Light-Emitting Remote Pointer Control via Optical Spot Tracking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pointing systems for GUIs in living room environments, such as those using remote controllers, lack ease of use for moving pointers and performing operations like clicks, especially when transitioning between left-click and right-click modes or executing drag and scroll functions.
Innovation Solution
A pointing system comprising a pointing device with a light-emitting portion and a control device that includes an image pickup portion, display portion, and control portion, allowing the pointer on a screen to be moved based on the movement of a light spot picked up by the control device, with modes for different operations like clicks, drag, and scroll, and the ability to switch between left-click and right-click modes based on specific movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a remote controller emits light to indicate coordinate positions, then coordinate designation function is achieved, but ease of operation for pointer movement and click operations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different operation modes (pointer movement mode and click operation mode) based on the state of the operation portion. When the operation portion is pressed, the system enters click operation mode where light emission indicates click execution. When released, it returns to pointer movement mode. This dynamic mode switching enables both pointer movement and click operations using the same remote controller without requiring separate controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic light emission and detection cycles to distinguish between different operation types. By monitoring the timing and pattern of light emission from the remote controller and corresponding light spot detection, the system can differentiate between intentional click operations (sustained light emission) and pointer movement (intermittent light emission), enabling versatile operation with a single control device.
2Reliability
If the light-emitting portion emits light continuously to indicate position, then pointer movement control is achieved, but false clicks occur due to light flicker
Solution Approach 1:
The control device provides feedback by monitoring the state of the operation portion through light detection. The system distinguishes between light emission caused by intentional operation (when operation portion is pressed) and light flicker (when operation portion is released). This feedback mechanism allows the system to accurately determine when a click operation should be executed, preventing false clicks while maintaining reliable click detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for click detection by continuously monitoring the operation portion state before executing click operations. By detecting the transition from light emission to light cessation and verifying the operation portion state in advance, the system ensures that only intentional clicks are registered, preventing false click execution due to light flicker or accidental releases.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple operation modes (left-click, right-click, drag, scroll) are added to enhance functionality, then operation versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote controller is designed as a universal control device that can perform multiple functions (pointer movement, left-click, right-click, drag, and scroll operations) using a single operation portion and light-emitting mechanism. The control device interprets different operation patterns (press duration, release timing, movement trajectory) to execute different functions, eliminating the need for multiple separate controls and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high versatility.
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 easy movement of pointers on screens using a remote controller and facilitates intuitive operations like clicks, drag, and scroll, while preventing false clicks by distinguishing between light flicker and operation cancellation, thus enhancing user interaction with GUIs in living room settings.
Implementation Method 1
The light-emitting portion emits light in accordance with an operation to the operation portion
Implementation Method 2
The image pickup portion picks up light from the light-emitting portion at a time the light-emitting portion emits light and outputs an image including information on a light spot of the light
Data Source
AI summary
A pointing system including: a pointing device including an operation portion and a light-emitting portion that emits light according to an operation to the operation portion; and a control device including an image pickup portion that picks up light from the light-emitting portion when the light-emitting portion emits light and outputs an image including information on a light spot of the light, a display portion that includes a screen and displays a pointer on the screen, and a control portion that judges, as well as judge a movement of the light spot based on the information on the light spot in the image and move the pointer on the screen based on the movement of the light spot, whether the light spot is turned off based on the information on the light spot in the image and executes processing related to a click when the light spot is turned off.