US5483261A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Graphical input controller and method with rear screen image detection
Assignee: ORGPRO NEXUS Inc
•
Filing: 1993-10-26
•
Granted: 1996-01-09
•
Expires: 2013-10-26
Abstract
Abstract An interactive graphics system includes a touch-sensitive controller having a number of semi-transparent light-diffusing panels imaged by a rear mounted imaging device such as a video camera. The imaging device is arranged to detect the shadows of objects, such as fingers, touching any of the panels. The camera can simultaneously to detect multiple touch points on the panels resulting from the touch of multiple fingers, which facilitates the detection of input gestures. The panel and the position on the panel touched can be determined by the position of the shadow on the video image. As the imaging device is only required to detect the existence of shadows on the panels, only a two-dimensional image must be processed. However, since the imaging device can image multiple panels simultaneously, a multi-dimensional input signal can be provided. Further, as this image is of high contrast, only light/dark areas must be differentiated for greatly simplified image processing.
Inventors
- 👤 Taizo Yasutake
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 09:38
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/042; G06F3/0425; G06V; G06V40/00; G06V40/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for providing graphical input signals from an input device for an interactive computer system using an opaque enclosure with multiple semi-transparent light-diffusing panels disposed to form outside surfaces of the enclosure and an imaging device mounted relative to the panels for imaging the panels, the method including the steps of: touching an outside surface of one panel; imaging an inner surface of the panels with the imaging device; acquiring a background image of the panels before touching the one panel; p1 normalizing the image signal in response to the background image; providing an image signal in response to the image; determining the coordinates of the image of the touch on the panel; and providing signals responsive to the coordinates to the interactive computer system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
126 words
A method for providing graphical input signals from an input device for an interactive computer system using an opaque enclosure with multiple semi-transparent light-diffusing panels disposed to form outside surfaces of the enclosure and an imaging device mounted relative to the panels for imaging the panels, the method including the steps of: touching an outside surface of one panel; imaging an inner surface of the panels with the imaging device; acquiring a background image of the panels before touching the one panel; p1 normalizing the image signal in response to the background image; providing an image signal in response to the image; determining the coordinates of the image of the touch on the panel; and providing signals responsive to the coordinates to the interactive computer system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 1 further comprising the step of digitizing the image signal into two values prior to determining the coordinates of the image of the touch on a panel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 1 further comprising the step of tracking objects on the image of the panel.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for providing graphical input signals for an interactive computer system using an opaque enclosure with multiple semi-transparent light-diffusing panels and an imaging device disposed relative to the panels, the method including the steps of: touching an outside surface of one panel; imaging inner surfaces of the panels with the imaging device; providing an image signal in response to an image of the inner surface of a panel; acquiring a background image of the panels before touching the one panel; normalizing the image signal in response to the background image; determining the coordinates of the image of a touch on the panel; transforming the coordinates into a three dimensional image in response to the coordinates; and providing a signalrepresentative of the transformed coordinates.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for providing graphical input signals for an interactive computer system using an opaque enclosure with multiple semi-transparent light-diffusing panels and an imaging device disposed relative to the panels, the method including the steps of: touching an outside surface of one panel; imaging inner surfaces of the panels with the imaging device; providing an image signal in response to an image of the inner surface of a panel; acquiring a background image of the panels before touching the one panel; normalizing the image signal in response to the background image; determining the coordinates of the image of a touch on the panel; transforming the coordinates into a three dimensional image in response to the coordinates; and providing a signalrepresentative of the transformed coordinates.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 4 further comprising the step of digitizing the image signal into two values prior to determining the coordinates of the image of the touch on the panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as in claim 4 wherein the steps of providing an image signal, and determining coordinates and transforming the coordinates are continuously repeated, and further comprising the step of tracking objects on the image of the panel.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for providing graphical input signals from an input device for an interactive computer system using an opaque enclosure with a semi-transparent light-diffusing panel and an imaging device disposed relative to the panel, the method including the steps of: touching an outside surface of the panel; imaging an inner surface of the panel with the imaging device; providing an image signal in response to an image of the inner surface of the panel; acquiring a background image of the panel before touching the panel; normalizing the image signal in response to the background image; determining coordinates of the image of a touch on the panel; identifying a position on the panel which is touched in response to the coordinates; and providing a signal responsive to the coordinates to the interactive computer system.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
133 words
A method for providing graphical input signals from an input device for an interactive computer system using an opaque enclosure with a semi-transparent light-diffusing panel and an imaging device disposed relative to the panel, the method including the steps of: touching an outside surface of the panel; imaging an inner surface of the panel with the imaging device; providing an image signal in response to an image of the inner surface of the panel; acquiring a background image of the panel before touching the panel; normalizing the image signal in response to the background image; determining coordinates of the image of a touch on the panel; identifying a position on the panel which is touched in response to the coordinates; and providing a signal responsive to the coordinates to the interactive computer system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 7 further comprising the step of digitizing the image signal into two values prior to determining the coordinates of the image of the touch on the panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as in claim 7 further comprising the step of tracking objects on the image of the panel.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for providing graphical input signals from an input device for an interactive computer system using an opaque enclosure with a semi-transparent light-diffusing panel and an imaging device disposed relative to the panel, the method including the steps of: touching an outside surface of the panel; imaging an inner surface of the panel with the imaging device; providing an image signal in response to the image of the panel; acquiring a background image of the panel before touching the panel; normalizing the image signal in response to the background image; determining coordinates of the image of the touch on the panel; transforming the coordinates into a three dimensional image in response to the coordinates; and providing a signal responsive to the transformed coordinates.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for providing graphical input signals from an input device for an interactive computer system using an opaque enclosure with a semi-transparent light-diffusing panel and an imaging device disposed relative to the panel, the method including the steps of: touching an outside surface of the panel; imaging an inner surface of the panel with the imaging device; providing an image signal in response to the image of the panel; acquiring a background image of the panel before touching the panel; normalizing the image signal in response to the background image; determining coordinates of the image of the touch on the panel; transforming the coordinates into a three dimensional image in response to the coordinates; and providing a signal responsive to the transformed coordinates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in claim 10 further comprising the step of digitizing the image signal into two values prior to determining the coordinates of the image of the touch on the panel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as in claim 10 wherein the steps of providing an image signal, and determining coordinates, and transforming the coordinates are continuously repeated, and further comprising the step of tracking objects on the image of the panel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-01-08 | 1999-07-10 | 2000-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-08 | 2003-07-10 | 2004-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-08 | 2007-07-10 | 2008-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |