A WEARABLE HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERFACE DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention is related to a wearable human-computer interface device. the wearable human-computer interface device is designed to enhance user interaction with computing systems while prioritizing accessibility. It comprises a ring enclosure (101) housing a control module, battery, Bluetooth communication module, and proximity sensors (116) for automatic power management. The glove features three interactive touch zones, a first touch zone (102) for scrolling, a second touch zone (103) for cursor movement and click actions, and a third touch zone (104) for customizable secondary functions. These touch zones are connected by a flexible data line (105) that transmits input signals to the control module, facilitating seamless interaction. The ergonomic design utilizes breathable materials (106) for comfort during extended use and allows users with limited mobility to operate it efficiently. Additionally, LED indicators (113) provide visual feedback on battery status and connectivity, making it a versatile alternative to traditional pointing devices.

Specification

Description:TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is related to the field of electronic engineering. More specifically, it relates to a wearable human-computer interface device, consisting of finger glove electrically and structurally affixed to a wearable ring enclosure that houses electronic components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.

Currently, two types of pointing devices are predominantly used: computer mouse and laptop touchpad. However, there are also some specialised pointing devices available in the market. Some of these are: Gyroscope and accelerometer-based glove as computer pointing device, Laser-equipped index finger glove and Computer vision-based finger gesture or position detection.

For gyroscope and accelerometer-based devices, the user needs to lift their hand and instruct the computer using certain hand gestures. This range of motions requires a combination of movements from the wrist and often the elbow.

Similarly, the laser-based pointing device requires a range of motion that often involves the wrist and a surface to bounce the laser off for successful input registration.

Computer vision-based gesture detection requires a camera and the user has to ensure the gestures they intend to perform are within the camera's field of view. Furthermore, some computer vision-based pointing devices also require a range of motions from the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints.

With the rise of the sophistication of cyber-attacks and malicious spyware applications, in general users are sceptical about keeping the camera on their system always turned on.

US20030038783A1 related to the wearable ergonomic computer mouse, the computer mouse of the present invention is worn on a user's hand, allowing the user to efficiently transition from operation of the keyboard to the mouse. Furthermore, since the mouse buttons are removably attached to a user's finger(s) by flexible adjustable fingerstraps, they can be operated by the user's thumb. Because the cursor positioning function is performed while the user's arm is in a more natural "handshake" position, the likelihood of causing or aggravating repetitive motion injuries may be reduced. Additionally, the computer mouse may transmit the mouse signals to the computer either through a quick-release connecting cable or through a wireless interface. In another embodiment, a miniature mouseball operated by the user's thumb may be attached to one of the fingerstraps.

US4414537A described the digital data entry glove interface device, a man-machine interface is disclosed for translating discrete hand positions into electrical signals representing alpha-numeric characters. The interface comprises a glove having sensors positioned with respect to the hand for detecting the flex of finger joints and sensors for detecting the contact between various portions of the hand. Additional sensors detect the movement of the hand with respect to a gravitational vector and a horizontal plane of reference. Further additional sensors detect the twisting and flexing of the wrist. The additional sensors are associated with prescribed mode signals which determine whether subsequently formed or priorly formed character specifying hand positions are to be entered for transmission. The alpha-numeric characters associated with the formed character specifying hand positions are transmitted only when the appropriate mode signal results. The forming and moving of the hand actuates various combinations of sensors so that electrical signals representing the specified characters are generated and transmitted.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a wearable human-computer interface device.

Another objective of the invention is to provide an alternative pointing device that is ergonomic and accessible, especially for individuals with limited wrist and elbow mobility, reducing the need for large hand movements required by traditional devices like a mouse or touchpad.

Yet another objective of the invention is to enable faster and more intuitive interaction with computers by allowing users to operate the device with minimal effort, using simple touch gestures on the glove's interactive zones.

Further objective of the invention is to offer a customizable interface where users can assign specific functions to the glove's touch zones.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the following invention providesa wearable human-computer interface device. This wearable pointing device designed to offer an ergonomic and accessible alternative to traditional devices like the mouse or touchpad. The glove features three interactive touch zones (102, 103, 104) along the index finger, connected to a ring enclosure (101) that houses the control electronics, battery, and Bluetooth module. The first touch zone (102) is used for scrolling actions, while the second touch zone (103) controls core functions like moving the mouse cursor and performing clicks. The third touch zone (104) can be customized to perform additional tasks such as adjusting volume or brightness. All the touch zones are connected to the ring via respective flexible data line (105), and the glove is made from a breathable material (106) to ensure comfort during extended use and the touch zones are to be constructed using capacitive touch technology, this prevents unintentional operation when it comes in contact with keyboard keys while the user types.

This invention is particularly advantageous for users with limited wrist or elbow mobility, as it requires only minimal finger movements to operate. The glove's proximity sensors (116) detect when it is being worn, enabling automatic power management, while LED indicators (113) show the battery and connectivity status. Interaction is intuitive, with the thumb controlling the touch zones through simple tapping and dragging gestures. The figures (1-8) illustrate the design, touch zones, and operational functionality of the glove, showing how the device reduces user fatigue, increases efficiency, and offers a customizable, wireless solution for interacting with computers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING

This invention is described by way of example with reference to the following drawings where,

Figure 1 of sheet 1showcases the proposed finger glove HCI worn on the index finger. Additionally, it illustrates the three interactive touch zones, flexible data lines connecting all of them to the ring containing the compute module.
Where,
101 denotes a ring enclosure housing the electronic control system and battery and charging system.
102 denotes a first touch zone.
103 denotes a second touch zone.
104 denotes a third touch zone,
105 denotes flexible data lines connecting all the touch zones to the ring.
106 denotes a breathable glove material - this excludes the touch zones.

Figure 2of sheet 2displays the invention worn on the index finger as seen from below under the palmar surface of a hand, here the second touch zone can be more clearly observed.
Where,
107 denotes the first touch zone as denoted by figure 1 - label 102.
108 denotes the second touch zone as denoted by figure 1 - label 103.
109 denotes the third touch zone as denoted by figure 1 - label 104.

Figure 3of sheet 3displays the HCI finger glove worn on the index finger as seen from above over the dorsal surface of a hand, it distinctly shows the breathable material used for the parts of the glove other than the touch zones.
Where,
110 denotes the first touch zone as denoted by figure 1 - label 102 and Figure 2 - label 107.
111 denotes the flexible data line as denoted by figure 101 - label 105.

Figure 4of sheet 4 demonstrates the HCI operation - the second touch zone can be interacted with by placing and dragging the palmar surface of the thumb over it. With this, the user can perform core operations expected from any pointing device HCI: to move the mouse cursor around and perform left click by single tapping on it and perform right-click by touching and holding down on it for a short but software-customizable duration.
Where,
112 denotes the second touch zone in operation.
113 denotes LEDs to indicate battery level and Bluetooth connectivity.

Figure 5of sheet 5exhibits how secondary operations such as scrolling up/down and left right can be performedby dragging the thumb across the first touch zone either vertically (for scroll up and down functionality) or horizontally (to scroll left and right).
Where,
114 denotes the first touch zone in operation.

Figure 6of sheet 6exhibits how the user can position the fingers when the smart finger glove is worn on the index finger to perform tertiary operations.
Where,
115 denotes the third touch zone in operation.

Figure 7of sheet 7shows proximity sensors on the inner surface of the ring(differentiated by the light grey colour in the figure) used for auto power-up-and-down by detecting if the ring is being worn or not.
Where,
116 denotes a proximity sensor.

Figure 8of sheet 7shows the flow diagram of the core operation of the invention.
Where,
801 denotes a server with wireless capabilities (eg: a computer, a phone)
802 denotes the ring enclosure
803 denotes the glove with touch zones

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The present invention is related to a wearable human-computer interface device. ThisHuman-Machine-Interface (HCI) which provides a new way to operate computing devices and serves as an alternative to traditional pointing devices such as a computer mouse and touchpad. The invention structure comprises a "smart" finger glove electrically and structurally affixed to a wearable ring enclosure that houses electronic components. The otherwise ordinary-looking finger glove is equipped with 3 touch zones connected to the ring enclosure using electrical data lines. These touch zones can be operated by dragging the thumb across the touchable surface. Each touch zone serves a unique purpose. The ring enclosure also houses a Bluetooth modem to provide the capability to connect the smart glove with a server device such as a laptop or a desktop - that the user intends to operate which is designed to be an alternative to traditional pointing devices; with better accessibility. It has many advantages over the prior art in some areas of operation. Key benefits of the proposed invention are: firstly, there are no requirements for elaborate setup such as that in the case of camera-based HCI (Human Computer Interface). Secondly, less abled people with limited range of motion in the wrist and elbow joints can operate the HCI described in the proposed invention. Thirdly, due to the minimal time it takes to interact with the HCI described in the proposed invention, it enhances the user's efficiency. Finally, better ergonomics as it does not require the user to keep their wrist and elbow in a certain specified position, it assumes the user's natural position and can be operated under a wide range of hand positions.

The proposed invention consists of a few parts: a wearable ring-like structure to enclose a small rechargeable battery, an induction coil to allow wireless battery recharge, a Bluetooth chip (or any other wireless interface chip) and a compute module that processes the input from the multiple touch zones on the glove. The enclosure also includes a proximity sensor to detect whether the glove is being worn, which allows the system to automatically power up when the glove is put on and power down when the glove is taken off to conserve the battery. On the outer side of the enclosure, there are LEDs for power and connectivity indication.

The non-interactive regions of the glove are to be constructed using a breathable material to avoid humidity around the finger enclosed in the glove. This is to improve the user comfort.

There are three touch zones (102, 103, 104) on the glove: from ring enclosure to the fingertip - the first one at the side on the second segment of the finger, the second on the palmar side of the final most segment of the finger and the third zone near the tip of the finger. Each zone serves a unique purpose but isn't limited to that; users can customise it as needed through software. Furthermore, the touch zones are all connected using flexible data line (105) connections that originate from the ring enclosure and end at the final touch zone at the tip of the glove.

The Smart Wearable, Human-Computer Interface, Computer Pointing device is a unique HCI device. It's wearable, and intuitively operable even by people with limited wrist and elbow mobility. It is designed such that it takes less time to interact with because it is virtually instantaneously available at the user's fingertips.

Below is the end-to-end operation of the proposed invention:

The user wears the smart finger glove on a finger other than the thumb.

The equipped proximity sensors on the ring's inner surface (116) detect the presence of an obstacle - that is the user's finger - and power up the compute module inside the ring. The HCI system connects with a wirelessly paired device e.g. a desktop or a laptop.

To move the mouse cursor around - a core functionality of any HCI pointing device - the user gently places the thumb on the second touch zone of the smart finger glove and drags it across the zone. The relative motion between the thumb over the second touch zone operates the 2D motion of the mouse cursor on the screen. This is similar to how a standard laptop touchpad operates by dragging the index finger on it.

To perform a single click action, the user gently taps on the second touch zone (103).
To perform a double-click action, the user double taps the second touch zone (103).

To perform a right-click action, the user taps and holds the second touch zone (103).

To perform a scroll-up action, the user places the thumb on the first touch (102) zone in a way that the thumb is approximately perpendicular to the second segment of the finger. The user then drags the thumb away from the finger in the outer direction.

Similarly, to perform a scroll-down action with the same configuration as described in the above point, instead of dragging the thumb in the outer direction - the user drags the thumb in the inner direction.

To perform, horizontal scrolling - using the same finger configuration as described in scroll-up and down actions - the user simply drags the thumb parallel to the second segment of the finger.

The third touch (104) zone is user-configurable via software. It can be configured to any action and operated by tap and drag gestures. For example, it can be configured to control the volume or brightness level of the system. To do this user drags the tip of the finger equipped with the smart finger glove across the thumb inwards(to reduce the level) or outwards(to increase the level).

The ring (101) enclosure on the smart finger glove has power LEDs to indicate the battery level. To recharge the battery inside the ring enclosure, the user can simply place the ring enclosure on an induction charging (commonly termed as "wireless charging") pad.

The sensitivity of the tap and drag gestures of the smart wearable finger glove is software-configurable.

The invention does not impose limitations on the wireless connection interface. That is, the invention is not limited to the use of Bluetooth for wireless connectivity with the server.

The best method for optimal performance of the invention involves several key considerations. First, the user should have fair mobility in their thumb and at least one other finger to effectively operate the proposed Human-Computer Interface (HCI). Additionally, due to its wireless connectivity, the device functions best when within the wireless range of the connected device. It is also crucial that the user's fingers are not significantly disfigured, as this could impede operation and wearability. As the system is powered by a battery, it is essential that the battery is sufficiently charged to enable the device to power up. Furthermore, since the invention relies on touch-based inputs, it may not function as intended when wet, and performance could be adversely affected if the touch zones are scratched or damaged.

Working of the device: the device comprising of the ring enclosure (101) that houses an electronic control system, a rechargeable battery, a wireless communication module, and a compute module, wherein said ring enclosure (101) is worn on a finger of the user. The device includes a plurality of touch zones (102, 103, 104) operable by thumb interaction. A first touch zone (102) is positioned on the second segment of the index finger, enabling vertical scrolling (for scroll up and down functionality) and horizontal scrolling (for left and right) via thumb-dragging gestures. A second touch zone (103), located on the palmar side of the final segment of the index finger, facilitates cursor movement through thumb-dragging and clicking actions via thumb tapping. A third touch zone (104) is positioned near the fingertip of the index finger and is customizable for performing additional user-defined tasks such as volume or brightness adjustments.

All touch zones are connected to the ring enclosure (101) via respective flexible data line (105), enabling data transfer between the touch zones and the control electronics housed within the ring enclosure. The device further incorporates proximity sensors (116) on the inner surface of the ring enclosure (101), which detect when the device is being worn, automatically powering up the device when worn and powering it down when removed to conserve battery life. LED indicators (113) are positioned on the outer surface of the ring enclosure (101) to display battery level and connectivity status, visually indicating when the device is paired with a computer or other server device (801) and showing the current battery charge level.

The wireless communication module includes a wireless modem (Bluetooth, WiFi, etc) housed within the ring enclosure (101), facilitating wireless connection to a server device such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet. The rechargeable battery within the ring enclosure can be recharged wirelessly via an induction coil when placed on a charging pad. The finger glove's breathable material (106) ensures comfort during extended use by reducing humidity around the finger. Furthermore, the touch zones (102, 103, 104) feature customizable sensitivity, allowing users to adjust the threshold for tap and drag gestures according to their preferences.

The proposed invention features several unique aspects that distinguish it from existing technologies. First, the segmented touch zone configuration incorporated into the Human-Computer Interface (HCI) is innovative and exclusive to this invention. Additionally, the connection between the finger glove, which is equipped with these segmented touch zones, and the ring enclosure is a novel design element. The system's ability to interpret touch gestures on the first, second, and third touch zones to perform secondary, primary, and tertiary actions, respectively, is also a distinctive feature. Furthermore, the invention allows users to customize the functionality of the third touch region according to their preferences, adding a personalized touch to the user experience. Overall, the unique physical design and functional capabilities detailed in the application set this invention apart in the field.

The proposed invention has significant industrial applications, particularly for individuals experiencing wrist and elbow mobility issues that hinder their ability to use traditional Human-Computer Interface (HCI) devices. Its ergonomic design also positions the invention as an effective accessibility device, enhancing usability for those with physical limitations. However, its benefits are not confined to users with disabilities; as outlined in the section discussing the object, reasons, and advantages of the invention over existing technology, it can also be utilized by the general public to enhance efficiency in tasks such as text editing and other applications requiring a combination of inputs from a pointing device and a keyboard. Moreover, this invention serves as a comprehensive alternative to traditional pointing devices like mice and touchpads, fulfilling all the core functionalities expected from these devices, thereby broadening its appeal and usability across various user demographics.

The proposed invention also has a few advantages over the traditional pointing devices: mouse and touchpad.For a computer mouse, the user must lift their wrist off the keyboard surface and place the palm on the mouse to operate it. With the proposed invention the user can on-the-fly operate the pointing device while their wrist is on the keyboard surface thus reducing the efforts and improving the time to interact. Such an advantage is more notable for people suffering from wrist and elbow joint disability or limitations.

Similarly, to operate an integrated laptop touchpad the user also requires a range of motion from the wrist joints to take off their fingers from the keyboard and place them on the touchpad. Additionally, for some power users, this may lead to wrist joint fatigue as operating a touchpad often involves high mobility from the wrist joins. The disadvantages of a dedicated touchpad (that is not integrated into the laptop) are very similar to those of a traditional computer mouse. Due to the fairly high wrist joint mobility requirements to operate a touchpad, it also is a challenge for people suffering from wrist and elbow (in the case of dedicated touchpad) motion disability.

The proposed invention only requires the user to wear the smart finger glove (as depicted in Figure 1) and interact with it using two fingers: a thumb and index finger or one of the fingers other than the thumb. Below are the key advantages of the proposed invention: The users do not need to lift their wrists off the typing surface, nor do they require high wrist joint mobility to operate. This also reduces the time to interact, As the proposed invention does not require the user to do a range of wrist joint motions - it does not cause joint fatigue when used for an extended duration.Unlike traditional devices such as a mouse or a touchpad, the proposed invention does not require a surface to operate, It does not require a camera, It also does not require a gyroscope/accelerometer sensor to operate and Due to the minimal time, it takes to interact with the pointing device proposed in the invention, the user can improve their speed in editing texts and other applications that require a combination of inputs from a pointing device and a keyboard.

While various embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described herein, it will be clear that the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments only. Numerous modifications, changes, variations, substitutions, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as described in the claims.
, Claims:1. A wearable human-computer interface device, comprising of;

a ring enclosure (101) that houses an electronic control system, a rechargeable battery, a wireless communication module, and a compute module, wherein said ring enclosure (101) is worn on a finger of the user;

a plurality of touch zones (102, 103, 104)being operable by thumb interaction, including;
a first touch zone (102) positioned on a second segment of the index finger for vertical (for scroll up and down functionality) and horizontal (to scroll left and right) scrolling through thumb-dragging gestures;

a second touch zone (103) positioned on the palmar side of the final segment of the index finger for cursor movement through thumb-dragging across its surface and clicking actions via thumb tapping;

a third touch zone (104) positioned near the fingertip of the index finger, wherein said third touch zone is customizable for performing additional user-defined tasks, such as volume or brightness adjustments;

a flexible data line (105) connecting said first touch zone (102), second touch zone (103), and third touch zone (104) to the ring enclosure (101), said flexible data line enabling data transfer between the touch zones and the control electronics housed in the ring enclosure (101);

proximity sensors (116) disposed on the inner surface of said ring enclosure (101) for detecting whether the device is being worn, wherein said proximity sensors (116) automatically trigger the powering up of the device when the glove is worn and power down when the glove is removed;

LED indicators (113) positioned on the outer surface of the ring enclosure (101) for displaying battery level and connectivity status, wherein the LEDs (113) visually indicate when the device is connected to a paired computer via wireless communication and the current charge status of the battery;

said wireless communication module comprising a Bluetooth modem housed within said ring enclosure (101), wherein said Bluetooth modem facilitates a wireless connection to a server device (801) such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet;

said battery within the ring enclosure (101) being rechargeable through an induction coil, enabling wireless recharging when placed on a charging pad;

wherein the breathable material (106) used for the non-interactive regions of the finger glove ensures comfort during extended use by reducing humidity around the finger.

2. The wearable human-computer interface device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said touch zones (102, 103, 104) have customizable sensitivity, allowing users to adjust the threshold for tap and drag actions based on their preferences.

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