The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 14, 2004
Filed:
Mar. 22, 2002
George Marmaropoulos, Yorktown Heights, NY (US);
Daniel Pelletier, Lake Peekskill, NY (US);
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Eindhoven, NL;
Abstract
An interactive control system and related apparatus uses disposable, low-cost control objects, such as cards or leaflets or three-dimensional visual shapes, for controlling and navigating through electronic “menu” programs of electronic equipment. The system incorporates visual detection equipment, of known type and function, that is capable of recognizing the color and locating the spatial orientation of a particularly shaped and colored control object. When the control object is displayed to a visual sensor of the visual detection equipment, an associated microprocessor converts the shape, color and spatial orientation of the control object into electronic signals for directing and controlling an external electronic program in a known manner. Because the control objects are passive and non-electronic, they can be made at very low cost and can be treated as disposable. In addition, printed matter can be included on their exposed surfaces to provide advertising and instructional material.