US6184876B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for audibly communicating comparison information to a user
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1996-07-10
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Granted: 2001-02-06
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Expires: 2016-07-10
Abstract
Abstract Information objects are compared according to user a specified distance measure and the magnitude of this distance measure is reported to a user by producing audio tones representative of the magnitude of the distance measure between the information objects. In one embodiment, a user interface for computers, including audio feedback in which a substantially fixed pitch audio tone is associated with a first selected object, and a second audio tone, associated with a second selected object, varies in pitch as the second object is moved relative to the first object. User configurable audio tone parameters allow the use of any function relating variations in audio tone to a distance measure.
Inventors
- 👤 John David Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:20
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/16; G06F3/167; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; G06F3/04815; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S715/00; Y10S715/978
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of positioning an object, said method comprising: a) selecting a first object; b) generating a first audible tone; c) selecting a second object, said second object being positioned a distance from said first object; d) generating a second audible tone, said second audible tone being associated with said second object; and e) aligning said second object to said first object; f) wherein the first audible tone and the second audible tone are different when the first and second objects are not aligned, the first and second tones are the same when the first and second objects are aligned and the first and second audible tones are produced substantially simultaneously.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of positioning an object, said method comprising: a) selecting a first object; b) generating a first audible tone; c) selecting a second object, said second object being positioned a distance from said first object; d) generating a second audible tone, said second audible tone being associated with said second object; and e) aligning said second object to said first object; f) wherein the first audible tone and the second audible tone are different when the first and second objects are not aligned, the first and second tones are the same when the first and second objects are aligned and the first and second audible tones are produced substantially simultaneously.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said first audible tone has a substantially fixed pitch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said second audible tone has a pitch that varies as a function of the distance between said first and second objects.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of moving said second object comprises moving said second object along a pre-selected axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of generating said second audible tone comprises the steps of: comparing a first and a second set of coordinates associated respectively with said first and second objects, said coordinates being representative of the relative positions of said first and second objects; determining the distance between said first and second objects; translating said distance into audio control information representative of pitch; outputting said audio control information to a tone generator; and producing said second audible tone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein said first audio tone has a substantially fixed pitch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein said distance is a distance along a pre-selected axis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior to said step (e) of moving said objects, the step of selecting an axis in which to move said second object.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of co-locating, in at least one axis, computer generated graphical objects in a computer generated scene representing a three-dimensional scene, comprising: a) selecting an axis in three dimensional space along which a distance between a first graphical object and a second graphical object is to be determined; b) selecting a first graphical object; c) generating a first audible tone associated with said first graphical object; d) selecting a second graphical object; e) generating a second audible tone associated with said second graphical object, said second audible tone being a function of the distance between said first graphical object and said second graphical object; f) moving said second graphical object along said selected axis until said first and second audible tones are substantially equal; and g) displaying an indication of the selected axis.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of co-locating, in at least one axis, computer generated graphical objects in a computer generated scene representing a three-dimensional scene, comprising: a) selecting an axis in three dimensional space along which a distance between a first graphical object and a second graphical object is to be determined; b) selecting a first graphical object; c) generating a first audible tone associated with said first graphical object; d) selecting a second graphical object; e) generating a second audible tone associated with said second graphical object, said second audible tone being a function of the distance between said first graphical object and said second graphical object; f) moving said second graphical object along said selected axis until said first and second audible tones are substantially equal; and g) displaying an indication of the selected axis.
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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) | 2004-02-06 | 2004-08-07 | 2005-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-02-06 | 2008-08-07 | 2009-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-02-06 | 2012-08-07 | 2013-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |