Detection of relative positions of tablet computers

摘要

Tablet computers send relevant geographic and identification data to an application server (one of the tablets, or a local or remote server) which groups them to form a video wall. Once placed next to one another in substantially the same plane, the tablets snap photographs at more or less the same time and these images are transmitted to the application server. The server determines the relative positions of the tablets and then streams a portion of a video or digital image to each of the tablets in order that all tablets display the video or image in an integrated fashion. The tablets may operate independently or may rely upon the remote application server. Relative positions are determined by analyzing features and determining an up-down or left-right relationship between pairs of images, sorting images into vertical and horizontal rows, and placing the images into a grid.

主权项

1. A method of displaying an image across a plurality of computing devices, said method comprising:
receiving, at an application server, a plurality of photographs taken from said computing devices, each computing device producing a single one of said photographs; comparing said photographs to one another; determining relative positions of said computing devices to one another based upon said comparing; dividing a digital image into a plurality of discrete portions, each of said portions designated for one of said computing devices; transmitting said portions of said digital image to said computing devices, each computing device receiving its designated portion of said digital image; displaying said discrete portions across said computing devices wherein said digital image is displayed correctly across said computing devices; and moving a single one of said computing devices and continuing to display said digital image correctly across said computing devices.