Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for determining an optical property of a pointer used in an interactive touch system. The interactive device having a touch area; a plurality of emitters on the periphery of the touch area; the emitters emitting an intensity of light into the touch area; a plurality of pointers having a distinct optical property responsive to the light; at least one detector having a field of view of the touch area. The processing structure, in communication with the emitters and the at least one detector, executes instructions from a memory to: transmit an emitter signal to at least one of the emitters initiating emission of light at the first frequency; receive at least one detector signal from the at least one detector; and determine the distinct optical property from the at least one detector signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for determining an optical property of a pointer used in an interactive touch system. The interactive device having a touch area; a plurality of emitters on the periphery of the touch area; the emitters emitting an intensity of light into the touch area; a plurality of pointers having a distinct optical property responsive to the light; at least one detector having a field of view of the touch area. The processing structure, in communication with the emitters and the at least one detector, executes instructions from a memory to: transmit an emitter signal to at least one of the emitters initiating emission of light at the first frequency; receive at least one detector signal from the at least one detector; and determine the distinct optical property from the at least one detector signal.

Abstract: A method for generally continuously calibrating an interactive input system, the interactive input system comprising at least two imaging devices having fields of view encompassing a region of interest, at least one of the imaging devices calibrated using a projection matrix having an associated quality metric, the method comprises estimating new values for parameters of the projection matrix based on a plurality of computed locations of at least one pointer brought into proximity with the region of interest; calculating a new quality metric using the new parameter values; and if the new quality metric is more accurate than the existing quality metric, updating the projection matrix using the new parameter values.

Abstract: An illumination assembly for an interactive input system (20), comprises at least one imaging device (60) capturing image frames of a region of interest; a plurality of illumination sources (84a, 84b, 84c) associated with the imaging device and being located at different positions relative to the imaging device, the illumination sources providing illumination to the region of interest; and a controller (72) communicating with the illumination sources, the controller conditioning the illumination sources so that the illumination sources provide illumination to the region of interest in succession, the timing of image frame capture by the imaging device being coordinated with the illumination pattern of the illumination sources.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the position of a light curtain emitted by an illumination assembly over a surface, comprises determining a position of the light curtain; calculating a difference between the determined position of the light curtain and a desired position of the light curtain; and adjusting the position of the illumination assembly based on the calculated difference.

Abstract: A camera-based touch system (50) includes a passive touch surface (60) and at least two cameras (63) associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras (63) have overlapping fields of view (FOV) encompassing the touch surface. The at least two cameras (63) acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and generate image data. A processor (54) receives and processes image data generated by the at least two cameras to determine the location of the pointer relative to the touch surface when the pointer is captured in images acquired by the at least two cameras. Actual pointer contact with the touch surface and pointer hover above the touch surface can be determined.

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 for adjusting the position of a light curtain emitted by an illumination assembly over a surface, comprises determining a position of the light curtain; calculating a difference between the determined position of the light curtain and a desired position of the light curtain; and adjusting the position of the illumination assembly based on the calculated difference.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system is disclosed including a plurality of modules configured for attachment to a mounting surface. A first module includes a panel and a plurality of structural elements extending from an interior surface of the panel. The panel has a decorative major surface disposed opposite the interior surface and comprises a plurality of edges that form a closed shape. At least some of the plurality of structural elements are positioned proximate the plurality of edges. An attachment surface of the plurality of structural elements is positioned opposite the interior surface, and the attachment surface is configured to abut the mounting surface or to abut an attachment surface of another module for attachment thereto. A method of modifying a mounting surface of a room includes attaching a first module to the mounting surface. In another aspect, a method of creating a room partition is disclosed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a system is disclosed including a plurality of modules configured for attachment to a mounting surface. A first module includes a panel and a plurality of structural elements extending from an interior surface of the panel. The panel has a decorative major surface disposed opposite the interior surface and comprises a plurality of edges that form a closed shape. At least some of the plurality of structural elements are positioned proximate the plurality of edges. An attachment surface of the plurality of structural elements is positioned opposite the interior surface, and the attachment surface is configured to abut the mounting surface or to abut an attachment surface of another module for attachment thereto. A method of modifying a mounting surface of a room includes attaching a first module to the mounting surface. In another aspect, a method of creating a room partition is disclosed.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of modules configured for attachment to a mounting surface. At least some of the plurality of modules include a panel having a decorative major surface disposed opposite an interior surface and a structural web element extending from the interior surface, thereby defining a cavity on the interior surface, the cavity at least partially bordered by the structural web element. An attachment surface of the structural web element opposite the interior surface is configured to abut the mounting surface or to abut the attachment surface of another module. At least two modules are configured for adjacent attachment to the mounting surface so that their decorative major surfaces are co-extensive at a joint between the two modules. A method of modifying a mounting surface of a room includes attaching first and second modules to the mounting surface co-extensively at a joint between the modules.

Abstract: An illumination assembly for an interactive input system (20), comprises at least one imaging device (60) capturing image frames of a region of interest; a plurality of illumination sources (84a, 84b, 84c) associated sociated with the imaging device and being located at different positions relative to the imaging device, the illumination sources providing illumination to the region of interest; and a controller (72) communicating with the illumination sources, the controller conditioning the illumination sources so that the illumination sources provide illumination to the region of interest in succession, the timing of image frame capture by the imaging device being coordinated with the illumination pattern of the illumination sources.

Abstract: A method of determining locations of at least two pointers in a captured image frame comprises generating a vertical intensity profile (VIP) from the captured image frame, the VIP comprising peaks generally corresponding to the at least two pointers; determining if the peaks are closely spaced and, if the peaks are closely spaced, fitting a curve to the VIP; analyzing the fitted curve to determine peak locations of the fitted curve; and registering the peak locations as the pointer locations.

Abstract: A method for generally continuously calibrating an interactive input system, the interactive input system comprising at least two imaging devices having fields of view encompassing a region of interest, at least one of the imaging devices calibrated using a projection matrix having an associated quality metric, the method comprises estimating new values for parameters of the projection matrix based on a plurality of computed locations of at least one pointer brought into proximity with the region of interest; calculating a new quality metric using the new parameter values; and if the new quality metric is more accurate than the existing quality metric, updating the projection matrix using the new parameter values.

Abstract: A method of determining locations of at least two pointers in a captured image frame comprises generating a vertical intensity profile (VIP) from the captured image frame, the VIP comprising peaks generally corresponding to the at least two pointers; determining if the peaks are closely spaced and, if the peaks are closely spaced, fitting a curve to the VIP; analyzing the fitted curve to determine peak locations of the fitted curve; and registering the peak locations as the pointer locations.

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.

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 camera-based touch system (50) includes a passive touch surface (60) and at least two cameras (63) associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras (63) have overlapping fields of view (FOV) encompassing the touch surface. The at least two cameras (63) acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and generate image data. A processor (54) receives and processes image data generated by the at least two cameras to determine the location of the pointer relative to the touch surface when the pointer is captured in images acquired by the at least two cameras. Actual pointer contact with the touch surface and pointer hover above the touch surface can be determined.

Abstract: A camera-based touch system (50) includes a passive touch surface (60) and at least two cameras (63) associated with the touch surface. The at least two cameras (63) have overlapping fields of view (FOV) encompassing the touch surface. The at least two cameras (63) acquire images of the touch surface from different locations and generate image data. A processor (54) receives and processes image data generated by the at least two cameras to determine the location of the pointer relative to the touch surface when the pointer is captured in images acquired by the at least two cameras. Actual pointer contact with the touch surface and pointer hover above the touch surface can be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a pointer relative to a touch surface includes at least two spaced imaging assemblies having overlapping fields of view encompassing the touch surface. The imaging assemblies see the touch surface in three-dimensions as a perspective view. The imaging assemblies acquire overlapping images from different locations. A processor receives and processes image data generated by at least one of the imaging assemblies to determine the location of the pointer relative to the touch surface.