Virtual holographic input method and device

• US 7,671,843 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2003
• Issued: 03/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Virdex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Virdex, Inc.
• Inventors: Montellese, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Shalwala; Bipin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Holton; Steven E
• Application Number:
  US10/706,720
• Publication Number:
  US 20040095315A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,302 Days
• Field of Search: 345/156, 345/168, 345/169, 345/173, 345/175, 345/176, 463/31, 356/457, 356/458
• US Class Current: 345/168
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/0005 Adaptation of holography to specific applications holographic optical element G02B5/32; holographic scanner G02B26/106; recognition using holographic mask G06V10/88; holographic memories G11B7/0065, G11C13/042
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/0443 Digital holography, i.e. recording holograms with digital recording means holobject computation G03H1/0866
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/2294 Addressing the hologram to an active spatial light modulator
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0061 in haptic applications when the observer interacts with the holobject
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0088 for video-holography, i.e. integrating hologram acquisition, transmission and display
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2001/0445 Off-axis recording arrangement G03H2001/0456 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 2210/30 3D object
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0425 using a single imaging device like a video camera for tracking the absolute position of a single or a plurality of objects with respect to an imaged reference surface, e.g. video camera imaging a display or a projection screen, a table or a wall surface, on which a computer generated image is displayed or projected tracking a projected light spot to determine a position on a display surface G06F3/0386

Abstract

An input device for detecting input with respect to a three dimensional area in space. The input device includes an electromagnetic wave interference projector and receiver. The analysis of the difference between the projected interference pattern and the received interference pattern will determine the type and location of the user input. In addition, this holographic type of wave interference will display the image to be “manipulated” or “touched”.

Claims

1. A system for detection of an object in an area in space, the system comprising:

a light source for generating a beam of coherent light;

a first beam splitter for splitting the coherent light into a reference beam and an object beam;

an imager;

a second beam splitter for directing coherent light from the source as an imaging beam to the imager, wherein the imager is for projecting an original holographic image onto the area;

a reception device for sensing the imaged area, wherein the reception device is specifically balanced for a spectral range corresponding to the waves generated by the image, and wherein the reference beam and the object beam interfere at a sensing surface of the reception device; and

a computer in communication with the reception device and the imager, wherein the computer is for determining a difference pattern between an interference pattern for the original holographic image and an interference pattern for the image sensed by the reception device, and wherein the difference pattern is used to project a modified holographic image that represents a change in the original holographic image that results from an object interacting with the original holographic image.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the imager comprises a reflective solid state imaging device.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the reception device is a solid state sensing device.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the original holographic image represents one of an input terminal, a keyboard, a pointing device, a game, and a musical instrument.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the imager comprises a transmissive solid state imaging device.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a CCD video sensor.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the original holographic image comprises an image of a steering wheel.

8. A method comprising:

projecting a beam of coherent light from a light source;

splitting by a first beam splitter the coherent light into a reference beam and an object beam;

directing by a second beam splitter coherent light from the source as an imaging beam to an imager;

projecting an original holographic image from the imager onto an area in a space;

sensing the imaged area with a reception device, wherein the reference beam and the object beam interfere at a sensing surface of the reception device; and

determining a difference pattern between an interference pattern for the original holographic image and an interference pattern for the image sensed by the reception device; and

modifying the original holographic image projected by the imager based on the determined difference pattern, wherein the modification represents a change in the original holographic image that results from an object interacting with the original holographic image.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the original holographic image represents a user input device for an object; and

the difference between the original holographic image and the interference pattern for the image sensed by the reception device is cause by user interaction with the image of the user input device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the user input device comprises a keyboard.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the user input device comprises a steering wheel.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the difference pattern between the interference pattern for the original holographic image and the interference pattern for the image sensed by the reception device comprises using a feature space analysis to determine the difference pattern.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the difference pattern between the interference pattern for the original holographic image and the interference pattern for the image sensed by the reception device comprises using a bit mapping to determine the difference pattern.