Spatially-aware projection pen interface

• US 8,884,876 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2009
• Issued: 11/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Inventors: Grossman, Tovi, Fitzmaurice, George, Kurtenbach, Gordon, Song, Hyunyoung, Guimbretiere, Francois V.
• Primary Examiner(s): MISHLER, ROBIN J
• Application Number:
  US12/537,025
• Publication Number:
  US 20100103101A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,923 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 345/158
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03542 Light pens for emitting or receiving light
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for providing an end user with a digital pen embedded with a spatially-aware miniature projector for use in a design environment. Paper documents are augmented to allow a user to access additional information and computational tools through projected interfaces. Virtual ink may be managed in single and multi-user environments to enhance collaboration and data management. The spatially-aware projector pen provides end-users with dynamic visual feedback and improved interaction capabilities.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for configuring a spatially-aware projection pen to provide a user interface, the method comprising:

receiving a position of the spatially-aware projection pen in three-dimensional space from a position tracking mechanism, wherein the three-dimensional space is partitioned into a surface input layer that includes a display surface, a hover input layer that is directly above the display surface, and a spatial input layer that is directly above the hover input layer;

receiving a signal indicating that a user interface menu has been activated through an input mechanism of the spatially-aware projection pen;

outputting the user interface menu as a projected image that is displayed on the display surface by a projector within the spatially-aware projection pen, wherein the user interface menu comprises a radial menu that includes a plurality of regions separated by boundaries, wherein each of the regions represents a different menu item included in the radial menu;

locking the user interface menu to a specific position on the display surface;

determining that a menu item specified by the user interface menu has been selected, wherein determining comprises the spatially-aware projection pen determining that a boundary delineating a first region of the user interface menu has been crossed by a virtual cursor to select a first menu item associated with the first region, wherein the virtual cursor has a position that is controlled by movements of the spatially-aware projection pen;

deactivating the function for displaying the user interface menu when the spatially-aware projection pen is lifted above the surface input layer; and

configuring the spatially-aware projection pen for an operation based on the selected menu item.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to the step of determining, the step of locking the user interface menu to the position of the spatially-aware projection pen in the three-dimensional space.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of determining comprises locking a virtual cursor to the position of the spatially-aware projection pen in the three-dimensional space and activating the input mechanism to lock the user interface menu to a position on the display surface.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the boundary delineating the first region of the user interface menu is crossed in the hover input layer.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the boundary delineating the first region of the user interface menu is crossed in the surface input layer.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising repeating the steps of outputting and determining for each level of hierarchy of the selected menu item.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the boundary delineating the first region of the user interface menu is crossed in the hover spatial input layer.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the user interface menu as a projected image on the display surface further comprises searching for an element on the display surface.

7. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a processing unit within a spatially-aware projection pen, cause the spatially-aware projection pen to provide a user interface, by performing the steps of:

receiving a position of the spatially-aware projection pen in three-dimensional space from a position tracking mechanism, wherein the three-dimensional space is partitioned into a surface input layer that includes a display surface, a hover input layer that is directly above the display surface, and a spatial input layer that is directly above the hover input layer;

receiving a signal indicating that a user interface menu has been activated through an input mechanism of the spatially-aware projection pen;

outputting the user interface menu as a projected image that is displayed on the display surface by a projector within the spatially-aware projection pen, wherein the user interface menu comprises a radial menu that includes a plurality of regions separated by boundaries, wherein each of the regions represents a different menu item included in the radial menu;

locking the user interface menu to a specific position on the display surface;

determining that a menu item specified by the user interface menu has been selected, wherein determining comprises the spatially-aware projection pen determining that a boundary delineating a first region of the user interface menu has been crossed by a virtual cursor to select a first menu item associated with the first region, wherein the virtual cursor has a position that is controlled by movements of the spatially-aware projection pen;

deactivating the function for displaying the user interface menu when the spatially-aware projection pen is lifted above the surface input layer; and

configuring the spatially-aware projection pen for an operation based on the selected menu item.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, further comprising, prior to the step of determining, the step of locking the user interface menu to the position of the spatially-aware projection pen in the three-dimensional space.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the step of determining comprises locking a virtual cursor to the position of the spatially-aware projection pen in the three-dimensional space and activating an input mechanism to lock the user interface menu to a position on the display surface.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the boundary delineating the first region of the user interface menu is crossed in the hover input layer.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the boundary delineating the first region of the user interface menu is crossed in the surface input layer.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, further comprising repeating the steps of outputting and determining for each level of hierarchy of the selected menu item.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the boundary delineating the first region of the user interface menu is crossed in the hover input layer.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein outputting the user interface menu as a projected image on the display surface further comprises searching for an element on the display surface.

13. A spatially-aware projection pen configured to provide a user interface, comprising:

an enclosure that is configured to be grasped by a human hand and housing an input mechanism, a position tracking mechanism, a projector, and a processor,

wherein the processor is configured to;

receive an input signal indicating that display of a user interface menu is activated through the input mechanism of the spatially-aware projection pen,

receive a position of the spatially-aware projection pen in three-dimensional space from the position tracking mechanism, wherein the three-dimensional space is partitioned into a surface input layer that includes a display surface, a hover input layer that is directly above the display surface, and a spatial input layer that is directly above the hover input layer,

output the user interface menu to a projected image that is displayed on the display surface by the projector within the spatially-aware projection pen, wherein the user interface menu comprises a radial menu that includes a plurality of regions separated by boundaries, wherein each of the regions represents a different menu item included in the radial menu,

lock the user interface menu to a specific position on the display surface,

determine a menu item specified by the user interface menu is selected, wherein determining comprises the spatially-aware projection pen determining that a boundary delineating a first region of the user interface menu has been crossed by a virtual cursor to select a first menu item associated with the first region, wherein the virtual cursor has a position that is controlled by movements of the spatially-aware projection pen,

deactivate the function for displaying the user interface menu when the spatially-aware projection pen is listed above the surface input layer, and

configure the spatially-aware projection pen for an operation based on the selected menu item.