Air Mouse Gyroscope Cursor Alignment Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional 3D mouse devices operating in the air face challenges with cursor misalignment and deviation during quick button clicks, leading to unintended icon selection and ergonomic discomfort due to the lack of a stable support surface, unlike traditional 2D mice.

Innovation Solution

A selection device and method that uses a motion-sensing unit and processing unit to detect specific orientations and spatial relations, allowing for a smooth, ergonomic selection and execution of icon functions by marking an area with a circular motion locus that encircles or passes through the icon, using a gyroscope and accelerometer to maintain alignment and avoid orientation misalignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a 3D mouse device operates in the air without a support surface, then the device gains freedom of motion and ergonomic flexibility, but the cursor becomes prone to deviation and misalignment during quick button clicks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveergonomic flexibilityVSAvoidcursor alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the spatial relationship between the control device and the cursor, and adjusts the cursor position in real-time based on detected device orientation changes. This feedback mechanism compensates for the lack of physical support, maintaining cursor alignment accuracy while preserving the ergonomic freedom of air-based operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical support surface contact (traditional 2D mouse) with an electronic sensing and correction system. Instead of relying on physical friction and contact for stability, the system uses sensors to detect device orientation and software algorithms to compensate for motion deviations, substituting mechanical stability with electronic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If intermittent button clicks are used for icon selection, then the function can be performed correctly, but the operation becomes discontinuous and uncomfortable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunction execution accuracyVSAvoidoperational continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous tracking of the control device's spatial orientation and continuously adjusts the cursor position accordingly. This eliminates the need for intermittent button clicks by providing continuous feedback and adjustment, making the selection process smooth and ergonomic while maintaining reliable function execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection of the device orientation and pre-adjusts the cursor position before the user completes the selection action. This anticipatory adjustment ensures the cursor is already in the correct position when the user intends to select, eliminating the need for corrective intermittent clicks and providing a more natural continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the control device orientation is allowed to vary freely, then the user can intuitively point in any direction, but the alignment direction becomes inconsistent with the cursor position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepointing direction flexibilityVSAvoidorientation-cursor alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the control device's orientation and provides real-time feedback by adjusting the cursor position to match the device's pointing direction. This feedback loop ensures that even as the device orientation varies freely for intuitive pointing, the cursor remains accurately aligned with the intended target, resolving the inconsistency between device orientation and cursor position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables intuitive, ergonomic, and continuous cursor control, ensuring accurate icon selection and function execution without the need for intermittent button clicks, improving user experience and reducing errors caused by cursor deviation.

Implementation Method 1

using a gyroscope and accelerometer to maintain alignment and avoid orientation misalignment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGyroscope: Gyroscope

Implementation Method 2

using a gyroscope and accelerometer to maintain alignment and avoid orientation misalignment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAccelerometer: Accelerometer

Data Source

PatentUS8830172B2Selection device and method for performing positioning operation

Publication Date: 2014.09.09 IMU SOLUTIONS

AI summary

A method for performing a positioning operation related to an image area having a specific position includes the following steps. A specific orientation directed towards the specific position is provided, wherein the specific orientation and the specific position have a specific spatial relation therebetween, and the specific orientation and the image area have a specific angle structure therebetween. The specific angle structure is determined by detecting the specific orientation. The specific spatial relation is calculated according to the determined specific angle structure and the image area. A selection device for performing a positioning operation is also provided.