Abstract: A touch panel for an interactive input system and interactive input system incorporating the touch panel is provided. The touch panel includes an optical waveguide layer and a resilient diffusion layer. The resilient diffusion layer is against the optical waveguide layer and causes light traveling within the optical waveguide layer to escape only when compressed against the optical waveguide layer at one or more touch points.

Abstract: A method for selecting a graphic widget displayed on a background of an interactive input system comprises tracking one or more touch points associated with the background, and in the event that one or more touch points coincide with a location of the graphic widget, associating the coinciding touch points with the graphic widget.

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.

Abstract: A system for capturing images of a target area on which information is recorded includes a boom assembly adapted to extend outwardly from a generally vertical surface. At least one digital camera is mounted on the boom assembly at a location spaced from the surface. The at least one digital camera is oriented so that the field of view thereof encompasses a target area on the surface. A controller is in communication with the at least one digital camera. The controller conditions the at least one digital camera to acquire an image of the target area. The image acquired by the at least one digital camera is conveyed to the controller and is processed to determine if an obstacle blocking the target area is in the captured image. If so, the captured image is not further processed and additional images are acquired until an image of the target area is captured without the obstacle therein.

Abstract: A touch system includes a touch surface and at least two cameras associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and having overlapping fields of view. A digital signal processor is associated with each camera. The digital signal processors process pixel data acquired by selected pixel subsets of the at least two digital cameras to generate pointer characteristic data when a pointer exists in the acquired images. The pointer characteristic data identifies edges of the pointer. A master digital signal processor triangulates the edge information in the pointer characteristic data to determine a bounding area that represents a pointer perimeter.

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: Calibration structure, method, and code for correcting non-orthogonal misalignment of a computer-generated image that is projected onto a large screen touch-detecting display, so that a computer-generated image appears substantially where the display is touched. Structure/method/code generates at least four calibration marks, respectively, substantially proximate four corners of a projected image to be displayed on the display. Structure/method/code, responsive to a touch on the large screen touch-detecting display where each of the four calibration marks is displayed, identifies horizontal and vertical coordinates of each touched location. Structure/method/code calibrates the projected image to the display after the four calibration marks have been touched. Structure/method/code, responsive to another touch on the display after calibration, displays a computer image substantially at the location of the another touch.

Abstract: In a distributed computer network where displayed information is shared between at least two computers, a method of enabling remote control of a host computer having a display region that is to be shared with at least one client computer. The method includes tracking time lapsed since a local user input event has occurred while the host computer is under local control and in the event that the time lapsed exceeds a threshold, enabling remote control of the host computer by a client computer.

Abstract: A touch system includes a touch surface and at least two cameras associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and having overlapping fields of view. A digital signal processor is associated with each camera. The digital signal processors process pixel data acquired by selected pixel subsets of the at least two digital cameras to generate pointer characteristic data when a pointer exists in the acquired images. The pointer characteristic data identifies edges of the pointer. A master digital signal processor triangulates the edge information in the pointer characteristic data to determine a bounding area that represents a pointer perimeter.

Abstract: An illumination assembly for an interactive input system comprises at least two proximate radiation sources directing radiation into a region of interest, each of the radiation sources having a different emission angle.

Abstract: A pen tool for use with an interactive input system comprises an elongate body, at least one switch assembly accommodated by the body and a controller accommodated by the body and communicating with the at least one switch assembly. The at least one switch assembly is actualable when the pen tool is brought into contact with an input surface of the interactive input system. The controller is responsive to actuation of the at least one switch assembly. The at least one switch assembly comprises a contact circuit and a plunger assembly having a conductive element thereon that is generally aligned with the contact circuit. The plunger assembly is moveable into the body to bring the conductive element into contact with the contact circuit thereby actuate the at least one switch assembly.

Abstract: An interactive input system comprises at least one imaging device capturing images of a region of interest, a plurality of radiation sources, each providing illumination to the region of interest and a controller coordinating the operation of the radiation sources and the at least one imaging device to allow separate image frames based on contributions from different radiation sources to be generated.

Abstract: An interactive input system comprises a bezel at least partially surrounding a region of interest. The bezel has a plurality of bands thereon with at least some adjacent bands having different optical properties. At least one imaging device looks into the region of interest and sees the at least one bezel so that acquired images comprise regions corresponding to the bands.

Abstract: An apparatus for coordinating data sharing in a computer network with at least one physical display device is provided. The apparatus includes a code generator generating at least one unique temporary session connection code (SCC), and a storage device storing associations between each of the at least one SCC and one or more of the at least one physical display device. An interface receives requests from one or more source computers to establish communications sessions for sharing data, and a processor in response to a request establishes a communications session between the requesting source computer and at least one physical display device only in the event that at least one condition is met. The at least one condition includes that a valid SCC is received with the request. The establishing is based on the received SCC. Related methods and computer programs are disclosed.

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 plug-and-play device comprises a first plug-and-play interface for establishing a connection with a first computing device and a second plug-and-play interface for establishing a connection with a second computing device. Storage stores code that is automatically executed by the second computing device when the plug-and-play device is connected to the second computing device via the second plug-and-play interface. The code when executed by the second computing device initiates a screen display data exchange between the first and second computing devices through the plug-and-play device. A controller controls the first plug-and-play interface, the second plug-and-play interface and the storage.