Abstract: An improved video system that enables a player to interact with mid-air stereo perception images of foreshortened perspective animation and with animation displayed on the projection screen or monitor, by controlling the motions of a robotic simulation apparatus deployed in front of the projection screen. The robotic apparatus is controlled by commands issued by the player and by feedback information from the animation. The mid-air coordinates of transducers installed on the robotic apparatus, which could be a vehicle or a gun, for example, are calculated using a geometric method to determine the coordinates of a point on the displayed animation aimed or steered at by the gun or vehicle. Animation location coordinates coded in the tracks are then compared to the coordinates of said point and the animation responds accordingly.

Abstract: An improved video system that enables a player to interact with mid-air stereo perception images of foreshortened perspective animation and return the animation back to the playing field on the projection screen or monitor, or to effect other interactive dramatics with the animation. The improvements include placing an ultrasonic transducer on the player's body for allowing the player's position to be calculated and providing the player with a pair of glasses that improve 3-D viewing of the animation. The animation reacts according to the movement of an instrument such as a baseball bat, a tennis racket or a rifle controlled by the player, as well as to the speed and direction of the player's body movement. The relative positions of the player's body, the instrument and the animation are tracked with an array of point microphones that receive signals from the ultrasonic transducers.

Abstract: A video system enables the operator to repeatedly touch a study object to change the action according to dramatics or game on a video display.A educational embodiment enables that student to touch the page of a printed book and effect multiple types of video response, selected on page by a student, educating the student of the meaning of the point in the printed text or graphics touched. A similar embodiment provides a solid object the student touches to effect multiple animations. Multiplexed workbooks and monitors enable the teacher's writing or drawing in workbook to be displayed on all, or selected, monitors. Questioning by the animation or in the workbook is answered by touching designated areas in the multiplexed workbooks to select an answer, which is timed, graded, and recorded for the teacher's reference. The animation responds to the student answers.

Abstract: An animation method supersedes the motion picture branching method by, first, enabling rapid and repeated switching of multiple tracks of different camera-originated animation of the same character during continuous action in a scene, and second, by enabling branching at the termination of an action to multiple actions or scenes.This method is the basis of a double-circuit video system that enables a player to repeatedly touch or hit an animated character during a continuous action as displayed on a projection screen or television monitor and thus change the action repeatedly. Another system embodiment enables the player to swing a racket before the screen or television monitor, hit the mid-air projected image of a perspective ball animated action, return the ball back to the animated character opponent, and play a simulated game during which the player exercises the same skills used to play the game simulated.

Abstract: The motion picture branching method is superseded by an animation method which enables rapid and repeated switching of multiple tracks of different camera-originated animation of the same character during continuous action in a scene, and enables branching at the termination of an action to multiple actions or scenes. This method is the basis of a double-circuit video system that enables a player to repeatedly touch or hit an animated character during a continuous action as displayed on a projection screen or television monitor and thus change the action repeatedly. Another system embodiment enables the player to swing a racket before the screen or television monitor, hit the mid-air projected image of a perspective ball animated action, return the ball back to the animated character opponent, and play a simulated game during the the player exercises the same skills used to play the game simulated.

Abstract: The motion picture branching method is superseded by an animation method which enables rapid and repeated switching of multiple tracks of different camera-originated animation of the same character during continuous action in a scene, and enables branching at the termination of an action to multiple actions or scenes. This method is the basis of a double-circuit video system that enables a player to repeatedly touch or hit an animated character during a continuous action as displayed on a projection screen or television monitor and thus change the action repeatedly. Another system embodiment enables the player to swing a racket before the screen or television monitor, hit the mid-air projected image of a perspective ball animated action, return the ball back to the animated character opponent, and play a simulated game during the the player exercises the same skills used to play the game simulated.