IDENTIFYING HAND GESTURES BASED ON MUSCLE MOVEMENT IN THE ARM

Number: 20170045946
Published: 2017-02-16
Filed: 2015-08-11
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: SMOOT; Lanny S. et al.
CPC: A61B5/6824; G06F1/163; G06F3/011
Verdict: High Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Wearable EMG hand-gesture sensing hardware detecting muscle movement in the arm (Lanny Smoot — illusions/interaction watchlist inventor).

Abstract

Embodiments described herein include an arm band that captures sensor data used to identify hand gestures. When worn onthe arm, the arm band permits a computing device to identify different gestures made by the hand. In one embodiment, the band measures a change in position of the tendons that control the positions of the fingers on the hand which can then be correlated to a particularhand gesture. For example, the thickness of the user's arm increases in a direction perpendicular to the palm of the hand when the fingers are extended relative to the thickness of the arm when the fingers are curled into the palm of the hand. By detecting this change in thickness, the computing device can distinguish between different gestures.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited aspects are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of embodiments of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawingsillustrate 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.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an arm band for detecting hand gestures, according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates an arm band, according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 3A illustrates different hand gestures detectable using the arm band, according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 3B is a chartfor detecting hand gestures based on sensor output, according to one embodiment describedherein.

FIG. 4A illustrates different hand gestures detectable using the arm band, according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 4B is a chart for detecting hand gestures based on sensor output, according to one embodiment described herein.

FIGS.5A and 5B illustrate a clasping mechanism for an arm band, according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 6 is a chart for detecting hand gestures based on sensor output, according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates a band f

Claims

1. An arm band, comprising: a first portion; a second portion; a pivoting element coupled to respective first ends of the first and second portions, wherein the pivoting element permits respective second ends of the first and second portions opposite of the first ends to separate relative to each other; and a sensor configured to, when the arm band is worn on the arm, generate an output signal indicative of a thickness of the arm in a direction substantially perpendicular to a palm of a hand. 9. A system, comprising: an arm band comprising: a first portion, a second portion, a pivoting element coupled to respective first ends of the first and second portions, wherein the pivoting element permits respective second ends of the first and second portions opposite of the first ends to separate relative to each other, and a sensor configured to, when the arm band is worn on the arm, generate an output signal indicative of a thickness of the arm in a direction substantially perpendicular to a palm of a hand, and a computing device configured to receive the output signal and determine a hand gesture causing the thickness of the arm to change. 15. An arm band comprising: a rigid portion; a sensor array disposed on a surface of the rigid portion configured to face an arm, the sensor array comprising a plurality of pressure sensors extending in at least two directions on the surface, wherein each pressure sensors is configured to generate an output signal indicative of pressure exerted on the pressure sensors by thearm.