Three-dimensional augmented reality object user interface functions

Abstract

There is disclosed an apparatus including processor and memory, the processor executing instructions which cause the processor to: generate a three-dimensional environment on a display; detect, using a camera, the presence of a three-dimensional physical object bearing a fiducial marker; detect distortion of the three-dimensional physical object using the fiducial marker; and alter the three-dimensional environment on the display based upon the distortion of the three-dimensional physical object.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising processor and memory, the processor executing instructions which cause the processor to:
 generate a three-dimensional environment on a display;   detect, using a camera, the presence of a three-dimensional physical object bearing a fiducial marker;   detect distortion of the three-dimensional physical object using the fiducial marker; and   alter the three-dimensional environment based upon the distortion of the three-dimensional physical object.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the distortion is detected when compression of the three-dimensional physical object alters an appearance of the fiducial marker. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the three-dimensional physical object is a cube. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the three-dimensional object comprises a bladder. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein compression of the bladder alters an appearance of the fiducial marker. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein, upon detection of the three-dimensional physical object, an augmented reality object is superimposed in place of the three-dimensional physical object within the three-dimensional environment on the display. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein altering the three-dimensional environment comprises translating the distortion of the three-dimensional physical object into alteration of the augmented reality object within the three-dimensional environment. 
     
     
         8 . A method of interacting with a three-dimensional environment comprising:
 generating the three-dimensional environment on a display;   detecting, using a camera, the presence of a three-dimensional physical object bearing a fiducial marker;   detecting distortion of the three-dimensional physical object using the fiducial marker; and   altering the three-dimensional environment based upon the distortion of the three-dimensional physical object.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the distortion is detected when compression of the three-dimensional physical object alters an appearance of the fiducial marker. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the three-dimensional physical object is a cube. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the three-dimensional object comprises a bladder. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein compression of the bladder alters an appearance of the fiducial marker. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein, upon detection of the three-dimensional physical object, an augmented reality object is superimposed in place of the three-dimensional physical object within the three-dimensional environment on the display. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein altering the three-dimensional environment comprises translating the distortion of the three-dimensional physical object into alteration of the augmented reality object within the three-dimensional environment. 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising:
 a computing device including a processor and memory;   a camera in communication with the computing device;   a three-dimensional physical object bearing a fiducial marker,   wherein the processor is for:
 generating a three-dimensional environment on a display; 
 detecting, using the camera, the presence of the three-dimensional physical object; 
 detecting distortion of the three-dimensional physical object using the fiducial marker; and 
 altering the three-dimensional environment based upon the distortion of the three-dimensional physical object. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the distortion is detected when compression of the three-dimensional physical object alters an appearance of the fiducial marker. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  wherein the three-dimensional object comprises a bladder. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein compression of the bladder alters an appearance of the fiducial marker. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  wherein, upon detection of the three-dimensional physical object, an augmented reality object is superimposed in place of the three-dimensional physical object within the three-dimensional environment on the display. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein altering the three-dimensional environment comprises translating the distortion of the three-dimensional physical object into alteration of the augmented reality object within the three-dimensional environment.