Abstract: An interactive input system comprises imaging devices with different viewpoints and having at least partially overlapping fields of view encompassing a region of interest. At least two of the imaging devices have different focal lengths. Processing structure processes image data acquired by the imaging devices to detect the existence of a pointer and determine the location of the pointer within the region of interest.

Abstract: An interactive input system comprises at least one imaging device having a field of view looking into a region of interest. At least one radiation source emits radiation into the region of interest. A pliable bezel at least partially surrounds the region of interest. The pliable bezel has a reflective surface in the field of view of said at least one imaging device.

Abstract: An interactive input system comprises a touch surface, and imaging system associated with the touch surface and processing structure. The imaging system comprises an optical sensor array that spans at least a portion of the area of the touch surface, and the processing structure communicates with the imaging system and analyzes images received by the imaging system to determine whether at least one pointer is near to the touch surface and the location of the at least one pointer in respect of the touch surface based at least in part on the edge sharpness of the at least one pointer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for improved fingerprint recognition. A fingerprint image associated with an authorized user can be captured with a sensor. Direction vectors for a plurality of pixels of the first fingerprint image are then calculated. Next, characteristic points of the fingerprint image are located in a first coordinate system. The fingerprint central nucleus is determined based on the calculated direction vectors, and is expressed in the first coordinate system. Subsequently, a second coordinate system having an origin located relative to the fingerprint central nucleus is determined. Thereafter, the characteristic points of the fingerprint image are mapped to the second coordinate system. Finally, the fingerprint central nucleus and fingerprint characteristic points expressed in the second coordinate system are saved as a fingerprint template.

Abstract: Reinforced smart cards with and methods of making an integrated circuit chip for smart are disclosed. In some embodiments, a method includes generally providing an integrated circuit wafer including a plurality of integrated circuits, providing a stiffener, attaching the stiffener top surface to the wafer bottom surface, and physically separating integrated circuits. The wafer can be substantially disc-shaped with a wafer perimeter. Integrated circuits can be disposed on the wafer's top surface, and the wafer's bottom surface can span a wafer bottom area. The stiffener can have a top surface spanning an area corresponding to a circuitry portion of the wafer's top surface (where integrated circuits can be disposed). The stiffener's can be applied to the wafer's bottom surface to form a wafer/stiffener assembly.

Abstract: This patent application teaches and describes radio frequency (RF) power conversion circuits and methods both for use in mobile devices (such as smart cards). Embodiments of the present invention include wireless personal ID cards or dongle including a fingerprint sensor. A fingerprint matching system can reside on cards. Power provided to the fingerprint sensor and on board processer(s) can be provided by a wireless signal provided to the card. The card can include an RF power conversion circuit configured to receive wireless RF energy and convert the wireless energy for powering electronics on the card. Other aspects, embodiments, and features of the present invention are also claimed and described.

Abstract: A computerized method of recognizing an input hand-drawn table formed by freeform line objects comprises transforming each freeform line object of the table into one of a vertical line segment and a horizontal line segment, generating a grid system based on the vertical and horizontal line segments and converting the generated grid system into a table object.

Abstract: A safety device for a cantilevered beam pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof to a support surface is adapted to bridge the beam and the support surface and is structured so that when coupled to the beam and support surface, the safety device maintains the beam in a substantially fixed cantilevered condition until a downward force exceeding a threshold is applied to the beam and thereafter controls downward pivoting of the beam.

Abstract: An interactive input system comprises a consumer electronic device and a controller for the consumer electronic device. The controller is operable in one of a touch input mode and a gesture input mode and controls the consumer electronic device in response to one of the detected user touch input and user gesture input depending on the operating mode of the controller.

Abstract: A system for providing a portable touch system comprises a bezel having a first and a second end, and a housing that is adapted to receive the first and second end of the bezel such that a display area is bounded by the housing and the bezel. At least one camera system is coupled to the housing and is operable to capture within at least a portion of the display area images of an object located within a field of view of the at least one camera system.

Abstract: A system for detecting contact on a display is provided. The system comprises a planar medium associated with the display and includes at least one edge facet and opposing surfaces. The system also includes one or more optical sources operatively coupled to the at least one edge facet for transmitting an optical signal into the planar medium such that the transmitted optical signal is totally internally reflected between the at least one edge facet and opposing surfaces. An optical sensing device is positioned to substantially face at least a portion of the edge facet and adapted to detect at least one object contacting a first surface of the opposing surfaces. The optical sensing device is operative to detect a portion of the optical signal emitted from the first surface at a location corresponding to the object contacting the first surface.

Abstract: A method for dividing a digital image into regions comprises identifying potential region borders based on edge content in the digital image. The digital image is divided into regions based on user-selected ones of the potential region borders. A method of processing a region of a digital image comprises receiving gesture data for characterizing the region. A processing tool associated with the gesture data is automatically launched, and the region is processed using the processing tool.

Abstract: A touch panel comprises a substrate having a forward major surface and formed of a plurality of assembled substrate segments. Cover material overlies the forward major surface to reduce the visibility of seams between adjacent substrate segments.

Abstract: A media integration device associated with a touch system including a touch screen, comprises a media control module operative to receive media information from a plurality of devices and generate media data associated with each of the plurality of devices. The media control module selects one device from the plurality of devices for displaying media data associated with the one device on the touch screen. A program module is operatively coupled to the media control device and adapted to generate a graphical user interface including a first display on the touch screen for operationally controlling the selected one device from the touch screen.

Abstract: A touch system comprises overlapping coordinate input sub-regions defining a generally contiguous input surface. Each coordinate input sub-region generates pointer coordinate data in response to pointer contacts thereon. When a pointer contact is made on a region of a coordinate input sub-region that overlaps with an adjacent coordinate input sub-region, each overlapping coordinate input sub-region processes acquired images to derive pointer data and triangulates the position of the pointer using the derived pointer data. Thereafter, the triangulated positions generated by the overlapping coordinate input sub-regions are processed in accordance with defined logic thereby to determine the position of the pointer contact relative to the touch surface.

Abstract: A wireless media player device includes (a) a flash memory, (b) a main processor adapted to process digital signals and to control wireless communications, the main processor including first and second interfaces adapted to wirelessly communicate with an external host computer and an external headset, respectively, (c) a signal antenna coupled to the main processor, (d) a power circuit coupled to the main processor, adapted to provide power to components of the media player device, (e) a wireless charger adapted to receive power from an external power source and charge the power circuit, and (f) a display provided on a surface of the media player device. The media player device is wearable and may further includes a casing and an attacher (such as a wrist band) adapted to fasten the media player device onto a user such that the display is visible from the user.

Abstract: An interactive input system comprises imaging devices with different viewpoints and having at least partially overlapping fields of view encompassing a region of interest. At least two of the imaging devices have different focal lengths. Processing structure processes image data acquired by the imaging devices to detect the existence of a pointer and determine the location of the pointer within the region of interest.

Abstract: A method of calibrating an interactive touch system includes moving a pointer along at least one path on a touch surface over a calibration image presented on the touch surface. Pointer coordinates are generated generally continuously during the tracing representing pointer contact locations on the touch surface. The coordinate system of the touch surface is mapped to the coordinate system of the calibration image using the pointer coordinates and the calibration image.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting a subject's eyes from being exposed to projected light when the subject is positioned in front of a background on which an image is displayed comprises capturing an image of the background including the displayed image, processing the captured image to detect the existence of the subject and to locate generally the subject and masking image data used by the projector to project the image corresponding to a region that encompasses at least the subject's eyes, the image data masking compensating for differing camera and projector viewpoints.

Abstract: A tensioned touch panel includes a support structure having a substrate with a generally planer conductive surface disposed thereon and an insulating spacer generally about the periphery of the substrate. A pretensioned conductive member overlies the support structure. The spacer separates the conductive membrane and the conductive surface thereby to define an air gap therebetween. A conductive membrane is secured to the support structure under sufficient tension to inhibit slack from developing in the conductive membrane as a result of changes in environmental conditions. A method of assembling a tensioned touch panel is also provided.