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.

Abstract: A system for detecting contact on a display is provided. The system comprises a planar medium associated with the display and includes at least one edge facet and opposing surfaces. The system also includes one or more optical sources operatively coupled to the at least one edge facet for transmitting an optical signal into the planar medium such that the transmitted optical signal is totally internally reflected between the at least one edge facet and opposing surfaces. An optical sensing device is positioned to substantially face at least a portion of the edge facet and adapted to detect at least one object contacting a first surface of the opposing surfaces. The optical sensing device is operative to detect a portion of the optical signal emitted from the first surface at a location corresponding to the object contacting the first surface.

Abstract: A system for detecting contact on a display is provided. The system comprises a planar medium associated with the display and includes at least one edge facet and opposing surfaces. The system also includes one or more optical sources operatively coupled to the at least one edge facet for transmitting an optical signal into the planar medium such that the transmitted optical signal is totally internally reflected between the at least one edge facet and opposing surfaces. An optical sensing device is positioned to substantially face at least a portion of the edge facet and adapted to detect at least one object contacting a first surface of the opposing surfaces. The optical sensing device is operative to detect a portion of the optical signal emitted from the first surface at a location corresponding to the object contacting the first surface.

Abstract: A method of tracking an object of interest preferably includes (i) acquiring a first image and a second image representing different viewpoints of the object of interest; (ii) processing the first image into a first image data set and the second image into a second image data set; (iii) processing the first image data set and the second image data set to generate a background data set associated with a background; (iv) generating a first difference map by determining differences between the first image data set and the background data set and a second difference map by determining differences between the second image data set and the background data set; (v) detecting a first relative position of the object of interest in the first difference map and a second relative position of the object of interest in the second difference map; and (vi) producing an absolute position of the object of interest from the first and second relative positions of the object of interest.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting a subject's eyes from being exposed to projected light when the subject is positioned in front of a background on which an image is displayed comprises capturing at least one image of the background including the displayed image, processing the captured image to detect the existence of the subject and to locate generally the subject and masking image data used by the projector to project the image corresponding to a region that encompasses at least the subject's eyes.

Abstract: An interactive input system comprises a touch surface, and imaging system associated with the touch surface and processing structure. The imaging system comprises an optical sensor array that spans at least a portion of the area of the touch surface, and the processing structure communicates with the imaging system and analyzes images received by the imaging system to determine whether at least one pointer is near to the touch surface and the location of the at least one pointer in respect of the touch surface based at least in part on the edge sharpness of the at least one pointer.

Abstract: An input panel for an interactive input system comprises an optical waveguide; a first radiation source directing radiation into said optical waveguide, said radiation undergoing total internal reflection within said optical waveguide; a diffusion layer adjacent to and on one side of the optical waveguide, totally internally reflected light being frustrated and escaping the optical waveguide in response to pointer contacts on the diffusion layer; a second radiation source directing radiation towards another side of the optical waveguide that is opposite the one side; and at least one imaging device having a field of view looking at the optical waveguide and capturing image frames, wherein said first and second radiation sources are turned on and off in succession and wherein said first radiation source is turned off when said second radiation source is on and wherein said first radiation source is turned on when said second radiation source is off.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

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.

Abstract: An interactive input system comprises at least one imaging device capturing images of a region of interest, a plurality of radiation sources, each providing illumination to the region of interest and a controller coordinating the operation of the radiation sources and the at least one imaging device to allow separate image frames based on contributions from different radiation sources to be generated.

Abstract: A method of tracking an object of interest preferably includes (i) acquiring a first image and a second image representing different viewpoints of the object of interest; (ii) processing the first image into a first image data set and the second image into a second image data set; (iii) processing the first image data set and the second image data set to generate a background data set associated with a background; (iv) generating a first difference map by determining differences between the first image data set and the background data set and a second difference map by determining differences between the second image data set and the background data set; (v) detecting a first relative position of the object of interest in the first difference map and a second relative position of the object of interest in the second difference map; and (vi) producing an absolute position of the object of interest from the first and second relative positions of the object of interest.

Abstract: A system for detecting contact on a display is provided. The system comprises a planar medium associated with the display and includes at least one edge facet and opposing surfaces. The system also includes one or more optical sources operatively coupled to the at least one edge facet for transmitting an optical signal into the planar medium such that the transmitted optical signal is totally internally reflected between the at least one edge facet and opposing surfaces. An optical sensing device is positioned to substantially face at least a portion of the edge facet and adapted to detect at least one object contacting a first surface of the opposing surfaces. The optical sensing device is operative to detect a portion of the optical signal emitted from the first surface at a location corresponding to the object contacting the first surface.

Abstract: A method of tracking an object of interest preferably includes (i) acquiring a first image and a second image representing different viewpoints of the object of interest; (ii) processing the first image into a first image data set and the second image into a second image data set; (iii) processing the first image data set and the second image data set to generate a background data set associated with a background; (iv) generating a first difference map by determining differences between the first image data set and the background data set and a second difference map by determining differences between the second image data set and the background data set; (v) detecting a first relative position of the object of interest in the first difference map and a second relative position of the object of interest in the second difference map; and (vi) producing an absolute position of the object of interest from the first and second relative positions of the object of interest.

Abstract: An interactive input system comprises imaging devices with different viewpoints and having at least partially overlapping fields of view encompassing a region of interest. At least two of the imaging devices have different focal lengths. Processing structure processes image data acquired by the imaging devices to detect the existence of a pointer and determine the location of the pointer within the region of interest.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting a subject's eyes from being exposed to projected light when the subject is positioned in front of a background on which an image is displayed comprises capturing at least one image of the background including the displayed image, processing the captured image to detect the existence of the subject and to locate generally the subject and masking image data used by the projector to project the image corresponding to a region that encompasses at least the subject's eyes.