Foot activated user interface
First Claim
1. A user input device for computing apparatus, comprising:
- a foot control unit adapted to be worn on a user'"'"'s foot and comprising a position sensor for sensing relative position with respect to a reference unit;
a reference unit remote from the foot control unit; and
a data carrier containing program instructions for execution by a processor of said computing apparatus, wherein the processor executing said program instructions is adapted to receive a stream of relative position information from the foot control unit or the reference unit and to convert the stream of relative position information into a position of a selection element on a user display.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computing apparatus comprises a processor unit 10 and a foot control unit 13, in addition to a device for presenting information to a user such as a microdisplay. Movement of the foot, which drives operation of a selection element, provides user input to the processor unit. The foot control unit contains a position sensor 27 that detects position relative to a reference unit 26 in the processor unit 10. A stream of relative position data is used to indicate alternative options at the information presentation device. Selection may be carried out by various alternative methods in different embodiments —if the position sensor 27 is also an orientation sensor, this may be by rotation of the foot. This arrangement is particularly suitable for a wearable computing apparatus.
68 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A user input device for computing apparatus, comprising:
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a foot control unit adapted to be worn on a user'"'"'s foot and comprising a position sensor for sensing relative position with respect to a reference unit;
a reference unit remote from the foot control unit; and
a data carrier containing program instructions for execution by a processor of said computing apparatus, wherein the processor executing said program instructions is adapted to receive a stream of relative position information from the foot control unit or the reference unit and to convert the stream of relative position information into a position of a selection element on a user display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method of providing user input to a computing device, comprising:
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mounting a control unit on a foot of a user;
providing signals indicating a position of the control unit relative to a reference unit not mounted with the control unit on the foot of the user; and
representing changes in the relative position of the control unit and the reference unit as changes in data presented to a user on a data presentation device. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification