System and method for selecting an external user interface using spatial information
First Claim
1. A method for selecting an external processor as a user interface to a machine comprising:
- accessing control grid position information for the machine, wherein the control grid position information provides a control grid of the machine comprising a subset of an effective positioning space covered by a positioning system;
obtaining position information for the external processor using the positioning system; and
using the control grid position information and the external processor position information to determine if the external processor is in the control grid of the machine, andonly if the external processor is located in the control grid of the machine, transferring user interface control of the machine to the external processor, wherein,the machine is located in a space that includes a floor, the space having an additional machine and wherein the control grid corresponds to a defined portion of the floor space in proximity to the machine that does not overlap with space occupied by the additional machine.
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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
20 Claims
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1. A method for selecting an external processor as a user interface to a machine comprising:
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accessing control grid position information for the machine, wherein the control grid position information provides a control grid of the machine comprising a subset of an effective positioning space covered by a positioning system; obtaining position information for the external processor using the positioning system; and using the control grid position information and the external processor position information to determine if the external processor is in the control grid of the machine, and only if the external processor is located in the control grid of the machine, transferring user interface control of the machine to the external processor, wherein, the machine is located in a space that includes a floor, the space having an additional machine and wherein the control grid corresponds to a defined portion of the floor space in proximity to the machine that does not overlap with space occupied by the additional machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for selecting a reconfigurable external processor as a user interface to a machine comprising:
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accessing control grid position information for the machine, wherein the control grid position information is associated with a control grid of the machine that is defined as a predetermined space that is in proximity to the machine and that is a subset of an effective positioning space covered by a positioning system; obtaining position information for the external processor using the positioning system; and using the control grid position information and the external processor position information to determine if the external processor is located within the control grid of the machine, and only if the external processor is located within the control grid of the machine, configuring the external processor for use with the machine, and transferring at least a portion of a user interface control of the machine to the external processor, wherein, the machine is located in a space that includes a floor, the space having an additional machine and wherein the control grid corresponds to a defined portion of the floor space in proximity to the machine that does not overlap with space occupied by the additional machine. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification