Abstract: A controller provides control signals to a computer based upon the movement of a user. The controller has an optical detector for detecting and monitoring the movement of a user, particularly movement of selected body parts, and circuitry for outputting a control signal to the computer in accordance with detected movement. A vector indicative of detected movement is generated on a frame-to-frame basis using only a few representative edge pixels of the body parts. Control signals for the direction and the velocity of the movement are determined from the vector and move a graphical user interface on a display accordingly.

Abstract: A command system optically monitors the movement of a subject and provides command signals to a computer system to control a graphic of a graphical user interface displayed on a monitor such as an animated character in a video game. The command system has an optical detector unit which continuously scans a subject frame in which the subject is positioned. The subject frame is divided into sub-regions around the subject in which movement of the subject is detected, for example, an arm moving. A command unit receives and processes frame data from the optical detector unit. The command unit determines the velocity of any movement detected in any of the sub-regions and generates an appropriate command signal based on the velocity of the movement. The command unit may also use the direction of the movement in generating command signals. The command signals are then provided to the computer system to move and control the graphical user interface accordingly.