Computer Controlled Pawn

Abstract

A pawn is provided ( 10 ) with a bottom surface ( 11 ) for supporting the pawn ( 10 ) on a display surface ( 19 ) of a display ( 18 ). The bottom surface ( 11 ) comprises an image detector ( 12 ) for detecting a control image on the display surface ( 19 ), underneath the bottom surface ( 11 ). The pawn ( 10 ) further comprises control means ( 13, 14 ), coupled to the image detector ( 12 ) for controlling an appearance or position of the pawn ( 10 ) in dependence of the control image.

1 . A pawn ( 10 ) comprising:
 a bottom surface ( 11 ) for, at least partly, supporting the pawn ( 10 ) on a display surface ( 19 ) of a display ( 18 ),   an image detector ( 12 ) for detecting a control image on the display surface ( 19 ), underneath the bottom surface ( 11 ), and   control means ( 13 ,  14 ), coupled to the image detector ( 12 ) for controlling the pawn ( 10 ) dependent on the control image.   
   
   
       2 . A pawn ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the image detector ( 12 ) comprises a photosensitive diode or a CCD module. 
   
   
       3 . A pawn ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control means ( 13 ,  14 ) comprise transport means ( 13 ) for moving the pawn ( 10 ) relative to the display surface ( 19 ). 
   
   
       4 . A pawn ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control means ( 13 ,  14 ) comprise a light source ( 14 ) or display means ( 54 ) for changing an appearance of the pawn ( 10 ). 
   
   
       5 . A pawn ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the control means ( 13 ,  14 ) comprise a speaker ( 53 ) for producing sound. 
   
   
       6 . A pawn ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply ( 52 ) for supplying power to the control means ( 13 ,  14 ). 
   
   
       7 . A pawn ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the power supply ( 52 ) comprises the image detector ( 12 ), being arranged for transferring energy from the control image to the control means ( 13 ,  14 ). 
   
   
       8 . A pawn ( 10 ) as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the image detector ( 12 ) comprises at least one photovoltaic cell. 
   
   
       9 . A system ( 60 ) for controlling a pawn ( 10 ), the system ( 60 ) comprising a display ( 18 ) and at least one pawn ( 10 ), the display ( 18 ) comprising:
 a display surface ( 19 ) for displaying a control image and supporting the pawn ( 10 ), and   a processor ( 63 ) for generating the control image on the display surface ( 19 ),   the pawn ( 10 ) comprising:   a bottom surface ( 11 ) for, at least partly, supporting the pawn ( 10 ) on the display surface ( 19 ),   an image detector ( 12 ) for detecting the control image, and   control means ( 13 ,  14 ), coupled to the image detector ( 12 ) for controlling the pawn ( 10 ) dependent on the control image.   
   
   
       10 . A system ( 60 ) as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the display ( 18 ) further comprises pawn detection means ( 61 ) for detecting a position of the pawn ( 10 ) on the display surface ( 19 ), and wherein the processor ( 63 ) is arranged for generating the control image on the display surface ( 19 ), underneath a bottom surface ( 11 ) of the pawn ( 10 ).