CD-ROM data retrieval system using a hands-free command controller and headwear monitor

• US 5,450,596 A
• Filed: 07/18/1991
• Issued: 09/12/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Redwear Interactive Inc.
• Original Assignee: Redwear Interactive Inc.
• Inventors: Felsenstein, Lee
• Primary Examiner(s): Bowler, Alyssa H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pan, Daniel H.
• Application Number:
  US07/732,047
• Time in Patent Office: 1,517 Days
• Field of Search: 395/800, 395/11, 395/250, 395/200, 395/275, 395/325, 395/400, 395/425, 395/500, 395/550, 395/600, 395/650, 395/700, 395/725, 395/775, 395/750, 364/405, 364/DIG. 1, 364/DIG. 2, 364/708.1, 364/709.1, 364/709.2, 364/709.11, 340/705, 340/706, 340/711, 358/88, 345/8, 345/163, 348/838
• US Class Current: 708/141
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt

Abstract

A video display attached to a lightweight headpiece and using a zero motion mouse for the input of commands. The system accesses data from a CD-ROM reader and can store user generated data to a memory card for later retrieval. It is light enough to be worn by the user and does not interfere with the use of the user'"'"'s hands.

Claims

1. A user wearable information retrieval system for displaying predetermined digitized data encoded into a large capacity information storage device such as a compact disk comprising:

a carrying case enclosing a power supply, a computer having I/O port means, and

a CD-ROM delivery drive interfaced with said I/O port means adapted to receive a memory medium containing said predetermined digitized data, said delivery drive being adapted to access the data on said memory medium and to provide said data to said I/O port means,

a virtually hands-free command control device presenting no interference to ordinary use of the hands of the user to provide input commands from the user to said computer via said I/O port means, and

a headset adapted to be worn by said user and a head mounted image display supported by said headset comprising

virtual image display means comprising an eyepiece adapted to be positioned in front of one eye of the user and to display video display information from said computer.

2. The information retrieval system of claim 1 wherein said command control device comprises isometric (force-operated) controller means adapted to receive input from the user'"'"'s finger pressure.

3. The information retrieval system of claim 1 wherein said headset further comprises an audio output means comprising an earphone, and

a real-time text to speech conversion means adapted to receive speech data from said computer and to provide audio input to a sound transducer in said earphone.

4. The information retrieval system of claim 1 wherein said carrying case further contains a memory card receiver adapted to read from and write to a memory card information transmitted via said I/O port means.

5. The information retrieval system of claim 4 wherein said command control device comprises isometric (force-operated) controller means adapted to receive input from the user'"'"'s finger pressure.

6. The information retrieval system of claim 4 wherein said headset further comprises an audio output means comprising earphones, and

a real-time text to speech conversion means adapted to receive speech data from said computer and to provide audio input to a sound transducer in said earphone.

7. A portable, user wearable, lightweight information retrieval system adapted to be worn by a user for displaying predetermined digitized data encoded into a large capacity information storage device such as a compact disk comprising

a carrying case comprising a belt attachment enclosing

a power supply, a computer on a circuit card comprising a CPU, a ROM memory and I/O port means, and

a CD-ROM delivery drive electrically connected to receive power from said power supply and adapted to receive a memory medium containing said predetermined digitized data, said delivery drive being adapted to access the data on said memory medium and to provide said data to said I/O port means,

a virtually hands-free command control device providing the user with the capability of having complete freedom of movement and use of hands without interfering with the operation of the system and to provide input commands to said computer via said I/O port means,

a headset adapted to be worn by said user under headgear and a head mounted image display supported by said headset comprising

virtual image display means comprising an eyepiece adapted to be positioned in front of one eye of the user and to display video display information from said computer, and

an audio output means comprising

earphones, and

a real-time text to speech conversion means adapted to receive speech data from said computer and to provide audio input to sound transducers in said earphones.

8. The information retrieval system of claim 7 wherein said carrying case further contains a memory card receiver adapted to read from and write to a memory card information transmitted via said I/O port means.