Patent · US Expired

Device for determining an orientation of at least a portion of a living body

US5323174A · kind A · utility

30Cited by
15References
21Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 2, 1992
Grant dateJun 21, 1994
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 2, 2012

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F3/0338
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A device used for measuring the orientation of a human head about one or two axes and converting that information into an electrical signal in the analog or digital domain includes a headset and includes one or two electromechanical orientation sensors which provide an electrical signal that corresponds to the orientation of the head without any reference to an off-of-the body reference. The orientation sensor includes a signal generating device, such as a variable resistor, coupled to the torso of the user via a mechanical linkage. As the head moves, the linkage moves and changes the resistance of the variable resistor. The change in resistance corresponds to the orientation of the head. One orientation sensor is used to measure the horizontal, or lateral angle, of the head with respect to the torso, or shoulder blades. Two orientation sensors mounted on each side of the head measure both the lateral and vertical angles of the head with respect to the torso, or shoulder blades. Also disclosed is a single sensor having two signal generating devices wherein one signal generating device detects primarily lateral movement while the other signal generating device detects primarily vert…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.