Abstract: A system and method for tracking the x, y and z coordinates of a position of an input device in an interactive computer system is disclosed. An image sensor situated on the input device captures images of an electronic marker displayed on a display screen. As the position of the input device changes, the features of the electronic marker as captured by the image sensor also change. Images of the electronic marker captured during game play are compared to a calibration image of the electronic marker to determine current x, y and z coordinates of positions of the input device. The game display is updated to reflect the movements of the input device.

Abstract: A controller apparatus for manipulating objects in an electronic application. The controller apparatus comprises a free-standing graspable controller. The controller apparatus comprises a first optical component and a second optical component to determine the rotation direction and speed of the controller. The direction and speed data are relayed to the electronic device to produce an object manipulation in the electronic application.

Abstract: An imager captures light reflecting off an object of interest and generates two or more images of the object. A controller identifies artifacts in one of the captured images and defines one or more non-interpretation regions in a binary image. The non-interpretation regions include pixels representative of the artifacts and do not include pixels representative of the object of interest. The controller performs pixel operations on the pixels in the binary image to reduce a number of artifacts in a final image.

Abstract: Each opto-mechanical pointing device includes a housing having a base that two or more rollers extend beyond to make contact with a surface. An optical module that includes a light source and a detector track the motion of the opto-mechanical pointing device directly or indirectly. Light reflecting off markings positioned opposite of each detector is used to determine the speed and distance traveled by an opto-electrical pointing device. Alternatively, the speed and distance traveled by an opto-electrical pointing device is determined by monitoring the tilt or rotation of the opto-mechanical pointing device with respect to the surface beneath the pointing device.

Abstract: An imager captures light reflecting off an object of interest and generates two or more images of the object. A controller identifies one or more non-interpretation regions in one of the captured images and uses the non-interpretation regions to reduce a number of artifacts in a final image.

Abstract: An imager captures light reflecting off an object of interest and generates two or more images of the object. A controller identifies one or more non-interpretation regions in one of the captured images and uses the non-interpretation regions to reduce a number of artifacts in a final image.

Abstract: A detector captures one or more images of the face, eyes, or pupils of a person using light propagating at two or more angles of incidence with respect to the optical axis of the detector. A difference image is then generated by subtracting one image from another image. A computed location associated with the pupils in the difference image is then compared with a reference location to determine the gaze direction of the pupils.

Abstract: An imaging system and method are provided that use imaging information relating to positions of one or more retroreflectors attached to one or more surfaces of an object of interest to determine the shape and/or displacement of the surface or surfaces on which the retroreflector or retroreflectors are located. A variety of types of information may then be ascertained based on the determination as to the shape and/or displacement of the surface of the object, such as the value of some physiological parameter of a patient, internal and external pressure of an object, acoustical vibrations sensed by a microphone, positions of fingertips on a keyboard, etc.

Abstract: A method and system for an optical navigation device configured to generate navigation information through a transparent layer. Specifically, the optical navigation device includes a light source that is configured to illuminate a reflective surface through a layer that is optically transparent to the light source. A sensor is configured to generate navigation information in response to light reflecting off the reflective surface. The sensor is configured with a depth of field to support a distance between the sensor and the reflective surface. A contact sensor is also included to indicate when the optical navigation device is no longer in contact with the transparent layer. The contact sensor allows for skating functionality for the optical navigation device.

Abstract: Each opto-mechanical pointing device includes a housing having a base that two or more rollers extend beyond to make contact with a surface. An optical module that includes a light source and a detector track the motion of the opto-mechanical pointing device directly or indirectly. Light reflecting off markings positioned opposite of each detector is used to determine the speed and distance traveled by an opto-electrical pointing device. Alternatively, the speed and distance traveled by an opto-electrical pointing device is determined by monitoring the tilt or rotation of the opto-mechanical pointing device with respect to the surface beneath the pointing device.

Abstract: Advantage is taken of the fact that as a player becomes uncomfortable, visually observable aspects of the player's physiological state, such as the frequency of eye blinks, may change. By analyzing such changes and/or other image changes, as obtained from signals generated by an input device, the system is able to determine changes in a player's comfort level and change the game accordingly.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a system for detecting entry of an object from a first area into a second area. The system includes a light source for generating a light beam, the light beam defining a boundary between the first area and the second area. The system further includes a retroreflector positioned across from the light source, the retroreflector for reflecting the light beam back towards the light source and a photodetector positioned adjacent to the light source, the photodetector for detecting the reflected light beam wherein the photodetector generates a signal in response to detecting an interruption in the light beam signaling entry of an object from the first area to the second area.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a sensor system includes an illumination source for outputting illumination. Furthermore, the sensor system also includes an imager for receiving the illumination reflected from a target utilized for authentication. It is noted that the target includes a patterned filter and a reflective substrate.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking the x, y and z coordinates of a position of an input device in an interactive computer system is disclosed. An image sensor situated on the input device captures images of an electronic marker displayed on a display screen. As the position of the input device changes, the features of the electronic marker as captured by the image sensor also change. Images of the electronic marker captured during game play are compared to a calibration image of the electronic marker to determine current x, y and z coordinates of positions of the input device. The game display is updated to reflect the movements of the input device.

Abstract: A controller apparatus for manipulating objects in an electronic application. The controller apparatus comprises a free-standing graspable controller. The controller apparatus comprises a first optical component and a second optical component to determine the rotation direction and speed of the controller. The direction and speed data are relayed to the electronic device to produce an object manipulation in the electronic application.

Abstract: A method and system for an optical navigation device configured to generate navigation information through a transparent layer. Specifically, the optical navigation device includes a light source that is configured to illuminate a reflective surface through a layer that is optically transparent to the light source. A sensor is configured to generate navigation information in response to light reflecting off the reflective surface. The sensor is configured with a depth of field to support a distance between the sensor and the reflective surface. A contact sensor is also included to indicate when the optical navigation device is no longer in contact with the transparent layer. The contact sensor allows for skating functionality for the optical navigation device.

Abstract: A detector captures one or more images of the face, eyes, or pupils of a person using light propagating at two or more angles of incidence with respect to the optical axis of the detector. A difference image is then generated by subtracting one image from another image. A computed location associated with the pupils in the difference image is then compared with a reference location to determine the gaze direction of the pupils.

Abstract: Multiple images of an object are captured by one or more imagers. Each image is captured with one or more differing image capture parameters. Image capture parameters include the status (i.e., on or off), wavelength and position of each light source and the status and position of each imager. Two or more difference images are then generated using at least a portion of the captured images and the difference images analyzed to detect the object. The reflections from artifacts are reduced or largely cancelled out in the difference images when each image is captured with one or more different image capture parameters.

Abstract: An optical imaging system and method for achieving a large depth of field without decreasing the relative aperture of an imaging lens. The imaging system has a light source for sequentially illuminating an object to be imaged with light of different ones of a plurality of wavelengths, and an imaging lens that has a focal length that varies with the wavelength of the light that illuminates the object. For each wavelength of light by which the object is illuminated, the imaging lens will image a different object plane onto an image receiving unit, and the image receiving unit will capture one well-focused, high resolution image of the object.

Abstract: An imaging system and method are provided that use imaging information relating to positions of one or more retroreflectors attached to one or more surfaces of an object of interest to determine the shape and/or displacement of the surface or surfaces on which the retroreflector or retroreflectors are located. A variety of types of information may then be ascertained based on the determination as to the shape and/or displacement of the surface of the object, such as the value of some physiological parameter of a patient, internal and external pressure of an object, acoustical vibrations sensed by a microphone, positions of fingertips on a keyboard, etc.