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.

Abstract: A method of tracking an object of interest preferably includes (i) acquiring a first image and a second image representing different viewpoints of the object of interest; (ii) processing the first image into a first image data set and the second image into a second image data set; (iii) processing the first image data set and the second image data set to generate a background data set associated with a background; (iv) generating a first difference map by determining differences between the first image data set and the background data set and a second difference map by determining differences between the second image data set and the background data set; (v) detecting a first relative position of the object of interest in the first difference map and a second relative position of the object of interest in the second difference map; and (vi) producing an absolute position of the object of interest from the first and second relative positions of the object of interest.

Abstract: An interactive input system, method and computer readable medium for handling objects representing annotations on an interactive input system are disclosed. The method includes creating an annotation on the interactive input system, associating the annotation with a temporary grouping region, and in the event that a threshold amount of time passes before a further annotation is created within a threshold distance of the temporary grouping region, disabling the temporary grouping region to thereafter prevent automatic grouping with the annotation of any further annotation.

Abstract: A method for selecting teams from a group of participants using a participant response system comprises the steps of collecting participant information and selecting teams of participants by comparing the collected participant information with team requirement information using a computer-implemented numerical optimization technique.

Abstract: An interactive input device comprises a panel formed of energy transmissive material and having an input surface, energy dispersing structure associated with the panel, the energy dispersing structure dispersing energy emitted by a pointer that enters the panel via the input surface and at least one imaging assembly, at least some of the dispersed energy being directed towards the at least one imaging assembly.

Abstract: An illumination structure for an interactive input system having a display surface and a light source for backlighting the display surface is provided. The illumination structure includes at least one redirection structure positioned with respect to the display surface to receive excess light produced by the light source and to redirect the excess light generally across the display surface for backlighting one or more pointers. A method is provided for determining the location of at least one pointer in an interactive input system.

Abstract: An interactive input system includes at least one imaging device having a field of view looking into a region of interest and capturing images; at least one pen tool comprising an accelerometer configured to measure acceleration of the pen tool and to generate acceleration data, the pen tool configured to wirelessly transmit the acceleration data; and processing structure configured to process the images and acceleration data to determine the location of at least one pointer in the region of interest.

Abstract: A pen tool for use with a machine vision interactive input system comprises an elongate body and a tip arrangement at one end of the body, an end surface of the body at least partially about the tip arrangement carrying light reflective material that is visible to at least one imaging assembly of the interactive input system when the pen tool is angled.

Abstract: A method of using an assessment in a participant response system having a plurality of response devices includes locking an assessment portion to be loaded to create a locked assessment portion; transmitting the locked assessment portion to each response device for storage in each response device; unlocking the assessment portion on each response device at a time prior to a scheduled start time thereby to enable access to the assessment portion; and starting the assessment portion on each response device at the scheduled start time.

Abstract: An interactive input system comprises at least one imaging assembly having a field of view looking into a region of interest and capturing image frames and processing structure in communication with the at least one imaging assembly. When a pointer exists in captured image frames, the processing structure demodulates the captured image frames to determine frequency components thereof and examines the frequency components to determine at least one attribute of the pointer.

Abstract: A multi-monitor computer system includes a plurality of display devices communicating with at least one computing device executing an application management procedure. The application management procedure enables an application window available on one display device to be moved entirely to another display device by selecting the other display device from a dialog box displayed in response to a pointer-dragging input gesture on the application window.

Abstract: An interactive input system comprises at least one light source configured for emitting radiation into a region of interest, a bezel at least partially surrounding the region of interest and having a surface in the field of view of the at least one imaging device, where the surface absorbs the emitted radiation and at least one imaging device having a field of view looking through a filter and into the region of interest and capturing image frames. The filter has a passband comprising a wavelength of the emitted radiation.

Abstract: A gesture recognition method includes detecting multiple pointers in close proximity to a touch surface to determine if the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture. When the multiple pointers are being used to perform a known gesture, executing a command associated with the gesture. A touch system incorporating the gesture recognition method is also provided.

Abstract: An interactive input system comprises at least two imaging assemblies capturing image frames of a region of interest from different vantages and processing structure processing image frames captured by the imaging assemblies to determine the location of a pointer within the region of interest, wherein each imaging assembly comprises an image sensor and integrated signal processing circuitry.

Abstract: A method of generating a calligraphic ink object, comprising sampling contact coordinates generated by a coordinate input device during writing thereon using a pointer to generate an ink trajectory generally representing the writing; generating an ink envelope, the ink envelope comprising line segments joining pointer instances at the sampled contact coordinates; generating a smoothed ink envelope at least by fitting curves to points on the ink envelope; and drawing the smoothed ink envelope on a display thereby to generate the calligraphic ink object.

Abstract: An information-inputting device is provided, which includes a plurality of photographing units photographing an area on a plane. An object located on the plane is then extracted from an image that includes the plane and the object, and it is determined whether the object is a specific object. If the object is the specific object, a position of a contact point between the specific object and the plane is calculated.