Interactive display system, tool for use with the system, and tool management apparatus

摘要

An interactive display system that may be implemented to provide an electronic whiteboard that enables users to input information to the system by engaging a display with one or more objects. The system may present an image via the display that reflects the inputs received from the user. For example, the display may be dynamically updated to mimic inputs made to a whiteboard by the user via one or more pens and/or an eraser. The interactive display system may implement an underlayer embedded within the display to guide electromagnetic radiation that emanates from an object engaged with the display to one or more detectors by total internal reflection. Due at least in part to the efficiency of the underlayer in guiding the electromagnetic radiation to the detectors, the interactive display system may enhance the speed and/or accuracy of the interpretation of the inputs made by the user.

主权项

1. An interactive display system comprising:
a waveguide that comprises: an interface surface configured to be engaged by a user with an object; and an underlayer having a first index of refraction and being disposed between layers of the waveguide having indices of refraction that are less than the first index of refraction; and one or more photosensitive detectors in optical communication with the underlayer to receive electromagnetic radiation therefrom, the one or more photosensitive detectors generating one or more output signals, a given one of the one or more output signals being related to an amount of electromagnetic radiation received from the underlayer by the corresponding one of the one or more photosensitive detectors that generated the given output signal, wherein the waveguide and the one or more photosensitive detectors are configured such that electromagnetic radiation emanating from the object into the waveguide is guided by total internal reflection within the underlayer to the one or more photosensitive detectors such that information related to the position of the object with respect to the interface surface can be determined as a function of the one or more output signals.