Abstract:
A method and apparatus for projecting enhanced information on a white-board. The method includes capturing an image of information on a white-board, analyzing the captured image and determining the type of enhancement needed for the information displayed, enhancing the information in the image according to the determined type of enhancement, and projecting the enhanced information on the white-board.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of United States provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/378,649, filed Aug. 31, 2010, which is herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method and apparatus for enhancing a white-board experience. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The typical shortcomings of a white-board projector pair as found in classrooms and meeting spaces include markers that are running out of ink and become difficult to read, and graphics/drawings that are impractical to color in or texture with conventional markers and the likes. 
         [0006]    Therefore, there is a need for a method and/or apparatus for improving a white-board and experience of a white-board. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Embodiments of the present invention relate to a method and apparatus for projecting enhanced information on a white-board. The method includes capturing an image of information displayed on a white-board, analyzing the captured image and determining the type of enhancement needed for the information displayed, enhancing the information in the image according to the determined type of enhancement, and projecting the enhanced information on the white-board. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is an embodiment of a white-board projector pair augmented with an image capturing device and a processor; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an embodiment of a demonstration of utilizing an enhanced white-board system in a low-ink and low-contrast whiteboard content; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is an embodiment of a projector casting a dark image except on pixels where there is writing for increasing contrast; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is an embodiment of an enhanced white-board system utilized to complete drawings, fill within shapes, and color or thicken; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is an embodiment of a block diagram of an enhanced white-board system; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an embodiment of a flow diagram for a method for operating an enhanced white-board system; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an embodiment of a flow diagram method for a method for calibrating an enhanced white-board system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is an embodiment of a white-board projector pair augmented with an image capturing device and a processor. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a typical white-board projector pair is augmented with an image capturing device and a processor. As a result, the imaging device can capture the content of a white-board, even when someone, such as, a teacher or presenter, is actively generating data on the white-board. 
         [0017]    A processor analyzes the images captured by the image capturing device to model the content on the whiteboard. The processor adjusts the projected image as to enhance the whiteboard content. As a result, the experience is that of an enhanced white-board system on a white-board. The enhanced system extends the capability of the common ink-based markers via projection and image analysis technologies. 
         [0018]    Using a marker with low ink can be frustrating at the whiteboard. In one embodiment, the enhanced white-board system can detect this condition and increase the contrast on the whiteboard by projecting an image that is tailored to the whiteboard&#39;s content. This solution would involve pixel-level analysis and decision about whether there is intended (real) ink on the board or not. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is an embodiment of a demonstration of utilizing an enhanced white-board system in a low-ink and low-contrast whiteboard content. Shown in  FIG. 2  are pictures of on a whiteboard with two kinds of writing on it: the top two rows are barely visible due to low ink, whereas utilize the enhanced white-board system the bottom row is a lot easier to read.  FIG. 2  is an embodiment of a demonstration of utilizing enhanced white-board system in a low-ink and low-contrast whiteboard content by depositing extra “virtual ink” on those pixels of the screen that need it. The left image of  FIG. 2  shows real-world images of this board with a projector displaying an empty page (all white) on it. On the right, the same whiteboard is shown utilizing the proposed enhanced white-board system. 
         [0020]    In one embodiment, the enhanced white-board system projects an image with increased the contrast of the writing.  FIG. 3  is an embodiment of a projector casting a dark image except on pixels where there is writing for increasing contrast. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the enhanced white-board system utilizes dramatic contrast enhancement via black-white inversion. On the right is the image of the same whiteboard where the projector is now casting a dark image except for selected pixels where there is writing. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, shape completion, filling or thickening might be needed on a white-board.  FIG. 4  is an embodiment of an enhanced white-board system utilized to complete drawings, fill within shapes, and color or thicken. In  FIG. 4 , the user is drawing on the whiteboard and completes them as needed. Note the missing corners and edges on the triangle and square on the left. The right image improves the display by the enhanced white-board system. Similarly, the arrows get thickened, and the scribble within the circle is interpreted as a request for automatic fill-in. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, a texture brush effects are needed on a white-board. The enhanced white-board system enables arbitrary brush shapes that would embellish a drawing. In other embodiments, animation and other motion effects are needed. Enhanced white-board system may also interpret the drawings and enhance them adaptively. For instance, an arrow point to the right could be superimposed with a texture that has left-to-right motion over time. Similarly, visual effects such as “marching ants” could help the presenter to guide the observer&#39;s attention. 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, fast switching display device, i.e. DLP technology, maybe used. The enhanced white-board system leverages the following unique aspects of the fast switching display. A fast switching display device, such as DLP, may display a white flat-field image that is imperceptible by human observers. The enhanced white-board system leverages this snapshot to model the whiteboard under active DLP lighting. Similarly, during the short dark flat-field period that is imperceptible by human observers, the imaging sensor captures a scene in ambient light. The enhanced white-board system distinguishes between whiteboard pixels with and without ink on them and leverages the snapshot to model the whiteboard under ambient lighting. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the enhanced white-board system does not require a specially engineered environment or to use special markers or pointers. The solution may be implemented and deployed within the projector box. 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is an embodiment of a block diagram of an enhanced white-board system  500 . The enhanced white-board system  500  comprises a projection system  502 , a camera  506 , a processor  510 , and a white-board  512 . The projection system  502  includes a projection lens  504  that determines the field of view. The camera  506  comprises a camera lens  508  fro capturing the image of the board. The camera  506  may have more than one camera lens  508  that operate at the same time or at different times. The processor  510  communicates with the camera  506  and the projection system  502 . The processor  510  is capable of performing the method for operating the enhanced white-board system and/or the method for calibrating the enhanced white-board system, which are described in more details below. The projection system  502 , the camera  506  and the processor  510  may be encompassed in the same box/unit, may communicate via a wire or wirelessly. The projection lens  504  and the camera lens  508  are capable of retrieving and/or displaying to and from the white-board  512 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 6  is an embodiment of a flow diagram for a method  600  for operating an enhanced white-board system. The method  600  starts at step  602  and proceeds to step  604 . At step  604 , the method  600  captures an image off of a white-board. At step  606  the method  600  determined there is a need for enhancing the content on the white-board. If there is no need, the method  600  proceeds to  604 ; otherwise, the method  600  proceeds to step  608 . At step  608 , the method  600  decides on an operation, such as, enhance ink, fill ink, etc. 
         [0027]    At step  610 , the method  600  executes operation on white-board image. At step  612 , the method  600  transforms the image to the white-board projection. At this step, the method  600  may perform geometric ad photometric calibration. At step  614 , the method  600  fuses normal projection content with enhancement content. At step  616 , the new projection content is displayed on the white-board. The method  600  ends at step  618 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is an embodiment of a flow diagram method  700  for a method for calibrating an enhanced white-board system. The method  700  starts at step  702  and proceeds to step  704 . At step  704 , the method  700  projects known calibration pattern on a white-board utilizing a projection system. At step  706 , the method  700  captures the image projection from the white-board. At step  708 , the method  700  analyzes the image. 
         [0029]    At step  710 , the method  700  determines if the image analysis provided enough information. If the analysis did not provide enough information, the method  700  proceeds to step  712 . At step  712 , the method  700  generates a new calibration pattern and proceeds to step  704 . Otherwise, the method  700  proceeds to step  714 , wherein the method  700  outputs calibration and/or stores the information. At step  716 , the method  700  performs geometric and/or photometric calibration. The method  700  ends at step  718 . Such calibration may be performed online and/or off-line. 
         [0030]    While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.