Foot activated user interface

• US 7,454,309 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2005
• Issued: 11/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Slatter, David Neil, Lawrence, Richard Anthony, Hall, Glenn Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, JOHN H
• Application Number:
  US11/156,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20060003839A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,246 Days
• Field of Search: 345155-164, 345/629, 345/169, 600/300, 341/22, 708/139, 361/181, 707/501, 702/160, 702/150, 73/493
• US Class Current: 702/160
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/163 Wearable computers, e.g. on a belt
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0334 Foot operated pointing devices

Abstract

A wearable computing apparatus includes a processor; a device for presenting information from the processor to a user, and a device for providing user input to the processor in response to the information presented to the user. The device is adapted to be activated wholly or partly by a foot of the user.

Claims

1. Wearable computing apparatus, comprising:

a processor;

a device for presenting information from the processor to a user; and

a device for providing user input to the processor in response to the information presented to the user, wherein the user input device is adapted to be activated wholly or partly by a foot of the user,

wherein the user input device comprises a foot mounted position sensor, the foot mounted position sensor comprising a light source and a sensor adapted to measure position from light from the light source reflected by a surface adjacent to the foot mounted position sensor.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for presenting information to a user is a visible display.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the visible display is an eyeglass display.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the user input device is adapted to select an item from a list displayed on the visible display.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the user input device is adapted to select a point on an area displayed on the visible display.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the user input device is adapted to select an arbitrary area from an area displayed on the visible display.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device for presenting information to a user provides audible output.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the user input device is adapted to allow selection from menu options.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user input device further comprises a reference unit for the position sensor, wherein the reference unit is also adapted to be worn by the user.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein translation of the foot mounted position sensor causes translation of a selection device across a space presented by the information-presenting device.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the foot mounted position sensor is further adapted to sense orientation.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein rotation of the foot mounted position sensor beyond a threshold value causes a predetermined operation to be carried out by the processor in respect of information indicated to be available for selection by the information-presenting device.

13. Computing apparatus, comprising:

a processor;

a display for presenting information from the processor to a user; and

a user input device comprising a foot mounted position and orientation sensor,

wherein translation of the foot mounted position and orientation sensor causes translation of a selection device across the display and rotation of the foot mounted position and orientation sensor causes a predetermined operation to be carried out by the processor in respect of information indicated by the selection device, and

wherein the foot mounted position and orientation sensor comprises a light source and a sensor adapted to measure position from light from the light source reflected by a surface adjacent to the foot mounted position sensor.

14. Computing apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the processor, the display and the user input device are wearable by a user.

15. Computing apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the user input device is adapted for selection of an item from a list displayed on the display.

16. Computing apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the user input device is adapted for selection of a point on an area displayed on the display.

17. Computing apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the user input device is adapted for selection of an arbitrary area from an area displayed on the display.