Constant and shadowless light source
First Claim
1. A method for capturing images of targets of interest for interaction with or in response to electronic events, such as may be generated by video games and/or other interactive applications, comprising:
- emitting light into an environment to illuminate a target of interest utilizing at least one parabolic light emitting diode that emits light in a substantially collimated beam, where the emitted light is in at least a first predetermined frequency range that defines a spectral range outside the range of visible fluctuating ambient light within the environment;
receiving the emitted light by a camera having a light receiving lens and an image sensor for converting the light received through the light receiving lens to image data, wherein the image sensor is sensitive to light within the first predetermined frequency range;
modulating at least one parabolic light emitting diode that is used to emit light into the environment, on for a predetermined time duration from t1 to t2=t1+δ
t, such that;
t1=2d1/c,
t2=2d2/c, wherein d1 is the predetermined closest distance of the target of interest to the camera, d2 is the predetermined furthest distance of the target of interest to the camera, δ
d=d2−
d1 is the limited moving area of the target of interest and c=is the speed of the light;
filtering the light received by the camera to substantially block light in the spectral range of fluctuating ambient light;
converting the image data from the image sensor to a digital representation of the target of interest; and
measuring an aspect of movement of the target of interest in a 3-D space;
wherein at least one parabolic light emitting diode is positioned adjacent to the light receiving lens of the camera so as to substantially reduce detected shadows of the illuminated target of interest.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device is provided for capturing images of targets of interest for interaction with or in response to electronic events, such as may be generated by video games and/or other interactive applications. The device includes a shadowless light source, such as one or more light emitting devices that are capable of emitting light into an environment where the emitted light is in at least a first predetermined frequency range that defines a spectral range outside the range of the fluctuating ambient light. A camera has a light receiving lens and an image sensor for converting the light received through the light receiving lens into image data that is obtained by a processor to form a digital representation of the target of interest. Also, the device may include a filter to substantially block light in an anticipated spectral range of fluctuating ambient light.
32 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for capturing images of targets of interest for interaction with or in response to electronic events, such as may be generated by video games and/or other interactive applications, comprising:
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emitting light into an environment to illuminate a target of interest utilizing at least one parabolic light emitting diode that emits light in a substantially collimated beam, where the emitted light is in at least a first predetermined frequency range that defines a spectral range outside the range of visible fluctuating ambient light within the environment; receiving the emitted light by a camera having a light receiving lens and an image sensor for converting the light received through the light receiving lens to image data, wherein the image sensor is sensitive to light within the first predetermined frequency range; modulating at least one parabolic light emitting diode that is used to emit light into the environment, on for a predetermined time duration from t1 to t2=t1+δ
t, such that;
t1=2d1/c,
t2=2d2/c,wherein d1 is the predetermined closest distance of the target of interest to the camera, d2 is the predetermined furthest distance of the target of interest to the camera, δ
d=d2−
d1 is the limited moving area of the target of interest and c=is the speed of the light;filtering the light received by the camera to substantially block light in the spectral range of fluctuating ambient light; converting the image data from the image sensor to a digital representation of the target of interest; and measuring an aspect of movement of the target of interest in a 3-D space; wherein at least one parabolic light emitting diode is positioned adjacent to the light receiving lens of the camera so as to substantially reduce detected shadows of the illuminated target of interest. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A constant and shadowless light system comprising:
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at least one illumination source that emits light into an environment to illuminate a target of interest, where the emitted light is in at least a first predetermined frequency range that defines a spectral range outside the range of fluctuating ambient light within the environment; a stereo camera comprising; a first light receiving lens; a second light receiving lens; and an image sensor that is common to the first light receiving lens and the second light receiving lens of the stereo camera that is sensitive to light within the first predetermined frequency range, which forms an image based upon light from one of the first light receiving lens and the second light receiving lens; and a processor configured to convert the image data from the image sensor to a digital representation of the target of interest; wherein at least one illumination source is positioned adjacent to the first light receiving lens of the camera so that the first light receiving lens receives light from the at least one illumination source so as to substantially reduce detected shadows of the illuminated target of interest.
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Specification