Method and configuration for interacting with a display visible in a display window

• US 7,034,807 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2001
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Maggioni, Christoph
• Primary Examiner(s): Osorio, Ricardo
• Assistant Examiner(s): Said, Mansour M.
• Application Number:
  US09/790,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20010020933A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,889 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-158, 345145-146, 345/173, 345/175, 345/179, 353/29, 353/122, 359/443, 359/453, 359/638, 359/639, 359/641
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0428 by sensing at the edges of the touch surface the interruption of optical paths, e.g. an illumination plane, parallel to the touch surface which may be virtual sensing beam interruptions in a planar beam grid of an optical touch-screen G06F3/0421
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 27/00 Combined visual and audible advertising or displaying, e.g. for public address

Abstract

A configuration for interacting with a display visible in a display window includes a recording unit for recording a pointer object in a vicinity of a display window. In addition, a computer unit is used to determine a position of the pointer object within a display of the display window, and the computer unit is connected to the recording unit. Part of the display can be statically mounted on the display window, in particular, printed thereon. A screen, in particular, a flat screen, can be used for generating at least part of the display. A projector can be used for projecting part of the display onto the display window. Part of the display window can be a semi-transparent or coated area. The recording unit can be behind the display window or above or below the display. A reflective surface for reflecting a beam path from and to the recording unit can be placed above or below the display.

Claims

1. A configuration for interacting with a display visible in a display window, comprising:

a recording unit placed behind the display window for recording a pointer object in a vicinity of the display window;

at least one deflection unit configured to direct a beam path from said recording unit onto a space in front of the display visible on the display window; and

a computer unit connected to said recording unit for determining a position of the pointer object within a display of the display window.

2. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the display is statically mounted on the display window.

3. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the display is printed on the display window.

4. The configuration according to claim 1, including a screen, in particular a flat screen, for generating at least part of the display, said screen connected to said computer unit.

5. The configuration according to claim 1, including a flat screen for generating at least part of the display, said screen connected to said computer unit.

6. The configuration according to claim 1, including a projector for projecting at least part of the display onto the display window.

7. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the display window is at least one of a semi-transparent area and a coated area.

8. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said recording unit is below the display.

9. The configuration according to claim 8, including a reflective surface above the display.

10. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said recording unit is above the display.

11. The configuration according to claim 1, including a reflective surface for reflecting a beam path from said recording unit to said recording unit, said reflective surface being disposed below the display.

12. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said recording unit is at least one camera.

13. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said recording unit is two cameras each recording a space in front of the display visible on the display window.

14. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said recording unit is a camera configured to record two beam paths, and including a beam splitter for splitting a beam into the two beam paths.

15. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said recording unit is a camera configured to record two beam paths, and including means for splitting a beam into the two beam paths.

16. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said at least one deflection unit includes at least one of a prism and at least one mirror.

17. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said at least one deflection unit is disposed in front of the display window.

18. The configuration according to claim 1, including an illumination unit for illuminating a space in front of the display with waves in an invisible spectral range.

19. The configuration according to claim 18, wherein said illumination unit is configured to be operated in a pulsed mode.

20. The configuration according to claim 18, wherein said illumination unit includes at least one infrared light source.

21. The configuration according to claim 20, wherein said infrared light source is an infrared light-emitting diode.

22. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said recording unit and said computer unit are configured to determine a position of the pointer object.

23. The configuration according to claim 22, wherein said computer unit is configured to trigger a prescribed action based on the position of the pointer object.

24. The configuration according to claim 23, wherein the prescribed action is triggered by a lingering of the pointer object on a given area within the display for a prescribed length of time.

25. The configuration according to claim 23, wherein the prescribed action is triggered by an approach of the pointer object to the display window up to a prescribed proximity.

26. The configuration according to claim 22, wherein said recording unit and said computer unit are configured to determine a position of the pointer object by triangulation.

27. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein the pointer object is at least one of a hand and a finger of a user.

28. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said recording unit and said computer unit are configured to convert a movement of the pointer object to a movement of an analog pointer instrument.

29. The configuration according to claim 1, wherein said recording unit and said computer unit are configured to convert a movement of the pointer object to a movement of a mouse pointer.

30. A method for interacting with a display visible in a display window, which comprises:

recording a pointer object in front of and in a vicinity of the display window by placing a recording unit behind the display window;

deflecting a beam path between the recording unit and a space in front of the display window and determining a position of the pointer object within a display of the display window; and

triggering a prescribed action based upon the pointer object pointing to a prescribed area within the display.

31. A configuration for interacting with a display visible in a display window, comprising:

a recording unit disposed behind the display window to record a pointer object in front of the display window;

a deflection unit configured to deflect a beam path between said recording unit and a space in the front of the display window;

means for determining a distance of the pointer object from the display window; and

a computer unit connected to said recording unit and to said determining means for determining a position of the pointer object within a display of the display window.

32. The configuration according to claim 31, wherein said recording unit includes two cameras disposed to record the pointer object from different angles, and said computer unit is configured to triangulate the position of the pointer object.