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US 5,177,872 AGranted
Method and apparatus for monitoring physical positioning of a user
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorsRussell F. Lewis, Robert J. Gove, Dale A. Cone
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
There is disclosed a device and method for providing signals representative of the positional altitude of a user. The device is responsive to hand or head movements to move a dampened substance contained within a confined tube past one or more sensors. Light passing through the tube is interrupted by the movement of the dampened substance which can be a liquid or a solid object within a viscous liquid.
Claims14
A motion detector, said motion detector comprising:
- a tube containing a liquid, said liquid having a surface area defining a plane, said surface area movable within said tube in response to the inclination of said tube such that said plane forms an angle with respect to said tube;
- an emitter for transmitting first signals and positioned on a first side of said tube;
- a sensor positioned on a second side opposite to said first side and operable to detect said first signals so that said first signals may be transmitted from said emitter to said sensor;
- wherein said liquid is operable to restrict the transmission of said first signals and wherein the amount of said first signals detected by said sensor is indicative of said angle between said surface area and said tube;
- and
- a processor connected to said sensor and operable to continously monitor changes in said angle, thereby measuring said motion.
3 more elements
A motion sensor comprising:
- at least one emitter operable to emit a first signal;
- a defined space adjacent to said at least one emitter within which a fluid is free to flow in accordance with gravity, wherein said fluid restricts the propagation of said first signal, said fluid having a surface area defining a plane whereby said plane forms an angle with respect to said defined space;
- a plurality of detectors abutting said defined space for continuously detecting said first signals and wherein the amount of first signals detected is indicative of said angle;
- and
- a processor connected to said plurality of detectors and operable to continously monitor said angle, thereby detecting said motion.
2 more elements
A method of detecting motion comprising the steps of:
- providing within a tiltable vessel having walls a liquid restrictive of the transmission of a first signal and having a surface area defining a plane, said surface area movable within said vessel in response to the tilting of said vessel thereby producing an angle between said surface area and said walls;
- monitoring a relative amount of transmission of said first signal thereby detecting said angle as it changes as said surface area moves within said vessel;
- and
- continuously monitoring said angle, thereby detecting motion of said tiltable vessel.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.