US Patent 7627370 - Brain function decoding process

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7627370.html

This patent teaches a methodology to map neural activity data into signals capable of controlling robotic prosthetic or other electronic devices. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method of interpreting cognitive response comprising:

collecting baseline neural activity data that maps a neural activation absent a stimulus onto neuronal structure of a subject brain of a plurality of subjects absent said stimulus;

exposing each of said plurality of subjects to said stimulus;

collecting stimulated neural activity data that maps a neural activation during said stimulus onto said neuronal structure of the subject brain from each of said plurality of subjects while each of said plurality of subjects is exposed to said stimulus;

plotting a unique three-dimensional cognitive engram representative of a common stimulated neural activity caused by said stimulus from said plurality of subjects to a level of voxels; and

compiling said cognitive engram in a database containing a plurality of engrams, each of said plurality of engrams associated with a different stimulus for interpreting cognitive response.

US Patent 7625285 - Respiratory biofeedback game controller

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7625285.html

Video game interfaces usually employ input devices such as buttons and analog sticks which rely upon conscious input from the player. Less commonly used are biofeedback control inputs based on parameters such as heart rate and skin resistance. This patent teaches one variation of biofeedback game controller based on respiration. Claim 1 reads:

1. A handheld video gaming system comprising:

a shell;

a video display;

a computer readable medium containing executable instructions for providing a video game;

a video processor;

one or more biofeedback devices incorporated into the shell of the handheld video gaming system; a speaker;

a communication link; and

a respiratory voice sensor;

wherein the speaker and the respiratory voice sensor are in electrical communication with the communication link and wherein the respiratory voice sensor comprises a thermocouple and a microphone.

US Patent 7623114 - Haptic feedback based on audio analysis

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7623114.html

This patent from Immersion Corporation teaches a system which analyzes sounds from a video game and maps the sound to vibration or other force feedback in a game controller. Claim 1 reads:

1. A method, comprising:

storing at least a portion of sound data in a memory buffer of a computer, wherein the sound data is to be analyzed by a processor to output a haptic effect from the analyzed sound data;

dividing at least a portion of the sound data into a plurality of frequency ranges, at least one of the frequency ranges associated with a periodic haptic effect;

analyzing each frequency range by the processor to determine one or more sound features corresponding to at least one of the frequency ranges; and

triggering execution of at least one haptic effect based on the determined one or more sound features.

US Patent 7620316 - Touchless mobile phone camera control

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7620316.html

The company NaviSense is pioneering a new type of touchless motion detection interface for computer or peripheral control which is somewhat similar to that found in the sci-fi film "Minority Report". This latest patent teaches a camera control for a mobile phone based on their touchless interface technology. Claim 1 reads:

1. A device for operating a camera, comprising:

a sensing unit for projecting a touchless sensing space in a field of view of the camera, displaying or projecting an image within the same field of view, and detecting a touchless movement directed to a displayed object in the image; and

a controller cooperatively coupled to the sensing unit for identifying the displayed object, and controlling a camera representation of the displayed object as a function of the touchless movement.

US Patent 7620238 - VR color sampler

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7620238.html

This patent teaches the application of virtual reality to interior design by allowing a user to choose colors for a virtual environment. Claim 1 reads:

1. A virtual reality color sampler comprising:

a color card having an outer surface, wherein said outer surface is marked with an insignia signifying a color;

a color card scanner, wherein said color card scanner scans said insignia signifying a color;

an alphanumeric keyboard connected to said color card scanner;

a virtual reality goggle connected to said alphanumeric keyboard, said virtual reality goggle for displaying video images; and

a microprocessor electrically connectable to said color card scanner, said microprocessor electrically connectable to said alphanumeric keyboard, said microprocessor electrically connectable to said virtual reality goggle, said microprocessor programmable to output colors to said virtual reality goggle to change the color of an item viewed through said virtual reality goggle to match the color scanned into said color card scanner.

US Patent 7619614 - 3D optical mouse

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7619614.html

This patent from Angstrom Inc. teaches a system to move from 2D to 3D pointing devices for computer interfaces based on MEMS mirrors. Claim 1 reads:

1. A three-dimensional optical mouse system comprising:

a) an imaging unit comprising a Micromirror Array Lens (MMAL) with variable focal length;

b) an image processing unit.

US Patent 7614748 - 3D display cube

http://www.freepatentsonline.com/7614748.html

This patent from Columbia University teaches a type of volumetric display offering an alternative to holographic 3D displays and requiring less light energy than other volumetric display approaches. Claim 1 reads:

1. A system for displaying three-dimensional (3D) images, the system comprising:

a display block made from a transparent material with optical elements three-dimensionally disposed therein, wherein each optical element becomes luminous when illuminated by a light ray, wherein the display block is a solid three-dimensional block, and wherein the optical elements are formed by laser induced damage;

a computer configured to generate a two-dimensional (2D) image formatted to create a 3D image when projected on the display block; and

a projector coupled to the computing device and configured to project the 2D image on the block to create the 3D image by causing a set of the passive optical elements to become luminous.