System, method, and apparatus for detecting a projected point on computer controlled displayed images

• US 20040001043A1
• Filed: 06/26/2002
• Published: 01/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Lin, I-Jong
• Granted Patent: US 7,475,994 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0386 for light pen

Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus are described in which a light point projected on a computer controlled displayed image is detected. A light point is projected at the displayed image at essentially the same time as a notification signal is transmitted indicating that the light point is being projected. At least one of image capture and image display parameters are adjusted to increase the detectability of the light point within a predetermined time interval after receipt of the notification signal. The image of the displayed image and the light point are captured within the predetermined time interval and the captured image data is analyzed to detect the light point dependent on the adjusted parameters.

Claims

1. A system including a computer system for controlling and generating image data for displaying an image, the system comprising:

device for projecting a light point at the displayed image while at essentially the same time transmitting a notification signal indicating the light point is being projected;

controller for adjusting at least one of image capture and image display parameters so as to increase detectability of the light point for a predetermined interval of time after receipt of the notification signal;

device for capturing image data including the displayed image and the projected light point within the predetermined time interval;

analyzer for detecting the light point within the captured image data dependent on the adjusted parameters.

2. The system as described in claim 1 wherein the controller is an image display controller for reducing displayed image intensity for the predetermined time interval to at least an intensity value that is less than or equal to a maximum value.

3. The system as described in claim 2 wherein the image analyzer detects the light point within the captured image data by identifying intensity values greater than the maximum value.

4. The system as described in claim 2 wherein the image display controller reduces displayed image intensity as a function of time for the predetermined time interval until the light point is detected or until the time interval has ended.

5. The system as described in claim 1 wherein the device for projecting a light point is a laser pointer.

6. The system as described in claim 1 wherein the light point is projected and the notification signal is transmitted upon activation of a single control option on the light projection device.

7. The system as described in claim 1 wherein the notification signal is transmitted by one of a wireless and wired connection.

8. The system as described in claim 1 wherein the notification signal is transmitted via an infrared signal.

9. The system as described in claim 1 wherein the image analyzer is implemented by one of hardware, software, and firmware.

10. An apparatus where upon activation projects a visible light point while at essentially the same time transmits a notification signal indicating the light point is being projected.

11. The apparatus as described in claim 10 wherein the notification signal is used to control a display system to adjust at least one of image capture and image display to increase the detectability of the light point within a predetermined interval of time after receipt of the notification.

12. The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein the light point is a laser signal.

13. The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein the light point is projected and the notification signal is transmitted upon activation of a single control option on the apparatus.

14. The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein the notification signal is transmitted by one of a wireless and a wired connection.

15. The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein the notification signal is transmitted via an infrared signal.

16. The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein it is a handheld device.

17. The apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein it is one of a computer mouse and a laser light pointer.

18. An apparatus comprising:

means for projecting a visible light point on a computer controlled displayed image; and

means transmitting a notification signal at essentially the same time as the visible light point, the notification signal indicating the light point is being projected.

19. The apparatus as described in claim 18 wherein the notification signal is used to control a display system to adjust at least one of image capture and image display to increase the detectability of the light point within a predetermined interval of time after receipt of the notification signal.

20. The apparatus as described in claim 19 wherein the light point is a laser signal.

21. The apparatus as described in claim 19 wherein the light point is projected and the notification signal is transmitted upon activation of a single control option on the apparatus.

22. The apparatus as described in claim 19 wherein the notification signal is transmitted wirelessly.

23. The apparatus as described in claim 19 wherein the notification signal is transmitted over a wired connection.

24. The apparatus as described in claim 19 wherein the notification signal is transmitted via an infrared signal.

25. The apparatus as described in claim 19 wherein it is a handheld device.

26. The apparatus as described in claim 19 wherein it is one of a computer mouse and a laser light pointer.

27. A method for use in a display system including a computer system for generating image data for displaying an image, the method comprising:

projecting a light point at the displayed image while at essentially the same time transmitting a notification signal indicating the light point is being projected;

adjusting at least one of image display and image capture parameters so as to increase detectability of the light point for a predetermined interval of time after receipt of the notification signal;

capturing image data within the predetermined time interval including the displayed image and the projected light point;

analyzing the captured image data to detect the light point within the displayed image dependent on the adjusted parameters.

28. The method as described in claim 27 wherein adjusting at least one of image display and image capture comprises reducing the displayed image intensity to at least an intensity value that is less than a maximum value.

29. The method as described in claim 27 wherein adjusting at least one of image display and image capture comprises reducing the dynamic intensity range of the displayed image data.

30. The method as described in claim 28 wherein analyzing image data further comprises identifying intensity values greater than the maximum value in the captured image data to detect the light point within the displayed image.

31. The method as described in claim 27 wherein adjusting at least one of image display and image capture comprises increasing resolution when capturing image data.

32. The method as described in claim 27 wherein adjusting at least one of image display and image capture comprises increasing sensitivity to a particular color and intensity associated with the light point when capturing image data.

33. The method as described in claim 27 where adjusting at least one of image display and image capture comprises decreasing sensitivity to colors other than a particular color and intensity associated with the light point when capturing image data.

34. The method as described in claim 32 where adjusting at least one of image display and image capture comprises decreasing sensitivity to colors other than a particular color and intensity associated with the light point when capturing image data.

35. The method as described in claim 27 further comprising:

adjusting at least one of image display and image capture parameters by reiteratively reducing as a function of time the displayed image intensity during the predetermined time interval; and

capturing image data within the predetermined time interval by capturing the displayed image and the light point at least each time the displayed image intensity is reduced; and

identifying intensity values greater than a maximum value in the captured image data to detect the light point within the displayed image.