System and method for tracking an electronic device

Abstract

A system for tracking a spatially manipulated user controlling object using a camera associated with a processor. While the user spatially manipulates the controlling object, an image of the controlling object is picked-up via a video camera, and the camera image is analyzed to isolate the part of the image pertaining to the controlling object for mapping the position and orientation of the device in a two-dimensional space. Robust data processing systems and computerized method employing calibration and tracking algorithms such that minimal user intervention is required for achieving and maintaining successful tracking of the controlling object in changing backgrounds and lighting conditions.

1 . A method of tracking one or more controlling objects, said method comprising:
 capturing one or more frames of a scene by an image capturing device;   selecting specific colors, each of the selected colors designated respectively for the one or more controlling objects, based on an analysis of the captured one or more images;   configuring the one or more controlling objects to emit a light with its respective selected color; and   tracking the one or more controlling objects, based on the respective selected colors,   wherein the color selection and the tracking are executed by a processor.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the color of the light emitted by the controlling object is automatically selected. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the configuring is carried out by transmitting data indicative of the selected color to the controlling object. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the color of the light emitted by the controlling object is manually configured by a user. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the selected colors of the emitted lights are selected from a group of distinguishable colors in the scene. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the color of the light emitted by the one or more controlling objects is updated in real time in response to changes in colors representation in the scene. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more controlling objects are configured to provide location-based input commands. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the controlling objects are tracked concurrently, such that each one of the controlling object emits light in a different color. 
     
     
         9 . A data processing system for tracking one or more controlling objects, said system comprising:
 a camera;   a processor operatively coupled to said camera and further coupled to a first communication module;   one or more controlling objects designated as objects to be tracked by said processor and arranged to emit light of a selectable color, wherein each one of the controlling objects is further coupled to a second communication module;   wherein the processor is configured to:   (i) receive from the camera images that include a scene;   (ii) automatically select the color of the light emitted by the controlling object, based on the images from the camera;   (iii) transmit a value indicative of the selected color, via the first and the second communication modules, to the one or more controlling objects,   wherein the one or more controlling objects are further configured to emit light at a color selected by the processor.   
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the selected color of the emitted light is selected such that the selected color is distinguishable from other colors in the image. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor is further configured to update dynamically the color of the emitted light based on change in colors representation in the scene. 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the one or more controlling objects are further configured to provide input commands to said processor. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein the controlling objects are tracked concurrently, such that the controlling objects emit light in different colors.