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US5703623A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Smart orientation sensing circuit for remote control

Assignee: PINN COMMUNICATIONS Corp
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Filing: 1996-01-24
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Granted: 1997-12-30
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Expires: 2016-01-24
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Abstract

Abstract The invention relates to a smart device which senses changes to its own position and/or orientation, and transmits this information in a signal, which can be used to control a cursor on a view screen, or other features of an external device such as a computer, television, or electromechanical mechanism, said smart device comprising a plurality of polymer thinfilm piezoelectric sensors, and a plurality of semiconductor Hall-effect sensors, disposed in a housing in a manner cooperatively providing X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis relative translational and/or absolute rotational data.

Inventors

  • 👤 Malcolm G. Hall
  • 👤 Russell W. Faulkner

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 09:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0346

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim 50 words
In combination, a handheld, freespace, remote mouse utilizing a fusion of both Hall effect and piezoelectric effect solid state sensor technologies devices, for remotely pointing, then controlling a 3D virtual object's orientation and/or determining the device's own absolute orientation, thereby determining the orientation and direction of operatively associated physical objects.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 50 words
In combination, a handheld, freespace, remote mouse utilizing a fusion of both Hall effect and piezoelectric effect solid state sensor technologies devices, for remotely pointing, then controlling a 3D virtual object's orientation and/or determining the device's own absolute orientation, thereby determining the orientation and direction of operatively associated physical objects.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 51 words
In combination, a smart device comprising a plurality of thinfilm piezoelectric-effect sensors and a plurality of semiconductor Hall-effect sensors for sensing a fixed magnetic field for orientation through six degrees of freedom providing a point of reference of the device in freespace relative to the fixed field for determining location thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 51 words
In combination, a smart device comprising a plurality of thinfilm piezoelectric-effect sensors and a plurality of semiconductor Hall-effect sensors for sensing a fixed magnetic field for orientation through six degrees of freedom providing a point of reference of the device in freespace relative to the fixed field for determining location thereof.
Claim 5
Independent Claim 43 words
A device incorporating a back to back, physically opposed pair, of thinfilm piezoelectric-effect sensors for providing a ratio difference respectively between them for determining direction of acceleration forces thus becoming a single bi-polar accelerometer component capable of sensing a rate of change thereof.
Claim 6
Independent Claim 43 words
A device incorporating a back to back, physically opposed pair, of thinfilm piezoelectric-effect sensors for providing a ratio difference respectively between them for determining direction of acceleration forces thus becoming a single bi-polar accelerometer component capable of sensing a rate of change thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 70 words
A smart orientation-sensing device comprising a semiconductor Hall-effect device, incorporated in a controllable object, said Hall-effect device being incorporated for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace, for determining object orientation providing on-screen cursor position on a viewable screen and/or device control in the yaw, around y, and pitch, around x, axis with an inherent automatic limit stop function, providing two degrees of motion sensing in a three dimensional space.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 70 words
A smart orientation-sensing device comprising a semiconductor Hall-effect device, incorporated in a controllable object, said Hall-effect device being incorporated for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace, for determining object orientation providing on-screen cursor position on a viewable screen and/or device control in the yaw, around y, and pitch, around x, axis with an inherent automatic limit stop function, providing two degrees of motion sensing in a three dimensional space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 62 words
A smart, Hall-effect semiconductor device, of claim 4, incorporated in a controllable object, disposed for sensing a fixed magnetic field, determining object orientation and providing on-screen cursor position and/or device control in the yaw, around y, and roll, around z, axis position indicating with an inherent automatic limit stop function, thereby providing two degrees of motion sensing in a three dimensional space.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 34 words
The device of claim 5 further providing yaw, around y, pitch, around x and roll, around z, with an inherent automatic limit stop function, providing three degrees of motion sensing along three distinct axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 71 words
A smart, Hall-effect semiconductor device, a controllable object, said device being incorporated in said controllable object, disposed for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace, for determining object orientation, providing on-screen cursor position on a viewable screen and/or device control for yaw, around y, and a thinfilm, piezoelectric-effect device for determining cursor/object positioning and/or control in the pitch, around x, directions providing two degrees of motion in a three dimensional space.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 71 words
A smart, Hall-effect semiconductor device, a controllable object, said device being incorporated in said controllable object, disposed for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace, for determining object orientation, providing on-screen cursor position on a viewable screen and/or device control for yaw, around y, and a thinfilm, piezoelectric-effect device for determining cursor/object positioning and/or control in the pitch, around x, directions providing two degrees of motion in a three dimensional space.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 82 words
A smart, Hall-effect semiconductor device, a controllable object, said device being incorporated in said controllable object, disposed for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace, for determining object orientation and providing on-screen cursor position and/or device control for yaw, around y, with a thinfilm, piezoelectric-effect device operable in conjunction with a Hall-effect semiconductor device for enhanced accuracy and resolution in determining cursor position/object orientation and/or control in the pitch, around x, directions providing two degrees of motion in a three dimensional space.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 82 words
A smart, Hall-effect semiconductor device, a controllable object, said device being incorporated in said controllable object, disposed for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace, for determining object orientation and providing on-screen cursor position and/or device control for yaw, around y, with a thinfilm, piezoelectric-effect device operable in conjunction with a Hall-effect semiconductor device for enhanced accuracy and resolution in determining cursor position/object orientation and/or control in the pitch, around x, directions providing two degrees of motion in a three dimensional space.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 67 words
A smart, Hall-effect semiconductor device, a controllable object, incorporated in said controllable object, constructed and arranged for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace, determining object orientation and providing on-screen cursor position and/or device control for yaw, around y, and a thinfilm, piezoelectric-effect device for determining cursor position/object orientation and/or control in the roll, around z, directions providing two degrees of motion in a three dimensional space.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 67 words
A smart, Hall-effect semiconductor device, a controllable object, incorporated in said controllable object, constructed and arranged for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace, determining object orientation and providing on-screen cursor position and/or device control for yaw, around y, and a thinfilm, piezoelectric-effect device for determining cursor position/object orientation and/or control in the roll, around z, directions providing two degrees of motion in a three dimensional space.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 84 words
A smart, Hall-effect semiconductor device, an orientable object, said device being incorporated in a controllable object, constructed and arranged for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace, determining object orientation and providing on-screen cursor position and/or device control for yaw, around y, with a thinfilm, piezoelectric-effect device utilized in conjunction with a Hall-effect semiconductor device for enhanced accuracy and resolution in determining cursor position )object orientation and/or control in the roll, around z, directions providing two degrees of motion in a three dimensional space.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 84 words
A smart, Hall-effect semiconductor device, an orientable object, said device being incorporated in a controllable object, constructed and arranged for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace, determining object orientation and providing on-screen cursor position and/or device control for yaw, around y, with a thinfilm, piezoelectric-effect device utilized in conjunction with a Hall-effect semiconductor device for enhanced accuracy and resolution in determining cursor position )object orientation and/or control in the roll, around z, directions providing two degrees of motion in a three dimensional space.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 68 words
A smart, Hall-effect semiconductor device, incorporated in a controllable object, for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace, determining object orientation and providing on-screen cursor position and/or device control for yaw, around y; and a thinfilm, semiconductor, piezoelectric-effect device for determining cursor/object positioning and/or control in the pitch, around x, as well as roll, around z, directions thereby providing three degrees of motion in a three dimensional space.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 68 words
A smart, Hall-effect semiconductor device, incorporated in a controllable object, for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace, determining object orientation and providing on-screen cursor position and/or device control for yaw, around y; and a thinfilm, semiconductor, piezoelectric-effect device for determining cursor/object positioning and/or control in the pitch, around x, as well as roll, around z, directions thereby providing three degrees of motion in a three dimensional space.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 83 words
A smart, Hall-effect semiconductor device, comprising a controllable object, for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace, determining object orientation and providing on-screen cursor position and/or device control for yaw, around y, with a thinfilm, piezoelectric-effect device utilized in conjunction with a semiconductor Hall-effect device for enhanced accuracy and resolution in determining cursor position on a screen and object orientation and/or control in the pitch, around x, and roll, around z, directions thereby providing three degrees of motion in a three dimensional space.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 83 words
A smart, Hall-effect semiconductor device, comprising a controllable object, for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace, determining object orientation and providing on-screen cursor position and/or device control for yaw, around y, with a thinfilm, piezoelectric-effect device utilized in conjunction with a semiconductor Hall-effect device for enhanced accuracy and resolution in determining cursor position on a screen and object orientation and/or control in the pitch, around x, and roll, around z, directions thereby providing three degrees of motion in a three dimensional space.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 90 words
A smart, Hall-effect semiconductor device, incorporated in a controllable object, for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace ,determining object orientation and providing on-screen cursor position and/or device control for yaw, around y, pitch, around x, and roll, around z; and a thinfilm, piezoelectric-effect device for determining cursor/object position and/or control in the pitch, around x, yaw, around y, and roll, around x, directions as well as translation along the three axes of the Cartesian coordinate system (X,Y, and Z) providing six degrees of motion in a three dimensional space.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 90 words
A smart, Hall-effect semiconductor device, incorporated in a controllable object, for sensing a fixed magnetic field, in freespace ,determining object orientation and providing on-screen cursor position and/or device control for yaw, around y, pitch, around x, and roll, around z; and a thinfilm, piezoelectric-effect device for determining cursor/object position and/or control in the pitch, around x, yaw, around y, and roll, around x, directions as well as translation along the three axes of the Cartesian coordinate system (X,Y, and Z) providing six degrees of motion in a three dimensional space.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 14 words
The device of claim 13 which is further integrated into a single removable component.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 32 words
A remote control virtual reality glove for the virtual control of actual mechanical systems and robotic, non-robotic devices and virtual objects incorporating the device of claim 2 for sensing orientation and position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 54 words
The method of operating a device of claim 15 comprising the steps of: a: inserting an anatomical hand in the glove, b: moving the hand in desired positions and orientations in space to move a cursor or object on a viewable screen to a desired 3D location in a virtual world on the screen.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 49 words
A smart device, comprising a circuit incorporating a pair of the devices of claim 3, mounted in differing planes on said circuit, disposed to provide x, y, and z translation and yaw, pitch and roll angular rotation information data, for position and orientation control of said device in freespace.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 46 words
The method of operating a mouse of the character of a device of claim 1 by gripping the device in freespace, noting its position in space as indicated on a viewable screen and moving it in freespace to reposition a cursor thereof to a designated location.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2000-12-29 2001-06-30 2001-12-30 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2004-12-29 2005-06-30 2005-12-30 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2008-12-29 2009-06-30 2009-12-30 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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