Interactive Computing System with Persistent Themes
First Claim
1. An interactive computing environment having a persistent theme, comprising:
- a computing device having a processor, a display monitor, and an interactive utility that executes on the processor and generates an interactive user interface (IUI) with a first viewable theme displayed on the display monitor;
a pointing device capable of being communicatively coupled to the computing device and comprising;
a sensor that provides positional location tracking and movement tracking of the pointing device to the data processing system;
a transceiver for sending data to and receiving from the computing device; and
one or more enhanced selection buttons; and
a themed surface having a specific visible theme and atop which the pointing device can be positioned and moved;
wherein each of the IUI, the pointing device, and the themed surface share a same persistent theme.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computing system environment comprises an improved pointing device (IPD) coupled to a computer having a computer display with an interactive user interface (IUI), all having a persistent theme and/or motif. The persistent theme is one that is based on and/or correlates to the aesthetic design of the IPD, which can be one of a plurality of distinct shapes of an animal, insect, mascot, among others, that can be associated with a particular persistent theme. The determined persistent theme can be optionally extended to the surface pad on which the IPD rests and to the exterior casing/skin of the computer cover. When the IPD and computer are operating with a persistent theme, such as with the IUI operating as a screen saver, the Enhanced Selection Buttons (ESBs) of the IPD can be configured to manipulate visual and other aspects of the IUI, including controlling a character within the IUI.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An interactive computing environment having a persistent theme, comprising:
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a computing device having a processor, a display monitor, and an interactive utility that executes on the processor and generates an interactive user interface (IUI) with a first viewable theme displayed on the display monitor; a pointing device capable of being communicatively coupled to the computing device and comprising;
a sensor that provides positional location tracking and movement tracking of the pointing device to the data processing system;
a transceiver for sending data to and receiving from the computing device; and
one or more enhanced selection buttons; anda themed surface having a specific visible theme and atop which the pointing device can be positioned and moved; wherein each of the IUI, the pointing device, and the themed surface share a same persistent theme. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A pointing device comprising:
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a transceiver for communicatively connecting the pointing device to a data processing system and for sending data to and receiving from the data processing system; a sensor that provides positional location tracking and movement tracking of the pointing device when the pointing device is communicatively connected to the data processing system; a plurality of selectable affordances including one or more enhanced selection buttons, - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A themed computer skin for fixably attaching to an external surface of a computer system to provide a specific visual appearance of the computer system that corresponds to a theme of a pointing device being utilized with the computer system.
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29. A method for enabling a persistent themed computing environment, the method comprising:
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detecting a coupling of a pointing device to a computer system; receiving an identifying credential associated with the pointing device, wherein the received identifying credential comprises information indicating the pointing device comprises one or more enhanced selection buttons and is designed with a particular theme; identifying the particular theme of the pointing device from among available theme supported on the computer system; generating on a display monitor of the computer system an interactive user interface (IUI) having the same particular theme; receiving from the pointing device one or more selections via the one or more enhanced selection buttons; and modifying a display within the IUI based on the selections received from the pointing device. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification