Patents by Inventor Gerald D. Morrison
Gerald D. Morrison has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9383864Abstract: An illumination structure for an interactive input system having a display surface and a light source for backlighting the display surface is provided. The illumination structure includes at least one redirection structure positioned with respect to the display surface to receive excess light produced by the light source and to redirect the excess light generally across the display surface for backlighting one or more pointers. A method is provided for determining the location of at least one pointer in an interactive input system.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2010Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULCInventors: Gerald D. Morrison, Grant McGibney, Daniel P. McReynolds
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Patent number: 9292109Abstract: A pen tool for use with a machine vision interactive input system comprises an elongate body, a tip on the body and a variable reflector disposed on the body. The variable reflector comprises a reflecting portion and an attenuating portion configured to control the amount of illumination reflected by the reflecting portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Sean Thompson, Grant McGibney, Gerald D. Morrison
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Patent number: 8591039Abstract: An image projecting method comprises determining the position of a projection surface within a projection zone of at least one projector based on at least one image of the projection surface, the projection zone being sized to encompass multiple surface positions and modifying video image data output to the at least one projector so that the projected image corresponds generally to the projection surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2008Date of Patent: November 26, 2013Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Gerald D. Morrison, Paul Anthony Auger, Mark Andrew Fletcher, Gregory Gordon Forrest, Holly Pekau
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Patent number: 8456451Abstract: A touch system comprises a touch surface and at least one camera acquiring images of the touch surface. A pointer contact data generator generates pointer position data in response to pointer contact with the touch surface, the pointer position data representing where on the touch surface pointer contact is made. A processor communicates with the at least one camera and the pointer contact data generator. The processor analyzes acquired images to determine the type of pointer used to contact the touch surface, and processes the pointer position data in accordance with the determined type of pointer. In the preferred embodiment the processor distinguishes between pointer tip touch surface contacts, pointer backend touch surface contacts and finger touch surface contacts. A writing function is invoked in response to pointer tip touch surface contacts. An erase function is invoked in response to pointer backend touch surface contacts. Mouse events are generated in response to finger touch surface contacts.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2008Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Gerald D. Morrison, David E. Holmgren
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Patent number: 8325134Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2011Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Douglas B. Hill, Gerald D. Morrison
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Publication number: 20120007804Abstract: A method of resolving ambiguities between at least two pointers within a region of interest comprises capturing images of the region of interest and at least one reflection thereof from different vantages using a plurality of imaging devices, processing image data to identify a plurality of targets for the at least two pointers, for each image, determining a state for each target and assigning a weight to the image data based on the state, and calculating a pointer location for each of the at least two pointers based on the weighted image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2010Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Gerald D. Morrison, Daniel Peter McReynolds, Alex Chtchetinine, Grant Howard McGibney, David E. Holmgren, Ye Zhou, Brinda Kabada, Sameh Al-Eryani
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Publication number: 20110241984Abstract: An illumination structure for an interactive input system having a display surface and a light source for backlighting the display surface is provided. The illumination structure includes at least one redirection structure positioned with respect to the display surface to receive excess light produced by the light source and to redirect the excess light generally across the display surface for backlighting one or more pointers. A method is provided for determining the location of at least one pointer in an interactive input system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Gerald D. Morrison, Grant McGibney, Daniel P. McReynolds
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Publication number: 20110234638Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULCInventors: Douglas B. HILL, Gerald D. MORRISON
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Patent number: 7880720Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2009Date of Patent: February 1, 2011Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Douglas B. Hill, Gerald D. Morrison
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Publication number: 20100164891Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2009Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULCInventors: DOUGLAS B. HILL, Gerald D. Morrison
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Publication number: 20100103330Abstract: An image projecting method comprises determining the position of a projection surface within a projection zone of at least one projector based on at least one image of the projection surface, the projection zone being sized to encompass multiple surface positions and modifying video image data output to the at least one projector so that the projected image corresponds generally to the projection surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULCInventors: Gerald D. MORRISON, Paul Anthony AUGER, Mark Andrew FLETCHER, Gregory Gordon FORREST, Holly PEKAU
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Patent number: 7643006Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2008Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: Douglas B. Hill, Gerald D. Morrison
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Publication number: 20090160801Abstract: A touch system comprises a touch surface and at least one camera acquiring images of the touch surface. A pointer contact data generator generates pointer position data in response to pointer contact with the touch surface, the pointer position data representing where on the touch surface pointer contact is made. A processor communicates with the at least one camera and the pointer contact data generator. The processor analyzes acquired images to determine the type of pointer used to contact the touch surface, and processes the pointer position data in accordance with the determined type of pointer. In the preferred embodiment the processor distinguishes between pointer tip touch surface contacts, pointer backend touch surface contacts and finger touch surface contacts. A writing function is invoked in response to pointer tip touch surface contacts. An erase function is invoked in response to pointer backend touch surface contacts. Mouse events are generated in response to finger touch surface contacts.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2008Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULCInventors: GERALD D. MORRISON, David E. Holmgren
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Publication number: 20090146972Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2009Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicant: SMART Technologies ULCInventors: GERALD D. MORRISON, David E. Holmgren
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Patent number: 7532206Abstract: A touch system comprises a touch surface and at least one camera acquiring images of the touch surface. A pointer contact data generator generates pointer position data in response to pointer contact with the touch surface, the pointer position data representing where on the touch surface pointer contact is made. A processor communicates with the at least one camera and the pointer contact data generator. The processor analyzes acquired images to determine the type of pointer used to contact the touch surface, and processes the pointer position data in accordance with the determined type of pointer. In the preferred embodiment the processor distinguishes between pointer tip touch surface contacts, pointer backend touch surface contacts and finger touch surface contacts. A writing function is invoked in response to pointer tip touch surface contacts. An erase function is invoked in response to pointer backend touch surface contacts. Mouse events are generated in response to finger touch surface contacts.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2003Date of Patent: May 12, 2009Assignee: Smart Technologies ULCInventors: Gerald D. Morrison, David E. Holmgren
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Patent number: 7492357Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2004Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: Smart Technologies ULCInventors: Gerald D. Morrison, David E. Holmgren
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Publication number: 20080297471Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2008Publication date: December 4, 2008Applicant: SMART TECHNOLOGIES ULCInventors: Douglas B. Hill, Gerald D. Morrison
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Patent number: 7411575Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2003Date of Patent: August 12, 2008Assignee: Smart Technologies ULCInventors: Douglas B. Hill, Gerald D. Morrison
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Patent number: 7256772Abstract: A touch system includes a touch surface on which an image is, displayed and at least one camera acquiring images of the touch surface. A pointer contact data generator generates pointer position data in response to pointer contact with the touch surface. The pointer position data represents the location of the pointer on the touch surface where pointer contact is made. A processor communicates with the at least one camera and the pointer contact data generator. The processor uses known points in the displayed images to calibrate automatically co-ordinate systems of the touch system, and uses calibrated pointer position data to update image data that is used to present the displayed image on the touch surface. In one embodiment, the touch system includes an active touch sensitive screen that comprises both the touch surface and the pointer contact data generator.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2003Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Smart Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Gerald D. Morrison
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Patent number: 7232986Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a pointer within a region of interest includes at least one pair of imaging devices. The imaging devices have overlapping fields of view encompassing the region of interest. At least one light source provides illumination across the region of interest and is within the field of view of at least one of the imaging device. A filter is associated with the at least one imaging device whose field of view sees the light source. The filter blocks light projected by the light source to inhibit the imaging device from being blinded by the projected light.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2004Date of Patent: June 19, 2007Assignee: SMART Technologies Inc.Inventors: Stephen Worthington, Gerald D. Morrison, Patrick James Gurtler