Mobile Device Laser Pointer Emulation via Sensor Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional laser pointers are prone to misplacement, loss, or theft due to their small size and require frequent battery maintenance, and are limited in their utility by a fixed laser dot size, making them impractical for large settings like lecture halls.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device system that determines its position and orientation relative to a display screen, calculates a line vector, and modifies the display to indicate the intersection point, allowing for dynamic control of the indicator's shape, size, and color, effectively emulating a laser pointer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional laser pointer is used, then it can point to a portion of the display, but it is prone to misplacement, loss, or theft due to its small size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the laser pointer function through a mobile device application. Instead of using a physical laser pointer device, the system uses the mobile device's camera, sensors, and display to simulate laser pointer functionality, including tracking movement and projecting a virtual laser dot onto the presentation screen.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the mobile device: the device serves as both the presentation controller and the laser pointer. The mobile device integrates the laser pointer application with presentation software control, eliminating the need for separate physical devices and reducing the risk of loss or theft.
2Reliability
If a traditional laser pointer is used, then it can point to a portion of the display, but it requires frequent battery charging or replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device serves multiple functions: it acts as a presentation controller, remote, and laser pointer all in one device. By utilizing the existing battery and processing power of the mobile device, the system eliminates the need for a dedicated battery-powered laser pointer, thereby reducing battery maintenance requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional laser pointer with fixed diameter is used, then it works in some settings, but it is not practical for large lecture halls with very large displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic laser dot size that automatically adjusts based on the distance between the mobile device and the presentation screen. The system calculates the distance using sensor data and camera information, then scales the virtual laser dot proportionally to maintain appropriate visibility and precision across different viewing distances and screen sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the parameter of laser dot size based on environmental conditions. By detecting the distance to the screen and the screen's dimensions, the application adjusts the laser dot's visual size parameter to ensure it remains visible and useful whether the presenter is in a small meeting room or a large lecture hall.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and computer program products for emulating a laser pointer with a mobile device are provided. Aspects include determining a position of the mobile device in a room having a display screen, determining a location of the display screen in the room, and determining an orientation of the mobile device. Aspects also include calculating a line vector originating from the mobile device and modifying a display on the display screen to include an indicator of a point at which the line vector intersects the display screen based on a determination that the line vector intersects the display screen.