Methods and systems for providing programmable computerized interactors

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.

1 . An interactor suitable for manually placing within a detection space of a computerized interactor system, the interactor comprising:
 an identity circuitry configured to provide the computerized interactor system with an identity of the interactor and a position of the interactor within the detection space; and   a user programmable state circuitry responsive to the computerized interactor system, configured to receive user control input and provide a state of the interactor;   wherein upon receiving the user control input, the user programmable state circuitry causes an interrupt to be generated for the computerized interactor system.   
   
   
       2 . An interactor as recited in  claim 1  wherein the identity circuitry includes a first resistor whose value defines the identity of the interactor. 
   
   
       3 . An interactor as recited in  claim 1  wherein the user programmable state circuitry includes a variable resistor whose value defines the state of the interactor, the user programmable state circuitry programmable in the sense that a user can adjust the value of the variable resistor. 
   
   
       4 . A plurality of interactors as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first resistor corresponding to each of the plurality of interactors has a value unique within the plurality of interactors. 
   
   
       5 . An interactor as recited in  claim 1  wherein the interactor is a translucent bead interactor. 
   
   
       6 . An interactor as recited in  claim 1  wherein the user programmable state circuitry includes memory on which the user may store information. 
   
   
       7 . An interactor as recited in  claim 6  wherein the memory is suitable for storing sound recordings. 
   
   
       8 . An interactor as recited in  claim 3  further including a user adjustable knob that when properly manipulated adjusts the value of the variable resistor. 
   
   
       9 . An interactor as recited in  claim 3  further including a squeezable transducer that when squeezed adjusts the value of the variable resistor. 
   
   
       10 . A computer interactor system as recited in  claim 1  wherein the user programmable state circuitry is arranged to store a plurality of state values. 
   
   
       11 . A computer interactor system as recited in  claim 1  further including sound recording medium arranged such that a user can record a playable sound message thereon. 
   
   
       12 . A system for allowing a user to control an application executing on a computer comprising:
 a plurality of interactors, each interactor having an identity;   a detection space coupled to the computer; and   a processor, coupled to a memory, configured to:
 generate a play array that includes data corresponding to a position and an identity of each interactor positioned within the detection space; 
 execute application instructions including performing an action based upon the play array and the application instructions; 
 monitor to determine whether an event has occurred that requires updating the play array; and 
 update the play array when an event occurs that requires such an update. 
   
   
   
       13 . The system as recited in  claim 12  wherein the plurality of interactors includes a first interactor and the processor is further configured to:
 determine a parameter associated with the first interactor, the parameter being selected from the set consisting of 1) a position of the first interactor within the detection space, 2) orientation of the first interactor within the detection space, 3) motion of the first interactor within the detection space, and 4) a relative position of the first interactor with respect to a second interactor;   determine an identity of the first interactor; and
 generate a first interactor interrupt and data associated with the parameter value and identity of the first interactor. 
   
   
   
       14 . The system as recited in  claim 12  wherein the processor is further configured to:
 determine that a first interactor has been removed from the detection space; and   generate a first interactor interrupt and data associated with the removed first interactor.   
   
   
       15 . The system as recited in  claim 12  wherein at least one interactor positioned with the detection space further includes a user programmable state variable, the play array further includes data corresponding to a value of the user programmable state variable, and the events requiring an update include a state variable interrupt corresponding to an adjustment being made to the user programmable state variable. 
   
   
       16 . The system as recited in  claim 15  wherein the processor is further configured to:
 determine that an adjustment has been made to the user programmable state variable; and   generate a state variable interrupt and data associated with a new value of the user programmable state variable.   
   
   
       17 . The system as recited in  claim 12  wherein the application instructions relate to a user playable sound system. 
   
   
       18 . The system as recited in  claim 17  further comprising an amplifier and a speaker, wherein the application instructions include the playing of a sound sequence. 
   
   
       19 . The system as recited in  claim 18  wherein at least one of the interactors positioned in the detection space is coupled to a light source, wherein the application instructions include lighting up the at least one interactor coupled to the light source. 
   
   
       20 . The system as recited in  claim 18  wherein the detection space has a discrete, finite number of positions each representing a particular sound modification characteristic, and the playing of a sound sequence includes playing sound in accordance with the identities and arrangement of the plurality of interactors within the detection space.