Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying an image as a virtual representation of an object based upon detected external light are described. An illustrative computer-implemented method includes steps of detecting the ambient light of an environment, such as a room, at a display surface. Data representative of the detected ambient light is processed to determine a direction of the detected light with respect to the display surface. An image is displayed on the display surface as a virtual representation of an object based upon the detected ambient light. Shadowing affects may be displayed to create the appearance that the virtual representation of the object casts a shadow on the display surface. Physical objects placed against or near to the surface of the display surface may also have images displayed on the display surface corresponding to shadows created by the ambient light.

Abstract: Methods and systems for displaying an image as a virtual representation of an object based upon detected external light are described. An illustrative computer-implemented method includes steps of detecting the ambient light of an environment, such as a room, at a display surface. Data representative of the detected ambient light is processed to determine a direction of the detected light with respect to the display surface. An image is displayed on the display surface as a virtual representation of an object based upon the detected ambient light. Shadowing affects may be displayed to create the appearance that the virtual representation of the object casts a shadow on the display surface. Physical objects placed against or near to the surface of the display surface may also have images displayed on the display surface corresponding to shadows created by the ambient light.

Abstract: For use with an interactive display system having a generally horizontal interactive display surface, four speakers that are disposed at spaced-apart locations within a housing of the system so that a sound field produced by one or more energized speakers is directed outwardly as desired. A personal computer (PC) selectively energizes one or more of the speakers in accord with a predefined criteria so that a direction of the sound field produced is generally consistent with the disposition of a user, or a state of a software application, or a disposition of a virtual object on the interactive display surface. In one embodiment, each of the speakers is mounted in a different side or end of the interactive display system. In another embodiment, the speakers are mounted at the corners of the housing. One or more of the speakers are energized at a time to produce the desired sound field.