Information Handling System Interactive Totems

• US 20160313816A1
• Filed: 04/21/2015
• Published: 10/27/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Krishnakumar, Karthik, Ancona, Rocco, Knoppert, Michiel Sebastiaan Emanuel Petrus, Ligameri, Mark R., Acevedo, Daniel, Morrison, John T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,690,400 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04184 Synchronisation with the driving of the display or the backlighting unit to avoid interferences generated internally
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

A totem device accepts inputs from an end user and communicates the inputs to an information handling system through a capacitive mat by moving an interactive portion of the totem relative to a main portion. In one embodiment, the capacitive mat integrates a display that presents input images proximate the totem, such as a volume gauge or mouse keys. Interactive portions include compressible materials that alter surface area pressed against a capacitive mat when pressed upon and plungers that move independent of a main body to press. In one embodiment, a camera captures images of the totem to enhance the distinguishing of inputs.

Claims

1. An information handling system comprising:

a processor operable to execute instructions to process information;

memory interfaced with the processor and operable to store the information;

a graphics system interfaced with the processor and memory, the graphics system operable to generate the visual images for presentation at one or more display devices;

a capacitive mat display device interfaced with the graphics system and operable to present the visual images, the capacitive mat disposed on a surface and including capacitive sensors operable to detect touches;

a totem disposed on the capacitive mat, the totem having a main body and at least one interactive portion, the interactive portion responding to end user manipulation to alter the totem interface with the capacitive mat relative to the main body; and

an input device controller interfaced with the capacitive mat display and operable to detect end user inputs by analyzing the altering of the totem interface.

2. The information handling system of claim 1 further comprising:

a user interface module interfaced with the input device and operable to present a user interface on the capacitive mat display device based upon the location of the totem;

wherein the input device controller determines the end user inputs based at least in part upon the user interface presented by the user interface module.

3. The information handling system of claim 2 wherein the totem main body comprises:

an outer ring resting on the capacitive mat display device;

an inner ring rotationally coupled to the outer ring; and

one or more capacitive feet coupled to the inner ring and proximate to the capacitive mat display device, the input device controller detecting the relative position of the outer and inner rings by reference to a detected position of the one or more capacitive feet.

4. The information handling system of claim 3 wherein the user interface controller selectively presents a volume scale proximate the totem and the input device controller detects end user volume inputs to adjust a speaker volume.

5. The information handling system of claim 1 further comprising:

an inner ring resting on the capacitive mat display device;

an outer ring rotationally coupled to the inner ring; and

one or more capacitive feet coupled to the outer ring and proximate to the capacitive mat display device, the input device controller detecting the relative position of the outer and inner rings by reference to a detected position of the one or more capacitive feet.

6. The information handling system of claim 5 further comprising a detent disposed between the first and second rings to provide mechanical feedback of rotation of rotation of the first and second rings relative to each other.

7. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the totem main body comprises:

a lower surface engaged with the capacitive mat display and having an opening; and

a plunger disposed in the opening and selectively interfaced with the capacitive mat display device by an end user press.

8. The information handling system of claim 7 wherein the input device controller analyzes movements of the lower surface relative to the capacitive mat display as mouse inputs to move a cursor and analyzes contact of the plunger against the capacitive mat display device as a press upon a mouse button.

9. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the totem further comprises:

a keyboard shaped main body; and

plural keys disposed in the keyboard shape main body, the keys movable in a vertical orientation relative to the capacitive mat display;

wherein the input device controller detects a key input value when a key is pressed against the capacitive mat display device.

10. A method for determining inputs made by a totem disposed on a capacitive mat, the method comprising:

detecting a totem main body on the capacitive mat;

detecting a totem interactive portion with the capacitive mat, the totem interactive portion coupled with the main body and moving relative to the main body in response to an end user input; and

applying a value to end user inputs made at the interactive portion by detecting the interactive portion'"'"'s disposition relative to the main body.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

presenting visual images with a display integrated in the capacitive mat; and

presenting a user interface proximate the totem and indicating the type of input associated with the interactive portion.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the interactive portion comprises a joystick extending upwards from the main body and downwards proximate the capacitive mat, the value applied for joy stick inputs determined based upon the position of the joystick relative to the base.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein analyzing values detected by the capacitive mat further comprises analyzing a relative position of the interactive portion proximate to but not touching the capacitive mat.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the interactive portion comprises a compressible material having a varying surface area on the capacitive mat based upon pressure place on the main body, the pressure compressing the compressible material as an input by the end user.

15. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

compressing a first side of the main body to indicate an input in the direction of the first side with detection of an increased surface area in contact with the capacitive mat on the first side; and

compressing a second side of the main body to indicate an input in the direction of the second side with detection of an increased surface area in contact with the capacitive mat on the second side.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the inputs of direction apply to an animation application to move animated characters presented on a display.

17. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

detecting plural totem interactive portions, each interactive totem portion comprising a capacitive element having a capacitive value; and

analyzing the capacitive value with the capacitive mat to determine end user inputs at a selected of the plural interactive totem portions.

18. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

capturing an image of the totem with a camera; and

applying the captured image to aid in detecting end user inputs to the interactive portion.

19. A totem system for accepting inputs to an information handling system, the totem system comprising:

a main body sized to rest on a capacitive mat;

an interactive portion coupled to the main body, the interactive portion movable relative to the main body and the capacitive mat; and

an input device controller stored in non-volatile memory and operable to execute on a processor to receive signals from the capacitive mat and distinguish inputs to the interactive portion by detecting motion of the interactive portion relative to the main body.

20. The totem system of claim 19 wherein the interactive portion comprises a plunger disposed through an opening of the main body, the plunger biased away from the capacitive mat and exposed to accept an end user press to bring the plunger into contact with the capacitive mat.