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Methods and systems for providing programmable computerized interactors

  • US 6,556,184 B2
  • Filed: 11/16/2001
  • Issued: 04/29/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/07/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A computer implemented method for allowing a user to control an application executing on a computer system through the use of a plurality of physical interactors that can be manually placed within a detection space coupled to the computer system, each physical interactor having an identity, the method comprising the steps of:

  • a) providing a computer readable medium storing data and operating instructions suitable for use in controlling the computer system;

    b) reading application instructions into memory of the computer system, the application instructions including at least a portion of the data and operating instructions for use in controlling the computer system stored on the computer readable medium;

    c) generating a play array that includes data corresponding to a position and an identity of each interactor positioned within the detection space;

    d) executing the application instructions including performing an action based upon the play array and the application instructions;

    e) monitoring to determine whether an event has occurred that requires updating the play array;

    f) updating the play array when an event occurs that requires such an update, events requiring an update including an interactor interrupt and a software interrupt, the interactor interrupt corresponding to one of i) the insertion of a particular interactor into the detection space and ii) the removal of the particular interactor from the detection space; and

    g) continuously repeating steps d)-f).

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