US6043827A — Technique for acknowledging multiple objects usin…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 63 words

A method for acknowledging multiple objects using a computer generated face, the method comprising the steps of: determining the location of at least two objects relative to a display device; producing a computer generated face on the display device, wherein the computer generated face has at least one eye; and directing the at least one eye alternately between the at least two objects.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 63 words

A method for acknowledging multiple objects using a computer generated face, the method comprising the steps of: determining the location of at least two objects relative to a display device; producing a computer generated face on the display device, wherein the computer generated face has at least one eye; and directing the at least one eye alternately between the at least two objects.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 57 words

The method as defined in claim 1, wherein one of the at least two objects is a primary object, wherein the other of the at least two objects is are secondary objects, wherein the at least one eye is directed at the primary object for a longer period of time than at any of the secondary objects.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one eye is rotatable around any of three axes.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one eye is translatable along either of two axes.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 64 words

The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the at least one eye includes a first eye having a first associated direction and a second eye having a second associated direction, wherein the method further comprises the step of: moving the first eye and the second eye such that the first associated direction and the second associated direction are focused on a common target.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the computer generated face remains substantially stationary while the at least one eye is alternately directed between the at least two objects.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the at least two objects is a moving object.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 69 words

An apparatus for acknowledging multiple objects using a computer generated face, the apparatus comprising: a determiner for determining the location of at least two objects relative to a display device; a producer for producing a computer generated face on the display device, wherein the computer generated face has at least one eye; and a director for directing the at least one eye alternately between the at least two objects.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 69 words

An apparatus for acknowledging multiple objects using a computer generated face, the apparatus comprising: a determiner for determining the location of at least two objects relative to a display device; a producer for producing a computer generated face on the display device, wherein the computer generated face has at least one eye; and a director for directing the at least one eye alternately between the at least two objects.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 57 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein one of the at least two objects is a primary object, wherein the other of the at least two objects is are secondary objects, wherein the at least one eye is directed at the primary object for a longer period of time than at any of the secondary objects.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the at least one eye is rotatable around any of three axes.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 20 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the at least one eye is translatable along either of two axes.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 64 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the at least one eye includes a first eye having a first associated direction and a second eye having a second associated direction, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a mover for moving the first eye and the second eye such that the first associated direction and the second associated direction are focused on a common target.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 30 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein the computer generated face remains substantially stationary while the at least one eye is alternately directed between the at least two objects.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein at least one of the at least two objects is a moving object.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 106 words

An article of manufacture for acknowledging multiple objects using a computer generated face, the article of manufacture comprising: a computer readable storage medium; and computer programming stored on the storage medium; wherein the stored computer programming is configured to be readable from the computer readable storage medium by a computer and thereby cause the computer to operate so as to: determine the location of at least two objects relative to a display device; produce a computer generated face on the display device, wherein the computer generated face has at least one eye; and direct the at least one eye alternately between the at least two objects.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 106 words

An article of manufacture for acknowledging multiple objects using a computer generated face, the article of manufacture comprising: a computer readable storage medium; and computer programming stored on the storage medium; wherein the stored computer programming is configured to be readable from the computer readable storage medium by a computer and thereby cause the computer to operate so as to: determine the location of at least two objects relative to a display device; produce a computer generated face on the display device, wherein the computer generated face has at least one eye; and direct the at least one eye alternately between the at least two objects.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 59 words

The article of manufacture as defined in claim 15, wherein one of the at least two objects is a primary object, wherein the other of the at least two objects is are secondary objects, wherein the at least one eye is directed at the primary object for a longer period of time than at any of the secondary objects.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 22 words

The article of manufacture as defined in claim 15, wherein the at least one eye is rotatable around any of three axes.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 22 words

The article of manufacture as defined in claim 15, wherein the at least one eye is translatable along either of two axes.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 67 words

The article of manufacture as defined in claim 15, wherein the at least one eye includes a first eye having a first associated direction and a second eye having a second associated direction, further causing the computer to operate so as to: move the first eye and the second eye such that the first associated direction and the second associated direction are focused on a common target.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 32 words

The article of manufacture as defined in claim 15, wherein the computer generated face remains substantially stationary while the at least one eye is alternately directed between the at least two objects.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 23 words

The article of manufacture as defined in claim 15, wherein at least one of the at least two objects is a moving object.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-03-28	2003-09-27	2004-03-28	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-03-28	2007-09-27	2008-03-28	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-03-28	2011-09-27	2012-03-28	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Technique for acknowledging multiple objects using a computer generated face

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