Physically interacting with a processor-based display

Abstract

A physical element may be caused to appear to interact with an image displayed on a computer display screen. The position of the element with respect to the display screen may be determined automatically. The user can then manipulate the element to cause an image, which may appear to be connected to the element, to be altered. Therefore, the user gets the impression that the element is capable of interacting and altering an image displayed on the display screen.

1 . A method comprising: 
 enabling the position of an element on a display screen to be determined automatically; and    in response to physical manipulation of said element in three dimensions, enabling an image displayed on said display screen to be automatically altered in three dimensions.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  including enabling the extension of said element to be determined automatically.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  including providing a plurality of light pens on the end of said element such that said light pens may be pressed against the display screen.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  including enabling the physical extension of said light pens from said element to be determined.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  including enabling the angular rotation of said element to be determined.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  including enabling the user to provide an input signal to indicate that an image displayed on said display screen should be modified in a preprogrammed fashion.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  including enabling said image on said display screen to be altered automatically to appear to extend further into said display screen in response to said element being pressed harder against said display screen.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  including creating the appearance that said image is physically connected to said element by enabling said image to be altered in a fashion that it would be altered in response to three dimensional manipulation of said element if the image were physically connected to said element.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  including enabling said image to appear to grasp another image in response to manipulation of said element.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  including enabling an image contacted by said element to appear to be altered in three dimensions in response to a corresponding manipulation of said element in three dimensions.  
   
   
       11 . An article comprising a medium storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to: 
 determine the position of an element on a display screen; and    in response to physical manipulation of said element in three dimensions, alter an image displayed on the display screen.    
   
   
       12 . The article of  claim 11  further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to determine the extension of said element.  
   
   
       13 . The article of  claim 11  further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to determine the physical extension of a light pen from said element.  
   
   
       14 . The article of  claim 11  further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to determine the angular rotation of said element.  
   
   
       15 . The article of  claim 11  further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to recognize an input signal to indicate an image displayed on said display screen should be modified in a preprogrammed fashion.  
   
   
       16 . The article of  claim 11  further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to alter an image so that the image appears to extend further into said display screen in response to said element being pressed against said display screen.  
   
   
       17 . The article of  claim 11  further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to create the appearance that said image is physically connected to said element by altering said image in a fashion that it would be altered in response to three dimensional manipulation of said element if the image were physically connected to said element.  
   
   
       18 . The article of  claim 11  further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to detect when said element is proximate to an image displayed on a display screen, and to alter said image in three dimensions in response to a corresponding manipulation of said element in three dimensions.  
   
   
       19 . The article of  claim 11  further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to detect the position, with respect to said display screen, of a light pen associated with said element.  
   
   
       20 - 30 . (canceled).