| SMART Technologies ULC Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20120105380 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETECTING CONTACT ON A DISPLAY - 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. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120098858 | CONNECTED AND OVERLAPPED SHAPES ENHANCEMENTS - A method of ordering visual objects presented on a display includes comparing visual objects to be placed in an overlapping condition and determining from the comparison the order in which the visual objects are to be placed. The visual objects are re-ordered and placed in the overlapping condition in accordance with the determination. Methods of creating connecting links joining source and destination visual objects as well as overlapping object and object-connecting tools are also provided. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120068955 | POINTER TRACKING ACROSS MULTIPLE OVERLAPPING COORDINATE INPUT SUB-REGIONS DEFINING A GENERALLY CONTIGUOUS INPUT REGION - A touch system comprises overlapping coordinate input sub-regions defining a generally contiguous input surface. Each coordinate input sub-region generates pointer coordinate data in response to pointer contacts thereon. When a pointer contact is made on a region of a coordinate input sub-region that overlaps with an adjacent coordinate input sub-region, each overlapping coordinate input sub-region processes acquired images to derive pointer data and triangulates the position of the pointer using the derived pointer data. Thereafter, the triangulated positions generated by the overlapping coordinate input sub-regions are processed in accordance with defined logic thereby to determine the position of the pointer contact relative to the touch surface. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120039509 | INFORMATION-INPUTTING DEVICE INPUTTING CONTACT POINT OF OBJECT ON RECORDING SURFACE AS INFORMATION - Structure and function for inputting information preferably includes a display device having two cameras in respective corners thereof. At least one computer readable medium preferably has program instructions configured to cause at least one processing structure to: (i) extract an object located on a plane of the display device from an image that includes the plane of the object, (ii) determine whether the object is a writing implement by determining, when a plurality of objects are extracted from the image, that one of the plurality of objects that satisfies a prescribed condition is the writing implement, (iii) calculate a position of a contact point between the writing implement and the plane as information to be input if the object has been determined as the writing implement, and (iv) input the information representing a position on the plane indicated by the object. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120013529 | GESTURE RECOGNITION METHOD AND INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME - A gesture recognition method comprises capturing images, processing the images to identify at least two clusters of touch points associated with at least two pointers, recognizing a gesture based on motion of the clusters, and updating a display in accordance with the recognized gesture. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120007804 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND METHOD - 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. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20110318724 | EQUATION-BASED ASSESSMENT GRADING METHOD AND PARTICIPANT RESPONSE SYSTEM EMPLOYING SAME - A computerized assessment grading method comprises creating a syntax tree for a received equation-based response to at least one assessment question and a syntax tree for at least one solution to the at least one question, comparing the syntax trees, and grading the response based on the results of the comparison. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110298722 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND METHOD - An interactive input system includes an interactive surface, at least one proximity sensor positioned in proximity with the interactive surface; and processing structure communicating with the sensor and processing sensor output from the at least one proximity sensor for detecting a user in proximity with the interactive surface. A method of providing input into an interactive input system having an interactive surface includes communicating sensor output from at least one proximity sensor positioned in proximity with the interactive surface to processing structure of the interactive input system; and processing the sensor output for detecting a user located in proximity with the interactive surface. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110265034 | METHOD FOR HANDLING OBJECTS REPRESENTING ANNOTATIONS ON AN INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM EXECUTING THE METHOD - An interactive input system, method and computer readable medium for handling objects representing annotations on an interactive input system are disclosed. The method includes creating an annotation on the interactive input system, associating the annotation with a temporary grouping region, and in the event that a threshold amount of time passes before a further annotation is created within a threshold distance of the temporary grouping region, disabling the temporary grouping region to thereafter prevent automatic grouping with the annotation of any further annotation. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110246645 | PARTICIPANT RESPONSE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method of using an assessment in a participant response system having a plurality of response devices includes locking an assessment portion to be loaded to create a locked assessment portion; transmitting the locked assessment portion to each response device for storage in each response device; unlocking the assessment portion on each response device at a time prior to a scheduled start time thereby to enable access to the assessment portion; and starting the assessment portion on each response device at the scheduled start time. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110244953 | PARTICIPANT RESPONSE SYSTEM FOR THE TEAM SELECTION AND METHOD THEREFOR - A method for selecting teams from a group of participants using a participant response system comprises the steps of collecting participant information and selecting teams of participants by comparing the collected participant information with team requirement information using a computer-implemented numerical optimization technique. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110242060 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND INFORMATION INPUT METHOD THEREFOR - An interactive input system comprises at least one imaging assembly having a field of view looking into a region of interest and capturing image frames and processing structure in communication with the at least one imaging assembly. When a pointer exists in captured image frames, the processing structure demodulates the captured image frames to determine frequency components thereof and examines the frequency components to determine at least one attribute of the pointer. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110242006 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND PEN TOOL THEREFOR - 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. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110242005 | INTERACTIVE INPUT DEVICE WITH PALM REJECT CAPABILITIES - An interactive input device comprises a panel formed of energy transmissive material and having an input surface, energy dispersing structure associated with the panel, the energy dispersing structure dispersing energy emitted by a pointer that enters the panel via the input surface and at least one imaging assembly, at least some of the dispersed energy being directed towards the at least one imaging assembly. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241988 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND INFORMATION INPUT METHOD THEREFOR - An interactive input system includes at least one imaging device having a field of view looking into a region of interest and capturing images; at least one pen tool comprising an accelerometer configured to measure acceleration of the pen tool and to generate acceleration data, the pen tool configured to wirelessly transmit the acceleration data; and processing structure configured to process the images and acceleration data to determine the location of at least one pointer in the region of interest. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241987 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND INFORMATION INPUT METHOD THEREFOR - An interactive input system comprises at least one light source configured for emitting radiation into a region of interest, a bezel at least partially surrounding the region of interest and having a surface in the field of view of the at least one imaging device, where the surface absorbs the emitted radiation and at least one imaging device having a field of view looking through a filter and into the region of interest and capturing image frames. The filter has a passband comprising a wavelength of the emitted radiation. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241985 | METHOD OF DISPLAYING APPLICATIONS IN A MULTI-MONITOR COMPUTER SYSTEM AND MULTI-MONITOR COMPUTER SYSTEM EMPLOYING THE METHOD - A multi-monitor computer system includes a plurality of display devices communicating with at least one computing device executing an application management procedure. The application management procedure enables an application window available on one display device to be moved entirely to another display device by selecting the other display device from a dialog box displayed in response to a pointer-dragging input gesture on the application window. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110241984 | ILLUMINATION STRUCTURE FOR AN INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM - 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. The method includes capturing images generally across a display surface of a region of interest and a reflection of the region of interest; examining the images to determine at least one first potential target location for at least one pointer that is within the region of interest; analyzing the at least one first potential target location to resolve at least one first true target location associated with the at least one pointer; and calculating a first location for the at least one pointer corresponding to the at least one first true target location. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110234638 | GESTURE RECOGNITION METHOD AND TOUCH SYSTEM INCORPORATING THE SAME - 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. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110221706 | TOUCH INPUT WITH IMAGE SENSOR AND SIGNAL PROCESSOR - An interactive input system comprises at least two imaging assemblies capturing image frames of a region of interest from different vantages and processing structure processing image frames captured by the imaging assemblies to determine the location of a pointer within the region of interest, wherein each imaging assembly comprises an image sensor and integrated signal processing circuitry. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110199297 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DRAWING AND ERASING CALLIGRAPHIC INK OBJECTS ON A DISPLAY SURFACE - A method of generating a calligraphic ink object, comprising sampling contact coordinates generated by a coordinate input device during writing thereon using a pointer to generate an ink trajectory generally representing the writing; generating an ink envelope, the ink envelope comprising line segments joining pointer instances at the sampled contact coordinates; generating a smoothed ink envelope at least by fitting curves to points on the ink envelope; and drawing the smoothed ink envelope on a display thereby to generate the calligraphic ink object. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110175920 | METHOD FOR HANDLING AND TRANSFERRING DATA IN AN INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM, AND INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM EXECUTING THE METHOD - A method in a computing device of transferring data to another computing device includes establishing wireless communication with the other computing device, designating data for transfer to the other computing device; and in the event that the computing device assumes a predetermined orientation, automatically initiating wireless transfer of the data to the other computing device. A system implementing the method is provided. A method of handling a graphic object in an interactive input system having a first display device includes defining a graphic object placement region for the first display device that comprises at least a visible display region of the first display device and an invisible auxiliary region between the visible display region and an outside edge of the first display device; and in the event that the graphic object enters the invisible auxiliary region, automatically moving the graphic object through the invisible auxiliary region until at least a portion of the graphic object enters a visible display region of a second display device of a second interactive input system. A system implementing the method, and other related systems and methods, are provided. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110170253 | HOUSING ASSEMBLY FOR IMAGING ASSEMBLY AND FABRICATION METHOD THEREFOR - A housing assembly for an imaging assembly comprises a housing body comprising at least one passage for accommodating a respective light socket; and a filter integrated with the housing body through which an image sensor looks. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110169748 | METHOD FOR HANDLING USER INPUT IN AN INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM, AND INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM EXECUTING THE METHOD - An interactive input system comprises a display surface and processing structure communicating with the display surface. The processing structure presents on the display surface at least one graphic object, the graphic object having properties and a respective solution state comprising a value of at least one property. The processing structure in response to gesture input manipulates the value of the at least one property, and provides an indication as to whether the graphic object is in its solution state in response to the application of a predetermined amount of pressure against the display surface in association with the graphic object. A method and computer readable medium are also provided. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110169736 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND TOOL TRAY THEREFOR - An interactive input system comprises an interactive surface and a tool tray supporting at least one tool to be used to interact with the interactive surface. The tool tray comprises processing structure for communicating with at least one imaging device and processing data received from the at least one imaging device for locating a pointer positioned in proximity with the interactive surface. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110169727 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND ILLUMINATION SYSTEM THEREFOR - An interactive input system includes at least one illumination source emitting radiation into a region of interest; at least one imaging assembly capturing image frames of the region of interest, the at least one illumination source being in the field of view of the at least one imaging assembly; and a controller communicating with the at least one illumination source, the controller controlling the intensity of radiation emitted by the at least one illumination source during image frame capture. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110147562 | SAFETY DEVICE FOR A CANTILEVERED BEAM AND BOOM ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING THE SAME - A safety device ( | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110145733 | MULTI-PAGE ORGANIZING AND MANIPULATING ELECTRONIC DOCUMENTS - A software tool for organizing and manipulating an electronic document comprising at least one group of document pages, comprises a first user interface module configured to present the document pages of the electronic document in a list-like arrangement; a second user interface module configured to present the document pages of each group in a respective panel; and means operable to manipulate a plurality of selected document pages presented in one or more of the panels simultaneously. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110134120 | METHOD AND COMPUTING DEVICE FOR CAPTURING SCREEN IMAGES AND FOR IDENTIFYING SCREEN IMAGE CHANGES USING A GPU - A method for identifying changes between a current image and a previous image comprises generating a mask using a graphics processing unit, the mask identifying differences between the current and previous images using the graphics processing unit to identify at least a portion of the current image based on the mask and copying image data of the current image corresponding to the identified portions from memory associated with the graphics processing unit to memory associated with a central processing unit. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110128218 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND BEZEL THEREFOR - An interactive input system comprises at least one imaging device having a field of view looking into a region of interest. At least one radiation source emits radiation into the region of interest. A pliable bezel at least partially surrounds the region of interest. The pliable bezel has a reflective surface in the field of view of said at least one imaging device. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110119608 | METHOD AND GRAPHICAL INTERFACE FOR EMBEDDING ANIMATED CONTENT INTO A COMPUTER APPLICATION - A method of displaying a computer application comprising a plurality of objects within an initially transparent application window comprises creating an animated content window below the application window for each animated content object of the computer application and directing the player responsible for playing the animated content object to draw the animated content directly therein. The objects of the computer application are examined and a clipping mask for each animated content object corresponding generally to the animated content window created therefor is defined. Starting from bottom to top, an object from the list is selected. If the selected object is not an animated content object, the object is drawn within the application window except in areas corresponding to the clipping masks. If the selected object is an animated content object, the clipping mask defined for animated content object is removed, thereby to allow selected objects in the list above the animated content object to be drawn thereover. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110095989 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND BEZEL THEREFOR - An interactive input system comprises at least one imaging device having a field of view looking into a region of interest, a bezel at least partially surrounding the region of interest and having a surface in the field of view of the at least one imaging device, a first radiation source emitting radiation into the region of interact that is generally matched to the characteristics of the bezel so that the radiation emitted by the first radiation source is reflected by the bezel surface generally towards the at least one imaging device and a second radiation source emitting radiation into the region of interest that is generally unmatched to the characteristics of the bezel so that the radiation emitted by the second radiation source is not reflected by the bezel surface. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110095977 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM INCORPORATING MULTI-ANGLE REFLECTING STRUCTURE - An interactive input system comprises at least one imaging device having a field of view looking into a region of interest. At least one radiation source emits radiation into the region of interest. A bezel at least partially surrounds the region of interest. The bezel comprises a multi-angle reflecting structure to reflect emitted radiation from the at least one radiation source towards the at least one imaging device. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110087973 | DISTRIBUTED SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGEMENT OF MULTIPLE USERS AND WORKSPACES - A distributed system for managing users and workspaces comprises a network cloud comprising at least one server configured to store and run at least one application and at least one meeting appliance configured to communicate with the network cloud, to run the at least one application on the network cloud, and to display output of the at least application on the meeting appliance. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110069019 | METHOD FOR MANIPULATING A GRAPHIC WIDGET IN A THREE-DIMENSIONAL ENVIRONMENT DISPLAYED ON A TOUCH PANEL OF AN INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM - A method for manipulating a graphic widget in a three-dimensional environment displayed on a touch panel of an interactive input system is provided. The method includes tracking the x-y positions of two touch points associated with the graphic widget; and modifying the z-position of the graphic widget in accordance with changes in the distance between the x-y positions of the touch points. An interactive input system and computer readable medium embodying the method is also provided. | 03-24-2011 |
| 20110063191 | METHOD OF MANAGING APPLICATIONS IN A MULTI-MONITOR COMPUTER SYSTEM AND MULTI-MONITOR COMPUTER SYSTEM EMPLOYING THE METHOD - A method of managing applications in a multi-monitor computer system ( | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110050650 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO (SNR) AND IMAGE CAPTURE METHOD - 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. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110043480 | MULTIPLE INPUT ANALOG RESISTIVE TOUCH PANEL AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A user input system comprises a top structure defining a touch surface. The top structure is disposed above and separated from a bottom structure by an air gap. Conductive resistive material is provided on facing surfaces of the upper and lower structures. The conductive resistive material on at least one of the upper and lower structures is configured to define at least a pair of electrically isolated resistive sheets. The top and bottom structures are moveable relative to one another in response to one or more contacts on the touch surface to bring the conductive resistive material on the top and bottom structures into contact adjacent each contact location. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110035448 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING VIDEO DATA FROM MULTIPLE SOURCE COMPUTERS IN A MULTI-MONITOR COMPUTER SYSTEM - An apparatus, method and computer program product, for displaying video data from at least one source computer in a multi-monitor computer system, are provided. The apparatus includes a source computer interface for receiving at least video data from at least one source computer, and a multi-monitor interface for providing video data to multiple monitors. A processing structure coordinates routing of video data received via the multi-monitor interface to the monitors based on display requests received from the at least one source computer. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110032216 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND ARM ASSEMBLY THEREFOR - An interactive input system comprises a display unit having a display surface, a bezel disposed around at least a portion of the periphery of a region of interest proximate at least a portion of said display surface and having an inwardly facing surface and an elongate arm assembly configured to be mounted to the display unit. The arm assembly supports imaging devices thereon and is longitudinally extendable to position the imaging devices at spaced locations relative to the display surface such that the fields of view of the imaging devices encompass the region of interest. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110032215 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND COMPONENTS THEREFOR - A display panel for an interactive input system comprises first and second touch surfaces on opposite major sides thereof and a touch detection arrangement to detect touch input on one or both of the touch surfaces. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110006981 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM - A method for resolving ambiguities between at least two pointers in a plurality of input regions defining an input area of an interactive input system. The method includes capturing images of the plurality of input regions, the images captured by a plurality of imaging devices having a field of view of at least a portion of the input area, processing image data from the images to identify a plurality of targets for the at least two pointers within the input area, and analyzing the plurality of targets to resolve a real location associated with each pointer. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20100315994 | PARTICIPANT RESPONSE SYSTEM WITH FACILITATED COMMUNICATIONS BANDWIDTH - A participant response system ( | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100313155 | LINKING AND MANAGING MATHEMATICAL OBJECTS - A method for relating at least two mathematical objects in a computing apparatus having a graphical user interface is described. The method comprises receiving instructions via the graphical user interface to relate a first mathematical object with a second mathematical object; updating the second mathematical object using data of the first mathematical object; linking the first mathematical object to the second mathematical object; and creating a visual link between the first mathematical object and the second mathematical object. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20100281287 | PARTICIPANT RESPONSE SYSTEM EMPLOYING BATTERY POWERED, WIRELESS REMOTE UNITS - A participant response system ( | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100265202 | PASSIVE TOUCH SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETECTING USER INPUT - 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. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100201812 | ACTIVE DISPLAY FEEDBACK IN INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEMS - A method for distinguishing between a plurality of pointers in an interactive input system comprises calculating a plurality of potential coordinates for a plurality of pointers in proximity of an input surface of the interactive input system, displaying visual indicators associated with each potential coordinate on the input surface, and determining real pointer locations and imaginary pointer locations associated with each potential coordinate from the visual indicators. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100194708 | TOUCH PANEL AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A touch panel includes an input registration structure comprising a biasable medium layer. A generally inflexible cover is disposed on the input registration structure and defines a touch surface. A pointer biases the biasable medium layer at a position adjacent the pointer when the pointer is positioned proximate the touch surface. The input registration structure generates a position signal corresponding to the position of the pointer in relation to the touch surface. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100188370 | CAMERA-BASED TOUCH SYSTEM - A camera-based touch system ( | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100182416 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INHIBITING A SUBJECT'S EYES FROM BEING EXPOSED TO PROJECTED LIGHT - 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 an 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, the image data masking compensating for differing camera and projector viewpoints. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100178645 | PARTICIPANT RESPONSE SYSTEM WITH QUESTION AUTHORING/EDITING FACILITY - A participant response system ( | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100164891 | GESTURE RECOGNITION METHOD AND TOUCH SYSTEM INCORPORATING THE SAME - 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. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100162554 | TENSIONED TOUCH PANEL AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME - A tensioned touch panel includes a support structure having a substrate with a generally planer conductive surface disposed thereon and an insulating spacer generally about the periphery of the substrate. A pretensioned conductive member overlies the support structure. The spacer separates the conductive membrane and the conductive surface thereby to define an air gap therebetween. A conductive membrane is secured to the support structure under sufficient tension to inhibit slack from developing in the conductive membrane as a result of changes in environmental conditions. A method of assembling a tensioned touch panel is also provided. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100153160 | SYSTEM FOR SUPPORTING COORDINATION OF RESOURCES FOR EVENTS IN AN ORGANIZATION - A system and method for supporting coordination of resources for events in an organization includes a knowledge component storing a resource-utilization model, the resource-utilization model comprising at least one ontology, each ontology comprising a respective schema and data stored according to the schema; a knowledge acquisition component adapting the resource-utilization model in real-time in response to receiving data from various sources about resource utilization in the organization; a domain reasoner adapting the resource-utilization model based on contents of a modifiable set of rules applied by the organization; and a query endpoint receiving queries about resources for events and responding to the queries based on the resource-utilization model. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100149349 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING IMAGES OF A TARGET AREA ON WHICH INFORMATION IS RECORDED - A system for capturing images of a target area on which information is recorded includes a boom assembly adapted to extend outwardly from a generally vertical surface. At least one digital camera is mounted on the boom assembly at a location spaced from the surface. The at least one digital camera is oriented so that the field of view thereof encompasses a target area on the surface. A controller is in communication with the at least one digital camera. The controller conditions the at least one digital camera to acquire an image of the target area. The image acquired by the at least one digital camera is conveyed to the controller and is processed to determine if an obstacle blocking the target area is in the captured image. If so, the captured image is not further processed and additional images are acquired until an image of the target area is captured without the obstacle therein. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100123719 | METHOD AND TOOL FOR CREATING IRREGULAR-SHAPED TABLES - A computerized method of creating an irregular-shaped table of cells comprises detecting one or more cells of a table to be removed, removing each detected cell from the table and creating a table object representing the resultant irregular-shaped table. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20100115145 | PLUG-AND-PLAY DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A plug-and-play device comprises a first plug-and-play interface for establishing a connection with a first computing device and a second plug-and-play interface for establishing a connection with a second computing device. Storage stores code that is automatically executed by the second computing device when the plug-and-play device is connected to the second computing device via the second plug-and-play interface. The code when executed by the second computing device initiates a screen display data exchange between the first and second computing devices through the plug-and-play device. A controller controls the first plug-and-play interface, the second plug-and-play interface and the storage. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100110005 | INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM WITH MULTI-ANGLE REFLECTOR - An interactive input system comprises a pointer input region; and a multi-angle reflecting structure located along a single side of the pointer input region and operable to reflect radiation from a pointer within the pointer input region from at least two surface locations of the multi-angle reflecting structure, wherein the at least two surface locations each have different respective angles. An imaging system is operable to capture within at least a portion of the pointer input region images of the reflected radiation located within a field of view of the imaging system. Processing structure is provided for determining the location of the pointer relative to the pointer input region based on the at least one image. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100103330 | IMAGE PROJECTION METHODS AND INTERACTIVE INPUT/PROJECTION SYSTEMS EMPLOYING THE SAME - 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. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100083109 | METHOD FOR HANDLING INTERACTIONS WITH MULTIPLE USERS OF AN INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM, AND INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM EXECUTING THE METHOD - A method for handling a user request in a multi-user interactive input system comprises receiving a user request to perform an action from one user area defined on a display surface of the interactive input system and prompting for input from at least one other user via at least one other user area. In the event that input concurring with the user request is received from another user area, the action is performed. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100079493 | METHOD FOR SELECTING AND MANIPULATING A GRAPHICAL OBJECT IN AN INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM, AND INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM EXECUTING THE METHOD - A method for selecting a graphic widget displayed on a background of an interactive input system comprises tracking one or more touch points associated with the background, and in the event that one or more touch points coincide with a location of the graphic widget, associating the coinciding touch points with the graphic widget. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100079409 | TOUCH PANEL FOR AN INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM, AND INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM INCORPORATING THE TOUCH PANEL - A touch panel for an interactive input system and interactive input system incorporating the touch panel is provided. The touch panel includes an optical waveguide layer and a resilient diffusion layer. The resilient diffusion layer is against the optical waveguide layer and causes light traveling within the optical waveguide layer to escape only when compressed against the optical waveguide layer at one or more touch points. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100079385 | METHOD FOR CALIBRATING AN INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM EXECUTING THE CALIBRATION METHOD - A method of calibrating an interactive input system comprises receiving images of a calibration video presented on a touch panel of the interactive input system. A calibration image is created based on the received images, and features are located in the calibration image. A transformation between the touch panel and the received images is determined based on the located features and corresponding features in the calibration video. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100060613 | SIZE/SCALE ORIENTATION DETERMINATION OF A POINTER IN A CAMERA-BASED TOUCH SYSTEM - 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. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20090292999 | DESKTOP SHARING METHOD AND SYSTEM - In a distributed computer network where displayed information is shared between at least two computers, a method of enabling remote control of a host computer having a display region that is to be shared with at least one client computer. The method includes tracking time lapsed since a local user input event has occurred while the host computer is under local control and in the event that the time lapsed exceeds a threshold, enabling remote control of the host computer by a client computer. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090278795 | Interactive Input System And Illumination Assembly Therefor - An illumination assembly for an interactive input system comprises at least two proximate radiation sources directing radiation into a region of interest, each of the radiation sources having a different emission angle. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090278794 | Interactive Input System With Controlled Lighting - 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. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090277697 | Interactive Input System And Pen Tool Therefor - A pen tool for use with an interactive input system comprises an elongate body, at least one switch assembly accommodated by the body and a controller accommodated by the body and communicating with the at least one switch assembly. The at least one switch assembly is actualable when the pen tool is brought into contact with an input surface of the interactive input system. The controller is responsive to actuation of the at least one switch assembly. The at least one switch assembly comprises a contact circuit and a plunger assembly having a conductive element thereon that is generally aligned with the contact circuit. The plunger assembly is moveable into the body to bring the conductive element into contact with the contact circuit thereby actuate the at least one switch assembly. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090277694 | Interactive Input System And Bezel Therefor - An interactive input system comprises a bezel at least partially surrounding a region of interest. The bezel has a plurality of bands thereon with at least some adjacent bands having different optical properties. At least one imaging device looks into the region of interest and sees the at least one bezel so that acquired images comprise regions corresponding to the bands. Processing structure processes pixels of a plurality of the regions to detect the existence of a pointer in the region of interest | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090271848 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COORDINATING DATA SHARING IN A NETWORK WITH AT LEAST ONE PHYSICAL DISPLAY DEVICE - An apparatus for coordinating data sharing in a computer network with at least one physical display device is provided. The apparatus includes a code generator generating at least one unique temporary session connection code (SCC), and a storage device storing associations between each of the at least one SCC and one or more of the at least one physical display device. An interface receives requests from one or more source computers to establish communications sessions for sharing data, and a processor in response to a request establishes a communications session between the requesting source computer and at least one physical display device only in the event that at least one condition is met. The at least one condition includes that a valid SCC is received with the request. The establishing is based on the received SCC. Related methods and computer programs are disclosed. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090245654 | Method And Tool For Recognizing A Hand-Drawn Table - A computerized method of recognizing an input hand-drawn table formed by freeform line objects comprises transforming each freeform line object of the table into one of a vertical line segment and a horizontal line segment, generating a grid system based on the vertical and horizontal line segments and converting the generated grid system into a table object. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090198839 | PLUG-AND-PLAY DEVICE AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME - A plug-and-play device comprises a first plug-and-play interface for establishing a connection with a first computing device and a second plug-and-play interface for establishing a connection with a second computing device. Storage stores code that is automatically executed by the second computing device when the plug-and-play device is connected to the second computing device via the second plug-and-play interface. The code when executed by the second computing device initiates a screen display data exchange between the first and second computing devices through the plug-and-play device. A controller controls the first plug-and-play interface, the second plug-and-play interface and the storage. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090173867 | SAFETY DEVICE FOR CANTILEVERED BEAM AND BOOM ASSEMBLY INCORPORATING THE SAME - A safety device for a cantilevered beam pivotally mounted adjacent one end thereof to a support surface is adapted to bridge the beam and the support surface and is structured so that when coupled to the beam and support surface, the safety device maintains the beam in a substantially fixed cantilevered condition until a downward force exceeding a threshold is applied to the beam and thereafter controls downward pivoting of the beam. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090160818 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INJECTING INK INTO AN APPLICATION - A touch system includes a touch panel having a touch surface and a projector for projecting images onto the touch surface. A computer executing an applications program is coupled to the touch panel and the projector. The computer is responsive to contact output generated by the touch panel in response to proximity of a pointer to the touch surface and updates image data conveyed to the projector so that the images presented on the touch surface reflect the pointer activity. The computer executes a gesture responsive ink injection routine to detect when a selected gesture is made with the pointer on the touch surface. The gesture responsive ink injection routine performs recognition to convert ink drawn on the touch surface into a form suitable for the applications program when the selected gesture is recognized and enters the recognized text into the application. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090160801 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN POINTERS USED TO CONTACT TOUCH SURFACE - 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. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090153523 | PASSIVE TOUCH SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETECTING USER INPUT - 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. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090146973 | DUAL MODE TOUCH SYSTEMS - An apparatus for detecting a pointer includes a waveguide and a touch surface over the waveguide on which pointer contacts are to be made. At least one reflecting device extends along a first side of the waveguide and touch surface. The reflecting device defines an optical path between the interior of the waveguide and the region of interest above the touch surface. At least one imaging device looks across the touch surface and into the waveguide. The imaging device captures images of the region of interest and within the waveguide including reflections from the reflecting device. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090146972 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING A POINTER RELATIVE TO A TOUCH SURFACE - 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. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20080297471 | GESTURE RECOGNITION METHOD AND TOUCH SYSTEM INCORPORATING THE SAME - 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. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080219507 | Passive Touch System And Method Of Detecting User Input - 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. | 09-11-2008 |
