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Publication Number
US-11262851-B2
Publication Date
2022-03-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
Systems and methods for selecting a target are provided. In some embodiments, a system may include a wearable device having one or more sensors. The sensors may be configured to detect physiological data and wrist location data. In some embodiments, the system may be configured to determine: (i) a vector intended by a user based on at least the wrist location data, and (ii) a gesture indicating an intention to make a selection based on at least the physiological data. The system may be configured to select a target indicated by the directional vector as determined when the gesture indicating the intention to make a selection is detected.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention provides a system and method for selecting a target using a wrist-worn user interface device. A wearable device configured to be worn on a person’s wrist comprises one or more sensors and is configured to detect physiological data indicating a state of a person’s hand and wrist location data indicative of a location of the person’s wrist. The system determines an intended directional vector based on at least the wrist location data.
The system further detects a gesture indicating an intention to make a selection based on at least the physiological data. The directional vector and the detected gesture are combined so that a target is selected based on the directional vector as determined when the gesture indicating the intention to make a selection is detected. This provides target selection that is synchronized to the detection of the intention gesture.
In further refinements, the directional vector is determined using additional location information such as data indicating a location of the person, including global positioning system (GPS) data and, in other refinements, triangulation. Context data is used to broaden and ground the selection, including context data provided as image data or video data and context data that includes a location of the target. The disclosure also includes variants in which the system provides output data to one or more processors and, in some cases, controls an object after a selection.
The disclosure additionally covers control-mode initiation via a wake word gesture, where detecting the wake word gesture is based on wrist location data and physiological data indicating an intention to initiate the control mode. Responsive-device behavior described includes controlling an object using commands derived from wrist location data and physiological data, and transmitting those commands to the object.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three related aspects: a system for selecting a target based on a directional vector and a detected selection-intent gesture; a system variant that provides output data to processors based on the same inputs; and a method for selecting a target using the same core sensing and selection logic. The independent claims share the same directional-vector-and-intention-gesture selection mechanism, with refinements in dependent claims specifying location data sources, context data, target type, and optional control-mode behavior.
Directional vector from wrist location data
Based on at least the wrist location data, determine a directional vector intended by the person.
Selection-intent gesture from physiological data
Based on at least the physiological data, detect a gesture indicating an intention to make a selection.
Target selection when gesture is detected
Based on the directional vector and the detected gesture, select a target, the selected target being indicated by the directional vector as determined when the gesture indicating the intention to make a selection is detected.
Physiological data indicating hand state with wrist location data
A wearable device configured to be worn on a person’s wrist comprising one or more sensors and being configured to detect at least physiological data indicating a state of a person’s hand and wrist location data indicative of a location of the person’s wrist.
Processor output data based on physiological and wrist location data
Provide output data based on the physiological data and the wrist location data to one or more processors configured to determine the directional vector, detect the gesture indicating an intention to make a selection, and select a target.
Across the independent claims, the inventive core is the combination of a directional vector derived from wrist location data, a detected selection-intent gesture derived from physiological data, and selecting a target indicated by the directional vector when the selection-intent gesture is detected. Dependent claim refinements add location data sources, context data, geographic-location versus object targets, biopotential sensing, and optional wake word gesture control-mode initiation and object control.
Stated Advantages
This provides target selection that is synchronized to the detection of the intention gesture.
Documented Applications
Controlling an object after a selection.
Control-mode initiation via a wake word gesture.
Transmitting commands to an object.
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