Camera-Based Pointing Device for Diagonal Display Scrolling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current display control methods, such as scroll bars, require precise cursor movement and are limited to horizontal and vertical scrolling, making it tedious to navigate large content and reducing available display area.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using a pointing device with a camera and image analysis unit to adjust the display by aiming at a target area, allowing scrolling in any direction and enabling intuitive control of visual presentations beyond the visible display area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If scroll bars are used for display control, then horizontal and vertical scrolling is enabled, but the available display area is reduced and diagonal scrolling is not supported

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrolling direction capabilityVSAvoidavailable display area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the traditional scroll bar interface element from the display and replaces it with a camera-based pointing device. The scrolling function is extracted from the display area and transferred to an external device, eliminating the need for on-screen scroll bars while maintaining full scrolling capability in any direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera-based pointing device serves multiple functions: it acts as both a pointing device for selecting items and a scrolling mechanism for navigating through content. This multi-functional approach replaces the dedicated scroll bar with a universal device that handles both positioning and navigation tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If scroll bars are positioned in the display, then scrolling control is provided, but the display area is reduced even when scrolling is not needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescrolling controlVSAvoiddisplay area

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The scrolling control function is extracted from the display area and relocated to an external camera-based pointing device. This allows the full display area to be utilized for content presentation while scrolling control remains accessible through the external device, eliminating the persistent occupation of display space by scroll bars.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If the cursor is moved accurately to the scroll bar position, then precise scrolling control is achieved, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecursor positioning accuracyVSAvoidscrolling operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical cursor movement system with an optical camera-based pointing system. Instead of moving a cursor through interface elements, the user directly points at the desired location on the display using a camera-equipped device, and the system interprets the camera's field of view to determine the target position and scrolling direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The camera acts as an intermediary between the user and the display content. Rather than directly manipulating a cursor or scroll bar, the user points the camera at the desired area, and the system uses image processing to translate the camera's orientation and position into scrolling commands, simplifying the interaction model.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If scrolling is carried out at a constant rate, then simple control is provided, but scrolling to distant points becomes tedious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidscrolling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic scrolling where the scrolling rate and behavior adapt based on the distance to the target position. When the user points at content far from the current view, the system scrolls more rapidly; when approaching the target, the scrolling slows down for precise positioning. This dynamic adjustment maintains control simplicity while significantly reducing scrolling time for distant content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9268411B2Method and system for controlling a display

Publication Date: 2016.02.23 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV

AI summary

The invention describes a method for controlling a display, which method comprises the steps of displaying a portion of a visual presentation (VP) on the display (4) and aiming a pointing device (1) comprising a camera (2) at a target area (A) to indicate a target (PT) in the visual presentation (VP), whereby the target (PT) may be inside or outside of a portion (14) of the visual presentation (VP) currently visible on the display (4). An image (3) of the target area (A) aimed at by the pointing device (1) is generated and interpreted to determine the location of the target (PT) within the visual presentation (VP). The visual presentation (VP) is adjusted as necessary to display that portion of the visual presentation (VP) which encompasses the target (PT). The invention also describes a pointing device (1), a display control interface (8, 8′, 8″) and a system comprising such a pointing device (1) and display control interface (8, 8′, 8″) suitable for applying this method.