Visual System

• US 20090040195A1
• Filed: 11/02/2005
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: New Index AS (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: New Index AS (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Lindgren, Mikael, Fretheim, Sedsel, Damhaug, Oystein, Njolstad, Tormod
• Granted Patent: US 8,436,836 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/180
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0386 for light pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/14 Digital output to display device ; Cooperation and interconnection of the display device with other functional units

Abstract

Method and apparatus (16) for projecting infrared or near infrared or low intensity visible light from a pen, pointer or other guiding object in the form of a coded pattern image, detectable by a camera and recognition system but invisible, or hardly visible to the user and audience, thus controlling and interacting with a computer (19) during a presentation, computer supported work and/or other interactive use of a computer, including pointing, selecting, drawing and writing, both distantly (11) and closely (10) to the front or rear projection screen or possible other type of display screen, without any distracting visual patterns or spots, while the possible visual feedback to the user and audience can be generated by the computer and display system onto the display screen in a controlled and context-sensitive way. The projected complex images from the positioning device when operating remotely (11) and when operating closely to the screen (10), are created by optical alignment of one or several diffractive optical elements, collimating lens and/or mirrors, and one or more light sources. The light sources can preferably be laser diodes or light emitting diodes. In a preferred embodiment, the light sources are emitting visible, infrared or near-infrared light.

Claims

1-12. -12. (canceled)

13. A visual system for presentations, computer supported work or other interactive use of a computer, comprising

a reference surface adapted to be viewed by one or more users and on which visual information can be displayed,

a guiding object, such as a pen or pointer, for use in relation to the reference surface, and comprising a light projection device,

a camera and recognition device adapted to detect, record and transfer information about objects and images being presented on the reference surface, and a computer, or computing device, connected to the camera and recognition device for cooperation therewith and receiving output signals as detected and recorded by the camera and recognition device,

characterized in that the light projection device comprises a diffractive optical element and is adapted to emit light forming a coded pattern image being essentially not visible to the human eye, on the reference surface whereas the camera and recognition device is adapted to detect and record said coded pattern image.

14. System according to claim 13, wherein the light projection device is adapted to emit visible light with low intensity.

15. System according to claim 13, wherein the light projection device is adapted to emit infrared or near-infrared light.

16. System according to claim 13, wherein the

diffractive optical element(s) of the light projection device comprise(s) phase-only at least two discrete phase levels diffraction gratings.

17. System according claim 13, wherein there is established a direct infrared communication link between the guiding object and the camera and recognition device.

18. System according to claim 17, wherein the guiding object comprises an infrared remote type of control unit for transmitting and/or receiving signals in relation to the camera and recognition device.

19. Guiding object for use in relation to a reference

surface on which visual information can be displayed, comprising a light projection device,

characterized in that the light projection device comprises a diffractive optical element and is adapted to emit light forming a coded pattern image being essentially not visible to the human eye, on the reference surface.

20. Guiding object according to claim 19, wherein the light projection device is adapted to emit visible light with low intensity.

21. Guiding object according to claim 19, wherein the light projection device is adapted to emit infrared or near-infrared light.

22. Guiding object according to claim 19, wherein the diffractive optical element(s) of the light projection device comprise(s) phase-only at least two discrete phase levels diffraction gratings.

23. Apparatus for detecting, recording and transferring information about objects and images presented on a reference surface,

characterized

by comprising a camera and recognition device being responsive to a coded pattern image presented on the reference surface and being essentially not visible, to the human eye.

24. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein a computer connected to the camera and recognition device is provided with a display screen and is adapted to show a representation of the position and movement of said coded pattern image, on the display screen.