Patent ID: 8519952

Claim:
A method for detecting an object or user input provided with an object using a scanning light source, comprising the steps of: illuminating an interactive display surface with at least one scanning light source, wherein the interactive display surface has an external surface and an internal surface, wherein the at least one scanning light source is configured to emit light of a predetermined wavelength and scan interactive display surface with the light of the predetermined wavelength, so that the entire interactive display surface is fully scanned over time, and wherein illuminating the interactive display surface includes the at least one scanning light source emitting the light through a photosensitive light surface toward the interactive display surface; and detecting light of the predetermined wavelength that is reflected from an object that is on or proximate the external surface of the interactive display surface, the light that is reflected being detected as the at least one scanning light source is illuminating the object with the light of the predetermined wavelength, and wherein the photosensitive light surface acts as a detector for the predetermined wavelength reflected from the object.