Computerized interactor systems and method for providing same

• US 6,262,711 B1
• Filed: 02/14/1997
• Issued: 07/17/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hanger Solutions, LLC (IP Investments Group LLC)
• Original Assignee: Interval Research Corporation
• Inventors: Cohen, Jonathan R., Hindus, Debby, Johnson, Bonnie M., Singer, Andrew J., Stifelman, Lisa J., Verplank, William L., Wallters, Scott C., Withgott, M. Margaret
• Primary Examiner(s): Chow, Dennis-Doon
• Assistant Examiner(s): AWAD, AMR A
• Application Number:
  US08/801,085
• Time in Patent Office: 1,614 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/157, 345/158, 345/163, 345/161, 345/173, 345/179
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0354 with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems

Abstract

A computerized interactor system uses physical, three-dimensional objects as metaphors for input of user intent to a computer system. When one or more interactors are engaged with a detection field, the detection field reads an identifier associated with the object and communicates the identifier to a computer system. The computer system determines the meaning of the interactor based upon its identifier and upon a semantic context in which the computer system is operating. The interactors can be used to control other systems, such as audio systems, or it can be used as intuitive inputs into a computer system for such purposes as marking events in a temporal flow. The interactors, as a minimum, communicate their identity, but may also be more sophisticated in that they can communicate additional processed or unprocessed data, i.e. they can include their own data processors. The detection field can be one-dimensional or multi-dimensional, and typically has different semantic meanings associated with different parts of the detection field.

Claims

1. A computerized interactor system comprising:

a plurality of inclined detection spaces including a channel having a plurality of slanted surfaces for mounting one of plurality of physical interactors which can be manually placed within said plurality of inclined detection spaces and removed from said plurality of inclined detection spaces;

an interface responsive to said interactor in said plurality of inclined detection spaces and operative to provide an interactor signal indicative of the identity and status of said interactor; and

a compter system coupled to said interface and operative to process said inteactor signal to create a control input that is indicative of said indentity and status of said interactor within a predetermined semantic framework.

2. A computerized interactor system as recited in claim 1 further comprising an application system coupled to said computer system and responsive to said control input.

3. A computerized interactor system as recited in claim 2 wherein said application system comprises an audio application system means for providing audio sounds dependent upon interactors placed in said detection space.

4. A computerized interactor system as recited in claim 2 comprising a network of workstations each accessed to said detection space so that a user at a workstation may manually place within and remove from said detection space at least one said interactor, and wherein said application system comprises an audio application system, said audio application system comprising for each one of said workstations a microphone means and a speaker means for audio communication between said workstations, said audio application system being responsive to said control input from said computer system to provide audio sounds having volume and directional characteristics which are a function of interactors selectively placed in said detection space.

5. A computerized interactor system as recited in claim 2 wherein said application system comprises a videotape application system means for marking events in a videotape.

6. A computerized interactor system as recited in claim 2 wherein said application system comprises a video system including a screen for displaying a video source for viewing by at least one user, said computer system being adapted for retrieving timing information from said video system in relation to said interactor signal.

7. A computerized interactor system as recited in claim 1 wherein said plurality of interactors may be manually placed in and removed from said detection space by a plurality of users of the system.

8. A computerized interactor system as recited in claim 1 wherein said interactor comprises identification circuitry and wherein said detection space comprises internal circuitry adapted for connection with said identification circuitry of said interactor, said internal circuitry of said detection space being coupled to said interface.

9. A computerized interactor system as recited in, claim 8 wherein said detection space comprises a plurality of positions at which said interactor may be selectively manually removably placed in order to at least temporarily connect said identification circuitry of said interactor with said internal circuitry of said detection space.

10. A computerized interactor system as recited in claim 9 wherein said channel is one of a plurality of V-shaped channels that permit said interactor to be engaged with the detection space in a plurality of positions.

11. A computerized interactor system as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one physical, interactor comprises a distinct visual feature for metaphorically representing said identity of said interactor.

12. A computerized interactor system as recited in claim 1 wherein said interface is operative to detect a position of said interactor placed in said detection space and a time period of when said interactor has been placed in said detection space thereby to provide said interactor signal indicative of said status of said interactor.

13. A computer interactor system as recited in claim 1 further including a mechanism for biasing said interactor into a selected position upon said slanted surface.

14. A computer interactor system as recited in claim 13 wherein said mechanism for biasing said interactor into a selected position upon said slanted surface includes a plurality of magnets.

15. A computer interactor system as recited in claim 13 wherein said mechanism for biasing said interactor into a selected position upon said slanted surface includes a pair of hook-and-pile members.

16. A computer interactor system as recited in claim 13 wherein said mechanism for biasing said interactor into a selected position upon said slanted surface includes gravitational force.

17. A method for marking events in a temporal flow comprising the steps of:

a) monitoring the temporal flow;

b) providing a detection space;

c) placing one of a plurality of identifiable members each having a specific semantic meaning within said detection space;

d) determining a semanitic meaning of said one of a plurality of identifiable members that is different from said specific semantic meaning of said one of a plurality of identifiable members in a context of said temporal flow; and

e) recording an event related to said temporal flow and to the determined semantic meaning of said identifiable member.

18. A method for marking events within a temporal flow as recited in claim 17 providing a detection space accessible by a plurality of users.

19. A method for marking events within a temporal flow as recited in claim 17 comprising:

placing a plurality of identifiable members within said detection space;

determining the semantic meanings of said plurality of members; and

recording a plurality of events related to said temporal flow and to the semantic meanings of said plurality of members.

20. A method for marking events within a temporal flow as recited in claim 17 wherein said step of determining said semantic meaning of said member comprises determining a selected position of said member placed in said detection space.

21. A method for marking events within a temporal flow as recited in claim 17 wherein said step of determining said semantic meaning of said member comprises determining an identification of said member.

22. A method for marking events within a temporal flow as recited in claim 17 wherein said step of determining said semantic meaning of said member comprises determining a temporal relationship of said member placed in said detection space.

23. A method for marking events within a temporal flow as recited in claim 17 wherein said step of determining said semantic meaning of said member comprises:

determining a selected position of said member placed in said detection space;

determining an identification of said member placed in said detection space; and

determining a temporal relationship of said member placed in said detection space.