Apparatus and method for remote displaying and sensing of information using shadow parallax
First Claim
1. Apparatus for detecting the location of an object in a selected area comprising:
- flying spot scanner means for point by point scanning of said area;
a plurality of non-concentric sensor means spaced about said area such that each senses an independent shadow on a common perspective of said object in response to the point by point scanning of said flying spot scanner means; and
means for combining the point by point output of said sensor means to derive a resultant indicative of the location of said object.
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Abstract
A scanning beam display system is used as a projection display and as a reflective flying-spot scanner using a plurality of photoreceptors to sense depth. Used as a display, the projection of a document-size image from overhead onto a work surface such as a printed form provides a naturally oriented, non-invasive display. Beam modulation and contextual subtraction permit the flying-spot function in ambient light. Used as a combination display and scanner, inherent registration of the display and data input functions permit interaction with an operator by displaying on and sensing form any document or work object. A plurality of non-overlapping sensors operate with the flying-spot function to receive images alike in perspective but differing in shadow placement, from which relative distances and object boundaries are easily derived. Used without the display function, a visualization of a work area is obtained that is much more interpretable by a computer than with standard visual parallax for improved robotic visual perception. Acting in concert, the methods of this invention form a touch sensitive image on a work surface devoid of display or sensing hardware.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. Apparatus for detecting the location of an object in a selected area comprising:
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flying spot scanner means for point by point scanning of said area; a plurality of non-concentric sensor means spaced about said area such that each senses an independent shadow on a common perspective of said object in response to the point by point scanning of said flying spot scanner means; and means for combining the point by point output of said sensor means to derive a resultant indicative of the location of said object.
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2. An information processing system comprising in combination:
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a central processor and storage means; a flying spot scanner means, said flying spot scanner means including means for projecting an image representative of information stored in said storage means onto a selected area; means for introducing an image of information not stored in said storage means onto said area; further means in said flying spot scanner means for scanning said area and sensing said information not stored in said storage means; and means for storing said sensed information in said storage means. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for non-invasive displaying and scanning information in an information processing system comprising:
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(a) projecting an image representative of information stored in said information processing system onto a work surface; (b) introducing an image of information not stored onto said work surface; (c) scanning said work surface and sensing said image of information not stored in said information processing system; and (d) storing said sensed information in said information processing system.
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10. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of scanning and sensing includes scanning said work surface with a single point light source and sensing said image of information with a plurality of non-concentric sensors, each sensing an independent shadow on a common perspective of said image of information.
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11. A method for detecting the location of an object in a selected area comprising the steps of:
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(a) scanning said selected area point by point; (b) sensing said selected area from a plurality of sensors such that each sensor senses an independent shadow on a common perspective if said object in response to said scanning; and (c) combining the point by point output of said sensor means to derive a resultant indicative of the location of said object.
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Specification