Video System Having a Touch Screen

• US 20090153501A1
• Filed: 05/22/2006
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Joseph J LAKS Thomson Licensing LLC
• Inventors: Gootee, James Donald, Schultz, Mark Alan, Cook, Gregory William
• Granted Patent: US 9,104,270 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• 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: H04N 9/3147 Multi-projection systems displays in general H04N9/12; video walls G06F3/1446, G09G2300/026

Abstract

A video system such as a television signal receiver includes a touch screen that may be suitable for larger image screens. According to an exemplary embodiment, the video system includes a screen having first and second sides, wherein a depression of the screen on the first side produces an image detectable on the second side. At least one projector is disposed on the second side of the screen and projects a first video signal onto the screen. At least one camera is disposed on the second side of the screen and detects the image. A processor determines a location of the depression according to the detected image.

Claims

1. A video system (0, comprising:

a screen having first and second sides, wherein a depression of said screen on said first side produces an image detectable on said second side;

a projector, disposed on said second side of said screen, for projecting a first video signal onto said second side of said screen;

a detector for detecting said image; and

a processor, coupled to said projector and said detector, for determining a location of said depression according to said detected image.

2. The video system of claim 1, wherein said first video signal includes a plurality of items, and said processor identifies one of said items displayed at said location.

3. The video system of claim 2, wherein each said item is linked to a different video signal, and said processor causes said projector to display a second video signal linked to said identified item.

4. The video system of claim 1, wherein said processor receives data defining a contour of a user on said first side of said screen, determines a length of an arm of said user and determines that said location exists within a range reachable by said arm.

5. The video system of claim 1, wherein said processor further determines a time period of said depression, determines an area of said detected image, and uses said time period and said area to determine an acceleration of said depression.

6. The video system of claim 1, wherein said processor determines that said location is a centroid of said detected image.

7. The video system of claim 1, wherein said detector comprises at least one camera disposed on the second side of said screen.

8. The video system of claim 7, wherein:

said detector comprises a plurality of cameras having an overlapping detection region on said screen;

said depression occurs within said overlapping detection region; and

said processor maps data provided via said cameras to a central coordinate system of said screen to determine said location.

9. The video system of claim 7, wherein:

said detector comprises first and second cameras having an overlapping detection region on said screen;

said depression occurs within said overlapping detection region; and

said processor determines said location using data provided via said first camera and not using data provided via said second camera.

10. The video system of claim 9, wherein a center detection region of said first camera is closer to said location than a center detection region of said second camera.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said detector emits infrared light to illuminate said screen, detects infrared content of said screen, and detects said image (by filtering out video content of said first video signal.

12. A method for operating a video system, comprising steps of:

providing a screen having first and second sides, wherein a depression of said screen on said first side produces an image detectable on said second side;

projecting a first video signal onto said second side of said screen;

detecting said image on said second side of said screen; and

determining a location of said depression according to said detected image.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said first video signal includes a plurality of items, and further comprising a step of identifying one of said items displayed at said location.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein each said item is linked to a different video signal, and further comprising a step of displaying a second video signal linked to said identified item responsive to said depression.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising steps of:

receiving data defining a contour of a user on said first side of said screen;

determining a length of an arm of said user; and

determining that said location exists within a range reachable by said arm.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising steps of:

determining a time period in which said image is produced;

determining an area of said detected image; and

using said time period and said area to determine an acceleration of said depression.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein said location is determined to be a centroid of said detected image.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein:

a plurality of cameras having an overlapping detection region are provided on said second side of said screen;

said depression occurs within said overlapping detection region; and

said location is determined by mapping data provided via said cameras to a central coordinate system of said screen.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein:

first and second cameras having an overlapping detection region are provided on said second side of said screen;

said depression occurs within said overlapping detection region; and

said location is determined using data provided via said first camera and not using data provided via said second camera.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein a center detection region of said first camera is closer to said location than a center detection region of said second camera.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein a detector is disposed on said second side of said screen, emits infrared light to illuminate said screen, detects infrared content of said screen, and said detecting step is performed by said detector by filtering out video content of said first video signal.

22. A television signal receiver, comprising:

a screen having first and second sides, wherein a depression of said screen on said first side produces an image detectable on said second side;

video projecting means, disposed on said second side of said screen, for projecting a first video signal onto said screen;

detecting means for detecting said image; and

processing means for determining a location of said depression according to said detected image.

23. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said first video signal includes a plurality of items, and said processing means identifies one of said items displayed at said location.

24. The television signal receiver of claim 23, wherein each said item is linked to a different video signal, and said processing means causes said video projecting means to display a second video signal linked to said identified item.

25. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said processing means receives data defining a contour of a user on said first side of said screen, determines a length of an arm of said user and determines that said location exists within a range reachable by said arm.

26. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said processing means further determines a time period in which said image is produced, determines an area of said detected image, and uses said time period and said area to determine an acceleration of said depression.

27. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said processing means determines that said location is a centroid of said detected image.

28. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said detecting means is disposed on the second side of said screen.

29. The television signal receiver of claim 28, wherein:

said detecting means comprises a plurality of cameras having an overlapping detection region on said screen;

said depression occurs within said overlapping detection region; and

said processing means maps data provided via said cameras to a central coordinate system of said screen to determine said location.

30. The television signal receiver of claim 28, wherein:

said detecting means comprises first and second cameras having an overlapping detection region on said screen;

said depression occurs within said overlapping detection region; and

said processing means determines said location using data provided via said first camera and not using data provided via said second camera.

31. The television signal receiver of claim 30, wherein a center detection region of said first camera is closer to said location than a center detection region of said second camera.

32. The television signal receiver of claim 22, wherein said detecting means emits infrared light to illuminate said screen, detects infrared content of said screen, and detects said image by filtering out video content of said first video signal.