Abstract: A computer interface system and method is described which includes a way of interfacing with a physical game system. The game system may include a platform having a plurality of regions and a plurality of lots, a plurality of environmental objects positioned within an associated lot of the platform, and a movable object near at least one region. Additionally, each environmental object has an environmental identifier and is a global type or a local type, and each region has a region identifier and a plurality of subregions. The method includes the act of scanning the environmental objects and the movable object to extract data, where the extracted data includes a movable object position of the movable object and an environmental position for each environmental object and associated environmental identifier.

Abstract: A computer input system and method is described which includes a spatial reference member having a body with a first surface and an opposing second surface. The spatial reference member separates a first spatial region including the first surface from a second spatial region including the second surface. A physical object is movable within the first spatial region. Optical indicia tracks the physical object through the body. The optical indicia is observable from the second spatial region. An optical detector positioned in the second spatial region tracks the optical indicia and develops signals which may serve as inputs to a computer. The object may emit a signal which is tracked by the optical detector.

Abstract: A computer input system and method is described which includes a spatial reference member having a body with a first surface and an opposing second surface. The spatial reference member separates a first spatial region including the first surface from a second spatial region including the second surface. A physical object is movable within the first spatial region. Optical indicia tracks the physical object through the body. The optical indicia is observable from the second spatial region. An optical detector positioned in the second spatial region tracks the optical indicia and develops signals which may serve as inputs to a computer. The object may emit a signal which is tracked by the optical detector.