Information input apparatus
First Claim
1. An information input apparatus comprising:
- a semi-transparent screen that functions as an operator input manipulation surface;
means for projecting a display image formed of visible light in a first wavelength range onto the semi-transparent screen;
means for irradiating the semi-transparent screen with electromagnetic waves in a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range such that a portion of the electromagnetic waves in the second wavelength range passes through the semi-transparent screen into the space in front of the semi-transparent screen and, thereafter, is reflected by a manipulation body, back through the semi-transparent screen;
pickup means for receiving the electromagnetic waves in the second wavelength range and detecting input manipulations of the manipulation body both in a variable-distance space in front of a front surface of the semi-transparent screen and on the semi-transparent screen itself, wherein the pickup means produces a pickup signal based on the electromagnetic waves in the second wavelength range reflected back through the semi-transparent screen to; and
control processing means for generating detection image information corresponding to the input manipulation of the manipulation body based on the pickup signal, and for executing a control process for controlling the display image projected onto the semi-transparent screen.
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Accused Products
Abstract
There are provided an infrared LED panel for always applying infrared light to the back surface of a semi-transparent screen, a CCD camera for capturing only infrared light coming from the semi-transparent screen, and a projector for projecting an image onto the semi-transparent screen (with light not including infrared light). When a user performs a manipulation on the front side of the semi-transparent screen, the quantity of reflected infrared light varies. A control device picks up a variation in reflection light quantity as detection image information based on an imaging signal of the CCD camera. Further, in accordance with manipulation information that is obtained based on the detection image information, the control device executes controls necessary for, for instance, switching of an interface image to be displayed on the semi-transparent screen. A manipulation method may be in such a form as to cause a variation in detection image information through reflection of infrared light. Interactive input/output with various manipulation methods is thus enabled.
236 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An information input apparatus comprising:
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a semi-transparent screen that functions as an operator input manipulation surface;
means for projecting a display image formed of visible light in a first wavelength range onto the semi-transparent screen;
means for irradiating the semi-transparent screen with electromagnetic waves in a second wavelength range different from the first wavelength range such that a portion of the electromagnetic waves in the second wavelength range passes through the semi-transparent screen into the space in front of the semi-transparent screen and, thereafter, is reflected by a manipulation body, back through the semi-transparent screen;
pickup means for receiving the electromagnetic waves in the second wavelength range and detecting input manipulations of the manipulation body both in a variable-distance space in front of a front surface of the semi-transparent screen and on the semi-transparent screen itself, wherein the pickup means produces a pickup signal based on the electromagnetic waves in the second wavelength range reflected back through the semi-transparent screen to; and
control processing means for generating detection image information corresponding to the input manipulation of the manipulation body based on the pickup signal, and for executing a control process for controlling the display image projected onto the semi-transparent screen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification