User Interface for Functionally Limited Users

Abstract

A gaming interface that includes a wearable user interface. The wearable user interface is configured to be worn on a user's body and includes a central body and a plurality of flexible members extending from the central body. A pulse generator is arranged along each of the plurality of flexible members.

1 . A system comprising:
 a wearable user interface device comprising a processor and a plurality of pulse generators; and   one or more computers operable to interact with the user interface device.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more computers comprise a server operable to interact with the user interface device through a data communication network, and the user interface device is operable to interact with the server as a client. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface device comprises a personal computer running a web browser. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more computers comprises one personal computer, and the personal computer comprises the user interface device. 
   
   
       5 . A gaming interface comprising:
 a wearable user interface configured to be worn on a user's body comprising:
 a central body; 
 a plurality of flexible members extending from the central body; and 
 a pulse generator coupled to each of the plurality of flexible members; and 
   one or more computers operable to interact with the wearable user interface.   
   
   
       6 . The gaming interface of  claim 5  wherein the wearable user interface further comprises:
 a processor housed in the central body and   a network interface coupled to the processor and the one or more computers.   
   
   
       7 . The gaming interface of  claim 6  wherein the processor is configured to decode position and identification information received through the network interface. 
   
   
       8 . The gaming interface of  claim 6  wherein the processor is configured to actuate the pulse generator of each of the plurality of flexible members. 
   
   
       9 . The gaming interface of  claim 5  wherein the wearable user interface is configured to be worn on a user's head. 
   
   
       10 . The gaming interface of  claim 5  wherein the plurality of flexible members are elastic and configured to maintain contact with the user's body. 
   
   
       11 . The gaming interface of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of flexible members are configured to maintain contact with the user's head. 
   
   
       12 . The gaming interface of  claim 10  wherein the pulse generator of each of the plurality of flexible members indirectly contacts the user's body. 
   
   
       13 . The gaming interface of  claim 5 , wherein the pulse generator is connected to a distal end of each of the plurality of flexible members. 
   
   
       14 . A method for conveying directional information to a person using a wearable user interface comprising:
 scanning a proximal area of an on-screen representation of the person for a game object;   preparing a message wherein the message comprises identification information associated with the game object and location information associated with the game object, wherein the location information comprises directional information relative to the on-screen representation of the person;   transmitting the message to the wearable user interface; and   actuating at least one pulse generator coupled to the wearable user interface in response to the message, wherein the wearable user interface comprises a plurality of pulse generators.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the proximal area of the on-screen representation of the person is the entire screen. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the proximal area of the on-screen representation of the person is a portion of the screen surrounding the on-screen representation of the person, wherein the portion is defined using distance. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the directional information comprises three-dimensional directional information. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the directional information comprises two-dimensional directional information. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 decoding the message to determine a haptic signature and the location information;   using the location information to determine a particular pulse generator to actuate; and   transmitting the haptic signature to the particular pulse generator.   
   
   
       20 . A gaming interface comprising:
 a wearable user interface configured to be worn on a user's body comprising:
 a central body; 
 a band coupled to the central body; and 
 a plurality of pulse generators coupled to the band, wherein plurality of pulse generators indirectly contact the user's body; and 
   one or more computers operable to interact with the wearable user interface.   
   
   
       21 . The gaming interface of  claim 20  wherein the band is elastic. 
   
   
       22 . The gaming interface of  claim 20  wherein the wearable user interface further comprises:
 a processor housed in the central body and   a network interface coupled to the processor and the one or more computers.   
   
   
       23 . The gaming interface of  claim 20  wherein the processor is configured to decode position and identification information received through the network interface. 
   
   
       24 . The gaming interface of  claim 20  wherein the processor is configured to actuate the plurality of pulse generators.