Head-worn Mouse System for Cursor Control Without Hand Movement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional computer control systems require users to move their hands from the keyboard to a mouse, disrupting touch typing and reducing productivity, especially for individuals with motor impairments who struggle with traditional mouse operations.

Innovation Solution

A head-worn mouse system using tilt X-Y transducers or joystick controllers allows users to control computer cursors and perform click and drag functions without leaving the keyboard, utilizing electrical signals from user-actuated transducers to manage cursor movements and switching operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional mouse is used for computer control, then cursor control functionality is achieved, but users must move hands from keyboard disrupting touch typing and reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecursor controlVSAvoidtouch typing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary device (head-worn mouse or alternative transducer) that mediates between the user and the computer system. This intermediary allows cursor control to be achieved through head movements or alternative transducers while hands remain on the keyboard, thus maintaining touch typing efficiency while enabling cursor control functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical mouse operation (hand movement on desk surface) with alternative control mechanisms such as head-worn transducers or body-mounted sensors. This substitution eliminates the need for hand movement away from the keyboard, allowing users to maintain proper typing posture while controlling the cursor through different physical modalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If a traditional mouse is used, then cursor control is possible, but individuals with motor impairments struggle with traditional mouse operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecursor controlVSAvoidaccessibility for motor impairments
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal control system that can accommodate multiple user needs and abilities. By offering alternative control modalities (head-worn transducers, body-mounted sensors, tilt transducers), the system becomes adaptable to users with various motor impairments while maintaining functionality for able-bodied users, thus achieving multi-functionality and broad accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of interaction by offering different transducer types and control modalities. Instead of requiring consistent hand movements, the system accepts various input forms (head tilt, body position, alternative transducer signals), thereby adapting to different motor capabilities and making cursor control accessible to individuals with diverse motor impairments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If head-worn transducers are used for cursor control, then users can maintain touch typing, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetouch typing efficiencyVSAvoidcontrol system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The head-worn transducer acts as an intermediary that captures head movements and converts them into cursor control signals. This intermediary device enables the decoupling of hand movements from cursor control, allowing users to maintain proper typing posture while the transducer handles the complexity of motion conversion and signal processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9019205B1Apparatus and method for controlling display cursor
Publication Date: 2015.04.28 INTELLIPRO
  • US9019205B1 patent drawing
  • US9019205B1 patent drawing
  • US9019205B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method includes user actuating X and Y transducers (16, 17, 38A, 39A, 66, 422A, 704A) to selective X and Y positions; producing x and y electrical signals as functions of the positions; moving a cursor (388) of a display (390) at velocities that are functions of the x and y electrical signals; clicking the cursor (388); correcting initialization errors in one of the transducers; providing a deadband (288A, 288B) in which the moving step is obviated; selectively adjusting the deadband (288A, 288B); delaying transmission of one of the electrical signals to the cursor (388); and stopping the moving step irrespective of the delaying step. The clicking step comprises user actuating one of the transducers (16, 17, 38A, 39B, 66, 422A, 704A) more rapidly; user actuating a manual switch (372, 550, 551); user actuating a sound pressure switch (432); user actuating a voice recognition IC (394), or user actuating an another switching device (384).