US6164541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods and systems for providing human/computer interfaces
Assignee: Vulcan Patents LLC
•
Filing: 1999-08-10
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Granted: 2000-12-26
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Expires: 2019-08-10
Abstract
Abstract 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.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas J. Dougherty
- 👤 S. Joy Mountford
- 👤 Jesse L. Dorogusker
- 👤 James H. Boyden
- 👤 Philip A. van Allen
- 👤 Daniel E. Cummings
- 👤 Brygg A. Ullmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/14; G06K7/1404; G06K7/1439; G06K7/1443; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/06009; G06K19/06037; G06K7/12
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for generating an encoded physical medium having a region wherein content has been encoded, the method comprising the steps of: receiving content that is to be encoded into a desired location on the encoded physical medium; encoding the content according to a particular encoding scheme suitable for application onto the encoded physical medium; and inserting the encoded content and a marker into a corresponding desired location within a representation of the encoded physical medium, the marker indicating that the content is encoded within the corresponding desired location, wherein at least one of the marker and encoded content has at least one portion being outside of the visible electro magnetic spectrum range.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for generating an encoded physical medium having a region wherein content has been encoded, the method comprising the steps of: receiving content that is to be encoded into a desired location on the encoded physical medium; encoding the content according to a particular encoding scheme suitable for application onto the encoded physical medium; and inserting the encoded content and a marker into a corresponding desired location within a representation of the encoded physical medium, the marker indicating that the content is encoded within the corresponding desired location, wherein at least one of the marker and encoded content has at least one portion being outside of the visible electro magnetic spectrum range.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for generating an encoded physical medium having a region wherein content has been encoded, the method comprising the steps of: receiving content that is to be encoded into a desired location on the encoded physical medium; and inserting the encoded content and a marker into a corresponding desired location of the encoded physical medium, the marker indicating that the content is encoded within the corresponding desired location, wherein at least one of the marker and encoded content has at least one portion being outside of the visible electro magnetic spectrum range.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for generating an encoded physical medium having a region wherein content has been encoded, the method comprising the steps of: receiving content that is to be encoded into a desired location on the encoded physical medium; and inserting the encoded content and a marker into a corresponding desired location of the encoded physical medium, the marker indicating that the content is encoded within the corresponding desired location, wherein at least one of the marker and encoded content has at least one portion being outside of the visible electro magnetic spectrum range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
An encoded physical medium suitable for use in interfacing a user and a computer system, the encoded physical medium including a region wherein certain information is encoded, the certain encoded information including a marker indicating that the certain encoded information is encoded in the first region, the certain encoded information including data suitable for interpreting into computer readable data, wherein at least one of the marker and encoded content has at least one portion being outside of the visible electro magnetic spectrum range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
83 words
An encoded physical medium suitable for use in interfacing a user and a computer system, the encoded physical medium including a region wherein certain information is encoded, the certain encoded information including a marker indicating that the certain encoded information is encoded in the first region, the certain encoded information including data suitable for interpreting into computer readable data, wherein at least one of the marker and encoded content has at least one portion being outside of the visible electro magnetic spectrum range.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the content includes a uniform resource locator (URL).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the URL points to a registration web site wherein the user can register.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the URL points to a transaction web site.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the content is encoded using a spectral encoding scheme.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the spectral encoding scheme visually blends together with a portion of text and graphics present on the physical medium.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the spectral encoding scheme results in the encoded content being hidden from a user of the encoded physical medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the content includes a uniform resource locator (URL).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the URL points to a registration web site wherein the user can register.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as recited in claim 10, wherein the URL points to a transaction web site.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 2, wherein the content is encoded using a spectral encoding scheme.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the spectral encoding scheme visually blends together with a portion of text and graphics present on the physical medium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as recited in claim 13, wherein the spectral encoding scheme results in the encoded content being hidden from a user of the encoded physical medium.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
An encoded physical medium as recited in claim 3, wherein the certain encoded information includes a uniform resource locator (URL).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
An encoded physical medium as recited in claim 16, wherein the URL points to a registration web site wherein the user can register.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
An encoded physical medium as recited in claim 16, wherein the URL points to a transaction web site.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
An encoded physical medium as recited in claim 3, wherein the certain encoded information is encoded using a spectral encoding scheme.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
An encoded physical medium as recited in claim 19, wherein the spectral encoding scheme visually blends together with a portion of text and graphics present on the physical medium.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-26 | 2004-06-26 | 2004-12-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-26 | 2008-06-26 | 2008-12-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-26 | 2012-06-26 | 2012-12-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |