Abstract:
System and methods for a hands free mouse include a motion sensor in communication with a standard computer such that the computer receives pointer control signals from the motion sensor. The motion sensor tracks an infrared target that is attached to an instrument or a body part of a user. Therefore allowing a user to continue their task and use either their body or an instrument being used to move a pointer on a computer screen. The movement of the pointer, on the screen, correlates with the position of the pointer in space. Based on a predefined action of the infrared target by the user a click event occurs.

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]     This invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/747,392 filed on May 16, 2006 and Application No. 60/862,940 filed on Oct. 25, 2006 both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The computer has become an integral part of medical and dental examination treatment processes over the past decade. Tasks that were once performed manually, such as charting, taking and viewing X-Rays, and scheduling, are now often performed on a computer in the examination and treatment rooms. This use of the computer can significantly increase productivity and efficiency.  
         [0003]     A hands-free way to control a computer is of particular interest in the medical fields of surgery, endoscopy, radiation, dentistry, and any other areas of specialty where the doctor&#39;s hands are otherwise occupied yet they need to interact with, and control a computer. A hands-free computer access system is also particularly advantageous in environments where there is only limited support staff available.  
         [0004]     In dentistry, there are several circumstances when the professional staff must interact with the computer while their hands are otherwise occupied. Some of these include: clinical recording, treatment planning, periodontal charting, patient education, and performing examinations (using X-Rays, intraoral camera images, and so on).  
         [0005]     At least two problems are introduced when a computer is used in the dental or medical treatment room. The first relates to infection control. Each time the dentist, doctor, or other operator touches the computer&#39;s keyboard or mouse there is potential for the spread of bacteria and viruses, with accompanying risk of infection to the healthcare workers and patients alike. The second problem relates to the need for the operator to put down whatever tool they were holding in order to use the computer&#39;s keyboard or mouse, causing inefficiencies. Further, once the operator touches the keyboard or mouse, they must change their surgical gloves due to the risk of contamination, causing further inefficiencies.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Systems and methods for a hands free mouse include a motion sensor in communication with a standard computer such that the computer receives pointer control signals from the motion sensor. The motion sensor tracks an infrared target that is attached to an instrument or a body part of a user. Therefore allowing a user to continue their task and use either their body or an instrument being used to move a pointer on a computer screen. The movement of the pointer, on the screen, correlates with the position of the pointer in space. Based on a predefined action of the infrared target by the user a click event occurs. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a system for hands free operation of a computer;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  shows an instrument with a mounted infrared target;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  shows a foot pad used to create a click event in an alternate embodiment;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  shows an on screen keyboard; and  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  shows a method for hands free operation of a computer. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a system  20  for hands free operation of a computer  55 . The system includes, but is not limited to, a display, a keyboard, a processor, a data store capable of storing computer readable data, a storage drive, multiple input/output devices, and/or is capable of communicating on a network, an intranet, or the Internet. The computer is connected to display such that a user interface is displayed. In one embodiment a motion sensor  53  is mounted on or near a computer system  55 . The motion sensor  53  is preferably mounted on a computer monitor  52 . The motion sensor  53  emits infrared light. The infrared light is reflected by an infrared target mounted on an instrument  56  used by a user  51 , e.g. a dentist or a medical professional. The instrument in one embodiment is a dental mirror.  
         [0014]     The motion sensor  53  converts movement of the infrared dot on the instrument  56  into electrical signals sent to the computer  55  to control a cursor  54 , that is displayed on a display, a monitor, or a screen. The instrument  56  acts similar to a mouse or other input device used in conjunction with a computer program. The motion sensor  53  sends control signals to the computer  55  to interact with a software program. The system and method are operable with any computer program, but in one embodiment interact with dental and/or medical software.  
         [0015]     In an alternate embodiment the motion sensor  53  may be a camera. The motion sensor  53  emits infrared light or an infrared light is emitted from a source (not shown) nearby. The emitted light is reflected from the target  152  mounted on a user or the instrument  56 . The motion sensor  53  tracks the movement of the infrared target in space and converts the movement into computer user interface signals. Movement can be tracked in both two dimensions and in three dimensions.  
         [0016]     X and Y axes are defined as the horizontal and vertical axes of a plane of an image captured by the sensor  53  (perpendicular to the line-of-sight). The Z axis is defined as the horizontal axis of a plane that is parallel to the line-of-sight of the sensor  53 .  
         [0017]     A sensed movement of the target  152  generally vertical and parallel to the display  54 , the computer  55  would move a cursor  54  in the same direction on the display  54 . The Z axis is defined by the distance between the sensor  53  and the instrument  56 . To calculate movement on the Z axis the sensor  53  and/or computer  55  analyzes the change in size of the infrared target on the instrument  56 .  
         [0018]     The computer  55  is programmed to determine various characteristics of the target from the images generated by the sensor  53 . For example, when the computer  55  senses motion and/or speed in any of the X, Y, or Z axes, the detected motion and/or speed is used to provide controlling motions for the displayed cursor  54  or is associated with any of a number of stored gesture motions. The computer  55  associates one or more user interface actions with each of the gesture motions. For example user interface actions include Save, Delete, Highlight, Select (click event), or any other action that is associated with the present application program that the computer  55  is running.  
         [0019]     In an alternate embodiment, the user  51  actuates one or more external switches  57  with a foot or other part of the body to perform a selection on the computer  55 . The switches  57  connect to motion sensor  53  where their signal is converted to mouse button signals, and then sent to the computer  55 . Further still the connection between the switches  57  to the motion sensor  53  may be a wired or a wireless connection. In an alternate embodiment the switches  57  are connected to the computer  55  wither by a wired or wireless connection.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows an embodiment of the instrument  56  with a mounted infrared target  152 . The instrument  56  can be any structure in which the infrared target  152  may be mounted. The infrared target  152  has the capability to reflect infrared light back to a motion sensor. For example the reflection of light allows for the motion sensor to identify the location of the target  152 , by searching the viewing area for an infrared reflection.  
         [0021]     In an alternate embodiment, the motion sensor  204  tracks movement in its field of view without the use of an infrared target. This is accomplished through the use of sensors (e.g. a mechanical systems device, such as accelerometers, or gyros) on a user or the instrument  56  that transmit movement coordinates to the motion sensor.  
         [0022]     In yet another embodiment the motion sensor is an external apparatus that processes and generates signals that are similar to a computer pointer. These signals are transmitted to a computer through and input device, such as a USB port, and are recognized by a computer as pointer commands.  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  shows a foot pad input device  300  used to create a click event in an alternate embodiment. The foot pad  300  performs the same function as a typical left and right mouse button, allowing a user to right and left click, as well as double click. The pad  300  may be in wireless or wired communication with the computer  55 . In an alternate embodiment a click (selection of a button or feature in an application program presented on the display  52 ). In an alternate embodiment a click by may occur using a sip/puff switch, a blink, a voice command as recognized by voice activation software, and/or check switches in communication with the sensor  53  or computer  55 . In yet another alternate embodiment, software may be used to execute a click, when a user pauses on a clickable field.  
         [0024]      FIG. 4  shows an on screen keyboard  450 . In one embodiment software is provided to install an on screen keyboard onto a user interface. The keyboard being configured to have a user, using the instrument  56  with an infrared target, type on the screen. The letter is typed when the cursor  54  is over a desired key on the keyboard  450  and when the user performs a click event. The system and method also having the capability to predict what text is being entered. The software further allows for preprogrammed abbreviations to be entered that allow a user to enter an abbreviation. The software then expands that abbreviation into the full word.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  shows a method  500  for hands free operation of the computer  55 . At block  502  the motion sensor registers an infrared target with a processor on a computer. The target is identified as the item to be tracked on an instrument within the field of view of the motion sensor. At block  504  at least one movement of the instrument is tracked with the motion sensor. The motion sensor tracks the movement of the instrument in both two and three dimensions. At block  506  the movements of an infrared target are translated into code to be executed by a computer processor. The motion sensor translates movement on the X or Y axis into computer signals moving the pointer along the same axis on the user interface. In a three dimensional environment the movement of the instrument along the Z axis results in a click event. In a two dimensional model speed and/or action results in a click event. For example a short downward burst may result in a left click. The motion sensor is constantly tracking the movement of the infrared target and updates the pointer on the display accordingly.  
         [0026]     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.