Abstract: A system for manipulation of objects. The system includes N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer; and a mechanism for controlling and 2D locating of the N objects. A method for manipulating objects. The method includes the steps of receiving information from N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer, at a centrally controlling and 2D locating controller; determining 2D locations by the controller of the N objects; and transmitting from the controller directions to the N objects for the N objects to move. An apparatus for tracking. The apparatus includes N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer, each object having an emitter which emits light; and a mechanism for 2D sensing of the N objects over time from the light emitted by each emitter. The present invention pertains to a method for tracking.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing a user input to a device through sensing of user-applied forces are described. A user applies forces to a rigid body as if to deform it and these applied forces are detected by force sensors in or on the rigid body. The resultant force on the rigid body is determined from the sensor data and this resultant force is used to identify a user input. In an embodiment, the user input may be a user input to a software program running on the device. In an embodiment the rigid body is the rigid case of a computing device which includes a display and which is running the software program.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing a user input to a device through sensing of user-applied forces are described. A user applies forces to a rigid body as if to deform it and these applied forces are detected by force sensors in or on the rigid body. The resultant force on the rigid body is determined from the sensor data and this resultant force is used to identify a user input. In an embodiment, the user input may be a user input to a software program running on the device. In an embodiment the rigid body is the rigid case of a computing device which includes a display and which is running the software program.

Abstract: A system for manipulation of objects. The system includes N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer; and a mechanism for controlling and 2D locating of the N objects. A method for manipulating objects. The method includes the steps of receiving information from N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer, at a centrally controlling and 2D locating controller; determining 2D locations by the controller of the N objects; and transmitting from the controller directions to the N objects for the N objects to move. An apparatus for tracking. The apparatus includes N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer, each object having an emitter which emits light; and a mechanism for 2D sensing of the N objects over time from the light emitted by each emitter. The present invention pertains to a method for tracking.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing a user input to a device through sensing of user-applied forces are described. A user applies forces to a rigid body as if to deform it and these applied forces are detected by force sensors in or on the rigid body. The resultant force on the rigid body is determined from the sensor data and this resultant force is used to identify a user input. In an embodiment, the user input may be a user input to a software program running on the device. In an embodiment the rigid body is the rigid case of a computing device which includes a display and which is running the software program.

Abstract: An apparatus for locating a plurality of objects includes a planar element. The apparatus includes one or more sensors sensing the locations of a plurality of objects based on light that is transmitted through the planar element. A method for locating a plurality of objects includes the steps of moving the objects. There is the step of sensing the locations of a plurality of objects based on light that is transmitted through a planar element with one or more sensors.

Abstract: Gaze tracking or other interest indications are used during a video conference to determine one or more audio sources that are of interest to one or more participants to the video conference, such as by determining a conversation from among multiple conversations that a subset of participants are participating in or listening to, for enhancing the audio experience of one or more of the participants.

Abstract: The techniques described herein provide a surface computing device that includes a surface layer configured to be in a transparent state and a diffuse state. In the diffuse state, an image can be projected onto the surface. In the transparent state, an image can be projected through the surface.

Abstract: The techniques described herein provide a surface computing device that includes a surface layer configured to be in a transparent state and a diffuse state. In the diffuse state, an image can be projected onto the surface. In the transparent state, an image can be projected through the surface.

Abstract: A surface computing device is described which has a surface which can be switched between transparent and diffuse states. When the surface is in its diffuse state, an image can be projected onto the surface and when the surface is in its transparent state, an image can be projected through the surface and onto an object. In an embodiment, the image projected onto the object is redirected onto a different face of the object, so as to provide an additional display surface or to augment the appearance of the object. In another embodiment, the image may be redirected onto another object.

Abstract: Keyboards, mice, joysticks, customized gamepads, and other peripherals are continually being developed to enhance a user's experience when playing computer video games. Unfortunately, many of these devices provide users with limited input control because of the complexity of today's gaming applications. For example, many computer video games require a combination of mouse and keyboard to control even the simplest of in-game tasks (e.g., walking into a room and looking around may require several keyboard keystrokes and mouse movements). Accordingly, one or more systems and/or techniques for performing in-game tasks based upon user input within a multi-touch mouse are disclosed herein. User input comprising one or more user interactions detect by spatial sensors within the multi-touch mouse may be received. A wide variety of in-game tasks (e.g., character movements, character actions, character view, etc.) may be performed based upon the user interactions (e.g., a swipe gesture, a mouse position change, etc.).

Abstract: Gaze tracking or other interest indications are used during a video conference to determine one or more audio sources that are of interest to one or more participants to the video conference, such as by determining a conversation from among multiple conversations that a subset of participants are participating in or listening to, for enhancing the audio experience of one or more of the participants.

Abstract: A system for manipulation of objects. The system includes N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer; and a mechanism for controlling and 2D locating of the N objects. A method for manipulating objects. The method includes the steps of receiving information from N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer, at a centrally controlling and 2D locating controller; determining 2D locations by the controller of the N objects; and transmitting from the controller directions to the N objects for the N objects to move. An apparatus for tracking. The apparatus includes N objects, where N is greater than or equal to 2 and is an integer, each object having an emitter which emits light; and a mechanism for 2D sensing of the N objects over time from the light emitted by each emitter. The present invention pertains to a method for tracking.

Abstract: A surface computing device is described which has a surface which can be switched between transparent and diffuse states. When the surface is in its diffuse state, an image can be projected onto the surface and when the surface is in its transparent state, an image can be projected through the surface and onto an object. In an embodiment, the image projected onto the object is redirected onto a different face of the object, so as to provide an additional display surface or to augment the appearance of the object. In another embodiment, the image may be redirected onto another object.

Abstract: An interactive surface computer with a switchable diffuser layer is described. The switchable layer has two states: a transparent state and a diffusing state. When it is in its diffusing state, a digital image is displayed and when the layer is in its transparent state, an image can be captured through the layer. In an embodiment, a projector is used to project the digital image onto the layer in its diffusing state and optical sensors are used for touch detection.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing a user input to a device through sensing of user-applied forces are described. A user applies forces to a rigid body as if to deform it and these applied forces are detected by force sensors in or on the rigid body. The resultant force on the rigid body is determined from the sensor data and this resultant force is used to identify a user input. In an embodiment, the user input may be a user input to a software program running on the device. In an embodiment the rigid body is the rigid case of a computing device which includes a display and which is running the software program.

Abstract: Computerized methods and systems for controlling a peripheral device based, at least in part, upon remote user instructions are provided. Upon receiving a communication from the peripheral device (e.g., using a USB port), a computing device recognizes the peripheral device. Next, a command manifest is automatically generated that includes one or more commands that correspond to at least one controllable function of the peripheral device. In addition, the command manifest may be communicated to a remote-user device configured to present the commands to the remote user, typically, by displaying a representation of the commands at a user interface associated therewith. A transmission that includes content indicating one or more of the commands may be received from the remote-user device. Consequently, commands are determined from content and transferred to the peripheral device, which performs the corresponding controllable functions.