Patent ID: 12210691

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various implementations and details are described with reference to an example: a virtual object manipulation system for presenting a virtual object on a display at a first location along a path (e.g., projected onto at least one lens assembly of a portable eyewear device), collecting motion data associated with a course traveled by a hand in motion holding a handheld device (e.g., a ring), and displaying the virtual object at a second location based on the collected motion data. The path of the virtual object is substantially linked to the course traveled by the handheld device. In addition to the virtual object manipulation system, the systems and methods described herein may be applied to and used with any of a variety of systems, especially those in which a user desires to select and manipulate a virtual object using a handheld device in a physical environment that is displayed by a wearable device.

The following detailed description includes systems, methods, techniques, instruction sequences, and computing machine program products illustrative of examples set forth in the disclosure. Numerous details and examples are included for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the disclosed subject matter and its relevant teachings. Those skilled in the relevant art, however, may understand how to apply the relevant teachings without such details. Aspects of the disclosed subject matter are not limited to the specific devices, systems, and method described because the relevant teachings can be applied or practice in a variety of ways. The terminology and nomenclature used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. In general, well-known instruction instances, protocols, structures, and techniques are not necessarily shown in detail.

The term “coupled” or “connected” as used herein refers to any logical, optical, physical, or electrical connection, including a link or the like by which the electrical or magnetic signals produced or supplied by one system element are imparted to another coupled or connected system element. Unless described otherwise, coupled or connected elements or devices are not necessarily directly connected to one another and may be separated by intermediate components, elements, or communication media, one or more of which may modify, manipulate, or carry the electrical signals. The term “on” means directly supported by an element or indirectly supported by the element through another element integrated into or supported by the element.

The orientations of the eyewear device, the handheld device, associated components and any other complete devices incorporating a camera or an inertial measurement unit such as shown in any of the drawings, are given by way of example only, for illustration and discussion purposes. In operation, the eyewear device may be oriented in any other direction suitable to the particular application of the eyewear device; for example, up, down, sideways, or any other orientation. Also, to the extent used herein, any directional term, such as front, rear, inward, outward, toward, left, right, lateral, longitudinal, up, down, upper, lower, top, bottom, side, horizontal, vertical, and diagonal are used by way of example only, and are not limiting as to the direction or orientation of any camera or inertial measurement unit as constructed as otherwise described herein.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the following description, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the present subject matter may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Reference now is made in detail to the examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings and discussed below.

FIG.1Ais a side view (right) of an example hardware configuration of an eyewear device100utilized in a virtual object manipulation system, as described herein, which shows a right visible-light camera114B for gathering image information. As further described below, two cameras114A,114B capture image information for a scene from two separate viewpoints. The two captured images may be used to project a three-dimensional display onto a screen for viewing with 3D glasses.

The eyewear device100includes a right optical assembly180B with an image display to present images, such as depth images. As shown inFIGS.1A and1, the eyewear device100includes the right visible-light camera114B. The eyewear device100can include multiple visible-light cameras114A,114B that form a passive type of three-dimensional camera, such as stereo camera, of which the right visible-light camera114B is located on a right chunk110B. As shown inFIGS.1C-D, the eyewear device100also includes a left visible-light camera114A.

Left and right visible-light cameras114A,114B are sensitive to the visible-light range wavelength. Each of the visible-light cameras114A,114B have a different frontward facing field of view which are overlapping to enable generation of three-dimensional depth images, for example, right visible-light camera114B depicts a right field of view111B. Generally, a “field of view” is the part of the scene that is visible through the camera at a particular position and orientation in space. The fields of view111A and111B have an overlapping field of view813. Objects or object features outside the field of view111A,111B when the visible-light camera captures the image are not recorded in a raw image (e.g., photograph or picture). The field of view describes an angle range or extent, which the image sensor of the visible-light camera114A,114B picks up electromagnetic radiation of a given scene in a captured image of the given scene. Field of view can be expressed as the angular size of the view cone, i.e., an angle of view. The angle of view can be measured horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.

In an example, visible-light cameras114A,114B have a field of view with an angle of view between 15° to 30°, for example 24°, and have a resolution of 480×480 pixels. The “angle of coverage” describes the angle range that a lens of visible-light cameras114A,114B or infrared camera220(seeFIG.2A) can effectively image. Typically, the camera lens produces an image circle that is large enough to cover the film or sensor of the camera completely, possibly including some vignetting toward the edge. If the angle of coverage of the camera lens does not fill the sensor, the image circle will be visible, typically with strong vignetting toward the edge, and the effective angle of view will be limited to the angle of coverage.

Examples of such visible-light cameras114A,114B include a high-resolution complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor and a digital VGA camera (video graphics array) capable of resolutions of 640p (e.g., 640×480 pixels for a total of 0.3 megapixels), 720p, or 1080p. Other examples of visible-light cameras114A,114B that can capture high-definition (HD) still images and store them at a resolution of 1642 by 1642 pixels (or greater); or record high-definition video at a high frame rate (e.g., thirty to sixty frames per second or more) and store the recording at a resolution of 1216 by 1216 pixels (or greater).

The eyewear device100may capture image sensor data from the visible-light cameras114A,114B along with geolocation data, digitized by an image processor, for storage in a memory. The left and right raw images captured by respective visible-light cameras114A,114B are in the two-dimensional space domain and comprise a matrix of pixels on a two-dimensional coordinate system that includes an X-axis for horizontal position and a Y-axis for vertical position. Each pixel includes a color attribute value (e.g., a red pixel light value, a green pixel light value, a blue pixel light value, or a combination thereof); and a position attribute (e.g., an X-axis coordinate and a Y-axis coordinate).

In order to capture stereo images for later display as a three-dimensional projection, the image processor912(shown inFIG.4) may be coupled to the visible-light cameras114A,114B to receive and store the visual image information. A timestamp for each image may be added by the image processor912or another processor which controls operation of the visible-light cameras114A,114B, which act as a stereo camera to simulate human binocular vision. The timestamp on each pair of images allows the images to be displayed together as part of a three-dimensional projection. Three-dimensional projections create an immersive, life-like experience that is desirable in a variety of contexts, including virtual reality (VR) and video gaming.

FIG.3is a diagrammatic depiction of a three-dimensional scene715, a left raw image858A captured by a left visible-light camera114A, and a right raw image858B captured by a right visible-light camera114B. The left field of view111A may overlap, as shown, with the right field of view111B. The overlapping field of view813represents that portion of the image captured by both cameras114A,114B. The term ‘overlapping’ when referring to field of view means the matrix of pixels in the generated raw images overlap by thirty percent (30%) or more. ‘Substantially overlapping’ means the matrix of pixels in the generated raw images—or in the infrared image of scene—overlap by fifty percent (50%) or more. As described herein, the two raw images858A,858B may be processed to include a timestamp, which allows the images to be displayed together as part of a three-dimensional projection.

For the capture of stereo images, as illustrated inFIG.3, a pair of raw red, green, and blue (RGB) images are captured of a real scene715at a given moment in time—a left raw image858A captured by the left camera114A and right raw image858B captured by the right camera114B. When the pair of raw images858A,858B are processed (e.g., by the image processor912), depth images are generated. The generated depth images may be viewed on an optical assembly180A,180B of an eyewear device, on another display (e.g., the image display880on a mobile device890), or on a screen.

The generated depth images are in the three-dimensional space domain and can comprise a matrix of vertices on a three-dimensional location coordinate system that includes an X axis for horizontal position (e.g., length), a Y axis for vertical position (e.g., height), and a Z axis for depth (e.g., distance). Each vertex may include a color attribute (e.g., a red pixel light value, a green pixel light value, a blue pixel light value, or a combination thereof); a position attribute (e.g., an X location coordinate, a Y location coordinate, and a Z location coordinate); a texture attribute; a reflectance attribute; or a combination thereof. The texture attribute quantifies the perceived texture of the depth image, such as the spatial arrangement of color or intensities in a region of vertices of the depth image.

In one example, the virtual object manipulation system1000includes the eyewear device100, which includes a frame105and a left temple110A extending from a left lateral side170A of the frame105and a right temple110B extending from a right lateral side170B of the frame105. The eyewear device100may further include at least two visible-light cameras114A,114B which may have overlapping fields of view. In one example, the eyewear device100includes a left visible-light camera114A with a left field of view111A, as illustrated inFIG.3. The left camera114A is connected to the frame105or the left temple110A to capture a left raw image858A from the left side of scene715. The eyewear device100further includes a right visible-light camera114B with a right field of view111B. The right camera114B is connected to the frame105or the right temple110B to capture a right raw image858B from the right side of scene715.

FIG.1Bis a top cross-sectional view of a right chunk110B of the eyewear device100ofFIG.1Adepicting the right visible-light camera114B of the camera system, and a circuit board.FIG.1Cis a side view (left) of an example hardware configuration of an eyewear device100ofFIG.1A, which shows a left visible-light camera114A of the camera system.FIG.1Dis a top cross-sectional view of a left chunk110A of the eyewear device ofFIG.1Cdepicting the left visible-light camera114A of the three-dimensional camera, and a circuit board. Construction and placement of the left visible-light camera114A is substantially similar to the right visible-light camera114B, except the connections and coupling are on the left lateral side170A. As shown in the example ofFIG.1B, the eyewear device100includes the right visible-light camera114B and a circuit board140B, which may be a flexible printed circuit board (PCB). The right hinge126B connects the right chunk110B to a right temple125B of the eyewear device100. The left hinge126A connects the left chunk110A to a left temple125A of the eyewear device100. In some examples, components of the visible-light cameras114A, B, the flexible PCBs140A, B, or other electrical connectors or contacts may be located on the temples125A, B or the hinge126A, B.

The right chunk110B includes chunk body211and a chunk cap, with the chunk cap omitted in the cross-section ofFIG.1B. Disposed inside the right chunk110B are various interconnected circuit boards, such as PCBs or flexible PCBs, that include controller circuits for right visible-light camera114B, microphone(s), low-power wireless circuitry (e.g., for wireless short range network communication via Bluetooth™), high-speed wireless circuitry (e.g., for wireless local area network communication via WiFi).

The right visible-light camera114B is coupled to or disposed on the flexible PCB140B and covered by a visible-light camera cover lens, which is aimed through opening(s) formed in the frame105. For example, the right rim107B of the frame105, shown inFIG.2A, is connected to the right chunk110B and includes the opening(s) for the visible-light camera cover lens. The frame105includes a front side configured to face outward and away from the eye of the user. The opening for the visible-light camera cover lens is formed on and through the front or outward-facing side of the frame105. In the example, the right visible-light camera114B has an outward-facing field of view111B (shown inFIG.3) with a line of sight or perspective that is correlated with the right eye of the user of the eyewear device100. The visible-light camera cover lens can also be adhered to a front side or outward-facing surface of the right chunk110B in which an opening is formed with an outward-facing angle of coverage, but in a different outwardly direction. The coupling can also be indirect via intervening components.

As shown inFIG.1B, flexible PCB140B is disposed inside the right chunk110B and is coupled to one or more other components housed in the right chunk110B. Although shown as being formed on the circuit boards of the right chunk110B, the right visible-light camera114B can be formed on the circuit boards of the left chunk110A, the temples125A,125B, or the frame105.

FIGS.2A and2Bare perspective views, from the rear, of example hardware configurations of the eyewear device100, including two different types of image displays. The eyewear device100is sized and shaped in a form configured for wearing by a user; the form of eyeglasses is shown in the example. The eyewear device100can take other forms and may incorporate other types of frameworks; for example, a headgear, a headset, or a helmet.

In the eyeglasses example, eyewear device100includes a frame105including a left rim107A connected to a right rim107B via a bridge106adapted to be supported by a nose of the user. The left and right rims107A,107B include respective apertures175A,175B, which hold a respective optical element180A,180B, such as a lens and a display device. As used herein, the term “lens” is meant to include transparent or translucent pieces of glass or plastic having curved or flat surfaces that cause light to converge/diverge or that cause little or no convergence or divergence.

Although shown as having two optical elements180A,180B, the eyewear device100can include other arrangements, such as a single optical element (or it may not include any optical element180A,180B), depending on the application or the intended user of the eyewear device100. As further shown, eyewear device100includes a left chunk110A adjacent the left lateral side170A of the frame105and a right chunk110B adjacent the right lateral side170B of the frame105. The chunks110A,110B may be integrated into the frame105on the respective sides170A,170B (as illustrated) or implemented as separate components attached to the frame105on the respective sides170A,170B. Alternatively, the chunks110A,110B may be integrated into temples (not shown) attached to the frame105.

In one example, the image display of optical assembly180A,180B includes an integrated image display. As shown inFIG.2A, each optical assembly180A,180B includes a suitable display matrix177, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, or any other such display. Each optical assembly180A,180B also includes an optical layer or layers176, which can include lenses, optical coatings, prisms, mirrors, waveguides, optical strips, and other optical components in any combination. The optical layers176A,176B, . . .176N (shown as176A-N inFIG.2Aand herein) can include a prism having a suitable size and configuration and including a first surface for receiving light from a display matrix and a second surface for emitting light to the eye of the user. The prism of the optical layers176A-N extends over all or at least a portion of the respective apertures175A,175B formed in the left and right rims107A,107B to permit the user to see the second surface of the prism when the eye of the user is viewing through the corresponding left and right rims107A,107B. The first surface of the prism of the optical layers176A-N faces upwardly from the frame105and the display matrix177overlies the prism so that photons and light emitted by the display matrix177impinge the first surface. The prism is sized and shaped so that the light is refracted within the prism and is directed toward the eye of the user by the second surface of the prism of the optical layers176A-N. In this regard, the second surface of the prism of the optical layers176A-N can be convex to direct the light toward the center of the eye. The prism can optionally be sized and shaped to magnify the image projected by the display matrix177, and the light travels through the prism so that the image viewed from the second surface is larger in one or more dimensions than the image emitted from the display matrix177.

In one example, the optical layers176A-N may include an LCD layer that is transparent (keeping the lens open) unless and until a voltage is applied which makes the layer opaque (closing or blocking the lens). The image processor912on the eyewear device100may execute programming to apply the voltage to the LCD layer in order to create an active shutter system, making the eyewear device100suitable for viewing visual content when displayed as a three-dimensional projection. Technologies other than LCD may be used for the active shutter mode, including other types of reactive layers that are responsive to a voltage or another type of input.

In another example, the image display device of optical assembly180A,180B includes a projection image display as shown inFIG.2B. Each optical assembly180A,180B includes a laser projector150, which is a three-color laser projector using a scanning mirror or galvanometer. During operation, an optical source such as a laser projector150is disposed in or on one of the temples125A,125B of the eyewear device100. Optical assembly180B in this example includes one or more optical strips155A,155B, . . .155N (shown as155A-N inFIG.2B) which are spaced apart and across the width of the lens of each optical assembly180A,180B or across a depth of the lens between the front surface and the rear surface of the lens.

As the photons projected by the laser projector150travel across the lens of each optical assembly180A,180B, the photons encounter the optical strips155A-N. When a particular photon encounters a particular optical strip, the photon is either redirected toward the user's eye, or it passes to the next optical strip. A combination of modulation of laser projector150, and modulation of optical strips, may control specific photons or beams of light. In an example, a processor controls optical strips155A-N by initiating mechanical, acoustic, or electromagnetic signals. Although shown as having two optical assemblies180A,180B, the eyewear device100can include other arrangements, such as a single or three optical assemblies, or each optical assembly180A,180B may have arranged different arrangement depending on the application or intended user of the eyewear device100.

As further shown inFIGS.2A and2B, eyewear device100includes a left chunk110A adjacent the left lateral side170A of the frame105and a right chunk110B adjacent the right lateral side170B of the frame105. The chunks110A,110B may be integrated into the frame105on the respective lateral sides170A,170B (as illustrated) or implemented as separate components attached to the frame105on the respective sides170A,170B. Alternatively, the chunks110A,110B may be integrated into temples125A,125B attached to the frame105.

In another example, the eyewear device100shown inFIG.2Bmay include two projectors, a left projector150A (not shown) and a right projector150B (shown as projector150). The left optical assembly180A may include a left display matrix177A (not shown) or a left set of optical strips155′A,155′B, . . .155′N (155prime, A through N, not shown) which are configured to interact with light from the left projector150A. Similarly, the right optical assembly180B may include a right display matrix177B (not shown) or a right set of optical strips155″A,155″B, . . .155″N (155double-prime, A through N, not shown) which are configured to interact with light from the right projector150B. In this example, the eyewear device100includes a left display and a right display.

FIG.4is a functional block diagram of an example virtual object manipulation system1000including a wearable device100(e.g., an eyewear device), a mobile device890, a handheld device500(e.g., a ring), and a server system998connected via various networks995such as the Internet. The system1000includes a low-power wireless connection925and a high-speed wireless connection937between the eyewear device100and a mobile device890—and between the eyewear device100and the ring500—as shown.

The eyewear device100includes one or more visible-light cameras114A,114B which may be capable of capturing still images or video, as described herein. The cameras114A,114B may have a direct memory access (DMA) to high-speed circuitry930. A pair of cameras114A,114B may function as a stereo camera, as described herein. The cameras114A,114B may be used to capture initial-depth images that may be rendered into three-dimensional (3D) models that are texture-mapped images of a red, green, and blue (RGB) imaged scene. The device100may also include a depth sensor213, which uses infrared signals to estimate the position of objects relative to the device100. The depth sensor213in some examples includes one or more infrared emitter(s)215and infrared camera(s)220.

The eyewear device100further includes two image displays of each optical assembly180A,180B (one associated with the left side170A and one associated with the right side170B). The eyewear device100also includes an image display driver942, an image processor912, low-power circuitry920, and high-speed circuitry930. The image displays of each optical assembly180A,180B are for presenting images, including still images and video. The image display driver942is coupled to the image displays of each optical assembly180A,180B in order to control the images displayed. The eyewear device100further includes a user input device991(e.g., a touch sensor or touchpad) to receive a two-dimensional input selection from a user.

The components shown inFIG.4for the eyewear device100are located on one or more circuit boards, for example a PCB or flexible PCB, located in the rims or temples. Alternatively, or additionally, the depicted components can be located in the chunks, frames, hinges, or bridge of the eyewear device100. Left and right visible-light cameras114A,114B can include digital camera elements such as a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, a charge-coupled device, a lens, or any other respective visible or light capturing elements that may be used to capture data, including still images or video of scenes with unknown objects.

As shown inFIG.4, high-speed circuitry930includes a high-speed processor932, a memory934, and high-speed wireless circuitry936. In the example, the image display driver942is coupled to the high-speed circuitry930and operated by the high-speed processor932in order to drive the left and right image displays of each optical assembly180A,180B. High-speed processor932may be any processor capable of managing high-speed communications and operation of any general computing system needed for eyewear device100. High-speed processor932includes processing resources needed for managing high-speed data transfers on high-speed wireless connection937to a wireless local area network (WLAN) using high-speed wireless circuitry936. In certain examples, the high-speed processor932executes an operating system such as a LINUX operating system or other such operating system of the eyewear device100and the operating system is stored in memory934for execution. In addition to any other responsibilities, the high-speed processor932executes a software architecture for the eyewear device100that is used to manage data transfers with high-speed wireless circuitry936. In certain examples, high-speed wireless circuitry936is configured to implement Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 communication standards, also referred to herein as Wi-Fi. In other examples, other high-speed communications standards may be implemented by high-speed wireless circuitry936.

The low-power circuitry920includes a low-power processor922and low-power wireless circuitry924. The low-power wireless circuitry924and the high-speed wireless circuitry936of the eyewear device100can include short range transceivers (Bluetooth™) and wireless wide, local, or wide-area network transceivers (e.g., cellular or WiFi). Mobile device890, including the transceivers communicating via the low-power wireless connection925and the high-speed wireless connection937, may be implemented using details of the architecture of the eyewear device100, as can other elements of the network995.

Memory934includes any storage device capable of storing various data and applications, including, among other things, camera data generated by the left and right visible-light cameras114A,114B, the infrared camera(s)220, the image processor912, and images generated for display by the image display driver942on the image display of each optical assembly180A,180B. Although the memory934is shown as integrated with high-speed circuitry930, the memory934in other examples may be an independent, standalone element of the eyewear device100. In certain such examples, electrical routing lines may provide a connection through a chip that includes the high-speed processor932from the image processor912or low-power processor922to the memory934. In other examples, the high-speed processor932may manage addressing of memory934such that the low-power processor922will boot the high-speed processor932any time that a read or write operation involving memory934is needed.

As shown inFIG.4, the high-speed processor932of the eyewear device100can be coupled to the camera system (visible-light cameras114A,114B), the image display driver942, the user input device991, and the memory934. As shown inFIG.5, the CPU830of the mobile device890may be coupled to a camera system870, a mobile display driver882, a user input layer891, and a memory840A. The eyewear device100can perform all or a subset of any of the functions described herein which result from the execution of the virtual object manipulation system in the memory934by the processor932of the eyewear device100. The mobile device890can perform all or a subset of any of the functions described herein which result from the execution of the virtual object manipulation system in the flash memory840A by the CPU830of the mobile device890. Functions can be divided in the virtual object manipulation system such that the ring500collects raw data from the IMU872and sends it to the eyewear device100which performs the displaying, comparing, and composing functions.

The server system998may be one or more computing devices as part of a service or network computing system, for example, that include a processor, a memory, and network communication interface to communicate over the network995with an eyewear device100and a mobile device890.

The output components of the eyewear device100include visual elements, such as the left and right image displays associated with each lens or optical assembly180A,180B as described inFIGS.2A and2B(e.g., a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a light emitting diode (LED) display, a projector, or a waveguide). The eyewear device100may include a user-facing indicator (e.g., an LED, a loudspeaker, or a vibrating actuator), or an outward-facing signal (e.g., an LED, a loudspeaker). The image displays of each optical assembly180A,180B are driven by the image display driver942. In some example configurations, the output components of the eyewear device100further include additional indicators such as audible elements (e.g., loudspeakers), tactile components (e.g., an actuator such as a vibratory motor to generate haptic feedback), and other signal generators. For example, the device100may include a user-facing set of indicators, and an outward-facing set of signals. The user-facing set of indicators are configured to be seen or otherwise sensed by the user of the device100. For example, the device100may include an LED display positioned so the user can see it, a loudspeaker positioned to generate a sound the user can hear, or an actuator to provide haptic feedback the user can feel. The outward-facing set of signals are configured to be seen or otherwise sensed by an observer near the device100. Similarly, the device100may include an LED, a loudspeaker, or an actuator that is configured and positioned to be sensed by an observer.

The input components of the eyewear device100may include alphanumeric input components (e.g., a touch screen or touchpad configured to receive alphanumeric input, a photo-optical keyboard, or other alphanumeric-configured elements), pointer-based input components (e.g., a mouse, a touchpad, a trackball, a joystick, a motion sensor, or other pointing instruments), tactile input components (e.g., a button switch, a touch screen or touchpad that senses the location or force of touches or touch gestures, or other tactile-configured elements), and audio input components (e.g., a microphone), and the like. The mobile device890and the server system998may include alphanumeric, pointer-based, tactile, audio, and other input components.

In some examples, the eyewear device100includes a collection of motion-sensing components referred to as an inertial measurement unit972. The motion-sensing components may be micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) with microscopic moving parts, often small enough to be part of a microchip. The inertial measurement unit (IMU)972in some example configurations includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer. The accelerometer senses the linear acceleration of the device100(including the acceleration due to gravity) relative to three orthogonal axes (x, y, z). The gyroscope senses the angular velocity of the device100about three axes of rotation (pitch, roll, yaw). Together, the accelerometer and gyroscope can provide position, orientation, and motion data about the device relative to six axes (x, y, z, pitch, roll, yaw). The magnetometer, if present, senses the heading of the device100relative to magnetic north. The position of the device100may be determined by location sensors, such as a GPS receiver, one or more transceivers to generate relative position coordinates, altitude sensors or barometers, and other orientation sensors. Such positioning system coordinates can also be received over the wireless connections925,937from the mobile device890via the low-power wireless circuitry924or the high-speed wireless circuitry936.

The IMU972may include or cooperate with a digital motion processor or programming that gathers the raw data from the components and compute a number of useful values about the position, orientation, and motion of the device100. For example, the acceleration data gathered from the accelerometer can be integrated to obtain the velocity relative to each axis (x, y, z); and integrated again to obtain the position of the device100(in linear coordinates, x, y, and z). The angular velocity data from the gyroscope can be integrated to obtain the position of the device100(in spherical coordinates). The programming for computing these useful values may be stored in memory934and executed by the high-speed processor932of the eyewear device100.

The eyewear device100may optionally include additional peripheral sensors, such as biometric sensors, specialty sensors, or display elements integrated with eyewear device100. For example, peripheral device elements may include any I/O components including output components, motion components, position components, or any other such elements described herein. For example, the biometric sensors may include components to detect expressions (e.g., hand expressions, facial expressions, vocal expressions, body gestures, or eye tracking), to measure biosignals (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, perspiration, or brain waves), or to identify a person (e.g., identification based on voice, retina, facial characteristics, fingerprints, or electrical biosignals such as electroencephalogram data), and the like.

The virtual object manipulation system1000, as shown inFIG.4, includes a computing device, such as mobile device890, coupled to an eyewear device100and to a handheld device or ring500over a network. The eyewear device100, as described herein, includes an inertial measurement unit972for collecting data about the position, orientation, and motion of the eyewear device100.

The virtual object manipulation system1000further includes a memory for storing instructions (including those in the virtual object manipulation system) and a processor for executing the instructions. Execution of the instructions of the virtual object manipulation system by the processor932configures the eyewear device100to cooperate with the ring500and manipulate a virtual object. The system1000may utilize the memory934of the eyewear device100or the memory elements840A,840B of the mobile device890(FIG.5) or the memory540of the ring500(FIG.6). Also, the system1000may utilize the processor elements932,922of the eyewear device100or the central processing unit (CPU)830of the mobile device890(FIG.5) or the microcontroller530of the ring500(FIG.6). Furthermore, the system1000may further utilize the memory and processor elements of the server system998. In this aspect, the memory and processing functions of the virtual object manipulation system1000can be shared or distributed across the eyewear device100, the mobile device890, the ring500, or the server system998.

The mobile device890may be a smartphone, tablet, laptop computer, access point, or any other such device capable of connecting with eyewear device100using both a low-power wireless connection925and a high-speed wireless connection937. Mobile device890is connected to server system998and network995. The network995may include any combination of wired and wireless connections.

FIG.5is a high-level functional block diagram of an example mobile device890. Mobile device890includes a flash memory840A which includes programming to perform all or a subset of the functions described herein. Mobile device890may include a camera870that comprises at least two visible-light cameras (first and second visible-light cameras with overlapping fields of view) or at least one visible-light camera and a depth sensor with substantially overlapping fields of view. Flash memory840A may further include multiple images or video, which are generated via the camera870.

As shown, the mobile device890includes an image display880, a mobile display driver882to control the image display880, and a controller884. In the example ofFIG.4, the image display880includes a user input layer891(e.g., a touchscreen) that is layered on top of or otherwise integrated into the screen used by the image display880.

Examples of touchscreen-type mobile devices that may be used include (but are not limited to) a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or other portable device. However, the structure and operation of the touchscreen-type devices is provided by way of example; the subject technology as described herein is not intended to be limited thereto. For purposes of this discussion,FIG.5therefore provides a block diagram illustration of the example mobile device890with a user interface that includes a touchscreen input layer891for receiving input (by touch, multi-touch, or gesture, and the like, by hand, stylus or other tool) and an image display880for displaying content

As shown inFIG.4, the mobile device890includes at least one digital transceiver (XCVR)810, shown as WWAN XCVRs, for digital wireless communications via a wide-area wireless mobile communication network. The mobile device890also includes additional digital or analog transceivers, such as short range XCVRs820for short-range network communication, such as via NFC, VLC, DECT, ZigBee, Bluetooth™, or WiFi. For example, short range XCVRs820may take the form of any available two-way wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver of a type that is compatible with one or more standard protocols of communication implemented in wireless local area networks, such as one of the Wi-Fi standards under IEEE 802.11.

To generate location coordinates for positioning of the mobile device890, the mobile device890can include a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. Alternatively, or additionally the mobile device890can utilize either or both the short range XCVRs820and WWAN XCVRs810for generating location coordinates for positioning. For example, cellular network, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth™ based positioning systems can generate very accurate location coordinates, particularly when used in combination. Such location coordinates can be transmitted to the eyewear device over one or more network connections via XCVRs810,820.

The transceivers810,820(i.e., the network communication interface) conforms to one or more of the various digital wireless communication standards utilized by modern mobile networks. Examples of WWAN transceivers810include (but are not limited to) transceivers configured to operate in accordance with Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network technologies including, for example and without limitation, 3GPP type 2 (or 3GPP2) and LTE, at times referred to as “4G.” For example, the transceivers810,820provide two-way wireless communication of information including digitized audio signals, still image and video signals, web page information for display as well as web-related inputs, and various types of mobile message communications to/from the mobile device890.

The mobile device890further includes a microprocessor that functions as a central processing unit (CPU); shown as CPU830inFIG.4. A processor is a circuit having elements structured and arranged to perform one or more processing functions, typically various data processing functions. Although discrete logic components could be used, the examples utilize components forming a programmable CPU. A microprocessor for example includes one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips incorporating the electronic elements to perform the functions of the CPU. The CPU830, for example, may be based on any known or available microprocessor architecture, such as a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) using an ARM architecture, as commonly used today in mobile devices and other portable electronic devices. Of course, other arrangements of processor circuitry may be used to form the CPU830or processor hardware in smartphone, laptop computer, and tablet.

The CPU830serves as a programmable host controller for the mobile device890by configuring the mobile device890to perform various operations, for example, in accordance with instructions or programming executable by CPU830. For example, such operations may include various general operations of the mobile device, as well as operations related to the programming for applications on the mobile device. Although a processor may be configured by use of hardwired logic, typical processors in mobile devices are general processing circuits configured by execution of programming.

The mobile device890includes a memory or storage system, for storing programming and data. In the example, the memory system may include a flash memory840A, a random-access memory (RAM)840B, and other memory components, as needed. The RAM840B serves as short-term storage for instructions and data being handled by the CPU830, e.g., as a working data processing memory. The flash memory840A typically provides longer-term storage.

Hence, in the example of mobile device890, the flash memory840A is used to store programming or instructions for execution by the CPU830. Depending on the type of device, the mobile device890stores and runs a mobile operating system through which specific applications are executed. Examples of mobile operating systems include Google Android, Apple iOS (for iPhone or iPad devices), Windows Mobile, Amazon Fire OS, RIM BlackBerry OS, or the like.

FIG.6is a high-level functional block diagram of an example handheld device, such as a ring500. The ring500, as shown, includes an input device591(e.g., a touchpad), a lamp550(e.g., a light-emitting diode), a touch driver582, a touch controller584, a short-range transceiver520, a microcontroller530, a memory540, an inertial measurement unit (IMU)572, a battery505, and one or more charging and communications pins510.

The ring500includes at least one short-range transceiver520that is configured for short-range network communication, such as via NFC, VLC, DECT, ZigBee, Bluetooth™, BLE (Bluetooth Low-Energy), or WiFi. The short-range transceiver(s)520may take the form of any available two-way wireless local area network (WLAN) transceiver of a type that is compatible with one or more standard protocols of communication implemented in wireless local area networks, such as one of the Wi-Fi standards under IEEE 802.11.

The ring500may also include a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. Alternatively, or additionally, the ring500can utilize either or both the short-range transceiver(s)520for generating location coordinates for positioning. For example, cellular network, WiFi, or Bluetooth™ based positioning systems can generate very accurate location coordinates, particularly when used in combination. Such location coordinates can be transmitted to one or more eyewear devices100, or to one or more mobile devices890, over one or more network connections via the transceiver(s)520.

The transceivers520(i.e., the network communication interface) conforms to one or more of the various digital wireless communication standards utilized by modern mobile networks. Examples of WWAN transceivers include but are not limited to transceivers configured to operate in accordance with Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network technologies including, for example and without limitation, 3GPP type 2 (or 3GPP2) and LTE, at times referred to as “4G.” For example, the transceivers520provide two-way wireless communication of information including digitized audio signals, still image and video signals, web page information for display as well as web-related inputs, and various types of mobile message communications to or from the ring500.

The ring500further includes a microcontroller530that functions as a central processing unit (CPU) for the ring500, as shown inFIG.6. A processor is a circuit having elements structured and arranged to perform one or more processing functions, typically various data processing functions. Although discrete logic components could be used, the examples utilize components forming a programmable CPU. A microprocessor for example includes one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips incorporating the electronic elements to perform the functions of the microprocessor. The microcontroller530, for example, may be based on any known or available microprocessor architecture, such as a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) using an ARM architecture, as commonly used today in mobile devices and other portable electronic devices. Of course, other arrangements of processor circuitry may be used to form the microcontroller530or processor hardware in smartphone, laptop computer, and tablet.

The microcontroller530serves as a programmable host controller for the virtual object manipulation system1000by configuring the ring500to perform various operations; for example, in accordance with instructions or programming executable by the microcontroller530. For example, such operations may include various general operations of the ring500, as well as operations related to the programming for applications that reside on the ring500. Although a processor may be configured by use of hardwired logic, typical processors in mobile devices are general processing circuits configured by execution of programming.

The ring500includes one or more memory elements540for storing programming and data. The memory540may include a flash memory, a random-access memory (RAM), or other memory elements, as needed. The memory540stores the programming and instructions needed to perform all or a subset of the functions described herein. The RAM, if present, may operate as short-term storage for instructions and data being handled by the microcontroller530. Depending on the particular type of handheld device, the ring500stores and runs an operating system through which specific applications are executed. The operating system may be a mobile operating system, such as Google Android, Apple iOS, Windows Mobile, Amazon Fire OS, RIM BlackBerry OS, or the like.

In some examples, the ring500includes a collection of motion-sensing components referred to as an inertial measurement unit572. The motion-sensing components may be micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) with microscopic moving parts, often small enough to be part of a microchip. The inertial measurement unit (IMU)572in some example configurations includes an accelerometer, a gyroscope, and a magnetometer. The accelerometer senses the linear acceleration of the ring500(including the acceleration due to gravity) relative to three orthogonal axes (x, y, z). The gyroscope senses the angular velocity of the ring500about three axes of rotation (pitch, roll, yaw). Together, the accelerometer and gyroscope can provide position, orientation, and motion data about the device relative to six axes (x, y, z, pitch, roll, yaw). The magnetometer, if present, senses the heading of the ring500relative to magnetic north. The position of the ring500may be determined by location sensors, such as a GPS receiver, one or more transceivers to generate relative position coordinates, altitude sensors or barometers, and other orientation sensors. Such positioning system coordinates can also be received over the wireless connections925,937from the mobile device890via the low-power wireless circuitry924or the high-speed wireless circuitry936.

The IMU572may include or cooperate with a digital motion processor or programming that gathers the raw data from the components and compute a number of useful values about the position, orientation, and motion of the ring500. For example, the acceleration data gathered from the accelerometer can be integrated to obtain the velocity relative to each axis (x, y, z); and integrated again to obtain the position of the ring500(in linear coordinates, x, y, and z). The angular velocity data from the gyroscope can be integrated to obtain the position of the ring500(in spherical coordinates). The programming for computing these useful values may be stored in memory934and executed by the high-speed processor932of the eyewear device100.

The ring500may optionally include additional peripheral sensors, such as biometric sensors, specialty sensors, or display elements integrated with the ring500. For example, peripheral device elements may include any I/O components including output components, motion components, position components, or any other such elements described herein. For example, the biometric sensors may include components to detect expressions (e.g., hand expressions, facial expressions, vocal expressions, body gestures, or eye tracking), to measure biosignals (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature, perspiration, or brain waves), or to identify a person (e.g., identification based on voice, retina, facial characteristics, fingerprints, or electrical biosignals such as electroencephalogram data), and the like.

FIG.7is a schematic view of an example hardware configuration for a ring500. The touchpad591, a shown, may be sized and shaped to conform closely to an outer surface of the ring500. The ring500may also include an LED550. The battery505may be sized and shaped to fit within the body of the ring500, with connections to one or more charging and communications pins510. As shown, the ring500may include an internal space (beneath the pins510in this example) to house a variety of components, such as a touch driver582, a touch controller584, a short-range transceiver520, a microcontroller530, a memory540, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU)572.

FIG.8is an illustration of a handheld device500(e.g., a ring) moving along an example course610and a virtual object700moving along an example path665. The path665is correlated with the course610in near real-time, so that the virtual object700moves in close synchronization with the motion of the ring500. In the example shown, the ring500is on the index finger of a hand10. The thumb may or may not be engaged with the input device591(e.g., touchpad). In use, the hand10moves the ring500along a course610from a start location622, by and past one or more intermediate locations625, to a stop location629. When the ring500is in motion along the course610, the IMU572is collecting course data. The motion data includes information about the location, orientation, motion, heading, or a combination thereof of the ring500at each of a plurality of locations along the course610.

The display650illustrated inFIG.8, in some implementations, includes the physical environment20, a cursor661, and one or more virtual objects. In the example shown, the virtual object700has been selected from a number of candidate objects. The cursor661and virtual object700are presented in an overlay relative to the physical environment20. The system1000in some examples includes a mathematically placed three-dimensional coordinate system710which may or may not appear on the display650. In some implementations, the ring500and its IMU572collect and process data relative to the same three-dimensional coordinate system710. The path665of the virtual object700has nearly the same shape as the course610traveled by the ring500. When the ring500is in motion along the course610, the motion data collected by the IMU572is used to display the virtual object700, so that the path665of the virtual object700is closely correlated, in near real-time, with the course610traveled by the ring500.

The display650in some implementations, is projected onto a surface, such as a head-mounted screen or onto at least one lens assembly (e.g., an optical element180A,180B of an eyewear device100) as described herein. The eyewear device100may include a projector150(FIG.2B) that is positioned and configured to project the physical environment20, the cursor661, and the virtual object700in motion along the path665onto at least one optical lens assembly (e.g., the right optical element180B). In this implementation, the ring500cooperates with the eyewear device100to manipulate a virtual object700.

The virtual object manipulation system1000, as shown inFIG.4, in some implementations, includes a handheld device (e.g., ring500) and a portable device (e.g., eyewear100). The ring500includes a microcontroller530, an input device (e.g., touchpad591), and an inertial measurement unit572. The eyewear100, which is in communication with the ring500, includes a processor932, a memory934, and a display (e.g., the image display associated with at least one lens or optical assembly180A,180B).

In an example method of using the virtual object manipulation system1000, one of the first steps is presenting the virtual object700on a display650that includes a physical environment20in the background. The virtual object700is displayed in a first location relative to a three-dimensional coordinate system710. The display650is coupled to and supported by a wearable device, such as the eyewear device100described herein. The system1000collects motion data from an inertial measurement unit572that is coupled to and supported by a handheld device, such as a smart ring500, that is in communication with the wearable device100. The motion data is associated with a course610traveled by the handheld device500in motion relative to the three-dimensional coordinate system710, as shown inFIG.8. The system1000displays the virtual object700in a second location along the path665based on the motion data, so that the path665of the virtual object700is substantially linked, both in time and space, to the course610traveled by the handheld device500. In use, the system1000displays the virtual object700at a plurality of second locations, in rapid succession, along the path665so that the virtual object700appears to move in direct correlation with the movement of the handheld device500.

In some implementations, the wearable device is an eyewear device100that includes a memory934, a processor932, and at least one lens assembly180A,180B configured to both function as the display650and to facilitate viewing of the physical environment20. As shown inFIG.8, the system1000overlays the virtual object700onto the physical environment20within the display650, so that the virtual object700is persistently viewable along the path665in the foreground, with the physical environment20in the background. Of course, the ring500may also be located in a position where it can be viewed by looking through the lens assembly180A,180B while at the same time viewing the virtual object700and the physical environment20.

The virtual object700may move in a linear direction or in rotation relative to one or more axes of the coordinate system710. The hand10moving the handheld device500can likewise move in a linear direction or in rotation. The inertial measurement unit572of the handheld device500in some implementations includes an accelerometer and a gyroscope. The IMU572inside the handheld device500, in accordance with programming instructions stored in the memory540, performs the step of collecting the motion data associated with the course610traveled by the hand10in motion. The motion data includes information from the IMU572about the location, orientation, motion, heading, or a combination thereof of the handheld device500at each of a plurality of locations along the course610.

The step of collecting motion data can include collecting acceleration data from the accelerometer. More specifically, the handheld device500may collect from the accelerometer of the IMU572a second linear acceleration associated with the virtual object700. Linear acceleration data can be used to derive or otherwise calculate a linear velocity, a position (x, y, z), or both. In some implementations, the eyewear device100includes a processor932and a memory934. The process of displaying the virtual object700in a second location may further include the processor932computing the second location relative to the coordinate system710, wherein the second location is based on the second linear acceleration. In this aspect, the virtual object700when displayed in the second location appears to move in translation along the path665(relative to at least one axis of the coordinate system710).

The step of collecting motion data can also include collecting angular velocity data from the gyroscope. More specifically, the handheld device500may collect from the gyroscope of the IMU572a second angular velocity associated with the virtual object700. Angular velocity data can be used to derive or otherwise calculate angular acceleration, a position (x, y, z), or both of the virtual object700. In some implementations, the eyewear device100includes a processor932and a memory934. The process of displaying the virtual object700in a second location may further include the processor932computing the second location relative to the coordinate system710, wherein the second location is based on the second angular velocity. In this aspect, the virtual object700when displayed in the second location appears to move in rotation about at least one axis of the three-dimensional coordinate system710.

In another aspect of the method, in implementations where the handheld device500includes an input device591positioned along an outer surface of the handheld device, the method may include the step of collecting track data from the input device591. The track data is associated with a segment521traversed by a finger along the input device. The segment521may be similar to a line segment, without meeting the geometrical definition of a line segment. The system1000in some implementations may detect the segment521and construct a best-fit line segment that approximates the segment521in length and heading. As shown inFIG.9, the segment521has a length and a heading relative to a touchpad coordinate system710. The process of displaying the virtual object700in a second location may further include the step of identifying the original size (first size) associated with the virtual object700when in the first location. The processor932calculates a magnification factor based on the length and heading of the segment521. The magnification factor may include a value that is based on the length of the segment521. The longer the segment521, the higher the value. The magnification factor may include a sign (positive or negative) associated with the value. The sign is based on the heading of the segment521, from start point to end point, relative to a touchpad coordinate system710. For example, the system1000may establish a range of headings to be associated with a positive sign (which indicates the virtual object700should be enlarged in size) and another range of headings associated with a negative sign (which indicates the virtual object700should be reduced in size). The magnification factor, for example, may include a value of sixty (based on a segment length of two centimeters) and a sign that is positive (based on a heading of eighty degrees). In response, the virtual object700would be displayed at a second size that is sixty percent larger compared to the first size.

As shown inFIG.8, the method in some implementations includes presenting a cursor661on the display650and moving the cursor661in response to the motion data collected from the handheld device500. In this aspect, when starting the method, the first virtual element on the display650may be the cursor661. The cursor661may appear at a default location relative to the environment20. The cursor661is displayed along with a number of candidate objects. The user may want to select a particular virtual object700from among the candidate objects. When the cursor661is displayed near the desired virtual object700, the method includes detecting a selection input from the input device591of the handheld device500, so that the virtual object700is releasably selected by the handheld device500according to the user's selection input. The selection input may be a tap or other contact, a tap pattern such as a double tap, or a push or slide along the surface of the input device591, in any of a variety of combinations. The selection input may include any of a variety of tap patterns, which may be set or established through a user interface associated with the ring500.

The selection input may be used when only a single virtual object is presented on the display650, instead of a number of candidate objects. In some implementations, an outline, highlight, or other indicia may be overlaid or otherwise added to the virtual object700when selected as a signal to the user that the path665of the virtual object700is now linked to the course610of the handheld device500.

Starting and stopping the collecting of motion data associated with a course610and a selected virtual object700, in some implementations, includes one or more particular inputs to the input device591. For example, to start a course610for a new virtual object700, the user in some implementations will press and hold thumb or finger on the input device591and, thus, engage the IMU572to begin and continue the process of collecting the motion data while moving the hand10. The process of collecting motion data may continue until the system detects that the thumb or finger has been released from the input device591.

In some implementations, the handheld device is a ring500that includes a memory540, a microcontroller530, and a touchpad591configured to function as the input device. The ring500may also include a touch driver582, a touch controller584, and a transceiver520, as shown inFIG.6. The microcontroller530can perform the step of collecting the track data from the touchpad591. The microcontroller530can also perform the step of establishing a touchpad coordinate system710relative to the touchpad591to serve as a reference for the track data. In this step, the microcontroller530can mathematically place the touchpad coordinate system710at a particular location relative to the touchpad591. The microcontroller530(or the processor932on the eyewear device100) can perform the steps of detecting the length of the segment521and calculating the heading for the segment521relative to the touchpad coordinate system710.

In some implementations, the eyewear device100includes a projector150(FIG.2B) that is configured and positioned to project the virtual object700onto the display650, which may be at least one lens assembly (e.g., an optical element180A,180B) of the eyewear device100, as described herein. AS shown inFIG.8, the projector150may also be configured to project the physical environment20, a number of candidate objects, the cursor661, and the virtual object700.

The eyewear device100in some implementations, receives the course data from the ring500in near real time and in accordance with programming instructions (referred to herein as a virtual object manipulation system program) stored in the memory934, performs the step of displaying the virtual object700in a second location on the display650in a semi-transparent layer superimposed on top of the physical environment20. The path of the virtual object700is based on the motion data being received in near real time from the ring500.

The virtual object manipulation system1000may be used, of course, to select and move a number of different virtual objects. When the process is completed for a first virtual object700, the system1000is configured to repeat the process, if desired, for a subsequent virtual object.

The IMU572inside the ring500is collecting motion data when the ring500is in motion along the course610. The motion data includes information about the location, orientation, motion, heading, or a combination thereof of the ring500at each of a plurality of locations along the course610. In some implementations, the ring500in accordance with programming instructions stored in the memory540, performs the step of placing (mathematically) an origin of a three-dimensional coordinate system710on the display650. In this aspect, the IMU572establishes zero coordinates (0, 0, 0) at the origin. The accelerometer element of the IMU572collects linear acceleration data (relative to the coordinate system710) for each of the plurality of locations along the course610. The ring500(or the eyewear device100) in accordance with programming instructions, then performs the step of computing a second position (in three coordinates: x, y, z) for each of the plurality of locations along the course610. In this aspect, the acceleration data collected by the IMU572can be used to calculate the position (x, y, z) of the ring500at each location along the course610.

Any of the functionality described herein for the eyewear device100, the ring500, the mobile device890, and the server system998can be embodied in one or more computer software applications or sets of programming instructions, as described herein. According to some examples, “function,” “functions,” “application,” “applications,” “instruction,” “instructions,” or “programming” are program(s) that execute functions defined in the programs. Various programming languages can be employed to create one or more of the applications, structured in a variety of manners, such as object-oriented programming languages (e.g., Objective-C, Java, or C++) or procedural programming languages (e.g., C or assembly language). In a specific example, a third-party application (e.g., an application developed using the ANDROID™ or IOS™ software development kit (SDK) by an entity other than the vendor of the particular platform) may include mobile software running on a mobile operating system such as IOS™, ANDROID™, WINDOWS® Phone, or another mobile operating systems. In this example, the third-party application can invoke API calls provided by the operating system to facilitate functionality described herein.

Hence, a machine-readable medium may take many forms of tangible storage medium. Non-volatile storage media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as any of the storage devices in any computer devices or the like, such as may be used to implement the client device, media gateway, transcoder, etc. shown in the drawings. Volatile storage media include dynamic memory, such as main memory of such a computer platform. Tangible transmission media include coaxial cables; copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a bus within a computer system. Carrier-wave transmission media may take the form of electric or electromagnetic signals, or acoustic or light waves such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media therefore include for example: a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD or DVD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards paper tape, any other physical storage medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave transporting data or instructions, cables or links transporting such a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer may read programming code or data. Many of these forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a processor for execution.

Except as stated immediately above, nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended or should be interpreted to cause a dedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage, or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is or is not recited in the claims.

It will be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. Relational terms such as first and second and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises or includes a list of elements or steps does not include only those elements or steps but may include other elements or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “a” or “an” does not, without further constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Unless otherwise stated, any and all measurements, values, ratings, positions, magnitudes, sizes, and other specifications that are set forth in this specification, including in the claims that follow, are approximate, not exact. Such amounts are intended to have a reasonable range that is consistent with the functions to which they relate and with what is customary in the art to which they pertain. For example, unless expressly stated otherwise, a parameter value or the like may vary by as much as ±10% from the stated amount.

In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various examples for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed examples require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, the subject matter to be protected lies in less than all features of any single disclosed example. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

While the foregoing has described what are considered to be the best mode and other examples, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the subject matter disclosed herein may be implemented in various forms and examples, and that they may be applied in numerous applications, only some of which have been described herein. It is intended by the following claims to claim any and all modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the present concepts.