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 Title: |
US6225977:
Human balance driven joystick
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Li, John; Jupiter, FL 33469
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| Assignee: |
None
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| Published / Filed: |
2001-05-01
/ 1999-01-28
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| Application Number: |
US1999000238987
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
G05G 1/52;
G05G 9/047;
G06F 3/033;
A63B 26/00;
IPC-7:
G09G 5/00;
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| ECLA Code: |
G06F3/033B; G05G1/52; G05G9/047; K63B26/00B; K63B208/12; K63F300/10M; S05G9/047E; S05G9/047E9;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
345/156;
345/167;
463/036;
Original:
345/156;
345/167;
463/036;
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| Field of Search: |
345/156,157,167,163,161,173
463/036,37,38,30
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| Priority Number: |
| 1999-01-28 |
US1999000238987 |
| 1997-03-25 |
US1997000824011 |
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| Abstract: |
A method and apparatus for driving a computerized cursor through the translation of weight shifts of the human body. A force detection platform that detects small shifts in the center of gravity of the subject, electronically digitizes this information and then converts it to an analogue signal. This analogue signal is then fed into the generic joystick port of any personal computer and can be used to drive any existing software that incorporates use of a standard joystick.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
McHale & Slavin ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Chow, Dennis-Doon;
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
Show legal status actions
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| Parent Case: |
This application is a continuation in part of a parent U.S. patent application having the Ser. No. 08/824,011 filed Mar. 25, 1997 abandoned, the contents of which are incorporated by reference. The parent application is hereby expressly abandoned.
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 19 claims |
What I claim is:
1. In combination, a computer having software with derived control functions, a portable computer peripheral device in the form of a floor positioned apparatus for driving a computer cursor in correlation to translation of weight shifts of an individual supported by said apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
- a primary platform being sensitive to weight shifts of an individual supported thereby, said primary platform having a plurality of leg supports to maintain said platform assembly a predetermined distance above the floor;
- a plurality of strain gauges, with at least one gauge being formed integral with a corresponding one of said leg supports, said strain gauges constructed and arranged to accurately indicate said weight shifts regardless of the location of said individual;
- a circuit for monitoring the deflection of each of said strain gauges, said circuit calculating the amount of deflection within each of said strain gauges simultaneously and converting the amount of deflection into an analog signal; and
- an interface means for coupling said circuit to said computer;
- wherein one of said strain gauges is secured to each leg support, each said strain gauge measuring a shift in weight applied to a corresponding leg, and wherein said apparatus allows for the control of certain functions of the computer using an individual's control of his center of gravity while supporting his weight upon said platform, and whereby said strain gauges consistently measure weight shifts without regard to the location of said individual;
- further including a secondary platform assembly having a means for detecting z-axis rotation of said secondary platform assembly, said primary platform being adjustably positionable with respect to said secondary platform assembly such that output from said apparatus is selected from a group consisting essentially of z-axis rotation information registered by said secondary platform and weight shift information registered by said primary platform.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 47 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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