INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND IMAGING ASSEMBLY THEREFOR
An interactive input system and imaging assembly therefor are disclosed. The imaging assembly includes an image sensor for capturing images of a region of interest; a light source; and a beam splitter. The beam splitter is configured such that optical axes of the image sensor and the light source are generally aligned.
1 . An imaging assembly for an interactive input system comprising:
an image sensor for capturing images of a region of interest;
a light source; and
a beam splitter, wherein the beam splitter is configured such that optical axes of the image sensor and the light source are generally aligned.
2 . An imaging assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the region of interest is surrounded at least partially by a retro-reflective bezel.
3 . An imaging assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.
4 . An imaging assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is an infrared light source.
5 . An imaging assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a tuned lens positioned between the light source and the beam splitter.
6 . An imaging assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the tuned lens is configured to partially collimate illumination emitted by the light source.
7 . An imaging assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a diffuser positioned between the light source and the beam splitter.
8 . An imaging assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging assembly is configured to provide illumination having a fan-shaped profile.
9 . An imaging assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the optical axes of the image sensor and the light source define an acute angle.
10 . An imaging assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the beam splitter is any of a half-mirror plate, a customer designed coating plate, a cube beam splitter, and a grating.
11 . An imaging assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a two-element lens system.
12 . An imaging assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the two-element lens system comprises a biconcave lens and a plano-convex lens.
13 . An imaging assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a mirror.
14 . An imaging assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the mirror comprises a right-angled prism.
15 . An imaging assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the beam splitter is a cube beam splitter.
16 . An imaging assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the light source is positioned below an interactive surface of the interactive input system.
17 . An interactive input system comprising:
at least one imaging assembly comprising:
an image sensor capturing images of a region of interest;
a light source; and
a beam splitter, wherein the beam splitter is configured such that optical axes of the image sensor and the light source are generally aligned.
18 . An interactive input system according to claim 17 , wherein the region of interest is surrounded at least partially by a retro-reflective bezel.
19 . An interactive input system according to claim 17 , further comprising processing structure in communication with the image sensor processing captured images for locating a pointer positioned in proximity with the region of interest.
20 . An interactive input system according to claim 17 , wherein the light source comprises at least one light emitting diode.
21 . An interactive input system according to claim 17 , wherein the light source is an infrared light source.
22 . An interactive input system according to claim 17 , wherein the imaging assembly further comprises a tuned lens positioned between the light source and the beam splitter.
23 . An interactive input system according to claim 22 , wherein the tuned lens is configured to partially collimate illumination emitted by the light source.
24 . An interactive input system according to claim 17 , wherein the imaging assembly further comprises a diffuser positioned between the light source and the beam splitter.
25 . An interactive input system according to claim 17 , wherein the imaging assembly is configured to provide illumination having a fan-shaped profile.
26 . An interactive input system according to claim 17 , wherein the optical axes of the image sensor and the light source define an acute angle.
27 . An interactive input system according to claim 17 , wherein the beam splitter is any of a half-mirror plate, a custom-designed coating plate, a cube beam splitter, and a grating.
28 . An interactive input system according to claim 17 , wherein the imaging assembly further comprises a two-element lens system.
29 . An interactive input system according to claim 28 , wherein the two-element lens system comprises a biconcave lens and a plano-convex lens.
30 . An interactive input system according to claim 17 , wherein the imaging assembly further comprises of a mirror.
31 . An interactive input system according to claim 30 , wherein the mirror comprises a right-angled prism.
32 . An interactive input system according to claim 30 , wherein the beam splitter is a cube beam splitter.
33 . An interactive input system according to claim 17 , wherein the light source is positioned below an interactive surface of the interactive input system.