Image sensing method, and image sensing apparatus, light source determining system utilizing the image sensing method

• US 9,626,007 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 04/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PixArt Imaging Incorporated
• Inventors: Liang, Chia-Cheun, Yang, Wen-Yu, Huang, Chao-Chien, Huang, Chi-Yang, Lee, Hung-Yu, Kao, Ming-Tsan
• Primary Examiner(s): ALUNKAL, THOMAS D
• Application Number:
  US13/802,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20140028552A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,496 Days
• Field of Search: 345157, 345158, 345160, 345166, 345156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0325 using a plurality of light emitters or reflectors or a plurality of detectors forming a reference frame from which to derive the orientation of the object, e.g. by triangulation or on the basis of reference deformation in the picked up image
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors

Abstract

An image detecting method, comprising: controlling a synchronizing controller to transmit a first activating signal to a light source controller; controlling the light source controller to control at least one light source to generate a predetermined radiating pattern, and controlling the light source controller to transmit back a first responding signal to the synchronizing controller when the light source controller receives the first activating signal; and controlling an image sensor to start an image detecting when the synchronizing controller receives the first responding signal.

Claims

1. An image detecting method, comprising:

controlling a synchronizing controller to transmit a first activating signal to a light source controller;

controlling the light source controller to control a single light source to generate a first predetermined radiating pattern, and controlling the light source controller to transmit back a first responding signal to the synchronizing controller when the light source controller receives the first activating signal;

controlling an image sensor to start an image detecting when the synchronizing controller receives the first responding signal;

controlling the synchronizing controller to transmit a second activating signal to the light source controller;

controlling the light source controller to control the light source to generate a second predetermined radiating pattern, and controlling the light source controller to transmit back a second responding signal to the synchronizing controller when the light source controller receives the second activating signal, wherein the second predetermined radiating pattern is different from the first predetermined radiating pattern; and

controlling an image sensor to start the image detecting when the synchronizing controller receives the second responding signal.

2. An image detecting apparatus, comprising:

an image sensor;

a single light source;

a synchronizing controller, for outputting a first activating signal and a second activating signal; and

a light source controller, for controlling the light source to generate a first predetermined radiating pattern and for transmitting back a first responding signal to the synchronizing controller after the light source controller receives the first activating signal;

wherein the synchronizing controller controls the image sensor to start an image detecting after the synchronizing controller receives the first responding signal;

wherein the light source controller controls the light source to generate a second predetermined radiating pattern, and controls the light source controller to transmit back a second responding signal to the synchronizing controller when the light source controller receives the second activating signal, wherein the second predetermined radiating pattern is different from the first predetermined radiating pattern;

wherein the image sensor starts the image detecting when the synchronizing controller receives the second responding signal.

3. A light source determining system, comprising:

a display, comprising a single light source provided thereon;

a controller, comprising an image sensor and a synchronizing controller, wherein the image sensor catches a image and computes a location of the light source'"'"'s object image in the image, and the synchronizing controller outputs a first activating signal and a second activating signal; and

a light source controller, for controlling the light source to generate a predetermined radiating pattern, and for transmitting back a first responding signal to the synchronizing controller after the light source controller receives the first activating signal;

wherein the synchronizing controller controls the image sensor to start an image detecting after the synchronizing controller receives the first responding signal;

wherein the light source controller controls the light source to generate a second predetermined radiating pattern, and controls the light source controller to transmit back a second responding signal to the synchronizing controller when the light source controller receives the second activating signal, wherein the second predetermined radiating pattern is different from the first predetermined radiating pattern;

wherein the image sensor starts the image detecting when the synchronizing controller receives the second responding signal.