US6388657B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Virtual reality keyboard system and method
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1998-12-31
•
Granted: 2002-05-14
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Expires: 2018-12-31
Abstract
Abstract A system and method implement a virtual reality (VR) keyboard. The VR keyboard system and method receive a VR glove position, generate a corresponding key code from the VR glove position using a predetermined mapping, and send the key code to an application program as a key input corresponding to a keyboard and/or keypad entrap of data and/or a command. The system and method also generate a display representing the key input based in on the VR glove position. The display of the key input may include, but is to limited to, a displayed depressed key in a VR headset of a VR representation of a VR keyboard indicating the key input. The system and method implementing a virtual reality keyboard addresses and solves numerous difficulties of physical and/or hardware-based input devices and provides many diverse advantages in use and applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony James Francis Natoli
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:00
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/011; G06F3/014; G06F3/017; G10; G10H; G10H1/00; G10H1/0008
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
242 words
A system for implementing a virtual reality (VR) keyboard, the system comprising: a VR headset including at least one display and worn by a user with the at least one display viewable by the user, with the VR headset, responsive to first image data, for generating and displaying a first VR image simulating a physical keyboard having a plurality of physical keys, with the first VR image representing the VR keyboard to the user through the at least one display, with the VR keyboard having a first appearance corresponding to the first image data; a VR input device for detecting motion of a portion of the body of the user, the VR input device being responsive to the detected motion of the portion of the body for generating motion-representative input signals corresponding to the motion; and a processor connected to the VR headset and operating a VR-keyboard-generating program for providing the first image data to the headset, the processor being responsive to the motion-representative input signals from the VR input device, for generating motion image data corresponding to the motion; and wherein the VR headset is responsive to the motion image data for generating a second VR image simulating the physical keyboard having the plurality of physical keys to represent the VR keyboard having a second appearance simulating actuation of at least one of the plurality of physical keys corresponding to the motion of the portion of the body of the user.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
242 words
A system for implementing a virtual reality (VR) keyboard, the system comprising: a VR headset including at least one display and worn by a user with the at least one display viewable by the user, with the VR headset, responsive to first image data, for generating and displaying a first VR image simulating a physical keyboard having a plurality of physical keys, with the first VR image representing the VR keyboard to the user through the at least one display, with the VR keyboard having a first appearance corresponding to the first image data; a VR input device for detecting motion of a portion of the body of the user, the VR input device being responsive to the detected motion of the portion of the body for generating motion-representative input signals corresponding to the motion; and a processor connected to the VR headset and operating a VR-keyboard-generating program for providing the first image data to the headset, the processor being responsive to the motion-representative input signals from the VR input device, for generating motion image data corresponding to the motion; and wherein the VR headset is responsive to the motion image data for generating a second VR image simulating the physical keyboard having the plurality of physical keys to represent the VR keyboard having a second appearance simulating actuation of at least one of the plurality of physical keys corresponding to the motion of the portion of the body of the user.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
82 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the VR input device is responsive to the motion of the fingers of the user corresponding to keystrokes to generate the input signals; wherein the processor, responsive to the keystroke-corresponding input signals, generates finger-motion image data; and wherein the VR headset is responsive to the finger-motion image data for generating the VR keyboard having the second appearance representing depressed VR keys on the VR keyboard, thereby displaying depressed VR keys in response to VR keystrokes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 2 , wherein the processor, responsive to the input signals from the VR input device, generates corresponding input data output to external devices with the input date corresponding to the VR keystrokes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 3 , wherein the input data corresponds to at least one of a command, text, and a graphic user interface signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 3 , wherein the external device is a graphic user interface responsive to the input data corresponding to mouse operations and text.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor generates VR world data; and wherein the VR headset generates a VR world corresponding to the VR world data, with the VR keyboard displayed in the VR world.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor, responsive to a selected mapping chosen from a plurality of predetermined mappings, generates the first image data corresponding to the VR keyboard having VR keys corresponding to the selected mapping; and wherein the VR headset, responsive to the first image data, displays the VR keyboard having VR keys corresponding to the selected mapping.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the predetermined mappings include specifications for VR keys corresponding to different language.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the predetermined mappings include specifications for VR keys corresponding to different predefined computer commands.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the predetermined mappings include specifications for positioning a plurality of keys having different positions on a common keyboard shape.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 7 , wherein the predetermined mappings include specifications for defining different VR keyboard shapes and key orientations displayed in virtual reality.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 2 , wherein the VR input device includes force-feedback means for selectively generating pressure to the fingers of the user during motion of the fingers; wherein the processor, responsive to the input data from the VR input device, controls the force-feedback means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
88 words
The system of claim 2 , wherein the processor includes: a neural network, responsive to the input signals, for learning a custom three-dimensional orientation of at least one hand and at least one finger of a predetermined user during use of the VR keyboard by the predetermined user; and wherein the processor, responsive to the input signals applied to the trained neural network, for predicting the VR keys to be depressed corresponding to the motion of the keystroke-corresponding input signals, and for generating the corresponding finger-motion image data.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the trained neural network, responsive to the input signals, authenticates a current user as the predetermined user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
88 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the VR headset includes: an orientation sensor, responsive to a vertical orientation of the head of the user wearing the VR headset, for generating an orientation signal; and wherein the processor, responsive to the orientation signal, for generating the first and second image data in response to the vertical orientation being within a predetermined vertical range, and for not generating any of the first and second image data in, response to the vertical orientation being outside of the predetermined vertical range.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising: a switch for switching input signals to the processor either from the VR input device or from a physical keyboard.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
80 words
The system of claim 2 , wherein the processor generates VR hand image data corresponding to the motion of the fingers; and wherein the VR headset, responsive to the VR hand image data, generates VR images of at least one VR hand having at least one VR finger positioned substantially adjacent to the VR keyboard, with the at least one VR finger appearing to depress the depressed VR keys corresponding to the motion of the physical hand of the user.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
261 words
A system for implementing an interactive virtual reality (VR) keyboard, the system comprising: a VR headset including at least one liquid crystal display (LCD) and worn by a user with the at least one LCD viewable by the user, with the VR headset responsive to first image data, for generating and displaying a first VR image simulating a physical keyboard having a plurality of physical keys, with the first VR image representing the VR keyboard having a plurality of VR keys to the user through the at least one LCD, with the VR keyboard having a first appearance corresponding to the first image data; a VR input device, including a VR glove, for detecting a motion of the fingers and hands of the user corresponding to at least one physical keystroke, the VR input device being responsive to the detected :motions for generating keystroke-corresponding input signals corresponding to the motion; a processor connected to the VR headset and operating a VR-keyboard-generating program for providing the first image data to the VR headset, the processor being responsive to the keystroke-corresponding input signals for generating finger-motion image data; and wherein the VR headset is responsive to the finger-motion image data for generating a second VR image simulating the physical keyboard having the plurality of physical keys to represent the VR keyboard having a second appearance representing a depressed VR key on the VR keyboard simulating actuation of at least one of the plurality of physical keys, thereby displaying at least one depressed VR key in response to the at least one physical keystroke.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
261 words
A system for implementing an interactive virtual reality (VR) keyboard, the system comprising: a VR headset including at least one liquid crystal display (LCD) and worn by a user with the at least one LCD viewable by the user, with the VR headset responsive to first image data, for generating and displaying a first VR image simulating a physical keyboard having a plurality of physical keys, with the first VR image representing the VR keyboard having a plurality of VR keys to the user through the at least one LCD, with the VR keyboard having a first appearance corresponding to the first image data; a VR input device, including a VR glove, for detecting a motion of the fingers and hands of the user corresponding to at least one physical keystroke, the VR input device being responsive to the detected :motions for generating keystroke-corresponding input signals corresponding to the motion; a processor connected to the VR headset and operating a VR-keyboard-generating program for providing the first image data to the VR headset, the processor being responsive to the keystroke-corresponding input signals for generating finger-motion image data; and wherein the VR headset is responsive to the finger-motion image data for generating a second VR image simulating the physical keyboard having the plurality of physical keys to represent the VR keyboard having a second appearance representing a depressed VR key on the VR keyboard simulating actuation of at least one of the plurality of physical keys, thereby displaying at least one depressed VR key in response to the at least one physical keystroke.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
217 words
A method for providing an interactive virtual reality (VR) keyboard, the method comprising the steps of: operating a VR keyboard-generating-program using a processor; outputting first image data to a VR headset having a display; displaying a first VR image simulating a physical keyboard with a plurality of physical keys, with the first VR image representing the VR keyboard having a plurality of VR keys on the display to the user, with the VR keyboard having a first appearance corresponding to the first image data; detecting motion at a VR input device, with the motion due to movement of the fingers and hands of the user corresponding to at least one physical keystroke; generating keystoke-corresponding input signals at the VR input device corresponding to the detected motion; generating finger-motion image data using the processor corresponding to the input signals; and generating, using the finger motion data, a second VR image simulating the physical keyboard having the plurality of physical keys to represent the VR keyboard on the display of the VR headset, with the VR keyboard having a second appearance representing a depressed VR key on the VR keyboard simulating actuation of at least one of the plurality of physical keys, thereby displaying at least one depressed VR key in response to the at least one physical keystroke.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
217 words
A method for providing an interactive virtual reality (VR) keyboard, the method comprising the steps of: operating a VR keyboard-generating-program using a processor; outputting first image data to a VR headset having a display; displaying a first VR image simulating a physical keyboard with a plurality of physical keys, with the first VR image representing the VR keyboard having a plurality of VR keys on the display to the user, with the VR keyboard having a first appearance corresponding to the first image data; detecting motion at a VR input device, with the motion due to movement of the fingers and hands of the user corresponding to at least one physical keystroke; generating keystoke-corresponding input signals at the VR input device corresponding to the detected motion; generating finger-motion image data using the processor corresponding to the input signals; and generating, using the finger motion data, a second VR image simulating the physical keyboard having the plurality of physical keys to represent the VR keyboard on the display of the VR headset, with the VR keyboard having a second appearance representing a depressed VR key on the VR keyboard simulating actuation of at least one of the plurality of physical keys, thereby displaying at least one depressed VR key in response to the at least one physical keystroke.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the step of displaying the VR keyboard on the display to the user includes the step of: displaying a selected keyboard image from a plurality of keyboard images.
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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) | 2005-05-13 | 2005-11-12 | 2006-05-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-05-13 | 2009-11-12 | 2010-05-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-05-13 | 2013-11-12 | 2014-05-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |