Invoking applications with virtual objects on an interactive display

A system for executing a software application in response to at least one object being identified, comprising:

• (a) an interactive display table including a projector, an object detector, and a display surface on which images produced by the software application are displayed by the projector when the software application is executed;
• (b) a memory in which are stored machine instructions;
• and
• (c) a processor that is coupled to the interactive display table and to the memory, said processor executing the machine instructions, which cause the processor to carry out a plurality of functions, including:
• (i) identifying at least one object on the display surface of the interactive display table by detecting at least one characteristic of the at least one object, wherein the characteristics include:
• a shape of the object;
• a size of the object;
• a color of the object;
• a location where the object is placed on the display surface, or
• a pattern disposed on the object;
• wherein detecting at least one characteristic of the at least one object includes steps of:
• illuminating said at least one object placed on the display surface with light that passes through the display surface and is incident on said at least one object placed on the display surface;
• receiving light reflected from said at least one object placed on the display surface;
• producing a signal corresponding to the light that is received;
• and
• processing the signal to determine said at least one characteristic for each object placed on the display surface, to identify each object;
• and
• (ii) determining whether the at least one identified object is uniquely associated with executing only one software application such that:
• upon determining that one identified object is uniquely associated with executing only one software application, the software application is executed;
• and
• upon determining that a plurality of identified objects are uniquely associated with executing only one software application, the software application is executed.