Untethered laser pointer for use with computer display

• US 6,729,731 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2002
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Info Valley Corporation
• Original Assignee: Info Valley Corporation
• Inventors: Gnanamgari, Sakunthala, Lico, Arthur
• Primary Examiner(s): PERKEY, WILLIAM B
• Application Number:
  US10/039,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20020186351A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 353/42, 345/157, 345/158
• US Class Current: 353/42
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0386 for light pen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/74 Projection arrangements for image reproduction, e.g. using eidophor

Abstract

Interaction with a display occurs. A light point is transmitted towards the display. A mode of operation of the light point is established based on timing associated with illumination of the light point.

Claims

1. A method of interacting with a display, said method comprising:

transmitting a light point towards said display; and

establishing a mode of operation of said light point based on timing associated with illumination of said light point.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

determining a position of said light point with respect to an image on said display; and

updating said image based on at least one of said position and said mode of operation.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said mode of operation is established based on said timing and a position of said light point.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said timing corresponds to an interval between successive illuminations of the light point.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said timing corresponds to a sequence of operations of the light point.

6. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of:

establishing a color range corresponding to a scanned color of said light point,

wherein said step of determining includes scanning said light point and said image on said display, and

said position of said light point corresponds to a scanned area having a color within said color range.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein said image is updated based on both said position and said mode of operation.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a voice command; and

effecting operation of said light point based on said voice command.

9. A method of interacting with a display, said method comprising the steps of:

projecting a first image on said display;

transmitting a light point towards said display;

establishing a mode of operation of said light point based on timing associated with illumination of said light point;

capturing a combined image of said first image together with said light point;

processing said combined image to determine a position of said light point; and

updating said first image based on at least one of said position and said mode of operation.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said mode of operation is established based on said timing and said position.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said first image is updated based on both said position and said mode of operation.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

receiving a voice command; and

effecting operation of said light point based on said voice command.

13. An apparatus for interacting with a display via a light point, said apparatus comprising:

timing means for determining timing associated with illumination of said light point; and

control means for controlling a mode of operation of said light point based on said timing.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 additionally comprising:

scanning means for determining a position of said light point with respect to an image on said display; and

update means for updating said image based on at least one of said position and said mode of operation.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said mode of operation is controlled based on said timing and a position of said light point.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said timing means determines time intervals between successive illuminations of said light point.

17. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said timing corresponds to a sequence of operations of said light point.

18. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said scanning means scans a combined image including said light point and said image on said display and determines said position of said light point by determining an area of said combined image that has a color corresponding to a color range of a scanned light point.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said update means updates said image based on both said position and said mode of operation.

20. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising voice recognition means for receiving a voice command and effecting operation of said light point based on said voice command.

21. An apparatus for interacting with a display via a light point, said apparatus comprising:

a projector for projecting a first image on said display;

a light point for transmission toward said display;

timing means for determining timing associated with illumination of said light point;

control means for controlling a mode of operation of said light point based on said timing;

a camera for capturing a combined image of said first image together with said light point;

an image processor for processing said combined image to determine a position of said light point; and

update means for updating said first image based on at least one of said position and said mode of operation.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said mode of operation is controlled based on said timing and said position.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said update means updates said first image based on both said position and said mode of operation.

24. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising voice recognition means for receiving a voice command and effecting operation of said light point based on said voice command.