Patents Assigned to SMART Technologies ULC
  • INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20120249422
    Abstract: An interactive input system comprises an interactive surface, an illumination source projecting light onto the interactive surface such that a shadow is cast onto the interactive surface when a gesture is made by an object positioned between the illumination source and the interactive surface, at least one imaging device capturing images of a three-dimensional (3D) space in front of the interactive surface, and processing structure processing captured images to detect the shadow and object therein, and determine therefrom whether the gesture was performed within or beyond a threshold distance from the interactive surface and execute a command associated with the gesture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2011
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventors: EDWARD TSE, MICHAEL ROUNDING, DAN GREENBLATT, DAVID HOLMGREN
  • METHOD FOR MANIPULATING A GRAPHICAL OBJECT AND AN INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM EMPLOYING THE SAME
    Publication number: 20120254782
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving an input event generated when at least one contact is made on an interactive surface at a location corresponding to a graphical object; determining the number of contacts associated with the input event; tracking movement of the at least one contact on the interactive surface; identifying a graphical object manipulation based on the number of contacts, the movement of the at least one contact, and the graphical object type; and performing the graphical object manipulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventors: Taco Van Ieperen, Douglas Blair Hill
  • DATA PRESENTATION METHOD AND PARTICIPANT RESPONSE SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME
    Publication number: 20120242688
    Abstract: A method of presenting data gathered by a participant response system, comprising obtaining spatial information for participants; collecting response data from the participants and generating result data; overlaying the result data on a map image in accordance with the obtained spatial information to form a data map; and displaying the data map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventor: MICHAEL BOYLE
  • DATA PRESENTATION METHOD AND PARTICIPANT RESPONSE SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME
    Publication number: 20120242668
    Abstract: A method of presenting data gathered by a participant response system, comprising obtaining spatial information for participants; collecting response data from the participants and generating result data; overlaying the result data on a map image in accordance with the obtained spatial information to form a data map; and displaying the data map.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventor: MICHAEL ROUNDING
  • Dual mode touch systems
    Patent number: 8274496
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a pointer includes a waveguide and a touch surface over the waveguide on which pointer contacts are to be made. At least one reflecting device extends along a first side of the waveguide and touch surface. The reflecting device defines an optical path between the interior of the waveguide and the region of interest above the touch surface. At least one imaging device looks across the touch surface and into the waveguide. The imaging device captures images of the region of interest and within the waveguide including reflections from the reflecting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Chi Man Charles Ung, David Kenneth Booth, Roberto A. L. Sirotich
  • System and method for managing media data in a presentation system
    Patent number: 8269728
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Stephen Bolt, James Rempel, Paul A. Auger
  • 3D INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20120223909
    Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) interactive input system comprises a holographic image generator defining an enclosed space to accommodate a 3D object and configured to generate a holographic image of the 3D object that appears adjacent an input region of the holographic image generator. A projection unit is configured to project image data onto the 3D object, the image data projected onto the 3D object appearing on the holographic image. A sensing unit is configured to detect user proximity to the input region. Processing structure is configured to process sensing unit output and in response, update image data projected by the projection unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventors: EDWARD TSE, DAVID G. POPOVICH, PATRICK WEINMAYR, WALLACE I. KROEKER
  • Linking and managing mathematical objects
    Patent number: 8250482
    Abstract: A method for relating at least two mathematical objects in a computing apparatus having a graphical user interface is described. The method comprises receiving instructions via the graphical user interface to relate a first mathematical object with a second mathematical object; updating the second mathematical object using data of the first mathematical object; linking the first mathematical object to the second mathematical object; and creating a visual link between the first mathematical object and the second mathematical object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Tom Willekes, Kathryn Rounding, Gregory Gordon Forrest
  • INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND TOOL TRAY THEREFOR
    Publication number: 20120206344
    Abstract: A tool tray for an interactive input system comprises a housing having an upper surface defining at least one receptacle sized to receive a tool for interacting with an interactive surface, a sensor configured to detect the presence of the tool within the receptacle and at least one display in communication with the sensor. The display is configured to present a pointer attribute selection screen upon removal of the tool from the receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: DOUG HILL, Michael Rounding, Michael Trenholm-Boyle, Edward Tse
  • Method for manipulating regions of a digital image
    Patent number: 8238662
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Shymmon Banerjee, Wallace Kroeker, Erik Benner, Andy Leung
  • Size/scale orientation determination of a pointer in a camera-based touch system
    Patent number: 8228304
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Gerald Morrison, Trevor Akitt, Scott Su
  • Method of making tensioned touch panel
    Patent number: 8225492
    Abstract: A method of assembling a touch panel including a support structure and a conductive membrane, the support structure having a conductive surface and a peripheral insulating spacer about the conductive surface. The conductive membrane overlies the peripheral insulating spacer separating the conductive membrane and the conductive surface thereby to define an air gap therebetween. The method comprises tensioning the conductive membrane prior to securing to the insulating spacer; and securing the tensioned conductive membrane to the insulating spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Paul Anthony Auger, Amir Butmir
  • METHOD OF SUPPORTING MULTIPLE SELECTIONS AND INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME
    Publication number: 20120179977
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving an input event associated with a first user ID, the input event being a command for selecting at least one graphic object; determining if a selection is currently associated with the first user ID; and if no selection is currently associated with the first user ID creating a first selection; associating the first selection with the first user ID; and including the selected at least one graphic object in the first selection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventors: KATHRYN ROUNDING, DAVID MILFORD, SHIH-CHEN MAN, MICHAEL BOYLE, WILLIAM LEUNG
  • METHOD FOR MANIPULATING A TOOLBAR ON AN INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM EXECUTING THE METHOD
    Publication number: 20120179994
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving input; and when said input is associated with a command to transpose a graphical user interface (GUI) element comprising a plurality of sub-elements that is positioned on a display surface, transposing at least one of said sub-elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Nancy Knowlton, Kathryn Rounding, Erin Wallace, Gregory G. Forrest
  • METHOD FOR SUPPORTING MULTIPLE MENUS AND INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME
    Publication number: 20120176308
    Abstract: A method comprises receiving an input event associated with a first user ID, the input event being a command for displaying a first menu on a display surface; identifying a second menu associated with the first user ID currently being displayed on the display surface; dismissing the second menu; and displaying the first menu.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventors: CHRIS WESTERMANN, KEITH WILDE, QINGYUAN ZENG, KATHRYN ROUNDING, ANN DANG PHAM
  • METHOD FOR COORDINATING RESOURCES FOR EVENTS AND SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME
    Publication number: 20120179502
    Abstract: A method for coordinating resources for events, the method comprises identifying participants for an event; collecting information concerning the identified participants, the information at least comprising availability schedules; and providing an event monitoring interface to at least one participant device, the event monitoring interface presenting a representation of identified participants and at least one resource associated with the event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULC
    Inventors: Umar Farooq, Shymmon Banerjee, Andy Leung, Alex Alexeev, Sean Bacchus, Alexander Garin, Tom Willekes, Douglas Blair Hill, Jeff Lewis
  • Passive touch system and method of detecting user input
    Patent number: 8203535
    Abstract: A passive touch system includes a passive 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 have overlapping fields of view. A processor receives and processes images acquired by the at least two cameras to detect the existence of a pointer therein and to determine the location of the pointer relative to the touch surface. Actual pointer contact with the touch surface and pointer hover above the touch surface can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Gerald Morrison, Manvinder Singh
  • INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND METHOD
    Publication number: 20120139835
    Abstract: An interactive input system comprises a display panel; a first illumination source providing illumination across an outer surface of the display panel such that when a pointer is brought into proximity with the outer surface, the pointer reflects illumination from the first illumination source through the display panel; at least one imaging device having a field of view aimed at an opposite outer surface of the display panel, the at least one imaging device capturing images including illumination reflected by the pointer through the display panel; and processing structure in communication with the at least one imaging device, said processing structure processing the captured images to determine a location of the pointer relative to the outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Gerald Morrison, John Newton, Gareth Bell
  • Handheld electronic device
    Patent number: D660838
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Cameron Mark Loken, Peter Shivkumar, Paul Anthony Auger, Kimberly Tee, Daniel Michael Greenblatt
  • Portion of a display screen with an icon
    Patent number: D661317
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: SMART Technologies ULC
    Inventors: Cameron Mark Loken, Kathryn Rounding