U.S. patent application number 11/124563 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-20 for user interface alignment method and apparatus.
Invention is credited to Forest, Donald K..
Application Number | 20050231520 11/124563 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34619300 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050231520 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Forest, Donald K. |
October 20, 2005 |
User interface alignment method and apparatus
Abstract
The apparatus and method of the invention relate to data entry
and menu selection. Applications include: (a) data entry for
ideographic languages, including Chinese, Japanese and Korean; (b)
fast food ordering; (c) correction of documents generated by
optical character recognition; and (d) computer access and speech
synthesis by persons temporarily or permanently lacking normal
motor capabilities. In a preferred embodiment, each option of a
menu is associated respectively with a selectable region displayed
adjacent an edge of a display, forming a perimeter menu and leaving
a region in the center of the perimeter menu for the output of an
application program. Selectable regions may be on the display,
outside the display, or both. A menu option may be selected by
clicking on the associated selectable region, by dwelling on it for
a selection threshold period or by a cursor path toward the
selectable region, or by a combination thereof. Remaining dwell
time required to select a selectable region is preferably indicated
by the brightness of the selectable region. Submenus of a perimeter
menu may also be perimeter menus and the location of a submenu
option may be foretold by the appearance of its parent menu option.
Menu options may be ideographs sharing a sound, a structure or
another characteristic. Ideographs, which may be homophones of one
another, may be associated with colored indicating regions and
selection of an ideograph may be made by speaking the name of the
associated color.
Inventors: |
Forest, Donald K.; (Bryn
Mawr, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DONALD K. FOREST
27 S. WARNER AVE.
BRYN MAWR
PA
19010
US
|
Family ID: |
34619300 |
Appl. No.: |
11/124563 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11124563 |
May 6, 2005 |
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08506032 |
Jul 24, 1995 |
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6903723 |
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08506032 |
Jul 24, 1995 |
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PCT/US95/03591 |
Mar 27, 1995 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
345/581 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10S 345/902 20130101;
G06F 3/04886 20130101; G06F 3/023 20130101; G06F 3/012 20130101;
G06F 3/0482 20130101; G06F 3/017 20130101; G06F 3/167 20130101;
G06F 3/011 20130101; G06F 3/0219 20130101; G06F 3/0487 20130101;
G06F 3/0488 20130101; G06F 2203/04803 20130101; G06F 3/04883
20130101; G06F 3/0483 20130101; A61F 4/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/581 |
International
Class: |
G09G 005/00 |
Claims
I claim:
1. For use with a switch and a display, an apparatus for bringing a
first selectable region on the display within a range of motion of
a body member of a user, the apparatus comprising: (a) the first
selectable region on the display and a second selectable region on
the display, the first selectable region and the second selectable
region simultaneously visible to the user, the first selectable
region and the second selectable region located on opposite sides
of the display, wherein a first point on the plane of the display
either intersects the first selectable region or is located beyond
the boundary of the first selectable region furthest from the
second selectable region, and wherein a second point on the plane
of the display either intersects the second selectable region or is
located beyond the boundary of the second selectable region
furthest from the first selectable region; (b) a receiver for
receiving a movement related signal responsive to movement of the
body member of the user, wherein a first position of the body
member of the user corresponds to a third point on the display
located between the first selectable region and the second
selectable region, the first position within a first outer fifteen
percent of the range of motion of the body member of the user,
wherein a second position of the body member of the user
corresponds to a fourth point on the plane of the display either
intersecting the second selectable region or located beyond the
boundary of the second selectable region furthest from the first
selectable region, the second position within a second outer
fifteen percent of the range of motion of the body member of the
user, wherein the first position and the second position are
located on opposite sides of the range of motion of the body member
of the user, and wherein the distance between the third point and
the fourth point equals the distance between the first point and
the second point within a margin of one percent of the distance
between the first point and the second point; and (c) signal
processing circuitry, responsive to an activation of the switch and
thereafter to a period equaling or exceeding a predetermined period
of time, for setting the first position of the body member of the
user to correspond to the first point and for setting the second
position of the body member of the user to correspond to the second
point.
Description
[0001] This is a divisional application of pending application Ser.
No. 08/506,032, filed 24 Jul. 1995, entitled "Menu Selection Method
and Apparatus", which in turn is a continuation-in-part application
of international application Number PCT/US95/03591, International
Publication Number WO 96/30822, filed 27 Mar. 1995, as amended 25
Apr. 1995 and 26 May 1995, entitled "Method of and Apparatus for
Data Entry", which designated the United States. The international
application issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,160,536 on 12 Dec. 2000. The
international application is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to interactive
display terminals and interactive display methods, and more to
interactive display terminals and interactive display methods for
use by persons temporarily or permanently lacking normal motor
capabilities. It also relates to systems and methods for the
assessment of the motor capabilities of persons lacking normal
motor capabilities. It further relates to interactive display
terminals and interactive display methods for use in speech
synthesis for persons having impaired speech. It also relates to
systems and methods for the control of devices, including
appliances, by persons lacking normal motor capabilities. It
further relates to interactive display terminals and interactive
display methods for selecting one menu option from a menu. It
further relates to systems and methods utilizing sound recognition
for selecting a menu option from a menu. It further relates to data
and order entry systems including, and data and order entry methods
utilizing, an interactive display terminal. It also relates to
interactive display terminals and interactive display methods for
displaying and selecting ideographic characters, such as are used
in the Chinese, Japanese and Korean languages. It also relates to
interactive display terminals and interactive display methods for
producing an indication of progress toward and/or away from
selection of a menu option.
[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
World Intellectual Property Organization patent file or records,
but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND ART
[0004] Many persons suffer from various neurogenic muscular
disorders, such as Cerebral Palsy ("CP"), Traumatic Brain Injury,
Spinal Cord Injury, Muscular Dystrophy, Amyotrophic Lateral
Sclerosis and Multiple Sclerosis. These conditions can result in a
reduced ability to voluntarily control or prevent the movement of
parts of the body, including the head, limbs and digits, muscle
stiffness, weakness, limited range of motion, abnormal posture,
involuntary muscle tremors, involuntary muscle activity causing
involuntary motion, impaired ability to voluntarily stop motion,
impaired ability to coordinate muscle activity, and/or impaired
ability to sense the position of a part of the body. Any one of
these symptoms may impair an affected individual's fine motor
control. Moreover, while some individuals affected by a
neuromuscular disorder may be able to exercise fine motor control
with enormous effort, the struggle to do so often fatigues the
individual, limiting the period of time the individual is capable
or comfortable performing the fine motor control task.
[0005] Neuromuscular disorders are often systemic in effect,
impairing an individual's ability to operate prosthetic devices,
such as a wheelchair, and to perform the activities of daily life,
such as speaking, walking and operating household appliances.
Speech is frequently affected since the mechanics of producing
speech require coordination of many muscle groups--the muscles of
the diaphragm which push air over the vocal cords, the muscles of
the larynx, jaws, tongue and lips. The inability to use or
coordinate these muscle groups may result in impaired speech.
Depending upon the degree of impairment, speech may be totally
absent, present but impaired to the point of unintelligibility, or
intelligible on the whole but with occasional unintelligible words.
The ability to walk is often affected since walking requires
coordination and voluntary control of many muscle groups.
Furthermore, impaired fine motor control may prevent or impede an
individuals from effectively operating household appliances or
computer input devices.
[0006] Devices are available which produce speech, control
appliances and facilitate computer access for some persons having
neuromuscular disorders ("NMD operators"). Devices which produce
speech for individuals whose own speech is impaired, called
Augmentative and Alternative Communication ("AAC") devices, allow
the operator to select words or phrases by spelling the words, by
specifying an abbreviation for the phrase or by selecting a
sequence of symbols, and then speak the selected words or phrases
using an electronic speech synthesizer. However, due to the
systemic nature of neuromuscular disorders, NMD operators are often
unable to efficiently use a standard keyboard and mouse. For
example, an NMD operator who is unable to stop the movement of a
limb with precision, when attempting to use a keyboard or mouse,
may move his arm toward the target key or move the cursor toward
the target object on the display but overshoot the target. If he
has involuntary tremors and cannot hold a limb still, then, when
attempting to use a keyboard, he may hit keys adjacent to his
target key. If he has involuntary motion moving left to right,
then, when attempting to use a keyboard, he may have difficulty
accessing an intended key on the right side of the keyboard.
[0007] The benefits of interfacing an NMD operator to a general
purpose computer so that he may control the computer and devices
attached to it ("computer access") are both numerous, because many
of the problems faced by the disabled are susceptible to a computer
driven solution, and profound, because of the psychological
deprivation occasioned by a severe physical disability. The
benefits potentially obtained through computer access for
individuals affected by neuromuscular disorders include:
[0008] a. Speech synthesis. A computer connected to a speech
synthesizer enables an NMD operator with impaired speech to direct
the computer to speak for him.
[0009] b. Device control. A user who is physically unable to
operate a household appliance, for example, a television, video
cassette recorder, compact disc player, radio, alarm clock,
telephone, light, thermostat, dimmer or power switch, may be able
to control the appliance via a computer equipped with an interface
he can control.
[0010] c. Access to general purpose computer applications. NMD
operators may make use of the same general purpose computer
application programs ("applications") as able-bodied users,
including applications for word processing, database,
computer-aided instruction, access to literature accessible via
computer, spreadsheet, time management and computer utilities.
[0011] d. Enhanced self-esteem and peer approval. Adolescents with
CP are obviously different from their peers. They are often
surrounded by non-normative assistive technology, e.g. wheelchair
or walker, special school bus equipped with a chair lift, stair
lift, standing aid, AAC device, feeding apparatus, bath seat,
toiletting apparatus, etc. In addition, they may drool, lacking the
ability to coordinate lip closure with swallowing. Nonetheless they
are adolescents and need peer approval to support them in their
maturation from dependent children to independent adults. Today,
demonstrated facility with a computer is an emblem of intelligence
among adolescents, so computer use provides adolescents the
opportunity to prove their intelligence and thus potentially
rewards NMD operators with both self-esteem and peer approval.
[0012] e. Privacy. Some severely disabled school-aged children
require nearly constant physical assistance to transfer them to and
from bed, to feed them, help them with toiletting and personal
hygiene, etc. Because they are constantly attended, all their
mistakes in class or when doing homework are known to their
attendant, often a family member. They do not have the opportunity
to make mistakes in private. Computer use, if it can be done
without assistance, affords the NMD operator the opportunity to
avoid the embarrassment of showing their failings to their
attendant.
[0013] f. Expanded personal interaction. Some severely disabled
individuals, e.g. quadriplegics, are essentially incarcerated by
their disability. They interact with their family or their
caretakers, depending upon whether they live at home or in an
institution. Their circle of friends is often very small. Using a
computer and a modem, they can expand their circle of friends to
include the tens of thousands of people who periodically connect to
worldwide electronic networks to trade information on topics of
mutual interest. Moreover, the interaction via present computer
networks is mostly textual; there is no voice or visual interaction
between users. Since messages are customarily composed and read
off-line to minimize connect time charges, no one even knows how
long it took the sender to enter the text. Electronic networks thus
afford the disabled user an opportunity to relate to others on an
equal footing, not as a disabled person to his able-bodied peers,
something many NMD operators dearly want to do but were never able
to.
[0014] NMD operators vary widely in their motor capabilities. Even
individuals having the same medical diagnosis may require
completely different technologies for computer access. Many NMD
operators are able to use an oversize keyboard, a devices having a
pressure-sensitive surface divided into squares, each square
associated with a letter of the alphabet. The squares may be sized
to match the operator's abilities, but typically each square is two
inches on either side. NMD operators who are unable to efficiently
use an oversize keyboard may use another conventional computer
access solution, called an "on-screen keyboard", which, as
illustrated in FIG. 1, is a picture of keyboard drawn on a computer
display (1101). The operator selects a letter by pointing to that
letter's key image on the display with a pointing device
("pointer"), then indicating that he has reached his target either
by operating a switch, a process called selection by click, or by
maintaining the location indicated by the pointer ("dwelling") on
the key image for a predetermined period of time (the "selection
threshold"), a process called selection by dwell. Switch operation
includes, but is not limited to, each of the following: opening the
switch, closing the switch, opening the switch multiple times
within a predetermined period, and closing the switch multiple
times within a predetermined period. A program executing on the
computer determines which letter the operator has selected and
processes the letter or passes it to some other application program
which processes the letter as if it came from a true keyboard.
[0015] Conventional pointing devices include a mouse, trackball,
joystick (which may be integrated into a keyboard, e.g. TrackPoint
II.RTM.), stylus and graphics tablet, lightpen, thumb wheel, touch
screen, touch panel, head pointer, occulometer, intraoral pointer
and eye tracker. They may be active, e.g. a lightpen that emits an
infrared beam, or passive, e.g. an eye tracker that uses images of
an individuals eyes to determine where his eyes are focusing.
Conventional switches include a button on the mouse, a switch in
the tip of the stylus actuated by pressure or the release of
pressure, a switch mounted on the user's wheelchair operated by a
turn of the head to or the switch below a keyboard key.
[0016] Dwell time may be continuous or discontinuous depending upon
the operator's motor capabilities. In continuous dwelling, if the
operator moves the cursor from one key image to another region of
the display, the time accumulated on the key image is discarded so
that if the operator returns to that key image he must dwell on it
for the full selection threshold to select it. Discontinuous
dwelling, by contrast, compensates for involuntary tremors which
pull the operator off the desired key image. Accumulated dwell time
on a key image is remembered, so that on return to a key image, the
operator need only dwell for a period equal to the difference
between the selection threshold and the previously accumulated
dwell time for that key image. Accumulated dwell time is reset to
zero for all key images following the selection of any one key
image. Conventional on-screen keyboards do not indicate to the
operator the dwell time associated with any key image.
[0017] There may be a single selection threshold period for all key
images or each key image may be associated with its own selection
threshold period. In the latter case, keys associated with shorter
selection threshold periods are easier to select than keys
associated with longer selection threshold periods.
[0018] As was mentioned earlier, computer access permits an NMD
operator to run a variety of applications. One such application is
speech synthesis. In a computer-based speech synthesis system, a
computer system displaying an on-screen keyboard is connected to a
speech synthesizer. The operator spells the desired word or words
using the on-screen keyboard. These are then spoken by the speech
synthesizer. Another application of the on-screen keyboard is word
processing. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a combined display of
an on-screen keyboard and a word processing application program.
The on-screen keyboard (0201) is shown on the lower portion of a
display connected to a computer system (not shown) which also
executes the word processing application program whose output
(0203) appears on the upper portion of the display. Letters
selected by the operator are input to the word processing
application program.
[0019] Due to impaired fine motor control, many NMD operators have
difficulty selecting a key image by click or by dwell and this
difficulty increases as the size of the key image decreases. FIG. 1
shows an on-screen keyboard containing 81 total keys including 26
alphabetic keys, 10 numeric keys, 12 function keys, 4 arrow keys
and 29 special purpose keys. Drawing this many key images on a
display restricts the size of each key image making each very
difficult for many NMD operators to select.
[0020] When a display is shared between application program output
(0203) and an on-screen keyboard (0201), as is the display shown in
FIG. 2, the size of each key image must be reduced from its size in
FIG. 1 to allow space for the application program output. Thus, as
more display space is allotted to application program output, the
key images become more difficult for an NMD operator to select.
[0021] Many NMD operators have difficulty using the conventional
dwell selectable on-screen keyboard because they cannot maintain a
steady pointer position. The body member with which they control
the pointer may move slightly ("drift") when they want it to remain
still. One approach to this problem is a variation of the on-screen
keyboard, depicted in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 and called a quaternary
on-screen keyboard ("quaternary keyboard"). The quaternary keyboard
provides for larger key images. The alphabet is divided into four
groups of letters, each displayed in one of the four quadrants
(1302), (1304), (1306) and (1308) of the display, as shown in FIG.
3. The operator selects one of the four groups by, for example,
pointing to and dwelling on one quadrant of the display. The
selected group is then exploded into four subgroups, each displayed
in one quadrant of the display, as shown in FIG. 4. Once more the
operator selects one of the four. The selected group is exploded
into four letters and each letter displayed in one quadrant of the
display, as shown in FIG. 5. The operator again selects one of the
four. This letter is then input to an application program (not
shown).
[0022] The quaternary keyboard illustrates the use of a menu
hierarchy in computer access. Each of the four groups of letters
(1302), (1304), (1306) and (1308) is a menu option. Each of these
menu options is itself a menu which includes other menu options. A
menu hierarchy exists if at least one of a menu's menu options is
itself a menu. Hereinafter, a menu accessed from another menu may
be called a submenu, and the options of the submenu may be called
submenu options. If a menu hierarchy is narrow and deep, many
selections are required to make the desired choice. If a menu
hierarchy is broad and shallow, each layer is composed of many menu
options.
[0023] The quaternary keyboard greatly expands the size of a single
key image and thus accommodates certain NMD operators with drift or
involuntary tremors. The cost of this adjustment is high Instead of
selecting a letter with one pointing motion and dwelling for one
selection threshold, the quaternary keyboard requires three
pointing motions and dwelling for three selection thresholds. Thus
the operator's productivity is dramatically reduced from the
standard on-screen keyboard depicted in FIG. 1.
[0024] The computer access advantage gained from the quaternary
keyboard is greatest when the quaternary keyboard occupies the
entire display. In this configuration the size of each of the four
active display regions is maximized, making them easier to hit and
dwell on for the operator. However, this configuration allows no
room on the display for the output of the application program being
run by the operator, the reason he is sitting at the computer in
the first place. This does not prevent the on-screen keyboard from
passing letters to the application program since an application
program need not be visible to be active, but it does prevent the
operator from seeing what the application program has to show him.
The more of the application program output that is displayed, the
smaller the on-screen keyboard, the smaller each active region of
the on-screen keyboard and the more difficult access becomes. FIG.
6 illustrates a display combining a quaternary keyboard and output
from two application programs.
[0025] Another conventional structure for selecting of a menu
option from a menu is a pie menu A pie menu is an opaque region on
a display divided into selectable slices, each slice associated
with a menu option. The pie menu suffers some of the drawbacks
discussed above, particularly that, while displayed the pie menu
occupies more space than a linear menu and obscures much of the
output of the operator's application program. For illustrations and
a discussion of pie menus, see Callahan, Jack et al., "An Empirical
Comparison of Pie vs. Linear Menus", Computer Science Technical
Report Series, CS-TR-1919, University of Maryland, College Park,
Md., September 1987.
[0026] NMD operators who cannot effectively use a conventional
keyboard or a pointing device may use a computer access method
called "joystick patterns". FIG. 7 depicts a conventional joystick
pattern device. The device (1602) is connected to a joystick and to
a computer. The operator pushes the joystick to the top, bottom,
left, right, top left corner, top right corner, lower left corner
or lower right corner, closing one of eight switch contacts within
the joystick housing. That switch position is then indicated on the
display (1604). A sequence of consecutive of switch closures
encodes a letter or other programmed output that the device (1602)
displays on an LCD display (1606) and sends to the connected
computer, simulating keyboard input.
[0027] The conventional joystick pattern device is ill-suited for
many NMD operators. The involuntary tremors common some
neuromuscular disorders may result in unintended switch closures.
In addition, the device does not provide an indication that the
operator is moving a body member in an unintended direction until
switch closure occurs. For example, an operator with CP who intends
to move the joystick the right but actually moves it to the upper
right receives no indication from the device, prior to switch
closure, that he's not on target. Moreover, the device requires
that the operator memorize the encoding of each letter or other
output since there's no indication on the display (1606) which
sequence encodes which letter. Further, the device provides no
support for head pointing, although the head is often the best
controlled part of an NMD operator's body.
[0028] NMD operators who cannot effectively use either a
conventional keyboard or a pointing device but can reliably actuate
a switch may use a computer access method called "scanning", which
is subdivided by cursor control technique into three types of
scanning: automatic, directed and step. In automatic scanning all
the operators' options, for example, the letters of the alphabet,
appear on either a static or dynamic display (depending upon the
implementation), organized in rows and columns. At the scanning
interval, usually about one second, a cursor moves from one row to
the next. When the cursor indicates the row containing the letter
the operator wants, he closes a switch. The machine now moves the
cursor from one letter to the next within the selected row until
the operator closes the switch again. The operator has now selected
one letter. In directed scanning, like automatic scanning, the
cursor moves at the frequency determined by the scanning interval,
however, it moves only when the switch is closed. To select an
option, such as a row or a letter in a row, the operator opens the
switch while the cursor indicates the desired option. In step
scanning, the cursor moves with each switch activation.
[0029] As one can well imagine, writing a sentence via any of these
scanning techniques is an extremely slow process, since selecting a
single letter may take many seconds.
[0030] Problems of computer access cascade and affect the quality
of verbal interactions between AAC device operators ("AAC
operators") and others. People speak much faster than they type.
Not surprisingly, operators who speak with AAC devices,
particularly NMD operators whose motor deficits impair their
ability to use a keyboard, lag substantially in their
conversations. The slow pace of an AAC operators word production
disrupts normal verbal interaction. Speaking persons, accustomed or
not to the AAC operator's slow rate, often lose patience in
conversations with AAC operators. They may prematurely terminate
the conversation, read the AAC device display in an attempt to
guess at the AAC operator's intended utterance and so accelerate
the interaction, lead the AAC operator, ask predominantly yes/no
questions, change the topic of conversation with little input from
the AAC operator and otherwise dominate the interaction. The AAC
operator often has difficulty participating as an equal partner in
the conversation. He may be unable to change the topic, interject a
humorous comment in a timely fashion or respond to a question
before the speaking person changes the topic. Slow AAC operators
may be perceived as mentally slow. Thus the quality of verbal
interactions where one party uses an AAC device to speak depends
significantly upon the AAC operators rate of word production.
[0031] Increasing an operator's letter or menu option selection
rate proportionately increases his word production rate and
increases the operator's productivity in data entry generally.
Letter or menu option selection time includes the time the operator
requires (a) to comprehend the menu options displayed, (b) to move
the pointer to the desired menu option on the display, and, in
selection by dwell, (c) the selection threshold period, or, in
selection by click, (c) the time required to operate the switch.
Decreasing any one of these increases the operator's productivity,
assuming all other steps in the selection process are
unaffected.
[0032] Personal interactions are composed of more than speech
alone. People in conversation gesture to one another, use facial
expressions, change the object of their gaze and make non-speech
utterances (e.g. "hmmm-mmmm") to bid for a turn to speak, to grant
such a bid made by the other party, to request to continue speaking
and to acknowledge, accept or dispute what has been said. Ideally,
the production of speech from an AAC devices does not distract the
AAC operator from the personal interaction and subject matter of
the conversation. This is possible if the operator habituates the
AAC device access technique and menu structure, producing speech
without focusing on each step of the process, much as automobile
drivers habituate mechanical tasks, such as changing gears and
switching between foot pedals, and focus their attention on
pedestrians or traffic lights while operating their vehicle.
[0033] Another consequence of personal interaction during
conversation for an AAC device operator is that the operator needs
a way to easily enable and disable the AAC device operator
interface so that movement the operator makes during personal
interaction, for example, nodding his head, is not interpreted by
the AAC device.
[0034] As noted previously, neurogenic muscular disorders may
impair the ability of an individual to sense the position of a body
member. An NMD operator thus relies more than his able-bodied peer
on the location of a cursor or similar automated indication of body
member position. Conventional access methods which use a pointer do
not provide additional feedback to the operator of the position of
a body member.
[0035] Access methods which require the NMD operator to make the
same movement for most selections, such as single switch access,
mouth sticking (the use of a small rod held in the mouth and used
to depress keys on a keyboard) and head sticking (the use of a rod
mounted on the head and used to depress keys on a keyboard), may
result in repetitive motion injury, particularly after years of
use.
[0036] The need for quick selection from a menu also arises from
the use of optical character recognition ("OCR") systems which
attempt to recognize graphic symbols and words based on attributes
for optical recognition purposes, for example, the appearance of
graphic symbols, the ratio of dark space to light space within part
or all of a graphic symbol, the ratio of dark space in one part of
a graphic symbol to the dark space in another part of the graphic
symbol, and the derivative of darkness over the scan of the graphic
symbol. OCR systems convert the contents of a typewritten document
into a computer encoding of the same. OCR systems at times are
unable to recognize a graphic symbol or word, or may err in
selecting a graphic symbol or word from a plurality of candidates.
Therefore, following optical character recognition, a human may
proofread and correct the computer encoded document. The
proofreader may indicate where an error or omission in the computer
encoded document occurred and may select from a plurality of menu
options, each representing a candidate graphic symbol or word.
[0037] There are several aspects of the invention, each addressing
one or more of the problems described above and/or one or more
problems specifically addressed by that aspect of the invention.
The objects, disclosure and description of each aspect is
separately described below under one of the headings: (A) Perimeter
Menu, (B) Confinement, (C) Dwell, (D) Path Directness, (E)
Intersection, (F) Alignment, (G) Length Order, (H) Location
Indication, (I) Sound Match, and (J) Ideographic Languages. Where
there is background art applicable to an aspect in addition to that
described above, the additional background art is described
below.
[0038] A & B. Perimeter Menu and Confinement
[0039] One object of the invention is to facilitate computer access
by a disabled operator.
[0040] A further object of the invention is to facilitate menu
selection by an operator having impaired ability to maintain a body
member in a steady position.
[0041] Another object of the invention is to facilitate menu
selection by an operator having impaired ability to stop
motion.
[0042] Yet another object of the invention is to simultaneously
display an application program window and a computer access menu
which does not obstruct the application program window.
[0043] Another object of the invention is to allow an operator to
enable and disable a menu.
[0044] A still further object of the invention is to synthesize
speech for an operator having impaired speech and impaired fine
motor control.
[0045] Still another object of the invention is to facilitate
device control for a disabled operator.
[0046] Another object of the invention is to reduce the cognitive
demand of speech synthesis for the disabled.
[0047] A still further object of the invention is to enlarge the
effective area of a selectable region without concomitantly
reducing the area available for information display.
[0048] Another object of the invention is to speed data entry.
[0049] Yet another object of the invention is to facilitate
computer access for an operator having impaired ability to sense
the position of a body member used for computer access.
[0050] Another object of the invention is to facilitate the
correction of errors or completion of omissions in a computer
encoded document produced, at least in part, by optical character
recognition.
[0051] C. Dwell
[0052] Conventional systems allowing selection by dwell do not
provide an indication to the operator of either how much dwell time
has been accumulated for any selectable region or how much more
dwell time is required to select a selectable region. Consequently,
an operator of a conventional system who is dwelling on a intended
selectable region has no indication, other than his estimation from
prior use of the system, that he has nearly made his selection and
can plan his next movement to the next selectable region or that he
has very nearly made his selection and can begin moving to the next
selectable region. Furthermore, an operator of a conventional
system who is dwelling on an unintended selectable region, has no
indication, other than his estimation from prior use of the system,
of how close he is to making an unintended selection and thus how
important it is to act quickly. Conventional systems using
discontinuous dwell give no indication of the accumulated dwell
time associated with a selectable region either when the operator
dwells on that region or when the operator ceases dwelling on that
region. Some disabled users can dwell relatively easily on their
intended targets for short periods of time, but have difficulty
dwelling for long periods. If such an operator knows that only a
little more dwell time is needed he may be able to satisfy the
dwell time required for selection, without preparing himself to
dwell for an extended period.
[0053] Conventional menu-driven data entry and order entry systems
incorporating pointing at intended selections employ a two step
selection procedure. In the first step the operator indicates, with
a pointer, his intended selection. The system then provides
feedback, for example, by highlighting the indicated selection,
showing which selection the operator has indicated. In the second
step, the operator selects the indicated selection, for example, by
operating a switch. Thus, conventional data entry and order entry
systems are ill-suited to circumstances where the operator cannot
easily operate a switch while maintaining the pointer on the
intended selection.
[0054] While the two step procedure is not complicated, many
operators require some training to learn it, and, if they are
infrequent users of the system, these operators may require
refresher training. Simplifying the procedure further would lessen
the need for initial and refresher training.
[0055] One object of the invention is to facilitate the use of
systems allowing selection by dwell.
[0056] Still another object of the invention is to facilitate
device control by the disabled.
[0057] A further object of the invention is to increase the
independence of the disabled.
[0058] Yet another object of the invention is to facilitate the use
of a data entry or order entry system by an intermittent
operator.
[0059] Another object of the invention is to facilitate ordering by
someone seated in a vehicle.
[0060] D. Path Directness
[0061] The on-screen keyboard with dwell selectable key images is
ill-suited for use by many NMD operators. Selection by dwell may
fatigue NMD operators or may require greater fine motor control
than they bring to this task. Operators with impaired ability to
stop motion and those having involuntary tremors have difficulty
maintaining the location indicated by a pointer on a key image for
a period sufficient to distinguish intentional dwelling from
unintentional dwelling. Consequently, some NMD operators who try to
use on-screen keyboards often miss their target key images and/or
accidentally select unintended key images. Following such an error,
the operator must erase his erroneous selection by selecting the
backspace or undo key. As the number of erroneous selections
increases, the operator's productivity decreases markedly, since
each error requires a correction in which there might be another
error.
[0062] Conventional on-screen keyboards require the ability to
select by dwell or by click and thus are limited to operators with
these capabilities. Conventional on-screen keyboards do not utilize
the relatively intact motor capabilities of some NMD operators to
compensate for impaired ability to select by dwell or by click or
to speed up the slow process of selecting by dwell. For example,
while an NMD operator may overshoot a key image, his directional
control may be relatively intact. Conventional on-screen keyboards
do not exploit this capability.
[0063] The dominant computer operating system for graphic
applications on general purpose computer systems today is the
Windows.RTM.D Operating System. Windows.RTM. assigns meaning to the
cursor location. When the operator moves the cursor on top of a
menu item and clicks, Windows.RTM. interprets the action as
manifesting an intent to choose that menu item. The operator's path
to that menu item, whether direct or circuitous, is irrelevant.
Operators who can move toward a target accurately but cannot
maintain the location indicated by a pointer on the target cannot
effectively use standard Windows.RTM. applications through the
conventional interface to these applications.
[0064] Often NMD operators cannot steady a pointer while operating
a switch; the act of operating the switch triggers involuntary
muscle activity pulling the cursor off target. For these operators,
conventional selection by click is not practicable. Conventional
selection by dwell also requires greater fine motor control than
many NMD operators bring to this task. Operators with impaired
ability to stop motion may overshoot their intended target
Operators whose voluntary muscle activity is accompanied by some
involuntary muscle activity affecting their directional control
cannot point accurately. Operators with involuntary tremors cannot
maintain the location indicated by a pointer on a key image.
Consequently, NMD operators who try to use onscreen keyboards often
miss their target key images and accidentally select unintended key
images. Following such an error, the operator must erase his
erroneous selection by selecting the backspace or undo key. As the
number of erroneous selections increases, the operator's
productivity decreases markedly, since each error requires a
correction in which there might be another error.
[0065] Measures of an individual's fine motor control assist a
physician or therapist in evaluating the effectiveness of a
treatment program, including assistive technology, and in gauging
the severity of a disability. Such measures help the physician or
therapist in determining what treatment course to pursue and
whether the severity of a certain disability justifies the risk of
a particular treatment option, such as neurosurgery.
[0066] One object of the invention is to facilitate selection of an
option from a menu.
[0067] Another object of the invention is to indicate to an
operator moving a cursor toward an option in a menu displayed by a
computer system, which option the computer system believes the
operator is moving toward.
[0068] Another object of the invention is to display a menu on a
display so that a large contiguous area on the display is not
obstructed by the menu.
[0069] Still another object of the invention is to make use, in
computer access, of relatively unimpaired directional control in
persons having impaired fine motor control.
[0070] A further object of the invention is to indicate to an
operator moving a cursor toward a dwell-selectable option in a
menu, a changed selection threshold of the dwell-selectable
option.
[0071] Yet another object of the invention is to more efficiently
select an option from a menu on a display.
[0072] Another object of the invention is to speed up selection of
an option from a menu by an operator having impaired ability to
operate a switch while the operator simultaneously keeps a cursor
location within a region on a display.
[0073] Another object of the invention is to help an operator with
a disability control a pointer.
[0074] Yet another object of the invention is to speed data entry
by an individual with a disability.
[0075] A still further object of the invention is to facilitate
artificial speech generation by a person having impaired speech due
to a neurogenic muscular disorder.
[0076] Yet another object of the invention is to facilitate device
control by a person having a neurogenic muscular disorder.
[0077] Another object of the invention is to measure an
individual's ability to move one of the individual's body members
in a direct path from a starting position to an ending
position.
[0078] Yet another object of the invention is to facilitate
computer access for an individual who cannot stop movement
cleanly.
[0079] E. Intersection
[0080] One object of the invention is to facilitate computer access
by an operator having impaired ability to maintain a body member in
a steady position.
[0081] Another object of the invention is to facilitate the
selection of a desired menu option by an operator having impaired
fine motor control.
[0082] A further object of the invention is to synthesize speech
for an operator having impaired speech and impaired motor
control.
[0083] Yet another object of the invention is to use an operator's
directional control in computer access.
[0084] A still further object of the invention is, in selecting a
menu option from a menu of dwell-selectable menu options, to
compensate for an operators impaired ability to maintain a body
member in a steady position by using the operator's relatively
intact motor capability.
[0085] F. Alignment
[0086] Conventional on-screen keyboards do not compensate for NMD
operators' inability to stop motion. Suppose the operator has been
fitted with a head pointing device so that his head motion moves
the cursor and that he's using the quaternary keyboard shown in
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Assume further that, as he attempts to point to
the quadrant containing the "j" key image (1308) in FIG. 3, he is
unable to stop on that quadrant and continues turning 20 more
degrees to the left. There are two known ways of responding to this
situation: (I) the cursor may continue to track the operator's
motion and disappear from the display, leaving no indication to the
operator of the location of the cursor and consequently causing
some operator disorientation, or (2) the cursor may "stick", i.e.
remain confined to the display, at, for example, point (1312).
Conventional on-screen keyboards respond in this way. The
operator's line of sight is now 20 degrees to the left of the
cursor location. After the dwell period, the quadrant (1308) is
selected and FIG. 4 is displayed. The cursor hasn't moved. It is
now at point (1320). Assume that again the operator attempts to
point to the quadrant containing the "j" key image (1324) in FIG.
4. As the operator turns his head to the right, the cursor
immediately moves with him. Thus, the operator's line of sight
remains 20 degrees to the left of the cursor location as the cursor
moves to the right across the display. The operator must watch the
cursor out of his right eye. The problem is aggravated if either
the operator cannot cleanly stop or if he drifts as he dwells.
Assume that while attempting to dwell on quadrant (1324) the
operator drifts 25 degrees past the bottom of the screen. His line
of sight is now 25 degrees below and 20 degrees to the left of the
cursor. To correct this misalignment in the conventional quaternary
keyboard, the operator must turn his head to the right, "stick" the
cursor against the right edge of the display, and continue turning
20 degrees until he has the cursor in his line of sight. Then he
must lift his head until he sticks the cursor against the top edge
and continue lifting 25 degrees more. Alternatively, in this
scenario, the operator could stick the cursor in the upper right
corner of the display and simultaneously rotate his head up and to
the right until he brought the cursor into his line of sight.
[0087] Alignment is also a problematic for NMD operators who use a
pointer, such as a mouse, with which the operator indicates by a
location on a surface, e.g. a desk top, which corresponds to a
desired location on the display, and achieve alignment by removing
the pointer from the surface, e.g. lifting the mouse, moving the
mouse, then replacing it on the surface. Due to impaired fine motor
control, many NMD operators cannot remove a pointer from the
surface and replace it on the surface at a desired location without
unintentional movement or extraordinary effort. For these
operators, alignment cannot be effectively achieved through
conventional means.
[0088] In summary, misalignment interferes with accurate pointing
and the process of correcting for misalignment may result in the
selection of unintended key images.
[0089] One object of the invention is to allow an operator to align
a pointer with a location on a surface.
[0090] Another object of the invention is to indicate to an
operator a location on a surface with which he may align a
pointer.
[0091] Still another object of the invention is to indicate to an
operator when he may align a pointer with a location on a
surface.
[0092] A further object of the invention is to allow an operator
having impaired motor control to align a pointer with a cursor.
[0093] G. Length Order
[0094] As noted previously, one of the elements determining the
menu option selection time is the time the operator requires to
comprehend the menu options displayed. This time may be reduced if
the operator can limit the number of menu options he searches in
looking for his desired menu option. Conventional word prediction
systems attempt to reduce this operator search time. The operator
of a conventional word prediction system may, for example, select
the letter "p". The system displays some number, say six, of the
most frequently used words beginning with the letter "p".
Conventionally these seven words are displayed either in alphabetic
order or in order of frequency of use. Assuming the operator does
not see his desired word on the display, he selects another letter,
say "r". The system then displays the six most frequently used
words beginning with the letters "pr".
[0095] Searching a displayed list of words in alphabetic order
requires that the operator focus his attention on the selection
task, as opposed to the information content of the conversation or
other task the operator is engaged in. Further, determining whether
a given word is alphabetically greater or lesser than a desired
word takes substantial time, slowing the selection process. An
alphabetically ordered list is of limited use to an individual who
has below normal spelling ability, a frequent problem among
individuals with impaired speech. Ordering words by frequency of
use often does not limit the number of words the operator must
search. The word at the bottom of the displayed list, for example,
the sixth most frequently used word beginning with the letters "pr"
may be a very common word, even though it is less frequently used
than the other five displayed words.
[0096] One object of the invention is to reduce the time an
operator requires to comprehend displayed menu options.
[0097] Another object of the invention is to reduce operator search
time.
[0098] Still another object of the invention is to limit the number
of menu options an operator searches for in looking for his desired
menu option.
[0099] A further object of the invention is to speed data
entry.
[0100] Yet another object of the invention is to increase
productivity in speech synthesis for an operator having impaired
speech.
[0101] H. Location Indication
[0102] The difficulties experienced by NMD operators in pointing to
relatively small selectable regions have already been described.
One approach to these difficulties is to enlarge the on-screen
selectable region, illustrated by the quaternary expansion
on-screen keyboard already described. Another approach is the
conventional eye gaze system for a speech impaired individual,
depicted in FIG. 8. The system consists of a plexiglass frame
(6352) having a centrally located aperture (6354). The eye gaze
system is positioned between the speech impaired individual and
person with whom the speech impaired individual is communicating.
There are eight groups of five squares each on the plexiglass
frame. Each square within each group of five squares is color
coded, e.g. red, blue, green, yellow and clear, matching the color
on each of the four corners of the plexiglass frame. The clear
square matches the aperture (6354). All squares are labeled with
symbols representing items to be communicated. These labels are not
shown in FIG. 8. The person with whom the speech impaired
individual is communicating observes the eyes of the speech
impaired individual to determine the target of the speech impaired
individual's eye gaze. To communicate an item, the speech impaired
individual gazes first toward the one of the eight groups of five
squares, indicating that he wants to communicate one of the symbols
in that group, and gazes second toward one of the four corners and
aperture (6354) matching the color of the square labeled with the
item to be communicated in the previously indicated group.
[0103] Two types of selectable regions are conventionally used in a
point and click menu interface in a graphical user interface. The
first, shown in FIG. 9, depicts a menu having three menu options,
labeled "High", "Medium" and "Low", each displayed on a display
(4807), each associated respectively with selectable regions
(4801), (4803) and (4805), and each located adjacent the associated
selectable region. FIG. 10 depicts a menu having the same three
menu options, each displayed on a display (4807), each associated
respectively with selectable regions (4901), (4903) and (4905), and
each intersecting the associated selectable region. In both these
conventional menus, a menu option is selected by pointing to and
clicking on the associated selectable region.
[0104] Conventional menu hierarchies in automated systems, built
from menus of the type shown in FIG. 9 or FIG. 10, require that the
operator proceed sequentially through the steps of searching menu
options, selecting one of them, and, assuming a menu option
including a submenu was selected, searching the submenu options,
and selecting one of them. Where selection from menu hierarchies
constitutes a substantial component of the operator's activities,
the slowness of the selection process diminishes productivity.
[0105] Locating selectable regions or parts thereof outside the
display, in accordance with the Perimeter Menu aspect of the
invention, allows the large areas outside the display to be used, a
major advantage for operators having impaired fine motor control
who are unable to maintain a pointer on a small selectable region
while selecting by click or by dwell. However, if menu options are
displayed on the display near the perimeter of display and near
their associated selectable region, the operator has an indication
of the location of each selectable region but may not be able to
see all the displayed menu options in a glance. Because an operator
usually searches a displayed menu for his intended menu option,
placing the menu only near the perimeter of the display may
increase menu search time, thus increasing menu option selection
time.
[0106] One object of the invention is to indicate to an operator of
a menu system having selectable regions outside the display, the
menu option associated with each selectable region and the location
of each selectable region.
[0107] Another object of the invention is to facilitate selection
from a menu by an operator having impaired motor control.
[0108] Still another object of the invention is to speed selection
of a menu option from a menu and of a submenu option from a menu
hierarchy.
[0109] A further object of the invention is to speed speech
synthesis for a person having impaired speech and impaired motor
control.
[0110] I. Sound Match
[0111] Conventional speech recognition systems facilitate computer
access for individuals unable to use a standard keyboard whose
speech is relatively unimpaired, for example, an individual with
quadriplegia, and hands-free computer access for able-bodied
individuals. The operator of such a speech recognition system reads
a menu option out loud, for example, "open file", and the system,
which includes sound receiving means, for example, a microphone
coupled to a sound board having a Digital Signal Processor ("DSP"),
receives the sound of the read menu option, digitizes the sound of
the read menu option, and then provides the digitized sound to
another component of the speech recognition system, sound matching
means which includes an application program for matching the
digitized sound to one of a plurality of sounds, each representing
respectively the sound of a spoken menu option. The system
determines which sound best matches the sound of the read menu
option and selects the menu option associated with this best
matched sound.
[0112] Individuals whose speech is impaired are often unable to
effectively use conventional speech recognition systems because
they often cannot produce a large distinct variety of sounds
characteristic of phonetic languages. For example, such an
individual may produce similar sounds for the two consonants "t"
and "d" so that these sound are indistinguishable to a conventional
speech recognition system, or such an individual may not be able to
consistently produce sounds distinguishable by a speech recognition
system, resulting in false matches. Other symptoms of impaired
speech, for example, similarities among certain phonemes and
impaired ability to start or stop sound production appropriately,
may substantially limit the variety of sounds distinguishable to a
conventional speech recognition system an individual may
consistently produce.
[0113] Conventional speech recognition systems provide limited
capabilities in languages rich in homophones, for example, Chinese,
because in such languages, a distinct sound is often insufficient
to specify a word, as is described in the Background Art section of
the Ideographic Languages aspect of the invention. The problem may
be briefly illustrated by an example. Suppose a Chinese data entry
operator using a conventional speech recognition system speaks the
phonetic unit "fu" with a particular intonation. This distinct
sound may well have over 15 homophones. Although the operator could
use the keyboard to select one of these 15 homophones, this defeats
the purpose of speech recognition, which is to facilitate
hands-free computer access.
[0114] One object of the invention is to facilitate selection from
a menu, and, in particular, from a menu of homophones.
[0115] Another object of the invention is to facilitate speech
synthesis and voice activated computer access by individuals with
speech impairments.
[0116] Still another object of the invention is to speed data entry
in Ideographic Languages.
[0117] J. Ideographic Language
[0118] The use of ideographs as the graphic symbols in written
languages is found in many parts of the world. An ideograph, as
used herein, is a graphic symbol used to represent an object, an
idea or a word, without expressing, as in a phonetic system, the
specific sounds forming the verbal expression of the object, idea
or word. Ideographic languages include Chinese, Japanese and
Korean. A graphic symbol, as used herein, includes, but is not
limited to, each of the following: a letter of an alphabet, a
Japanese kana, and an ideograph. For purposes of illustrating the
concepts of the present invention specific reference will be made
herein to a preferred embodiment of the system and method as it
applies to the Chinese language.
[0119] In modern Chinese, a repertoire of between 2500 and 3000
ideographs is necessary to achieve normal business adequacy in
reading and writing, while the language itself has approximately
50,000 ideographs that have been identified historically, with
about 10,000 ideographs in current use. The conventional keyboard,
with approximately 100 keys, is designed for languages with
phonetic scripts, such languages having a small set of graphic
symbols, i.e. letters. If such a keyboard were to be used in a
corresponding manner for the direct input of Chinese ideographs, it
would require many thousands of keys since, unlike western phonetic
languages, Chinese has many thousands of ideographs. Selection of
an ideograph from such a keyboard would require the operator to
search a great many keys for the desired key, and thus be
impracticably slow.
[0120] Prior art methods for selecting Chinese ideographs make use
of various ideograph classification systems known to Chinese
speakers. The operator first specifies a class of ideograph, based
on a first characteristic common to many ideographs. Ideographs
having that common characteristic are displayed and the operator
selects from among them, either directly, by selecting an
individual ideograph, or indirectly, by specifying a second common
characteristic usually dependent upon the first characteristic,
thus further limiting the displayed ideographs to those having both
the first and second common characteristics. In some prior art
methods, the operator may continue to specify characteristics until
he has specified a unique ideograph.
[0121] One ideograph classification system is called the Pin Yin
System. This classification system uses the phonetic structure of
the Chinese language. In spoken Chinese there are approximately 412
basic phonetic units, each having a monosyllabic sound, for
example, "nee", "how" and "ma". Four intonations can potentially be
applied to each phonetic unit, resulting in approximately 1280
distinct sounds. With 10,000 ideographs in current use, each
represented by one of approximately 1280 distinct sounds, it is
evident that many Chinese ideographs are homophones, i.e. have the
same sound. Over 80% of Chinese ideographs have homophones. The Pin
Yin System uses this limited number of phonetic units as the basis
for its classification. Ideographs which are homophones are
classified together, the common characteristic of the Pin Yin
System is the distinct sound.
[0122] According to the Pin Yin and Zhu Yin coding methods, known
in the prior art, the operator specifies a distinct sound using a
keyboard labeled with symbols representing the Latin alphabet (Pin
Yin method) or Chinese phonetic units (Zhu Yin method). The first
key operation or sequence of key operations specifies the phonetic
unit. The second key operation specifies the intonation. In
general, less than 15 ideographs have this sound, though in some
cases there are many more homophones. These are displayed and the
user selects from among them. In such cases, the operator,
depending upon the system, may page through matching ideographs or
specify another common characteristic to further limit the number
of ideographs displayed. A common characteristic which may be used
at this stage exploits another feature of the Chinese language. The
majority of Chinese words are expressed by a combination of two
ideographs, the meaning of the paired ideographs has its own
meaning which may or may not be related to that of the constituent
ideographs. Assuming the operator has specified a first distinct
sound matching 40 ideographs, he may specify a second distinct
sound which alone may match, for example, 20 ideographs, but there
may be only two ideograph pairs having the specified first and
second distinct sounds in that order. Thus, a second common
characteristic may limit matching ideograph pairs to a number
sufficiently small for the operator to efficiently search and
select from, or may uniquely specify an ideograph pair. Another
common characteristic the operator may specify to limit the number
of matching ideographs is a meaning or meaning class to which one
or more sequences of one or more ideographs belong.
[0123] Yet another feature of the Chinese language which may be
exploited to limit the number of matching sequences of ideographs
is the ideograph block. An ideograph block is a sequence of four
ideographs which together has its own meaning which may or may not
be related to that of the constituent ideographs. As above, where
the operator specified a distinct sound for the second of two
ideographs of an ideograph pair, so may the operator specify a
distinct sound for the second, third and/or fourth ideograph of an
ideograph block, to limit the number of matching ideograph
blocks.
[0124] Another conventional ideograph classification system makes
use of a classification of parts of ideographs. Ideographs are
built from a set of 214 components, called radicals. Different
radicals, perhaps placed within different locations within an
ideograph, are combined to create an ideograph. According to the
Chan Jie coding method, known in the prior art, the operator
specifies one or more radicals appearing in the ideograph he wishes
to enter. He may, for example, use a keyboard having at least 214
keys, each corresponding to a radical, or may actuate a sequence of
keys, the sequence corresponding to a radical. Other common
characteristics the operator may specify to limit the number of
matching ideographs include a phonetic unit, the first brush
stroke, and the last brush stroke used to draw the ideograph.
[0125] Another conventional ideograph classification system makes
use of a classification of parts of ideographs. According to the
Four Corner coding method, known in the prior art, the operator
specifies the classification of the four corners of the ideograph
he wishes to enter. Other common characteristics the operator may
specify to further limit the number of matching ideographs include
the number of horizontal strokes used to draw the ideograph, and
the classification of a certain part of the ideograph above the
lower right corner.
[0126] Yet another conventional ideograph classification system
makes use of a classification ideographs based on the basic strokes
from which each ideograph is built. In Chinese, there are a limited
number of basic strokes, each ideograph being composed of between 1
and 33 such strokes. Ideographs may be classified by a small number
of basic strokes, preferably according to strict rules regarding
the order of stroke entry. In one conventional application of this
coding method, the operator specifies only the first and last basic
strokes of the desired ideograph, then selects from a display of
all ideographs sharing this first-last basic stroke
combination.
[0127] Japanese is somewhat more complicated than Chinese. In
addition to ideographs, the Japanese language uses graphic symbols
called kana, which includes hiragana and katakana In written
Japanese, ideographs are frequently combined with kana. Kana may be
may specified phonetically, for example, to designate the hiragana
pronounced "ko" an operator of a Japanese word processing system
may type "k" and then "o" on a Latin alphabetic keyboard or may
type a single key associated with this hiragana. Kana has multiple
uses in a Japanese word processing system. Kana may represent
itself, since kana may stand alone in Japanese text. Alternatively,
kana may be used to specify Japanese ideographs, either by
specifying the radicals which compose Japanese ideographs or by
specifying the pronunciation of Japanese ideographs. A sequence of
phonetic units specified by kana may represent that sequence of
kana, a single Japanese ideograph, multiple Japanese ideographs, or
a combination of one or more Japanese ideographs and one or more
kana. In addition, a single Japanese ideograph may have multiple
pronunciations, including a Japanese pronunciation and a Chinese
pronunciation, and may have multiple kana spellings.
[0128] Conventional word processing systems for ideographic
languages suffer from certain deficiencies. First, in systems where
the operator specifies common characteristics until he has uniquely
specified an ideograph, the operator must be extensively trained in
the particular classification system. Depending upon the system,
the operator may need to know, for example, how may horizontal
brush strokes are required to draw a desired ideograph, or each of
the 214 radicals and the encoding of each of them on a keyboard
having less than 214 keys. Second, in systems where the operator
uses both hands on the keyboard to specify a common characteristic,
then selects from among ideographs, ideograph pairs or ideograph
blocks by operating a function key or by pointing to one of the
options with a mouse or other hand operated pointer and then
operating a switch, the operator lifts one of his hands from the
keyboard, makes the selection and then moves his hand back to the
keyboard to specify another common characteristic. This sequence
occurs often and contributes to the slow average rate of word entry
(approximately 20 words per minute) for Chinese relative to
alphabetic languages. Another problem in these systems is that the
display of ideographs for selection may obscure part of the image
of the previously entered ideographs or other information on the
display.
[0129] Another drawback of many word processing systems for
ideographic languages relates to the ease of copying a document.
Ideally, the operator concentrates on the document to be copied,
only occasionally scanning text he has input. For those word
processing systems that display ideographs on a display for the
operator's selection, the operator must frequently shift his gaze
from the document to the display and back again. The operator
cannot concentrate on both the document and the display
simultaneously.
[0130] Ideographs, as used herein, also include the symbols of
symbol sets used for communication by individuals who have hearing,
speech or language impairments, for teaching literacy skills to
those lacking them, including pre-literate children and individuals
with intellectual disabilities, and for international written
communication. These symbol sets include, but are not limited to,
each of the following: Picture Communication Symbols, Rebus,
Picsym, Pictogram Ideogram Communication Symbols, Yerkish,
Blissymbolics and depictions of the signs of a manual sign
language. Examples of symbols of the Picture Communication Symbols,
Rebus, Picsyms, and Blissymbolics symbol sets are shown in FIG. 11,
Pictogram Ideogram Communication Symbols in FIGS. 12(a)-12(d) and
Yerkish in FIGS. 13(a)-13(j). Picture Communication Symbols, Rebus,
Picsyms, Pictogram Ideogram Communication Symbols, Yerkish, and
Blissymbolics are each described in Beukelman, David R. &
Mirenda, Pat, Augmentative and Alternative Communication.
Management of Severe Communication Disorders in Children and
Adults, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., 1992, pp. 22-29.
[0131] Individuals who have not acquired or who have lost their
literacy skills may use symbolic symbol sets in learning to read.
If the individual lacks fine motor control, for example, due to
cerebral palsy, the individual's disability may inhibit the
acquisition of literacy skills by, for example, inhibiting
repetition of an exercise by the individual, by limiting the
individual's ability to participate in the classroom, or by making
skill assessment by a teacher difficult so that the teacher may
incorrectly believe that remediation is necessary or that a
particular skill has been mastered. If the individual also has
impaired speech, literacy acquisition is more difficult still.
[0132] Conventional literacy training systems for individuals who
are unable to use a standard keyboard or mouse use switch access,
often in combination with scanning. As already described, scanning
is an extremely slow process. Moreover, as the number of symbols in
the symbol set increases, the time required to select a symbol also
increases. Of the symbol sets mentioned above, Picture
Communication Symbols contains approximately 1800 symbols, Rebus
contains approximately 800 symbols, Picsyms contains approximately
1800 symbols, Pictogram Ideogram Communication Symbols contains
approximately 400 symbols and Blissymbolics contains approximately
1400 symbols. When using a system with a static display, the
operator may expend considerable time and effort finding the
desired symbol; when using a system with a dynamic display, the
operator may expend considerable time effort memorizing and
recalling where a particular symbol is located within a hierarchy
of symbols. This time and effort generally does not contribute to
the acquisition of literacy skills.
[0133] One object of the invention is to display a menu of
sequences of one or more ideographs on a display so that a large
contiguous area on the display is not obstructed by the menu.
[0134] Another object of the invention is to facilitate ideograph
entry in word processing systems for the Chinese, Japanese and
Korean languages.
[0135] Still another object of the invention is to speed selection
of sequences of graphics including one or more ideographs.
[0136] Yet another object of the invention is to allow an operator
of a word processing system for an ideographic language to select a
sequence of one or more ideographs without lifting either hand from
the keyboard.
[0137] A further object of the invention is to indicate to an
operator the progress toward selection of a dwell-selectable
sequence of one or more ideographic characters.
[0138] A still further object of the invention is to synthesize
speech for an operator having impaired speech.
[0139] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the
art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice
of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may
be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0140] A & B. Perimeter Menu and Confinement
[0141] According to the present invention, the objects mentioned in
the Background Art section describing the above aspects of the
invention and other objects and advantages are attained by an
apparatus for selecting a menu option from a menu. Each menu option
is associated respectively with a selectable region on a display
area. The apparatus includes (a) the display area; (b) means for
delimiting a plurality of selectable regions, each of the
selectable regions associated respectively with a menu option and
each of the selectable regions including an invisible subregion
adjacent the display area and a visible subregion on the display
area, the plurality of visible subregions together at least
partially circumscribing a region on the display area; (c) movement
related signal receiving means for receiving a movement related
signal indicating a location; and (d) selection means for
selecting, in response to a selection event, the menu option
associated with the selectable region intersected by the location
indicated by the movement related signal.
[0142] Additionally, the objects mentioned in the Background Art
section describing the above aspects of the invention and other
objects and advantages are attained by a method of selecting a menu
option from a menu. The menu options are each respectively
associated with a selectable region on a surface which includes a
display area. The selectable regions together at least partially
circumscribe a region on the display area. An operator indicates a
location on the surface with a body member. The method comprises
the steps of: (a) confining the location indicated by the body
member of the operator to the display area; and (b) selecting, in
response to the period of one or more intersections of the location
indicated by the movement related signal and any one selectable
region equalling or exceeding a predetermined period, the menu
option associated with the intersected selectable region.
[0143] The method and apparatus of the aspect of the invention
disclosed above and other aspects of the invention permits an NMD
operator to utilize for computer access his relatively unimpaired
motor capabilities, in particular, gross motor control, in lieu of,
or as a supplement to, his impaired motor capabilities. The method
and apparatus of the invention also reduces the interference of
menu option displays with the display of information.
[0144] C. Dwell
[0145] According to the present invention, the objects mentioned in
the Background Art section describing the above aspect of the
invention and other objects and advantages are attained by an
apparatus for indicating dwell time comprising a surface having a
region thereon; movement receiving means for receiving a movement
related signal indicating successive locations; and indicating
means for indicating at least the duration of a period of
intersection of two or more of the successive locations indicated
by the movement related signal and the region.
[0146] Additionally, the objects mentioned in the Background Art
section describing the above aspect of the invention and other
objects and advantages are attained by a method of indicating dwell
time comprising the steps of displaying a selectable region on a
surface; receiving a movement related signal indicating a first
location intersecting the region and, at a later time, a second
location intersecting the region; and indicating the difference
between the time of the second location and the time of the first
location.
[0147] D. Path Directness
[0148] According to the present invention, the objects mentioned in
the Background Art section describing the above aspect of the
invention and other objects and advantages are attained by an
apparatus for selecting a menu option from a menu. Each menu option
is associated respectively with a selectable region shown on a
surface. The apparatus includes (a) means for moving a cursor on
the surface in response to a movement related signal, for example,
a computer program which moves a cursor on the surface reflecting
the operator's movement of a mouse; and (b) means for selecting the
menu option associated with the selectable region most nearly along
a cursor path (I) prior to an intersection of the cursor and the
selectable region most nearly along the cursor path, (2) upon
intersection of the cursor and the selectable region most nearly
along the cursor path, or (3) in response to the period of
intersection equalling or exceeding a predetermined period.
[0149] Also according to the present invention, the objects
mentioned in the Background Art section describing the above aspect
of the invention and other objects and advantages are also attained
by a method for selecting a menu option from a menu. Each menu
option is associated respectively with a selectable region shown on
a surface. The method includes the steps of (a) displaying the
selectable regions on the surface, (b) detecting a movement related
signal and in response moving a cursor on the surface, and (c)
selecting the menu option associated with the selectable region
most nearly along a cursor path (I) prior to an intersection of the
cursor and the selectable region most nearly along the cursor path,
(2) upon intersection of the cursor and the selectable region most
nearly along the cursor path, or (3) in response to the period of
intersection equalling or exceeding a predetermined period.
[0150] In accordance with the present invention, the objects
mentioned in the Background Art section describing the above aspect
of the invention and other objects and advantages are attained by
an apparatus for measuring an individual's ability to move one of
the individual's body members directly from a starting position to
an ending position. The apparatus includes: (a) receiving means for
receiving a sampling among data indicative of successive positions
of the body member; and (b) measurement means for measuring any
deviation of the path indicated by the received position data from
a direct path between the starting position and the ending
position.
[0151] The objects mentioned in the Background Art section
describing the above aspect of the invention and other objects and
advantages are also attained, according to the present invention,
by a method for measuring an individual's ability to move one of
the individual's body members directly from a starting position to
an ending position. The method includes the steps of: (a) receiving
a sampling among data indicative of successive positions of the
body member; and (b) measuring any deviation of the path indicated
by the received position data from a direct path between the
starting position and the ending position.
[0152] E. Intersection
[0153] According to the present invention, the objects mentioned in
the Background Art section describing the above aspect of the
invention and other objects and advantages are attained by an
apparatus for selecting an option from a menu. The apparatus
comprises cursor movement means for receiving a movement related
signal and for moving a cursor on a display responsive to the
received movement signal; delimit means for delimiting with respect
to the display a first plurality of regions and a second plurality
of selectable regions, each of the first plurality of regions
associated respectively with one of the second plurality of
selectable regions, each of the second plurality of selectable
regions associated respectively with a menu option, wherein at
least one of the first plurality of regions is not coterminous with
its associated one of the second plurality of selectable regions;
and selection means, responsive to an intersection of the cursor
and any one of the first plurality of regions and to a selection
event associated with the one of the second plurality of selectable
region associated with the intersected one of the first plurality
of regions, for selecting the menu option associated with the
selectable region associated with the selection event.
[0154] According to the present invention, the objects mentioned in
the Background Art section describing the above aspect of the
invention and other objects and advantages are also attained by a
method of selecting an option from a menu, said method comprising
the steps of: receiving a movement related signal and moving a
cursor on a surface responsive thereto; delimiting a first
plurality of regions and a second plurality of selectable regions
with respect to a surface, each of the first plurality of regions
associated respectively with one of the second plurality of
selectable regions, each of the second plurality of selectable
regions associated respectively with a menu option; wherein at
least one of the first plurality of regions is not coterminous with
its associated one of the second plurality of selectable regions;
and responsive to an intersection of the cursor and any one of the
first plurality of regions and to a selection event associated with
the one of the second plurality of selectable region associated
with the intersected one of the first plurality of regions,
selecting the menu option associated with the selectable region
associated with the selection event.
[0155] F. Alignment
[0156] Confining the cursor to the display or to a polygon on the
display, in accord with the Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention,
facilitates selection from a perimeter menu. However, for an
operator who overshoots a perimeter menu option, confining the
cursor to the display results in a loss of alignment between the
cursor and the location indicated by the operator, necessitating an
apparatus and method for realignment.
[0157] According to the present invention, the objects mentioned in
the Background Art section describing the above aspect of the
invention and other objects and advantages are attained by an
apparatus, including a surface on which may be displayed a moveable
cursor, said apparatus allowing an operator to align a pointer with
a predetermined location on the surface. The apparatus includes a
display means for displaying the cursor on the surface; movement
related signal receiving means for receiving a movement related
signal; and control means for moving the cursor in response to the
movement related signal and for thereafter inhibiting movement of
the cursor for a first period of time in response to an operator
action detected by the movement related signal receiving means.
[0158] According to the present invention, the objects mentioned in
the Background Art section describing the above aspect of the
invention and other objects and advantages are also attained by a
method, for use in a system comprising a pointer and a surface on
which is displayed a first cursor whose movement on the surface is
responsive to the movement of the pointer, of aligning the first
cursor with a predetermined location on the surface. The method
includes the steps of: (a) producing the first cursor on the
surface; (b) moving the first cursor responsive to the movement of
the pointer, said movement restricted to a region on the surface;
and then (c) responsive to an operator action, producing a second
cursor at a predetermined location on the surface for a period of
time; and (d) moving the first cursor in or in close proximity to
the predetermined location.
[0159] G. Length Order
[0160] According to the present invention, the objects mentioned in
the Background Art section describing the above aspect of the
invention and other objects and advantages are attained by an
apparatus for use in a menu interface system. The apparatus orders
a plurality of named menu options at least in part according to the
order of the length of each of the names of the name menu options,
and then displays the named menu options in that order.
[0161] According to the present invention, the objects mentioned in
the Background Art section describing the above aspect of the
invention and other objects and advantages are also attained by a
method of data entry for use with a computer. According to the
method, a plurality of named menu options are displayed at least in
part according to the order of the length of each of the names of
the name menu options. Each named menu option is associated
respectively with a sequence of one or more characters. A selection
event is associated with one of the named menu options and the
sequence of one or more characters associated with the selected
named menu option is input to an application program executing on
the computer.
[0162] H. Location Indication
[0163] According to the present invention, the objects mentioned in
the Background Art section describing the above aspect of the
invention and other objects and advantages are attained by an
apparatus for indicating the location of the selectable region
associated with a menu option. Each menu option is associated
respectively with a selectable region. The apparatus includes (a)
means for at least partially delimiting the selectable regions; and
(b) indication means for displaying each menu option such that the
displayed menu option indicates the location of the associated
selectable region. None of the displayed menu options intersects
the selectable region associated therewith.
[0164] According to the present invention, some of the objects
mentioned in the Background Art section describing the above aspect
of the invention and other objects and advantages are also attained
by a method of indicating the location of the selectable region
associated with a submenu option in a menu hierarchy. The method
comprises the steps of: at least partially delimiting the plurality
of selectable regions; and displaying a plurality of submenu
indicating regions. Each submenu indicating region is associated
respectively with one of the submenu options and each submenu
indicating region is displayed in a manner indicating the location
of the selectable region associated with the submenu option
associated with the submenu indicating region.
[0165] I. Sound Match
[0166] According to the present invention, the objects mentioned in
the Background Art section describing the above aspect of the
invention and other objects and advantages are attained by an
apparatus for selecting a menu option from a plurality of menu
options. Each menu option is displayed on a display and associated
respectively with a sound. The apparatus includes: (a) means for
displaying the menu on the display; (b) means for receiving a sound
signal; (c) means for matching the received sound signal to any one
of sounds; and (d) means for selecting the menu option associated
with the matched sound.
[0167] According to the present invention, some of the objects
mentioned in the Background Art section describing the above aspect
of the invention and other objects and advantages are also attained
by a method of selecting a sequence of one or more graphic symbols
from a plurality of sequences of one or more graphic symbols, one
or more sequences of the plurality of sequences including one or
more ideographs. The method comprises the steps of displaying on a
display the plurality of sequences, each of the plurality of
sequences having a common characteristic and each associated
respectively with a sound indicator; matching a sound to any one of
the plurality of sound indicators; and selecting the sequence of
the plurality of sequences associated with the matched sound
indicator.
[0168] J. Ideographic Languages
[0169] According to the present invention, the objects mentioned in
the Background Art section describing the above aspect of the
invention and other objects and advantages are attained by a method
for selecting a single sequence of one or more ideographs from a
menu of several such sequences. Each sequence is respectively
associated with a selectable region on a surface which includes a
display area. The selectable regions together at least partially
circumscribe a region on the display area. An operator indicates a
location on the surface with a body member. The method comprises
the steps of: (a) displaying the selectable regions on the surface
so that they at least partially circumscribe a region on the
display area; and (b) selecting, in response a selection event, the
sequence indicated by the operator.
[0170] Still other objects and advantages of the present invention
will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the
following detailed descriptions, wherein I have shown and described
the preferred embodiment of each aspect of the invention, simply by
way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by me of carrying
out each aspect of my invention. As will be realized, each aspect
of the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and
its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious
respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly,
the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in
nature, and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0171] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a display showing a
conventional on-screen keyboard.
[0172] FIG. 2 is an illustration of a display showing a
conventional on-screen keyboard and output from a word processing
application program.
[0173] FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are each illustrations of the display of
each step of letter selection using a conventional quaternary
on-screen keyboard.
[0174] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a display showing a
conventional quaternary on-screen keyboard and output from two
application programs.
[0175] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a conventional device
implementing joystick patterns.
[0176] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a display of a conventional eye
gaze system.
[0177] FIGS. 9 and 10 are each illustrations of a display showing a
conventional menu.
[0178] FIG. 11 depicts examples of symbols from the Picture
Communication Symbols, Rebus, PicSym and Blissymbols symbol
sets.
[0179] FIG. 12(a)-FIG. 12(d) depict examples of symbols from the
Pictogram Ideogram Communication Symbols symbol set.
[0180] FIG. 13(a)-FIG. 13(j) depict examples of symbols from the
Yerkish symbol set.
[0181] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a computer which may be
utilized in accordance with the present invention.
[0182] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a speech synthesis system
which may be utilized in accordance with the present invention.
[0183] FIG. 16 is an illustration of software components of an
apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the Perimeter Menu
aspect of the invention.
[0184] FIGS. 17 and 18 are each illustrations of a display and
structures in accordance with an embodiment of the Perimeter Menu
aspect of the invention.
[0185] FIG. 19 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with another embodiment of the Perimeter Menu aspect of
the invention.
[0186] FIG. 20 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with still another embodiment of the Perimeter Menu
aspect of the invention.
[0187] FIG. 21 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with another embodiment of the Perimeter Menu aspect of
the invention.
[0188] FIG. 22 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with yet another embodiment of the Perimeter Menu aspect
of the invention.
[0189] FIG. 23 is an illustration of an apparatus in accordance
with a further embodiment of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the
invention.
[0190] FIGS. 24 and 25 are each illustrations of a display and
structures in accordance with another embodiment of the Perimeter
Menu aspect of the invention.
[0191] FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate an apparatus in accordance with
still another embodiment of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the
invention. FIG. 26 depicts a front view of the apparatus. FIG. 27
depicts a cut away view from the top of the apparatus.
[0192] FIG. 28 is a top view of a headrest in accordance with an
embodiment of the Perimeter Menu aspect invention.
[0193] FIGS. 29 and 30 illustrate the state table aPocketFsm in
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the Perimeter Menu
aspect of the invention.
[0194] FIG. 31 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the Confinement aspect
of the invention.
[0195] FIG. 32 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with another embodiment of the Confinement aspect of the
invention.
[0196] FIG. 33 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with another embodiment of the Confinement aspect of the
invention.
[0197] FIG. 34 is an illustration of an apparatus in accordance
with the Dwell aspect of the invention and with the Path Directness
aspect of the invention.
[0198] FIG. 35 is an illustration of another apparatus in
accordance with the Dwell aspect of the invention.
[0199] FIG. 36 is an illustration of still another apparatus in
accordance with the Dwell aspect of the invention.
[0200] FIG. 37 is an illustration of yet another apparatus in
accordance with the Dwell aspect of the invention.
[0201] FIG. 38 is an illustration of another apparatus in
accordance with the Dwell aspect of the invention.
[0202] FIG. 39 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the Path Directness
aspect of the invention.
[0203] FIG. 40 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with an embodiment of the Path Directness aspect of the
invention.
[0204] FIG. 41 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with another embodiment of the Path Directness aspect of
the invention.
[0205] FIG. 42 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with another embodiment of the Path Directness aspect of
the invention.
[0206] FIG. 43 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with another embodiment of the Path Directness aspect of
the invention.
[0207] FIGS. 44, 45 and 46 are each illustrations of a display and
structures in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
Intersection aspect of the invention.
[0208] FIGS. 47 and 48 are each illustrations of a display and
structures in accordance with another embodiment of the
Intersection aspect of the invention.
[0209] FIGS. 49, 50 and 51 are each illustrations of a display and
structures in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the
Alignment aspect of the invention.
[0210] FIG. 52 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the Location Indication
and the Length Order aspects of the invention.
[0211] FIG. 53 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with an embodiment of the Location Indication aspect of
the invention.
[0212] FIGS. 54 and 55 are each illustrations of a display and
structures in accordance with another embodiment of the Location
Indication aspect of the invention.
[0213] FIG. 56 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with a still further embodiment of the Location
Indication aspect of the invention.
[0214] FIG. 57 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with a further embodiment of the Location Indication
aspect of the invention.
[0215] FIGS. 58 and 59 are illustrations of a display and
structures in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the Sound
Match aspect of the invention.
[0216] FIG. 60 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with another embodiment of the Sound Match aspect of the
invention.
[0217] FIG. 61 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with another embodiment of the Sound Match aspect of the
invention.
[0218] FIG. 62 is a block diagram of a speech recognition system
which may be utilized in accordance with the Sound Match aspect of
the invention.
[0219] FIG. 63 is an illustration of software components of an
apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the Sound Match
aspect of the invention.
[0220] FIG. 64 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with the preferred embodiment of the Ideographic
Language aspect of the invention.
[0221] FIG. 65 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with another embodiment of the Ideographic Language
aspect of the invention.
[0222] FIG. 66 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with still another embodiment of the Ideographic
Language aspect of the invention.
[0223] FIG. 67 is an illustration of a display and structures in
accordance with yet another embodiment of the Ideographic Language
aspect of the invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0224] The hardware and software operating environment of the
preferred embodiment of all aspects of the invention will now be
described with reference to a particular embodiment of the
invention, hereinafter "prototype". The prototype of the invention
illustrates the best mode of practicing each aspect of the
invention known by me except where a preferred mode is
described.
[0225] FIG. 15 depicts a block diagram of the hardware components
of the prototype (2214), including a conventional general purpose
computer system (2218), an optional pointer (2202), an optional
printer (2220) and a speech synthesizer (2206). The general purpose
computer system (2218) includes a conventional computer system
(2116), a storage unit (2208), a keyboard (2210), and a diskette
drive (2216). FIG. 14 depicts a block diagram of the conventional
computer system (2116), including a processing unit (2102) and a
display (2112). The processing unit (2102) includes a processor
(2104), a memory (2106) and control circuitry (2108). The prototype
employs the Toshiba T6400DXC general purpose computer system
manufactured by Toshiba Corporation, Kawasaki Japan. However, the
T6400DXC is preferably substituted with the IBM ThinkcPad 755C
computer system, part number 9545F0C, manufactured by IBM
Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., USA, because the former requires a
110VAC power source while the latter is powered by an integral
battery. An integral battery allows an NMD operator to use the
system when a 100VAC source is not available or when attaching to a
110VAC power source is inconvenient. The prototype further includes
a head mounted pointer communicating via an infrared link with the
computer system so that there are no cables tethering the operator
to the computer system. Any cable between the operator and the
computer system would have to be connected, probably by an
attendant since the operator may lack the fine motor skills
required to make such a connection. Preferably computer access can
be accomplished independently by the operator. The choice of a
pointing device is primarily dictated by the particular
capabilities of the operator. Usually the best pointing device for
a particular operator is the one drawing on that operator's best
motor control. For example, if an operator's foot control is
superior to his head control, a pointing device using his foot is
preferably to a head pointer.
[0226] The prototype employs the Remote Headmaster.RTM.
manufactured by the Prentke Romich Company, Wooster, Ohio, USA.
However, the combination of the HeadMaster.RTM. Plus, part number
HM-1P, HeadMaster.RTM. Plus Remote Adapter, part number HM-RA, and
HeadMaster.RTM. Plus Laptop Adapter, part number HM-LA, all
available from the Prentke Romich Company, is preferable because
the headset is more comfortable and the HeadMaster.RTM. Plus
ultrasonic transmitter mounts more easily on a laptop computer
system than the Remote Headmaster ultrasonic transmitter.
[0227] The preferred embodiment further includes a battery powered
printer, the MobileWriter.RTM., part number 730879, manufactured by
Mannessmann Tally Corporation, Kent, Wash., USA and a speech
synthesizer, the Multivoice Speech Synthesizer, part number MV2-SS,
manufactured by The Institute on Applied Technology, Children's
Hospital, Boston, Mass., USA.
[0228] The pointer (2202) is a device which provides data
concerning the relative or absolute position of the operator or any
body member of the operator. The display (2112) and pointer (2202)
together provide for the interactive nature of the general purpose
computer system (2218) in that, in accord with the various aspects
of the invention, the interpretation that the processor (2104)
gives to a certain pointer action made by the operator depends, in
the majority of situations, upon what is being displayed to the
operator at that time.
[0229] The prototype (2214) shown in FIG. 15 further includes a
keyboard (2210), which functions to provide input from an
able-bodied operator to the general purpose computer system (2218).
The keyboard (2210) is useful for configuration, diagnostic and
backup purposes, functions which are performed relatively
infrequently and usually require an able-bodied person for
ancillary activities, for example, loading backup media into the
general purpose computer system. The prototype (2214) also
optionally includes a printer (2220) which functions to provide
hard copy output of data developed or stored in the general purpose
computer system, and a speech synthesizer (2206), which functions
to provide speech output for utterances and words composed using or
retrieved from the general purpose computer system (2218).
[0230] The couplings between the devices depicted in FIG. 15 may be
made by any means which permits the orderly and timely exchange of
data across the interface. In the preferred embodiment, the
interfaces between the pointer (2202) and the general purpose
computer system (2218) and between the general purpose computer
system (2218) and the speech synthesizer (2206) conform to the
Electronic Industries Association RS-232 interface specification.
The interface between the general purpose computer system (2218)
and the printer (2220) conform to the Centronix 50 pin parallel
interface specification.
[0231] The software component of the prototype are stored in memory
(2106) and executed on the processing unit (2102). The software
component of the prototype, depicted in FIG. 16, include a software
driver (1202), an operating system (1204), an optional database
program (1210), and the prototype access program code and data,
hereinafter collectively referred to as the "access program"
(1206). In the preferred embodiment, one or more application
programs (1208) may also execute on the processing unit (2102) and
accept control and data from the access program (1206) via the
operating system (1204). The software driver (1202) of the
prototype is the Logitech Mouse Driver included with Windows.RTM.
version 3.1. The operating system (1204) of the prototype is
Windows.RTM. version 3.1 in combination with MS-DOS.RTM. version
6.2. Hereinafter, the operating system is referred to simply as
"Windows.RTM.", available from Microsoft Corporation, Redmond,
Wash., USA.
[0232] The optional database program (1210) is described in the
detailed description of the Length Order aspect of the invention.
The prototype access program (1206) is described in detail
below.
[0233] As stated earlier, the software components of the prototype
are stored in memory (2106). Depending on the capacity of memory
(2106) and the size of the application programs, portions of these
programs may be transferred as needed between memory (2106) and the
storage unit (2206) or between memory (2106) and a diskette in the
diskette drive (2216) depicted in FIG. 15. The basic function of
the storage unit (2206) and the diskette drive (2216) is to store
programs and data that are employed by the general purpose computer
system (2218) and which may readily be transferred to the memory
(2106) when needed.
[0234] It is to be understood that components others than those
used in the prototype may be utilized in accordance with the
invention. It is only necessary that the substitute component or
components have the capacity to carry out the functions described.
For example, the processing unit of the general purpose computer
system may be substituted with a microprocessor coupled to custom
electronics for performing the functions of the various aspects of
the invention, or the color display of the prototype may be
substituted with a monochrome display.
[0235] A. Perimeter Menu
[0236] The preferred embodiment of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the
invention will now be described in detail from a functional
perspective using an example. This description refers to selectable
regions which include one or more subregions. A selectable region
is a region, delimited with respect to a display or a surface, and
associated with a menu option which may be selected, usually by a
selection event. A subregion is a selectable region that is
included within another selectable region. Thus a subregion is, by
itself, a selectable region. Assuming that a certain selectable
region includes subregions A and B, dwell time on subregions A and
B may be combined, for example, by summing, so that dwelling on
either subregion A or B or a combination of both for the selection
threshold period selects the menu option associated with the
selectable region.
[0237] Reference will now be made to FIGS. 17 and 18 which depict
an example of the preferred embodiment of the Perimeter Menu aspect
of the invention. FIG. 17 shows the display (2112) of a general
purpose computer system (2218 in FIG. 15) and eight selectable
regions. Each of the eight selectable regions consists of the union
of a visible subregion on the display (2112) and an invisible
subregion located outside the display (2112) and adjacent the
visible subregion. For example, the selectable region at 11 o'clock
in FIG. 17 labeled with menu option "vort<space>x" consists
of invisible subregion (0104) and visible subregion (0106), and
within this description of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the
invention is referred to as selectable region (0104/0106). The
other selectable regions shown in FIG. 17, proceeding counter
clockwise from selectable region (0104/0106) are (010810110),
(0112/0114), (011610118), (0120/0122), (0124/0126), (012810130) and
(0132/0134). Each subregion may be sized to suit the operator's
preferences and abilities. Each selectable region is associated
respectively with a menu option. In FIG. 17, selectable region
(0104/0106) is associated with menu option vort<space>x,
selectable region (0108/0110) with menu option "sumac", selectable
region (0112/0114) with menu option "wizen", selectable region
(0116/0118) with the menu option undo indicated by an icon on
visible subregion (0118) representing an undo function, selectable
region (0120/0122) with menu option "words", selectable region
(0124/0126) with menu option "talk", selectable region (0128/0130)
with menu option "ldhbfk" and selectable region (0132/0134) with
menu option "ypgqj,". Together, the eight visible subregions
circumscribe region (0150) on the display.
[0238] Selectable regions may be delimited by data indicative of
one or more boundaries of the selectable region. Equivalently, the
delimit means may be detectors operative to determine when the
location indicated by the movement related signal has crossed one
of those boundaries or intersects a selectable region. A partially
delimited region or subregion is one which is unbounded on at least
one side.
[0239] Resuming, now, with the example, to select a menu option
associated with a selectable region the operator moves a pointer
(2202 in FIG. 15) coupled to the general purpose computer system
(2218 in FIG. 15) to indicate a location on the selectable region,
including either subregion, associated with the desired menu option
and maintains the indicated location on the selectable region for
the selection threshold period. The period of time required for
selection may vary responsive to the proximity of the indicated
location to the location of a cursor on the display or to the
proximity of the indicated location to a point within the
intersected selectable region. Dwell time may be continuous,
discontinuous or dynamic (described below) for either or both
subregions of the selectable region.
[0240] Selection in the above example is in response to a dwell
event. A dwell event includes, but is not limited to, each of the
following: (a) the durations of one or more periods of intersection
of locations indicated by a movement related signal, a body member
or a cursor (including any part of the cursor) and a selectable
region equalling or exceeding a predetermined period; (b) a first
quantity responsive to the durations of the periods referred to in
(a) equalling or exceeding a predetermined quantity; (c) dwell
event (a) or (b) followed by a location indicated by the movement
related signal, the body member or the cursor no longer
intersecting the intersected selectable region; and (d) dwell event
(a) or (b) wherein the period of intersection required for
selection of a selectable region increases in response to a
non-intersection or a period of non-intersection of locations
indicated by the movement related signal, the body member or the
cursor and the selectable region ("dynamic dwell event"). The use
of non-intersection or a period of non-intersection in determining
the duration of a period of intersection required for selection is
called dynamic dwell. Associated with each type of dwell event is
an intersected selectable region. This is the selectable region
intersected by the location indicated by the movement related
signal, body member or cursor which triggers the dwell event by
causing the period or the first quantity to equal or exceed the
predetermined period or the predetermined quantity,
respectively.
[0241] Selection may also be in response to a selection event. A
selection event includes, but is not limited to: (a) a dwell event;
(b) a switch operation at or near the time of an intersection of a
location indicated by a movement related signal, a body member or a
cursor and a selectable region; (c) an intersection of a location
indicated by a movement related signal, a body member or a cursor
and a selectable region; and (d) selection event (c) followed by a
location indicated by the movement related signal, the body member
or the cursor no longer intersecting the selectable region it
previously intersected. Associated with each type of selection
event is an intersected selectable region. This is the selectable
region intersected by the location indicated by the movement
related signal, body member or cursor. The fact that a selection
event has occurred may be indicated to the operator, for example,
visually by changing the cursor appearance or location, by changing
location, size, shape, hue, brightness, contrast, tone, dithering,
pattern, hatching, font or fill of an object on the surface, or by
displaying a graphic or a point distinguishable from its immediate
surroundings on a surface or removing a graphic or point
distinguishable from its immediate surroundings from a surface;
auditively by generating a sound or changing the pitch or volume of
an extant sound; tactilely by changing the surface or temperature
of a contact area or the pressure exerted by a contact area; or by
other means. In the prototype, following selection, the hue of the
visible subregion of the selected selectable region is changed from
green to magenta.
[0242] As used herein, a cursor includes a temporary marking on a
display which emphasizes to an operator, in an optical manner, a
momentarily important location or object. As used herein, body
member means any part of the body including, but not limited to,
each of the following: the shoulder, arm, elbow, wrist, hand,
finger, thumb, leg, knee, ankle, foot, toe, hip, trunk, neck,
tongue, lip, eye and head. The received movement related signal
includes, but is not limited to, a signal indicative of movement or
from which movement can be derived, such as a plurality of relative
or absolute positions or a difference between two relative or
absolute positions. Movement related signal receiving means
includes, but is not limited to, each of the following; (a) pointer
interface circuitry found in a general purpose computer system; (b)
one or more detectors operative to detect movement of a pointer;
and (c) one or more detectors operative to detect movement of a
body member of an operator. In the prototype, the movement related
signal receiving includes electronic circuitry in the general
purpose computer system (2218) operative to receive the movement
related signal generated in part by the movement of the pointer
(2202).
[0243] In the prototype subregions are displayed on the display
(2112). However, other means for displaying may be substituted for
the means used in the prototype, for example, a projector for
projecting an image, a surface having a static display thereon, or
other suitable means.
[0244] Resuming, now, with the example of FIG. 17, and assuming
that the operator has selected menu option "vort<space>x",
the display is changed to that shown in FIG. 18. In FIG. 18, each
of six selectable regions is now associated with a submenu option
of the selected menu option "vort<space>x". Selectable region
(0104/0106) is now associated with submenu option "<space>",
selectable region (0108/0110) with submenu option "o", selectable
region (0112/0114) with submenu option "t", selectable region
(0124/0126) with submenu option "x", selectable region (0128/0130)
with submenu option "v", and selectable region (0132/0134) with
submenu option "r". Selectable regions (0116/0118) and (0120/0122)
remains associated with the same menu options with which each was
associated in FIG. 17. The operator may now select one of these
submenu options.
[0245] Assuming that the selected submenu option is one of v, o, r,
t, x and space, the selected character, or a corresponding computer
encoding of that character, may be input to an apparatus coupled to
the general purpose computer system (2218 in FIG. 15), or input to
an application program (1208) executing on the general purpose
computer system (2218) coupled to the display (2112). Inputting, as
used herein, includes, but is not limited to, generating or passing
signals representative of the selected menu option along a path
toward the destination apparatus or program. Preferably, the
computer program displays at least some of its output in the
circumscribed region (0150).
[0246] Given a display having eight selectable regions, an operator
may, with a single selection indicate one of eight menu options,
with two selections indicate one of up to 64 different menu
options, with three selections indicate one of up to 256 menu
options, etc. Each of these menu options may represent a sequence
of one or more characters, a sequence of one or more data or
control inputs to an application program (1208), or a control
function for one or more devices or speech synthesizers coupled to
the general purpose computer system (2218). As used herein, a
character includes a space, a control character as defined by the
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the American
Standard Code for Information Exchange (ASCII), and a letter from
one of the Afrikaans, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian,
Assamese, Assyrian, Avar, Azerbaijani, Balinese, Bamara Bantu,
Bashkir, Basque, Bengali Birhari, Bulgarian, Buluba-Lulua, Burmese,
Buryat, Byelorussian, Caddoan, Catalan, Chechen, Chikaranga,
Chippewa, Choctaw, Church Slavik, Chuvash, Coptic, Cree, Croatian,
Cyrillic, Czech, Dakota, Danish, Dari, Devanagari, Dutch, Dzongkha,
English, Eskimo, Esperanto, Estonian, Ewe, Farsi, Fijian, Filipino,
Finnish, Flemish, French, Fulani, Gaelic, Galician, Gcorgian,
German, Greek, Gujarati, Gurmakhi, Harari, Hausa, Hawaiian, Hebrew,
Hindi, Hiragana, Ibo, Icelandic, Indonesian, Irish, Irogquoian,
Italian, Kabardian, Kalmyk, Kannada, Kanuri, Kashmiri, Katakana,
Kazakh, Khasi, Khmer, Kirghiz, Kishmiri, Komi, Kongo, Kurdish, Lao,
Latin, Latvian, Lithuanian, Lu-Guanda, Macedonian, Magahi Maithili,
Makua, Malagasy, Malay, Malayalam, Maltese, Mandingo, Manipuri,
Marathi, Masai, Mizo, Moldavian, Mongolian, Munda, Naga, Navaho,
Nyanja, Nepalese, Norwegian, Oriya, Oromo, Ossetian, Pashto,
Polish, Portugese, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Rhaeto-Romanic, Rumanian,
Russian, Samoan, Sangs, Serbian, SerboCroatian, Sinhalese, Sinhi,
Sioux, Slovak, Slovenia, Spanish, Sundanese, Swahili, Swedish,
Syriac, Tadzhik, Tagalog, Tajik, Tamil, Tatar, Telugu, Thai,
Tibetan, Turkish, Turknen, Udmurt, Uighur, Ukranian, Umbundu, Urdu,
Uzbek, Vietnamese, Visayan, Welsh, Yakut, Yoruba and phonetic
alphabets. As used herein, each of a character, ideograph, control
input and control function includes a computer encoding of the
same. As used herein, a device includes, but is not limited to,
each of a wheelchair, a household appliance, an appliance for use
in an office, a workstation, a robot, and a computer peripheral.
Thus, by selecting from a menu, the operator may, for example,
increase the volume of an external speech synthesizer, or turn a
wheelchair to the left.
[0247] The selectable regions organized as described above help an
NMD operator make the menu selection he intends. Referring to FIG.
17, suppose, for example, an NMD operator intends to move a pointer
(2202) that is indicating point (0154) to indicate point (0156), a
location in subregion (0130), but who is unable to quickly stop
motion, so that the location indicated by the pointer (2202) moves
from point (0154) past point (0156) to point (0158). Because point
(0158) lies within the same selectable region (0128/0130) as the
overshot subregion (0130), dwelling at point (0158) operates to
select the intended selectable region (0128/0130). Invisible
subregions, in accordance with the Perimeter Menu aspect of the
invention, may extend outward from the edge of the display (2112)
to infinity. In such an embodiment, dwelling at point (0162) would
operate to select selectable region (0128/0130). Preferably,
invisible subregions extend a finite distance from the edge of the
display (2112). In such an embodiment, dwelling at point (0162)
would not operate to select selectable region (0128/0130). The
sizes of the invisible subregions shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 are
illustrative only. Preferably the size of each invisible subregion
is large enough to encompass overshoot but small enough to avoid
unintentional selections when the NMD operator turns to see someone
or something.
[0248] The prototype utilizes the area outside the display to
facilitate menu selection by a disabled operator. If an operator
has impaired ability to maintain a steady position, he can point to
a relatively large invisible subregion outside the display which is
more forgiving of the operator's involuntary motion than the
relatively small selectable regions on the display in conventional
on-screen keyboards. Thus, the effective area of a selectable
region is expanded beyond the region's visible subregion shown on a
display. If an operator has impaired ability to stop motion he may,
starting from the center of the screen, point to any selectable
region. His impaired ability to stop will not impair his ability to
select his intended target, assuming his directional control is
relatively unimpaired, since, in the prototype, each selectable
region is unbounded on its side furthest from the center of the
display. Although the selectable regions of the prototype are
large, only the visible subregion of each selectable region uses
space on the display. Thus a large rectangular region remains
available on the display for the output of an application program.
The Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention is preferably
implemented on a general purpose computer system. If the general
purpose computer system is coupled to a speech synthesizer and the
menu hierarchy allows the selection of letters and/or words, an
operator having impaired speech may speak using the speech
synthesizer. If a word processing or data entry application program
is run on the general purpose computer system, the operator may
enter words or data, respectively, for input to the application
program. If the general purpose computer system is coupled to a
devices capable of executing commands and the menu hierarchy allows
the selection of commands, a disabled operator may select and issue
commands to control these devices.
[0249] Since the cognitive demand for scanning is greater than that
for direct selection, the prototype places less cognitive demand on
the operator than a scanning system for selecting options from a
menu.
[0250] FIG. 19 illustrates a display in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the
invention having eight selectable regions circumscribing a central
region (6950) on the display.
[0251] FIG. 20 illustrates a display in accordance with an
embodiment of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention having
twenty selectable regions circumscribing a central region (0806) on
the display.
[0252] FIG. 21 illustrates a display in accordance with an
embodiment of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention having
four selectable regions (0508), (0506), (0504) and (0502)
circumscribing a central region (0510) on the display.
[0253] FIG. 22 illustrates a display in accordance with an
embodiment of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention having
four selectable regions (4008), (4006), (4004) and (4002) with no
space between them other than a circumscribed region (4010) on the
display.
[0254] FIG. 23 illustrates an apparatus in accordance with of
another embodiment of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention.
In FIG. 23, region (3510) is located on interior display (3514)
which is circumscribed by peripheral display (3512). Selectable
regions (3508), (3535), (3504) and (3502) are located on the
peripheral display (3512).
[0255] FIGS. 24 and 25 are each illustrations of a display and
structures in accordance with another embodiment of the Perimeter
Menu aspect of the invention. FIG. 24 depicts ten selectable
regions (6502), (6504), (6506), (6508), (6510), (6512), (6514),
(6514), (6516), (6518), and (6520). Each selectable region is
located on the display (2112) adjacent the edge of the display and
associated respectively with a menu option. In FIG. 24, the menu
options are shown on their associated selectable region. Together
the ten selectable region circumscribe region (6550) on the
display. In response to only an intersection of a location
indicated by a movement related signal and selectable region
(6506), the display changes to that shown in FIG. 25, on which are
located ten selectable regions each located on the display (2112)
adjacent the edge of the display, nine of the ten selectable
regions associated respectively with a submenu option. Selectable
region (6608) is not associated with a submenu option. Any submenu
option may be selected by a selection event.
[0256] FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate an apparatus in accordance with
still another embodiment of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the
invention. FIG. 26 depicts a front view of the apparatus; FIG. 27 a
cut away view from the top of the apparatus. FIG. 26 depicts
detector area (0348 in FIG. 27) on, in or below which are located a
plurality of selectable regions (0304), (0306), (0308), (0310),
(0312), (0314), (0316), (0318), (0320), (0322), (0324), (0326),
(0328), (0330), (0332), (0334), (0336), (0338), (0340) and (0342).
Adjacent the detector area (0348 in FIG. 27) is a berm (0350 in
both FIGS. 26 and 27) for confining a body member of the operator
or a pointer controlled by the operator to the detector area (0348
in FIG. 27).
[0257] Still another apparatus in accordance with the Perimeter
Menu aspect of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 28 which
depicts a headrest for an operator using his head to indicate a
location on a display. FIG. 28 shows an irregularity (0703) on the
surface (0701) of the headrest. The irregularity is in physical
contact with the operator and tactilely indicates to him the
position of his head. The tactile indication means may be concave,
convex or both or may differ from the surface in temperature. For
individuals having impaired ability to sense the position of a body
member, e.g. the operator's head, the tactile input thus provided
to the operator improves the operator's ability to sense the
position of his head.
[0258] The prototype of the invention will now be described in
detail and where the preferred mode of practicing the invention
differs from the prototype, the preferred mode is described. The
description is broken into several parts:
[0259] 1. A brief overview of how a state table works.
[0260] 2. A description of the operation of the events, state table
and state processing used in the prototype.
[0261] 3. A general description of each event and one example of
the use of that event.
[0262] 4. An example of state machine processing in the operation
of the prototype.
[0263] The prototype implements the Perimeter Menu aspect of the
invention as a state table. A state table is a tool for processing
sequential inputs and is most easily understood by analogy. Imagine
yourself in a room having a ticket window and three exits, each
regulated by a turnstile. You collect a ticket at the ticket window
which, when inserted into the appropriate turnstile, allows passage
to a connecting room. The turnstile keeps the ticket Any given
ticket operates only one turnstile in a room, though different
tickets may operate the same turnstile. You begin in a certain
room, collect a ticket, insert it into the appropriate turnstile
and pass to a connecting room, where you perform certain tasks
associated with the new room. Then you collect another ticket from
the ticket window in that room, insert the ticket into the
appropriate turnstile in that room, pass to a connecting room,
perform certain tasks associated with the new room, and so on.
[0264] The state table used in the prototype is depicted in FIGS.
29 and 30. Moving from the analogy above, the rooms are states
represented by the rows of the state table; the tickets are events
represented by the columns of the state table. Each entry in the
state table represents a passage from one state to another.
[0265] The tasks performed upon entry into a room correspond to the
processing performed by the processor (2104) on entry to a new
state ("state processing"). For example, state processing may cause
a slight lightening of the color of a selectable region. Reentry
into that state five times may successively lighten a selectable
region five times.
[0266] In the prototype, each selectable region is directly
controlled by one associated state machine. Each state machine
directly controls only its associated selectable region. Each state
machine includes data uniquely associated with its associated
selectable region, the shared state table shown in FIGS. 29 and 30,
and the shared code for state processing, described below. This
embodiment means that the state machine associated with selectable
region (1614) may be in state ST_SELECTED while the state machine
associated with selectable region (1602) is in state ST_INITIAL. In
the prototype, these separate states are reflected only in separate
values for data uniquely associated with each state machine. Each
state machine has a unique index.
[0267] The state table used in the prototype defines 18 states,
composed of states zero through seventeen shown in FIGS. 29 and 30.
State 1 (ST_ERROR_STATE in FIG. 29) is not used. Preferably, it is
omitted. In the prototype, the differences between the several
state machines, for example, the state of a particular state
machine at any given time, are confined to data structures
associated with that state machine. The state machines share the
same code and the same state table. In other words, returning to
the ticket and turnstile analogy, there are multiple travelers each
with his own ticket (event) and his own baggage (data) moving from
room to room in the same labyrinth. Each traveler's actions in each
room usually affect only his own baggage.
[0268] In the prototype, there are two types of sequential inputs
processed by the state table: external events and internal events.
External events are generated outside the state table, for example,
by the operator moving the pointer (2202) or by a timer expiring.
Pointer movement may generate an event indicating that the operator
has moved the cursor across the selectable region boundary from
without the selectable region to within it. This event causes a
transition from one state to another ("drives" a state machine to a
new state). For example, assuming a state machine is in state
ST_CREST_TIDE, row 6 in the state table shown in FIG. 29, when an
event EV_CROSS_OUT, column 4 of the state table, occurs. At the
intersection of row 6 and column 4 is a 7. This represents the new
state, row 7 of the state table, state ST_SELECTED. Thus event
EV_CROSS_OUT drives the state machine from state ST_CREST_TIDE to
state ST_SELECTED. On entry to the new state, the computer performs
the state processing associated with the new state.
[0269] Internal events are generated during state processing to
handle circumstances where a first state transition is made due to
an external event and the processing associated with the new state
determines that a second state transition is necessary. The first,
external, event has already been used so a second, internal, event
is generated by the state. For example, if the operator has a
prolonged muscle spasm, common among individuals with CP, or loses
his grip on a hand held pointing device, the cursor may sit without
moving on a selectable region for a considerable period of time. It
is desirable to detect this condition, move the cursor to the
center of the screen so the operator can easily find the cursor,
and reset all selectable regions to their initial color. Detection
is accomplished with a timer. On timer expiration, a state machine
transitions to state ST_IDLE which centers the cursor. From there
it is desirable to transition to state ST_RESET which, among other
processing, initializes selectable region color. The transition
from state ST_IDLE to state ST_RESET is driven by an internal
event, generated by state ST_IDLE state processing.
[0270] Although the preferred embodiment uses only one state to
perform certain state processing, that state processing may be
equivalently performed in multiple states. Likewise, the state
processing of multiple states of the described embodiment may be
equivalently performed in a single state.
[0271] Although the prototype uses a state table to control the
flow of program execution and to select one of a plurality of
selectable regions, the same function may be equivalently performed
using object oriented software architecture, if-then-else
statements or a combination of these. In particular, in accord with
object oriented software architecture, each state machine may be
equivalently represented as an instantiation of a selectable region
class for processing inputs affecting a particular selectable
region.
[0272] Although the described embodiment uses a single processor,
state table and code for state processing for all the selectable
regions, each of these may be duplicated. Alternate embodiments may
include processors, electronic circuitry, state tables or code for
state processing used for processing fewer than all the selectable
regions or used to process certain selectable regions at one time
and other selectable regions at other times.
[0273] In the prototype, each state machine processes events
independently of all other state machines, though a state machine
may send an event to another state machine. For example, when the
operator selects a selectable region, the associated state machine
sends the event EV_RESET to all other state machines so that all
selectable regions revert to their respective initial colors.
[0274] A single operator action may result in the issuance of
different events to different state machines. For example, when the
operator moves the cursor from without a selectable region to
within it, EV_DWELL is sent to the newly indicated state machine.
EV_MOVEMENT is sent to all other state machines.
[0275] Following is a general description of each event used in the
prototype and an example of the use of each event. For all uses of
each event, refer to the state table shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 which
determines what state transition occurs from every state on
occurrence of a given event.
[0276] The event EV_RESET is an internal event which drives a state
machine to its initial state. For example, when the operator has
not moved the pointer (2202) for a predetermined period of time,
event EV_RESET is sent to all other selectable regions.
[0277] The event EV_DECAY is an external event which indicates that
the cursor hotspot does not intersect the selectable region
associated with the state machine. EV_DECAY is sent to a state
machine periodically when the operator has positioned the cursor
hotspot on a selectable region other than the selectable region
associated with that state machine.
[0278] The event EV_DWELL is an external event which indicates that
the cursor hotspot intersects the selectable region associated with
the state machine. EV_DWELL is sent to a state machine periodically
when the operator has positioned the cursor hotspot on the
associated selectable region.
[0279] The event EV_CROSS_OUT is an external event which indicates
that the cursor hotspot has moved from a location intersecting the
selectable region associated with the state machine to a location
not intersecting the selectable region. After the operator selects
a selectable region, he must move the cursor hotspot out of the
selectable region, generating EV_CROSS_OUT, before he can again
select that selectable region.
[0280] The event EV_STEP UP is an internal event which indicates
that a selectable region's selection threshold has been
satisfied.
[0281] The event EV_MOVEMENT is an external event which indicates
that the cursor hotspot has moved. If the cursor hotspot intersects
a selectable region without moving for a predetermined period of
time, a timeout occurs, causing all state machines to transition to
the reset state. EV_MOVEMENT drives the state machine out of the
reset state.
[0282] The event EV_IDLE_TIMEOUT is an external event which
indicates that the cursor hotspot has intersected a selectable
region without moving for a predetermined period of time.
EV_IDLE_TIMEOUT causes the state machine to move the cursor hotspot
to the center of the display.
[0283] The event EV_CEILING is an external event which indicates
that the cursor hotspot intersects a selectable region and the
color of the selectable region equals the selectable region color
ceiling. If the locking feature is enabled, EV_CEILING drives the
state machine to the begin lock state where it displays the lock
icon.
[0284] The null event, EV_NULL, is a multi-purpose internal event
used in a variety of situations to drive a state machine to another
state. For example, after a timeout has been detected,
EV_IDLE_TIMEOUT is generated and sent to the appropriate state
machine driving it to the idle state, the receiving state machine
sends itself EV_NULL in order to drive itself to the reset state.
The use of EV_NULL here allows states to be simpler and the reset
state to be reused.
[0285] The prototype uses eight partially delimited selectable
regions. In the description below, the portion of each selectable
region shown on the display is referred to as the visible subregion
of the selectable region. The portion of each selectable region
outside the display is referred to as the invisible subregion of
the selectable region. Because the software driver (1202) confines
the cursor hotspot to the Windows.RTM. cursor clipping rectangle, a
rectangle on the display slightly smaller in area than the display,
the access program (1206) of the prototype only reads hotspot
cursor locations within the Windows.RTM. cursor clipping rectangle,
even though the operator may in fact be pointing to a location
outside the Windows.RTM. cursor clipping rectangle, e.g. within an
invisible subregion. Thus the access program (1206) does not
distinguish between two locations indicated by the operator, the
first at a first location on the edge of the Windows.RTM. cursor
clipping rectangle and the second outside the Windows.RTM. cursor
clipping rectangle whose location is reported by the software
driver (1202) to be the first location. For example, assuming that
the operator moves the location indicated by the pointer (2202) to
a location within invisible subregion (0104 in FIG. 17), the
software driver (1202) in the prototype reports the cursor hotspot
location to be the closest point within the visible subregion
(0106). Consequently, in the prototype, all invisible subregions
are unbounded on their side furthest from and parallel to the edge
of the display. Thus, in the prototype, point (0162) in FIG. 17
lies within selectable region (0128/0130) since the rightmost side
of selectable region (0128/0130) is unbounded.
[0286] The operation of the prototype will now be described using,
as an example, the selection of a menu option associated with
selectable region (0104/0106). First described are notation
conventions used in the description, then initialization in the
prototype, and then the example. The description refers to the
procedures PocketFsm and CreateEvent These procedures are listed in
pseudo-code in Appendix I.
[0287] Notational conventions used in the description below:
[0288] 1. pPocket->indicates a set of data associated with a
particular state machine, in this example, the state machine
associated with selectable region (0104/0106).
[0289] 2. pPocket->State indicates a particular item of data
within the set of data associated with the state machine, in this
case, the variable "State".
[0290] During initialization:
[0291] 1. The Windows.RTM. cursor clipping rectangle is set so that
most of the arrow cursor is always visible on the display.
[0292] 2. The cursor, indicating on the display (2112) the location
indicated by the movement related signal receiving means, is
positioned at the center of the display.
[0293] 3. All data associated with each state machine are
initialized. The following variables are included in the set of
data associated with each state machine. There are as many
independent copies of these variables as there are state machines.
For each state machine the following variables are initialized
[0294] as indicated
1 variable initial value meaning fInvert FALSE if TRUE, display the
color complementary to that indicated by this selectable region's
Color variable State ST_INITIAL state of the state machine
PreviousState 0 previous state of the state machine Color 0 RGB
encoding of visible subregion color fPaint FALSE if TRUE, paint
visible subregion on receipt of WM_PAINT message InitialColor RGB
(0, 32, 0) initial value corresponds to a dark green pLabel initial
menu option indicates an element for the state within the aLabel
machine's array, described below selectable region Decrement RGB
(0, 1, 0) value subtracted from Color on EV_DECAY Increment RGB (0,
4, 0) value added to Color on EV_DWELL Ceiling RGB (0, 255, 0)
initial value corresponds to a very light, bright green CrestTide
RGB (0, 143, 0) initial value corresponds to a light green
Lockspot.x a point within the x coordinate of selectable region
location for the located two thirds of display of the lock the
length of the icon selectable region from the closest corner of the
display Lockspot.y a point within the y coordinate of selectable
region location for the located two thirds of display of the lock
the length of the icon selectable region from the closest corner of
the display fInterior TRUE for interior if TRUE, this is an
regions, otherwise interior region FALSE; used for of adjacent
regions the Intersection aspect of the invention iAdjacentPocket
index of state machine associated with the adjacent region; used
for the Intersection aspect of the invention first array of
boundaries of the points visible subregion second array boundaries
of the of points region; used for the Intersection aspect of the
invention hRegion handle to Windows .RTM. region corresponding to
the visible subregion; used for the Intersection aspect of the
invention
[0295] 4. aLabel, an array of data structures defining the menu and
submenu options and the menu hierarchy, is initialized. For
example, one of the elements of aLabel defines menu option
"vort<space>x". This element includes fields which determine
that this menu option is displayed horizontally starting at certain
(x,y) coordinates, that on selection certain actions are to be
taken, for example, outputting text to a speech synthesizer, and
that on selection certain submenu options, in this example, "v",
"o", "r", "t", "<space>" and "x", and related data are to be
associated with certain state machines. In the prototype, this
association is accomplished by modifying pLabel in the set of data
of the associated state machine to point to the aLabel element
corresponding to the menu option to be associated with that state
machine.
[0296] 5. At least one window is created in the circumscribed
region (0150) for the display of selected letters.
[0297] 6. The state table is initialized to the values shown in
FIGS. 29 and 30.
[0298] 7. EV_RESET is sent to each state machine by a procedure
call of the form PocketFsm (pPocket, EV_RESET). As an example,
assume pPocket indicates the state machine associated with
selectable region (0104/0106). Proceeding through the pseudo-code
for the procedure PocketFsm listed in Appendix I, fInternalevent is
set to TRUE and consequently control passes into the while loop.
fInternalEvent is now set to FALSE. The current state,
pPocket->State, is stored in pPocket->PreviousState. Now a
state transition is made. The current state, ST_INITIAL, having a
value of 2, and the current event, EV_RESET, having a value of 1,
are used as row and column indices respectively into the state
table aPocketFsm shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, to determine the value
of the new state of the state machine, in this example, the state
machine associated with selectable region (0104/0106).
aPocketFsm[2][1] equals 3. Thus the new state of the state machine
is 3, the value of ST_RESET. Control passes, via the switch
statement, to the ST_RESET case and ST_RESET state processing is
performed. The time of selectable region selection is set to the
current time, the state machine's fInvert flag is set to FALSE and
the value of the state machine's color variable, pPocket->Color,
is compared to the state machine's initial color,
pPocket->InitialColor. pPocket->Color was initialized to
zero, which is not the value of pPocket->InitialColor.
Consequently, pPocket->Color is set to pPocket->InitialColor
and the flag pPocket->fPaint is set to TRUE. Upon reaching the
break statement, control passes through the bottom of the switch
statement and the value of pPocket->fPaint is tested. Since it
is TRUE, the client area rectangle is invalidated. In the
prototype, Windows.RTM. (1204) responds to invalidating the client
rectangle by sending the access program (1206) a WM_PAINT message.
On receipt of a WM_PAINT message, the access program (1206) redraws
all selectable regions and any menu option located thereon for each
state machines having pPocket->fPaint equal to TRUE. Thus,
somewhat indirectly, visible subregion (0106) is drawn on the
display (2112). Then control returns to Windows.RTM. (1204). The
other seven state machines, each associated respectively with a
selectable region, are similarly initialized so that each state
machine transitions from ST_INITLAL to ST_RESET and draws its
respective visible subregion and any menu option located thereon on
the display (2112). The display shown in FIG. 17 now appears on the
display (2112) of the computer system (2116).
[0299] 8. A periodic timer, called the cursor polling timer, is
set. This timer provides the access program (1206) with a WM_TIMER
message at frequent intervals, in the prototype every system clock
tick which occurs approximately every 54 milliseconds. Following
access program (1206) initialization, most state transitions are
made on expiration of the cursor polling timer. The access program
(1206) calls the procedure CreateEvent to determine the appropriate
event for each state machine and to complete the event data
structure addressed by pEvent accordingly, then repetitively calls
the procedure PocketFsm for each state machine, passing the unique
indicator for the state machine and the appropriate event for that
state machine. Preferably, the cursor polling timer is more
frequent so that color changes to visible subregions are smaller
and more frequent, giving a smoother appearance to color
change.
[0300] An example of the selection of selectable region (0104/0106)
in accord with the Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention will now
be described. Following initialization, assume that the operator
now begins to move the pointer (2202). Every 54 milliseconds the
cursor polling timer expires, causing Windows.RTM. (1204) to send a
WM_TIMER message to the access program (1206). Following receipt of
WM_TIMER, the access program (1206) calls the procedure
CreateEvent. The procedure CreateEvent, among other functions,
determines whether the current cursor hotspot location lies within
any selectable region. In this example, the operator is moving the
cursor from its initial location in the center of the display
toward selectable region (0104/0106), but since only 54
milliseconds have elapsed, the cursor hotspot has moved only
slightly in that direction. The procedure CreateEvent determines
that the cursor hotspot does not lie within any selectable region
and that the cursor hotspot has not crossed out of a selectable
region in the past 54 milliseconds. Therefore, the procedure
CreateEvent determines that each state machine should receive
EV_MOVEMENT. The procedure PocketFsm is called with the indicator
for the state machine associated with selectable region (0104/0106)
and with EV_MOVEMENT. The event EV_MOVEMENT drives this state
machine from its current state, ST_RESET, to ST_EBB_TIDE. The
pseudo-code for ST_EBB_TIDE in procedure PocketFsm is a break
statement, indicating that no state specific action is taken at
this time, other than the transition to ST_EBB_TIDE. Control
returns to Windows.RTM. (1204).
[0301] Shortly before or shortly after the state machine associated
with selectable region (0104/0106) receives EV_MOVEMENT, all other
state machines each receive EV_MOVEMENT and each makes the same
transition from ST_RESET to ST_EBB_TIDE.
[0302] Another 54 milliseconds elapses and again procedure
PocketFsm is called, sending EV_MOVEMENT to the state machine
associated with selectable region (0104/0106) and driving state
machine from ST_EBB_TIDE to ST_DECAY. Stepping through the
pseudo-code for ST_DECAY, the ST_DECAY state sets pPocket->State
to the value stored in pPocket->PreviousState and decrements
pPocket->Color but not below the value of
pPocket->InitialColor. pPocket->Color determines the color
and brightness of visible subregion (0106). Decrementing
pPocket->Color results in a darkening of visible subregion
(0106). Resuming with the pseudo-code for ST_DECAY state
processing, the ST_DECAY state sets fInternalEvent to TRUE, and, in
this case, sets Event to EV_NULL. Following the break statement,
the while fInternalEvent condition is true and another state
transition occurs, using the value of pPocket->State which was
set by ST_DECAY state processing to ST_EBB_TIDE, the previous
state. The new state is found at aPocketFsm[ST_EBB_TIDE][EV_NULL],
which equals ST_EBB_TIDE. This state transition is unlike an
ordinary state transition because the starting state is set by
ST_DECAY. All transitions from ST_DECAY share this distinction. The
state machine executes the code for the new state, ST_EBB_TIDE,
which is simply a break statement The procedure PocketFsm
determines that fpaint is FALSE and exits. Control returns to
Windows.RTM. (1204).
[0303] Shortly before or shortly after the state machine associated
with selectable region (0104/0106) receives EV_MOVEMENT, all other
state machines each receive EV_MOVEMENT and each makes the same
transitions from ST_EBB_TIDE to ST_DECAY to ST_EBB_TIDE.
[0304] Every 54 milliseconds this scenario is repeated for each
state machine until the operator moves the cursor hotspot to a
point within selectable region (0104/0106). At this time the
procedure CreateEvent determines that there is an active selectable
region, specifically selectable region (0104/0106), and that
consequently EV_DWELL should be sent to the associated state
machine. The procedure PocketFsm is called with the indicator for
the state machine associated with selectable region (0104/0106) and
the event EV_DWELL. EV_DWELL drives this state machine from
ST_EBB_TIDE to ST_ENTRY. Following the pseudo-code for ST_ENTRY
state processing shown in PocketFsm pseudo-code, fInternalEvent is
set to TRUE and Event is set to EV_NULL, resulting in another state
transition to aPocketFsm[ST_ENTRY][EV_NULL], which equals
ST_LOW_TIDE.
[0305] The pseudo-code for ST_LOW_TIDE is only a break statement,
so there is no state specific action for ST_LOW_TIDE other than
entry into this state. fpaint is FALSE so the selectable region is
not redrawn. Control returns to Windows.RTM. (1204).
[0306] Shortly before or shortly after the state machine associated
with selectable region (0104/0106) receives EV_DWELL, all other
state machines each receive EV_MOVEMENT and each makes the same
transitions from ST_EBB_TIDE to ST_DECAY to ST_EBB_TIDE.
[0307] Another 54 milliseconds elapses. The procedure CreateEvent
determines that the state machine associated with selectable region
(0104/0106) should receive EV_MOVEMENT, which drives it from
ST_LOW_TIDE to ST_DWELL. Stepping through the pseudocode for
ST_DWELL, the ST_DWELL state sets pPocket->State to the value
stored in pPocket->PreviousState, increments pPocket->Color
by pPocket->Increment, but not above the value of
pPocket->Ceiling, sets pPocket->Paint to TRUE, sets
fInternalEvent to TRUE, and, in this case, sets Event to EV_NULL.
Following the break statement, the while fInternalEvent condition
is true and another state transition occurs. The new state is found
at aPocketFsm[ST_LOW TIDE][EV_NULL], which equals ST_LOW TIDE. This
path is unlike an ordinary state transition because the starting
state is set by ST_DWELL. All transitions from ST_DWELL share this
distinction. The state machine executes the code for the new state,
ST_LOW_TIDE, which is simply a break statement. The procedure
PocketFsm determines that fpaint is TRUE, invalidates the client
rectangle and exits. As a result of invalidating the client
rectangle, Windows.RTM. (1204) sends a WM_PAINT message to the
access program (1206). On receipt of WM_PAINT, the access program
(1204) checks the value of fpaint for each state machine, and if
TRUE, sets fpaint to FALSE and redraws the visible subregion of the
selectable region associated with that state machine and any menu
option located thereon. The color of the redrawn visible subregion
is determined by the value of the Color variable for that state
machine. After redrawing, control returns to Windows.RTM.
(1204).
[0308] Shortly before or shortly after the state machine associated
with selectable region (0104/0106) receives EV_DWELL, all other
state machines each receive EV_MOVEMENT and each makes the state
transitions from ST_EBB_TIDE to ST_DECAY to ST_EBB_TIDE.
[0309] Assuming the operator maintains the cursor hotspot in the
selectable region (0104/0106), the state machine associated with
selectable region (0104/0106) cycles repetitively through the state
transitions from ST_LOW_TIDE to ST_DWELL to ST_LOW_TIDE, driven by
the cursor polling timer. With each transition to ST_DWELL, visible
subregion (0106) is brightened a bit. The polling timer interval is
short enough and the increment to pPocket->Color is small enough
that visible subregion (0106) appears to gradually brighten
although in fact it progresses rapidly through a series of discrete
brightness levels. With each iteration through ST_DWELL,
pPocket->Color in incremented.
[0310] Assuming that the operator maintains the cursor hotspot on
selectable region (0104/0106), pPocket->Color will eventually
equal or exceed pPocket>CrestTide, a variable set at
initialization time and not changed thereafter. At this time, Event
is set to EV_STEP_UP, driving a transition to
aPocketFsm[ST_LOW_TIDE][EV_STEP_UP], which equals ST_SELECTED. The
state processing for ST_SELECTED provides the operator with an
audible indication that a selection has just been made, takes the
action appropriate upon selection of this selectable region,
including selecting the menu option associated with the selected
selectable region. In this example, the access program (1206) does
not generate output to another program or device at this time.
ST_SELECTED next sets pPocket->fInvert to TRUE, and, if
appropriate, changes the menu options associated with various
selectable regions. In this example, selectable region (0104/0106)
is now associated with menu option "<space>", selectable
region (0108/0110) with menu option "o", selectable region
(0112/0114) with menu option "t", selectable region (0124/0126)
with menu option "x, selectable region (0128/0130) with menu option
"v", and selectable region (0132/0134) with menu option "r".
Selectable regions (0116/0118) and (0120/0122) remains associated
with the same menu options with which they were associated in FIG.
17. fpaint is set to TRUE for the state machines associated with
the selectable regions having changed menu options. ST_SELECTED
next sets Event to EV_NULL and fInternalEvent to TRUE. The state
machine now makes the transition to
aPocketFsm[ST_SELECTED_TIDE][EV_NULL], which equals ST_CREST_TIDE.
There is no state specific action for ST_CREST_TIDE other than
entry into this state. The pseudo-code for ST_CREST_TIDE is only a
break statement Control returns to Windows.RTM. (1204).
[0311] When the access program (1206) later receives the WM_PAINT
message resulting from the invalidating of the client rectangle,
the setting of fInvert to TRUE causes the visible subregion (0106)
to be drawn in the color complementary to the value then indicated
by pPocket->Color. The setting of fpaint to TRUE for all
selectable regions associated with changed menu options causes
those selectable regions and the menu options thereon to be
redrawn. The display shown in FIG. 18 now appears on the display
(2112) of the computer system (2116).
[0312] Assuming the operator maintains the cursor hotspot in the
selectable region (0104/0106), the state machine associated with
selectable region (0104/0106) cycles repetitively through the state
transitions from ST_CREST_TIDE to ST_DWELL to ST_CREST_TIDE, driven
by the cursor polling timer. With each transition to ST_DWELL,
visible subregion (0106) is brightened a bit, though it is now
magenta, the complement of green. The polling timer interval is
short enough and the increment to pPocket-Color is small enough
that visible subregion (0106) appears to gradually brighten
although in fact it progresses rapidly through a series of discrete
brightness levels. With each iteration through ST_DWELL,
pPocket->Color in incremented. Assuming that the operator
maintains the cursor hotspot on selectable region (0104/0106),
pPocket->Color will eventually equal pPocket->Ceiling, a
variable set at initialization time and not changed thereafter.
[0313] Assuming that the operator now moves the cursor so that the
hotspot is located outside selectable region (0104/0106),
CreateEvent generates the EV_CROSS_OUT for the state machine
associated with selectable region (0104/0106), driving the state
machine to aPocketFsm[ST_CREST_TIDE][EV_CR- OSS_OUT], which equals
ST_SELECT_AND_OUT. The state processing for ST_SELECT_AND_OUT sends
EV_RESET and then EV_MOVEMENT to all state machines, driving each
of them from their current state to ST_RESET and then to
ST_EBB_TIDE. For each state machine, the transition ST_RESET and
then to ST_EBB_TIDE results in actions previously described for
those states, except that, unlike before, the value of
pPocket->Color for the state machine associated with selectable
region (0104/0106) does not equal the value of
pPocket->InitialColor for the state machine associated with
selectable region (0104/0106). Consequently, pPocket->Color is
set to pPocket->InitialColor and fPaint is set to TRUE,
subsequently causing visible subregion (0106) to be redrawn in its
initial color. Control returns to Windows.RTM. (1204).
[0314] The prototype continues to sample cursor location at 54
millisecond intervals, determine the appropriate event for each
state machine and send that event each state machine, causing state
transitions in each state machine according to the state table
shown in FIGS. 29 and 30. Assuming that the operator next selects
selectable region (0108/0110), the state processing in ST_SELECTED
displays the selection, the letter "o", in the circumscribed region
(0150), and associates the menu options shown in FIG. 17 with their
respective selectable regions. The display shown in FIG. 17 appears
on the display (2112) of the computer system (2116).
[0315] B. Confinement
[0316] The preferred embodiment of the Confinement aspect of the
invention will now be described in detail from a functional
perspective using an example illustrated in FIG. 31. In FIG. 31, 20
selectable regions, e.g. (1704), (1708) and (1714), are depicted on
display (2112). Each of the selectable regions is located on the
display (2112) adjacent an edge of the display, and the selectable
regions together circumscribe a region (1702) on the display. The
top and left edges of the Windows.RTM. cursor clipping rectangle
(1750) lie on the top and left edges, respectively, of the display
(2112). The bottom and right edges of the Windows.RTM. cursor
clipping rectangle (1750) lie on the display parallel to and
slightly indented from the bottom and right edges, respectively, of
the display. A confining polygon is delimited on the display. The
boundary of the confining polygon, starting from the upper right
corner of the Windows.RTM. cursor clipping rectangle, follows the
top edge of the Windows.RTM.D cursor clipping rectangle to the left
until it reaches region (1732), where the boundary follows the side
of region (1732) down, to the left, and back up to the top edge of
the Windows.RTM. cursor clipping rectangle. The boundary continues
left along the top edge of the Windows.RTM. cursor clipping
rectangle until it reaches region (1734), where the boundary
follows the side of region (1734) down, to the left, and back up to
the top edge of the Windows.RTM. cursor clipping rectangle. The
boundary continues left along the top edge of the Windows.RTM.
cursor clipping rectangle to the upper left corner and then turns
down along the left edge of the Windows.RTM. cursor clipping
rectangle until it reaches region (1736), where the boundary
follows the side of region (1736) to the right, down, and to the
left to the left edge of the Windows.RTM. cursor clipping
rectangle. The boundary of the confining polygon continues in this
fashion around to the upper right corner of the Windows.RTM. cursor
clipping rectangle. The confining polygon thus includes all the
area of the Windows.RTM. cursor clipping rectangle except for the
regions (1732), (1734), (1736), (1738), (1740), (1742), (1744), and
(1746). An operator controlling a pointer indicating successive
locations with respect to the display and attempting to select a
target selectable region may overshoot the target so that some of
the successive locations lie outside the Windows.RTM. cursor
clipping rectangle. In the preferred embodiment of the Confinement
aspect of the invention, the cursor (1724) is confined to the
confining polygon. The preferred embodiment is responsive to an
intersection of the cursor hotspot and any one selectable region so
that an overshot selectable region may be selected by click or by
dwell without moving the location presently indicated by the
pointer to a location in the overshot selectable region. Thus, the
preferred embodiment of the Confinement aspect of the invention
allows an operator with impaired ability to stop motion to maintain
the cursor more easily on a selectable region, and so select the
intended selectable region, than do conventional user interface
systems.
[0317] A selectable region having a single side abutting a
confining polygon prevents cursor movement only beyond the abutting
side. However, NMD operators who drift may drift in more than one
direction. Assume that a certain NMD operator tends to drift both
up and to the left and that he is attempting to select selectable
region (1704). If he moves the cursor into that selectable region
his upward drift will be confined; the drift will not move the
cursor beyond the confining polygon. However, the cursor will move
to the left, since, in the preferred embodiment of the Confinement
aspect of the invention, movement in this direction is not affected
by the confining polygon, and consequently the cursor may move into
selectable region (1708), the selectable region to the left of
selectable region (1704). NMD operators having this type of drift
may be assisted in selecting by confining corners. For example,
such an operator, attempting to select selectable region (1704)
could move the cursor to location (1706) in selectable region
(1704). As the operator drifts to the left, he can compensate by
moving the pointer to the right. Assuming the operator lacks fine
motor control, he may overcompensate and indicate a location to the
right of the Windows.RTM. cursor clipping rectangle (1750).
However, since the cursor is confined to the confining polygon, the
cursor remains in the intended selectable region.
[0318] Confining corners facilitate the selection process for some
NMD operators. The preferred embodiment of the Confinement aspect
of the invention creates a corner or virtual corner in each
selectable region. A virtual corner is a corner of a selectable
region formed by the intersection of two sides of a selectable
region both of which abut a confining polygon. For example, corner
(1710) in selectable region (1708) abuts the confining polygon both
along the top edge of the Windows.RTM. cursor clipping rectangle
and along the right side of region (1732). If an NMD operator
drifts from selectable region (1708) to the left into region
(1732), the cursor remains in selectable region (1708). Thus, drift
to the left does not move the cursor out of selectable region
(1732). An operator trying to select selectable region (1708) may
overcompensate for drift to the right by moving the pointer to
indicate a location in region (1732).
[0319] FIG. 32 illustrates a display in accordance with an
alternative embodiment of the Confinement aspect of the invention.
FIG. 32 depicts 16 selectable regions, e.g. selectable region
(0602), on a display (2112), the selectable regions together at
least partially circumscribing region (0660) on the display.
Circumscribed region (0660) intersects four selectable regions,
(0604), (0608), (0610), and (0612). Selectable region (0608)
includes virtual corner (0652). The confining polygon includes all
the area of the Windows.RTM. cursor clipping rectangle except for
regions (0632), (0634), (0636), (0638), (0640), (0642), (0644), and
(0646).
[0320] FIG. 33 illustrates a display and structures in accordance
with an another embodiment of the Confinement aspect of the
invention. FIG. 33 depicts 20 selectable regions, e.g. selectable
region (0918), on a display (2112), the selectable regions together
at least partially circumscribing region (0902) on the display. The
confining polygon includes all the area of the Windows.RTM. cursor
clipping rectangle except for regions (0906), (0908), (0910), and
(0904).
[0321] The preferred embodiment of the Confinement aspect of the
invention will now be described in detail from an implementation
perspective. Preferably, the Confinement aspect is implemented by
modifications to the access program (1206) described in the
detailed description of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention.
The modifications required are: (1) define 20 state machines and 20
respectively associated selectable regions located as shown in FIG.
31; (2) at initialization time, create a Windows.RTM. region
corresponding to the confining polygon described above in the
functional description of the preferred embodiment of the
Confinement aspect of the invention; and (3) modify the procedure
CreateEvent so that before generating an EV_CROSS_OUT event,
CreateEvent determines whether the current hotspot cursor location
intersects the confining polygon, and, if not, set the Windows.RTM.
hotspot cursor location to the previous hotspot cursor location and
transfers control to the code at the beginning of the CreateEvent
procedure which gets the current cursor hotspot location from
Windows.RTM.. If the current hotspot cursor location intersects the
confining polygon, CreateEvent takes the same action as in the
access program (1206).
[0322] C. Dwell
[0323] The preferred embodiment of the Dwell aspect of the
invention will now be described in detail from a functional and
implementation perspective. The prototype implements dynamic dwell.
The effect of dwelling on a selectable region and its
implementation have been described in the detailed description of
the Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention. Now the effect and
implementation of moving the cursor hotspot off a selectable region
will be described.
[0324] Referring now to FIG. 17, assuming that the state machine
associated with the selectable region (0104/0106) is in state
ST_LOW_TIDE, that pPocket->Color has been incremented above its
initial value, that the cursor hotspot intersected selectable
region (0104/0106) at the last expiration of the cursor polling
timer, and that the operator initiates movement of the cursor
hotspot to the right from selectable region (0104/0106) toward
selectable region (0132/0134) so that, when the cursor polling
timer next expires, the cursor hotspot is located in area (0150)
between visible subregions (0106) and (0134), the procedure
CreateEvent determines that the state machine associated with
selectable region (0104/0106) should receive EV_CROSS_OUT which
drives it from ST_LOW_TIDE to ST_LOW_TIDE. The state processing for
ST_LOW_TIDE has already been described in the detailed description
of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention.
[0325] Assuming that the operator continues to move the cursor
hotspot toward selectable region (0132/0134), on the next
expiration of the cursor polling timer, the procedure CreateEvent
determines that the state machine associated with selectable region
(0104/0106) should receive EV_MOVEMENT, which drives it from
ST_LOW_TIDE to ST_DECAY. Stepping through the pseudocode for
ST_DECAY, the ST_DECAY state sets pPocket->State to the value
stored in pPocket->PreviousState, decrements pPocket->Color
by pPocket->Decrement, but not below the value of
pPocket->InitialColor, sets pPocket->fPaint to TRUE, sets
fInternalEvent to TRUE, and, in this case, sets Event to EV_NULL.
Following the break statement, the while fInternalEvent condition
is true and another state transition occurs. The new state is found
at aPocketFsm[ST_LOW_TIDE][EV_NULL], which equals ST_LOW_TIDE. This
path is unlike an ordinary state transition because the starting
state is set by ST_DECAY. All transitions from ST_DECAY share this
distinction. The state machine executes the code for the new state,
ST_LOW_TIDE, which is simply a break statement. The procedure
PocketFsm determines that fpaint is TRUE, invalidates the client
rectangle and exits. As a result of invalidating the client
rectangle, Windows.RTM. (1204) sends a WM_PAINT message to the
access program (1206). On receipt of WM_PAINT the access program
(1204) checks the value of fPaint for each state machine, and if
TRUE, sets fpaint to FALSE and redraws the visible subregion of the
selectable region associated with that state machine and any menu
option located thereon. The color of the redrawn visible subregion
is determined by the value of the Color variable for that state
machine. After redrawing, control returns to Windows.RTM.
(1204).
[0326] If the movement of the cursor hotspot pause between
successive samplings of its location, the procedure Create Event
will determine that not EV_MOVEMENT, but EV_DECAY, should be sent
to the state machine associated with selectable region (0104/0106).
Like EV_DECAY, EV_MOVEMENT drives the state machine associated with
selectable region (0104/0106) to ST_DECAY. The same state
processing as described above for ST_DECAY takes place, including
the transition back to ST_LOW TIDE.
[0327] Assuming the operator maintains the cursor hotspot in area
(0150), the state machine associated with selectable region
(0104/0106) cycles repetitively through the state transitions from
ST_LOW_TIDE to ST_DECAY to ST_LOW_TIDE, driven by the cursor
polling timer. With each transition to ST_DECAY, visible subregion
(0106) is darkened a bit. The polling timer interval is short
enough and the decrement to pPocket->Color is small enough that
visible subregion (0106) appears to gradually darken although in
fact it progresses rapidly through a series of discrete brightness
levels. With each iteration through ST_DECAY, pPocket->Color in
decremented until pPocket->Color reaches
pPocket->InitialColor.
[0328] When the cursor hotspot reaches selectable region
(0132/0134), the procedure CreateEvent determines that the state
machine associated with selectable region (0104/0106) should
receive EV_DECAY, continuing the repetitively cycling through from
ST_LOW_TIDE to ST_DECAY to ST_LOW_TIDE, driven by the cursor
polling timer. Driven by the same polling timer, the procedure
CreateEvent determines that the state machine associated with
selectable region (0132/0134) should receive EV_DWELL, driving this
state machine through the state transitions described in the
detailed description of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the
invention.
[0329] If the operator moves the cursor hotspot from selectable
region (0132/0134) back to selectable region (0104/01061 the
procedure CreateEvent determines that the state machine associated
with selectable region (0104/0106) should receive EV_DWELL, driving
this state machine through the state transitions described in the
detailed description of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the
invention.
[0330] In the prototype, the selectable regions are shown on a
display (2112). Alternatively, the selectable regions may appear on
a static display, or they may be projected on a surface.
[0331] In the prototype, the brightness of a visible subregion at
any time indicates the progress of the selection of the selectable
region including the visible subregion. A brightness close to the
initial brightness indicates that a relatively long period of
dwelling on this selectable region is required for selection. A
brightness close to the brightness just prior to selection
indicates that relatively short period of dwelling on this
selectable region is required for selection. However, means for
indicating an intersection of the location indicated by the
movement related signal and a selectable region, or the duration of
a period of such an intersection includes, but is not limited to, a
change in cursor appearance or location, a change in location,
size, shape, hue, brightness, contrast, tone, dithering, pattern,
hatching, font or fill of an object on the surface, a display of or
change in a graphic on the surface or the removal of a graphic from
the surface, a generation of a sound or a change in the pitch or
volume of an extant sound, a change in the temperature or surface
of a contact area, the pressure exerted by a contact area, or
frequency of contact by a contact area, or other suitable means.
Any of these indications may be continuous or frequent.
[0332] Although dwell is implemented in the prototype using a data
value, specifically pPocket->Color, it may be implemented using
a signal, for example, voltage or current, varying in response to
the intersection and subsequent non-intersection of a location
indicated by a pointer and a selectable region. For example, a
selectable region may include a detector and coupled electronics or
electrical circuitry operative to increase the voltage level of a
capacitor. Once elevated, the voltage level may decrease over time.
Upon reaching a predetermined threshold, the voltage level may
trigger selection.
[0333] The prototype allows an operator to make selections by dwell
more efficiently than in conventional systems. In the prototype,
the brightness of a visible subregion indicates the dwell time
required for selection. A practiced operator may accurately
estimate when he may plan his next pointer movement, when he may
begin moving the pointer and may determine when a bit more exertion
will select a selectable region and when it will not. Thus a
disabled operator who is fatigued by computer access and can
maintain a pointer in a steady position for only brief periods, may
optimize his energy expenditure, for example, exerting himself to
maintain the cursor on a certain selectable region only when doing
so will quickly select the selectable region.
[0334] The prototype may increase the independence of a disable
individual by allowing him to control devices such as a TV,
thermostat and other household appliances. As stated earlier, the
Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention may be implemented on a
general purpose computer system. If the general purpose computer
system is coupled to a devices capable of executing commands and
the menu hierarchy allows the selection of commands, a disabled
operator may select and issue commands to control these
devices.
[0335] FIG. 34 illustrates a display in accordance with of an
embodiment of the Dwell aspect of the invention having 20
selectable regions (3101), (3103), (3105), (3107), (3109), (3111),
(3115), (3117), (3119), (3121), (3125), (3127) (3129), (3131),
(3133) (3135), (3139), (3141), (3143), and (3145) circumscribing a
surface (3151) having an indicating region (3147) thereon.
[0336] FIG. 35 illustrates an apparatus in accordance with of an
embodiment of the Dwell aspect of the invention having 20
selectable regions circumscribing a surface, each selectable region
associated respectively with an indicating region adjacent its
associated selectable region. Selectable region (3101) is
associated with indicating region (3201), selectable region (3103)
with indicating region (3203), etc.
[0337] FIG. 36 illustrates an apparatus in accordance with of an
embodiment of the Dwell aspect of the invention having 20 detectors
circumscribing an aperture (3350), each detector associated
respectively with an indicator intersecting its associated
detector, e.g. detector (3301) is associated with indicator
(3303).
[0338] FIG. 37 illustrates an apparatus in accordance with of an
embodiment of the Dwell aspect of the invention having 24
selectable regions arranged in a grid of four rows and six columns,
each selectable region associated respectively with an indicating
region intersecting its associated selectable region. For example,
selectable region (3402) is associated with indicating region
(3401).
[0339] FIG. 38 illustrates a display in accordance with of an
embodiment of the Dwell aspect of the invention having a plurality
of detectors, (2501), (2503), (2505), etc., arranged in a grid.
Each detector is associated respectively with an indicator
intersecting its associated detector, e.g. detector (2501) is
associated with indicator (2502). Each detector is also associated
respectively with an order entry item which may be selected by
dwell. For example, detector (2501) is associated with a hamburger.
Pointer (2512) (not drawn to scale) emits energy detectable by the
detectors. Pointer (2512) may be housed in stationary housing
(2514) (not drawn to scale).
[0340] Means for determining the difference between two data items
or signals and means for totaling two or more data items or signals
may each include a processing unit programmed to calculate this
difference or total. Alternatively, the difference or total may be
determined by electronic, mechanical, optical, or other suitable
means.
[0341] The two step procedure described earlier for operating
conventional menu-driven data entry and order entry systems
incorporating pointing at intended selections may be simplified to
a single step in accordance with the Dwell aspect of the invention.
Referring now to FIG. 38, the operator points pointer (2512) at an
order entry item. The item brightens responsive to the signals
falling on the associated detector, indicating to the operator
which order entry item he is dwelling on and his dwell time on that
order entry item. When his dwell time equals or exceeds the
selection threshold, the order entry item is selected. The
operation of such a system is intuitive and may be learned or
relearned by pointing and dwelling. No surface is required, unlike
a standard mouse. Additionally, an operator seated in the drivers
seat of a vehicle is probably right-handed and may be making
selections with his left hand, the hand closest to the window in a
left-hand drive vehicle. Pointing and maintaining a pointer in a
steady position requires less coordination than pointing and
clicking.
[0342] D. Path Directness
[0343] The Path Directness aspect of the invention includes several
aspects, hereinafter "subaspects", called Facilitated Dwell,
Direction and Intersection, Direction, Appraisal and Drift
Attenuation. The preferred embodiment and certain alternative
embodiments of each of these subaspects will now be described.
[0344] According to the Facilitated Dwell subaspect of the
invention, the duration of the dwell period required for selection
("selection threshold period") of a menu option associated with a
selectable region varies with the directness of the cursor's path
to that selectable region. The preferred embodiment of the
Facilitated Dwell subaspect of the invention will now be described
in detail from a functional perspective using an example
illustrated in FIG. 39. In FIG. 39 on display (2112) are defined
corridors (2302), (2304), (2306), (2308), (2310), (2312) and (2314)
lying between the previously selected selectable region (2318) and,
respectively, selectable regions (2342), (2344), (2346), (2348),
(2350) (2352) and (2354). Each selectable region is associated
respectively with a selection threshold period. Each cursor
location in a cursor path, for example cursor path (2322), may
slightly decrease one or more the selection threshold periods,
except for the selection threshold period associated with the
previously selected selectable region, selectable region (2318) in
this example. The effect of a cursor location depends, in the
preferred embodiment, on whether that cursor location intersects
one of the corridors. If it does, as for example location (2324)
intersects corridor (2308), then the selection threshold period
associated with the selectable region to which the intersected
corridor leads, (2348) in this example, is decreased, preferably to
a limit of approximately 20% of the initial value of the selection
threshold period so that some period of intersection of the cursor
and the intended selectable region is still required for selection.
A changed selection threshold period is preferably indicated by a
change in the brightness of the selectable region associated with
the changed selection threshold period. Thus, when the operator
moves the cursor within a corridor, the selectable region
associated with the corridor brightens, indicating both the target
selectable region the system believes the cursor is headed toward
and the changed selection threshold period. When the operator moves
the cursor outside a corridor the cursor had previously
intersected, the selectable region associated with the previously
intersected corridor darkens in accord with the dynamic dwell
aspect of the invention, indicating both that the system no longer
believes the cursor is headed toward that selectable region and the
changed selection threshold period. Reducing the selection
threshold period facilitates selection of dwell-selectable regions
without unduly increasing the likelihood of erroneous selections,
since cursor locations within a corridor evidence the operator's
intention to select the selectable region associated with the
corridor.
[0345] Preferably, corridors are hidden from view, but they may be
may be shown on the display or shown only at certain times or under
certain conditions. Corridors may have fixed boundaries, depending
on which selectable region has been selected, or their boundaries
may be determined when a starting location, for example, cursor
location (2316) in FIG. 39, is known. Corridor shape, size, number
and position about the associated selectable region may vary, as
illustrated by the alterative embodiments shown in FIGS. 40 and 41.
Where corridors overlap, a cursor location intersecting two or more
corridors may be defined to be in a cursor path toward zero, one or
more selectable regions associated with the intersected
corridors.
[0346] The intersection of a cursor location and a corridor is but
one means of identifying which one of a plurality of selectable
regions is most nearly along a cursor path. A cursor path may be
indicated by an intersection of a cursor location and a
predetermined region, e.g. a corridor, by a cursor location and a
movement related signal from which may be derived a second
location, or by two or more successive cursor locations. As used
herein, successive locations include a plurality of locations
distributed in time. Successive location may be, but need not be,
consecutive. Given a location and a movement related signal or two
locations, an intention to select a particular selectable region
may be inferred, for example, by extrapolation, and the selection
thresholds associated with either or both the intended or
unintended selectable regions modified accordingly. As an example,
assume successive cursor locations are periodically stored in a
ring buffer and the magnitude of the angle between two line
segments, the first between the oldest cursor location in the ring
buffer and a predetermined point in the selectable region, and the
second between the oldest cursor location in the ring buffer and
the current cursor location, is determined. The selectable region
associated with the smallest of these angles may be considered to
be the selectable region most nearly along the cursor path
indicated by the first line segment.
[0347] An alternative means of identifying which one of a plurality
of selectable region is most nearly along a cursor path is to
determine the ratio of the number cursor locations indicating a
selectable region to the total cursor locations in the cursor
path.
[0348] FIG. 42 illustrates still another alternative means for
identifying which one of a plurality of selectable regions is most
nearly along a cursor path. FIG. 42 shows line (2410) from starting
cursor location (2406) to ending cursor location (2408) just within
selectable region (2404). Line (2410) is the most direct path
between these two points. In this example, the actual path traveled
by the cursor between these two points is path (2412). The ending
cursor location (2408) is known before the selection threshold
period associated with selectable region (2404) is modified.
Identification may be made by measuring or approximating the area
within region (2414) bounded by line (2410) and cursor path (2412).
The smaller the area, the more direct the cursor path.
Alternatively, identification may be made by storing a sampling
among successive cursor locations along a cursor path and, in
response to the cursor intersecting a selectable region, the
selectable region most nearly along the cursor path may be
identified at one or more sampled points along the cursor path. The
identification may be based upon a plurality of cursor locations or
upon a single cursor location and a movement related signal.
Alternatively, identification may be made by measuring and
comparing the number of times a cursor path diverges from a
predetermined path toward the intersected selectable region and/or
the degree of divergence of a cursor path from a predetermined path
toward the intersected selectable region.
[0349] Another apparatus in accord with the Path Directness aspect
of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 34. In this Figure,
selectable regions (3101), (3103), (3105), (3107), (3109), (3111),
(3115), (3117), (3119), (3121), (3125), (3127), (3129), (3131),
(3133), (3135), (3139), (3141), (3143) and (3145) circumscribe area
(3151). Area (3151) and optionally the selectable regions include
detectors for sensing radiant energy emitted from a pointer (2202)
coupled to a body member of the operator. A computer coupled to the
detectors determines which selectable region is most nearly along
the path indicated by the body member of the operator. Responsive
to the indicated path, the embodiment may facilitate the selection
of one of the selectable regions by reducing a selection threshold,
may select a selectable region upon intersection of the point
indicated by the pointer (2202) and a selectable region, or may
select a particular selectable region in advance of intersection of
the point indicated by the pointer (2202) and the particular
selectable region.
[0350] A move direction of a body member of an operator may be
determined in any way that a cursor path may be determined,
including sampling among data indicative of position of the body
member. In determining move direction of a body member, data
indicative of body member positions may serve the same function as
cursor locations in indicating a path toward a selectable region.
Position indicating means, used, for example, in indicating a
position of the body member, includes each of the means for
indicating that a selection event has occurred.
[0351] As an alternative to decreasing a selection threshold
period, an embodiment may include a plurality of selection
thresholds, each associated respectively with a selectable region.
One or more of the selection thresholds may be increased when the
direction of cursor movement does not indicate a path toward the
associated selectable region.
[0352] Means for indicating which one of the plurality of
selectable regions is most nearly along the cursor path includes
each of the means for indicating an intersection of the location
indicated by the movement related signal and a selectable
region.
[0353] According to the Direction and Intersection subaspect of the
invention, the selection threshold period is completely satisfied
in response to a cursor path to a particular selectable region, so
that when the cursor intersects the particular selectable region,
that region is selected. Preferably, the selection threshold period
is completely satisfied in response to a measure of directness of a
cursor path to a particular selectable region equalling or
exceeding a predetermined measure of directness. In circumstances
where the measured directness is less than the predetermined
measure, a dwell period is required for selection of the particular
selectable region.
[0354] According to the Direction subaspect of the invention, a
selectable region is selected in response to a cursor path to that
selectable region, in advance of an intersection of the cursor and
that selectable region. Preferably, the selectable region is
selected in response to a measure of directness of a cursor path to
a particular selectable region equalling or exceeding a
predetermined measure of directness. In circumstances where the
measured directness is less than the predetermined measure, a dwell
period is required for selection of the particular selectable
region.
[0355] According to the Appraisal subaspect of the invention, the
directness of a cursor path to a selectable region is measured.
Preferably, the means for measuring the directness of a cursor path
includes each of the means for identifying which one of a plurality
of selectable regions is most nearly along a cursor path. Thus, the
particular means for identifying which one of a plurality of
selectable regions is most nearly along a cursor path which best
correlates with an operators intended target selectable region may
be identified.
[0356] As earlier described, some NMD operators have relatively
unimpaired directional control, despite having other movement
disorders. The Facilitated Dwell, Direction and Intersection, and
Direction subaspects of the Path Directness aspect of the invention
utilize that capability for computer access. Specifically, the
ability of an operator to move a cursor in a direct path toward a
selectable region is used to facilitate selection of that
selectable region. The selectable region is selected more quickly
than in conventional systems utilizing selection by dwell,
increasing operator productivity. In addition, when selectable
regions are located in accordance with the Perimeter Menu aspect of
the invention, a cursor path toward a selectable region is often
unambiguous, since usually there is only one selectable region
along a cursor path, and a large rectangular area on the display is
available for the output of an application program and is not
obstructed by the menu. In certain embodiments in accordance with
the Facilitated Dwell, Direction and Intersection, and Direction
subaspects of the Path Directness aspect of the invention, the
operator may receive an indication of which selectable region the
system believes the operator is moving the cursor toward. The
operator may adjust the cursor path in response to this feedback
and thus move the pointer more accurately. Additionally, in
embodiments in accordance with both the Facilitated Dwell subaspect
of the Path Directness aspect of the invention and the Dwell aspect
of the invention, the operator may receive an indication of the
dwell time required to select the selectable region most nearly
along the cursor path as the required dwell time changes in
response to the cursor path.
[0357] The preferred embodiment of the Drift Attenuation subaspect
of the invention will now be described in detail from a functional
perspective using an example illustrated in FIG. 43. FIG. 43
depicts the upper right corner of a display (2112) having two
selectable regions (0434) and (0430) thereon. Assuming, for
purposes of this example, that a movement related signal indicates
the path shown from point (0402) to point (0404) ("first segment")
at a relatively high velocity and from point (0404) to point (0408)
("second segment") at a relatively low velocity. The path of the
first segment is relatively direct, the path of the second segment,
relatively meandering. During receipt of the movement related
signal for the first segment, the cursor preferably tracks the
exact path indicated by the movement related signal. During receipt
of the movement related signal for the second segment, the movement
of the cursor is attenuated, preferably so that the cursor does not
leave selectable region (0434) until it is selected.
[0358] Many NMD operators are unable to cleanly stop movement of a
body member, resulting in a relatively slow or meandering path
being indicated by the movement related signal. According to the
Drift Attenuation subaspect of the invention, drift, that is,
unintentional movement, indicated by the movement related signal
following intentional movement is distinguished from the
intentional movement, and cursor movement responsive to the drift
is attenuated relative to cursor movement responsive to intentional
movement. Thus unintentional movements of NMD operators are
filtered so that the cursor is displayed closer to the location
intended by the operator and drifting of the cursor into a nearby,
but unintended, selectable region, is avoided, resulting in fewer
errors due to unintended selections.
[0359] The preferred embodiment of each subaspect of the Path
Directness aspect of the invention will now be described in detail
from an implementation perspective. Preferably, the Facilitated
Dwell subaspect is implemented by modifications to the access
program (1206) described in the detailed description of the
Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention. The modifications required
are: (1) Additional state processing should be added to ST_SELECTED
to create a Windows.RTM. region in the shape of a corridor starting
a predetermined distance from the selected selectable region to
each of the other selectable regions; (2) The event data structure
should be expanded to accommodate an event for a selectable region
along a cursor path; (3) The procedure CreateEvent should be
changed so that, before setting an event to EV_DECAY or
EV_MOVEMENT, a test is made for the intersection of the cursor
hotspot and each corridor, and, on finding such an intersection, a
new event, EV_CORRIDOR, is stored in the event data structure
indicated by pEvent for the selectable region associated with the
intersected corridor, (4) A column should be added to the state
table so that each state which in the prototype may receive either
EV_MOVEMENT or EV_DECAY will on receipt of EV_CORRIDOR drive that
state machine to ST_CORRIDOR; (5) An additional variable,
CorridorIncrement, preferably having an initial value one half the
value of Increment, should be added the set of data associated with
each state machine; and (6) A new state, ST_CORRIDOR, should be
added to the procedure PocketFsm. The pseudocode for state
processing in ST_CORRIDOR follows:
2 case ST_CORRIDOR: /* set state to previous state */ /* in
preparation for the next */ /* state transition */ set
pPocket->State to pPocket->PreviousState increment
pPocket->Color by pPocket->CorridorIncrem- ent, but not above
pPocket->InitialColor plus 80% of the difference between
pPocket->CrestTide and pPocket->InitialColor if
pPocket->Color was changed set pPocket->fPaint to TRUE set
fInternalEvent to TRUE set Event to EV_NULL break
[0360] An example of the selection of selectable region (2346) in
accord with the preferred embodiment of the Facilitated Dwell
subaspect of the invention will now be described with reference to
FIG. 39, assuming that the prototype has been modified as
described, that the operator has just selected selectable region
(2318), that all state machines are in state ST_RESET, and that the
operator moves the cursor hotspot from a location inside selectable
region (2318) to location (2316), a location just outside
selectable region (2318). On receipt of the next WM_TIMER message,
procedure PocketFsm is called with the indicator for the state
machine associated with selectable region (2318) and with event
EV_CROSS_OUT. Event EV_CROSS_OUT drives this state machine from its
current state, ST_RESET, to ST_EBB_TIDE. The pseudo-code for
ST_EBB_TIDE in procedure PocketFsm is a break statement, indicating
that no state specific action is taken at this time, other than the
transition to ST_EBB_TIDE. Control returns to Windows.RTM.
(1204).
[0361] Shortly before or shortly after the state machine associated
with selectable region (2318) receives EV_CROSS_OUT all other state
machines each receive EV_MOVEMENT and each makes the transition
from ST_RESET to ST_EBB_TIDE.
[0362] Assume that the operator moves the cursor hotspot along path
(2322) toward location (2332), a location outside all corridors,
and then the next WM_TIMER message is received. All state machines
receive EV_MOVEMENT and are driven from ST_EBB_TIDE to ST_DECAY to
ST_EBB_TIDE. The state processing associated with these states has
been described in the description of the Perimeter Menu aspect of
the invention.
[0363] Assuming that the operator moves the cursor hotspot along
path (2322), the transition from ST_EBB TIDE to ST_DECAY to
ST_EBB_TIDE is repeated every 54 milliseconds for each state
machine until the operator moves the cursor hotspot beyond location
(2332). At this time the procedure CreateEvent determines that the
cursor hotspot intersects corridor (2308) and that consequently
EV_CORRIDOR should be sent to the state machine associated with
selectable region (2348). EV_CORRIDOR drives this state machine
from ST_EBB_TIDE to ST_CORRIDOR. Stepping through the pseudo-code
for ST_CORRIDOR, the ST_CORRIDOR state sets pPocket->State to
the value stored in pPocket->PreviousState, increments
pPocket->Color by pPocket->CorridorIncrement, but not above
pPocket->InitialColor plus 80% of the difference between
pPocket->CrestTide and pPocket->InitialColor, sets
pPocket->fPaint to TRUE, sets fInternalEvent to TRUE, and sets
Event to EV_NULL. Following the break statement, the while
fInternalEvent condition is true and another state transition
occurs. The new state is found at aPocketFsm[ST_EBB_TIDE][EV_NULL],
which equals ST_EBB_TIDE. This path is unlike an ordinary state
transition because the starting state is set by ST_CORRIDOR. All
transitions from ST_CORRIDOR share this distinction. The state
machine executes the code for the new state, ST_EBB_TIDE, which is
simply a break statement. The procedure PocketFsm determines that
fpaint is TRUE, invalidates the client rectangle and exits. As a
result of invalidating the client rectangle, Windows.RTM. (1204)
sends a WM_PAINT message to the access program (1206). On receipt
of WM_PAINT, the access program (1204) checks the value of fpaint
for each state machine, and if TRUE, sets fpaint to FALSE and
redraws the visible subregion of the selectable region associated
with that state machine and any menu option located thereon. The
color of the redrawn visible subregion is determined by the value
of the Color variable for that state machine. The incremented value
of pPocket->Color results in a slight brightening of selectable
region (2348) and reduces the difference between pPocket->Color
and pPocket CrestTide, corresponding to the dwell period required
to select the associated selectable region. After redrawing,
control returns to Windows.RTM. (1204).
[0364] Shortly before or shortly after the state machine associated
with selectable region (2348) receives EV_CORRIDOR, all other state
machines each receive EV_MOVEMENT and each makes the state
transitions from ST_EBB_TIDE to ST_DECAY to ST_EBB_TIDE.
[0365] This scenario is repeated at 54 millisecond intervals while
the cursor hotspot travels along path (2322) to location (2326), a
location intersecting corridor (2308). Between this location (2326)
and location (2328), a location intersecting corridor (2306), along
path (2322), the procedure CreateEvent determines that all state
machines should receive EV_MOVEMENT, driving each of them from
their current state to ST_DECAY and back to their current state. As
described in the example in the detailed description of the
Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention, ST_DECAY state processing
darkens the selectable region associated with the state machine,
but not below a predetermined brightness represented by the
variable InitialColor. Thus selectable region (2348) darkens when
the cursor hotspot no longer intersects corridor (2308). From
location (2328) to location (2330), the procedure CreateEvent
determines that the state machine associated with selectable region
(2346) should received EV_CORRIDOR and all other state machines
EV_MOVEMENT. Consequently, selectable region (2346) gradually
brightens up to a ceiling represented by pPocket->InitialColor
plus 80% of the difference between pPocket-CrestTide and
pPocket->InitialColor. The duration of dwell time required for
selection of selectable region (2346) is thus reduced to
approximately 20% of the dwell period required without Facilitated
Dwell.
[0366] Preferably, the Direction and Intersection subaspect of the
invention is implemented by making the changes to the prototype
described for the Facilitated Dwell subaspect, except that, in
incrementing pPocket->Color in ST_CORRIDOR, the upper limit for
pPocket->Color in ST_CORRIDOR state processing is
pPocket->CrestTide minus pPocket->Increment. Assuming these
changes, a selectable region whose associated Color variable is at
this upper limit is selected during processing of the WM_TIMER
message immediately following the intersection of the cursor
hotspot and the selectable region.
[0367] Preferably, the Direction subaspect of the invention is
implemented by making the changes to the prototype described for
the Direction and Intersection subaspect of the invention, except
that (1) the corridors are narrow, as illustrated in FIG. 40; and
(2) the pseudo-code for state processing in ST_CORRIDOR is as
follows:
3 case ST_CORRIDOR: /* set state to previous state */ /* in
preparation for the next */ /* state transition */ set
pPocket->State to pPocket->PreviousState increment
pPocket->Color by pPocket->CorridorIncrem- ent but not above
pPocket->Ceiling if pPocket->Color was changed set
pPocket->fPaint to TRUE set fInternalEvent to TRUE if
pPocket->Color was changed from a value below
pPocket->CrestTide to a value greater than or equal to
pPocket->CrestTide set Event to EV_STEP_UP else set Event to
EV_NULL break
[0368] State ST_CORRIDOR may now generate the internal event
EV_STEP_UP, as state ST_DWELL does in the detailed description of
the Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention. A state machine in
state ST_EBB_TIDE having a Color variable equal to or exceeding the
CrestTide variable, will transition via
PocketFsm[ST_EBB_TIDE][EV_STEP_UP] to ST_SELECTED, and perform the
ST_SELECTED state processing described in the detailed description
of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention.
[0369] Preferably, the Appraisal subaspect of the invention is
implemented by making the changes to the prototype described for
the Facilitated Dwell subaspect, except that (1) the corridors are
visible on the display (2112), (2) one of the selectable regions is
designated to be the target selectable region and this is indicated
to the operator, (3) cursor locations are stored in memory (2106),
and (4) following an intersection of the cursor hotspot and the
target or selection of a selectable region other than the target,
path directness is measured in accordance with the stored cursor
locations.
[0370] The preferred embodiment of the Drift Attenuation aspect of
the invention will now be described in detail from an
implementation perspective. Preferably, the Drift Attenuation
aspect is implemented by modifications to the access program (1206)
described in the detailed description of the Perimeter Menu aspect
of the invention, modified as described above in the description of
the implementation of the preferred embodiment of the Facilitated
Dwell subaspect of the invention and further modified as follows:
(1) add two booleans to the data set associated with each state
machine, one called fDirectPath, the other fAttenuateDrift, and
initialize each of them in all state machines to FALSE; (2) in both
ST_DECAY and ST_CORRIDOR, set both pPocket->fDirectPath and
pPocket->fAttenuateDrift to FALSE; (3) append to ST_ENTRY state
processing corresponding to the following pseudocode:
4 if pPocket->Color equals or exceeds (pPocket->InitialColor
+ (0.5 * (pPocket->CrestTide - pPocket->InitialColor))) set
pPocket->fDirectPath to TRUE
[0371] (4) append to ST_DWELL state processing corresponding to the
following pseudo-code:
[0372] if the present cursor position intersects the edge of the
Windows.RTM. cursor clipping rectangle and pPocket->fDirectPath
is TRUE
[0373] set pPocket->fAttentuateDrift to TRUE
[0374] if pPocket->fAttentuateDrift is TRUE
[0375] store the difference in each of the x and y coordinates
("delta") between consecutive cursor locations in a circular buffer
accommodating the last ten deltas, overwriting the oldest delta
with the newest delta
[0376] if ten deltas have been accumulated
[0377] calculate the average acceleration indicated by the last ten
deltas
[0378] if the average acceleration is negative
[0379] set the cursor at the location one half the distance between
the current cursor location and the previous cursor location
[0380] display the cursor at this new cursor location
[0381] E. Intersection
[0382] The preferred embodiment of the Intersection aspect of the
invention will now be described in detail from a functional
perspective using an example depicted in FIGS. 44, 45, 46. FIG. 44
shows the display (2112) of a general purpose computer system (2218
in FIG. 15) to which is coupled a pointer (2202). Eight regions are
delimited with respect to the display (2112) and together
circumscribe region (2650) on the display (2112). Four of these
regions, (2602), (2612), (2622), and (2632), are entirely on the
display (2112). Each of the other four regions respectively
includes both a visible subregion ((2606), (2616), (2626), and
(2636)) on the display (2112) and an invisible subregion ((2604),
(2614), (2624), and (2634)) adjacent and outside the display
(2112). Assume, for example, that the pointer is indicating
location (2656) on the display (2112) and that the operator moves
the pointer so that the location indicated by the pointer first
intersects one of the regions at location (2652) in region (2612).
Upon this intersection, the display changes to that shown in FIG.
45. FIG. 45 depicts a selectable region consisting of the union of
invisible subregion (2714) and visible subregion (2716),
hereinafter referred to as selectable region (2714/2716).
Selectable region (2714/2712) is associated with menu option
"sumac". In the preferred embodiment, the operator may select menu
option "sumac" by dwelling on any part of the selectable region for
the selection threshold period. Assuming, for example, that instead
of moving the pointer from a position indicating location (2656) to
location (2652), the operator instead moves the pointer so that the
location indicated by the pointer first enters one of the regions
at location (2654) in region (2614/2616). Upon this intersection,
the display changes to that shown in FIG. 46. FIG. 46 depicts a
selectable region consisting of the union of invisible subregion
(2814) and visible subregion (2816), hereinafter referred to as
selectable region (2814/2816). Selectable region (2814/2816) is
associated with menu option "vort<space>x". In the preferred
embodiment, the operator may select menu option
"vort<space>x" by dwelling on any part of the selectable
region for the selection threshold period.
[0383] In the preferred embodiment, each of the other seven regions
shown in FIG. 44 is associated with a selectable region and each
selectable region is associated with a menu option. The menu
options shown in FIG. 44, in addition to "sumac" and
"vort<space>x" are "wizen", "backspace", "words", "talk",
ldhbfk" and "ypgqi,". The operator may select the menu option
associated with any one of the selectable regions by moving the
location indicated by the pointer from circumscribed region (2650)
into the region associated with the selectable region and then
dwelling on the selectable region for the selection threshold
period. Each selectable region preferably includes all the area of
its associated region.
[0384] An operator having impaired ability to maintain a body
member in a steady position but who can control the point at which
the location indicated by a body member enters a region may, in
accord with the Intersection aspect of the invention, use his
relatively unimpaired motor capability to selectively enlarge a
selectable region or determine which of two or more selectable
regions will occupy a predetermined area, thus making it easier for
him to select. If the general purpose computer system of the
preferred embodiment is coupled to a speech synthesizer and the
menu options are letters or words, an operator with impaired speech
may select or spell words and speak them.
[0385] FIGS. 47 and 48 illustrate the upper right corner of a
display in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the
Intersection aspect of the invention. FIG. 47 depicts the upper
right corner of a display (2112) of a computer system (2116) having
thereon two regions, (1404) and (1402), each associated
respectively with a selectable region, each selectable region
associated respectively with menu options "bdfhkl" and
"<space>cmnrst". The selectable region associated with region
(1402) includes all of region (1402). The selectable region
associated with region (1404) includes all of region (1404) plus
area (1406) between region (1404) and the right edge of the display
(2112). Assuming the operator uses a pointer to indicate a location
on the display and that the location to first intersect the union
of regions (1402) and (1404) intersects region (1402), the display
remains as shown in FIG. 47. Dwelling in area (1406) operates to
select the menu option "<space>cmnrst. If instead the
location to first intersect the union of regions (1402) and (1404)
intersects region (1404), the display changes to that shown in FIG.
48. Dwelling in area (1406) then operates to select the menu option
"bdfhkl".
[0386] The preferred embodiment of the Intersection aspect will now
be described in detail from an implementation perspective. The
Intersection aspect is preferably implemented by modifications to
the access program (1206) described above in the detailed
description of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention. The
modifications are: (1) add a row to the state table aPocketFsm at
row index 18 for a new state, ST_EXIT and initialize the value of
aPocketFsm[ST_EXIT][EV_NULL] to 4, the value of ST_LOW TIDE; (2) at
initialization time, change aPocketFsm[ST_LOW_TIDE][E- V_CROSS_OUT]
to 18, the value of ST_EXIT; (3) at initialization time for each
state machine, (a) if the visible subregion associated with the
state machine does not abut the edge of the display, set interior
to TRUE, otherwise set fInterior to FALSE; (b) initialize
iAdjacentPocket to the index of the state machine associated with
the adjacent region. For example, assuming the index of the state
machine associated with region (2614/2616) in FIG. 44 is 2 and the
index of the state machine associated with region (2612) in FIG. 44
is 3, iAdjacentPocket in the data set associated with the state
machine associated with region (2614/2616) is initialized to 3 and
iAdjacentPocket in the data set associated with the state machine
associated with region (2612) is initialized to 2; (c) initialize
the second array of points to define the boundaries of the region
associated with the selectable region associated with each state
machine, for example, region (2612), and initialize the first array
of points to define the boundaries of the visible subregion of the
selectable region associated with the state machine, for example,
visible subregion (2712); (4) remove creation of Windows.RTM.
regions corresponding to visible subregions from the access program
(1206) initialization; (5) append to ST_ENTRY state processing
corresponding to the following pseudo-code:
[0387] if pPocket->fInterior equals TRUE
[0388] if pPocket->hRegion is not NULL
[0389] delete the Windows.RTM. region having the handle
pPocket->hRegion
[0390] create a Windows.RTM. region having the boundaries defined
by the second array of points associated with this state machine
and set pPocket->hRegion to the handle to this region
[0391] set pPocket->fPaint to TRUE
[0392] send EV_RESET to all state machines except this one and the
state machine having the index pPocket->iAdjacentPocket
[0393] set pAdjacentPocket to point to the data set associated with
the state machine having the index pPocket->iAdjacentPocket
[0394] delete the Windows.RTM. region having the handle
pAdjacentPocket->hRegion
[0395] set pAdjacentPocket->hRegion to NULL
[0396] set pAdjacentPocket->fPaint to TRUE
[0397] (4) append to ST_RESET state processing corresponding to the
following pseudo-code:
[0398] if pPocket->hRegion is not NULL
[0399] delete the Windows.RTM. region having the handle
pPocket->hRegion
[0400] create a Windows.RTM. region having the boundaries defined
by the second array of points associated with this state machine
and set pPocket->hRegion to the handle to this region
[0401] An example of the selection of selectable region in accord
with the Intersection aspect of the invention will now be described
with reference to FIGS. 44 and 45. Following initialization, assume
that the operator moves the pointer (2202) from a position
indicating location (2656) toward location (2652) in FIG. 44. At
the next expiration of the cursor polling timer, the procedure
CreateEvent sends an EV_MOVEMENT event to the state machine
associated with the selectable region associated with the menu
option "sumac". The event EV_MOVEMENT drives this state machine
from its current state, ST_RESET, to ST_EBB_TIDE. The pseudo-code
for ST_EBB_TIDE in procedure PocketFsm is a break statement,
indicating that no state specific action is taken at this time,
other than the transition to ST_EBB_TIDE. Control returns to
Windows.RTM. (1204). At the expiration of the cursor polling timer
after the location indicated by the pointer reaches location
(2652), the procedure CreateEvent sends event EV_DWELL to the state
machine associated with the selectable region associated with the
menu option "sumac". EV_DWELL drives this state machine from
ST_EBB_TIDE to ST_ENTRY. Following the pseudo-code for ST_ENTRY
state processing shown above and in the Procedure PocketFsm,
fInternalEvent is set to TRUE, Event is set to EV_NULL, the
Windows.RTM. region corresponding to region (2612), ie. the
Windows.RTM. region having the handle pPocket->hRegion, is
deleted and a new Windows.RTM. region having the boundaries
indicated in the first array of points, ie. visible subregion
(2712) in FIG. 45, is created and the handle stored in
pPocket->hRegion. pPocket->fPaint is set to TRUE, EV_RESET is
sent to state machines associated with regions other than (2612)
and (2614/2616). Data in the data set associated with the adjacent
region (2614/2616) is now modified. The Windows.RTM. region
corresponding to region (2614/2616) is deleted, hRegion for the
state machine associated with that region is set to NULL and fpaint
associated with that state machine is set to TRUE. The event
EV_NULL drives the state machine associated with selectable region
(2714/2712) to ST_LOW_TIDE. The pseudo-code for ST_LOW_TIDE is only
a break statement, so there is no state specific action for
ST_LOW_TIDE other than entry into this state. pPocket-fPaint is
TRUE so the client rectangle is invalidated, resulting in the
redrawing of Windows.RTM. regions associated with state machines
having fPaint equal to TRUE so that the display (2112) appears as
shown in FIG. 45. Control returns to Windows.RTM. (1204).
[0402] Dwelling at any location within selectable region
(2714/2712) now causes the procedure CreateEvent to send EV_DWELL
to the state machine associated with this selectable region.
Selection of this selectable region proceeds as described above in
the detailed description of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the
invention.
[0403] Assuming the operator moves the location indicated by the
pointer out of selectable region (2714/2712) prior to selection,
the procedure CreateEvent sends the event EV_CROSS OUT to the state
machine associate with that selectable region, driving it to
ST_EXIT. The state processing for ST_EXIT causes the display (2112)
to change to that shown in FIG. 44.
[0404] F. Alignment
[0405] The embodiment of the Alignment aspect of the invention as
implemented in the prototype will now be described in detail from a
functional and implementation perspective using an example depicted
in FIGS. 49, 50, and 51. Each of these Figures depicts the upper
right corner of a display (2112) having two visible subregions on
the display. In these Figures, no subregions outside the display
(2112) are shown. Alignment is achieved in several steps and
requires operator interaction with the apparatus. For purposes of
this example, assume that FIG. 49 depicts the upper right corner of
the display (2112), that an operator, fitted with a head pointer,
desires to keep the cursor on the display directly in his line of
sight and that the location indicated by the pointer is presently
15 degrees to the right of the location of the arrow cursor (1802).
The operator now dwells on selectable region (1834) for an
predetermined period ("the lock threshold") which preferably is
significantly greater than the selection threshold period. The
apparatus responds to this extended dwell period by changing the
display to that shown in FIG. 49. The arrow cursor is removed from
the display and the lock icon (1902) is displayed in a
predetermined location of the intersected selectable region
("lockspot") on the display. The lock icon remains on the lockspot
for a predetermined period ("the lock period"); it does not move
responsive to the operator's head movement While the lock icon is
displayed, the operator turns his head, bringing his line of sight
into alignment with the lockspot. At the expiration of the lock
period, the apparatus changes the display to that shown in FIG. 51.
The lock icon is eased and the arrow cursor appears in the
lockspot, which is where the operator is now looking. The arrow
cursor moves in response to the operator's head movement.
[0406] An operator who loses alignment between location indicated
by his pointer and the cursor may thus initiate an alignment
sequence, and then, by moving his head or other body member when
the prototype indicates he should do so by displaying the lock
icon, regain alignment. That the lock icon is displayed indicates
to the operator that he can align his head or other body member.
The position of the lock icon indicates to the operator the
location on the display with which he should align his head or
other body member. This is the location where the arrow cursor will
appear at the expiration of the lock period.
[0407] The Alignment aspect will now be described in detail from an
implementation perspective as implemented in the prototype. The
Alignment aspect of the invention is implemented an integral part
of the state machine described in the detailed description of the
Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention, using the same state
machines and initialization, with the exception that
aPocketFsm[ST_CREST_TIDE][EV_CEIL- ING] is changed from 9, the
value of ST_DWELL, to 14, the value of ST_BEGIN_LOCK The operator
initiates the alignment process by moving the cursor so that the
cursor hotspot intersects a selectable region. As an example, FIG.
49 shows the arrow cursor (1802) intersecting selectable region
(1834). The operator then dwells on the selectable region for the
lock threshold, preferably at least one second greater than the
selection threshold period. This operator action causes the state
machine associated with the intersected selectable region to reach
state ST_CREST_TIDE. On receipt of the first WM_TIMER message
following entry into state ST_CREST_TIDE, the procedure CreateEvent
creates event EV_CEILING, which drives the state machine from state
ST_CREST_TIDE to state ST_BEGIN_LOCK The state processing within
state ST_BEGIN_LOCK beeps, sets the system cursor location to the
selectable region's lockspot, sets the system cursor to null
erasing the arrow cursor, displays a the lock icon (1902 in FIG.
50) on the selectable region's lockspot and initializes the global
variable iLockCursor to the number of expirations of the cursor
polling timer corresponding to the period of time the cursor will
be locked (the "lock period") configured by the operator,
preferably two seconds, and control is returned to Windows.RTM.
(1204). Following the next expiration of the cursor polling timer,
the procedure CreateEvent may generate an event EV_DECAY, EV_DWELL,
EV_CROSS_OUT, EV_MOVEMENT or EV_CEILING. Each of these events
drives the state machine from state ST_BEGIN_LOCK to state ST_LOCK.
Within state ST_LOCK the system cursor is moved to the selectable
region's lockspot and iLockCursor is decremented. Then it is
determined whether iLockCursor equals zero. If not, control returns
to Windows.RTM. (1204) for another iteration through ST_LOCK.
During the lock period, the system cursor is moved to the lockspot
upon every expiration of the cursor polling timer, thus inhibiting
movement of the cursor from the lockspot so that, during the lock
period, the operator may move the location indicated by the pointer
while the lock icon remains on or very close to the selectable
region's lockspot. When, eventually, iLockCursor is decremented to
zero, the global Event is set to EV_NULL and fInternalEvent is set
to TRUE so that another state transition occurs immediately. This
transition drives the state machine from state ST_LOCK to state
ST_END_LOCK. Within state ST_END_LOCK, the lock icon is erased,
Windows.RTM. (1204) is directed to display the arrow cursor (2002)
at the lockspot, as shown in FIG. 51, the fpaint flag associated
with the intersected selectable region is set to TRUE so that the
selectable region will be drawn, restoring the background behind
the erased lock icon. Assuming the cursor hotspot remains on the
selectable region for another 54 milliseconds, CreateEvent
generates EV_DWELL, which drives the state machine to ST_DISCARD.
Referring to the pseudo-code in PocketFsm, ST_DISCARD state
processing sets State to PreviousState, returning the state machine
to ST_END_LOCK and in effect, discarding the last event. Following
the expiration of the cursor polling timer after the operator moves
the cursor out of the selectable region it presently intersects,
the procedure CreateEvent generates an event EV_CROSS_OUT which
drives the state machine from state ST_END_LOCK to state
ST_SELECT_AND_OUT. The access program (1206) performs the state
processing for state ST_SELECT_AND_OUT and subsequent states as
previously described in the description of the Perimeter Menu
aspect of the invention.
[0408] In the prototype, the operator may initiate alignment by
depressing any character key on the keyboard. On receipt of a
WM_CHAR message from Windows.RTM. (1204), the access program (1206)
removes the arrow cursor from the display and displays the lock
icon at a predetermined location on the display. In the prototype,
the predetermined location is the center of the display (2112).
After a predetermined period, two seconds in the prototype, the
lock cursor icon is erased and the arrow cursor displayed at the
predetermined location.
[0409] In the prototype, the cursor is automatically centered if
the cursor hotspot does not move for two minutes. Lack of movement
of the cursor hotspot is detected in the procedure CreateEvent,
which generates the event EV_IDLE_TIMEOUT for all state machines.
The state processing of each state machine on receipt of
EV_IDLE_TIMEOUT depends upon its current state. State machines in
states ST_INITIAL and ST_RESET stay in those states. State machines
in all other states in which an external event can be received are
driven to ST_IDLE. Referring to the pseudo-code in PocketFsm,
ST_IDLE state processing moves the cursor to the center of the
display, sets fInternalEvent to TRUE and sets Event to EV_NULL.
PocketFsm[ST_IDLE][NULL] equals 3, the value of ST_RESET. The
access program (1206) performs the state processing for the
ST_RESET and subsequent states as described in the description of
the Perimeter aspect of the invention.
[0410] G. Length Order
[0411] The preferred embodiment of the Length Order aspect of the
invention will now be described in detail from a functional and
implementation perspective using an example depicted in FIG. 52 and
described in the detailed description of the Location Indication
aspect of the invention. Assume, for purposes of this example, that
the operator has previously selected the letter "s". In the
preferred embodiment, the string "s" is passed from the access
program (1206 in FIG. 16) via the Windows.RTM. Dynamic Data
Exchange ("DDE") interface to a database program (1210 in FIG. 16),
preferably the FoxPro for Windows.RTM. version 2.6 program,
available from Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash., USA. The
FoxPro program looks up the record having the index "s" in a
database composed of 26 letters, one for each letter of the
alphabet. Each record includes one field for a letter of the
alphabet and 12 fields containing the 12 most frequently used
English words beginning with that letter. The 12 words in the
record are ordered primarily by length, determined by the number of
letters in each word, and secondarily by alphabetic order. The
FoxPro program returns these 12 words to the access program (1206)
and these are displayed on the display (2112) as named menu
options. The twelve named menu options, ordered as described and
depicted in FIG. 52, are "so", "say", "she", "said", "show",
"some", "such", "state", "school", "social", "service", and
"student". Preferably, only the root form of inflected forms of
words which can be created through available suffixes ("root word")
may be displayed as named menu options, so that the limited number
of available menu options in combination with the apparatus'
capability to add suffixes offers a large number of inflected
forms.
[0412] Words which may be named menu options in the same menu may
be ordered by any suitable method. Preferably ordering is done by
an ordering program operating on a corpus of text or speech
including text or speech produced by individuals whose age, sex,
geographic location and disability are the same as or similar to
that of the operator. The ordering program determines the frequency
of use of root words in the corpus, selects the twelve most common
root words, beginning with every possible combination of one, two
and three letters, and stores them in three FoxPro databases for
one, two and three letter word beginnings respectively, the words
in each record ordered as described above. Ordering the words prior
to a request minimizes the delay between the operators selection of
a letter or letters and the display of the named menu options.
Preferably, the ordering program also creates a database of records
for root words beginning with four or more letters. Each record
includes the words and its frequency of use in the corpus. When the
operator selects four or more letters consecutively, the access
program (1206) requests via DDE that the FoxPro program (1210) look
up words starting with four or more letters in the database for
words beginning with four or more letters, select the 12 most
frequently used words matching the selected letters, order them as
described above, and return them to the access program (1206).
[0413] An operator searching named menu options for a desired menu
option may start his search in the area on the display most likely
to contain the desired menu option. Upon comparison of the length
of the desired menu option to a displayed menu option, the operator
may determine whether to continue his search from the displayed
menu option toward the front of the list or toward the rear of the
list, or to jump to another displayed menu option in the list
Further, he may make this determination more quickly than if the
displayed menu options were sorted conventionally. The reduced menu
option search time increases the operator's productivity with
respect to conventional menu interfaces.
[0414] H. Location Indication
[0415] The preferred embodiment of the Location Indication aspect
of the invention will now be described in detail from a functional
perspective using an example depicted in FIG. 52. FIG. 52 shows the
display (2112) of a general purpose computer system (2218 in FIG.
15) having thereon eight selectable regions, each associated
respectively with a menu option. Each of the eight selectable
regions consists of the union of a visible subregion on the display
(2112) and an invisible subregion (not shown) located outside the
display (2112) and adjacent the visible subregion. Selectable
region (4301) is associated with menu option "so", selectable
region (4303) with menu option "say", selectable region (4305) with
menu option "she", selectable region (4307) with menu option
"suffixes", selectable region (4309) with menu option "words",
selectable region (4311) with menu option "some", selectable region
(4313) with menu option "show" and selectable region (4315) with
menu option "said". Also shown on the display (2112) are 12
indicating regions, each associated respectively with a menu
option. Indicating region (4351) is associated with menu option
"so", indicating region (4353) with menu option "say", indicating
region (4355) with menu option "she", indicating region (4361) with
menu option "some", indicating region (4363) with menu option
"show", indicating region (4365) with menu option "said",
indicating region (4371) is associated with menu option "such",
indicating region (4373) with menu option "state", indicating
region (4375) with menu option "school", indicating region (4381)
with menu option "student", indicating region (4383) with menu
option "service" and indicating region (4385) with menu option
"social". Each indicating region is located on the display (2112)
in the region (4350) circumscribed by the selectable regions. In
accord with the Location Indication aspect of the invention, the
location of each of the indicating regions (4351), (4352), (4355),
(4361), (4363) and (4365) indicates the location of each of the
selectable regions associated with the menu option associated with
the indicating region. These selectable regions, respectively, are
(4301), (4303), (4305), (4311), (4313) and (4315).
[0416] In the preferred embodiment, selection of menu option
"words" causes selectable region (4301) to be associated with menu
option "such" instead of menu option "so", selectable region (4303)
to be associated with menu option "state" instead of menu option
"say", selectable region (4305) to be associated with menu option
"school" instead of menu option "she", selectable region (4311) to
be associated with menu option "student" instead of menu option
"some", selectable region (4313) to be associated with menu option
"service" instead of menu option "show", and selectable region
(4315) to be associated with menu option "social" instead of menu
option "said". In the preferred embodiment, following the selection
of menu option "words", the menu option newly associated with each
selectable region is displayed on that selectable region (not
shown). Following the selection of menu option "words", indicating
regions (4371), (4373), (4375), (4381), (4383) and (4385) each
indicate the location of each of the selectable regions associated
with the menu option associated with the indicating region.
[0417] The indicating regions and the menu options displayed
thereon in FIG. 52 are disproportionately large relative to the
rest of FIG. 52. They are approximately 1.5 times their
proportionate size. They are represented as shown in FIG. 52 in
compliance with Patent Cooperation Treaty Rules requiring a minimum
size for letters in figures.
[0418] In the preferred embodiment of the Perimeter Menu aspect of
the invention, all the menu options displayed on the selectable
regions cannot be seen in a glance by many operators. However, when
the displayed menu options are displayed on the indicating regions,
for example, as shown in FIG. 52, the displayed menu options can be
seen in a glance, facilitating searching of the menu by the
operator for his intended menu option. Since the location of each
selectable region is indicated by the location of the associated
indicating region, the operator may point to the intended
selectable region without searching it out or pausing to verify
that the menu option associated with a selectable region is the
menu option he desires. The frequent operator of such a menu
interface may habituate the process of selecting an intended menu
option so he can focus his attention on another task while
selecting the option, for example, planning his next interaction
with the menu interface.
[0419] FIG. 53 depicts a display and structures in accord with an
another embodiment of the Location Indication aspect of the
invention. Selectable regions (4604), (4608), (4612), (4616),
(4620), (4624), (4628) and (4632) are located adjacent the display
(2112) and associated respectively with menu options "so", "say",
"she", "suffixes", "said", "show", "some" and "words". Each
selectable region is unbounded on the side furthest from and
parallel to the edge of the display. Indicating regions (4351),
(4353), (4355), (4357), (4367), (4361), (4363) and (4365) are
associated respectively with menu options "so", "say", "she",
"suffixes", "said", "show", "some" and "words". In accord with the
Location Indication aspect of the invention, the location of an
indicating region indicates the location of the selectable region
associated with the menu option associated with the indicating
region.
[0420] The large size of the selectable regions outside the
display, for example, as shown in FIG. 53, facilitate selection by
individuals with impaired fine motor control while the indicating
regions indicate the location of each associated selectable
region.
[0421] Yet another embodiment in accord with the Location
Indication aspect of the invention is shown in FIGS. 54 and 55.
FIG. 54 depicts a display (2112) having thereon eight selectable
regions, each associated respectively with a menu option. As shown
in the Figure, selectable region (3911) is associated with menu
option "aeiou", selectable region (3910) with menu option
"gqjyvwxz", selectable region (3908) with menu option "setup",
selectable region (3907) with menu option undo, selectable region
(3905) with menu option "control", selectable region (3904) with
menu option "words", selectable region (3902) with menu option
"nsrm<space>tcp" and selectable region (3901) with menu
option "bdfhkl". Menu option "aeiou" is associated with a submenu
which includes submenu options "a", "e", "i", "o" and "u",
displayed on indicating regions (3930), (3928), (3926), (3924) and
(3922) respectively. The background pattern of indicating region
(3930) matches the background pattern of selectable region (3908),
indicating that submenu option "a" will be associated with
selectable region (3908) following selection of menu option
"aeiou". Similarly, the background pattern of indicating region
(3928) matches the background pattern of selectable region (3910),
indicating that submenu option "e" will be associated with
selectable region (3910) following selection of menu option
"aeiou". Alternatively, the indication may be made by the size,
shape, hue, brightness, contrast, dithering, fill, blinking
hatching or pattern of the indicating region or any part thereof,
including either of the foreground and background of the indicating
region.
[0422] When the operator selects selectable region (3911), the
display (2112) changes to that shown in FIG. 55. Now, selectable
region (3910) is associated with submenu option "e", selectable
region (3908) with submenu option "a", selectable region (3904)
with submenu option "u", selectable region (3902) with submenu
option "o" and selectable region (3901) with submenu option i". In
accord with the Location Indication aspect of the invention, the
appearance of an indicating region indicates the location of the
selectable regions associated with the submenu option associated
with the indicating region.
[0423] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 54 and 55 illustrates how the
Location Indication aspect of the invention speeds selection of a
submenu option of a menu hierarchy. The operator, by observing the
background pattern of the submenu option within the displayed menu
option, may determine which selectable region he should next dwell
on. The operator may make this determination prior to selection of
the menu option and need not wait for the submenu options to be
displayed on their associated selectable regions. In accordance
with the Location Indication aspect of the invention, the operator
may select or spell out words more quickly than with conventional
automated menu hierarchy. Assuming the display (2112) is part of
computer system, these words may be input to an application
program, and, if the computer system is coupled to a speech
synthesizer, these words may be spoken.
[0424] FIG. 56 depicts another apparatus in accord with the
Location Indication aspect of the invention. An example of the
operation of this apparatus will now be described. FIG. 56 depicts
display area (4770) adjacent to which are located selectable
regions (4701), (4703), (4705), (4707), (4709), (4711), (4713) and
(4715). Not shown in the Figure are three sets of eight menu
options. At different times during the operation of the apparatus
shown in FIG. 56, for example at one second intervals, the
plurality of selectable regions is associated with a different set
of eight menu options such that, for a one second period, each
selectable region is associated respectively with one menu option
of the associated set of menu options. On the display area are 24
indicators, each associated respectively with one of the menu
options. Each indicator indicates when a selectable region is
associated with the menu option associated with the indicator.
Thus, each of the indicators (4721), (4723), (4725), (4727),
(4729), (4731), (4733) and (4735) is associated respectively with a
menu option which may be in turn associated respectively, for
example, during a fist one second period, with one of the
selectable regions. The operator may select a desired one of the 24
menu options by selecting the associated selectable region during
the period when the desired menu option is associated with the
associated selectable region.
[0425] Alternatively, the apparatus shown in FIG. 56 may require
two successive selection events, the first selection event to
select a set of eight menu options or to select a set of three menu
options, the set being associated with one selectable region, and
the second selection event to select one of the selected set. For
example, the first selection event may select the set of menu
options associated with indicators (4773), (4753) and (4733), and
the second selection event may select one menu option from this
set.
[0426] Still another apparatus in accord with the Location
Indication aspect of the invention is shown in FIG. 57. FIG. 57
depicts display area (4770) outside of which are located selectable
regions (5001), (5003), (5005), (5007), (5009), (5011), (5013),
(5015), (5021), (5023), (5025), (5027), (5029), (5031), (5033) and
(5035). The location of each selectable region is indicated by an
indicating region on the display area, (5041), (5043), (5045),
(5047), (5049), (5051), (5053), (5055), (5061), (5063), (5065),
(5067), (5069), (5071), (5073) and (5075), respectively.
[0427] The Location Indication aspect of the invention will now be
described from an implementation perspective with reference to FIG.
52. Preferably, the Location Indication aspect is implemented by
modifications to the access program (1206) described in the
detailed description of the Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention.
The modifications required for the Location Indication aspect of
the invention are: (1) at initialization time: (a) create twelve
child edit windows, each corresponding to one of the indicating
regions shown in FIG. 52, each of the class "edit", each having the
style
(WS_CHILD.vertline.WS_BORDER.vertline.WS_DISABLED.vertline.ES_MULTILINE.v-
ertline.AlignmentStyle) where ".vertline." represents a logical OR
operation and where AlignmentStyle equals ES RIGHT for child
windows having right justified text and ES_LEFT for child windows
having left justified text, as shown in FIG. 52; (b) move the child
edit windows so they are located in or near the center of the
display; (c) display the child edit windows; and (d) initialize an
array which maps each child edit window, for example, by an index
between 0 and 11 inclusive, to an element of the aLabel array; and
(2) modify the code implementing ST_SELECTED state processing, so
that after changing the menu options associated with various
selectable regions (by changing the pLabel element of the data set
associated with each of the state machines to point to the menu
option in the aLabel array to be associated with that state
machine), the array mapping each child window to an element of the
aLabel array is used to access the text of the menu option and the
text of each child edit window is set accordingly. In the preferred
embodiment, the six menu options displayed in indicating regions
(4371), (4374), (4375), (4381), (4383) and (4385) are present in
the aLabel array when FIG. 52 is shown, but are not associated with
selectable regions until the operator selects menu option
"words".
[0428] I. Sound Match
[0429] The preferred embodiment of the Sound Match aspect of the
invention will now be described in detail from a functional
perspective using an example depicted in FIG. 58. FIG. 58 shows a
display (2112) of a computer system (2116) having thereon six
regions or sound indicators, (5801), (5803), (5805), (5807),
(5809), and (5811), each associated with a menu option, "ypgqj,",
"Idhbfk", "wizen", "words", "vort x", and "sumac", respectively.
Each menu option is displayed on its associated sound indicator.
Each sound indicator has a distinct hue. For example, sound
indicator (5801) may be green, (5803) white, (5805) blue, (5807)
red, (5809) orange and (5811) grey. Each of these sound indicators
indicates a sound the operator is able to consistently produce, for
example, the vowel sound e as it sounds in green, i as it sounds in
white, u as it sounds in blue, e as it sounds in red, o as it
sounds in orange and e it sounds in grey. Assuming the operator
says o as it sounds in orange, "vort x", the menu option associated
with the orange sound indicator (5809) is selected and the display
is changed to that shown in FIG. 59. In the preferred embodiment,
submenu options space, "x", "r", "t", "v" and "o" are now
associated with each of the sound indicators (5901), (5903),
(5905), (5907), (5909), and (5911) respectively. Assuming the
operator says e as in green, submenu option space is selected and a
space is input to the application program (6107) whose output
appears in region (5850).
[0430] FIG. 60 illustrates a display and structures in accordance
with an alternative embodiment of the Sound Match aspect of the
invention. FIG. 60 depicts a display (2112) of a computer system
(2116). Adjacent the display (2112) is a static display (6252)
having thereon eight sound indicators (6204), (6208), (6212),
(6216), (6220), (6224), (6228), and (6232). Each of the eight sound
indicators is a symbol in a phonetic character set graphically
representing a sound. Alternatively, the sound indicators may
include a picture of an object, for example, a tree, a house, a
boy, or a map of a country, or may include a shape, for example, a
square, a circle, or a triangle, or may include a hue indicator, a
pitch indicator, a volume indicator, a sound duration indicator, a
change in pitch indicator, or a change in volume indicator. Eight
menu options, "vort<space>x", "sumac", "wizen", undo,
"words", "talk", "ldhbfk" and "ypgqj,", are displayed on the
display (2112), each adjacent and associated respectively with one
of the sound indicators, the eight menu options together
circumscribing region (6250) on the display. The operator may
select any one of the menu options by producing the sound indicated
by the sound indicator associated with the menu option. In response
to a menu selection, submenu options of the selected menu option
may be displayed and associated respectively with a sound
indicator.
[0431] An operator with impaired speech but who is able to
consistently produce a relatively small number of sounds
distinguishable by conventional speech recognition means may, in
accord with the Sound Match aspect of the invention, select from
among the small number of menu options by using the sounds he can
produce. Assuming the display (2112) is part of computer system,
the menu option may represent inputs to an application program,
and, if the computer system is coupled to a speech synthesizer, the
menu option may represent words to be spoken.
[0432] FIG. 61 illustrates a display and structures in accordance
with an alternative embodiment of the Sound Match aspect of the
invention. FIG. 61 depicts a display (2112) of a computer system
(2116) having thereon six square sound indicators, (6401), (6403),
(6405), (6411), (6413), and (6415) arranged in two columns of three
sound indicators. Each sound indicator abuts a sound indicator in
the other column, the sound indicator located above it, if any, and
the sound indicator located below it, if any. Assume that the
operator is entering Chinese, that he uses a keyboard to enter a
phonetic unit and intonation according to the Pin Yin coding method
for the Chinese language, and that he enters the distinct sound
"f", each of the sound indicators shown in FIG. 61 is associated
respectively with a menu option, each of the plurality of menu
options having a common characteristic. In this example, the menu
options are homophones and the common characteristic is a phonetic
unit and intonation but may be a phonetic unit alone, an intonation
alone, a stroke used to draw an ideograph, a number of horizontal
strokes, a number of vertical strokes, a number of total strokes, a
stroke order, a radical, a part of speech, an ideograph, a kana, a
diacritic, a classification of a part of an ideograph or other
characteristic of a class of ideographs. Each of the sound
indicators has a distinct hue. The operator may select any one of
the displayed menu options, according to the Sound Match aspect of
the invention, by speaking the sound associated with the sound
indicator associated with the desired menu option. For example,
assume the operator says, "blue" or a translation thereof,
preferably a Chinese translation in this example. The ideograph
located on the blue sound indicator is selected. In this example,
this ideograph is input to a word processing program and appears on
the display (2112).
[0433] The Sound Match aspect of the invention thus allows an
operator to select from an option from a menu, using speech
recognition means, whether or not the menu options are homophones.
The operator does not need to use his hands to make this selection
and so may keep both his hands on the home row of the keyboard, in
preparation for entering the next common characteristic, or, if
specifying the common characteristic by voice, may select a menu
option without interrupting the manual activity he's engaged
in.
[0434] The preferred embodiment of the Sound Match aspect of the
invention will now be described in detail from an implementation
perspective, beginning with the hardware and software operating
environment which will now be described with reference to FIG. 62
which depicts a speech recognition system (6001) including a
computer system (2116) and keyboard (2210), as earlier described, a
sound board (6007) and a microphone (6009). The conventional
computer system (2116) preferably includes an 80486 CPU running at
33 MHz or faster, and is provided with Dragon Dictate Power Edition
software, available from Dragon Systems, Inc., Newton, Mass., USA.
Preferably, the sound board is the Audio Capture Playback Adaptor
and the microphone is the Shur Headset microphone, both available
from Dragon Systems, Inc. FIG. 63 depicts the software environment
of the preferred embodiment, which includes the earlier described
Windows.RTM. version 3.1 operating system (1204), an optional
Windows.RTM. application program (6107), the Windows.RTM. Dragon
software driver (6101) included in the Dragon Dictate Power Edition
software, the Dragon Application (6103) included in the Dragon
Dictate Power Edition software, and a speech recognition access
program (6105). The Dragon Application (6103) is configured to
match a sample of each of six sounds distinguishable by the Dragon
Application (6103) which the operator can consistently produce.
Using the example described above, these are the vowel sounds
produced by the operator of e as it sounds in green, i as it sounds
in white, u as it sounds in blue, e as it sounds in red, o as it
sounds in orange and e it sounds in grey. Each of these sounds is
associated respectively with an identifier, for example, a number
or a sequence of one or more characters. The speech recognition
access program (6105) is preferably a Windows application program
developed using, in part, the Voice Tools Software Development Kit
available from Dragon Systems, Inc. At initialization time, the
speech recognition access program (6105) defines an array of data
structures defining the menu and submenu options and the menu
hierarchy. For example, one of the elements of this array
determines that, on selection, certain actions are to be taken, for
example, inputting text to an application program, and that certain
submenu options and related data are to be associated with certain
child edit windows. Also at initialization time, the speech
recognition access program (6105) initializes callback procedures
using the Dragon Application's Application Program Interface to
receive notification from the Dragon Application when a sound has
been matched. Also at initialization time, the main window of the
speech recognition access program (6105) is preferably sized to
just encompass the sound indicators shown in FIG. 58. Also at
initialization time, the speech recognition access program (6105)
creates six child edit controls, each corresponding to one of the
sound indicators shown in FIG. 58. Each of the child edit controls
has the background color described above and a text color of black
or white depending upon which provides better contrast against the
background color of the child edit control, and each is located on
the display (2112) as shown in FIG. 58. Also at initialization
time, the menu options of the initial menu are each associated
respectively with one of the child edit controls. After
initialization, the speech recognition access program (6105), upon
notification from the Dragon Application that a sound has been
received and a match attempted, sequentially searches the list of
identifiers matched to the sound by the Dragon Application (6103),
starting with the best match, until it finds an identifier
corresponding to any one of the six sounds distinguishable by the
Dragon Application (6103). Assuming the operator says o as it
sounds in orange, the Dragon Application (6103) provides to the
speech recognition access program (6105) a list of matches
including, before any other identifier corresponding to any one of
the six sounds distinguishable by the Dragon Application (6103),
the identifier associated with child edit control (5809). This
child edit control is currently associated with menu option "vort
x", the matched menu option. The speech recognition access program
(6105) then sets the text of each of the child edit controls to one
of the submenu options associated with the matched menu option. In
the example above, submenu options space, "x", "r", "t", "v" and
"o" are associated with each of the child edit controls
respectively and the text of the associated child edit control is
set to the submenu option. Assuming the operator says e as in
green, submenu option space is the matched submenu option and a
space is input to the application program (6107) whose output
appears in region (5850). Preferably the application program (6107)
is an application program capable of executing a WM_SIZE command so
that the speech recognition access program (6105) may size the
windows of the application program (6107) to fit neatly in region
(5850) and is capable of executing WM_CHAR messages so that the
speech recognition access program (6105) may input characters to
the application program (6107).
[0435] J. Ideographic Language
[0436] The preferred embodiment of the Ideographic Language aspect
of the invention will now be described in detail from a functional
perspective using an example depicted in FIG. 64. FIG. 64 shows the
display (2112) of a general purpose computer system (2218 in FIG.
15) and 12 selectable regions. Each of the 12 selectable regions
consists of the union of a visible subregion on the display (2112)
and an invisible subregion located outside the display (2112) and
adjacent the visible subregion. For example, the selectable region
in the upper left corner both above and below the top of the
display (2112) in FIG. 64 consists of invisible subregion (3604)
and visible subregion (3606), and hereinafter is referred to as
selectable region (3604/3606). The other selectable regions shown
in FIG. 64, proceeding counter clockwise from selectable region
(3604/3606) are (3608/3610), (3612/3614), (3616/3618), (3620/3622),
(3624/3626), (3644/3646), (3648/3650) (3652/3654), (3656/3658),
(3660/3662) and (3664/3666). In FIG. 64 each of the visible
subregions is adjacent an edge of the display (2112). The
selectable regions together circumscribe region (3680) in the
center of the display.
[0437] Also shown on the display (2112) within region (3680) in
FIG. 64 are ten square indicating regions arranged in two columns
of five indicating regions. Each indicating region abuts an
indicating region in the other column, the indicating region
located above it, if any, and the indicating region located below
it, if any. In the preferred embodiment, each indicating region
indicates by its location the location of a respectively associated
selectable region, in accord with the Location Indication aspect of
the invention. For example, the uppermost indicating region in the
left column of indicating regions (3605) is associated with the
uppermost selectable region (3604/3606) on the left side of the
display. Indicating region (3609) located immediately below
indicating region (3605) is associated with selectable region
(3608/3610) located immediately below selectable region
(3604/3606).
[0438] The operation of the example of the preferred embodiment of
the Ideographic Language aspect of the invention will now be
described. Assuming that the operator is fitted with a head pointer
coupled to the general purpose computer system (2218), that he uses
a keyboard to enter a phonetic unit and intonation according to the
Pin Yin coding method for the Chinese language, and that he enters
the distinct sound "f", each of the plurality of the selectable
regions shown in FIG. 64 is associated with one of a plurality of
menu options, each of the plurality of menu options having a common
characteristic. In this example, the common characteristic is a
phonetic unit and intonation but may be a phonetic unit alone, an
intonation alone, a stroke used to draw an ideograph, a number of
horizontal strokes, a number of vertical strokes, a number of total
strokes, a stroke order, a radical, a part of speech, an ideograph,
a kana, a diacritic, a classification of a part of an ideograph or
other characteristic of a class of ideographs. The ten menu options
shown in FIG. 64 are Chinese ideographs each starting with the
distinct sound "f". Alternatively, the menu options may be
sequences of graphic symbols including one or more kanji. In FIG.
64 the Chinese ideographs are each displayed on the visible
subregion of the associated selectable region and on the indicating
region associated with the selectable region. The remaining two of
the 12 selectable regions, (3624/3626) and (3644/3646), are
associated with menu options for undo and for displaying more menu
options, respectively. In the preferred embodiment, in response to
the selection of the menu option for displaying more menu options,
each of the selectable regions associated with a menu option
starting with the distinct sound "f" is associated with a menu
option not previously displayed and the newly associated menu
option replaces the old menu option on the display.
[0439] Resuming now with the description of the example of the
preferred embodiment, a cross hair cursor (3686) is displayed in
the circumscribed region (3680). Assuming the operator desires to
select the menu option associated with selectable region
(3608/3610), he turns his head to the left and the cross hair
cursor (3686) moves to the left, responsive to the head movement,
until the cross hair cursor hotspot intersects selectable region
(3608/3610) and he maintains the location of the cross hair cursor
hotspot on that selectable region for the selection threshold
period. The menu option associated with selectable region
(3608/3610) is selected and added to text (3684) displayed in the
circumscribed region (3680), the general purpose computer system
(2218) emits an audible beep indicating that selection has occurred
and the displayed menu options, both on the indicating regions and
the visible subregions, are removed from the display.
[0440] In the preferred embodiment, selection is made in accord
with the Facilitated Dwell subaspect of the Dwell aspect of the
invention, described above. Thus, the operator receives an
indication of the progress of his selection by a change in
appearance of the indicating region associated with the intersected
selectable region. Alternatively, selection may be by intersection
of a location indicated by the at least part of a cursor and a
selectable region alone, by such an intersection accompanied by a
switch operation, for example, a depression of a space bar on the
keyboard, or by other suitable means.
[0441] In accord with the Location Indication aspect of the
invention, the operator sees the entire menu in the compact
indicating regions and may discover the location of the selectable
region associated with each menu option without having to visually
scan all the visible subregions. In the preferred embodiment, the
plurality of indicating regions may be moved to a different
location on the display to avoid obstructing the area of the
display showing most recently added graphic symbols or the area of
the display where graphic symbols will soon be added. In accord
with the Ideographic Language aspect of the invention, an operator
may select from among many sequences of one or more ideographs
without lifting either hand from the keyboard, thus speeding entry
of single ideographs or sequences of ideographs in word processing
systems for the Chinese, Japanese and Korean languages. Since, in
the preferred embodiment, the selectable regions are located
adjacent the edge of the display, a large rectangular region
remains available on the display for the output of an application
program. Further, if the selectable regions are located entirely
outside the display, the indicating regions obstruct only a
relatively small portion of the circumscribed region (3680),
permitting the display of a sequences of ideographs for selection
simultaneous with the display of previously selected ideographs,
neither obstructing the operator's view of the other. If the
general purpose computer system is coupled to a speech synthesizer
and the ideographs are symbols of a symbol set, for example, the
Blissymbolics Symbol Set, an illiterate operator, for example, a
school child having impaired speech, may select symbols associated
with words and those words may be spoken via the speech
synthesizer.
[0442] FIG. 65 illustrates a display and structures in accordance
with an alternative embodiment of the Ideographic Language aspect
of the invention. In this Figure, 18 selectable regions
(3704/3706), (3708/3710), (3712/3714), (3716/3718), (372013722),
(3724/3726), (3728/3730), (3732/3734), (3736/3738), (3740/3742),
(3744/3746), (3748/3750), (3752/3754), (3756/3758), (3760/3762),
(3764/3766), (3768/3770), (3772/3774) and (3776/3778) circumscribe
region (3780) on the display (2112). The visible subregions of four
of the 18 selectable regions abut each of the top, left and right
edges of the display (2112) The visible subregions of six of the 18
selectable regions abut the bottom edge of the display (2112). The
18 indicating regions are located within the top half of region
(3780). 12 of the 18 indicating regions are arranged in two columns
of six indicating regions each. The column on the left is close to
the visible subregions abutting the left edge of the display. The
column on the right is close to the visible subregions abutting the
right edge of the display. Two of the 18 indicating regions are
located between the top indicating regions in each of the left and
right columns. The remaining four of the 18 indicating regions are
located between the bottom indicating regions in each of the left
and right columns. Each of the four indicating regions in the top
row of indicating regions indicates the location of a respectively
associated selectable region along the top edge of the display.
Each of the six indicating regions in the bottom row of indicating
regions indicates the location of a respectively associated
selectable region along the bottom edge of the display. Each of the
middle four indicating regions in each of the left and right
columns of indicating regions indicates the location of a
respectively associated selectable region along the left and right
edge of the display. The 16 menu options shown in FIG. 65 are
Chinese ideographs each of which includes the radical k{haeck over
(u)}, a radical having the shape of a rectangle. Each ideograph is
displayed on the visible subregion of the associated selectable
region and on the indicating region associated with the selectable
region. The remaining two of the 18 selectable regions, (3724/3726)
and (3744/3746), are associated with menu options for undo and for
displaying more menu options, respectively.
[0443] The indicating regions (3782) in FIG. 65 are
disproportionately large relative to the rest of FIG. 65. They are
approximately 1.5 times their proportionate size. They are
represented as shown in FIG. 65 in compliance with Patent
Cooperation Treaty Rules requiring a minimum size for letters in
figures.
[0444] FIG. 66 illustrates a display and structures in accordance
with an alternative embodiment of the Ideographic Language aspect
of the invention. FIG. 66 depicts a display (2112) of a computer
system (2116) having thereon ten square indicating regions, (3801),
(3803), (3805), (3807), (3809), (3811), (3813), (3815), (3817), and
(3819), arranged in two columns of five indicating regions. Each
indicating region abuts an indicating region in the other column,
the indicating region located above it, if any, and the indicating
region located below it, if any. Each indicating region indicates
the location of a respectively associated selectable region (not
shown) outside the display. Assume that the operator is entering
Chinese and uses a keyboard coupled to the computer system (2116)
to enter the distinct sound "f". On each of the indicating regions
is then displayed an ideograph having with the distinct sound "f".
The operator, using a pointer coupled to the computer system
(2116), points to the selectable region associated with the
indicating region on which is displayed the desired ideograph. The
selectable region is selected in response to a selection event,
and, in this example, the associated menu option is input to a word
processing program and appears on the display (2112).
[0445] FIG. 67 illustrates a display and structures in accordance
with an alternative embodiment of the Ideographic Language aspect
of the invention. FIG. 67 depicts a display (2112) of a computer
system (2116) having thereon eight selectable regions (6701),
(6703), (6705), (6707), (6709), (6711), (6713), and (6715), each
located on the display (2112) adjacent the edge of the display
(2112) and associated respectively with a menu option. Together the
eight selectable region circumscribe region (6750) on the display.
In FIG. 67 each of eight menu options is displayed on its
associated selectable region. Six of the eight menu options,
associated with selectable regions (6703), (6705), (6707), (6701),
(6715), and (6713) each represent a sequence of graphic symbols in
the Japanese language. These sequences, in Romanized Japanese are
respectively "hoka", "hoka ni", "hoka no", "hoka kara", "nanika
hoka nomono", and "hoka demo nai ga". Each sequence includes the
kanji "hoka" shown alone on selectable region (6703). The sequences
are ordered by length, the shorter sequences on selectable regions
on the left side of the display (2112) ordered by length from the
top to the bottom of the display (2112), the longer sequences along
the right side of the display (2112) ordered by length from the top
to the bottom of the display (2112). The remaining two of the eight
selectable regions, (6709) and (6711), are associated with menu
options for displaying the previous and the next display of menu
options, respectively. The menu option associated with a selectable
region may be selected by a selection event.
[0446] The preferred embodiment of the Ideographic Language aspect
of the invention will now be described in detail from an
implementation perspective. Preferably, the Ideographic Language
aspect of the invention is implemented by modifications to the
access program (1206) described in the detailed description of the
Perimeter Menu aspect of the invention, modified as described in
the descriptions of the Facilitated Dwell subaspect and the
Location Indication aspects of the invention. The modifications
required for the Ideographic Language aspect of the invention are:
(1) install on the general purpose computer system a font for the
ideographic language of the embodiment; (2) at initialization time:
(a) set the text of all labels for display on the selectable
regions to null; (b) do not enable the cursor polling timer; and
(c) hide the Windows.RTM. (1204) system cursor; (3) include in the
main window processing procedure of the access program (1206) code
to process WM_CHAR messages and, when a sequence of one or more
WM_CHAR messages indicates a common characteristic: (a) lookup
sequences or representations of sequences of one or more ideographs
(hereinafter "sequences") having the common characteristic; (b)
copy ten of the sequences to the labels; (c) set the Windows.RTM.
(1204) system cursor to the cross hair cursor, set the cursor
location to a predetermined location near an indicating region and
show the Windows.RTM. (1204) system cursor; (d) set fpaint to TRUE
for every state machine; (e) send EV_RESET to every state machine;
(f) display each sequence at the appropriate location in the
indicating region; and (g) enable the cursor polling timer, and (4)
add state processing to ST_SELECTED to: (a) set the text of all
labels for display to null; (b) hide the Windows.RTM. (1204) system
cursor; (c) erase all sequences from the indicating region; (d)
disable the cursor polling timer; (e) set fpaint to TRUE for every
state machine; (f) send EV_RESET to every state machine; and (g)
insert the selected sequence into the work space.
[0447] In the above descriptions, there is shown and described only
the preferred and certain alternate embodiments of each aspect of
the invention, but, as aforementioned, it is to be understood that
each aspect of the invention is capable of use in various other
combinations and environments and is capable of changes or
modifications within the scope of the inventive concepts as
expressed herein.
5APPENDIX I Procedure: PocketFsm
/****************************************************************
*/ /* */ /* Procedure: PocketFsm */ /* */ /* Description: State
Machine for processing events to */ /* selectable regions. */ /* */
/* Input Parameters: */ /* pPocket pointer to selectable region
data */ /* set */ /* Event event to process */ /* */
/***********************- *****************************************
*/ PocketFsm (pPocket, Event) { BOOL fInternalEvent /* declaration
of local boolean variable */ set fInternalEvent to TRUE while
(fInternalEvent is TRUE) { set fInternalEvent to FALSE set
pPocket->PreviousState to pPocket->State set
pPocket->State to aPocketFsm[pPocket->State][Event] switch
(pPocket->State) { case ST_ILLEGAL_STATE: case ST_ERROR: turn
off all timers log the error display an error message to the
operator break case ST_INITIAL: break case ST_RESET: set time of
selection to the current time if pPocket->Color is not equal to
pPocket->InitialColor set pPocket->Color to
pPocket->InitialColor set pPocket->fPaint to TRUE set
pPocket->fInvert to FALSE break case ST_LOW_TIDE: break case
ST_CREST_TIDE: break case ST_BEGIN_LOCK: emit an audible beep set
the system cursor location to the visible subregion's lockspot set
the system cursor to null display the lock icon on the visible
subregion's lockspot /* initialize counter for locking */ set
iLockCursor to cLockCursor break case ST_LOCK: set the system
cursor location to the visible subregion's lockspot /* on lock
counter expiration, */ /* transfer to the next state */ decrement
iLockCursor by 1 if iLockCursor equals 0 set Event to EV_NULL set
fInternalEvent to TRUE break case ST_END_LOCK: erase the lock icon
with white set the system cursor to the arrow cursor display the
system cursor on the visible subregion' lockspot emit an audible
beep /* paint selectable region so that */ /* the white erasure of
the lock */ /* cursor icon is overwritten */ set pPocket->fPaint
to TRUE break case ST_SELECTED: emit an audible beep take the
action appropriate upon selection of this selectable region, for
example, sending data to an application program, sending a control
sequence to a device coupled to the computer, or displaying the
selection set pPocket->fInvert to TRUE if appropriate, change
the menu options associated with various selectable regions and set
fPaint to TRUE for the state machines associated with those
selectable regions set Event to EV_NULL set fInternalEvent to TRUE
break case ST_SELECT_AND_OUT: send EV_RESET then EV_MOVEMENT to all
state machines, resetting them and indicating that the operator is
moving the cursor break case ST_DECAY: /* set state to previous
state */ /* in preparation for the next */ /* state transition */
set pPocket->State to pPocket->PreviousState decrement
pPocket->Color by pPocket->Decrement, but not below
pPocket->InitialColor if pPocket->Color was changed set
pPocket->fPaint to TRUE set fInternalEvent to TRUE if
pPocket->Color was changed from a value greater than or equal to
pPocket->CrestTide to a value below pPocket->CrestTide set
Event to EV_STEP_DOWN else set Event to EV_NULL break case
ST_DWELL: /* set state to previous state */ /* in preparation for
the next */ /* state transition */ set pPocket->State to
pPocket->PreviousState increment pPocket->Color by
pPocket->Increment, but not above pPocket->Ceiling if
pPocket->Color was changed set pPocket->fPaint to TRUE set
fInternalEvent to TRUE if pPocket->Color was changed from a
value below pPocket->CrestTide to a value greater than or equal
to pPocket->CrestTide set Event to EV_STEP_UP else set Event to
EV_NULL break case ST_IDLE: set the system cursor location to the
center of the display set fInternalEvent to TRUE set Event to
EV_NULL break case ST_EBB_TIDE: break case ST_ENTRY: set
fInternalEvent to TRUE set Event to EV_NULL break case ST_DISCARD:
/* set state to previous state */ /* for the next transition*/ set
pPocket->State to pPocket->PreviousState break case ST_EXIT:
set Event to EV_NULL set fInternalEvent to TRUE if
pPocket->fInterior equals TRUE change the boundaries of the
Windows .RTM. region having the handle pPocket->hRegion to those
defined by the second array of points associated with this state
machine set pPocket->fPaint to TRUE send EV_RESET to the state
machine having the index pPocket->iAdjacentPocket break default:
display error message break } /* end switch */ } /* end while */ if
pPocket->fPaint is equal to TRUE invalidate the entire client
area } /* end PocketFsm */ Procedure: CreateEvent
/**********************- ******************************************
*/ /* */ /* Procedure: CreateEvent */ /* */ /* Description:
Examines movement of cursor and determines */ /* what events have
occurred. */ /* */ /* Input Parameters: */ /* pEvent pointer to an
event data structure */ /* for output */ /* Output: A completed
event data structure */ /* indicated by pEvent including: */ /* (1)
an indication of whether the cursor hotspot */ /* intersects a
selectable region */ /* (2) the index of the intersected selectable
*/ /* region, if any */ /* (3) the event for the intersected
selectable */ /* region, if any */ /* (4) the event for all
non-intersected */ /* selectable regions */ /* */ /* Updated
variables indicate: */ /* (1) the previous location of the cursor
hotspot */ /* (2) the approximate time of the sampling of the */ /*
previous location of the cursor hotspot */ /* */
/****************************************************************
*/ CreateEvent (pEvent) { get current cursor hotspot location if
there has been cursor hotspot movement since the last cursor
location sampling set time of previous cursor movement to time
latest received WM_TIMER message was generated if cursor hotspot
has crossed out of a selectable region set event to EV_CROSS_OUT
for the intersected selectable region and to EV_MOVEMENT for all
other selectable regions else if cursor hotspot intersects a
selectable region if intersected selectable region's Color equals
Ceiling set event to EV_CEILING for the intersected selectable
region and to EV_DECAY for all other selectable regions else set
event to EV_DWELL for the intersected selectable region and to
EV_DECAY for all other selectable regions else set event to
EV_MOVEMENT for all selectable regions else if cursor hotspot
intersects a selectable region if idle time exceeded set event to
EV_IDLE_TIMEOUT for all selectable regions else if intersected
selectable region's Color equals Ceiling set event to EV_CEILING
for the intersected selectable region and to EV_DECAY for all other
selectable regions else set event to EV_DWELL for the intersected
selectable region and to EV DECAY for all other selectable regions
else set event to EV_DECAY for all selectable regions set the
previous cursor hotspot location to the current hotspot location }
/* end CreateEvent */
* * * * *