# US 5,353,042 A · Method for determining an orientation of an object > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,353,042 A - Document ID: US5353042A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/169,493 - Filed: 1993-12-17 - Granted: 1994-10-04 - Earliest claimed: 1992-12-02 - Inventors: Matthew H. Klapman; David J. Frerichs - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5353042A ## CPC - G06F 3/011: {Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality (blind teaching G09B21/00)} - G06F 3/0338: with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A method for determining an orientation of an object includes determining a plurality of boundary values defining a predetermined range of movement of the object; dividing the range into position segments using the plurality of boundary values; moving a movable portion of the object to a current position; determining a change in object position by comparing a prior object position to the current position; determining the number of position segments corresponding to the change of the object position; outputting a signal corresponding to the number of segments to a control device; determining a scaling value for any or all of the position segments corresponding to a desired position amplification or position attenuation scheme; and controlling movement of a selected image or device based on the amplification or attenuation scheme such that movement of the moveable portion of the object causes disporportional movement of the image or device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for determining the orientation of an object comprising the steps of: determining a plurality of boundary values defining a predetermined range of movement of the object; dividing the range into position segments using said plurality of boundary values; moving a movable portion of the object to a current position; determining a change in object position by comparing a prior object position to said current position; determining the number of position segments corresponding to the change of the object position; outputting a signal corresponding to said number of segments to a control device; determining a scaling value for any or all of said position segments corresponding to a desired position amplification or position attenuation scheme; and controlling movement of a selected image or device based on said amplification or attenuation scheme such that movement of the moveable portion of the object causes disporportional movement of said image or device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein determining a plurality of boundary values comprises the steps of: moving the movable portion of the object to a first boundary position; activating acquisition means to record said first boundary position; moving said movable portion to a second boundary position; and activating acquisition means to record said second boundary position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of activating indication means to confirm recording of said first and second boundary position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2 wherein determining a plurality of boundary values further comprises the steps of: moving the moveable portion of the object to a third boundary position located between said first boundary position and said second boundary position; activating acquisition means to record said third boundary position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 further comprising the steps of: determining the number of position segments between the first boundary position and the third boundary position; and determining the number of position segments between the second boundary position and the third boundary position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of: determining the current position of the movable portion of the object relative to said third boundary position; and determining the prior position of the movable portion of the object relative to said third boundary position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of activating indication means to confirm recording of said third boundary position. ### Claim 8 A method for determining the orientation of an object comprising the steps of: determining a plurality of boundary values defining a predetermined range of movement of a moveable portion of a human body relative to a human torso; dividing the range of movement of the moveable portion of the human body into position segments using said plurality of boundary values; moving the moveable portion of the body to a current position; determining a change in the moveable portion position by comparing a prior moveable portion position to said current position; determining the number of position segments corresponding to the change of the moveable portion position; outputting a signal corresponding to said number of segments to a control device; determining a scaling value for any or all of said position segments corresponding to a desired moveable portion position amplification or moveable portion position attenuation scheme; and controlling movement of a selected image or device based on said amplification or attenuation scheme such that movement of the moveable portion of the body causes disproportional movement of said image or device. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8 wherein determining a plurality of boundary values comprises the steps of: moving the moveable portion of the body to a first boundary position; activating acquisition means to record said first boundary position; moving the moveable portion of the body to a second boundary position; and activating acquisition means to record said second boundary position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of activating indication means to confirm recording of said first and second boundary position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9 wherein determining a plurality of boundary values further comprises the steps of: moving the moveable portion of the body to a third boundary position located between said first boundary position and said second boundary position; activating acquisition means to record said third boundary position. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of: determining the number of position segments between the first boundary position and the third boundary position; and determining the number of position segments between the second boundary position and the third boundary position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12 further comprising the steps of: determining the current position of the movable portion of the body relative to said third boundary position; and determining the prior position of the movable portion of the body relative to said third boundary position. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of activating indication means to confirm recording of said third boundary position.