Patents Assigned to Thinkoptics, Inc.
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Patent number: 9176598Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a handheld device having a pixelated sensor, an optical filter for passing a predetermined frequency band of radiation to the sensor and a transmitter, an electronic equipment having a display, and at least two spaced-apart markers, where each of which are positioned proximate to the display. The markers provide radiation at the frequency band passed by the optical filter. The handheld device includes a processor coupled to receive image data of the markers from the sensor for computing coordinate data from the image data. The coordinate data requires less data than the image data. The processor is coupled to the transmitter to transmit the coordinate data to the electronic equipment. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2008Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: ThinkOptics, Inc.Inventors: John Sweetser, Anders Grunnet-Jepsen
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Patent number: 8913003Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for a free-space multi-dimensional absolute pointer using a projection marker system are described herein. In one embodiment, a presentation system includes, but is not limited to, a projection-based marker apparatus to project one or more optical spots on a display surface for displaying machine generated content capable of being manipulated via a cursor of a pointing device, a handheld device to wirelessly capture the projected optical spots from the display surface, and a control unit communicatively coupled to the projection-based marker apparatus and the handheld device to determine coordinates of the cursor based on characteristics of the captured light spots. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2007Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: Thinkoptics, Inc.Inventors: Anders Grunnet-Jepsen, John Sweetser, Kenneth Salsman
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Patent number: 8907889Abstract: A method is described that involves identifying one or more images of respective one or more fixed markers. Each marker is positioned on or proximate to a display. The images appear on a pixilated sensor within a handheld device. The method also involves determining a location on, or proximate to, the display where the handheld device was pointed during the identifying. The method also involves sending from the handheld device information derived from the identifying of the one or more images of respective one or more fixed markers. The method also involves triggering action taken by electronic equipment circuitry in response to the handheld device's sending of a signal to indicate the action is desired.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2011Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: ThinkOptics, Inc.Inventors: John Sweetser, Anders Grunnet-Jepsen, Kenneth Salsman
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Patent number: 8174497Abstract: A method is described that involves identifying one or more images of respective one or more fixed markers. Each marker is positioned on or proximate to a display. The images appear on a pixilated sensor within a handheld device. The method also involves determining a location on, or proximate to, the display where the handheld device was pointed during the identifying. The method also involves sending from the handheld device information derived from the identifying of the one or more images of respective one or more fixed markers. The method also involves triggering action taken by electronic equipment circuitry in response to the handheld device's sending of a signal to indicate the action is desired.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2011Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: ThinkOptics, Inc.Inventors: John Sweetser, Anders Grunnet-Jepsen, Kenneth Salsman
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Patent number: 7864159Abstract: A method is described that involves identifying one or more images of respective one or more fixed markers. Each marker is positioned on or proximate to a display. The images appear on a pixilated sensor within a handheld device. The method also involves determining a location on, or proximate to, the display where the handheld device was pointed during the identifying. The method also involves sending from the handheld device information derived from the identifying of the one or more images of respective one or more fixed markers. The method also involves triggering action taken by electronic equipment circuitry in response to the handheld device's sending of a signal to indicate the action is desired.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2005Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Thinkoptics, Inc.Inventors: John Sweetser, Anders Grunnet-Jepsen, Kenneth Salsman
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Patent number: 7852317Abstract: A method is described that involves detecting one or more images appearing on a pixilated sensor of respective one or more fixed markers. The pixilated sensor is within a handheld device. For each of the images, determining its location on the sensor with the handheld device's electronic circuitry. Translating the images' determined locations into a pointed to location on a display, or proximate to said display, wherein the handheld device transmits information derived from the determining.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2005Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Thinkoptics, Inc.Inventors: Anders Grunnet-Jepsen, Kenneth Salsman, John Sweetser
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Patent number: 7796116Abstract: An item of electronic equipment is described that includes a machine and executable program code. The executable program code is stored on a non volatile memory. The executable program code is to be executed by the machine. The executable program code is to perform a method. The method is in relation to a location on a display, or proximate to the display, that is pointed to by a handheld device. The method includes executing at least one of the following methods: (i) displaying a cursor on said display at said location, said location on said display; (ii) highlighting a menu option on said display at said location, said location on said display; (iii) triggering action taken by said electronic equipment in response to said handheld device's sending of a signal to indicate said action is desired.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 14, 2010Assignee: Thinkoptics, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Salsman, John Sweetser, Anders Grunnet-Jepsen
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Publication number: 20080278445Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system includes a handheld device having a pixelated sensor, an optical filter for passing a predetermined frequency band of radiation to the sensor and a transmitter, an electronic equipment having a display, and at least two spaced-apart markers, where each of which are positioned proximate to the display. The markers provide radiation at the frequency band passed by the optical filter. The handheld device includes a processor coupled to receive image data of the markers from the sensor for computing coordinate data from the image data. The coordinate data requires less data than the image data. The processor is coupled to the transmitter to transmit the coordinate data to the electronic equipment. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: THINKOPTICS, INC.Inventors: John Sweetser, Anders Grunnet-Jepsen