US5832296A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wearable context sensitive user interface for interacting with plurality of electronic devices of interest to the user
Assignee: Callahan Cellular LLC
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Filing: 1995-04-26
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Granted: 1998-11-03
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Expires: 2015-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A wearable universal user interface device is provided for interacting with a variety of electronic apparatus. The interface device includes various sensors, such as a temperature sensor, pressure sensor, and a two-dimensional quadrant force sensor. The interface device also includes processing circuitry, a wireless transmitter, and an optional receiver. In the preferred embodiment, the interface device is in the form of a ring adapted to be worn on the finger of a user. The device is operated by the wearer's fingers and thumb. Preferably, the interface device includes an internally mounted pressure sensor and an externally mounted two-dimensional force sensor. The body of the ring itself serves as an omnidirectional loop antenna for transmission and reception of signals. Representative applications of the interface device include use as a wireless computer mouse, a remote controller for a television, stereo, VCR, or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Weijia Wang
- 👤 Lee Felsenstein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:03
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0338; G06F21/00; G06F21/30; G06F21/31; G06F21/34; G06F21/35; G06F2203/00; G06F2203/033; G06F2203/0331; H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/0214; H01H2009/0221; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/38; H04B1/3827; H04B1/385; H04B2001/3866; Y; Y04; Y04S; Y04S40/00; Y04S40/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A context-sensitive user interface for interacting with at least one electronic device of interest to a user, the interface comprising: at least one sensor for receiving input from the user and producing sensor signals in response thereto; a memory for storing a set of instructions and identification information; a receiver for receiving signals from the at least one electronic device when in close proximity thereto to provide context information to the user interface; a processor in communication with the memory, the receiver, and the at least one sensor for executing the set of instructions, the processor producing control commands for the at least one electronic device based on the context information, the control commands being responsive to the sensor signals; a transmitter in communication with the processor for transmitting the identification information and the control commands to the electronic device; and at least one antenna in communication with the transmitter for transmitting a signal to the at least one electronic device representative of the identification information and the control commands, wherein the at least one sensor, the memory, the processor, the receiver, and the transmitter are mounted on a device wearable by the user.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A context-sensitive user interface for interacting with at least one electronic device of interest to a user, the interface comprising: at least one sensor for receiving input from the user and producing sensor signals in response thereto; a memory for storing a set of instructions and identification information; a receiver for receiving signals from the at least one electronic device when in close proximity thereto to provide context information to the user interface; a processor in communication with the memory, the receiver, and the at least one sensor for executing the set of instructions, the processor producing control commands for the at least one electronic device based on the context information, the control commands being responsive to the sensor signals; a transmitter in communication with the processor for transmitting the identification information and the control commands to the electronic device; and at least one antenna in communication with the transmitter for transmitting a signal to the at least one electronic device representative of the identification information and the control commands, wherein the at least one sensor, the memory, the processor, the receiver, and the transmitter are mounted on a device wearable by the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The user interface of claim 1 wherein the processor is a microprocessor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The user interface of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor comprises a two-dimensional force sensor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The user interface of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor, the memory, the processor, the receiver and the transmitter are mounted on a ring wearable on a finger of the user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The user interface of claim 4 wherein the ring functions as one of the at least one antennas.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The user interface of claim 1 wherein the at least one antenna comprises a loop antenna.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The user interface of claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor produces a signal when the user flexes a finger.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
171 words
A wearable user interface for communicating with a plurality of electronic devices of interest to a user, the interface comprising: a ring adapted to be worn on a finger of the user; at least one sensor mounted on the ring for receiving input from the user and producing sensor signals in response thereto; a memory mounted on the ring for storing digital information; a receiver mounted on the ring for continuously communicating with each of the plurality of electronic devices being in close proximity thereto to automatically provide context information to the user interface; a processor mounted on the ring in communication with the memory, the receiver, and the at least one sensor, the processor producing control commands for at least one of the plurality of electronic devices in response to the sensor signals based on the context information; and a transmitter mounted on the ring in communication with the processor for transmitting the digital information and the control commands to the at least one of the plurality of electronic devices.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
171 words
A wearable user interface for communicating with a plurality of electronic devices of interest to a user, the interface comprising: a ring adapted to be worn on a finger of the user; at least one sensor mounted on the ring for receiving input from the user and producing sensor signals in response thereto; a memory mounted on the ring for storing digital information; a receiver mounted on the ring for continuously communicating with each of the plurality of electronic devices being in close proximity thereto to automatically provide context information to the user interface; a processor mounted on the ring in communication with the memory, the receiver, and the at least one sensor, the processor producing control commands for at least one of the plurality of electronic devices in response to the sensor signals based on the context information; and a transmitter mounted on the ring in communication with the processor for transmitting the digital information and the control commands to the at least one of the plurality of electronic devices.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The wearable user interface of claim 8 wherein the processor is a microprocessor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The wearable user interface of claim 8 wherein the at least one sensor comprises a two-dimensional force sensor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The wearable user interface of claim 8 wherein the at least one sensor comprises a two-dimensional force sensor mounted on an external surface of the ring.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The wearable user interface of claim 8 wherein the at least one sensor comprises a thick-film pressure sensor mounted on an internal surface of the ring.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The wearable user interface of claim 8 wherein the at least one sensor produces a signal when the user flexes the finger.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The wearable user interface of claim 8 wherein the at least one sensor comprises a pair of internally mounted spaced pressure sensors, the pressure sensors being positioned so as to resist actuation induced by an externally applied force.
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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) | 2001-11-02 | 2002-05-04 | 2002-11-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-02 | 2006-05-04 | 2006-11-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-02 | 2010-05-04 | 2010-11-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |