Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time collaborative computing and collective intelligence are disclosed. A collaborative application runs on a collaborative server connected to a plurality of computing devices. Collaborative sessions are run wherein a group of independent users, networked over the internet, collaboratively answer questions in real-time, thereby harnessing their collective intelligence. A user performance value is determined for each of a plurality of independent users in the group based on each user's participation as compared to other users in the collaborative group. A group cohesiveness score is determined that quantifies the group's overall collaborative effectiveness. In some embodiments, the group cohesiveness score and user performance values are used to adjust weighting factors that affect the relative impact of each of the plurality of users in the collaborative group.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time collaborative computing and collective intelligence are disclosed. A collaborative application runs on a collaborative server connected to a plurality of computing devices. Collaborative sessions are run wherein a group of independent users, networked over the internet, collaboratively answer questions in real-time, thereby harnessing their collective intelligence. Systems and methods for determining a group intent vector from a plurality of user intent vectors in response to user input, the group intent vector including a bias restoring vector to correct positional bias resulting from a target layout.

Abstract: Handheld weapons using tactile feedback to deliver silent status information are described. One embodiment comprises a handheld weapon comprising: a housing comprising a user contactable region, a tactile element coupled to the user contactable region, and an actuator coupled to the tactile element and capable of outputting a haptic sensation localized to the tactile element.

Abstract: Systems and methods are for enabling a population of individuals to collaboratively answer questions or otherwise express a collaborative intent by forming a real-time closed-loop system influenced at least in part, by human gaze input from a plurality of participants. The system comprises a plurality of computing devices connected to a central server, each of the computing devices being used by an individual user and configured to enable its user to contribute to the emerging group intelligence through their real-time gaze location. In some embodiments, gaze is used in combination with other input modalities.

Abstract: Systems and methods are for enabling a group of individuals, each using an individual computing device, to collaboratively answer questions or otherwise express a collaborative will/intent in real-time. The collaboration system comprises a plurality of computing devices, each of the devices being used by an individual user, each of the computing devices enabling its user to contribute to the emerging real-time group-wise intent. A collaboration server is disclosed that communicates remotely to the plurality of individual computing devices. Herein, a variety of inventive methods are disclosed for interfacing users in a real-time synchronized group-wise experience, and for deriving a convergent group intent from the collective user input.

Abstract: Systems and methods are for enabling a group of individuals, each using an individual computing device, to collaboratively answer questions or otherwise express a collaborative will/intent in real-time as a unified intelligence. The collaboration system comprises a plurality of computing devices, each of the devices being used by an individual user, each of the computing devices enabling its user to contribute to the emerging real-time group-wise intent. A collaboration server is disclosed that communicates remotely to the plurality of individual computing devices. Herein, a variety of inventive methods are disclosed for interfacing users and calibrating for their variable confidence in a real-time synchronized group-wise experience, and for deriving a convergent group intent from the collective user input.

Abstract: Systems and methods are for enabling a group of individuals, each using an individual computing device, to collaboratively answer questions in real time as a unified swarm-based intelligence. The collaboration system comprises a plurality of computing devices, each of the devices being used by an individual user, each of the computing devices enabling its user to contribute to the emerging real-time group-wise intent. A collaboration server is disclosed that moderates the closed-loop system, enabling convergence upon a unified group intent. In some embodiments the group is divided into sub-groups, wherein each sub-group responds to a different sub-factor of a main prompt.

Abstract: Systems and methods for user interfaces for use on a computing device of a real-time collaborative computing system. A collaborative application runs on the computing device and displays information and data regarding the collaboration system and also receives user input via the user interface. The display interface arrangement may vary based on a type of collaborative session. Graphical user interfaces include a user interface based on a magnetic force model.

Abstract: Systems and methods are for enabling a group of individuals, each using an individual computing device, to collaboratively control a vehicle in real-time as a unified intelligence. The collaboration system comprises a plurality of computing devices, each of the devices being used by an individual user, each of the computing devices enabling its user to contribute to the emerging real-time group-wise intent. A collaboration server is disclosed that moderates the closed-loop system, enabling convergence upon a unified group intent. Control commands are repeatedly sent to the vehicle based on the determined group intent.

Abstract: Handheld weapons using tactile feedback to deliver silent status information are described. One embodiment comprises a handheld weapon comprising: a housing comprising a user contactable region, a tactile element coupled to the user contactable region, and an actuator coupled to the tactile element and capable of outputting a haptic sensation localized to the tactile element.

Abstract: Systems and methods are for enabling a group of individuals, each using an individual computing device, to collaboratively answer questions or otherwise express a collaborative will/intent in real-time. The collaboration system comprises a plurality of computing devices, each of the devices being used by an individual user, each of the computing devices enabling its user to contribute to the emerging real-time group-wise intent. A collaboration server is disclosed that communicates remotely to the plurality of individual computing devices. Herein, a variety of inventive methods are disclosed for interfacing users in a real-time synchronized group-wise experience, and for deriving a convergent group intent from the collective user input.

Abstract: Systems and methods for user interfaces for use on a computing device of a real-time collaborative computing system. A collaborative application runs on the computing device and displays information and data regarding the collaboration system and also receives user input via the user interface. The display interface arrangement may vary based on a type of collaborative session. Graphical user interfaces include a user interface based on a magnetic force model.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time collaborative computing and collective intelligence are disclosed. A hybrid swarm intelligence system includes a central collaboration server, a plurality of computing devices in communication with the central server, and an agent application in communication with the central server. In response to information sent from the central server during a group collaboration session, user input is sent to the central server via the computing devices, and machine input is given to the server via the agent application, which determines input based on rules, additional data, and/or machine learning techniques. The central server uses the user input and the machine input to repeatedly provide feedback to the agent application and users during the group collaboration session.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time collaborative computing and collective intelligence are disclosed. A collaborative application runs on a collaborative server connected to a plurality of computing devices. Collaborative sessions are run wherein a group of independent users, networked over the internet, collaboratively answer questions in real-time, thereby harnessing their collective intelligence. Methods are disclosed for, during a collaborative session, real-time changing of the amount of influence the user has on determining the collaborative answer.

Abstract: A force feedback system provides components for use in a force feedback system including a host computer and a force feedback interface device. An architecture for a host computer allows multi-tasking application programs to interface with the force feedback device without conflicts, where a single active application may output forces. A background application also provides force effects to be output and allows a user to assign force effects to graphical objects in a graphical user interface. Force feedback effects and structures are further described, such as events and enclosures.

Abstract: A haptic feedback planar touch control used to provide input to a computer. A touch input device includes a planar touch notice that inputs a position signal to a processor of the computer based on a location of user contact on the touch surface. The computer can position a cursor in a displayed graphic environment based at least in part on the position signal, or perform a different function. At least one actuator is also coupled to the touch input device and outputs a force to provide a haptic sensation to the user contacting the touch surface. The touch input device can be a touchpad separate from the computer's display screen, or can be a touch screen. Output haptic sensations on the touch input device can include pulses vibrations, and spatial textures. The touch input device can include multiple different regions to control different computer functions.

Abstract: A force feedback system provides components for use in a force feedback system including a host computer and a force feedback interface device. An architecture for a host computer allows multi-tasking application programs to interface with the force feedback device without conflicts, where a single active application may output forces. A background application also provides force effects to be output and allows a user to assign force effects to graphical objects in a graphical user interface. Force feedback effects and structures are further described, such as events and enclosures.

Abstract: A haptic feedback remote control device provides control signals to a toy device, such as a car, boat, plane, etc., to control the toy's operation. The remote control device includes a housing and at least one control for manual manipulation by the user, where control signals representing the manipulation are sent to the toy, preferably transmitted wirelessly. An actuator outputs forces on the housing and/or on a control in response to actuator signals. A controller provides the actuator signals based on the manual manipulation of the control by the user, or based on status signals from the toy indicating the toy's actions or interactions, or based on both. In one embodiment, the actuator moves an inertial mass to provide inertial sensations on the housing. The information received from the toy device can include information from a contact sensor or inertial sensor on the toy device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing force feedback to a user operating a human/computer interface device in conjunction with a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed by a host computer system. A physical object, such as a joystick or a mouse, controls a graphical object, such as a cursor, within the GUI. The GUI allows the user to interface with operating system functions implemented by the computer system. A signal is output from the host computer to the interface device to apply a force sensation to the physical object using one or more actuators. This desired force sensation is associated with at least one of the graphical objects and operating system functions of the graphical user interface and is determined by a location of the cursor in the GUI with respect to targets that are associated with the graphical objects. The graphical objects include icons, windows, pull-down menus and menu items, scroll bars (“sliders”), and buttons.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time collaborative computing and collective intelligence are disclosed. A collaborative application runs on a collaborative server connected to a plurality of computing devices. Collaborative sessions are run wherein a group of independent users, networked over the internet, collaboratively answer questions in real-time, thereby harnessing their collective intelligence. Methods are disclosed for assigning users to factions during a collaborative decision process, wherein the collaborative server repeatedly checks the input of each user with respect to a plurality of proposed answers and assigns the user to the faction associated with the answer the user is trying to select. Furthermore, user assessments are made based on a stored time-history of faction associations for that user during a decision period.