Method for controlling an intensity of an infrared source used to detect objects adjacent to an interactive display surface
First Claim
1. A system for controlling an intensity of a light source in response to an ambient light level, comprising:
- (a) a diffusing surface through which ambient light passes;
(b) a light source that produces light;
(c) a brightness controller that controls the intensity of the light produced by the light source;
(d) a region generally protected from receiving direct ambient light, said protected region reflecting light from the light source;
(e) a light sensor;
(f) a processor coupled to the light sensor and the brightness controller; and
(g) a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of machine instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the system to ;
(i) use the light source and light sensor to detect a level of reflected light reflected from the protected region ;
(ii) use the light sensor to detect a level of ambient light passing through the diffusing surface;
(iii) compare the level of reflected light to the level of ambient light to determine if the intensity of the light source is appropriate based on the ambient level of light; and
(iv) regulate the intensity of the light source with the brightness controller, so that the light intensity is sufficient to reflect off of objects at or near the diffusing surface but the light intensity is not so great as to interfere with other nearby electronic devices that communicate using light signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In an interactive display table that uses infrared (IR) light to detect an object on an interactive display surface, IR light sources within the table are controlled in response to the level of ambient IR light passing through the interactive display surface. Light from the IR light sources that is reflected the regions disposed inside the table and peripherally around the interactive display surface is captured in an image that also includes the ambient IR light passing through the interactive display surface. A signal corresponding to the image is processed, so that the relative levels of the IR light can be compared. The IR light sources are then controlled so that the level of IR light reflected from the regions exceeds the level of ambient IR light by at least a predefined amount.
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Citations
10 Claims
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1. A system for controlling an intensity of a light source in response to an ambient light level, comprising:
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(a) a diffusing surface through which ambient light passes; (b) a light source that produces light; (c) a brightness controller that controls the intensity of the light produced by the light source; (d) a region generally protected from receiving direct ambient light, said protected region reflecting light from the light source; (e) a light sensor; (f) a processor coupled to the light sensor and the brightness controller; and (g) a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing a plurality of machine instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the system to ; (i) use the light source and light sensor to detect a level of reflected light reflected from the protected region ; (ii) use the light sensor to detect a level of ambient light passing through the diffusing surface; (iii) compare the level of reflected light to the level of ambient light to determine if the intensity of the light source is appropriate based on the ambient level of light; and (iv) regulate the intensity of the light source with the brightness controller, so that the light intensity is sufficient to reflect off of objects at or near the diffusing surface but the light intensity is not so great as to interfere with other nearby electronic devices that communicate using light signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification