Remote Controller Optical Interference Pattern Cursor Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote controllers for Consumer Electronics devices are cumbersome for navigating complex graphical user interfaces, especially when using a 4×5 matrix layout, as they require multiple button presses, which is inefficient compared to mouse navigation on PCs, and often rely on costly motion sensing and RF technologies that consume high battery power.
Innovation Solution
A remote controller that emits a coherent light beam, using a laser diode and diffuser to create an interference pattern, allowing users to navigate on-screen interfaces by moving the controller itself, eliminating the need for RF communication and motion sensing, with the pattern detected by a display device's image sensor and processed to move a cursor within the UI.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional IR remote controllers with direction buttons are used for GUI navigation, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple button presses required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system with an optical system. A laser diode emits coherent light that creates an interference pattern detected by an image sensor. The remote controller uses a laser diode element and coupled diffuser element to generate a coherent light beam that impinges on a reflective surface, creating a speckle pattern. Movement of the remote controller causes corresponding movement of this optical pattern, which is detected and mapped to cursor movement on the display device, eliminating the need for mechanical buttons.
2Ease of operation
If motion sensing devices and RF communication devices are added to enable intuitive navigation, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex motion sensing devices and RF communication systems with a simple optical system. Instead of using accelerometers, gyroscopes, or radio frequency transmitters, the invention uses a laser diode to emit coherent light that creates an interference pattern. This optical pattern's movement directly encodes the remote controller's motion, which is then detected by the display device's image sensor and translated into cursor movement, achieving intuitive navigation without complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical intermediary (the coherent light beam and its interference pattern) to transmit motion information from the remote controller to the display device. The laser diode generates light that creates a speckle pattern when impinging on a reflective surface. This optical pattern serves as an intermediary carrier that conveys positional and motion information without requiring direct electronic communication or complex sensing mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If RF communication devices are used for remote control, then ease of operation improves, but use of energy increases due to high battery consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces energy-intensive RF communication with a passive optical system. The laser diode emits coherent light that creates an interference pattern visible to the display device's image sensor. This optical communication method consumes significantly less power than RF transmission while enabling the same intuitive navigation functionality. The system uses the natural properties of light interference and reflection rather than active radio frequency transmission.
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 and efficient navigation of user interfaces without the need for costly RF communication or motion sensing technologies, reducing battery consumption and enhancing user experience by allowing cursor movement through simple directional control of the remote controller, thus improving usability and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
A laser diode element and coupled diffuser element of the remote controller generate the coherent light beam
Implementation Method 2
Impingement of the coherent light beam upon a reflective surface, such as a sensor, causes an interference pattern, such as a scattering or a 'speckle pattern,' to form
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and apparatus provide that movement of an interference pattern of a coherent light beam is mapped to cursor movement to effect navigation of a user interface. A remote controller operable to emit a coherent light beam is in cooperative arrangement with a display device operable to display a user interface, navigable by means of a cursor. A laser diode element and coupled diffuser element of the remote controller generate the coherent light beam. Movement of the remote controller causes movement of an interference pattern of the coherent light beam impinging upon a sensor of the display device; movement of the interference pattern is sensed by the display device and mapped to corresponding movement of the cursor in the user interface. Thus, the remote controller may be used to navigate an on-screen user interface by movement of the remote controller itself.