Paper-to-computer interfaces
First Claim
1. An apparatus which facilitates the use of a printed or scribed document as an interface with a computer and which comprises:
- a. a work surface configured to receive a printed or scribed document bearing specialized calibration marks, the document being freely, variably and arbitrarily positioned on the work surface;
b. a camera for focusing on the document for generating video signals representing the document in electronic form; and
c. a processor linked to the camera for processing an image captured by the camera and configured to identify specialized calibration marks of the document in the captured image and then determine from the location of the specialized calibration marks in the image a transformation between co-ordinates of features in the image and corresponding co-ordinates of features in the document, and that compensates for the positioning of the document on the work surface.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and method which facilitates the use of a printed or scribed document as an interface with a computer. The apparatus in one aspect comprises: a printed or scribed document bearing specialized calibration marks, the document being positioned on a work surface; a camera focused on the document for generating video signals representing the document in electronic form; and a processor linked to the camera for processing an image captured by the camera and configured to identify the calibration marks of the document in the captured image and then determine from the location of the calibration marks in the image a transformation between co-ordinates of features. In the image and corresponding co-ordinates of features in the document that compensates for the freely variable positioning of the document on the work surface.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus which facilitates the use of a printed or scribed document as an interface with a computer and which comprises:
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a. a work surface configured to receive a printed or scribed document bearing specialized calibration marks, the document being freely, variably and arbitrarily positioned on the work surface; b. a camera for focusing on the document for generating video signals representing the document in electronic form; and c. a processor linked to the camera for processing an image captured by the camera and configured to identify specialized calibration marks of the document in the captured image and then determine from the location of the specialized calibration marks in the image a transformation between co-ordinates of features in the image and corresponding co-ordinates of features in the document, and that compensates for the positioning of the document on the work surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of using a printed or scribed document as an interface with a computer, which method comprises:
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a. providing said printed or scribed document bearing specialized calibration marks on a work surface that is capable of receiving the printed or scribed document in a freely, variable and arbitrary position, and a camera focused on the document for generating video signals representing the document in electronic form and a processor linked to the camera for processing an image captured by the camera and configured to identify the specialized calibration marks of the document in the captured image and then determine from the location of the specialized calibration marks in the image a transformation between co-ordinates of features in the image and corresponding co-ordinates of features in the document that compensates for positioning of the document on the work surface; b. capturing an image of the document with the camera; and c. identifying, by the processor, the specialized calibration marks of the document in the captured image and then determining, from the location of the specialized calibration marks in the image, the transformation between co-ordinates of features in the image and corresponding co-ordinates of features in the document that compensates for the positioning of the document on the work surface.
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15. A processor for use in an apparatus which facilitates the use of a printed or scribed document as an interface with a computer, the processor being programmed for processing an image captured by a camera of a printed or scribed document bearing specialized calibration marks and freely, variably and arbitrarily positioned on a work surface to identify the specialized calibration marks of the document in the captured image and then determine from the location of the specialized calibration marks in the captured image a transformation between co-ordinates of features in the captured image and corresponding co-ordinates of features in the document that compensates for the positioning of the document on the work surface.
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16. A method for facilitating the use of a printed or scribed document, the method comprising the steps of:
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processing an image captured by a camera of a printed or scribed document bearing specialized calibration marks and freely variably and arbitrarily positioned on a work surface to identify the specialized calibration marks of the document in the captured image; and determining, from the location of the specialized calibration marks in the captured image, a transformation between co-ordinates of features in the captured image and corresponding co-ordinates of features in the document that compensates for the positioning of the document on the work surface.
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17. An apparatus which facilitates the use of a printed or scribed document as an interface with a computer and which comprises:
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a. a work table configured to receive a printed or scribed document bearing specialized calibration marks, the document being freely, variably and arbitrarily positioned on the work table; b. a camera mounted on a stand viewing down over the work table for focusing on the document for generating video signals representing the document in electronic form; and c. a processor linked to the camera for processing an image captured by the camera and configured to identify the specialized calibration marks of the document in the captured image and then determine from the location of the specialized calibration marks in the image a transformation between co-ordinates of features in the image and corresponding co-ordinates of features in the document, and that compensates for the positioning of the document on the work surface. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification