Patent Application
20150143222
The present invention relates generally to interactive input systems and in particular, to a method for handling objects representing annotations on an interactive input system and an interactive input system executing the method.
Interactive input systems that allow users to inject input (eg. digital ink, mouse events etc.) into an application program using an active pointer (eg. a pointer that emits light, sound or other signal), a passive pointer (eg. a finger, cylinder or other suitable object) or other suitable input device such as for example, a mouse or trackball, are known. These interactive input systems include but are not limited to: touch systems comprising touch panels employing analog resistive or machine vision technology to register pointer input such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,448,263; 6,141,000; 6,337,681; 6,747,636; 6,803,906; 7,232,986; 7,236,162; and 7,274,356 assigned to SMART Technologies ULC of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, assignee of the subject application, the contents of which are incorporated by reference; touch systems comprising touch panels employing electromagnetic, capacitive, acoustic or other technologies to register pointer input; tablet personal computers (PCs); laptop PCs; personal digital assistants (PDAs); and other similar devices.
Multi-touch interactive input systems that receive and process input from multiple pointers using machine vision are also known. One such type of multi-touch interactive input system exploits the well-known optical phenomenon of frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR). According to the general principles of FTIR, the total internal reflection (TIR) of light traveling through an optical waveguide is frustrated when an object such as a pointer touches the waveguide surface, due to a change in the index of refraction of the waveguide, causing some light to escape from the touch point. In a multi-touch interactive input system, the machine vision system captures images including the point(s) of escaped light, and processes the images to identify the position of the pointers on the waveguide surface based on the point(s) of escaped light for use as input to application programs.
The application programs are often configured to receive the processed touch point data, and to interpret the touch point data as Contact Down, Contact Move, or Contact Up events. In systems where application programs are configured to enable a user to produce freeform ink writing or drawing on a background or canvas, it is often the case that an annotation object is created for each Contact Down-Contact Up cycle. For example, an annotation object representing a freeform letter ‘L’ would be created upon completion of a Contact Down event at a particular position, a series of Contact Move events together traversing the shape of the ‘L’, and a Contact Up event at the end. It will be understood that the application programs and annotation objects themselves do not have to be aware that what is drawn in freeform actually represents any particular letter, shape, number etc.
For annotations in particular, it can be useful for an application program to automatically group separate annotation objects into a particular whole. For example, where a user is freeform printing letters of a word, with each letter being represented by a respective annotation object, it is often useful to for the user to be able to easily select the entire word so that it can be manipulated as a word rather than only as discrete letters. While methods are known in which a user can enter a “Selection” mode and manually select various keyboard-typed characters or graphic objects such as icons by manually sweep a pointer across a plurality of graphic objects in order to temporarily group them using a selection box, methods for successfully automating grouping of annotations in particularly useful ways are underdeveloped.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,320,597 to Ieperen discloses a method for editing objects representing writing on an electronic writeboard. During the method, an object representing writing is created on the electronic writeboard, and it is determined if the created object overlies an existing object by at least a threshold amount. The created and existing objects are automatically merged to create a new object if the created object overlies the existing object by at least a threshold amount. While the patent teaches a very useful method and system, it does not contemplate time lapsed between creation of a writing object. As such, created and existing objects may be merged regardless as to how long after the existing object the created object was created. Furthermore, this patent does not contemplate editing of objects in a multi-user interactive input system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,889,523 to Wilcox et al. discloses a method and apparatus for dynamically grouping a plurality of graphic objects for graphical editing. Graphic objects in a graphical editing system are grouped using hierarchical agglomerative clustering to form a cluster tree. The cluster tree is based on different types of distances, such as time distance and spatial distance, where the different types of distances are combined into a single distance metric. The system permits a user, via a user interface control element, to traverse the cluster tree thereby to cluster a selected graphic object with others dynamically in various ways according to the user's needs. While this approach provides great flexibility for enabling the user to dynamically work with various graphic objects, it is processing intensive and unnecessarily complex. This is primarily because the approach necessitates preserving a high number of potential clustering options for a user, and establishes no particular clusters based on what a user is likely to want or need. Furthermore, this patent does not contemplate clustering of objects in a multi-user interactive input system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,784,061 to Moran et al. discloses a method and apparatus for representing a group of graphic objects so as to maximize usage of a display area on a computer controlled graphics display system. A means is provided for “collapsing” a group of graphic objects so that the group is represented by a container icon. In order to group graphic objects, a user performs a gesture using an input device on the system at a position close to the graphic objects intended to be grouped.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,471,578 to Moran et al. discloses a graphical editing system which allows a user to manually modify a selection gesture without having to redraw the entire gesture. The system defines a selection with an enclosure that is treated as a graphical object that can be manually contorted in a style consistent with the specific application.
While the above-described prior art systems and methods provide various approaches for grouping annotations and provide varying degrees of automation and complexity, improvements are desired. It is therefore an object of an aspect of the following to provide a novel method of handling objects representing annotations on an interactive input system, and an interactive input system executing the method.
Accordingly, in one aspect there is provided a method of handling objects representing annotations on an interactive input system, comprising:
creating an annotation on the interactive input system;
associating the annotation with a temporary grouping region; and
in the event that a threshold amount of time passes before a further annotation is created within a threshold distance of the temporary grouping region, disabling the temporary grouping region to thereafter prevent automatic grouping with the annotation of any further annotation.
In an embodiment, prior to disabling the temporary grouping region, a further annotation is created on the interactive input system within the threshold distance of the temporary grouping region. An identifier of an input stream used to create the annotation with an identifier of the input stream used to created the further annotation are compared. In the event that the input stream identifiers are the same, the further annotation is associated with the temporary grouping region and the further annotation is added to an annotation group. In an embodiment, in the event that the input stream identifiers are not the same, the further annotation is associated with a further temporary grouping region.
In another aspect there is provided an interactive input system comprising:
a display surface; and
processing structure communicating with the display surface, the processing structure displaying an annotation on the display surface, associating the annotation with a temporary grouping region and, in the event that a threshold amount of time passes before a further annotation is created within a threshold distance of the temporary grouping region, disabling the temporary grouping region to thereafter prevent automatic grouping with the annotation of any further annotation.
In another aspect there is provided a computer readable medium embodying a computer program for handling objects representing annotations on an interactive input system, the computer program comprising:
computer program code for creating an annotation on the interactive input system;
computer program code for associating the annotation with a temporary grouping region; and
computer program code for disabling the temporary grouping region to thereafter prevent automatic grouping with the annotation of any further annotation, in the event that a threshold amount of time passes before a further annotation is created within a threshold distance of the temporary grouping region.
The method and system disclosed herein enable delimiting of grouping of annotations based on distance of a further annotation from the temporary grouping region, and also based on whether a further annotation is made within a threshold amount of time. By providing for the automatic disabling of a temporary grouping region, the flexibility of automatic grouping based on proximity and time is provided without the complexity and processing intensity normally associated with prior art systems that attempt to maintain a high number of grouping options, rather than actual groups. Embodiments comparing identifiers of input streams used to create annotations are capable of providing significant advantages in multiple user scenarios where automatic grouping of each user's respective annotations is desired.
Embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
The following provides a method for handling objects representing annotations on an interactive input system, and an interactive input system executing the method. While the following describes the method executed in one particular type of interactive input system, it will be understood that the method may be used in various types of interactive input systems. For example, the method is quite suitable for execution in interactive input systems such as those described above, that are capable of receiving an input stream and creating annotations such as ink or freeform drawings in response thereto.
Turning now to
Cabinet 16 supports the table top 12 and touch panel 14, and houses processing structure 20 (see
Processing structure 20 in this embodiment is a general purpose computing device in the form of a computer. The computer comprises for example, a processing unit, system memory (volatile and/or non-volatile memory), other non-removable or removable memory (a hard disk drive, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM, DVD, flash memory etc.) and a system bus coupling the various computer components to the processing unit.
During execution of the host software application/operating system run by the processing structure 20, a graphical user interface comprising a canvas page or palette (i.e. a background), upon which graphic widgets are displayed, is displayed on the display surface of the touch panel 14. In this embodiment, the graphical user interface enables freeform or handwritten ink objects (“annotations”) and other objects to be input and manipulated via pointer interaction with the display surface 15 of the touch panel 14.
The cabinet 16 also houses a horizontally-oriented projector 22, an infrared (IR) filter 24, and mirrors 26, 28 and 30. An imaging device 32 in the form of an infrared-detecting camera is mounted on a bracket 33 adjacent mirror 28. The system of mirrors 26, 28 and 30 functions to “fold” the images projected by projector 22 within cabinet 16 along the light path without unduly sacrificing image size. The overall touch table 10 dimensions can thereby be made compact.
The imaging device 32 is aimed at mirror 30 and thus sees a reflection of the display surface 15 in order to mitigate the appearance of hotspot noise in captured images that typically must be dealt with in systems having imaging devices that are directed at the display surface itself. Imaging device 32 is positioned within the cabinet 16 by the bracket 33 so that it does not interfere with the light path of the projected image.
During operation of the touch table 10, processing structure 20 outputs video data to projector 22 which, in turn, projects images through the IR filter 24 onto the first mirror 26. The projected images, now with IR light having been substantially filtered out, are reflected by the first mirror 26 onto the second mirror 28. Second mirror 28 in turn reflects the images to the third mirror 30. The third mirror 30 reflects the projected video images onto the display (bottom) surface of the touch panel 14. The video images projected on the bottom surface of the touch panel 14 are viewable through the touch panel 14 from above. The system of three mirrors 26, 28, 30 configured as shown provides a compact path along which the projected image can be channeled to the display surface. Projector 22 is oriented horizontally in order to preserve projector bulb life, as commonly-available projectors are typically designed for horizontal placement.
An external data port/switch, in this embodiment a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port/switch 34, extends from the interior of the cabinet 16 through the cabinet wall to the exterior of the touch table 10 providing access for insertion and removal of a USB key 36, as well as switching of functions.
The USB port/switch 34, projector 22, and imaging device 32 are each connected to and managed by the processing structure 20. A power supply (not shown) supplies electrical power to the electrical components of the touch table 10. The power supply may be an external unit or, for example, a universal power supply within the cabinet 16 for improving portability of the touch table 10. The cabinet 16 fully encloses its contents in order to restrict the levels of ambient visible and infrared light entering the cabinet 16 thereby to facilitate satisfactory signal to noise performance. Doing this can compete with various techniques for managing heat within the cabinet 16. The touch panel 14, the projector 22, and the processing structure are all sources of heat, and such heat if contained within the cabinet 16 for extended periods of time can reduce the life of components, affect performance of components, and create heat waves that can distort the optical components of the touch table 10. As such, the cabinet 16 houses heat managing provisions (not shown) to introduce cooler ambient air into the cabinet while exhausting hot air from the cabinet. For example, the heat management provisions may be of the type disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/240,953 to Sirotich et al., filed on Sep. 29, 2008 entitled “TOUCH PANEL FOR INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM AND INTERACTIVE INPUT SYSTEM EMPLOYING THE TOUCH PANEL” and assigned to SMART Technologies ULC of Calgary, Alberta, the assignee of the subject application, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
As set out above, the touch panel 14 of touch table 10 operates based on the principles of frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR), as described in further detail in the above-mentioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/240,953 to Sirotich et al., referred to above.
Touch panel 14 comprises an optical waveguide 144 that, according to this embodiment, is a sheet of acrylic. A resilient diffusion layer 146, in this embodiment a layer of V-CARE® V-LITE® barrier fabric manufactured by Vintex Inc. of Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada, or other suitable material lies against the optical waveguide 144.
The diffusion layer 146, when pressed into contact with the optical waveguide 144, substantially reflects the IR light escaping the optical waveguide 144 so that the escaping IR light travels down into the cabinet 16. The diffusion layer 146 also diffuses visible light being projected onto it in order to display the projected image.
Overlying the resilient diffusion layer 146 on the opposite side of the optical waveguide 144 is a clear, protective layer 148 having a smooth touch surface. In this embodiment, the protective layer 148 is a thin sheet of polycarbonate material over which is applied a hardcoat of Marnot® material, manufactured by Tekra Corporation of New Berlin, Wis., U.S.A. While the touch panel 14 may function without the protective layer 148, the protective layer 148 permits use of the touch panel 14 without undue discoloration, snagging or creasing of the underlying diffusion layer 146, and without undue wear on users' fingers. Furthermore, the protective layer 148 provides abrasion, scratch and chemical resistance to the overall touch panel 14, as is useful for panel longevity.
The protective layer 148, diffusion layer 146, and optical waveguide 144 are clamped together at their edges as a unit and mounted within the table top 12. Over time, prolonged use may wear one or more of the layers. As desired, the edges of the layers may be unclamped in order to inexpensively provide replacements for the worn layers. It will be understood that the layers may be kept together in other ways, such as by use of one or more of adhesives, friction fit, screws, nails, or other fastening methods.
An IR light source comprising a bank of infrared light emitting diodes (LEDs) 142 is positioned along at least one side surface of the optical waveguide 144 (into the page in
In operation, IR light is introduced via the flame-polished side surface of the optical waveguide 144 in a direction generally parallel to its large upper and lower surfaces. The IR light does not escape through the upper or lower surfaces of the optical waveguide 144 due to total internal reflection (TIR) because its angle of incidence at the upper and lower surfaces is not sufficient to allow for its escape. The IR light reaching other side surfaces is generally reflected entirely back into the optical waveguide 144 by the reflective tape 143 at the other side surfaces.
As shown in
As each touch point is moved along the display surface 15 of the touch panel 14, the compression of the resilient diffusion layer 146 against the optical waveguide 144 occurs and thus escaping of IR light tracks the touch point movement. During touch point movement or upon removal of the touch point, decompression of the diffusion layer 146 where the touch point had previously been due to the resilience of the diffusion layer 146, causes escape of IR light from optical waveguide 144 to once again cease. As such, IR light escapes from the optical waveguide 144 only at touch point location(s) allowing the IR light to be captured in image frames acquired by the imaging device.
The imaging device 32 captures two-dimensional, IR video images of the third mirror 30. IR light having been filtered from the images projected by projector 22, in combination with the cabinet 16 substantially keeping out ambient light, ensures that the background of the images captured by imaging device 32 is substantially black. When the display surface 15 of the touch panel 14 is contacted by one or more pointers as described above, the images captured by IR camera 32 comprise one or more bright points corresponding to respective touch points. The processing structure 20 receives the captured images and performs image processing to detect the coordinates and characteristics of the one or more bright points in the captured image that represent touch points. The touch point coordinates are then mapped to display coordinates.
With the touch point coordinates having been mapped to display coordinates, a host application tracks each touch point, and handles continuity processing between image frames. More particularly, the host application receives touch point data from frames and based on the touch point data determines whether to register a new touch point, modify an existing touch point, or cancel/delete an existing touch point. Thus, the host application registers a Contact Down event representing a new touch point when it receives touch point data that is not related to an existing touch point, and accords the new touch point a unique identifier. Touch point data may be considered unrelated to an existing touch point if it characterizes a touch point that is a threshold distance away from an existing touch point, for example. The host application registers a Contact Move event representing movement of the touch point when it receives touch point data that is related to an existing pointer, for example by being within a threshold distance of, or overlapping an existing touch point, but having a different focal point. The host application registers a Contact Up event representing removal of the touch point from the surface of the touch panel 14 when touch point data that can be associated with an existing touch point ceases to be received from subsequent images. The Contact Down, Contact Move and Contact Up events are passed to respective elements of the user interface such as graphical objects, widgets, or the background/canvas, based on the element with which the touch point is currently associated, and/or the touch point's current position. These events are then interpreted as mouse or ink events by application programs running on the processing structure 20.
d illustrates an alternative embodiment of the interactive input system 200. In this embodiment, an interactive whiteboard (IWB) 202 is connected to a host computer 204, allowing multiple pointers (stylus, finger, mouse, etc.) to write on the interactive surface of the IWB 202. The host computer 204 is connected to a network 208 (Local Area Network, Internet, etc.) to receive inputs from remote computers 210 and 212 that are connected to the network via wireless or wired means, respectively, to allow the users of the remote computers to input to the interactive input surface of the IWB 202.
In embodiments, application programs configured to enable each user to produce freeform ink writing or drawing on a background or canvas create an annotation object for ink between the Contact Down and Contact Up events. However, for annotations in particular, it can be useful to automatically group separate annotation objects into a particular whole. For example, where a user is freeform printing letters of a word, with each letter being represented by a respective annotation object, it is often useful for a user to be able to easily select the entire word so that the entire word can be manipulated through editing, scaling, translating, and so forth.
As will be described in more detail, the application 242 adapts to a variety of system configurations and a variety of IWB hardware. The application 242 identifies input of ink annotations from various input streams and automatically groups ink annotations generated from each input device (e.g., a stylus, a finger, a mouse, or an ink annotation originating on a remote device) according to a set of rules.
An input stream is identified with an input stream identifier that is allocated at the board or firmware level. For example, a locally connected mouse will cause Contact Down/Move/Up events that are associated with an input stream identifier that is different from the input stream identifier associated with Contact Down/Move/Up events caused by a pointer contacting a touch surface of the interactive input system. Furthermore, the interactive input system tracks whether a tool has changed for a given input stream (such as from a red pen pointer to a blue pen pointer) and will affect grouping as will be described.
In a system having multiple mice, each mouse will thereby generate a unique input stream. Similarly, stylus inputs with an ID will be identified as a stylus input stream associated with the ID. In a system in which the IWB driver differentiates between multiple styluses using their different IDs, each stylus ID will correspond to a separate input stream. In a system in which the IWB driver detects multiple simultaneous stylus inputs but cannot differentiate them, the multiple inputs will be as one input stream.
At step 262, the system examines each input stream to further split an input stream into multiple streams, if possible. In this case, the touch inputs, which are identified as one input stream at step 260, are examined at step 262. If the location on the interactive surface at which a touch input P1 occurred at time t1 is within a threshold distance from the location at which another touch input P2 occurred at time t2, and the difference in time between t1 and t2 is within a threshold amount, the touch inputs P1 and P2 are recorded as part of the same input stream. However, if P1 is located outside of a threshold distance from P2 then P1 and P2 are recorded as two distinct input streams. The separation of input streams is also subject to other criteria, as will be described in more detail below.
At step 264, the system checks each input stream obtained from step 262 and automatically groups annotations in each input stream according to a number of rules.
Provided that there has not been a tool change such as the change from a red pen to a blue pen, or to a highlighter, for some examples, or there has been a change in line type from solid to dashed, for another example, an annotation object created from an input stream is automatically grouped with a previously-created annotation object under certain conditions. In particular, if the annotation object and the previously-created annotation object were created from input streams having the same input stream identifier, they are automatically grouped together if the annotation object was created at a location that is within a threshold distance from the previously-created annotation object, and also was created before expiry of a threshold amount of time from the time of creation of the previously-created annotation object.
Thus, for a given input stream, and given tool being used to create the input stream, an annotation object that, for example, is intended to represent a letter in a word, is automatically grouped with an existing annotation object that is located within a threshold distance of the annotation object and that itself was created no more than a threshold amount of time prior to creation of the annotation object. Similarly, the annotation object is automatically grouped with a further annotation object, if the further annotation object is created at a location that is within a threshold distance of the annotation object and is itself created no more than a threshold amount of time after creation of the (just previously created) annotation object. In this embodiment, the threshold amount of time is 2 seconds, and the threshold distance is 20 pixels. In an alternative embodiment, the threshold amount of time can be up to 3 seconds, and/or the threshold distance can be up to 200 pixels. Other thresholds may be defined within these ranges or outside of them, depending on the implementation requirements for the application. However, in general, it is advantageous if a user using ink to input letters of a word all within the same annotation region, and without significant pauses between letters, experiences the grouping of the individual letters, so that the letters can be treated collectively as a word.
Advantageously, a mechanism is provided for preventing further annotations from being automatically grouped with one or more existing annotations. Turning now to
Turning now to
The AutoGroupReferences class is a data structure representing user preferences, and is shared between multiple AutoGroupState objects. The AutoGroupReferences class is instantiated once per AutoGroupCoordinator lifetime, and encapsulates Get( )methods exposed through IAutoGroupReferences for reading preferences stored in the AutoGroupReferences object.
An AutoGroupState object represents a temporary grouping region, and permits several persistent states that are used for the automatic grouping of annotations. For example, the IAutoGroupState interface exposes a CanGroup( )method, which receives a newly created annotation object exposed through an IDisplayObject interface as a parameter. The CanGroup( )method returns an enumerator that specifies how the newly created annotation object can be dispatched. For example, the CanGroup( )method may specify that the newly created annotation object can be dispatched to the group associated with the AutoGroupState object, can be dispatched to a newly created group for association with the AutoGroupState object along with the previously-created annotation object, or can be dispatched without being associated with a group.
When a Contact Down event occurs, for example as triggered by a pen tool, the automatic annotation grouping system prepares for the potential of grouping of the annotation object being created, as shown in
With the exception of the last AutoGroupState object in the AutoGroupStateList, an AutoGroupState object is disabled as indicated above by removing it from the AutoGroupStateList and destroying it. The last AutoGroupState object in the AutoGroupStateList is not removed from the AutoGroupStateList or destroyed but is disabled by resetting it to clear all of its references and resetting its expiry time. The reason the last AutoGroupState object in the AutoGroupStateList is not removed or destroyed is simply so that it can be re-used thereby to improve performance by avoiding having to re-create another AutoGroupState object.
When a Contact Up event occurs, again as triggered for example by a pen tool, a dispatching routine begins in order to dispatch the new annotation object created using the pen tool, as shown in
More particularly, in this embodiment, a newly created annotation object may be dispatched to the group or otherwise grouped with the previously dispatched annotation object if it is within a threshold distance of the temporary grouping region represented by the AutoGroupState object. More particularly, the newly created annotation object is grouped if it is within a threshold distance of the previously dispatched annotation object or a group of annotation objects created using the same input stream where the temporary grouping region has not expired. A newly created annotation group is designated as the “current” group in the AutoGroupState object for the next Contact Down/Up cycle.
In the event that there is no AutoGroupState object that represents a temporary grouping region within a threshold distance of the newly created annotation object, then a new AutoGroupState object representing a new temporary grouping region is created and associated with the newly created annotation object, and the newly created annotation object is dispatched without being added to any group.
In any event, the newly dispatched annotation object is designated as the last-dispatched annotation object for a next Contact Down/Up cycle.
a to 9f illustrate a scenario in which annotations are being created by two different users concurrently. In
The method described above provides automatic grouping of annotation objects created from the same input stream, and does not group annotation objects created from different input streams. While this provides significant advantages particularly for multiple user interactive input systems where annotations are being created concurrently, it will be understood that alternatives are possible. For example, according to one alternative embodiment annotation objects created using multiple different input streams may, in some circumstances, be grouped together. However, it will be understood that determination of separate respective groupings for multiple users' annotations may occur simply because one user creates an annotation at a location that is greater than a the threshold distance away from an annotation created by another user, as shown in
Grouping of multiple users' annotations may be useful, in certain applications. However, grouping of annotation objects created using multiple different input streams is preferably a configurable option, and/or is dependent upon the particular application in connection with which annotations are being made. For example, in a multiple user interactive input system, it may be desirable to have several students work together to spell out words or to otherwise collaborate to create a group of annotations that can later be manipulated as a whole. In such an instance, it would be useful to relax the time thresholds so that the students could have enough time to consider the words' correct spellings. In fact, a spelling game could be devised that, as students proceeded through game levels, reduced the time thresholds accordingly so as to increase the challenge at higher levels.
It will be understood that an interactive input system may not be capable of providing input stream identifiers unique to each input stream for distinguishing between certain input streams. In such a case, the interactive input system treats input streams that do not have distinguishable input stream identifiers provided by the system hardware, firmware or application program simply as a single input stream.
The methods described above may be embodied in one or more software applications comprising computer executable instructions executed by the processing structure 20. The software application(s) may comprise program modules including routines, programs, object components, data structures etc. and may be embodied as computer readable program code stored on a computer readable medium. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data, which can thereafter be read by a processing structure 20. Examples of computer readable media include for example read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, magnetic tape and optical data storage devices. The computer readable program code can also be distributed over a network including coupled computer systems so that the computer readable program code is stored and executed in a distributed fashion.
The methods described above may be applied to any interactive input system that can enable one or more users to provide ink inputs. As such, the methods and systems described herein are not limited for use with any particular input devices. For example, while the interactive input system described above is in the form of a multi-touch table supporting multiple users, because the methods described herein handle annotations created using one or more input streams, they are not limited for use with only a mouse, or a pen, or a finger. For example, an input stream may be generated via input devices through a remote desktop connection, by an application program automatically, as hardware level service events, or by any other means of creating an input stream.
Although embodiments have been described with reference to the drawings, those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit, purpose and scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/076,638, filed Mar. 31, 2011, which is a non-provisional of U.S. Patent Appln. No. 61/327,985, filed Apr. 26, 2010, the contents of both incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61327985 | Apr 2010 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13076638 | Mar 2011 | US |
| Child | 14606538 | US |
