185 results about "Physical interaction" patented technology

A method and apparatus wherein complex physical interactions and collisions are modeled at a high level of detail while reducing the computational demands placed on the processing system. In one embodiment the method comprising the steps of defining a first object and a second object, each object adapted for colliding with the other object; assigning an interaction type for at least one of the first and second object in response to an object parameter; and selecting between a continuous simulation of a collision and a discrete simulation of the collision in response to the interaction type.

The invention provides an interactive display that is controlled by user gestures identified on a touch detecting display surface. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, imagery is projected onto a horizontal projection surface from a projector located above the projection surface. The locations where a user contacts the projection surface are detected using a set of infrared emitters and receivers arrayed around the perimeter of the projection surface. For each contact location, a computer software application stores a history of contact position information and, from the position history, determines a velocity for each contact location. Based upon the position history and the velocity information, gestures are identified. The identified gestures are associated with display commands that are executed to update the displayed imagery accordingly. Thus, the invention enables users to control the display through direct physical interaction with the imagery.

Some embodiments of the invention provide one or more novel motion-detected, tap-input methods for initiating one or more particular operations of a device. In some embodiments, these methods detect a tap input without relying on the output of a touch-sensitive screen sensor, which the device may or may not have. Instead, these methods detect the tap input by relying on the output of one or more other motion sensors of the device. Examples of such motion sensors include accelerometers, gyroscopes, and other sensors that generate output based on the movement of, or physical interactions with, the device.

The invention provides an interactive display that is controlled by user gestures identified on a touch detecting display surface. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, imagery is projected onto a horizontal projection surface from a projector located above the projection surface. The locations where a user contacts the projection surface are detected using a set of infrared emitters and receivers arrayed around the perimeter of the projection surface. For each contact location, a computer software application stores a history of contact position information and, from the position history, determines a velocity for each contact location. Based upon the position history and the velocity information, gestures are identified. The identified gestures are associated with display commands that are executed to update the displayed imagery accordingly. Thus, the invention enables users to control the display through direct physical interaction with the imagery.

As opposed to using one type of technology from the beginning of a transaction to the end of a transaction at the point of sale, embodiments of the present invention are related to useful techniques for conducting mixed mode transactions. A mixed mode transaction combines at least two modes of communication used in transaction processing. A transaction may start by initiating the transaction using a first communication mode between a first device and a second device. The first device may be a consumer's mobile device, and the device may be a merchant access device or point of sale terminal. To continue the transaction, a second mode of communication may be initiated. The first and second communications modes may be a physical interaction-based mode, a contact or contactless chip mode, a Bluetooth mode, a WiFi mode, an infrared (IR) mode, or any other suitable communication mode.

Systems and methods are provided according to one or more embodiments for conducting transactions based on actions or gestures such as physical interactions between users each having a user device. In that regard, gestures such as a handshake or other physical interactions between users may be detected to determine transaction details such as a payment amount or a value to be transferred from one user via a user device to a recipient via a recipient device. The amount or value may then be transferred based on one or more determinations including proximity between the user or the user device and the recipient or the recipient device, a specific action or gesture, voice commands, facial recognition, preset transfer instructions, a unique identifier, or other close-quarter determinations.

A display method of a display apparatus is provided. The display method includes displaying an interaction image including one or more objects therein, detecting a touch input with respect to the interaction image, and if detecting the touch input, changing a display status of the interaction image to express physical interaction of the one or more objects in response to the touch input.

Mechanisms are provided to efficiently and effectively authenticate a user of a device. Passcode information such as passwords, pins, and access codes are obtained along with biometric information to periodically authenticate a user of a device. A user identity confidence score may be generated and continually modified by using data such as passcode information, biometric information, and / or user physical interaction characteristics information. If the user identify confidence score falls beneath a particular threshold, additional user authentication information may be requested.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems, apparatuses and methods for using a mobile device with an accelerometer to conduct a financial transaction by making contact with an interaction terminal, thereby generating interaction data that is representative of the physical contact between the mobile device and the interaction terminal. The mobile device may be a mobile phone. The interaction terminal may be a point of sale terminal, access point device, or any other stationary (i.e., in a fixed position) device positioned at a line, door, gate, or entrance. A mobile device with an accelerometer physically contacts the interaction terminal. The interaction terminal flexes, recoils, or moves and generates interaction data (e.g., accelerometer, location, time data, etc.) representative of the physical interaction between the mobile device and the interaction terminal. A server computer determines, based on interaction data, that the mobile device and the interaction terminal made physical contact. After determining that the mobile device and the interaction terminal made contact, communication may be initiated between the devices. Communications may relate to processing a payment transaction using a payment processing network.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems, apparatuses and methods for using a mobile device with an accelerometer to gain access into a secured or restricted area. A first device and a second device interact by making physical contact with each other thereby generating interaction data that is representative of the physical interaction between the first and second device. The first and second device may be mobile phones. The second device may be a point of sale terminal, access point device, or any other stationary (i.e., in a fixed position) device positioned at a line, door, gate, or entrance. A server computer determines, based on interaction data, that the first device and the second device made physical contact. After determining that the first device and the second device made contact, communications may be initiated between the devices. Communications may relate an access transaction comprising an exchange of information, such as credentials, between a prospective entrant (operating the first device) and a gatekeeper (operating the second device) to verify that the prospective entrant is permitted or is not permitted access to a particular area that is secured or restricted by the gatekeeper. Other embodiments are direct to confirmation transactions. Access transaction and confirmation transactions may be combined with a financial transaction using a payment processing network.

An interactive activity system is disclosed. One embodiment includes a generator configured to produce electrical power based on physical interaction with a human being, a storage component configured to store the electrical power, and at least one play-oriented application configured to utilize a portion of the electrical power for operation. In one embodiment, the interactive activity system is implemented in a traditional, non-electronic playground environment.

A method and device for forming a cross-linked foam and a cross-linked foam are provided. The method includes the steps of preparing at least one foaming material for cross-linked foaming, the foaming material processed to have a plane or three-dimensional shape; forming at least one interfacing pattern on a surface of at least one of the foaming material using at least one interfacing material that prevents chemical and physical interaction between the foaming materials; and forming a cross-linked foam by foaming the foaming material having the interfacing pattern thereon, the cross-linked foam having a foam body and an internally-formed surface.

An apparatus and method for generating analyte ions from a sample. An ion generating device is provided having a chamber with an outlet and a surface having a material and means for applying a high velocity gas flow through the chamber toward the outlet such that charged particles are produced by physical interaction between the high velocity gas and the material. The charged particles then induce the generation of primary ions by interaction with molecules of the high velocity gas. The primary ions are emitted from the outlet of the ion generating device toward a sample-bearing surface and analyte ions are generated by impact of the primary ions on the analyte sample on the surface.

A low-cost method and system for processing force feedback effects generated at a host for playback at a physical interaction device by moving much of the force feedback effect processing from the device back to the host, and performing this in a manner that does not adversely affect latency effects or the load on the host processor. This is achieved by a novel combination of software and hardware techniques. In particular, the device hardware uses a low-cost microcontroller with limited processing capabilities, minimal memory and a low speed USB interface. The small memory also alleviates the need for buffer assignments and memory management. On the other hand, the device driver software residing on the host computer relies on the host's powerful processor to perform the majority of the effect management and computation, as well as translating all the complex high-level effect commands to a unique, small and simplified set of low-level commands which are periodically updated and transferred to the device for playback.

A man-machine interface method comprising generating physical interactions with active zones (10) belonging to an interface object (5), the active zones being associated with predetermined items of information, detecting the active zones where interactions occur by measuring at least one physical magnitude, and associating each detected interaction with the corresponding predetermined item of information. The active zones are defined for a predetermined finite length of time and they are then deactivated at the end of said predetermined length of time, and when interactions with the interface object are detected while the active zones are deactivated, the active zones are automatically redefined as a function of the first detected interactions.

Irradiation methods and apparatus configured to deliver power, via electromagnetic fields at a variety of frequencies and power levels, in a localized fashion to a target area. In one example, an electromagnetic field generator is disposed on a substrate and configured to deliver power via electromagnetic energy to a thin region proximate to (above) a surface of the substrate, wherein electromagnetic field intensity decreases significantly beyond the thin region. Such methods and apparatus are particularly useful in a wide variety of processes involving chemical and / or physical interactions in connection with a sample of interest located in the thin region. In different aspects, irradiator apparatus may be configured as disposable devices, and / or used in combination with one or more microfluidic or sensing components, for a variety of medical / laboratory / diagnostic methods and instrumentation implementations.

A force / tactile display that presents force / tactile sensation that occurs in response to physical interaction with each of a plurality of objects present in a virtual environment includes an action point defined on the mechanical structure, the action point presenting the force / tactile sensation, an applied force control means for controlling the force exerted on the action point, and an action point control means for controlling the position of the action point.

The invention provides a polymer hydrogel and a preparation method thereof. The polymer hydrogel is formed by gelators through mutual physical interaction, wherein the gelators comprise nano materials with reactive functional groups and macromolecular chains which are grafted on the surfaces of the nano materials through the reactive functional groups. The gel is physical gel, has thermal reversibility and meanwhile has high strength and hydroscopicity.

A user-interface method and system for displaying a set of search results on a user device having a limited display area and having a five-button interface, where a user may explicitly or implicitly choose a search result to be expanded in order to provide space for displaying additional metacontent related to the selected search result, and where the expansion of the chosen search result does not occlude information displayed about other search results.

One embodiment of the invention provides a computer-implemented method for discrete element modelling of a plurality of discrete elements corresponding to particles and physical geometry elements. The modelling performs a simulation through time of physical interactions of the particles with each other and with the physical geometry elements in a three-dimensional space. The method comprises providing a virtual geometry object comprising a user-defined shape. The virtual geometry object does not undergo physical interaction with the particles or physical geometry elements during the simulation. The method further comprises receiving user-defined parameters for determining the position, orientation and any movement of the virtual geometry object with respect to the three-dimensional space. The method further comprises locating the virtual geometry object in the three-dimensional space during the simulation in accordance with the user-defined parameters and identifying the particles, physical geometry elements and / or physical interactions having a particular relationship with respect to the virtual geometry object. The identified elements can then be analysed by the user, for example to determine the number of particles located at a given time within a specific region of the simulation space (as defined by the virtual geometry object).

A cellular phone holding device designed to allow the practitioner to conduct conversations on the phone with limited physical interaction with the phone during activities or while performing manual tasks. The device holds the cellular phone in a pocket portion that attaches to a hat and properly aligns with the ear and cheek to facilitate communication. The device may involve hats of any style, shape, color or size. Further, the pocket portion of the device affixes to the inside or the outside of the hat depending on the need of the practitioner. In an alternative embodiment, the device is a pocket style holder for a cellular phone that removeably affixes to a hat or headpiece of any style, size or design.

A system with automatic positioning controls for the holographic display of three-dimensional objects interacting in real time with objects of the real world. The person observing the screen (18) has the sensation that the objects are real, which is achieved thanks to a real time perspective correction system (1). The system is used in particular to simulate bowling pins (9). It is positioned on the lane required by means of a dolly (6). The system determines a relation between the information received from the sensors: video cameras (1) (3), dimensions (26), weight (14) (27) and the mathematical simulation models. When the ball is bowled, its physical features are measured and when it hits the pin deck, some holographic pins are displayed on the screen (19). The screen holographically arranges the projected objects over what the bowler (18) sees behind the screen (19). The simulated movements of the pins and the physical interactions with the real objects are determined by exploiting the theory of mechanics in three-dimensional space.

In embodiments, methods and systems are presented for physical interaction with computer-mediated information. A movable display module (including a touch screen monitor, CPU, absolute encoder and other sensors, and wireless network connection) is mounted on and can be moved along rails. The rails serve four purposes relating to the movable display module:1) to provide DC power and / or data through the rails to the equipment;2) to act as a rack gear for absolute encoding of physical position;3) to provide physical support;4) to act as guide tracks.As the display module slides along the rails, a computer program receives positional and other sensor data. The program maps the sensor data to programmatic content, and presents said content on the display module or on other displays or in external effects such as lights or robotics. The entire system is designed for reliability, affordability, and ease of mass production.

The present invention generally relates to stable emissive aggregates of polymers. The aggregates are composed of various polymer molecules arranged in such a way as to allow extended electronic couplings between nearby polymer molecules, enhancing exciton transport, while minimizing the effects of quenching due to interchain interactions. For example, the polymer molecules may be arranged in a non-aligned, electronically-communicative manner (for example, at an oblique angle), stabilized by various methods such as chemical linkages or physical interactions. Within the aggregate, electronic interactions along the polymer molecule may extend to nearby polymer molecules, which may be observed as a shift in the absorption spectra relative to a random dispersion. Light emitted from the aggregate may be polarized in some cases, for example, linearly or circularly, which may be caused by chiral arrangements of polymers within the aggregate (the polymers themselves may or may not be chiral). These aggregates may find widespread use, for example, in enantiomeric detectors, electrochemical devices, photodetectors, organic diodes, sensors, light sources, or photovoltaic devices.

A system in accordance with the invention includes an interactive video system that creates immersive multimedia experiences through responsive physical interaction and audience participation. The system transform floors, walls, screens, staging and other surfaces and video output devices into an interactive experience. Motion tracking and projection systems enable the combination of a background message to be manipulated in response to audience participation, including human body movements. Included within the system is a software application with a setup and programming user interface, used in conjunction with external hardware to which it is connected. External hardware includes, in one basic embodiment, one or more video projectors, one or more video cameras, and one or more computers. The computer receives input from the video cameras, and modifies the projected video based upon that input. A single system unit can be networked to other system units on a LAN, WAN, or global network.