Light-Pointing Device Using Flicker Frequencies for Function Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pointing devices, such as roller ball and optical mice, and non-contact light-pointing devices for TV games and e-books, cannot effectively control cursor location and enable interactive function selections, limiting the real-time and interactive entertainment experience.
Innovation Solution
A light-pointing device and light-tracking receiver system that uses flicker frequencies of a light beam to distinguish actions on function selection keys, allowing the light-tracking receiver to determine the start of specific functions based on the frequency and interval mode of the light spot in successive frames, enabling control over cursor movement and function selections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a light-pointing device is used to control cursor location on TV screens, then the device can control target or cursor movement, but it cannot enable function selections (e.g., clicking functional icons or page-turning buttons)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using different flicker frequencies of the light beam to represent different function selection keys. When a user presses a function selection key, the light beam flickers at a specific frequency that corresponds to that key, allowing the receiving device to distinguish between different function selections based on the periodic flicker pattern rather than requiring additional sensors or complex processing.
2Measurement precision
If conventional pointing devices are used, then they can track position based on relative movement sensing, but they cannot provide interactive function selections for TV games or e-books
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal parameter of the light beam by introducing controlled flicker frequencies. Instead of only using the spatial position of the light spot to convey information, the system modulates the light beam's temporal characteristic (flicker frequency) to encode function selection data, thereby expanding the information capacity of the pointing device without affecting position tracking precision.
3Speed
If a light receiver uses motion-tracking sensors to capture continuous dotted patterns, then it can control cursor location in real-time, but it cannot determine function selections from the light beam patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by having the light-pointing device actively modulate its own light beam with specific flicker frequencies when function selection keys are pressed. The receiving device detects these flicker patterns and uses them to determine which function selection was made, creating a closed-loop system where the transmitter provides distinguishable signals that the receiver can reliably detect and interpret.
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 real-time and interactive control of cursor movement and function selections on TV games and e-books, enhancing the entertainment experience by accurately interpreting light beam patterns and triggering corresponding functions.
Implementation Method 1
Such a pointing device emits an infrared light beam to control the movement of a target or a cursor on a frame
Implementation Method 2
the motion-tracking sensor capturing the images of a plurality of frames per second can receive a continuous dotted pattern of the movement of the infrared light beam
Implementation Method 3
Different function selection keys trigger the light beam to flicker in different frequencies
Data Source
AI summary
A light-pointing device generates a light beam, and converts the light beam into a flicker mode with the function selection keys. Different function selection keys trigger different flicker frequencies. The dotted image of the light beam is formed in a plurality of frames detected by the tracking receiver. The tracking receiver determines the start of a specific function according to the frequency of occurrence or the interval mode of the dotted image in the plurality of successive frames.