TWO-WAY PROJECTION SYSTEM FOR DATA INPUT

• US 3,825,730 A
• Filed: 11/07/1972
• Issued: 07/23/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Daniel B. Schwarzkopf, Edward B. Rawson, Harvey R. Worthington Jr
• Original Assignee: Daniel B. Schwarzkopf, Edward B. Rawson, Harvey R. Worthington Jr
• Inventors: Rawson, Edward B., Schwarzkopf, Daniel B., Worthington, Harvey R. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Henon, Paul J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thesz, Jr., Joseph M.
• Application Number:
  US05/304,554
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 235/92V 340/324R 250/219D
• US Class Current: 377/53
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 23/00 Devices for changing pictures in viewing apparatus or projectors
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0016 Selecting or retrieving of images by means of their associated code-marks, e.g. coded microfilm or microfiche microfilm reading G03B21/11; computers therefor G06F16/00; teaching devices G09B5/02; accessing record carriers G11B27/002; static digital stores using optical elements G11C13/04; intermediate storage of facsimile picture signals H04N1/21
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 11/00 Counting of objects distributed at random, e.g. on a surface

Abstract

A data input terminal comprising a two-way projection system for the selection of desired input messages from a library of selectable messages. The library of messages is optically displayed in groups on a projection screen and selection of desired messages from the projected group is optically detected to provide electrical output signals representing screen locations corresponding to the selected messages.

Claims

1. A two-way projection system for presentation of and selection from repertories of selectable information said system comprising:

a projection surface;

means for projecting a repertory of selectable information on said projection surface in predetermined alignment;

a light reflector for placement at selected positions on said projection surface to reflect light provided by said projecting means from the selected positions on said projection surface associated with selectable information; and

means responsive to light from said light reflector emanating by reflection from said projection surface for detecting the relative position of said selected position on said projEction surface thereby to provide an indication of the location on said projected image of said selected position;

said projection surface including means for providing a visible display of said selectable information in the projected repertory for viewing and for transmitting a portion of the light projected onto said surface and reflected by said light reflector at said selected position for reradiation toward said detecting means in a magnitude substantially greater than other light emanating from said surface.

2. The two-way projection system of claim 1 wherein said detecting means further includes:

an array of photosensitive detectors;

means for imaging light from said selected position onto said photosensitive detector array with predetermined alignment between each detector in the array and predetermined positions of said selected position on said projection surface; and

means for sampling the photosensitive detectors in said array to determine which of said detectors is receiving illumination from said light reflector at a selected position.

3. The two-way system of claim 2 wherein:

said imaging means includes means for producing on said detector array a generally focused image of said projection surface;

said detector array includes a two dimensional matrix of said photosensitive detectors; and

said sampling means includes means for scanning the rows and columns of said matrix of detectors to provide a digital indication of the position of a detector illuminated by light from said light reflector at said selected position.

4. The two-way projection system of claim 3 wherein said scanning means further includes:

means for providing a plurality of scans of said detector array and corresponding indications of the position of an illuminated detector;

means for determining that the indicated detector during adjacent scans remains the same for a predetermined number of adjacent scans to provide a verified detector indication; and

means responsive to the verified detector indication for providing an output representation of the corresponding detector after said predetermined number of adjacent scans.

5. The two-way projection system of claim 2 wherein said imaging means includes a mask with apertures therethrough in a two dimensional arrangement providing a pattern of light on said detector array in response to light emanating from a selected position on said projection surface;

and said detector array includes a two dimensional arrangement of detectors positioned for selective illumination by said pattern of light.

6. The two-way projection system of claim 1 wherein said projecting means further includes:

a projector containing a plurality of selectable information repertories for projection;

means for advancing said projector from one selectable repertory for projection to a different selectable repertory for projection; and

means for providing an output indication of the repertory projected from said plurality of selectable repertories.

7. The two-way projection system of claim 1 wherein said projection surface further includes:

a light diffusing coating; and

a plurality of apertures through said light diffusing coating at predetermined points thereby to more readily transmit light from said light director for radiation to said detecting means when said selected position coincides with one of said apertures.

8. The two-way projection system of claim 1 wherein said projection surface includes a Fresnel lens.

9. The two-way projection system of claim 1 further including:

a beam-splitter in the path of and transmissive to light from said projecting means to said projection surface;

said beam-splitter responding to light emanating from said projection surface to redirect the emanating light; and

means for imaging the redirected light on said detecting means.

10. The two-way projection system of claim 9 wherein said light reflector includes A retro-reflector.

11. A two-way projection system for an input terminal and providing for the display of a repertory of selectable input information and for the identification of selected input information, said system comprising:

a projection surface formed to include a surface which provides a forwardly viewable image of a rear projected information repertory and to provide substantial transmission of light from front to rear for backward emanation of said light in at least a plurality of predetermined portions;

means for rear projecting a repertory of selectable information for display on said surface;

said repertory including a plurality of information selections and selection points projected in alignment with said predetermined portions;

light director means for providing a rear emanation of light from said surface at one of said predetermined portions;

a two-dimensional array of light sensitive detectors arranged in a row and column pattern;

means for forming on said array a light pattern in response to light emanating from said one of said predetermined portions of said projection surface, said pattern activating one or more detectors;

a counter cycling through a predetermined total count with each count state designating a row and column combination;

means responsive to the count cycling of said counter for scanning said array of detectors to provide a first signal when the row and column combination designated by the count state identifies an activated detector;

means for storing the count state corresponding to said first signal;

means for comparing the stored count state for a prior first signal with the current count state of said counter to provide a second signal in response to identity in the count states compared;

means for counting sequential second signals coincident with said first signal toward a predetermined total count;

means for reinitiating the counting of said counting means prior to its predetermined total count in response to one of said first and said second signals without the other; and

means responsive to the predetermined total count of said counting means for providing an output indication to indicate that the stored count state represents input information.

12. The two-way projection system of claim 11 further including:

means responsive to said output indication, said second signal and the absence of said first signal for counting toward a further predetermined total count; and

means responsive to said further predetermined total count for removing said output indication.

13. The two-way projection system of claim 11 wherein:

said projection surface includes translucent portions for forming an image and transparent portions;

said projection means includes a random access projector for transparencies containing said repertories and means for selecting a transparency for projection;

said forming means including a lens; and

said array is a generally rectangular arrangement of detectors.

14. The two-way projection system of claim 11 wherein:

said forming means includes a mask having a pattern of angled light transmissive slits; and

said detector array includes a single row of detectors and a single column of detectors.