Information handling system interactive totems

• US 9,690,400 B2
• Filed: 04/21/2015
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Ancona, Rocco, Morrison, John T., Krishnakumar, Karthik, Knoppert, Michiel Sebastiaan Emanuel Petrus, Acevedo, Daniel, Ligameri, Mark R.
• Primary Examiner(s): CERULLO, LILIANA P
• Application Number:
  US14/691,833
• Publication Number:
  US 20160313816A1
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/038 Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04184 Synchronisation with the driving of the display or the backlighting unit to avoid interferences generated internally
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

A totem device accepts inputs from an end user and communicates the inputs to an information handling system through a capacitive mat by moving an interactive portion of the totem relative to a main portion. In one embodiment, the capacitive mat integrates a display that presents input images proximate the totem, such as a volume gauge or mouse keys. Interactive portions include compressible materials that alter surface area pressed against a capacitive mat when pressed upon and plungers that move independent of a main body to press. In one embodiment, a camera captures images of the totem to enhance the distinguishing of inputs.

Claims

1. An information handling system comprising:

a processor operable to execute instructions to process information;

memory interfaced with the processor and operable to store the information;

a graphics system interfaced with the processor and memory, the graphics system operable to generate the visual images for presentation at one or more display devices;

a capacitive mat display device interfaced with the graphics system and operable to present the visual images, the capacitive mat disposed on a surface and including capacitive sensors operable to detect touches;

a totem disposed on the capacitive mat, the totem having a main body and at least one interactive portion, the interactive portion responding to end user manipulation to move relative to the main body; and

an input device controller interfaced with the capacitive mat display and operable to detect end user inputs by analyzing movement of the totem interactive portion relative to the totem main body, the input determined based upon the relative position of the interactive portion to the main body

wherein the totem further comprises;

an inner ring resting on the capacitive mat display device;

an outer ring rotationally coupled to the inner ring; and

one or more capacitive feet coupled to the outer ring and proximate to the capacitive mat display device, the input device controller detecting the relative position of the outer and inner rings by reference to a detected position of the one or more capacitive feet.

2. The information handling system of claim 1 further comprising:

a user interface module interfaced with the input device and operable to present a user interface on the capacitive mat display device based upon the location of the totem;

wherein the input device controller determines the end user inputs based at least in part upon the user interface presented by the user interface module.

3. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein the user interface controller selectively presents a volume scale proximate the totem and the input device controller detects end user volume inputs to adjust a speaker volume.

4. The information handling system of claim 1 further comprising a detent disposed between the first and second rings to provide mechanical feedback of rotation of rotation of the first and second rings relative to each other.

5. An information handling system comprising:

a processor operable to execute instructions to process information;

memory interfaced with the processor and operable to store the information;

a graphics system interfaced with the processor and memory, the graphics system operable to generate the visual images for presentation at one or more display devices;

a capacitive mat display device interfaced with the graphics system and operable to present the visual images, the capacitive mat disposed on a surface and including capacitive sensors operable to detect touches;

a totem disposed on the capacitive mat, the totem having a main body and at least one interactive portion, the interactive portion responding to end user manipulation to alter the totem interface with the capacitive mat relative to the main body;

an input device controller interfaced with the capacitive mat display and operable to detect end user inputs by analyzing the altering of the totem interface; and

a user interface module interfaced with the input device and operable to present a user interface on the capacitive mat display device based upon the location of the totem;

wherein the input device controller determines the end user inputs based at least in part upon the user interface presented by the user interface module; and

wherein the totem main body comprises;

an outer ring resting on the capacitive mat display device;

an inner ring rotationally coupled to the outer ring; and

one or more capacitive feet coupled to the inner ring and proximate to the capacitive mat display device, the input device controller detecting the relative positon of the outer and inner rings by reference to a detected position of the one or more capacitive feet.

6. The information handling system of claim 5 wherein the user interface controller selectively presents a volume scale proximate the totem and the input device controller detects end user volume inputs to adjust a speaker volume.

7. An information handling system comprising:

a processor operable to execute instructions to process information;

memory interfaced with the processor and operable to store the information;

a graphics system interfaced with the processor and memory, the graphics system operable to generate the visual images for presentation at one or more display devices;

a capacitive mat display device interfaced with the graphics system and operable to present the visual images, the capacitive mat disposed on a surface and including capacitive sensors operable to detect touches;

a totem disposed on the capacitive mat, the totem having a main body and at least one interactive portion, the interactive portion responding to end user manipulation to alter the totem interface with the capacitive mat relative to the main body;

an input device controller interfaced with the capacitive mat display and operable to detect end user inputs by analyzing the altering of the totem interface;

wherein the totem further comprises;

an inner ring resting on the capacitive mat display device;

an outer ring rotationally coupled to the inner ring; and

one or more capacitive feet coupled to the outer ring and proximate to the capacitive mat display device, the input device controller detecting the relative positon of the outer and inner rings by reference to a detected position of the one or more capacitive feet.

8. The information handling system of claim 7 further comprising a detent disposed between the first and second rings to provide mechanical feedback of rotation of rotation of the first and second rings relative to each other.