REMOTE DATA ACCESS THROUGH MANIPULATION OF PHYSICAL OBJECTS

摘要

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for communicating over a computer network through the intuitive placement and movement of one or more physical objects. In general terms, a sensor and one or more physical objects are provided. The sensor may form part of a platform upon which objects are placed or the sensor may be located proximate to such a platform. When one or more of the physical objects are moved over particular portions of the platform, data content may be accessed from a remote site depending on the placement or movement of such objects. The data content may be displayed as part of a particular application associated with the platform and/or physical objects. In a specific implementation, the platform represents a game board and the physical objects are game pieces for moving over the game board. When the game pieces are moved to particular board locations, game modules are downloaded to and executed on the user's local computer game system (e.g., on a computer display or television screen). In another implementation, particular web pages that enhance the game experience are accessed and displayed for the user when the user moves one or more game pieces over a particular board location.