External user interface for head worn computing
View Patent ↗Aspects of the present invention relate to external user interfaces used in connection with head worn computers (HWC). Embodiments relate to an external user interface that has a physical form intended to be hand held. The hand held user interface may be in the form similar to that of a writing instrument, such as a pen. In embodiments, the hand held user interface includes technologies relating to writing surface tip pressure monitoring, lens configurations setting a predetermined imaging distance, user interface software mode selection, quick software application launching, and other interface technologies.
1. A method, comprising:
capturing an image from a writing surface end of a hand-held device;
determining, based at least in part on the image, that the writing surface end of the hand-held device is on a writing surface;
monitoring forces exerted on a writing surface end of the hand-held device over a period of time;
identifying a discrete force event during the period of time based on the monitored forces, the discrete force event including a sudden and substantial increase in force;
causing a graphic user interface element to appear in a display of a head-worn computer in the event that the discrete force event substantially matches a predetermined force signature;
wherein the hand-held device includes an inertial movement unit (IMU) to determine motion of the hand-held device, and
wherein the motion is used in coordination with an image of a writing surface to determine a stroke pattern.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the motion is used to predict a gesture, wherein the gesture is used to control an aspect of a graphical user interface.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the motion causes a selection of a user interface mode.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the force is identified using a piezo-electric device.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hand-held device is in communication with a head-worn computer (HWC).
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user interface process is a selection of an item.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user interface process produces a menu associated with a right-side click.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user interface process produces a result associated with a double click.
9. A hand-held user interface device for a head-worn computer, comprising:
a force monitor adapted to measure forces exerted on a writing surface end of a hand-held device over a period of time;
a camera adapted to capture an image from the writing surface end of the hand-held device; and
a processor adapted to determine that the writing surface end of the hand-held device is on a writing surface based, at least in part, on the image, the processor further adapted to identify a discrete force event during the period of time based on the measured forces, the discrete force event including a sudden and substantial increase in force,
wherein the processor is adapted to communicate with the head-worn computer to cause a graphical user interface element to appear in a display of the head-worn computer in the event the discrete force event exceeds a predetermined threshold; and
wherein the hand-held device includes an inertial movement unit (IMU) to determine motion of the hand-held device, and wherein the motion is used in coordination with an image of a writing surface to determine a stroke pattern.