Technique for acknowledging multiple objects using a computer generated face

• US 6,043,827 A
• Filed: 02/06/1998
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Avery, Brian Lyndall, Christian, Andrew Dean
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Phu K.
• Application Number:
  US09/020,038
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 345/473, 345/474, 345/475, 345/427
• US Class Current: 345/474
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 13/40 of characters, e.g. humans, animals or virtual beings

Abstract

A technique for acknowledging multiple objects using a computer generated face is realized by determining the location of at least two objects relative to a display device. A computer generated face is produced on the display device, wherein the computer generated face has at least one eye. The at least one eye is alternately directed between the at least two objects.

Claims

1. A method for acknowledging multiple objects using a computer generated face, the method comprising the steps of:

determining the location of at least two objects relative to a display device;

producing a computer generated face on the display device, wherein the computer generated face has at least one eye; and

directing the at least one eye alternately between the at least two objects.

2. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein one of the at least two objects is a primary object, wherein the other of the at least two objects is are secondary objects, wherein the at least one eye is directed at the primary object for a longer period of time than at any of the secondary objects.

3. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one eye is rotatable around any of three axes.

4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one eye is translatable along either of two axes.

5. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one eye includes a first eye having a first associated direction and a second eye having a second associated direction, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

moving the first eye and the second eye such that the first associated direction and the second associated direction are focused on a common target.

6. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the computer generated face remains substantially stationary while the at least one eye is alternately directed between the at least two objects.

7. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two objects is a moving object.

8. An apparatus for acknowledging multiple objects using a computer generated face, the apparatus comprising:

a determiner for determining the location of at least two objects relative to a display device;

a producer for producing a computer generated face on the display device, wherein the computer generated face has at least one eye; and

a director for directing the at least one eye alternately between the at least two objects.

9. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein one of the at least two objects is a primary object, wherein the other of the at least two objects is are secondary objects, wherein the at least one eye is directed at the primary object for a longer period of time than at any of the secondary objects.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the at least one eye is rotatable around any of three axes.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the at least one eye is translatable along either of two axes.

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the at least one eye includes a first eye having a first associated direction and a second eye having a second associated direction, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a mover for moving the first eye and the second eye such that the first associated direction and the second associated direction are focused on a common target.

13. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the computer generated face remains substantially stationary while the at least one eye is alternately directed between the at least two objects.

14. The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein at least one of the at least two objects is a moving object.

15. An article of manufacture for acknowledging multiple objects using a computer generated face, the article of manufacture comprising:

a computer readable storage medium; and

computer programming stored on the storage medium;

wherein the stored computer programming is configured to be readable from the computer readable storage medium by a computer and thereby cause the computer to operate so as to;

determine the location of at least two objects relative to a display device;

produce a computer generated face on the display device, wherein the computer generated face has at least one eye; and

direct the at least one eye alternately between the at least two objects.

16. The article of manufacture as defined in claim 15, wherein one of the at least two objects is a primary object, wherein the other of the at least two objects is are secondary objects, wherein the at least one eye is directed at the primary object for a longer period of time than at any of the secondary objects.

17. The article of manufacture as defined in claim 15, wherein the at least one eye is rotatable around any of three axes.

18. The article of manufacture as defined in claim 15, wherein the at least one eye is translatable along either of two axes.

19. The article of manufacture as defined in claim 15, wherein the at least one eye includes a first eye having a first associated direction and a second eye having a second associated direction, further causing the computer to operate so as to:

move the first eye and the second eye such that the first associated direction and the second associated direction are focused on a common target.

20. The article of manufacture as defined in claim 15, wherein the computer generated face remains substantially stationary while the at least one eye is alternately directed between the at least two objects.

21. The article of manufacture as defined in claim 15, wherein at least one of the at least two objects is a moving object.