Method and system for reducing effects of undesired signals in an infrared imaging system
First Claim
1. A method for reducing an effect of an undesired infrared light source in an imaging system using a desired infrared light source, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) activating the desired infrared light source during a first image capture interval;
(b) capturing a first set of image data during the first image capture interval;
(c) deactivating the desired infrared light source during a second image capture interval;
(d) capturing a second set of image data during the second image capture interval; and
(e) producing a composite set of image data by subtracting from first values in the first set of image data, corresponding second values in the second set of image data.
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Abstract
Effects of undesired infrared light are reduced in an imaging system using an infrared light source. The desired infrared light source is activated and a first set of imaging data is captured during a first image capture interval. The desired infrared light source is then deactivated, and a second set of image data is captured during a second image capture interval. A composite set of image data is then generated by subtracting from first values in the first set of image data corresponding second values in the second set of image data. The composite set of image data thus includes a set of imaging where data all infrared signals are collected, including both signals resulting from the IR source and other IR signals, from which is subtracted imaging in which no signals result from the IR course, leaving image data including signals resulting only from the IR source.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A method for reducing an effect of an undesired infrared light source in an imaging system using a desired infrared light source, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) activating the desired infrared light source during a first image capture interval;
(b) capturing a first set of image data during the first image capture interval;
(c) deactivating the desired infrared light source during a second image capture interval;
(d) capturing a second set of image data during the second image capture interval; and
(e) producing a composite set of image data by subtracting from first values in the first set of image data, corresponding second values in the second set of image data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for reducing an effect of an undesired infrared light source in an imaging system using a desired infrared light source, comprising the steps of:
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(a) selectively coordinating activation of the desired infrared light source with an image signal generated by an image capture device;
(b) activating the desired infrared light source when the image signal indicates initiation of a first image capture interval;
(c) capturing a first set of image data during the first image capture interval;
(d) deactivating the desired infrared light source when the image signal indicates initiation of a second image capture interval;
(e) capturing a second set of image data during the second image capture interval;
(f) generating a composite set of image data by subtracting from first values in the first set of image data, corresponding second values in the second set of image data; and
(g) communicating the composite set of image data to an image processing system. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for capturing image data for a physical object disposed on or adjacent to a light-permeable surface using a desired infrared light source and an image capture device, comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning the desired infrared light source on a first side of the light-permeable surface to direct infrared light toward the physical object;
(b) positioning the image capture device on the first side of a light-permeable surface to capture infrared light cast by the desired infrared light source and reflected by the physical object;
(c) activating the desired infrared light source when the image signal indicates initiation of a first image capture interval;
(d) capturing a first set of image data during the first image capture interval;
(e) deactivating the desired infrared light source when the image signal indicates initiation of a second image capture interval;
(f) capturing a second set of image data during the second image capture interval; and
(g) generating a composite set of image data by subtracting from first values in the first set of image data, corresponding second values in the second set of image data. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for providing input to an application that is being executed, comprising:
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(a) a light-permeable surface having a processing side and an interactive side, the interactive side being configured enable a physical object to be disposed on or adjacent to the interactive side, the processing side being opposite to the interactive side;
(b) a desired infrared light source disposed on the processing side of the light-permeable surface, the desired infrared light source selectively emitting infrared light that is transmitted through the light-permeable surface to the interactive side and reflected back through the light-permeable surface by the physical object that is disposed on or adjacent to the interactive side of the light-permeable surface;
(c) an image capture device disposed on the processing side of the light-permeable surface, the image capture device sensing infrared light passing through the light permeable surface and imaging the interactive display surface to detect the physical object and its location;
(d) a processor in communication with the desired infrared light source and the image capture device; and
(e) a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing data and machine instructions that cause the processor to carry out a plurality of functions, including;
(i) activating the desired infrared light source during a first image capture interval;
(ii) capturing a first set of image data during the first image capture interval with the image capture device;
(iii) deactivating the desired infrared light source during a second image capture interval;
(iv) capturing a second set of image data during the second image capture interval with the image capture device; and
(v) generating a composite set of image data by subtracting from first values in the first set of image data corresponding second values in the second set of image data, an effect of infrared light captured by the image capture device but not emitted by the desired infrared source being substantially eliminated in the composite set of data. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A system for providing input to an application that is being executed, comprising:
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(a) a light-permeable surface having a processing side and an interactive side, the interactive side being configured to enable a physical object to be disposed on or adjacent to the interactive side, the processing side being opposite to the interactive side;
(b) an image capture device disposed on the processing side of the light-permeable surface, the image capture device sensing infrared light passing through the light permeable surface and imaging the interactive display surface to detect the physical object and its location, the image capture device being configured to generate an image capture signal;
(c) a desired infrared light source disposed on the processing side of the light-permeable surface, the desired infrared light source selectively emitting infrared light that is transmitted through the light-permeable surface to the interactive side and reflected back through the light-permeable surface by the physical object that is disposed on or adjacent to the interactive side of the light-permeable surface;
(d) an infrared light source controller configured to;
(i) receive the image capture signal; and
(ii) selectively actuate the desired infrared light source in response to receipt of the image capture signal, such that the desired infrared light source is activated on receipt of a first image capture signal indicating a first image capture interval and deactivated on receipt of a second image capture signal indicating a second image capture interval;
(e) a processor in communication infrared light source and the image capture device; and
(f) a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing data and machine instructions that cause the processor to carry out a plurality of functions, including;
(i) capturing a first set of image data with the image capture device during the first image capture interval;
(ii) capturing a second set of image data with the image capture device during the second image capture interval; and
(iii) generating a composite set of image data by subtracting from first values in the first set of image data, corresponding second values in the second set of image data, any effect of extraneous infrared light captured by the image capture device being substantially compensated in the composite set of image data. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification