Controlling the position of an object in three dimensions

Abstract

A play piece may be positioned in three dimensions without actually contacting a play piece. A three dimensional structure may be include with a grid of electromagnetic actuators. By selectively controlling the current through such actuators, the position of the play piece, having a permanent magnet, may be adjusted. In addition, the current induced by the play piece may be utilized to determine the location of the play piece.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A toy comprising: 
 a plurality of electrically controllable elements; and    a controller to selectively actuate said elements to position a play piece in three dimensions without physically contacting said play piece.    
     
     
         2 . The toy of  claim 1  wherein said elements are electromagnets.  
     
     
         3 . The toy of  claim 2  including a three dimensional structure having at least one surface.  
     
     
         4 . The toy of  claim 3  wherein said surface includes a matrix of elements.  
     
     
         5 . The toy of  claim 4  wherein structure is in the form of a rectangular box having at least four walls, each of said walls including an array of electrically controllable elements.  
     
     
         6 . The toy of  claim 5  wherein said box is fluid tight.  
     
     
         7 . The toy of  claim 5  wherein said box contains a liquid.  
     
     
         8 . The toy of  claim 1  including a play piece having a permanent magnet.  
     
     
         9 . The toy of  claim 8  wherein said play piece is neutrally buoyant.  
     
     
         10 . The toy of  claim 1  including a controller to determine the location of said play piece in three dimensions.  
     
     
         11 . The toy of  claim 1  including an input device that enables a user to specify a position of the play piece in three dimensions, said controller adapted to position said play piece in response to a user input command.  
     
     
         12 . A method comprising: 
 receiving a play piece position command; and    in response to receipt of said command, developing a plurality of signals to control electrically controllable elements to position a play piece in three dimensions without physically contacting said play piece.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  including applying current to selected electromagnets in a matrix of electromagnets.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  including applying current to electromagnets oriented in a three dimensional structure.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  including causing said play piece to move in a liquid environment.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  including detecting induced currents in said elements in order to locate the position of said play piece.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  including converting said induced currents into position signals and displaying the position of said play piece.  
     
     
         18 . An article comprising a medium storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to: 
 receive a play piece position command; and    in response to receipt of said command, develop a plurality of signals to control electrically controllable elements to position a play piece in three dimensions without physically contacting said play piece.    
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 18  further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to develop signals to control the current applied to selected electromagnets in a matrix of electromagnets to control the position of the play piece in three dimensions.  
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 18  further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to use induced currents in said elements in order to locate the position of said play piece.  
     
     
         21 . The article of  claim 20  further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to receive information about said induced current, convert said information into position signals, and display the position of a play piece.