producing an angle between said surface area and said walls;

monitoring a relative amount of transmission of said first signal thereby detecting said angle as it changes as said surface area moves within said vessel; and

continuously monitoring said angle, thereby detecting motion of said tiltable vessel.

11. The method set forth in claim 10 wherein said monitoring step includes the step of:

providing discrete second signals indicative of the length of said surface area within said vessel.

12. The method set forth in claim 11 wherein said first signal is light rays;

and

said providing step includes the step of;

interrupting light from discrete light detectors, each said detector spaced apart along the length of said tube and adapted to provide said second signals depending upon the changing magnitude of light rays passing through said tube.

13. The method set forth in claim 12 wherein said discrete light detectors include a linear array of CCD devices.

14. The method set forth in claim 10 further comprising the step of sending said second signals to a remote device.