Manipulation of objects

• US 20100042258A1
• Filed: 09/24/2009
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel A. Rosenfeld, Joel S. Kollin, Kenneth Perlin
• Original Assignee: Daniel A. Rosenfeld, Joel S. Kollin, Kenneth Perlin
• Inventors: Rosenfeld, Daniel A., Kollin, Joel S., Perlin, Kenneth
• Granted Patent: US 8,725,292 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/258
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0231 using optical position detecting means position-fixing by using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. optical position detecting means G01S5/16
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/04 for teaching control of land vehicles

Abstract

A system for manipulation of objects. The system includes N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer; and a mechanism for controlling and 2D locating of the N objects. A method for manipulating objects. The method includes the steps of receiving information from N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer, at a centrally controlling and 2D locating controller; determining 2D locations by the controller of the N objects; and transmitting from the controller directions to the N objects for the N objects to move. An apparatus for tracking. The apparatus includes N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer, each object having an emitter which emits light; and a mechanism for 2D sensing of the N objects over time from the light emitted by each emitter. The present invention pertains to a method for tracking. The method includes the steps of emitting light from N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer; and sensing 2D locations of the N objects over time from the emitted light from the N objects.

Claims

1. An apparatus for locating a plurality of objects comprising:

a planar element; and

one or more sensors sensing the locations of a plurality of objects based on light that is transmitted through the planar element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one sensor is a 1-D sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one sensor is a 2-D sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor detects light at an edge of the planar element.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one sensor detects light that is transmitted through total internal reflection.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the planar element contains reflective particles selected to facilitate the transmission of light through the planar element.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the planar element acts as a light pipe.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the planar element contains a dye.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the dye is selected to facilitate the transmission of light through the planar element.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the dye is selected to facilitate the sensing of light by the sensor.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the light is emitted by the plurality of objects.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein light is emitted by the objects at a wavelength in the absorption band of the dye.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor senses the location of each of the plurality of objects in a time slice.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the sensor senses the locations of the plurality of objects in cycles with each object being sensed in a different time slice within the cycle.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein each object emits light in its time slice to communicate its position to the sensor.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor locates the plurality of objects solely on the light transmitted through the planar element.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the sensor senses a band of light and utilizes the center of the band of light to determine locations.

18. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein at least two 2-D sensors are located at corners of the planar element.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the light travels through a lens that is located between the planar element and the sensor.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the lens is a wide-angle lens.

21. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the objects emit light relative to the planar element so as to facilitate total internal reflection of the light in the planar element.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein at least two 2-D sensors with lenses are located at the corners of the planar element and the objects emit light in a distinct time slice for each object in a cycle.

23. A method for locating a plurality of objects comprising the steps of:

moving the objects; and

sensing the locations of a plurality of objects based on light that is transmitted through a planar element with one or more sensors.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the sensing step includes the step of detecting light at an edge of the planar element with the sensor.

25. The method as described in claim 23 wherein the sensing step includes the step of sensing the location of at least two of the plurality of objects based on light that is transmitted through the planar element with one or more sensors.