Abstract: The present invention provides a method of human-computer interfacing that provides efficient implementation of intuitive controls in a three-dimensional space. The method comprises providing a three-dimensional space, characterized by x and y dimensions, together defining a plane approximately orthogonal to the user's direction of view into the space. A z dimension, approximately parallel to the direction of view, further characterizes the three-dimensional space. Objects in the space can be defined by x, y, and z coordinate sets. A control is provided having x and y coordinate sets as any other object. The z coordinate set of the control, however, spans a range of values, giving the control an increased depth. The control's range of z can be infinite, making the control accessible at all depths, or can be a finite range, making the control accessible only from that range of depths. Movement of a cursor into the region corresponding to the control initiates interaction with the user according to the control.

Abstract: A tool for distributed software development maintains a pool of software modules. A module manager manages submissions to and downloads from the pool. The module manager can be a computer system with programming and resources suited for managing the pool. Developers and users can access the module manager via a computer network such as the internet, or via other transmission mechanisms. A developer intending to submit a module to the pool can specify access conditions associated with the module, and transmit information needed to access the module. The module manager can add the access information and access conditions to the pool. A developer or user intending to access a module from the pool can identify a desired module. The module manager can then determine if the intended access complies with the access conditions associated with the desired module. If it does, then the module manager can transmit the access information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of human-computer interfacing that provides haptic feedback to control interface interactions such as scrolling or zooming within an application. Haptic feedback in the present method allows the user more intuitive control of the interface interactions, and allows the user's visual focus to remain on the application. The method comprises providing a control domain within which the user can control interactions. For example, a haptic boundary can be provided corresponding to scrollable or scalable portions of the application domain. The user can position a cursor near such a boundary, feeling its presence haptically (reducing the requirement for visual attention for control of scrolling of the display). The user can then apply force relative to the boundary, causing the interface to scroll the domain. The rate of scrolling can be related to the magnitude of applied force, providing the user with additional intuitive, non-visual control of scrolling.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of human-computer interfacing. Force feedback allows intuitive navigation and control near a boundary between regions in a computer-represented space. For example, the method allows a user to interact with a virtual craft, then push through the windshield of the craft to interact with the virtual world surrounding the craft. As another example, the method allows a user to feel transitions between different control domains of a computer representation of a space. The method can provide for force feedback that increases as a user's locus of interaction moves near a boundary, then perceptibly changes (e.g., abruptly drops or changes direction) when the boundary is traversed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human-computer interface. The interface includes provision of an application domain, for example corresponding to a three-dimensional application. The user is allowed to navigate and interact with the application domain. The interface also includes a personal domain, offering the user controls and interaction distinct from the application domain. The separation into two domains allows the most suitable interface methods in each: for example, three-dimensional navigation in the application domain, and two- or three-dimensional controls in the personal domain. Transitions between the application domain and the personal domain are under control of the user, and the transition method is substantially independent of the navigation in the application domain. For example, the user can fly through a three-dimensional application domain, and always move to the personal domain by moving a cursor near one extreme of the display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of human-computer interfacing that provides efficient implementation of intuitive controls in a three-dimensional space. The method comprises providing a three-dimensional space, characterized by x and y dimensions, together defining a plane approximately orthogonal to the user's direction of view into the space. A z dimension, approximately parallel to the direction of view, further characterizes the three-dimensional space. Objects in the space can be defined by x, y, and z coordinate sets. A control is provided having x and y coordinate sets as any other object. The z coordinate set of the control, however, spans a range of values, giving the control an increased depth. The control's range of z can be infinite, making the control accessible at all depths, or can be a finite range, making the control accessible only from that range of depths. Movement of a cursor into the region corresponding to the control initiates interaction with the user according to the control.

Abstract: A method of providing an efficient interaction with a user of a human-computer interface. The method comprises establishing two paths: a device fundamental path and an object fundamental path. The two paths, which can comprise different geometric figures, are related by the interface in a defined correspondence. Motion by the user of an input device along the device fundamental path can be detected by the interface, and used to cause motion of an object in the computer application along the object fundamental path. The interface can also detect off-path motion of the input device. The interface, in some embodiments, can affect characteristics of the object or of other parts of the application responsive to such off-path motion. For example, the interface can change the angle or other property of an object responsive to off-path motion of the input device. The interface can also apply forces to an input device responsive to such off-path motion of the device.

Abstract: A method of human-computer interfacing provides efficient intuitive controls in a three-dimensional space. The method provides a three-dimensional space, characterized by a z dimension approximately parallel to the user's direction of view, and x and y dimensions approximately orthogonal thereto. A control has x and y coordinate sets, and a z coordinate set that spans a range of values. The range can be infinite, making the control accessible at all depths, or can be a finite range, making the control accessible from that range of depths. Movement of a cursor into the control's region initiates user interaction according to the control. The control depth reduces the precision of depth perception required to find the control. Once the user is in the control region, the effective depth for interaction can be relative to the depth when the user entered, providing control interaction independent of entering depth.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human-computer interface. The interface includes provision of an application domain, for example corresponding to a three-dimensional application. The user is allowed to navigate and interact with the application domain. The interface also includes a personal domain, offering the user controls and interaction distinct from the application domain. The separation into two domains allows the most suitable interface methods in each: for example, three-dimensional navigation in the application domain, and two- or three-dimensional controls in the personal domain. Transitions between the application domain and the personal domain are under control of the user, and the transition method is substantially independent of the navigation in the application domain. For example, the user can fly through a three-dimensional application domain, and always move to the personal domain by moving a cursor near one extreme of the display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of allowing a user to efficiently direct the generation of frames in a computer animation. An object within a frame has an initial representation, e.g., position, orientation, scale, intensity, etc. A vector response characteristic can be associated with the object, where the vector response characteristic specifies how the representation of the object changes in response to applied vectors. For example, a ball might accelerate proportional to the directed magnitude of an applied vector, while a light source might change in intensity and color according to the direction and magnitude of an applied vector. Each object can have its own vector response characteristic, multiple vector response characteristics (e.g., applicable if different parts of the animation), and constraints on its vector response characteristics (e.g., must stay connected to another object). Objects can also generate their own vectors to apply to other objects (e.g.

Abstract: A tool for distributed software development maintains a pool of software modules. A module manager manages submissions to and downloads from the pool. The module manager can be a computer system with programming and resources suited for managing the pool. Developers and users can access the module manager via a computer network such as the internet, or via other transmission mechanisms. A developer intending to submit a module to the pool can specify access conditions associated with the module, and transmit information needed to access the module. The module manager can add the access information and access conditions to the pool. A developer or user intending to access a module from the pool can identify a desired module. The module manager can then determine if the intended access complies with the access conditions associated with the desired module. If it does, then the module manager can transmit the access information.

Abstract: A display controller allows a user to control a base viewing location, a base viewing orientation, and a relative viewing orientation. The base viewing orientation and relative viewing orientation are combined to determine a desired viewing orientation. An aspect of a multidimensional space visible from the base viewing location along the desired viewing orientation is displayed to the user. The user can change the base viewing location, base viewing orientation, and relative viewing orientation by changing the location or other properties of input objects.

Abstract: For an optical sensor having a cylindrical housing and mounted on the houg axis, a mounting plug which carries a detector diode and detector amlifier, threadedly engages the housing, and temporarily engages a removeable adjusting tool.

Abstract: An improved head for a golf putter having a weight receiving member elevated above the sole of the putter head to raise the vertical center of gravity of the putter head. The weight receiving member has apertures at the toe and heel ends which are adapted to removably retain weights weighing various predetermined amounts, preferably weighted bolts which have slots adapted for operation by a coin.

Abstract: A singulation system wherein a multiplicity of circuit board members, or the like, can be fabricated by assembling components in a predetermined array on a large planar board-like member with portions of the large member defining independent circuit board assemblies which are separated from each other by intervening slots. The system includes readily adjustable punch and die plate members and accomodating platens which accomplish separation of the independent board assemblies from the large board arrangement without damage to the components mounted thereon.

Abstract: A transaction execution system includes a host data processing system having a multiple account data base and a plurality of transaction terminals in communication with the host. The terminals each include a keyboard, a display, document handling subsystems, a hardware control subsystem, a communication subsystem and a programmable control subsystem supervising the other subsystems. A user initiates a transaction request by inserting a card into one of the terminals. After reading acceptable account identification information from the card the terminal requests entry of a preassigned personal ID number through the keyboard. The ID number is encrypted by the terminal at least once and communicated to the host along with information read from the card and entered via the keyboard.