Abstract: Systems and methods are described in which a light beam generated by a handheld device is used to point toward a selected object or location within a printed page containing visual content, for example displayed in a book or magazine. The object(s) and/or location being pointed at may be determined using a device camera pointed in the same direction as the beam coupled with computer vision methods to determine locations of camera-acquired images within a database of page-content templates. The database may include interactive sequences and/or scenarios associated with page objects and locations. Such interactive sequences may augment the visual content of a printed book to include audible elements, additional visual components, and/or haptic stimulation enacted by the handheld device. Systems and methods may provide simple and intuitive methods for human-machine interactions that may be particularly well-suited for children and other learners.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described in which the location of a tap on the body of a handheld device is determined in real time using data streams from an embedded inertial measurement unit (IMU). Taps may be generated by striking the handheld device with an object (e.g., a finger), or by moving the handheld device in a manner that causes it to strike another object. IMU accelerometer, gyroscopic and/or orientation (relative to the magnetic and/or gravitational pull of the earth) measurements are examined for signatures that distinguish a tap at a location on the body of the device compared with signal characteristics produced by taps at other locations. Neural network and/or numerical methods may be used to perform such classifications.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described in which user reactions to one or more interactions initiated by a handheld device are a basis for controlling the broadcasting of serial content on a content delivery device such as a television or tablet. Interactions initiated on the handheld device may include visual, acoustic and/or haptic components based on the one or more contexts of concurrent (i.e., current or recently broadcast) or ensuing (i.e., not yet broadcast) content. User reactions may be determined based on device movements or orientations (sensed by a camera or inertial measurement unit), verbal replies (sensed by a microphone), and/or pushbutton indications. Based on user reactions and/or predetermined preferences, serial content may be replayed, paused, bypassed, played in slow-motion, or played in a so-called “fast forward” mode. Systems and methods may provide simple and intuitive methods to control serial content delivery that may be particularly well-suited for young children.