INTERACTION BETWEEN OBJECTS AND A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT DISPLAY
First Claim
1. A method for enabling interaction between a virtual environment and a physical object, comprising the steps of:
- (a) detecting the physical object and its location when the physical object is placed atop a display surface on which the virtual environment is displayed, said physical object being detected on the display surface by optically sensing light reflected from the physical object from below the display surface;
(b) within the virtual environment, producing a response to the physical object as if the physical object were included in the virtual environment, enabling an interaction between the physical object and the virtual environment in two different modes, depending upon a type of the physical object placed atop the display surface, said two different modes including;
(i) a first mode in which the virtual environment responds to a presence of the physical object on the display surface; and
(ii) a second mode in which the physical object that is placed atop the display surface comprises an active object that is capable of performing an active function perceptible to a user, automatically in response to the virtual environment, and wherein the active object, which is placed atop the display surface, interacts with the virtual environment in the second mode by performing said active function atop the display surface automatically in response to the virtual environment.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive table has a display surface on which a physical object is disposed. A camera within the interactive table responds to infrared (IR) light reflected from the physical object enabling a location of the physical object on the display surface to be determined, so that the physical object appear part of a virtual environment displayed thereon. The physical object can be passive or active. An active object performs an active function, e.g., it can be self-propelled to move about on the display surface, or emit light or sound, or vibrate. The active object can be controlled by a user or the processor. The interactive table can project an image through a physical object on the display surface so the image appears part of the object. A virtual entity is preferably displayed at a position (and a size) to avoid visually interference with any physical object on the display surface.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for enabling interaction between a virtual environment and a physical object, comprising the steps of:
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(a) detecting the physical object and its location when the physical object is placed atop a display surface on which the virtual environment is displayed, said physical object being detected on the display surface by optically sensing light reflected from the physical object from below the display surface; (b) within the virtual environment, producing a response to the physical object as if the physical object were included in the virtual environment, enabling an interaction between the physical object and the virtual environment in two different modes, depending upon a type of the physical object placed atop the display surface, said two different modes including; (i) a first mode in which the virtual environment responds to a presence of the physical object on the display surface; and (ii) a second mode in which the physical object that is placed atop the display surface comprises an active object that is capable of performing an active function perceptible to a user, automatically in response to the virtual environment, and wherein the active object, which is placed atop the display surface, interacts with the virtual environment in the second mode by performing said active function atop the display surface automatically in response to the virtual environment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for enabling interaction between a virtual environment and a physical object, comprising the steps of:
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(a) detecting the physical object and its location when the physical object is placed atop a display surface on which the virtual environment is displayed, said physical object being detected on the display surface by optically sensing light reflected from the physical object from below the display surface; (b) within the virtual environment, producing a response to the physical object as if the physical object were included in the virtual environment, enabling an interaction between the physical object and the virtual environment in two different modes, depending upon a type of the physical object placed atop the display surface, said two different modes including; (i) a first mode in which the virtual environment responds to a presence of the physical object on the display surface; and (ii) a second mode in which the physical object that is placed atop the display surface comprises an active object that is capable of performing an active function perceptible to a user, automatically in response to the virtual environment, wherein the active function comprises at least one of vibrating, generating sound or emitting light, and wherein the active object, which is placed atop the display surface, interacts with the virtual environment in the second mode by performing said active function atop the display surface automatically in response to the virtual environment. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for enabling interaction between a virtual environment and a physical object, comprising the steps of:
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detecting the physical object and its location when the physical object is placed in a location atop a display surface that is displaying the virtual environment, said physical object being detected on the display surface by optically sensing light reflected from the physical object from below the display surface; and displaying a projected image limited to the location of the physical object, the projected image being visible through the physical at said location and such that the projected image visible through the physical object appears to be part of the physical object, even though it is part of an overall image of the virtual environment that is displayed on the display surface. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification