Socializing remote communication

• US 20030184498A1
• Filed: 03/29/2002
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Ishii, Hiroshi, Blumberg, Bruce, Resner, Benjamin, Koerner, Brad, Chang, Angela, Wang, XingChen
• Granted Patent: US 6,940,493 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/1.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883

Abstract

Remote, non-verbal interpersonal communication is facilitated between communication stations located remotely from each other. A first communication station registers proximity of a user thereto and communicates to a second communication station a signal indicative of the registered proximity. The first communication station also registers a physical gesture and communicates a signal indicative of the gesture to the second communication station. The second communication station, in turn, receives the signals and, in response thereto, produces a visual output indicative of proximity and of the gestural input.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating remote, non-verbal interpersonal communication, the method comprising the steps of:

a. providing first and second communication stations located remotely from each other;

b. causing the first communication station to register proximity of a user thereto and to communicate to the second communication station a signal indicative of the registered proximity;

c. causing the first communication station to register a physical gesture and to communicate a signal indicative of the gesture to the second communication station; and

d. causing the second communication station to receive the signals and, in response thereto, to produce a visual output indicative of proximity and of the gestural input.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second stations communicate via a real-time communications link.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the output is in the form of a light signal.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the gesture comprises a continuously variable intensity level, the light signal varying in at least one of brightness and duration in order to indicate the intensity level.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the gesture is touch, the intensity level being determined by at least one of a touch duration and a touch force.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the output is in the form of a light signal, a first color indicating the physical gesture and a second color indicating proximity.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

a. causing the second communication station to register a return gesture and to communicate a signal indicative of the return gesture to the first communication station; and

b. causing the first communication station to receive the signal and, in response thereto, to produce a visual output indicative of the return gesture.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of causing the second communication station to produce a visual feedback signal indicative of the return gesture.

9. A communication station for facilitating remote, non-verbal interpersonal communication, the station comprising:

a. a proximity sensor;

b. at least one sensor for registering a physical gesture;

c. a communication interface for transmitting signals indicative of proximity and the registered gesture to a remote location and receiving signals from the remote location indicative at least of proximity;

d. a processor for (i) generating, for transmission by the communication interface, signals indicative of proximity and the registered gesture, and (ii) converting the received signals into output signals; and

e. a display, responsive to the output signals, for producing a visual output in response to the received signals.

10. The station of claim 9 wherein the sensors are analog sensors.

11. The station of claim 9 wherein the communication interface is configured to communicate via a real-time link.

12. The station of claim 11 wherein the link is the Internet.

13. The station of claim 9 wherein the display produces a variable light signal.

14. The station of claim 13 wherein the received signal indicates a gesture and an intensity level associated therewith, the light signal varying in at least one of brightness and duration in response to the indicated intensity level.

15. The station of claim 9 wherein the gesture sensor registers a continuously variable intensity level, the processor including data indicative of the intensity level in the gesture signal.

16. The station of claim 15 wherein the gesture sensor comprises a touch sensor, the intensity level being determined by at least one of a touch duration and a touch force.

17. The station of claim 9 wherein the display emits a first color indicating touch and a second color indicating proximity.

19. The station of claim 9 wherein the display produces a visual feedback signal in response to the registered physical gesture.