Patent ID: 8884876
Filing Date: 2014-11-11
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for configuring a spatially-aware projection pen to provide a user interface, the method comprising: receiving a position of the spatially-aware projection pen in three-dimensional space from a position tracking mechanism, wherein the three-dimensional space is partitioned into a surface input layer that includes a display surface, a hover input layer that is directly above the display surface, and a spatial input layer that is directly above the hover input layer; receiving a signal indicating that a user interface menu has been activated through an input mechanism of the spatially-aware projection pen; outputting the user interface menu as a projected image that is displayed on the display surface by a projector within the spatially-aware projection pen, wherein the user interface menu comprises a radial menu that includes a plurality of regions separated by boundaries, wherein each of the regions represents a different menu item included in the radial menu; locking the user interface menu to a specific position on the display surface; determining that a menu item specified by the user interface menu has been selected, wherein determining comprises the spatially-aware projection pen determining that a boundary delineating a first region of the user interface menu has been crossed by a virtual cursor to select a first menu item associated with the first region, wherein the virtual cursor has a position that is controlled by movements of the spatially-aware projection pen; deactivating the function for displaying the user interface menu when the spatially-aware projection pen is lifted above the surface input layer; and configuring the spatially-aware projection pen for an operation based on the selected menu item.