Hands-free pointer system

a pointer system and hand-free technology, applied in the field of hand-free pointer systems, can solve the problems of physical difficulty of users, permanent or temporary loss of motor skills, and users without hands, and achieve the effect of accurate tracking and quick movement of the pointer across the field of a monitor

Inactive Publication Date: 2018-03-08
LONDON HEALTH SCI CENT RES
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The system provides high tracking accuracy, is compact and easy to install, maintains image resolution, and allows for hands-free control of cursors on multiple monitors, enhancing surgical training and instruction by enabling precise pointer control without requiring manual intervention or loss of focus from the primary monitor.

Problems solved by technology

Physically challenged users (e.g., users without hands, or with permanent or temporary loss of motor skills) may have difficulty operating keyboards and conventional pointing devices.
This is a time consuming, disorientating, and potentially uncomfortable practice.
A problem with the use of IR light is that its use is susceptible to glare (J. Hargrave-Wright, “Improvements in hands-free access to computers,”Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) Technology and Standards Watch, Report # TSW 02-06, October 2002.
This system demonstrated several difficulties including: accurate positioning of the pointer at the target site, degradation of the image quality and size, and cumbersome and complicated installation of required equipment.
The pointer systems of the prior art are insufficient in that: hand-held laser pointers systems are cumbersome and can only be used to point to one monitor at a time; there is no commercially available system for surgical training; pointer systems developed for remote collaboration require the use of a hand or a finger to actuate; most hands-free systems have been designed for disabled people, requiring movement of certain muscles or image processing to identify certain features on the user's face, which is not feasible for surgical applications since the surgeon is wearing a face mask, eye protection and a head lamp such that facial features are not exposed for tracking; systems based on gyroscopes or accelerometers have poor resolution and control at low speeds, although accuracy is critical in surgical training; systems based on infrared light are susceptible to glare or reflections occurring on other objects in the field of view of the light source leading to potentially critical errors; no system currently available combines marker tracking technology with inertial sensors; and none of the systems address the issue of velocity-dependent motion control providing precise pointer control at low speeds and large pointer displacement at high speeds.

Method used

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Embodiment Construction

Overview

[0027]The present invention relates to systems, devices and methods for controlling the movement of a cursor relative to a target displayed on one or more display devices. The target may, for example, be an area of interest of an image displayed on the display device. In one aspect of the present invention it provides a hands-free controller of a cursor whose motion and position needs to be controlled.

[0028]A cursor includes any computerized reference point with respect to a display device, including for example a text cursor, pointer, crosshair, dot, arrow, plane indicator, triangle, or hollow circle. Furthermore, properties of cursor may be adjustable, including for example orientation, size, color and shape. The cursor may also be a plurality of cursors that can be individually activated for individual movement and adjustment.

[0029]In one aspect of the present invention it provides a system for controlling the movement of a cursor relative to a target displayed on one or ...

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Abstract

The present invention describes a hands-free system for controlling the movement of a cursor on one or more display devices. A tracking device including a traceable marker and one or more accelerometers and gyroscopes are used to track position and acceleration of the marker relative to a target of interest. A processing means processes the motion signals from the tracking device to determine the location of the cursor on the operator's monitor, which may also be displayed on more monitors. The tracking device is worn by the operator, optimally on the operator's head. The operator's head movements determine movement of the cursor.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13 / 141,065, filed Oct. 4, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,798,381, issued Oct. 24, 2017, which is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT / CA2009 / 001667, filed Nov. 20, 2009, which in turn claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61 / 116,675, filed Nov. 21, 2008, the contents of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present disclosure.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to novel systems, methods and devices useful for controlling the movement of a cursor on one or more display devices. Specifically, the present invention relates to novel hands-free systems, methods and devices useful for controlling the movement of a pointer on one or more display devices. The present invention more specifically relates to hands-free pointer systems, methods an...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): G06F3/01A61B1/00
CPCG06F3/012A61B1/00039G06F3/011G06F3/0346A61B1/0004
InventorSCHLACHTA, CHRISTOPHER M.PATEL, RAJNIKANT V.TREJOS, ANA LUISANAISH, MICHAEL DAVID
OwnerLONDON HEALTH SCI CENT RES