IP Library Granted Patent US 8,933,876
Granted Patent B2
US 8,933,876 · App. 13/314,210 · Granted Jan 13, 2015

Three dimensional user interface session control

Inventors: Micha Galor (Tel Aviv, IL); Jonathan Pokrass (Bat-Yam, IL); Amir Hoffnung (Tel-Aviv, IL)
Assignee: Apple Inc.
G06F3/005G06F3/017G06F3/0304
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,933,876
App. No.
13/314,210
Granted
Jan 13, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method, including receiving, by a computer executing a non-tactile three dimensional (3D) user interface, a set of multiple 3D coordinates representing a gesture by a hand positioned within a field of view of a sensing device coupled to the computer, the gesture including a first motion in a first direction along a selected axis in space, followed by a second motion in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, along the selected axis. Upon detecting completion of the gesture, the non-tactile 3D user interface is transitioned from a first state to a second state.

Claims (20)

1. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a computer executing a non-tactile three dimensional (3D) user interface, a set of multiple 3D coordinates representing a gesture by a hand positioned within a field of view of a sensing device coupled to the computer, the gesture comprising a rising motion along a vertical axis in space wherein the hand performs the rising motion for at least an unlock gesture distance at a minimum unlock gesture speed; and

transitioning the non-tactile 3D user interface from a locked state to an unlocked state upon detecting completion of the gesture.

2. The method according to claim 1 , and comprising conveying a first visual feedback to the user prior to the gesture, and conveying a second visual feedback subsequent to the gesture.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the first and the second visual feedbacks comprise illuminating or darkening one or more visual feedback devices coupled to the computer.

4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the first and the second visual feedbacks comprise altering a feedback item presented on a display coupled to the computer.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the unlock gesture distance comprises 20 centimeters, and the minimum unlock gesture speed comprises four centimeters per second.

6. An apparatus, comprising:

a sensing device; and

a computer executing a non-tactile three dimensional (3D) user interface and configured to receive, from the sensing device, a set of multiple 3D coordinates representing a gesture by a hand positioned within a field of view of the sensing device, the gesture comprising a rising motion along a vertical axis in space wherein the hand performs the rising motion for at least an unlock gesture distance at a minimum unlock gesture speed, and to transition the non-tactile 3D user interface from a locked state to an unlocked state upon detecting completion of the gesture.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the computer is configured to convey a first visual feedback to the user prior to the gesture, and to convey a second visual feedback subsequent to the gesture.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , and comprising one or more visual feedback devices, wherein the computer is configured to convey the first and the second visual feedbacks by illuminating or darkening the one or more visual feedback devices.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 , and comprising a display, wherein the computer is configured to convey the first and the second visual feedbacks by altering a feedback item presented on the display.

10. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the unlock gesture distance comprises 20 centimeters, and the minimum unlock gesture speed comprises four centimeters per second.

11. A computer software product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium, in which program instructions are stored, which instructions, when read by a computer executing a non-tactile user interface, cause the computer to receive, from a sensing device, a set of multiple 3D coordinates representing a gesture by a hand positioned within a field of view of the sensing device, the gesture comprising a rising motion along a vertical axis in space wherein the hand performs the rising motion for at least an unlock gesture distance at a minimum unlock gesture speed, and to transition the non-tactile 3D user interface from a locked state to an unlocked state upon detecting completion of the gesture.

12. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a computer executing a non-tactile three dimensional (3D) user interface, a set of multiple 3D coordinates representing a gesture by a hand positioned within a field of view of a sensing device coupled to the computer, the gesture comprising a rising motion along a vertical axis in space;

determining whether the gesture of the hand included a rising of the hand by at least 20 centimeters; and

transitioning the non-tactile 3D user interface from a locked state to an unlocked state upon detecting completion of the gesture,

wherein the transitioning of the user interface from a locked state to an unlocked state is performed only if the upward gesture included a rise of the hand by at least 20 centimeters.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE APPLICATION # 13840451 AND REPLACE IT WITH CORRECT APPLICATION # 13810451 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 034293 FRAME 0092. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded May 11, 2015
From: PRIMESENSE LTD.
To: APPLE INC.
Reel/Frame 035624/0091 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2014
From: PRIMESENSE LTD.
To: APPLE INC.
Reel/Frame 034293/0092 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2011
From: GALOR, MICHA; POKRASS, JONATHAN; HOFFNUNG, AMIR
To: PRIMESENSE LTD.
Reel/Frame 027437/0540 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61422239 · Dec 13, 2010
Related Publication 20120313848A1 · Dec 13, 2012