Graphical input controller and method with rear screen image detection

A method for providing graphical input signals for an interactive computer system using an opaque enclosure with multiple semi-transparent light-diffusing panels and an imaging device disposed relative to the panels, the method including the steps of:

• touching an outside surface of one panel;
• imaging inner surfaces of the panels with the imaging device;
• providing an image signal in response to an image of the inner surface of a panel;
• acquiring a background image of the panels before touching the one panel;
• normalizing the image signal in response to the background image;
• determining the coordinates of the image of a touch on the panel;
• transforming the coordinates into a three dimensional image in response to the coordinates;
• and
• providing a signalrepresentative of the transformed coordinates.

A method for providing graphical input signals from an input device for an interactive computer system using an opaque enclosure with a semi-transparent light-diffusing panel and an imaging device disposed relative to the panel, the method including the steps of:

• touching an outside surface of the panel;
• imaging an inner surface of the panel with the imaging device;
• providing an image signal in response to an image of the inner surface of the panel;
• acquiring a background image of the panel before touching the panel;
• normalizing the image signal in response to the background image;
• determining coordinates of the image of a touch on the panel;
• identifying a position on the panel which is touched in response to the coordinates;
• and
• providing a signal responsive to the coordinates to the interactive computer system.

A method for providing graphical input signals from an input device for an interactive computer system using an opaque enclosure with a semi-transparent light-diffusing panel and an imaging device disposed relative to the panel, the method including the steps of:

• touching an outside surface of the panel;
• imaging an inner surface of the panel with the imaging device;
• providing an image signal in response to the image of the panel;
• acquiring a background image of the panel before touching the panel;
• normalizing the image signal in response to the background image;
• determining coordinates of the image of the touch on the panel;
• transforming the coordinates into a three dimensional image in response to the coordinates;
• and
• providing a signal responsive to the transformed coordinates.