Fusing Depth and Pressure Imaging to Provide Object Identification for Multi-Touch Surfaces

An apparatus for inputting information into a computer includes a 3d sensor that senses 3d information and produces a 3d output. The apparatus includes a 2d sensor that senses 2d information and produces a 2d output The apparatus includes a processing unit which receives the 2d and 3d output and produces a combined output that is a function of the 2d and 3d output. A method for inputting information into a computer. The method includes the steps of producing a 3d output with a 3d sensor that senses 3d information. There is the step of producing a 2d output with a 2d sensor that senses 2d information. There is the step of receiving the 2d and 3d output at a processing unit. There is the step of producing a combined output with the processing unit that is a function of the 2d and 3d output.