Optical pointing system and method
First Claim
1. A system for pointing to a selected location on a surface, the system comprising:
- a) a light-emitting device adapted for manually directing a spot of light onto the surface, the spot defining a first location on the surface, the spot being substantially invisible to unassisted human vision,b) an optical sensor adapted to convert light emitted by the light-emitting device and scattered at the first location, to an electronic signal representing the first location; and
c) means for generating a visible marker on the surface in response to the electronic signal, the visible marker comprising the selected location.
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Abstract
Optical pointing systems, devices and methods are provided wherein a selected area on a surface is illuminated with a spot of light generated by an optical pointer, the spot being substantially invisible to unassisted human vision. The spot of light is detected and its position determined via an optical sensor, and a visible marker representing the selected area is provided on the surface, under control of an electronic interface. Surfaces of physical objects as well as displayed images are accommodated, and systems, devices and methods are provided for independent operation, as well as for integrated operation with electronic display and presentation systems.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for pointing to a selected location on a surface, the system comprising:
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a) a light-emitting device adapted for manually directing a spot of light onto the surface, the spot defining a first location on the surface, the spot being substantially invisible to unassisted human vision, b) an optical sensor adapted to convert light emitted by the light-emitting device and scattered at the first location, to an electronic signal representing the first location; and c) means for generating a visible marker on the surface in response to the electronic signal, the visible marker comprising the selected location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for visibly indicating a selected location on a surface, the method comprising:
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a) manually pointing a light beam source toward a first location on the surface, the first location estimated to be proximate to the selected location, the light beam producing a spot of light on the surface, the spot being substantially invisible to a human viewer; b) detecting the first location on the surface with one or more light sensor; c) projecting a visible indicator of the first location onto the surface. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An optical pointing system comprising:
An image projector configured to receive image data from an image data source and to display a corresponding image on a projection surface external to the projector;
an optical pointer adapted to project a spot of infrared light to a location on the displayed image;
an optical sensor configured to detect the location of the spot; and
a data interface configured to transmit the detected location to the image data source for modifying the image data to include a graphical representation of the detected location of the spot.- View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
Specification