| Method and apparatus for voice-controlled graphical user interface pointing device -> Monitor Keywords |
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Method and apparatus for voice-controlled graphical user interface pointing deviceMethod and apparatus for voice-controlled graphical user interface pointing device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080074387, Method and apparatus for voice-controlled graphical user interface pointing device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of commonly owned, pending, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/638,183, filed Aug. 8, 2003, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VOICE-CONTROLLED GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE POINTING DEVICE, in the names of Narayan L. Gehlot and Victor B. Lawrence, which application is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention generally relates to the field of computers, and more particularly relates to a pointing device for a computer. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A pointing device for use with a computer is well known. Existing pointing devices, such as a mouse, combine tracking and selecting functions into one device. Tracking involves physically moving the mouse to control the motion of an on-screen pointer or other icon. Physical movement of the mouse is typically accomplished by moving the wrist and palm of the hand gripping the mouse. Once tracking has moved the pointer, an operation may be selected for execution by the computer, typically by depressing a button on the mouse. [0004] A computer user relies significantly on his or her hand (particularly on the wrist, palm and fingers) to use a mouse for executing computer operations. Unfortunately, the use of a computer mouse over extended periods of time has been shown to be a leading cause of many different types of repetitive motion injuries (RMI) to body parts including the wrists, fingers, shoulders, and elbows, e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). Individuals in many fields of work rely on computers in their daily work and are thus forced to use a mouse quite extensively. Early injuries to children may even be incurable, rendering the injured child permanently disabled. [0005] One common solution for relieving strain on a computer user's hands and wrists is to enable the computer system to be at least partially operated by the user's voice commands. For example, commercially available voice recognition software allows a user to perform word processing operations by dictation rather than by typing. However, a significant drawback to conventional voice operated software applications is that they are susceptible to receiving background noise as well as the user's voice commands, distorting the audible input into the system. This leads to inaccuracy in the performance of the user's commands, and the mistakes can be very time consuming to fix. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention overcomes the above-described limitations by providing a pointing device for use in computing devices comprising a printed circuit board, a tracking device adapted to generate a tracking signal in response to a user vocal input and relay the tracking signal to the printed circuit board, and a selection device adapted to generate a selection signal in response to a user manipulation and relay the selection signal to the printed circuit board. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] So that the manner in which the above recited embodiments of the invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. [0008] FIG. 1 depicts a diagram graphically illustrating components of a pointing device system according to one embodiment of the invention; [0009] FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram of a method for acquiring user input via a pointing device according to one embodiment of the invention; [0010] FIG. 3 depicts a flow diagram of a method of indexing user input according to one embodiment of the invention; [0011] FIG. 4A depicts a hash table illustrating an indexing database according to one embodiment of the invention; [0012] FIG. 4B depicts a flow diagram of a method for updating a hash table such as that illustrated in FIG. 4A; [0013] FIG. 5 depicts a flow diagram of a processing sequence by which computer applications are launched according to one embodiment of the invention; and [0014] FIG. 6 depicts a graphical representation of a pipeline sequence for acquiring and indexing input and launching applications according to one embodiment of the invention; [0015] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0016] The present invention provides an improved pointing device for assisting computer users having poor or limited hand motor skill control or eyesight and for reducing the occurrence of repetitive motion injuries in physically unimpaired users. The present invention achieves this aim allows a user to manipulate an on-screen pointer and launch system applications by means of vocal commands. Thus both tracking and selecting can be achieved with little or no need to engage other parts of the body such as the hands and wrists. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention provide an improved system for acquiring vocal/audible input from a computer user, so that erroneous inputs such as background noise and/or vocal irregularities of the user are filtered out to optimize system accuracy. [0017] The basic operation of one embodiment of a pointing device system according the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. Operation of the pointing device system 100 is accomplished at least in part by the vocal commands of a computer user. The pointing device system 100 includes at least one vocal cord movement (VCM) sensor 102, a voice box converter (VBC) 104, and a keyword database 106. The pointing device system 100 may determine the position of the icon corresponding to application matching keyword. The pointing device system 100 generates an output to the processor 108, which executes the indicated commands or pointer or icon movements. Once the pointer or icon has been moved to the desired on-screen location, the user generates a signal to launch (or "select") the chosen application. The system 100 optionally generates an audible output to indicate the new pointer position or open application, so that, for example, a blind user may use the pointing device system 100 effectively. [0018] FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram of one embodiment of a method 200 for acquiring user input via a pointing device according to one embodiment of the invention. At least one VCM sensor 102 is positioned near a user's voice box (larynx). The user starts acquisition of vocal command data by activating a start delimiter 202. Activation of the start delimiter 202 starts acquisition/recording of vocal cord movements. Next, the user provides audible input 204 to the VCM sensor 102 by speaking into a converter system the keyword(s) corresponding to the movement or application the user wishes to execute. As the user speaks, the sensor 102 discerns movement of the user's vocal cords and records these movements. To stop the acquisition of vocal input 204 by the system, the user activates a stop delimiter 206 that causes the VCM sensor 102 to cease recording vocal cord movements. Optionally, the start and stop delimiters 202, 206 may comprise one delimiter device that is activated once to commence and once more to cease recording. The activation of a delimiter 202, 206 before and after speech filters extraneous noise (such as background noise) that may distort the vocal input 204. The recorded vocal cord movements are then sent as input to the VBC 104. Continue reading about Method and apparatus for voice-controlled graphical user interface pointing device... Full patent description for Method and apparatus for voice-controlled graphical user interface pointing device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Method and apparatus for voice-controlled graphical user interface pointing device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Method and apparatus for voice-controlled graphical user interface pointing device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Handheld electronic device with text disambiguation Next Patent Application: Stand-alone device, system and method for navigating in a space having at least three dimensions Industry Class: Computer graphics processing, operator interface processing, and selective visual display systems ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Method and apparatus for voice-controlled graphical user interface pointing device patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.19461 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Qualcomm , Schering-Plough , Schlumberger , Seagate , Siemens , Texas Instruments , 174 |
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