Intelligent work surfaces
First Claim
1. A method for identifying a person, comprising the steps of:
- sampling a tactile sensor array to record a force-image of a handprint that is characteristic of the person, tactile sensor array comprising a plurality of sensing elements;
determining from the recorded force-image information characteristic of the person;
comparing the information characteristic of the person with information characteristic of known individuals; and
identifying the person as one of the known individuals on the basis of the comparing step,wherein the determining step comprises;
defining an origin at a centroid of the force-image;
determining a set of principle axes of the force-image;
performing connected region analysis on the force-image to separate the force-image into a plurality of connected regions;
identifying the connected regions corresponding to fingertips of the force-image;
identifying a pixel of each fingertip that is spaced furthest from the origin;
calculating the distances between a predetermined point on the force-image and the pixel of each fingertip that is spaced furthest from the origin; and
calculating the width of the palm of the force-image.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for implementing intelligent work surfaces are provided. Work surfaces, such as desktops and floors, are covered with a tactile sensing array to provide tactile data to a processor. Regions on the sensing arrays may be defined to include predetermined sensing elements of the sensing array and may be specified to function as input devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. Once defined, regions may be redefined to reposition a specified input device. Regions also may be respecified to function as a different input device. The arrays also may collect data at predetermined intervals for analysis, such as for identifying an individual or an object. For example, the force-image of an individual'"'"'s handprint or footprint could be taken, analyzed, and compared against data representing the force-images of known individuals.
115 Citations
4 Claims
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1. A method for identifying a person, comprising the steps of:
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sampling a tactile sensor array to record a force-image of a handprint that is characteristic of the person, tactile sensor array comprising a plurality of sensing elements; determining from the recorded force-image information characteristic of the person; comparing the information characteristic of the person with information characteristic of known individuals; and identifying the person as one of the known individuals on the basis of the comparing step, wherein the determining step comprises; defining an origin at a centroid of the force-image; determining a set of principle axes of the force-image; performing connected region analysis on the force-image to separate the force-image into a plurality of connected regions; identifying the connected regions corresponding to fingertips of the force-image; identifying a pixel of each fingertip that is spaced furthest from the origin; calculating the distances between a predetermined point on the force-image and the pixel of each fingertip that is spaced furthest from the origin; and calculating the width of the palm of the force-image. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method for identifying a person, comprising the steps of:
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sampling a tactile sensor array to record a force-image that is characteristic of the person; determining from the recorded force-image information characteristic of the person; comparing the information characteristic of the person with information characteristic of known individuals; and identifying the person as one of the known individuals on the basis of the comparing step, wherein the determining step comprises; defining an origin at a centroid of the first force-image of the series of sequential force-images; calculating for each succeeding force-image;
a centroid of the force-image, the distance between the centroid of the force-image and the origin, and a sum of all pixel values of the force-image; andcorrelating for each force-image the sum and the distance between the centroid of the force-image and the origin, to characterize the person. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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Specification