Method and apparatus for approximating depth of an object's placement onto a monitored region with applications to virtual interface devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for determining depth of an object'"'"'s placement onto a monitored region, the method comprising:
- directing structured light across the monitored region;
capturing an image of a light pattern that forms on the object as a result of the object intersecting the structured light when the object is placed at a first position in the monitored region;
identifying a geometric characteristic of the image of the light pattern, wherein the geometric characteristic of the image is variable with a depth of the first position relative to where the image is captured; and
approximating the depth of the first position based on the geometric characteristic.
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Abstract
Structured light is directed across a monitored region. An image is captured of a light pattern that forms on the object as a result of the object intersecting the structured light when the object is placed at a first position in the monitored region. A geometric characteristic is identified of the image of the light pattern. The geometric characteristic is variable with a depth of the first position relative to where the image is captured. The depth of the first position is approximated based on the measured geometric characteristic.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A method for determining depth of an object'"'"'s placement onto a monitored region, the method comprising:
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directing structured light across the monitored region;
capturing an image of a light pattern that forms on the object as a result of the object intersecting the structured light when the object is placed at a first position in the monitored region;
identifying a geometric characteristic of the image of the light pattern, wherein the geometric characteristic of the image is variable with a depth of the first position relative to where the image is captured; and
approximating the depth of the first position based on the geometric characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for using depth of an object'"'"'s placement onto a monitored region as input, the method comprising:
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directing structured light across the monitored region;
capturing an image of a light pattern that forms on the object at a first position as a result of the object intersecting the structured light;
measuring one or more geometric characteristics of the image of the light pattern, wherein the one or more geometric characteristics of the image are variable with a depth of the first position relative to where the image is captured;
approximating the depth of the first position based on the measured geometric characteristic; and
determining an input corresponding at least partially to the depth of the first position. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A method for determining depth of an object'"'"'s placement onto a monitored region, the method comprising:
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directing structured light across the monitored region, the structured light comprising a first beam and a second beam;
capturing an image of a light pattern that forms on the object as a result of the object intersecting the structured light when the object is placed at a first position in the monitored region, the image of the light pattern including a first portion corresponding to where the object intersected the first beam, and a second portion corresponding to where the object intersected the second beam;
identifying a gap distance on the image between the first portion and second portion; and
approximating the depth of the first position based on the gap distance. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method for determining depth of an object'"'"'s placement onto a monitored region, the method comprising:
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directing structured light across the monitored region, the structured light including a first beam;
capturing an image of a light pattern that forms on the object as a result of the object intersecting the structured light when the object is placed at a first position in the monitored region;
identifying a dimension of the image of the light pattern; and
approximating the depth of the first position based on the dimension. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification