Virtual shadow for physical object placed on surface

• US 20080316145A1
• Filed: 06/25/2007
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: May, Gregory J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,733,343 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 15/60 Shadow generation

Abstract

The placement of a physical object at a location on a surface is detected. A virtual shadow for the physical object is displayed at the location on the surface.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting placement of a physical object at a location on a surface; and

,

displaying a virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the placement of the physical object at the location on the surface comprises one or more of:

detecting the placement of the physical object at the location on an at least substantially horizontal surface;

detecting the placement of the physical object at the location on the surface disposed over a display mechanism, the virtual shadow being displayed by the display mechanism;

detecting the placement of the physical object at the location on the surface of the display mechanism, the virtual shadow being displayed by the display mechanism; and

,

detecting the placement of the physical object at the location on a touch-sensitive surface.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface comprises displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface, where the virtual shadow represents information regarding the physical object.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface comprises displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface, where the virtual shadow provides entertainment value for one or more users associated with the physical object.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface comprises statically displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface, such that the virtual shadow does not change while the physical object remains placed at the location on the surface.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface comprises dynamically displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface, such that the virtual shadow is animated for at least a period of time while the physical object remains placed at the location on the surface.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein dynamically displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface comprises changing the virtual shadow for at least the period of time, signifying passage of time, based on changing position of a virtual light source on a basis of which the virtual shadow is generated.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface comprises displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface, such that the virtual shadow corresponds to a shape of the physical object.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface comprises displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface, such that the virtual shadow does not correspond to the shape of the physical object.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface comprises displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object as reflecting one or more of a personality of a user and a personality of the physical object.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface comprises dynamically displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object as one or more of:

interacting with one or more of a virtual shadow of a second physical object or the second physical object; and

,

being dynamically displayed in unison with dynamic display of virtual shadows for other objects that have been placed on the surface.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface comprises displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object as corresponding to a property of the physical object.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface comprises displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object as one or more of:

providing guidance to a user of the physical object; and

,

providing a textual and/or a numeric identifier associated with the physical object.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object at the location on the surface comprises displaying the virtual shadow for the physical object based on the location on the surface at which the physical object has been placed.

15. An electronic device comprising:

a display mechanism;

a surface; and

,

a shadow-generation mechanism to cause the display mechanism to display a virtual shadow for to a physical object placed at a location on the surface.

16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the shadow-generation mechanism is to cause the display mechanism to display the virtual shadow as one or more of:

representing information regarding the physical object; and

,

providing entertainment value for one or more users associated with the physical object.

17. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the shadow-generation mechanism is to cause the display mechanism to display the virtual shadow as one of:

statically, such that the virtual shadow does not change while the physical object remains placed at the location on the surface; and

,

dynamically, such that the virtual shadow is animated for at least a period of time while the physical object remains placed at the location on the surface.

18. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the shadow-generation mechanism is to cause the display mechanism to display the virtual shadow as one of:

corresponding to a shape of the physical object; and

,

not corresponding to the shape of the physical object.

19. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the shadow-generation mechanism is to cause the display mechanism to display the virtual shadow as one or more of:

reflecting one or more of a personality of a user and a personality of the physical object;

interacting with one or more of a virtual shadow of a second physical object or the second physical object;

being dynamically displayed in unison with dynamic display of virtual shadows for other objects that have been placed on the surface;

corresponding to a property of the physical object

providing guidance to a user of the physical object;

providing a textual and/or a numeric identifier associated with the physical object; and

,

based on the location on the surface at which the physical object has been placed.

20. An electronic device comprising:

a display mechanism;

a surface; and

,

means for causing the display mechanism to display a virtual shadow for a physical object placed at a location on the surface, the virtual shadow for the physical object displayed as one or more of;

representing information regarding the physical object; and

,

providing entertainment value for one or more users associated with the physical object;

statically, such that the virtual shadow does not change while the physical object remains placed at the location on the surface;

dynamically, such that the virtual shadow is animated for at least a period of time while the physical object remains placed at the location on the surface;

corresponding to a shape of the physical object;

not corresponding to the shape of the physical object;

reflecting one or more of a personality of a user and a personality of the physical object;

interacting with one or more of a virtual shadow of a second physical object or the second physical object;

being dynamically displayed in unison with dynamic display of virtual shadows for other objects that have been placed on the surface;

corresponding to a property of the physical object;

providing guidance to a user of the physical object;

providing a textual and/or a numeric identifier associated with the physical object; and

,

based on the location on the surface at which the physical object has been placed.