Movement recognition as input mechanism

A method for selecting an alphanumeric character in a computing device, comprising:

• analyzing first image information of a user of the computing device, the first image information obtained using an imaging element of the computing device, to detect a first position of the computing device at a first distance from the user;
• in response to detecting the first position of the computing device at a first distance from the user, identifying a first alphanumeric character of a virtual keyboard available for selection;
• receiving a selection of the first alphanumeric character;
• in response to receiving the selection, reducing the movement capability of a cursor displayed on the computing device by one degree of freedom with respect to the virtual keyboard, the cursor being configured to move in at least two degrees of freedom with respect to the virtual keyboard before receiving the selection;
• determining a subsequent change in at least one of a position of the computing device with respect to the user or a distance from the user at which the computing device is, wherein the subsequent change, in the at least one of the position of the computing device with respect to the user or the distance from the user at which the computing device is, corresponds to the one degree of freedom by which the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• preventing use of data for the subsequent change, corresponding to the one degree of freedom, as input for performing a selection using the cursor while the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• analyzing second image information of the user of the computing device, the second image information obtained using the imaging element of the computing device, to detect a second position of the computing device at a second distance from the user, wherein the second position indicates an additional change of the position of the user with respect to the computing device after receiving the selection;
• and
• in response to detecting the second position of the computing device at a second distance from the user, utilizing the additional change of the position of the user with respect to the computing device to identify a second alphanumeric character of the virtual keyboard available for selection.

A method of interacting with a computing device, comprising:

• analyzing image information obtained using an imaging element of the computing device to determine a first relative orientation of at least one feature of a user to the computing device;
• analyzing device orientation information obtained using an orientation detection element of the computing device to determine a second relative orientation of the computing device with respect to a surrounding environment;
• detecting a change in at least one of the first and second relative orientations;
• in response to detecting the change, performing a desired function corresponding to a position of a cursor configured to move in at least two degrees of freedom with respect to a menu rendered on a display of the computing device;
• in response to performing the desired function, reducing a movement capability of the cursor by one degree of freedom with respect to the menu;
• determining a subsequent change in a relative orientation of the computing device, the subsequent change in the relative orientation corresponding to the one degree of freedom by which the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• preventing use of data for the subsequent change, corresponding to the one degree of freedom, as input for performing a selection using the cursor while the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• determining an additional change in a relative orientation of the computing device outside the one degree of freedom by which the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• and
• utilizing data for the additional change as input for performing the selection using the cursor while the movement capability of the cursor is reduced by the one degree of freedom.

A computing device, comprising:

• a processor;
• a display element for displaying a graphical user interface;
• a memory device including instructions operable to be executed by the processor to perform a set of actions;
• and
• an imaging element operable to obtain image information corresponding to a relative viewing area of the computing device,
• the computing device being operable to:
• obtain a first image and a second image using the imaging element, the first and second images each including a position of at least one of eyes, a mouth, and a head of a user of the computing device;
• analyze the obtained first image and second image to determine a change in the positions of at least one of the eyes, the mouth, and the head of the user with respect to the computing device;
• use the determined change as input to perform a selection of one of a plurality of alphanumeric characters displayed as part of a menu through the graphical user interface, the selection corresponding to a position of a cursor configured to move in at least two degrees of freedom with respect to the menu;
• in response to the selection, reduce a movement capability of the cursor by one degree of freedom with respect to the menu such that the cursor is limited to being positioned with respect to a subset of the plurality of alphanumeric characters of the menu, the choices of the alphanumeric characters in the subset being limited by the reduced movement capability, the information displayed within the graphical user interface excluding a representation of the obtained first image, the obtained second image, or both the obtained first and second images;
• determine a subsequent change in the positions of at least one of the eyes, the mouth, or the head of the user with respect to the computing device, wherein the subsequent change, in the positions of the at least one of the eyes, the mouth, or the head of the user with respect to the computing device, corresponds to the one degree of freedom by which the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• prevent use of data for the subsequent change, corresponding to the one degree of freedom, as input for performing a selection using the cursor while the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• determine an additional change in the positions of at least one of the eyes, the mouth, or the head of the user with respect to the computing device, wherein the additional change is outside the one degree of freedom by which the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• and
• utilize data for the additional change as input for performing the selection using the cursor while the movement capability of the cursor is reduced by the one degree of freedom.

A method of receiving input for a computing device, comprising:

• analyzing image information to determine at least one relative location of at least one feature of a user with respect to the computing device, the image information being obtained using an imaging element of the computing device;
• in response to detecting a change in the at least one relative location of at least one feature of the user that at least meets an input threshold corresponding to the change, selecting an input function corresponding to the detected change and executing the selected input function, the execution corresponding to a position of a cursor configured to move in at least two degrees of freedom with respect to a directory displayed on a display of the computing device;
• in response to executing the selected input, reducing a movement capability of the cursor by one degree of freedom with respect to the directory, wherein the user is able to define the input function corresponding to the detected change;
• determining a subsequent change in at least one relative location of at least one feature of the user with respect to the computing device, wherein the subsequent change, in the at least one relative location of the at least one feature of the user with respect to the computing device, corresponds to the one degree of freedom by which the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• preventing use of data for the subsequent change, corresponding to the one degree of freedom, as input for performing a selection using the cursor while the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• determining an additional change in at least one relative location of at least one feature of the user with respect to the computing device, wherein the additional change is outside the one degree of freedom by which the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• and
• utilizing data for the additional change as input for performing the selection using the cursor while the movement capability of the cursor is reduced by the one degree of freedom.

A computing device, comprising:

• a processor;
• a display element;
• an imaging element operable to capture image information, the imaging element being oriented such that a user viewing the display element will be at least partially captured in the image information;
• and
• a memory device including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
• analyze the image information to determine a set of measurable aspects corresponding to facial features of the user of the computing device;
• determine a relative orientation of the user with respect to the computing device based at least in part upon values for the set of measurable aspects;
• determine a change in the relative orientation of the user with respect to the computing device, the change in orientation being based at least in part on a change in position of the computing device;
• perform a function corresponding to the determined change in the relative orientation and corresponding to a position of a cursor configured to move in at least two degrees of freedom with respect to an arranged set of characters displayed on the display element;
• in response to performing the function, reduce a movement capability of the cursor by one degree of freedom with respect to the arranged set of characters such that the user of the computing device is limited to defining a function to be performed in response to each of a plurality of determinable changes in the relative orientation;
• determine a subsequent change in the relative orientation of the user with respect to the computing device, wherein the subsequent change, in the relative orientation of the user with respect to the computing device, corresponds to the one degree of freedom by which the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• prevent use of data for the subsequent change, corresponding to the one degree of freedom, as input for performing a selection using the cursor while the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• determine an additional change in the relative orientation of the user with respect to the computing device, wherein the additional change is outside the one degree of freedom by which the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• and
• utilizing data for the additional change as input for performing the selection using the cursor while the movement capability of the cursor is reduced by the one degree of freedom.

A computer program product embedded in a non-transitory computer-readable medium for controlling a computing device, comprising:

• program code for analyzing first image information of a user to determine a first position of the computing device, the first position being a first distance away from the user and the first image information being obtained using at least one imaging element of the computing device positioned such that a representation of the user of the computing device is at least partially included in the image information;
• program code for determining, in response to detecting a change in the first position of the computing device at the first distance away from the user, whether the change at least meets an input threshold corresponding to the change;
• program code for determining an input to perform a selection of one of a plurality of alphanumeric characters displayed as part of a window panel through the graphical user interface, the determined input corresponding to a detected change that at least meets the input threshold, and executing an action on the computing device in response to the determined input, wherein a movement capability of a cursor with respect to the window panel is reduced by one degree of freedom with respect to the window panel in response to executing the action;
• program code for determining a subsequent change in the first position of the computing device at the first distance away from the user, wherein the subsequent change, in the first position of the computing device at the first distance away from the user, corresponds to the one degree of freedom by which the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• program code for preventing use of data for the subsequent change, corresponding to the one degree of freedom, as input for performing a selection using the cursor while the movement capability of the cursor is reduced;
• and
• program code for analyzing second image information of the user to determine a second position of the computing device, the second position being a second distance away from the user and the second image information being obtained using at least one imaging element of the computing device, wherein the second position indicates an additional change of the position of the user with respect to the computing device,
• wherein the second position is further away from the user than the first position and the program code for executing the action on the computing device includes altering information displayed within a graphical user interface on a display element of the computing device based at least in part on the detected change and the additional change, the information displayed on the graphical user interface of the computing device excluding a representation of the user.