Apparatus and method for controlling a pointer on a screen of an electronic device

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling a pointer on a screen of an electronic device may include a receiver device and a wireless input device. The input device may include a sensing unit configured to detect movement of the input device; a position determination unit configured to determine a current position of the input device based on the detected movement; a prediction unit configured to predict the current position of the input device; a comparison unit configured to determine a difference between the determined position and the predicted position, and whether the difference is greater than a similarity threshold; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the determined position to the receiver device in response to the determined difference being greater than the similarity threshold. The receiver device may include a receiving unit and a communication unit, the receiving unit being configured to receive the determined current position, and the communication unit being configured to transmit the received position to the electronic device to control the pointer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments generally relate to an apparatus for controlling a pointer on a screen of an electronic device. In particular, various embodiments generally relate to an apparatus including a wireless input device (eg, a mouse) and a receiver device (eg, an adapter) that can communicate with an electronic device. Background Art

[0002] There are many ways for a user to interact with an electronic device (e.g., a computer). One way is to control a pointer on the screen of the electronic device, for example, to select a file or application to execute. The pointer is usually controlled by using one or more human interface devices (HIDs).

[0003] Figure 1 1 shows an example of a device 100 that can be used by a user to interact with a computer 102 in the prior art. Figure 1 As shown, the device 100 includes a wireless mouse 104 and an HID in the form of an adapter 106. The adapter 106 can be connected to the computer 102 (via, for example, a USB port), and the mouse 104 can communicate wirelessly with the adapter 106. In particular, the mouse 104 can transmit user input data indicating a change in state of the mouse 104 (e.g., movement of the mouse 104 or clicking one or more buttons of the mouse 104) to the adapter 106. This transmission can be performed via FM, infrared, or any other type of wireless medium. The adapter 106 can subsequently pass these user input data to the computer 102 to perform the task desired by the user.

[0004] The transmission of user input data from the mouse 104 to the adapter 106 typically begins upon detection of a change in state of the mouse 104, and typically transmits the user input data repeatedly (in other words, periodically) within a time interval following such detection. Figure 2 1 shows an example of the transmission of user input data from the mouse 104 to the adapter 106. Figure 2 As shown, after detecting the state change of the mouse 104 at time 204, the user input data can be repeatedly transmitted to the adapter 106 in the form of data packets 202a, 202b, 202c. Then, each data packet 202a, 202b, 202c is passed to the computer 102. The time period 206 between the consecutive transmissions of the data packets 202a, 202b, 202c can be, for example, 1 ms. This time period 206 can be called a universal serial bus start of frame (USB SOF) interval, and the wireless transmission of the user input data can be considered to be synchronized with the USB SOF interval.

[0005] Wireless transmission of user input data from mouse 104 to adapter 106 is often susceptible to wireless interference. In a noisy environment, it is often necessary to retransmit the user input data to improve the integrity of the data received by adapter 106. Figure 3 Another example of the transmission of user input data from the mouse 104 to the adapter 106 is shown. Figure 3 The transmission of user input data shown is Figure 2 106, except that due to wireless interference, the transmission of data packet 202b from wireless mouse 104 to adapter 106 is unsuccessful. After detecting this unsuccessful transmission, the user input data can be retransmitted from mouse 104 to adapter 106 in the form of data packet 302. Figure 3 As shown, the data packet 302 may be delivered to the computer 102 at approximately the same time as the next data packet 202 c is delivered to the computer 102 .

[0006] The periodic and rapid transmission of user input data from the mouse 104 to the adapter 106 usually consumes a large amount of power. Therefore, the battery of the mouse 104 must be frequently replaced or recharged. If the mouse 104 and the adapter 106 are operated in a noisy environment, this problem is exacerbated by the fact that this operation usually repeats the transmission of user input data more times. Therefore, an improved apparatus and method is needed to allow the mouse (or any other similar wireless input device) to be used for a longer period of time without the need to recharge or replace batteries. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to various embodiments, a device for controlling a pointer on a screen of an electronic device may be provided, the device comprising: a receiver device, which can communicate with the electronic device and comprises a receiving unit and a communication unit; and a wireless input device, which comprises: a sensing unit, configured to detect movement of the wireless input device; a position determination unit, configured to determine a current position of the wireless input device in a current time instance based on the detected movement; a prediction unit, configured to predict the current position of the wireless input device in the current time instance; a comparison unit, configured to determine a difference between the determined current position of the wireless input device and the predicted current position, and further configured to determine whether the difference is greater than a similarity threshold; and a sending unit, configured to send the determined current position of the wireless input device to the receiver device in response to determining that the difference between the determined current position of the wireless input device and the predicted current position is greater than a similarity threshold; wherein the receiving unit of the receiver device may be configured to receive the determined current position of the wireless input device, and the communication unit of the receiver device may be configured to transmit the received current position of the wireless input device to the electronic device to control the pointer on the screen of the electronic device.

[0008] According to various embodiments, a wireless input device that can communicate with a receiver device can be provided, wherein the receiver device can communicate with the electronic device, and wherein the wireless input device may include: a sensing unit configured to detect movement of the wireless input device; a position determination unit configured to determine a current position of the wireless input device in a current time instance based on the detected movement; a prediction unit configured to predict the current position of the wireless input device in the current time instance; a comparison unit configured to determine a difference between the determined current position of the wireless input device and the predicted current position, and further configured to determine whether the difference is greater than a similarity threshold; and a sending unit configured to send the determined current position of the wireless input device to the receiver device in response to determining that the difference between the determined current position of the wireless input device and the predicted current position is greater than a similarity threshold.

[0009] According to various embodiments, a receiver device that can communicate with a wireless input device and an electronic device may be provided, wherein the receiver device may include: a receiving unit configured to receive a current position of the wireless input device from the wireless input device; a communication unit configured to transmit the received current position of the wireless input device to the electronic device; a data detection unit configured to determine whether the receiving unit receives a subsequent position of the wireless input device in a subsequent time instance from the wireless input device; and a predictor unit configured to predict a subsequent position of the wireless input device in a subsequent time instance; wherein, in response to determining that the subsequent position of the wireless input device is not received, the communication unit may be configured to transmit the predicted subsequent position of the wireless input device to the electronic device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] In the different views of the drawings, the same reference numerals generally refer to the same components. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and generally emphasize the main concepts of the invention. In the following description, various embodiments will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 An example of a prior art device 100 is shown, which includes a mouse and an adapter and can be used by a user to interact with a computer;

[0012] Figure 2 Shows the user input data from Figure 1 Example of mouse transmission to the adapter;

[0013] Figure 3 Shows the user input data from Figure 1 Another example of a mouse transmission to an adapter;

[0014] Figure 4A schematic diagram showing an apparatus for controlling a pointer on a screen of an electronic device according to various embodiments;

[0015] Figure 5 It shows the Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a wireless input device of the apparatus;

[0016] Figure 6 It shows the Figure 4 a schematic diagram of a receiver device of the device;

[0017] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B A flowchart showing a method for controlling a pointer on a screen of an electronic device according to various embodiments; and

[0018] Figure 8 Shows Figure 4 Example of movement of a pointer on a screen of an electronic device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] The following detailed description associated with the accompanying drawings is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configuration in which the concepts described herein may be implemented. This detailed description includes specific details to facilitate a deep understanding of the various concepts. However, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be implemented without the specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring these concepts.

[0020] The embodiments of the apparatus described below are similarly applicable to the corresponding methods, and vice versa. In addition, it should be understood that the embodiments described below may be combined, for example, a portion of one embodiment may be combined with a portion of another embodiment.

[0021] It is to be understood that any property described herein for a particular device may also apply to any device described herein. It is to be understood that any property described herein for a particular method may also apply to any method described herein. In addition, it is to be understood that any device or method described herein may include only some (but not all) components or steps, and not all described components or steps must be included in the device or method.

[0022] In addition, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" also represent plural situations. Similarly, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the word "or" also includes the meaning of the word "and". It should be further understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of the described features, integers, steps, operating methods, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operating methods, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0023] In order to make the present invention easier to understand and put into practice, various embodiments will be described below in an illustrative, rather than limiting, manner with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] According to various embodiments, a device for controlling a pointer on a screen of an electronic device may be provided. The device may include a wireless input device and a receiver device. The wireless input device may use a sensing unit therein to determine its position, and may also predict its position. If the determined position and the predicted position are significantly different, the wireless input device may transmit the determined position to the receiver device, and then the receiver device may pass the position to the electronic device to control the pointer. On the other hand, if the determined position and the predicted position are similar enough, the wireless input device may not transmit the determined position to the receiver device. The receiver device may also predict the position of the wireless input device, and if no data from the wireless input device is received, the receiver device may pass this predicted position to the electronic device to control the pointer. The device may consume less power (thereby extending the battery life of the wireless input device) without affecting the user experience.

[0025] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of an apparatus 400 for controlling a pointer on a screen of an electronic device 402 according to various embodiments is shown. The electronic device 402 may be a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, or any other electronic device known to those skilled in the art. Figure 4 As shown, apparatus 400 may include a wireless input device 404 and a receiver device 406 .

[0026] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a wireless input device 404 according to various embodiments is shown. The wireless input device 404 can communicate with (in other words, can send and receive data to) a receiver device 406. In various embodiments, the wireless input device 404 can be any type of wireless input HID known to those skilled in the art, such as, but not limited to, a wireless mouse or a wireless pointer.

[0027] like Figure 5As shown, the wireless input device 404 may include a sensing unit 502 configured to detect movement of the wireless input device 404. The sensing unit 502 may include a light emitting diode and a light detector, or any other type of sensor known to those skilled in the art.

[0028] The wireless input device 404 may further include a position determination unit 504 configured to determine the position of the wireless input device 404 based on the detected movement. In addition, the wireless input device 404 may include a prediction unit 506 configured to predict the position of the wireless input device 404. The position may be in the form of a two-dimensional data point, which may include xy coordinates.

[0029] The comparison unit 508 may be included in the wireless input device 404 and is configured to compare the predicted position (from the prediction unit 506) with the determined position (from the position determination unit 504). Figure 5 As shown, the wireless input device 404 may also include a transmission unit 510 configured to transmit data to the receiver device 406 .

[0030] Further, the input storage unit 512 may also be included in the wireless input device 404. In some embodiments, the input storage unit 512 may be configured to store each position of the wireless input device 404 determined by the position determination unit 504 and each position of the wireless input device 404 predicted by the prediction unit 506. However, in some alternative embodiments, the input storage unit 512 may be configured to store only the determined position of the wireless input device 404. The prediction unit 506 of the wireless input device 404 may be configured to retrieve previously stored positions of the wireless input device 404 from the input storage unit 512 and use these previously stored positions to predict the position of the wireless input device 404. However, in some embodiments, the prediction unit 506 may obtain the previous position of the wireless input device 404 in other ways, or may predict the position of the wireless input device 404 in alternative ways. For example, the previous position of the wireless input device 404 may be stored in the prediction unit 506 in the form of a delay element of the prediction engine. In these embodiments, the input storage unit 512 may be omitted in the wireless input device 404.

[0031] Figure 6A schematic diagram of a receiver device 406 is shown. The receiver device 406 can communicate with the wireless input device 404 and the electronic device 402. In some embodiments, the receiver device 406 can be a built-in component of the electronic device 402. In alternative embodiments, the receiver device 406 can be external to the electronic device 402, but the receiver device 406 can be connected (in other words, connectable) to the electronic device 402. For example, the receiver device 406 can include a USB plug that can be connected to the electronic device 402 via a USB receptacle of the electronic device 402. Similarly, the receiver device 406 can be any type of HID known to those skilled in the art, such as, but not limited to, an adapter.

[0032] like Figure 6 As shown, the receiver device 406 may include a receiving unit 602 configured to receive data from the wireless input device 404. The receiver device 406 may further include a communication unit 604 configured to transmit the data to the electronic device 402. In addition, the receiver device 406 may include a data detection unit 606 configured to detect the presence of data received from the wireless input device 404 and a predictor unit 608 configured to predict the location of the wireless input device 404.

[0033] A receiver storage unit 610 may also be included in the receiver device 406 and may be configured to store each position of the wireless input device 404 received by the receiving unit 602 and each position of the wireless input device 404 predicted by the predictor unit 608. However, in some embodiments, the receiver storage unit 610 may be configured to store only the received positions of the wireless input device 404. The predictor unit 608 of the receiver device 406 may be configured to retrieve previously stored positions of the wireless input device 404 from the receiver storage unit 512 and use these previously stored positions to predict the position of the wireless input device 404. However, in some embodiments, the predictor unit 608 may obtain the previous positions of the wireless input device 404 in other ways, or may predict the position of the wireless input device 404 in alternative ways. For example, the previous positions of the wireless input device 404 may be stored in the predictor unit 608 in the form of delay elements of the prediction engine. In these embodiments, the receiver storage unit 610 may be omitted in the receiver device 406.

[0034] Fig. 7A and Figure 7B The figure shows a flow chart of a method for controlling a pointer on a screen of an electronic device 402. Fig. 7A The flowchart of FIG. 40 shows a first part of a method that can be performed by the wireless input device 404, and Figure 7B The flowchart of shows a second part of the method which may be performed by the receiver device 406 .

[0035] refer to Fig. 7A At step 702 , the method may include detecting movement of the wireless input device 404 by the sensing unit 502 .

[0036] At step 704 , the method may include determining a current position (or in other words, a data point) of the wireless input device 404 at a current time instance based on the detected movement. This step may be performed by the position determination unit 504 .

[0037] At step 706 , the determined current position of the wireless input device 404 may be stored in the input storage unit 512 .

[0038] At step 708, the method may include predicting the current position of the wireless input device 404 at the current time instance using the prediction unit 506. In various embodiments, the prediction unit 506 may predict the current position of the wireless input device 404 based on the previous positions (in other words, previous data points) of the wireless input device 404 determined by the position determination unit 504 at multiple time instances before the current time instance. Fig. 7A As shown, in some embodiments, the prediction unit 506 may use the first prediction function to predict the current position of the wireless input device 404. For example, the prediction unit 506 may generate parameters of the first prediction function based on the previous position of the wireless input device 404 determined by the position determination unit 504 (in a time instance before the current time instance), and predict the current position of the wireless input device 404 in the current time instance using the first prediction function and the generated parameters.

[0039] At step 710, the predicted current position of the wireless input device 404 (in other words, the predicted data point) may also be stored in the input storage unit 512. In some embodiments, the prediction unit 506 may retrieve and use one or more previously stored positions (stored in a time instance prior to the current time instance) from the input storage unit 512 to predict the current position of the wireless input device 404. In some embodiments, these previously stored positions may include previously determined positions as well as previously predicted positions, but in other embodiments, they may include only previously determined positions.

[0040] At step 712, the similarity between the predicted current location of the wireless input device 404 (from step 708) and the determined current location (from step 704) can be determined using the comparison unit 508. In some embodiments, the comparison unit 508 can determine the difference between the determined current location of the wireless input device 404 and the predicted current location, and can compare the difference to a similarity threshold and determine whether the difference is greater than the similarity threshold. In some embodiments, the similarity threshold can range from about 0.5% to about 1.5% of the determined location, and in an exemplary embodiment, the similarity threshold can be about 1% of the determined location. For example, if the determined location includes coordinates (x1, y1) and the predicted location includes coordinates (x2, y2), then the similarity threshold can also include an x ​​component having a value of about 1% of x1 and a y component having a value of about 1% of y1. Then, the comparison unit 508 may determine whether the difference between x2 and x1, i.e., (x2–x1), is greater than 1% of x1, and whether the difference between y2 and y1, i.e., (y2–y1), is greater than 1% of y1. In some embodiments, the comparison unit 508 may consider the difference between the determined position and the predicted position to be greater than the similarity threshold only when the difference between the x-coordinates of the positions (x2–x1) is greater than the x-component of the similarity threshold, and the difference between the y-coordinates of the positions (y2–y1) is greater than the y-component of the similarity threshold. In an alternative embodiment, the comparison unit 508 may consider the difference between the determined position and the predicted position to be greater than the similarity threshold as long as one of the above differences is greater than the respective component of the similarity threshold.

[0041] At step 714, in response to determining that the difference between the determined current position and the predicted current position of the wireless input device 404 is greater than a similarity threshold (in other words, determining that the determined position and the predicted position in the current time instance are not similar enough), the transmission unit 510 can transmit the determined current position of the wireless input device 404 to the receiver device 406.

[0042] Reference Figure 7B At step 718 , the method may include the receiving unit 602 of the receiver device 406 receiving the determined current location of the wireless input device 404 from the transmitting unit 510 .

[0043] At step 720 , the method may include determining whether the receiving unit 602 receives the current position of the wireless input device 404 at the current time instance (current data point) from the wireless input device 406 . This step may be performed by the data detection unit 606 .

[0044] At step 722 , in response to determining that the current position of the wireless input device 404 is received, the method can store the received current position in the receiver storage unit 610 .

[0045] At step 724, in response to determining that the current position of the wireless input device 404 is received, the method may also include communicating (using the communication unit 604 of the receiver device 406) the received current position of the wireless input device 404 to the electronic device 402 to control a pointer on a screen of the electronic device 402. For example, the received current position of the wireless input device 404 may include two-dimensional (e.g., x, y) coordinates corresponding to pixels on the screen, and the pointer may be moved to the pixels on the screen.

[0046] As mentioned above Fig. 7A Steps 702 to 712 may be repeated for a subsequent time instance (wherein this subsequent time instance is considered the "current time instance" described above). However, at step 712, it may be determined that the determined data point and the predicted data point are sufficiently similar, (in other words, the difference between the determined subsequent position and the predicted subsequent position of the wireless input device 404 in the subsequent time instance is less than a similarity threshold). In this case, the method may include abandoning (at step 716) transmitting the data to the receiver device 406. Therefore, in contrast to step 714 described above, data indicating the subsequent position of the wireless input device 404 is not transmitted to the receiver device 406. Therefore, neither the determined subsequent position nor the predicted subsequent position of the wireless input device 404 may be transmitted to the receiver device 406.

[0047] Similarly, as mentioned above Figure 7B Step 720 may be repeated for subsequent time instances (wherein the subsequent time instances are considered as the above-mentioned “current time instances”). In other words, the method may include determining whether a subsequent position of the wireless input device 404 in a subsequent time instance is received by the receiving unit 602 from the wireless input device 404.

[0048] At step 726, the method may include predicting, using the predictor unit 608 of the receiver device 406, a subsequent position of the wireless input device 404 at a subsequent time instance. Figure 7BAs shown in , in some embodiments, this may be performed in response to determining (at step 720) that the subsequent position of the wireless input device 404 was not received. However, in alternative embodiments, this may be performed regardless of whether the position of the wireless input device 404 is received from the transmission unit 510. In various embodiments, the predictor unit 608 may predict the subsequent position of the wireless input device 404 based on the previous positions of the wireless input device 404 communicated to the electronic device 402 at multiple time instances before the subsequent time instance. Figure 7B As shown in , in some embodiments, the predictor unit 608 can use the second prediction function to predict the subsequent position of the wireless input device 404. For example, the predictor unit 608 can generate parameters of the second prediction function based on the previous position of the wireless input device 404 transmitted to the electronic device 402 at a plurality of time instances before the subsequent time instance. The predictor unit 608 can further use the second prediction function and these generated parameters to predict the subsequent position of the wireless input device 404 at the subsequent time instance.

[0049] At step 728, the method may include storing the predicted subsequent position in the receiver storage unit 610. In some embodiments, the predictor unit 608 may retrieve and use one or more previously stored positions (stored in a time instance prior to the subsequent time instance) from the receiver storage unit 610 for predicting the subsequent position of the wireless input device 404 at step 726. In some embodiments, these previously stored positions may include previously received positions and previously predicted positions, but in other embodiments, these previously stored positions may include only previously received positions.

[0050] At step 730 , the method may include determining whether the prediction of a subsequent position of the wireless input device 404 was successful.

[0051] At step 732, in response to determining that the prediction of the subsequent position of the wireless input device 404 is successful, the communication unit 604 of the receiver device 406 may transmit the predicted subsequent position of the wireless input device 404 to the electronic device 402 to control a pointer on the screen of the electronic device 402. For example, the predicted position of the wireless input device 404 may include two-dimensional (e.g., x, y) coordinates corresponding to each pixel on the screen, and the pointer may be moved to the pixel on the screen.

[0052] In step 734, in response to determining that the prediction of the subsequent position of the wireless input device 404 is unsuccessful, the state of the pointer on the screen of the electronic device 402 may remain unchanged. In some embodiments, the communication unit 604 of the receiver device 406 may transmit data to the electronic device 402, wherein the data may include instructions to maintain the position of the pointer issued to the electronic device 402. In some embodiments, no data is transmitted to the electronic device 402, and in the absence of data, the position of the pointer may remain unchanged.

[0053] In some embodiments, determining whether the prediction was successful may be omitted at step 730. In these embodiments, in response to determining that a subsequent position of the wireless input device 404 was not received, the predicted position may be communicated by the communication unit 604 to the electronic device 402, regardless of whether the prediction was determined to be successful.

[0054] Figure 8 An example is shown where the pointer moves across pixel 802a to pixel 802i on the screen of electronic device 402. Figure 8 As shown, pixel 802a, pixel 802b, pixel 802e, pixel 802h can correspond to the coordinates of the data point received from the wireless input device 404; while pixel 802c, pixel 802d, pixel 802f, pixel 802g, pixel 802i can correspond to the coordinates of the data point predicted by the predictor unit 608 of the receiver device 406.

[0055] In various embodiments, the first prediction function used by the prediction unit 506 of the wireless input device 404 and the second prediction function used by the predictor unit 608 of the receiver device 406 may be the same function with variable parameters (to be generated by the prediction unit 506 and the predictor unit 608 as described above). The prediction may be based on a previous position. The previous position used by the prediction unit 506 may be the above-mentioned previous position of the wireless input device 404 determined by the position determination unit 504 in a previous time instance. The previous position used by the prediction unit 606 may be the above-mentioned previous position of the wireless input device 404 passed to the electronic device 402 in a previous time instance. In some embodiments, the number of previous positions used to generate the parameters of the first prediction function and the second prediction function may be from 10 to 20. In other words, after detecting a change in the state of the wireless input device 404, no prediction may be performed in the first 10 to 20 time instances. In some embodiments, the parameters of the first prediction function and the second prediction function may not be generated every time the position of the wireless input device 404 is predicted. Rather, prediction unit 506 and / or predictor unit 608 may use the same parameters over multiple time instances before generating new parameters.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first prediction function and the second prediction function can be the same polynomial equation. For example, the first prediction function and the second prediction function can both be first-order polynomial equations f(t) as shown in equation (1) below, where a and b can be variable parameters. In another example, the first prediction function and the second prediction function can both be second-order polynomial equations, as shown in equation (2) below, where a, b and c can be variable parameters. In another example, the first prediction function and the second prediction function can both be third-order polynomial equations, as shown in formula (3) below, where a, b, c and d can be variable parameters. However, the first prediction function and the second prediction function can be any suitable function known to those skilled in the art.

[0057] f(t)=at+b (1)

[0058] f(t)=at 2 +bt+c (2)

[0059] f(t)=at 3 +bt 2 +ct+d (3)

[0060] In various embodiments, the prediction unit 506 of the wireless input device 404 may be configured to fit the previous position to each of a plurality of polynomial equations (for example, but not limited to, the polynomial equations shown in equations (1) to (3)). The prediction unit 506 may then determine the polynomial equation that best fits the previous position and select the polynomial equation as the first prediction function. The prediction unit 506 may perform the fitting of the previous position to each polynomial equation and the determination of the polynomial equation that best fits the previous position using any technique known to those skilled in the art.

[0061] In various embodiments, the predictor unit 608 of the receiver device 406 may also be configured to fit the previous position to a plurality of polynomial equations (for example, but not limited to, the polynomial equations shown in equations (1) to (3)). The predictor unit 608 may then determine the polynomial equation that best fits the previous position and select the polynomial equation as the second prediction function. Since the previous position used by the predictor unit 608 may be substantially similar to the previous position used by the prediction unit 506, the polynomial equations selected for the first prediction function and the second prediction function may be the same, and the parameters generated may also be substantially similar. The predictor unit 608 may use any technique known to those skilled in the art to fit the previous position to each polynomial equation and determine the polynomial equation that best fits the previous position.

[0062] As described above, in some embodiments, the predicted position of the wireless input device 404 can be transmitted (as in step 732) to the electronic device 402 only if it is determined (as in step 730) that the prediction is successful. In some embodiments, if the average difference between the output calculated using the selected polynomial equation and the previous position at each time instance is below the fitting success threshold, then the prediction can be considered successful. For example, if the selected polynomial equation is the equation in equation (1), that is, f(t) = at + b, then the difference between the output f(t0) and the previous position at the time instance t = t0 and the difference between the output f(t0+1) and the previous position at the time instance t = t0+1 can be determined, and the average of these differences can be calculated and compared with the fitting success threshold to determine whether the prediction is successful. However, other methods known to those skilled in the art can also be used to determine whether the prediction is successful.

[0063] In alternative embodiments, the first prediction function and the second prediction function may be the same displacement equation. Each displacement equation may include a velocity parameter and an acceleration parameter. For example, both the first prediction function and the second prediction function may be displacement equations as shown in equation (4) below, where the final velocity v f and acceleration a can be variable parameters (speed parameters and acceleration parameters) generated according to the previous position. For example, the initial speed v i and acceleration a can be determined from the previous position, and then the final velocity v f It can be determined using equation (5). The final velocity v f This may be the speed at which the wireless input device 404 was at a time instance immediately prior to the time instance at which the prediction may be performed.

[0064] s=v f t+(1 / 2)at 2 (4)

[0065] v f =v i +at (5)

[0066] For example, to predict the position of the wireless input device 404 at time instance t=t0+10, the initial velocity v can be determined using its previous positions at time instances t0, t0+1, t0+2, ... t0+9. i and acceleration a. Equation (5) can then be used to determine the final velocity v of the wireless input device 404 at t = t0 + 9 f The final velocity v fThe initial velocity v and the acceleration a can be used to predict a subsequent displacement s from the position of the wireless input device 404 at time t0+9, and then the position of the wireless input device 404 at time t0+10 can be predicted based on the displacement s. i and the final velocity v f , acceleration a, and displacement s each have an x ​​component and a y component. The x component of displacement s can be expressed as velocity v i 、v f and the x-component of the acceleration a; while the y-component of the displacement s can be predicted using the velocity v i 、v f and the y component of acceleration a to predict.

[0067] In a short period of time (e.g., 10 to 50 ms), the user's movement of the wireless input device 404 tends to follow a certain trajectory pattern. Therefore, the position of the wireless input device 404 can be predicted in a relatively accurate manner. By predicting the position of the wireless input device 404 and transmitting data to the receiver device 406 only when the difference between the predicted position and the determined position is greater than the similarity threshold, the amount of data transmitted from the wireless input device 404 to the receiver device 406 during a period can be reduced. Therefore, the power consumed by the device 400 can be less. In addition, as described above, the wireless input device 404 and the receiver device 406 can use the same function to predict the position of the wireless input device 404, wherein the parameters of the function can be generated by the devices 404 and 406 using approximately similar previous positions, respectively. Therefore, in the case where the receiver device 406 does not receive a data point from the wireless input device 404, the position predicted by the receiver device 406 can differ from the position determined by the position determination unit 504 by no more than the similarity threshold. In other words, even if data is not transmitted from the wireless input device 404 to the receiver device 406, the data used to control the pointer on the screen of the electronic device 402 may still be substantially accurate. Furthermore, in embodiments where the predicted position may be transmitted to the electronic device 402 regardless of whether the position is received from the wireless input device 404, the number of data points (e.g., 1000 data points) received per second by the electronic device 402 may not be significantly different from the number of data points if all determined positions are sent to the electronic device 402. Thus, the battery life of the wireless input device 404 may be increased without affecting the integrity of the data used to control the pointer and without affecting the user experience.

[0068] The following examples are further embodiments.

[0069] Example 1 is a device for controlling a pointer on a screen of an electronic device, the device comprising: a receiver device, which can communicate with the electronic device and includes a receiving unit and a communication unit; and a wireless input device, which includes: a sensing unit, configured to detect the movement of the wireless input device; a position determination unit, configured to determine the current position of the wireless input device in the current time instance based on the detected movement; a prediction unit, configured to predict the current position of the wireless input device in the current time instance; a comparison unit, configured to determine the difference between the determined current position of the wireless input device and the predicted current position, and further configured to determine whether the difference is greater than a similarity threshold; and a transmission unit, configured to transmit the determined current position of the wireless input device to the receiver device in response to determining that the difference between the determined current position of the wireless input device and the predicted current position is greater than the similarity threshold; wherein the receiving unit of the receiver device can be configured to receive the determined current position of the wireless input device, and the communication unit of the receiver device can be configured to transmit the received current position of the wireless input device to the electronic device to control the pointer on the screen of the electronic device.

[0070] In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1 may optionally include that the prediction unit of the wireless input device may be configured to predict the current position of the wireless input device in the current time instance based on the previous positions of the wireless input device in multiple time instances before the current time instance determined by the position determination unit.

[0071] In Example 3, the subject matter of Example 2 may optionally include that the prediction unit of the wireless input device may be configured to generate parameters of a first prediction function based on a previous position of the wireless input device determined by the position determination unit; and predict the current position of the wireless input device at a current time instance using the first prediction function with the generated parameters.

[0072] In Example 4, any one of the subjects of Examples 1 to 3 may optionally include that the receiver device may further include: a data detection unit configured to determine whether the receiving unit receives a subsequent position of the wireless input device in a subsequent time instance from the wireless input device; and a predictor unit configured to predict a subsequent position of the wireless input device in a subsequent time instance; wherein, in response to determining that the subsequent position of the wireless input device is not received, the communication unit of the receiver device may be further configured to transmit the predicted subsequent position of the wireless input device to the electronic device to control the pointer on the screen of the electronic device.

[0073] In Example 5, the subject matter of Example 4 can optionally include that the predictor unit of the receiver device can be configured to predict a subsequent position of the wireless input device at a subsequent time instance in response to determining that the subsequent position of the wireless input device is not received.

[0074] In Example 6, the subject matter of Example 4 or Example 5 may optionally include that the predictor unit of the receiver device may be configured to predict a subsequent position of the wireless input device based on previous positions of the wireless input device communicated to the electronic device at multiple time instances prior to the subsequent time instance.

[0075] In Example 7, the subject matter of Example 6 may optionally include that the predictor unit of the receiver device may be configured to generate parameters of a second prediction function based on a previous position of the wireless input device transmitted to the electronic device; and predict a subsequent position of the wireless input device in a subsequent time instance using the second prediction function with the generated parameters.

[0076] In Example 8, the subject matter of any one of Examples 4 to 6 may optionally include that the prediction unit of the wireless input device may be further configured to predict a subsequent position of the wireless input device using a first prediction function; the predictor unit of the receiver device may be configured to predict a subsequent position of the wireless input device using a second prediction function; and the first prediction function and the second prediction function may be the same function with variable parameters.

[0077] In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 8 can optionally include that the first prediction function and the second prediction function can be the same polynomial equation.

[0078] In Example 10, the subject matter of Example 8 can optionally include that the first prediction function and the second prediction function can be the same displacement equation, and each displacement equation can include a velocity parameter and an acceleration parameter.

[0079] In Example 11, the subject matter of Example 10 may optionally include that the velocity parameter and the acceleration parameter for the first prediction function may be determined based on a previous position of the wireless input device determined by the position determination unit at a plurality of time instances prior to the subsequent time instance.

[0080] In Example 12, the subject matter of Example 10 or Example 11 may optionally include that the speed parameter and the acceleration parameter for the second prediction function may be determined based on a previous position of the wireless input device transmitted to the electronic device at a plurality of time instances prior to the subsequent time instance.

[0081] In Example 13, any one of the subjects of Examples 1 to 12 may optionally include that the wireless input device may further include an input storage unit configured to store each position of the wireless input device determined by the position determination unit; and the prediction unit of the wireless input device may be further configured to predict a current position of the wireless input device using a previously stored position of the wireless input device from the input storage unit, wherein the previously stored position is stored in a time instance before the current time instance.

[0082] In Example 14, the subject matter of Example 13 may optionally include that the input storage unit may be further configured to store each position of the wireless input device predicted by the prediction unit.

[0083] In Example 15, the subject matter of any one of Examples 4 to 14 may optionally include that the receiver device may further include a receiver storage unit configured to store each position of the wireless input device received by the receiving unit; and wherein the predictor unit of the receiver device may be further configured to predict a subsequent position of the wireless input device using a previously stored position of the wireless input device from the receiver storage unit, wherein the previously stored position may be stored in a time instance prior to the subsequent time instance.

[0084] In Example 16, the subject matter of Example 15 may optionally include that the receiver storage unit may be further configured to store each position of the wireless input device predicted by the predictor unit, and wherein the previously stored positions used to predict subsequent positions of the wireless input device may include previously predicted positions.

[0085] Example 17 is a wireless input device that can communicate with a receiver device, wherein the receiver device can communicate with the electronic device, and wherein the wireless input device may include: a sensing unit, configured to detect the movement of the wireless input device; a position determination unit, configured to determine the current position of the wireless input device in the current time instance based on the detected movement; a prediction unit, configured to predict the current position of the wireless input device in the current time instance; a comparison unit, configured to determine the difference between the determined current position of the wireless input device and the predicted current position, and further configured to determine whether the difference is greater than a similarity threshold; and a transmission unit, configured to transmit the determined current position of the wireless input device to the receiver device in response to determining that the difference between the determined current position of the wireless input device and the predicted current position is greater than a similarity threshold.

[0086] In Example 18, the subject matter of Example 17 may optionally include that the prediction unit may be configured to predict a current position of the wireless input device in the current time instance based on previous positions of the wireless input device in multiple time instances before the current time instance determined by the position determination unit.

[0087] In Example 19, the subject matter of Example 18 may optionally include that the prediction unit may be configured to generate parameters of a first prediction function based on a previous position of the wireless input device determined by the position determination unit; and predict the current position of the wireless input device at a current time instance using the first prediction function with the generated parameters.

[0088] In Example 20, the subject matter of any one of Examples 17 to 19 may optionally include that the wireless input device may further include an input storage unit configured to store each position of the wireless input device determined by the position determination unit; and wherein the prediction unit may be further configured to predict the current position of the wireless input device using a previously stored position of the wireless input device from the input storage unit, wherein the previously stored position is stored in a time instance before the current time instance.

[0089] In Example 21, the subject matter of Example 20 may optionally include that the input storage unit may be further configured to store each position of the wireless input device predicted by the prediction unit.

[0090] Example 22 is a receiver device that can communicate with a wireless input device and an electronic device, wherein the receiver device may include: a receiving unit, configured to receive a current position of the wireless input device from the wireless input device; a communication unit, configured to transmit the received current position of the wireless input device to the electronic device; a data detection unit, configured to determine whether the receiving unit receives a subsequent position of the wireless input device in a subsequent time instance from the wireless input device; and a predictor unit, configured to predict a subsequent position of the wireless input device in a subsequent time instance; wherein, in response to determining that the subsequent position of the wireless input device is not received, the communication unit may be configured to transmit the predicted subsequent position of the wireless input device to the electronic device.

[0091] In Example 23, the subject matter of Example 22 can optionally include that the predictor unit can be configured to predict a subsequent position of the wireless input device at a subsequent time instance in response to determining that the subsequent position of the wireless input device is not received.

[0092] In Example 24, the subject matter of Example 22 or Example 23 may optionally include that the predictor unit may be configured to predict a subsequent position of the wireless input device based on previous positions of the wireless input device communicated to the electronic device at a plurality of time instances prior to the subsequent time instance.

[0093] In Example 25, the subject matter of Example 24 may optionally include that the predictor unit may be configured to generate parameters of a second prediction function based on a previous position of the wireless input device transmitted to the electronic device; and predict a subsequent position of the wireless input device at a subsequent time instance using the second prediction function with the generated parameters.

[0094] In Example 26, the subject matter of any one of Examples 22 to 25 may optionally include that the receiver device may further include a receiver storage unit configured to store each position of the wireless input device received by the receiving unit; and the predictor unit of the receiver device may be further configured to predict a subsequent position of the wireless input device using a previously stored position of the wireless input device from the receiver storage unit, wherein the previously stored position may be stored in a time instance prior to the subsequent time instance.

[0095] In Example 27, the subject matter of Example 26 may optionally include that the receiver storage unit may be further configured to store each position of the wireless input device predicted by the predictor unit, and wherein the previously stored positions used to predict subsequent positions of the wireless input device may include previously predicted positions.

[0096] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been particularly shown and described with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims. Therefore, the scope of the present invention is determined by the scope recorded in the claims, and therefore, all changes within the meaning and equivalent range of the claims will be incorporated therein. It is understood that the same reference numerals used in the relevant drawings refer to components with similar or identical purposes.

[0097] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the terms used herein are only used to describe various embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "one", "an" and "said" used herein also include plural forms. It should be further understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, it is to indicate the presence of the features, integers, steps, operating methods, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operating methods, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0098] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the disclosed process / flowchart is an illustration of an exemplary method. Based on design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the process / flowchart may be rearranged. In addition, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The claims present elements of various blocks in an exemplary order and are not intended to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0099] The above description is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to a person skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Therefore, the scope of this patent application shall not be limited to the aspects shown herein, but shall be given the full scope consistent with the contents of the claims. Unless otherwise specified, reference to a singular component does not mean "one and only one", but "one or more". The word "exemplary" used herein means "as an example, instance or illustration". Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" does not necessarily represent that it is better or advantageous than other aspects. Unless otherwise specified, the term "some" means one or more. Combinations such as "at least one of A, B or C", "one or more of A, B or C", "at least one of A, B and C", "one or more of A, B and C", and "A, B, C or any combination thereof" include any combination of A, B and / or C, and may include multiples of A, multiples of B or multiples of C. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" may be only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, or A and B and C, wherein any such combination may be one or more members comprising A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents of the components at all levels described in the present disclosure, if known or later known to those skilled in the art, are hereby expressly incorporated by reference and will be included in the scope of the claims. In addition, regardless of whether the content disclosed herein is explicitly mentioned in the scope of the claims, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public. Words such as "module," "mechanism," "component," and "device" cannot replace the word "means," and therefore, unless the phrase "means for..." is used to expressly state, any element in the scope of the claims cannot be understood as a means plus function method.

Claims

1. A device for controlling a pointer on a screen of an electronic device, the device comprising: a receiver device capable of communicating with the electronic device and comprising a receiving unit and a communication unit; and Wireless input devices, including: a sensing unit configured to detect movement of the wireless input device; a position determination unit configured to determine a current position of the wireless input device at a current time instance based on the detected movement; a prediction unit configured to predict the current position of the wireless input device at the current time instance; a comparison unit configured to determine a difference between the determined current position and the predicted current position of the wireless input device, and further configured to determine whether the difference is greater than a similarity threshold; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the determined current position of the wireless input device to the receiver device in response to determining that the difference between the determined current position of the wireless input device and the predicted current position is greater than the similarity threshold; wherein the receiving unit of the receiver device is configured to receive the determined current position of the wireless input device, and the communication unit of the receiver device is configured to transmit the received current position of the wireless input device to the electronic device to control the pointer on the screen of the electronic device, Wherein, the receiver device further includes: a data detection unit configured to determine whether the receiving unit receives from the wireless input device a subsequent position of the wireless input device at a subsequent time instance; and a predictor unit configured to predict said subsequent position of said wireless input device at said subsequent time instance; In response to determining that the subsequent position of the wireless input device is not received, the communication unit of the receiver device is further configured to transmit the predicted subsequent position of the wireless input device to the electronic device to control the pointer on the screen of the electronic device.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The prediction unit of the wireless input device is configured to predict a current position of the wireless input device at the current time instance based on previous positions of the wireless input device determined by the position determination unit at a plurality of time instances before the current time instance.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein: The prediction unit of the wireless input device is configured as follows: generating parameters of a first prediction function based on the previous position of the wireless input device determined by the position determination unit; as well as Using the first prediction function with the generated parameters, a current position of the wireless input device at the current time instance is predicted.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The predictor unit of the receiver device is configured to predict the subsequent position of the wireless input device at the subsequent time instance in response to determining that the subsequent position of the wireless input device is not received.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The predictor unit of the receiver device is configured to predict the subsequent position of the wireless input device based on previous positions of the wireless input device communicated to the electronic device at a plurality of time instances prior to the subsequent time instance.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The predictor unit of the receiver device is configured to: generating parameters of a second prediction function based on the previous position of the wireless input device communicated to the electronic device; as well as Using the second prediction function having the generated parameters, predicting the subsequent position of the wireless input device at the subsequent time instance.

7. The device according to claim 1, in, The prediction unit of the wireless input device is further configured to predict the subsequent position of the wireless input device using a first prediction function; wherein the predictor unit of the receiver device is configured to predict the subsequent position of the wireless input device using a second prediction function; and The first prediction function and the second prediction function are the same function with variable parameters.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The first prediction function and the second prediction function are the same polynomial equation.

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein: The first prediction function and the second prediction function are the same displacement equation, each displacement equation including a velocity parameter and an acceleration parameter.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein: The velocity parameter and the acceleration parameter for the first prediction function are determined based on a previous position of the wireless input device determined by the position determination unit at a plurality of time instances prior to the subsequent time instance.

11. The device according to claim 9, wherein: The velocity parameter and the acceleration parameter for the second prediction function are determined based on previous positions of the wireless input device communicated to the electronic device at a plurality of time instances prior to the subsequent time instance.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein: The wireless input device further includes an input storage unit configured to store each position of the wireless input device determined by the position determination unit; and Wherein, the prediction unit of the wireless input device is further configured to predict a current position of the wireless input device using a previously stored position of the wireless input device from the input storage unit, wherein the previously stored position is stored in a time instance before the current time instance.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein: The input storage unit is further configured to store each position of the wireless input device predicted by the prediction unit.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein: The receiver device further includes a receiver storage unit configured to store each position of the wireless input device received by the receiving unit; and Wherein the predictor unit of the receiver device is further configured to predict the subsequent position of the wireless input device using a previously stored position of the wireless input device from the receiver storage unit, wherein the previously stored position was stored in a time instance prior to the subsequent time instance.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein: The receiver storage unit is further configured to store each position of the wireless input device predicted by the predictor unit, and wherein the previously stored positions used to predict the subsequent position of the wireless input device include previously predicted positions.

16. A receiver device capable of communicating with a wireless input device and an electronic device, wherein the receiver device comprises: a receiving unit configured to receive a current position of the wireless input device from the wireless input device; a communication unit configured to transmit the received current position of the wireless input device to the electronic device; a data detection unit configured to determine whether the receiving unit receives from the wireless input device a subsequent position of the wireless input device at a subsequent time instance; and a predictor unit configured to predict said subsequent position of said wireless input device at said subsequent time instance, In response to determining that the subsequent position of the wireless input device is not received, the communication unit is configured to transmit the predicted subsequent position of the wireless input device to the electronic device.

17. The receiver device of claim 16, wherein: The predictor unit is configured to predict the subsequent position of the wireless input device at the subsequent time instance in response to determining that the subsequent position of the wireless input device is not received.

18. The receiver device of claim 16, wherein: The predictor unit is configured to predict the subsequent position of the wireless input device based on previous positions of the wireless input device communicated to the electronic device at a plurality of time instances prior to the subsequent time instance.

19. The receiver device of claim 18, wherein: The predictor unit is configured as: generating parameters of a second prediction function based on the previous position of the wireless input device communicated to the electronic device; as well as Using the second prediction function having the generated parameters, predicting the subsequent position of the wireless input device at the subsequent time instance.

20. The receiver device of claim 16, wherein: The receiver device further includes a receiver storage unit configured to store each position of the wireless input device received by the receiving unit; and Wherein the predictor unit of the receiver device is further configured to predict the subsequent position of the wireless input device using a previously stored position of the wireless input device from the receiver storage unit, wherein the previously stored position was stored in a time instance prior to the subsequent time instance.

21. The receiver device of claim 20, wherein: The receiver storage unit is further configured to store each position of the wireless input device predicted by the predictor unit, and wherein the previously stored positions used to predict the subsequent position of the wireless input device include previously predicted positions.

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