Method and apparatus for calibrating an optical computer input system
AssigneeProxima Corporation
InventorsRoger N. Marshall, Lane T. Hauck, Leonid Shapiro, Jeffrey W. Busch, Eric S. Stevens
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus facilitates the alignment and light sensitivity adjustment of an optical computer input system, which includes a user generated light directed onto a screen bearing a computer generated image, to convey information to the computer interactively by the user, even in a darkened room. The system discriminates between the user generated image, and the computer generated image. Devices facilitate the proper alignment of the system with the screen, as well as proper light sensitivity adjustments.
Claims19
An optical input system calibration apparatus for facilitating alignment with an image reflected from a viewing surface, comprising;
- a single light sensing device for detecting the presence of light produced from an image reflecting from the viewing surface;
- means for mounting said single light sensing device for universal movement relative to said viewing surface;
- detecting means for determining whether the entire reflected image from the viewing surface can be detected and for generating a plurality of electrical signals indicative of the direction of any miscalibration;
- indicating means responsive to said signals for providing indications of miscalibration directions when the entire reflected image on the viewing surface can not be detected to indicate the direction of movement of said sensing device so that it can be adjusted positionally until it detects substantially the entire reflected image;
- and
- wherein said means for mounting includes a housing for confining said single light sensing device, stationary means for supporting said housing from below, and a universal mounting device disposed between said stationary means and said housing for enabling universal movement of said light sensing device relative to said viewing surface.
A method of calibrating an optical input system including image projection means for causing a computer generated video image to be projected onto a remote viewing surface and image detection means having a field of view, said image detection means responsive to the video image reflecting from the remote viewing surface for generating a calibration signal indicative of a given portion of the computer generated video image, said method of calibration comprising:
- generating an initiation signal to cause a computer generated calibration image to be projected onto the remote viewing surface;
- responding to said initiation signal and to the calibration signal for determining whether or not the field of view of the image detection means is misaligned relative to said calibration image;
- generating movement direction signals indicative of movement directions to reposition the image detection means to an aligned position so that it receives given portions of the calibration image reflecting from the remote viewing surface;
- and
- responding to the movement direction signals for providing a user with indications of movement directions to reposition the image detection means to said aligned position;
- whereby an indication is provided to the user when the image detection means is aligned to a correction position so that it receives substantially the entire calibration image reflecting from the remote viewing surface.
A method of calibrating an optical input system;
- using a single light sensing device mounted for universal movement relative to a viewing surface to detect light reflecting from said surface;
- detecting the presence of light produced from an image reflecting from the viewing surface;
- determining whether the entire reflected image from the viewing surface can be detected;
- generating a plurality of electrical signals indicative of the direction of any miscalibration;
- responding to said signals for providing indications of miscalibration directions when the entire reflected image on the viewing surface can not be detected to indicate the direction of movement of said sensing device so that it can be adjusted positionally until it detects substantially the entire reflected image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.