Wearable wireless tongue controlled devices
Inventors
Menon, K. A. Unnikrishnan • JAYARAM, REVATHY • PULLARKATT, DIVYA • RAMESH, MANEESHA VINODINI
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-9996168-B2
Publication Date
2018-06-12
Expiration Date
Abstract
A wearable device and a system to provide an input for a computing device are disclosed. The device comprises a sensing unit to deliver infrared signals to the facial region of a user and to receive transmitted or reflected signals therefrom, and a processing unit to determine the position or movement of the tongue of the user based on the received infrared signals. The processing unit is configured to provide an input to a computing device based on the determined position or movement of the tongue. The system further comprises a transmitter for wirelessly transmitting the input from the processing unit to the computing device.
Core Innovation
A wearable device includes a wearable housing with a first sensing unit and a second sensing unit. The first and second sensing units are configured to directly deliver infrared signals to the other sensing unit and to receive a transmission of the signals from the other sensing unit, and the device detects transmission of the signals between the sensing units.
The device detects obstruction of the signals between the sensing units by cheek or lip caused by a tongue pushing on the cheek or lip within a mouth. A processing unit analyzes the detected infrared signals from the first and the second sensing units and determines a position of the tongue within the mouth based on detection of the transmission and the obstruction.
The processing unit provides an input to a computing device based on the determined tongue position. In a system embodiment, non-contact sensing of tongue position uses first and second infrared sensing units that transmit position information and a processing unit that determines a computer-readable instruction based on the determined position, including storing code in memory and transmitting the instruction.
Claims Coverage
Two independent claims are identified. They cover a wearable device and a non-contact sensing system that determine tongue position using directly delivered infrared signals between two sensing units and detecting obstruction by cheek or lip caused by a tongue pushing inside the mouth, followed by generation and transmission of computer-readable instructions to an electronic device.
Directly delivered and received infrared signals between two sensing units
A wearable device comprises a first sensing unit and a second sensing unit configured to directly deliver infrared signals to the other sensing unit and to receive a transmission of the signals from the other sensing unit, while detecting transmission of the signals between the sensing units.
Tongue-position determination from signal transmission and obstruction
The device detects obstruction of the signals between the sensing units by cheek or lip caused by a tongue pushing on the cheek or lip within a mouth, and a processing unit analyzes the detected infrared signals to determine a position of the tongue within the mouth based on detection of transmission and obstruction.
Computer-readable instruction input to a computing device
The processing unit provides an input to a computing device based on the determined position of the tongue within the mouth, and in the system embodiment the microprocessor determines a computer-readable instruction based on the determined position and transmits it.
Non-contact tongue position system with first and second infrared sensing units
A system comprises a first and second infrared sensing units configured to transmit position information regarding a user's tongue within the mouth, each comprising at least one infrared emitter and at least one infrared sensor.
Processing unit with microprocessor, memory, and transmitter for instruction generation
The system includes a processing unit comprising a microprocessor, a memory and a transmitter, where the microprocessor receives signals from the sensing units, analyzes the signals to determine tongue position based on transmission and obstruction, determines a computer-readable instruction, and the transmitter transmits the computer-readable instruction; the memory stores code comprising instructions readable by the microprocessor and the position information received from the sensing units.
Overall claim coverage centers on two infrared sensing units that directly deliver and receive infrared signals, where tongue position is determined from both detected signal transmission and obstruction by cheek or lip caused by tongue pushing, and where a processing unit generates a computer-readable instruction/input to a computing device.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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