Other

Vision Interface Technologies, LLC

Motion Games, LLC

Creative Lifestyles, Inc.

Creative Lifestyle, Inc.

Peter Harmon Smith

Timothy R Pryor

Bora Tekkanat

Frank Meyer

Thomas Pratt

John Frederick Cloyd

A method and apparatus for tracking a location of an object or target in a 3D space. At least one target including unique sub-targets is attached to a vision object in the 3D space. A camera disposed in a 3D space, and coupled to a computing device captures a 2D image of a target. The camera computing device identifies the sub-targets of the target and transfers the sub-target data to a computing device associated with the camera which accesses a data base of target data to identify target an, using sub-target separation distances in the database to determine 3D location and orientation of the target. Another computing device transforms the 3D locations of the detected target in the camera coordinate system into a single 3D coordinate system for the 3D space. The 3D location of targets detected by multiple cameras of different computing devices maybe daisy chained together to convert the target location in the 3D coordinate systems of each computing device into a single 3D coordinate system.

Implementation of multi-camera tracking applications using rich color transition curve target sequences

A method of finding unique targets arranged in a unique sequence of targets in a color image applies ratio space rich colored filtering to identify a band of pixels that form a transition curve from one rich color to another. A set of transition curves with simple geometric and color properties for the entire image, are compared to a database of target properties to identify a target in an image. The targets are provided on a carrier that is attached to a surface to enable processor to identify the surface location and orientation by the targets.

Implementing rich color transition curve tracking for applications

A method of finding targets in a color image applies ratio space rich colored filtering to identify a band of pixels that form a transition zone from one rich color to another. This pixel band is reduced to a rich color transition curve. A set of transition curves with simple geometric and color properties for the entire image, can be compared to a database of target properties to identify a target in an image.

Rich color transition curve tracking method

This application discloses active movement based and other video games which may be played over the internet as well in the home or elsewhere. One or two or more persons can play, generally using one or more cameras to determine the relation of an object or a part of a person to a video display on which game related graphics are displayed. Determination of object position and orientation in up to 6 degrees of freedom is disclosed, at data rates sufficient to make game play rewarding.

Advanced video gaming methods for education and play using camera based inputs

Affordable methods and apparatus are disclosed for inputting position, attitude (orientation) or other object characteristic data to computers for the purpose of Computer Aided Design, Painting, Medicine, Teaching, Gaming, Toys, Simulations, Aids to the disabled, and internet or other experiences. Preferred embodiments of the invention utilize electro-optical sensors, and particularly TV Cameras, providing optically inputted data from specialized datum's on objects and/or natural features of objects. Objects can be both static and in motion, from which individual datum positions and movements can be derived, also with respect to other objects both fixed and moving. Real-time photogrammetry is preferably used to determine relationships of portions of one or more datums with respect to a plurality of cameras or a single camera processed by a conventional PC.

Man machine interfaces and applications

A method for identifying color in a target creates a ratio color space by determining the largest color component value of each pixel in an image and creating a ratio of all of the color component value with the largest component value for each pixel. The ratio for the color component of each pixel undergoes a threshold test to identify each color component as a rich shade or a fade shade. The ratio space color components are converted to a black and white image. Color information of adjacent pixels are clumped together to form blobs of the same color. The blobs are filtered by shape, color, location, or orientation and sorted to find targets that consist of a predefined pattern with the desired characteristics.

Method for identifying color in machine and computer vision applications

Disclosed are simple easy to understand TV camera based input and programming devices for computers, as well as local or remote means to assimilate data or commands. The invention in one preferred embodiment, uses printed matter imaged by one or more TV cameras, which results in enhanced ease of comprehension, distribution and touch command input of programs. The printed matter may be for example, newspaper clippings, children's books, chess boards, or board games. Certain aspects of the invention share some characteristics of a touch screen, in the sense of additionally determining the location of objects positioned by a user, or portions of a user, such as fingers or hands.

Books, papers, and downloaded information to facilitate human interaction with computers

The invention herein primarily concerns computer interfaces, particularly those that may be used by senior citizens or others who are not familiar and even adverse to computers as they are utilized today. Applications of use to such persons are also disclosed, particularly in the areas of most concern to large segments of the population such as Health Maintenance and Medical, Home Control, and Communication (email and telephony). It is primarily based on TV cameras interfaced to computers via common interfaces such as USB2, Fire wire, or WiFi, which are used to sense common, and familiar paper pages and books of pages.

Personal interfaces for independent living and health

The invention concerns new computer aided methods and apparatus for designing objects, particularly 3D objects, and especially those having a sculpted form such as found in automobiles, boats, planes, furniture and certain fashion apparel items. Preferred embodiments employ optical sensing of the designers' hands, fingers, or styling implements, or his sketches, in conjunction with large screen displays and several novel software based methods which have the further advantage of direct interface to conventional CAD (Computer Aided design) systems which are then used to physically manifest the results as models, tooling or whatever. Use of the invention not only saves time and cost, but allows, in a 'natural' way, much greater freedom of expression for the artist/designer than any known computer based system.

Growing community of inventors

Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Peter Harmon Smith