Method and Apparatus for Computer Interface
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for distributing data, comprising the steps of:
- providing stored information on a physical counter of a kind that can be interpreted by a physical user interface connected to a user'"'"'s machine, the interface adapted to indicate a location of the counter as well as retrieve the stored information;
the information being directly or indirectly indicative of a URL;
distributing from that URL, data to the user'"'"'s machine as a result of the user using the counter with the interface.
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Abstract
A physical user interface is provided for a microprocessor device that runs an operating system. The interface has an array of sensors located below a workspace having a housing. The workspace divided into regions that are visible to a user, each region signifying a command to or an action performed by the operating system. Counters are provided with stored information such that the counter can be interpreted by the physical user interface so as to indicate a location of the counter as well as the stored information. The information may be directly or indirectly indicative of a request for a URL.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for distributing data, comprising the steps of:
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providing stored information on a physical counter of a kind that can be interpreted by a physical user interface connected to a user'"'"'s machine, the interface adapted to indicate a location of the counter as well as retrieve the stored information; the information being directly or indirectly indicative of a URL; distributing from that URL, data to the user'"'"'s machine as a result of the user using the counter with the interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 19)
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12. A physical user interface for a microprocessor device that runs an operating system, comprising:
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an array of sensors located below a workspace having a housing; the workspace divided into regions that are visible to a user, each region signifying a command to or an action performed by the operating system; one or more counters that are uniquely identifiable by the sensors, each sensor producing a recognition signal; a signal processor for determining, from the recognition signal, the identity of a counter and the region that counter is in and producing an associated first output; a control program for turning the first output into a second output that is capable of being interpreted by the operating system as a command; the housing having physical features for mechanically interlocking with and thus retaining a plurality of like counters. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 18, 20)
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16. The physical user interface of claim 16, wherein:
the command is one that relates to the size or position of a window in a graphical user interface and is one selected from the group comprising;
open, close, restore, scroll, move, re-size, minimise or maximise.
Specification