Interactive Surface Computer with Switchable Diffuser

• US 20090219253A1
• Filed: 02/29/2008
• Published: 09/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Taylor, Stuart, Izadi, Shahram, Buxton, William, Butler, David Alexander, Hodges, Stephen E., Rosenfeld, Daniel A., Hilliges, Otmar
• Application Number:
  US12/040,629
• Publication Number:
  US 20090219253A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04109 FTIR in optical digitiser, i.e. touch detection by frustrating the total internal reflection within an optical waveguide due to changes of optical properties or deformation at the touch location
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04808 Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/005 Input arrangements through a video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0421 by interrupting or reflecting a light beam, e.g. optical touch-screen
• 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 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text

Abstract

An interactive surface computer with a switchable diffuser layer is described. The switchable layer has two states: a transparent state and a diffusing state. When it is in its diffusing state, a digital image is displayed and when the layer is in its transparent state, an image can be captured through the layer. In an embodiment, a projector is used to project the digital image onto the layer in its diffusing state and optical sensors are used for touch detection.

Claims

1. A surface computing device comprising:

a surface layer having at least two modes of operation, wherein in a first mode of operation the surface layer is substantially diffusing and in a second mode of operation, the surface layer is substantially transparent;

a display means; and

an image capture device arranged to capture an image through the surface layer in the second mode of operation.

2. A surface computing device according to claim 1, wherein the surface layer is switched between the at least two modes of operation at a rate which exceeds a threshold for flicker perception.

3. A surface computing device according to claim 1, wherein the display means comprises one of a projector and a LCD panel.

4. A surface computing device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a light source arranged to project light through the surface layer in the second mode of operation.

5. A surface computing device according to claim 4, wherein the light comprises a light pattern.

6. A surface computing device according to claim 1, further comprising object sensing apparatus.

7. A surface computing device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a light source arranged to illuminate the surface layer; and

a light sensor arranged to detect emitted by the light source and deflected by an object in proximity to the surface layer.

8. A surface computing device according to claim 1, wherein the image capture device comprises a high-resolution image capture device.

9. A surface computing device according to claim 1, further comprising a second surface layer.

10. A surface computing device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a processor;

memory arranged to store executable instructions to cause the processor to;

control switching of the surface layer between modes; and

synchronise the switching of the surface layer and the display means.

11. A method of operating a surface computing device comprising:

switching a surface layer between a substantially diffuse and a substantially transparent mode of operation;

in the substantially diffuse mode of operation, displaying a digital image; and

in the substantially transparent mode of operation, capturing an image through the surface layer.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein displaying a digital image comprises projecting a digital image onto the surface layer.

13. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

in the substantially diffuse mode of operation, detecting objects in contact with the surface layer.

14. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

in the substantially transparent mode of operation, projecting a light pattern through the surface.

15. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

detecting objects through the surface layer.

16. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

in the substantially transparent mode of operation, analyzing the image to identify a user gesture.

17. A method according to claim 11, further comprising:

in the substantially transparent mode of operation, performing one of transmission and reception of data through the surface layer.

18. A surface computing device comprising a layer which is electrically switched between a substantially transparent state and a substantially diffuse state;

a projector arranged to project a digital image onto the layer in its substantially diffuse state; and

an image capture device arranged to capture an image through the layer in its substantially transparent state.

19. A surface computing device according to claim 18, further comprising a projector arranged to project a light pattern through the layer in its substantially transparent state.

20. A surface computing device according to claim 18, further comprising touch detection apparatus.