Projection capture system and method

Abstract

In one example, a projection capture system includes: a digital camera, a projector, and a mirror housed together as a single unit in which, when the unit is deployed for use with a work surface: the camera is positioned above the projector; the projector is positioned below the camera; and the mirror is positioned above the projector and configured to reflect light from the projector into the camera capture area. In one example, a projection capture method includes: establishing a camera capture area within which a camera can capture an image of an object; establishing a projector display area overlapping the capture area and into which a projector can project light; lighting the camera capture area with the projector; and positioning a specular glare spot from the projector lighting outside the camera capture area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A projection capture system for use with a work surface, the system comprising:
 a digital camera, a projector, and a mirror housed together as a single unit in which, when the unit is deployed for use with the work surface:
 the camera is positioned above the projector and the camera defines a capture area within which the camera can acquire images on the work surface; 
 the projector is positioned below the camera; and 
 the mirror is positioned above the projector and configured to reflect light from the projector down on to the work surface, and the projector and the mirror define a display area on the work surface overlapping at least part of the capture area. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the camera and the projector are operatively connected to one another such that the projector provides a light source for the camera capturing images; and   the camera, the projector, and the mirror are positioned with respect to one another such that, when the unit is deployed for use with the work surface, a glare spot from projector light reflected off the mirror lies outside the camera capture area.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein, when the unit is deployed for use with the work surface:
 the camera is positioned over the capture area at a location offset from a center of the capture area; and   the projector is positioned outside the capture area and outside the display area.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a controller housed together with the digital camera, the projector, and the mirror as part of the single unit, the controller operatively connecting the camera and the projector and configured to control the camera and the projector for:
 capturing an image of an object positioned on the work surface in the capture area; and   projecting the object image onto the work surface in the display area.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a user input device operatively connected to the controller and configured to enable a user to interact with the system on the work surface. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the unit is configured for deployment with a flat, horizontal work surface. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising a portable mat deployable with the unit as the work surface. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the display area and the capture area are substantially the same. 
     
     
         9 . A projection capture system for use with a work surface, the system comprising:
 a digital camera, a projector, a controller and a mirror housed together as a single unit in which, when the unit is deployed for use with the work surface:
 the camera defines a capture area within which the camera can acquire images on the work surface; and 
 the projector and the mirror define a display area on the work surface overlapping at least part of the capture area; and 
   the controller operatively connecting the camera and the projector and configured to control the camera and the projector for:
 the projector illuminating the capture area; 
 the camera capturing an image of an object positioned on the work surface in the capture area and illuminated by the projector; and 
 the projector projecting the object image onto the work surface in the display area. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , the camera, the projector, and the mirror are positioned with respect to one another such that, when the unit is deployed for use with the work surface, a glare spot from projector light reflected off the mirror lies outside the camera capture area. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a user input device operatively connected to the controller and configured to enable a user to interact with the system on the work surface. 
     
     
         12 . An interactive projection capture system for use with a three dimensional workspace having a horizontal work surface, the system comprising:
 a digital camera, a projector, and a mirror housed together as a single unit in which, when the unit is deployed for use with the workspace:
 the camera defines a three dimensional capture space within which the camera can effectively acquire images, the capture space bounded in two dimensions by a capture area on the work surface; 
 the projector and the mirror define a three dimensional display space bounded in two dimensions by a display area on the work surface overlapping at least part of the capture area; and 
 the camera, the projector, and the mirror are positioned with respect to one another such that light from the projector reflected off the mirror illuminates the capture space and a glare spot from the reflected light lies outside the capture space; and 
   a user input device operatively connected to the camera and the projector and configured to enable a user to interact with the system in the workspace.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , further comprising a controller operatively connecting the camera and the projector and configured to control the camera and the projector for:
 the projector illuminating the capture space;   the camera capturing an image of an object positioned on the work surface in the capture area and illuminated by the projector;   the projector projecting the object image onto the work surface in the display area; and   the camera capturing an image of the projected object image.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the user input device includes an infrared digital stylus for selectively emitting infrared light within the workspace and an infrared camera for capturing infrared light emitted by the stylus within the workspace. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein a capture space of the infrared camera is coincident with the display space. 
     
     
         16 . A projection capture method, comprising:
 establishing a camera capture area within which a camera can capture an image of an object;   establishing a projector display area overlapping the capture area and into which a projector can project light;   lighting the camera capture area with the projector; and   positioning a specular glare spot from the projector lighting outside the camera capture area.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein positioning the specular glare spot outside the camera capture area includes the projector projecting light up toward a mirror and the mirror reflecting light down into the camera capture area. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein positioning the specular glare spot outside the camera capture area includes folding a light path from the projector to the camera capture area along a fold line. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the fold line is defined by a light reflecting surface.