Interval Research Corporation

Vulcan Patents LLC

Interval Research Group

Philip A Van Allen

Jesse Lee Dorogusker

James H Boyden

S Joy Mountford

Thomas J Dougherty

Brygg A Ullmer

Daniel E Cummings

J Edward Carryer

A system and method for providing interaction between a user and a computer system is disclosed. A computer system has a sensor configured to read and interpret a content hotspot and to read and interpret a context hotspot, and a processor configured to perform an operation that is based on content information interpreted from the content hotspot. The operation is influenced by context information interpreted from the context hotspot.

Interface system using hotspots

The present invention teaches a variety of methods and systems for providing computer/human interfaces. According to one method, the user interfaces with an electronic device such as a computer system by engaging a sensor with desired regions of an encoded physical medium. The encoded physical medium is preferably chosen to provide intuitive meaning to the user, and is thus an improved metaphor for interfacing with the computer system. Suitable examples of the encoded physical medium include a data-linked book magazine, globe, or article of clothing. Some or all of the selected regions have had certain information encoded therein, information suitable for interfacing and controlling the computer system. When the user engages the sensor with a region having a certain encoded information, the certain encoded information is interpreted and an appropriate action taken. For example, the sensor or the computer system may provide suitable feedback to the user. The encoded physical medium may have test and/or graphic illustrations that draw the user in or provide meaningful clues or instructions perhaps related to the encoded information. The sensor may have at least one identification number (ID) providing information such as user identity, sensor type, access type, or language type. The sensor can transmit the certain decoded information together with the at least one ID to the computer system.

Methods and systems for providing human/computer interfaces

The present invention teaches a variety of methods and systems for providing computer/human interfaces. According to one method, the user interfaces with an electronic device such as a computer system by engaging a sensor with desired regions of an encoded physical medium. The encoded physical medium is preferably chosen to provide intuitive meaning to the user, and is thus an improved metaphor for interfacing with the computer system. Suitable examples of the encoded physical medium include a data-linked book, magazine, globe, or article of clothing. Some or all of the selected regions have had certain information encoded therein, information suitable for interfacing and controlling the computer system. When the user engages the sensor with a region having certain encoded information, the certain encoded information is interpreted and an appropriate action taken. For example, the sensor or the computer system may provide suitable feedback to the user. The encoded physical medium may have text and/or graphic illustrations that draw the user in or provide meaningful clues or instructions perhaps related to the encoded information. The sensor may have at least one identification number (ID) providing information such as user identity, sensor type, access type, or language type. The sensor can transmit the certain decoded information together with the at least one ID to the computer system.

The present invention teaches a computer interface system for providing content to a user using at least two encoded hotspots. A first hotspot is a context hotspot which activates functions in the computer system, selects databases and/or sets selection criteria. A second, content, hotspot is decoded based on its encoded information as well as the information decoded from the context hotspot. Content of the second hotspot includes direction and indirection content and may access data or executable programs.

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Santa Monica, CA, United States of America

Philip A Van Allen