Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-06
2001-11-27
Shalwala, Bipin (Department: 2673)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S009000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06323839
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a pointed-position detecting apparatus and method for detecting a position in a displayed image designated by a user.
A known system for presentation or the like uses a digitizer as a projection board on which an image is projected. Specifically, an image is projected on a large-sized digitizer and a pointing rod is directly brought close to or into contact with the projected image (i.e., coordinate input surface of the digitizer). Then, the coordinates designated by the digitizer are read and the designation is reflected at the projector.
However, the above conventional art has the following problems:
(1) The digitizer (tablet) used as a screen for projecting images must have a large size. This lowers movability.
(2) The digitizer itself requires a detection mechanism such as a electromagnetic induction detector and a pressure detector. This cannot produce a large-sized digitizer with low cost.
(3) The size of projection surface is determined by the size of the digitizer. This cannot install the projector corresponding to the scale of presentation place, and it is unpractical.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems and has its object to provide a pointed-position detecting apparatus and method which does not use a digitizer (tablet) as a screen, thus provides movability, though applicable to a large-sized screen.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a pointed-position detecting apparatus and method which does not require a screen having a special detection function, though which is applicable to a large sized projection surface, thus lowers cost.
Further object of the present invention is to provide a pointed-position detecting apparatus and method which can easily change the size of projection surface in accordance with the scale of presentation place.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pointed-position detecting apparatus and method which judges designation by a user based on status and position of a part of visible image that the user has changed by using a laser pointer, or pointing rod or the like, and reflects the user's intention.
According to the present invention, the foregoing object is attained by providing a pointed-position detecting apparatus comprising input means for inputting a visible image, first detection means for detecting a changed image area, where the visible image has changed, in the visible image inputted by the input means, and second detection means for detecting a designation position in the visible image, based on a position of the changed image area detected by the first detection means.
In accordance with the present invention as described above, a visible image is inputted. Further, the visible image is partially changed by using a laser pointer, a pointing rod or the like, and the partially-changed image is also inputted. The changed part is extracted and a designated position is detected based on the extracted part. In this manner, a phenomenon that motion by a user in a visible image appears as a change of visible image is utilized for detecting coordinates or motion of the part as the object of the change.
Preferably, the present invention provides a pointed-position detecting apparatus further comprising display means for displaying the visible image.
Preferably, the display means performs projection type image display because magnification of visible image is possible, and because the size of display screen can be easily changed in accordance with a place where the apparatus is operated.
Preferably, the first detection means detects visible light added to the visible image displayed by said display means, because the visible image can be easily changed by using a laser pointer or the like, and because designation in the visible image can be made from a position distant from the display screen.
Preferably, the second detection means detects approximately the central position of the visible light added by the first detection means to the visible image, as the designation position.
Preferably, the first detection means detects the part of the visible image changed by pointing a desired portion of the visible image with a pointing rod, because designation in the visible image can be easily made by using the pointing rod instead of a specific device such as a laser pointer.
Preferably, the second detection means detects the tip of the pointing rod image added to the visible image detected by the first detection means, as the designation position, because the designation position can be more exactly detected by detecting the tip of the pointing rod.
Preferably, the present invention provides the pointed-position detecting apparatus further comprising judgment means for judging existence/absence of operation designation, based on whether or not the changed image area detected by the first detection means in the visible image has further changed. For example, when a part of visible image is changed by adding visible light to the visible image or using a pointing rod, whether or not the change has been a user's intended operation designation can be easily judged. This improves operability.
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Fukuda Ryoji
Harada Takashi
Matsubayashi Kazuhiro
Mori Shigeki
Nagasaki Katsuhiko
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
Fitzpatrick ,Cella, Harper & Scinto
Lewis David L
Shalwala Bipin
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