System and method for selecting an external user interface using spatial information
First Claim
1. A method for selecting a first external processor as a user interface to a first machine comprising:
- accessing control grid position information for the first machine;
obtaining position information for the first external processor using a positioning system having an effective positioning area;
using the control grid position information and the first external processor position information in determining whether a first external processor is in the control grid of a first machine, and only if the first external processor is located in the control grid of the first machine, transferring user interface control of the first machine to the first external processor,wherein the first machine is located in a space that includes a floor that can be referenced in dimensional coordinates and the control grid corresponds to a defined area of the floor in proximity to the first machine that is a subset of the space and the effective positioning area of the positioning system and wherein the space includes a second machine having an associated second defined control grid in proximity to the second machine that does not overlap with the first defined control grid;
accessing control grid position information for the machine;
obtaining position information for a second external processor; and
using the control grid position information and the external processor or the second external processor based upon the position of each of the external processor and the second external processor.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for selecting an external user interface using spatial information is described. In one configuration the floor space of a mailroom is mapped using a two dimensional grid. At least one machine is located on the mapped grid and an associated control zone is defined for that particular machine. The machine includes a wireless transceiver for providing user interface access. An external portable processor with a wireless transceiver is provided with user interface logic for the machine. A user then moves the external portable processor into the control zone of the machine. An indoor positioning system is utilized to provide relative or absolute position information relating to the machine and the external processor. The system determines that the external processor is in the machine control zone and allows the external processor to function as a user interface for the machine.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for selecting a first external processor as a user interface to a first machine comprising:
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accessing control grid position information for the first machine; obtaining position information for the first external processor using a positioning system having an effective positioning area; using the control grid position information and the first external processor position information in determining whether a first external processor is in the control grid of a first machine, and only if the first external processor is located in the control grid of the first machine, transferring user interface control of the first machine to the first external processor, wherein the first machine is located in a space that includes a floor that can be referenced in dimensional coordinates and the control grid corresponds to a defined area of the floor in proximity to the first machine that is a subset of the space and the effective positioning area of the positioning system and wherein the space includes a second machine having an associated second defined control grid in proximity to the second machine that does not overlap with the first defined control grid;
accessing control grid position information for the machine;
obtaining position information for a second external processor; and
using the control grid position information and the external processor or the second external processor based upon the position of each of the external processor and the second external processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15)
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10. A system for selecting a first external processor as a user interface to a first machine comprising:
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means for determining control grid position information for the first machine; means for obtaining position information for the first external processor using a positioning system having an effective positioning area; processing means for using the control grid position information and the first external processor position information in determining whether a first external processor is in the control grid of a first machine, and processing means for transferring user interface control of the first machine to the first external processor if the first external processor is located in the control grid of the first machine, wherein the first machine is located in a space that includes a floor that can be referenced in dimensional coordinates and the control grid corresponds to a defined area of the floor in proximity to the machine that is a subset of the space and the effective positioning area of the positioning system and wherein the space includes a second machine having an associated second defined control and in proximity to the second machine that does not overlap with the first defined control grid;
means for accessing control grid position information for the first machine;
means for obtaining position information for a second external processor; and
means for using the control grid position information and the first external processor or the second external processor based upon the position of each of the first external processor and the second external processor. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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11. A system for selecting a first external processor as a user interface to a first machine comprising:
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a processor; a control grid position map data base information for at least one machine connected to the processor; a position information receiver having an effective positioning area for obtaining position information data for a first external processor; a processor having processing instructions for using the control grid position map database and the first external processor position information in determining whether a first external processor is in the control grid of a machine, wherein the first machine is located in a space that includes a floor that can be referenced in dimensional coordinates and the control grid corresponds to a defined area of the floor in proximity to the first machine that is a subset of the space and the effective positioning area of the positioning system and wherein the space includes a second machine having an associated second defined control grid in proximity to the second machine that does not overlap with the first defined control grid;
accessing control grid position information for the machine;
obtaining position information for a second external processor; and
using the control grid position information and the external processor or the second external processor based upon the position of each of the external processor and the second external processor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification