# US 2012/0235902 A1 · Control systems and methods for head-mounted information systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2012/0235902 A1 - Document ID: US20120235902A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/501,735 - Filed: 2010-10-13 - Published: 2012-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 2009-10-13 - Assignees: Recon Instruments Inc. - Inventors: Dan Eisenhardt; Hamid Abdollahi; Li Chen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20120235902A1 ## CPC - G06F 3/012: {Head tracking input arrangements} - A42B 3/042: {Optical devices (night vision goggles G02B23/12)} - G02B 27/017: {Head mounted} - G02B 27/0172: {characterised by optical features} - G06F 3/017: {Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures (interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883)} - G06F 3/0346: with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a three-dimensional [3D] space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors - A63B 2071/0666: {worn on the head or face, e.g. combined with goggles or glasses} - G02B 2027/014: {comprising information/image processing systems} - G02B 2027/0187: {slaved to motion of at least a part of the body of the user, e.g. head, eye} - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - A42B: HATS; HEAD COVERINGS (headbands A41D20/00; head-scarves A41D23/00) - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract A head-mounted information system is provided, the head-mounted information system comprising a frame configured to be mounted on a head of a user, a display unit coupled to the frame, a sensor unit coupled to the frame comprising one or more motion sensors, and, a processor unit coupled to the frame and connected to receive signals from the motion sensors. The processor unit comprises a processor and a memory accessible by the processor. The processor unit is configured to monitor the received signals and enter a gesture control mode upon detection of a gesture control enable signal. In the gesture control mode the processor is configured to convert signals received from the motion sensors into menu navigation commands. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A head-mounted information system comprising: a frame configured to be mounted on a head of a user; a display unit coupled to the frame, the display unit comprising a display for producing an image; a sensor unit coupled to the frame, the sensor unit comprising one or more motion sensors; and, a processor unit coupled to the frame, the processor unit connected to receive signals from the one or more motion sensors and configured to process the one or more motion signals to produce outputs representing parameters relating to user performance of a physical activity, the processor unit comprising a processor and a memory accessible by the processor, wherein the processor unit is configured to monitor the received signals and enter a gesture control mode upon occurrence of a gesture control enable signal, wherein in the gesture control mode the processor is configured to convert signals received from the motion sensors into menu navigation commands. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the memory has a gesture control enable movement profile stored therein and the processor is configured to generate the gesture control enable signal when the received signals contains an occurrence of the gesture control enable movement profile. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A system according to claim 2 wherein the memory has a frame movement profile stored therein and the gesture control enable movement profile comprises the frame movement profile. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A system according to claim 3 wherein the frame movement profile comprises a tap profile. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A system according to claim 4 the processor is configured to generate the gesture control enable signal when the received signals contain two occurrences of the tap profile within a predetermined time period. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) A system according to claim 4 wherein the processor is configured to generate the gesture control enable signal when an amplitude of an occurrence of the tap profile is within a predefined range. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to, in the gesture control mode, sum received rotation signals about a vertical axis to determine a first head angle and compare the first head angle to one or more threshold angles to produce first motion control signals for menu navigation along a first direction. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A system according to claim 7 wherein the one or more threshold angles comprise a plurality of threshold angles, and wherein the processor is configured to produce a motion control signal indicating a desired amount of movement based a highest exceeded one of the plurality of threshold angles. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A system according to claim 7 wherein the processor is configured to sum received rotation signals about a lateral horizontal axis to determine a second head angle and compare the second head angle to one or more threshold angles to produce second motion control signals for menu navigation along a second direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to, in the gesture control mode, monitor received rotation signals to detect angular velocity about a vertical axis to determine a first head angular velocity and compare the first head angular velocity to one or more threshold angular velocities to produce first motion control signals for menu navigation along a first direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A system according to claim 10 wherein the one or more threshold angular velocities comprise a plurality of threshold angular velocities, and wherein the processor is configured to produce a motion control signal indicating a desired amount of movement based a highest exceeded one of the plurality of threshold angular velocities. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A system according to claim 10 wherein the processor is configured to sum received rotation signals about a lateral horizontal axis to determine a second head angular velocity and compare the second head angular velocity to one or more threshold angular velocities to produce second motion control signals for menu navigation along a second direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) A system according to claim 10 wherein the processor is configured to, in the gesture control mode, after producing a motion control signal for menu navigation, wait to convert further signals from the motion sensors into menu navigation commands until a reset condition is met. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A system according to claim 13 wherein waiting for the reset condition to be met comprises waiting for a pre-determined refractory period. ### Claim 15 (canceled) ### Claim 16 (canceled) ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) A system according to claim 14 wherein the processor is configured to start the refractory period upon producing the motion control signal. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) A system according to claim 14 wherein the processor is configured to start the refractory period upon detecting a change in a direction of head movement. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) A system according to claim 13 wherein waiting for the reset condition to be met comprises summing received rotation signals about a vertical axis to determine a head angle and waiting until the determined head angle is within a pre-determined displacement of an initial angle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to, in the gesture control mode, monitor received rotation signals to detect angular velocity about a lateral horizontal axis, and to produce an execute control signal when a detected angular velocity about the lateral horizontal axis exceeds a predetermined, user-configurable or calibratable threshold. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) A system according to claim 1 wherein the processor is configured to, in the gesture control mode, produce an execute control signal when the received signals contain a single occurrence of a tap profile. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A system according to claim 21 wherein the processor is configured to, in the gesture control mode, produce the execute control signal when the received signals contain the single occurrence of the tap profile within a predetermined, user-configurable or calibratable time period from a most recent motion control signal. ### Claim 23 (canceled) ### Claim 24 (canceled) ### Claim 25 (canceled) ### Claim 26 (canceled) ### Claim 27 (canceled) ### Claim 28 (canceled) ### Claim 29 (canceled) ### Claim 30 (canceled) ### Claim 31 A method of controlling a head-mounted information system comprising a frame configured to be mounted on a head of a user, a display unit coupled to the frame, the display unit comprising a display for producing an image, a sensor unit coupled to the frame, the sensor unit comprising one or more motion sensors, and, a processor unit coupled to the frame, the processor unit connected to receive signals from the one or more motion sensors and configured to process the one or more motion signals to produce outputs representing parameters relating to user performance of a physical activity, the processor unit comprising a processor and a memory accessible by the processor, the method comprising: monitoring the signals from the motion sensors; entering a gesture control mode upon occurrence of a gesture control enable signal; and, in the gesture control mode: displaying a menu comprising a plurality of menu items on the display; and, converting signals received from the motion sensors into menu navigation commands. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) A method according to claim 31 wherein the memory has a gesture control enable movement profile stored therein, comprising generating the gesture control enable signal when the received signals contains an occurrence of the gesture control enable movement profile. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) A method according to claim 32 wherein the memory has a frame movement profile stored therein and the gesture control enable movement profile comprises the frame movement profile. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) A method according to claim 33 wherein the frame movement profile comprises a tap profile. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) A method according to claim 34 comprising generating the gesture control enable signal when the received signals contain two occurrences of the tap profile within a predetermined time period. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) A method according to claim 34 comprising generating the gesture control enable signal when an amplitude of an occurrence of the tap profile is within a predefined range. ### Claim 37 (depends on 31) A method according to claim 31 comprising, in the gesture control mode, summing received rotation signals about a vertical axis to determine a first head angle and comparing the first head angle to one or more threshold angles to produce first motion control signals for menu navigation along a first direction. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) A method according to claim 37 wherein the one or more threshold angles comprise a plurality of threshold angles, comprising producing a motion control signal indicating a desired amount of movement based a highest exceeded one of the plurality of threshold angles. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) A method according to claim 37 comprising summing received rotation signals about a lateral horizontal axis to determine a second head angle and comparing the second head angle to one or more threshold angles to produce second motion control signals for menu navigation along a second direction. ### Claim 40 (depends on 31) A method according to claim 31 comprising, in the gesture control mode, monitoring received rotation signals to detect angular velocity about a vertical axis to determine a first head angular velocity and comparing the first head angular velocity to one or more threshold angular velocities to produce first motion control signals for menu navigation along a first direction. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) A method according to claim 40 wherein the one or more threshold angular velocities comprise a plurality of threshold angular velocities, comprising producing a motion control signal indicating a desired amount of movement based a highest exceeded one of the plurality of threshold angular velocities. ### Claim 42 (depends on 40) A method according to claim 40 comprising summing received rotation signals about a lateral horizontal axis to determine a second head angular velocity and comparing the second head angular velocity to one or more threshold angular velocities to produce second motion control signals for menu navigation along a second direction. ### Claim 43 (depends on 40) A method according to claim 40 comprising, in the gesture control mode, after producing a motion control signal for menu navigation, waiting to convert further signals from the motion sensors into menu navigation commands until a reset condition is met. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) A method according to claim 43 wherein waiting for the reset condition to be met comprises waiting for a pre-determined refractory period. ### Claim 45 (canceled) ### Claim 46 (canceled) ### Claim 47 (depends on 44) A method according to claim 44 comprising starting the refractory period upon producing the motion control signal. ### Claim 48 (depends on 44) A method according to claim 44 comprising starting the refractory period upon detecting a change in a direction of head movement. ### Claim 49 (depends on 43) A method according to claim 43 wherein waiting for the reset condition to be met comprises summing received rotation signals about a vertical axis to determine a head angle and waiting until the determined head angle is within a pre-determined displacement of an initial angle. ### Claim 50 (depends on 31) A method according to claim 31 comprising, in the gesture control mode, monitoring received rotation signals to detect angular velocity about a lateral horizontal axis, and producing an execute control signal when a detected angular velocity about the lateral horizontal axis exceeds a predetermined, user-configurable or calibratable threshold. ### Claim 51 (depends on 31) A method according to claim 31 comprising, in the gesture control mode, producing an execute control signal when the received signals contain a single occurrence of a tap profile. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) A method according to claim 51 comprising, in the gesture control mode, producing the execute control signal when the received signals contain the single occurrence of the tap profile within a predetermined, user-configurable or calibratable time period from a most recent motion control signal. ### Claim 53 (canceled) ### Claim 54 (canceled) ### Claim 55 (canceled) ### Claim 56 (canceled) ### Claim 57 (canceled) ### Claim 58 (canceled) ### Claim 59 (canceled) ### Claim 60 A head-mounted information system comprising: a frame configured to be mounted on a head of a user; a display unit coupled to the frame, the display unit comprising a display for producing an image, the display coupled to the frame at a display location positioned such that the display is at an edge of a field of vision of the user when the frame is mounted on the head of the user; a sensor unit coupled to the frame, the sensor unit comprising a 3-axis accelerometer and a 3-axis gyroscope; and, a processor unit coupled to the frame, the processor unit connected to receive signals from the sensor unit and configured to process the one or more motion signals to produce outputs representing parameters relating to user performance of a physical activity, the processor unit comprising a processor and a memory accessible by the processor, and configured to control the display unit based on the signals received from the sensor unit.