Pointer Tracking Across Overlapping Touch Sub-Regions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale touch systems face limitations in size due to camera resolution and lack of continuity in touch surfaces when multiple panels are used, making it cumbersome to track pointer movements across overlapping input regions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for tracking a pointer across multiple overlapping coordinate input sub-regions by detecting and processing pointer movements within these regions to generate a single set of coordinate data, using overlapping images and triangulation to determine the pointer's position relative to the touch surface, with transition zones for smooth event transfer between sub-regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If multiple side-by-side touch panels are used to create a very large scale touch system, then the touch surface area is increased, but the touch surface continuity is lost due to individual frames surrounding each panel
Solution Approach 1:
The large touch surface is divided into multiple coordinate input sub-regions, each with its own cameras and processing system. This segmentation allows each panel to be independently calibrated and managed while collectively forming a large continuous input surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple coordinate input sub-regions are merged into a unified coordinate system through the master controller that processes pointer coordinate data from all sub-regions. The overlapping fields of view between adjacent sub-regions are combined to create seamless pointer tracking across the entire large touch surface.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple side-by-side touch panels are used to create a very large scale touch system, then the touch surface area is increased, but pointer tracking across panels becomes cumbersome and user unfriendly
Solution Approach 1:
The master controller provides a universal interface that handles pointer tracking across all coordinate input sub-regions uniformly. It processes pointer coordinate data from any sub-region using the same triangulation algorithm, providing consistent and seamless pointer tracking experience across the entire large touch surface without requiring users to be aware of panel boundaries.
3Measurement precision
If camera resolution is increased to improve pointer tracking precision, then measurement precision is improved, but the size of the touch system that can be made is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single high-resolution camera system across the entire large touch surface, the system is segmented into multiple coordinate input sub-regions, each with its own cameras. This allows standard-resolution cameras to be used in each sub-region while collectively covering a large area with sufficient overall precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces a mechanical approach (single high-resolution camera) with an optical/computational approach (multiple standard-resolution cameras with overlapping fields of view and triangulation processing). This substitution allows large-scale coverage while maintaining pointer tracking precision through computational geometry rather than relying solely on camera resolution.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective and user-friendly tracking of pointer contacts over a contiguous input region, allowing seamless alignment and event transfer between adjacent sub-regions, thereby enhancing the usability and functionality of large-scale touch systems.
Implementation Method 1
Image data acquired by the digital cameras is processed by digital signal processors to determine if a pointer exists in the captured image data
Implementation Method 2
the digital signal processors convey pointer characteristic data to a master controller, which in turn processes the pointer characteristic data to determine the location of the pointer in (x,y)-coordinates relative to the touch surface using triangulation
Data Source
AI summary
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.