Interactive computing system with persistent themes

• US 8,997,009 B2
• Filed: 08/15/2011
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paul L. Bechtel
• Original Assignee: Paul L. Bechtel
• Inventors: Bechtel, Paul L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hailu, Tadeese
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chung, Andrew
• Application Number:
  US13/210,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20120064973A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 715/764, 463/37
• US Class Current: 715/764
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8094 Unusual game types, e.g. virtual cooking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/0384 Wireless input, i.e. hardware and software details of wireless interface arrangements for pointing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/016 Input arrangements with force or tactile feedback as computer generated output to the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0393 Accessories for touch pads or touch screens, e.g. mechanical guides added to touch screens for drawing straight lines, hard keys overlaying touch screens or touch pads
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0395 Mouse pads

Abstract

A computing system environment comprises an improved pointing device (IPD) coupled to a computer having a computer display with an interactive user interface (IUI), all having a persistent theme and/or motif. The persistent theme is one that is based on and/or correlates to the aesthetic design of the IPD, which can be one of a plurality of distinct shapes of an animal, insect, mascot, among others, that can be associated with a particular persistent theme. The determined persistent theme can be optionally extended to the surface pad on which the IPD rests and to the exterior casing/skin of the computer cover. When the IPD and computer are operating with a persistent theme, such as with the IUI operating as a screen saver, the Enhanced Selection Buttons (ESBs) of the IPD can be configured to manipulate visual and other aspects of the IUI, including controlling a character within the IUI.

Claims

1. An interactive computing environment having a persistent theme, comprising:

a computing device having a processor, a display, and an interactive utility that executes on the processor and generates an interactive user interface (IUI) with a first viewable theme displayed on the display;

a pointing device capable of being communicatively coupled to the computing device and comprising;

a sensor that provides positional location tracking and movement tracking of the pointing device to the data processing system;

a transceiver for sending data to and receiving from the computing device; and

one or more enhanced selection buttons;

an internal speaker for emitting an audio output, wherein the audio output comprises a plurality of sound clips, and wherein the plurality of sound clips comprise one or more sound clips emitted from the pointing device in response to the pointing device detecting a specific movement of the pointing device relative to a themed surface that has a specific visible theme and atop which the pointing device can be positioned and moved;

a controller having an action set converter that converts a single input of a specific enhanced selection button into an enhanced action that is transmitted to the data processing system, wherein the enhanced action is multiple button clicks of the specific enhanced selection button

at least one selectable affordance that enables the toggling of an interactive utility executing on the data processing system between a screen saver mode and a video gaming mode;

wherein in response to the computing device being in a screen saver mode or a video gaming mode when the enhanced action is received, the computing device enables the enhanced action to be performed within an interactive user interface of the interactive utility;

wherein the enhanced action comprises one or more of;

a click-and-hold, and a click-and-drag, and a vertical or lateral jump of a character within an interactive user interface (IUI) of the data processing system;

wherein one or more portions of the pointing device is designed in a likeness of one or more of a character, a mascot, a person, an animal and an object that is appropriate for maintaining a persistent theme; and

wherein the IUI comprises a character disposed within a themed setting corresponding to a persistent theme and the character is manipulated by movement of the pointing device and selection of one or more enhanced selection buttons of the pointing device;

wherein each of the IUI, the pointing device, and the themed surface share a same persistent theme; and

wherein the plurality of sound clips are associated with the persistent theme.

2. The interactive computing environment of claim 1, wherein:

the interactive utility comprises program code that executes on the processor to generate an interactive video game that is controllable via the pointing device, and wherein the interactive video game shares the same persistent theme; and

the pointing device comprises at least one selectable affordance that enables the interactive utility to toggle the computer device and the display between a screen saver mode and a video gaming mode.

3. The interactive computing environment of claim 1, wherein the pointing device further comprises:

one or more enhanced selection buttons;

a controller having an action set converter that coverts a single input of a specific enhanced selection button into an enhanced action that is transmitted to the computing device, wherein the enhanced action is multiple button clicks of the specific enhanced selection button;

wherein in response to the computing device being in a screen saver mode or a video gaming mode when the enhanced action is received, the computing device enables the enhanced action to be performed within the IUI.

4. The interactive computing environment of claim 3, wherein the IUI comprises a character disposed within a themed setting corresponding to the persistent theme and the character is manipulated by movement of the pointing device and selection of one or more enhanced selection buttons of the pointing device.

5. The interactive computing environment of claim 1, wherein the pointing device further comprises:

one or more enhanced selection buttons;

a controller having an action set converter that coverts a single input of a specific enhanced selection button into an enhanced action that is transmitted to the computing device, wherein the enhanced action comprises one or more of;

a click-and-hold, and a click-and-drag, and a vertical or lateral jump of a character within the IUI.

6. The interactive computing environment of claim 1, wherein the persistent theme is one of a uniquely distinguishable theme related to one of:

a collegiate or university institution;

a habitat;

a videogame;

a motion picture;

a television program;

a sports team;

a business;

an advertising campaign;

a healthcare institution;

a business institution; and

a political campaign.

7. The interactive computing environment of claim 1, wherein one or more portions of the pointing device is designed in a likeness of one or more of a character, a mascot, a person, an animal and an object that is appropriate for maintaining the persistent theme.

8. The interactive computing environment of claim 7, wherein at least two enhanced selection buttons of the one or more enhanced selection buttons are in the shape of eyes and wherein the eyes represent selectable affordances that enable the main selection functions of the pointing device when the computer device is in a normal operating mode and that provide enhanced features when the computer device is in one of a screen saver mode and a video game mode.

9. The interactive computing environment of claim 8, wherein the at least two enhanced selection buttons are illuminated responsive to depressing or releasing of the at least two enhanced selection buttons.

10. The interactive computing environment of claim 8, wherein the at least two enhanced selection buttons are illuminated responsive to receiving one or more signal cues from the interactive utility.

11. The interactive computing environment of claim 8, wherein the at least two enhanced selection buttons comprise light emitting diodes that enable the at least two enhanced selection buttons to be illuminated following one or more triggers from among:

a detected depression of one of the at least two enhanced selection buttons; and

a feedback response from the interactive utility related to an activity occurring within the IUI.

12. The interactive computing environment of claim 1, wherein the audio output further comprises one or more additional sound clips that are emitted via the internal speaker responsive to one or more of:

a detection of a depression or a release of one or more of the one or more enhanced selection buttons;

receiving one or more signal cues from the interactive utility;

identifying a particular activity occurring within the IUI when the computing device is in one of a screen saver mode and a video gaming mode; and

the one or more additional sound clips are appropriate for the persistent theme.

13. The interactive computing environment of claim 1, wherein further the interactive utility comprises program code for representing the pointing device as a character within the IUI and enabling the character to be manipulated via inputs received from the pointing device.

14. The interactive computing environment of claim 1, wherein the themed surface is a mouse pad.

15. The interactive computing environment of claim 1, wherein the computer device is a laptop device and the computing environment further comprises a physical skin that is placed over at least one surface of the laptop as a cover, wherein the physical skin is designed with the same persistent theme.

16. The interactive computing environment of claim 1, wherein:

the pointing device further comprises a tactile response mechanism that provides a vibrational feedback responsive to receiving a signal cue from the interactive utility;

the pointing device emits vibrates via the tactile response mechanism responsive to one or more of;

a detection of a depression or a release of one or more of the one or more enhanced selection buttons;

receiving one or more signal cues from the interactive utility;

detecting a specific movement of the pointing device relative to the themed surface; and

identifying a particular activity occurring within the IUI when in one of the screen saver mode and the video gaming mode; and

the one or more sound clips are appropriate for the persistent theme.

17. The interactive computing environment of claim 1, wherein:

the pointing device has stored therein at least one identifying credential that can be utilized by the interactive utility to identify a theme to which the pointing device corresponds;

the at least one identifying credential provides information on one or more types of features that are available and supported by the pointing device and provides an indication whether the pointing device supports a themed interface; and

the interactive utility comprises program code that in response to detecting a connection of the pointing device to the computer device and receiving the identifying credential from the pointing device, selects at least one of a corresponding themed screen saver and a corresponding themed video game that corresponds to the theme of the pointing device to enable the IUI and the pointing device to share the same persistent theme.

18. The interactive computing environment of claim 1, wherein the themed surface has a display and a receiver that connects to one of the computer device and the pointing device, and responsive to receipt from one of the computer device and the pointing device of specific theme data, the themed surface modified a visual appearance of the display to correspond to the same persistent theme as the IUI and the pointing device.

19. The interactive computing environment of claim 1, further comprising a themed computer skin that attaches to an external surface of the computing device to provide a specific visual appearance of the computer system that corresponds to the persistent theme.

20. A pointing device comprising:

a transceiver for communicatively connecting the pointing device to a data processing system and for sending data to and receiving from the data processing system;

a sensor that provides positional location tracking and movement tracking of the pointing device when the pointing device is communicatively connected to the data processing system;

a plurality of selectable affordances including one or more enhanced selection buttons;

an internal speaker for emitting an audio output, wherein the audio output comprises a plurality of sound clips, wherein the plurality of sound clips comprise one or more sound clips emitted from the pointing device in response to the pointing device detecting a specific movement of the pointing device relative to a themed surface, and wherein the plurality of sound clips are associated with the persistent theme;

a controller having an action set converter that converts a single input of a specific enhanced selection button into an enhanced action that is transmitted to the data processing system, wherein the enhanced action is multiple button clicks of the specific enhanced selection button

at least one selectable affordance that enables the toggling of an interactive utility executing on the data processing system between a screen saver mode and a video gaming mode;

wherein in response to the computing device being in a screen saver mode or a video gaming mode when the enhanced action is received, the computing device enables the enhanced action to be performed within an interactive user interface of the interactive utility;

wherein the enhanced action comprises one or more of;

a click-and-hold, and a click-and-drag, and a vertical or lateral jump of a character within an interactive user interface (IUI) of the data processing system;

one or more portions of the pointing device is designed in a likeness of one or more of a character, a mascot, a person, an animal and an object that is appropriate for maintaining a persistent theme; and

wherein the IUI comprises a character disposed within a themed setting corresponding to a persistent theme and the character is manipulated by movement of the pointing device and selection of one or more enhanced selection buttons of the pointing device.

21. The pointing device of claim 20, further comprising:

a controller having an action set converter that coverts a single input of a specific enhanced selection button into an enhanced action that is transmitted to the data processing system, wherein the enhanced action is multiple button clicks of the specific enhanced selection button;

at least one selectable affordance that enables the toggling of an interactive utility executing on the data processing system between a screen saver mode and a video gaming mode;

wherein in response to the computing device being in a screen saver mode or a video gaming mode when the enhanced action is received, the computing device enables the enhanced action to be performed within an interactive user interface of the interactive utility;

one or more portions of the pointing device is designed in a likeness of one or more of a character, a mascot, a person, an animal and an object that is appropriate for maintaining a persistent theme; and

wherein the IUI comprises a character disposed within a themed setting corresponding to a persistent theme and the character is manipulated by movement of the pointing device and selection of one or more enhanced selection buttons of the pointing device.

22. The pointing device of claim 20, wherein at least two enhanced selection buttons of the one or more enhanced selection buttons are in the shape of eyes and wherein the eyes represent selectable affordances that enable the main selection functions of the pointing device when the data processing system is in a normal operating mode and that provide enhanced features when the data processing system is in one of a screen saver mode and a video game mode.

23. The pointing device of claim 20, wherein the at least two enhanced selection buttons of the one or more enhanced selection buttons are illuminated responsive to depressing or releasing of the at least two enhanced selection buttons.

24. The pointing device of claim 20, wherein:

the pointing device further comprises a tactile response mechanism that provides a vibrational feedback responsive to receiving a signal cue from an interactive utility of the data processing system;

the pointing device emits vibrates via the tactile response mechanism responsive to one or more of;

a detection of a depression or a release of one or more of the one or more enhanced selection buttons;

receiving one or more signal cues from the interactive utility;

detecting a specific movement of the pointing device relative to the themed surface; and

identifying a particular activity occurring within the IUI when in one of the screen saver mode and the video gaming mode;

the one or more sound clips are appropriate for the persistent theme; and

the at least two enhanced selection buttons of the one or more enhanced selection buttons are illuminated responsive to receiving one or more signal cues from the interactive utility.

25. The pointing device of claim 20, wherein the at least two enhanced selection buttons of the one or more enhanced selection buttons comprise light emitting diodes that enable the at least two enhanced selection buttons to be illuminated following one or more triggers from among:

a detected depression of one of the at least two enhanced selection buttons; and

a feedback response from the interactive utility related to an activity occurring within the IUI.

26. The pointing device of claim 20, wherein the audio output further comprises one or more additional sound clips that are emitted via the internal speaker responsive to one or more of:

a detection of a depression or a release of one or more of the one or more enhanced selection buttons;

receiving one or more signal cues from the interactive utility;

identifying a particular activity occurring within the IUI when the computing device is in one of the screen saver mode and the video gaming mode; and

the one or more additional sound clips are appropriate for the persistent theme.

27. The pointing device of claim 20, further comprising:

a persistent storage having stored therein at least one identifying credential that can be utilized by the interactive utility to identify a theme to which the pointing device corresponds;

the at least one identifying credential provides information on one or more types of features that are available and supported by the pointing device and provides an indication whether the pointing device supports a themed interface; and

wherein, in response to detecting a connection of the pointing device to the data processing system and the data processing system receiving the identifying credential of the pointing device, an interactive utility of the data processing system selects at least one of a corresponding themed screen saver and a corresponding themed video game that corresponds to the theme of the pointing device to enable an interactive user interface (IUI) executing on the data processing system and the pointing device to share the same persistent theme.

28. A method for enabling a persistent themed computing environment, the method comprising:

detecting a coupling of a pointing device to a computer system;

receiving an identifying credential associated with the pointing device, wherein the received identifying credential comprises information indicating the pointing device comprises one or more enhanced selection buttons and is designed with a particular theme, wherein the pointing device comprises;

an internal speaker for emitting an audio output, wherein the audio output comprises a plurality of sound clips, and wherein the plurality of sound clips comprise one or more sound clips emitted from the pointing device in response to the pointing device detecting a specific movement of the pointing device relative to a themed surface having a specific visible theme and atop which the pointing device can be positioned and moved; and

a controller having an action set converter that converts a single input of a specific enhanced selection button into an enhanced action that is transmitted to the data processing system, wherein the enhanced action is multiple button clicks of the specific enhanced selection button; and

at least one selectable affordance that enables the toggling of an interactive utility executing on the data processing system between a screen saver mode and a video gaming mode;

wherein in response to the computing device being in a screen saver mode or a video gaming mode when the enhanced action is received, the computing device enables the enhanced action to be performed within an interactive user interface of the interactive utility;

wherein the enhanced action comprises one or more of;

a click-and-hold, and a click-and-drag, and a vertical or lateral jump of a character within an interactive user interface (IUI) of the data processing system;

wherein one or more portions of the pointing device is designed in a likeness of one or more of a character, a mascot, a person, an animal and an object that is appropriate for maintaining a persistent theme; and

wherein the IUI comprises a character disposed within a themed setting corresponding to a persistent theme and the character is manipulated by movement of the pointing device and selection of one or more enhanced selection buttons of the pointing device;

identifying the particular theme of the pointing device from among available themes supported on the computer system;

generating, on a display of the computer system, an interactive user interface (IUI) having the same particular theme;

receiving, from the pointing device, one or more selections via the one or more enhanced selection buttons; and

modifying a an interactive user interface (IUI) of the computer system based on the selections received from the pointing device.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

in response to receipt of a first selection among the one or more selections automatically toggling the IUI between a screen saver mode and a video gaming mode;

in response to receipt of a second selection among the one or more selections automatically displaying one or more actions associated with a character within the IUI to correspond to a detected action of the pointing device; and

in response to receipt of a third selection among the one or more selections automatically toggling the IUI back to a normal screen for normal operations of the computer system.