Pointer Clipping in Motion Sensor Remote Control Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control systems with motion sensors can result in unintended pointer movement due to slight motions of the remote controller or errors in motion sensor readings, leading to incorrect user interactions.
Innovation Solution
A remote control system with a motion sensor and transmitter in the remote controller, and a user interface creator in the main body apparatus that determines virtual coordinates of a pointer within a virtual plane, limiting its movement to prevent unintended shifts by using a movable region and a clip region to constrain pointer movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If motion sensor is used to detect remote controller posture changes, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to sensor errors causing unintended pointer movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of pointer movement by introducing virtual coordinates and defining a movable region within the user interface image. The pointer is constrained to move only within this predetermined movable region, preventing it from moving to positions that would cause unintended operations even when motion sensor errors occur. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining ease of motion-based operation while preventing measurement precision errors from causing harmful effects.
2Ease of operation
If pointer movement range is expanded to full screen, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to pointer moving beyond intended target areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a movable region with specific local properties within the broader user interface image. This movable region has the quality of being a constrained movement space that prevents the pointer from reaching positions that could cause unintended operations. The pointer enjoys free movement within this local region while being restricted at its boundaries, thus maintaining ease of operation within safe limits while ensuring reliability by preventing accidental selections.
3Productivity
If motion sensitivity is increased for responsive pointer movement, then productivity is improved, but stability deteriorates due to slight motions causing unintended pointer shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by pre-defining the movable region boundaries before pointer movement occurs. When the pointer approaches the boundaries of this movable region, the system proactively prevents further movement that would take the pointer outside the safe zone. This preliminary constraint counteracts the unstable effects of high motion sensitivity by ensuring that even sensitive motion detections cannot cause the pointer to move to harmful positions, thus maintaining stability while preserving productivity.
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
The system reduces unintended pointer movement, enhancing user control and accuracy by ensuring the pointer remains within designated regions on the user interface, thus improving operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The remote controller includes a motion sensor such as a gyro sensor mounted on the remote controller and that presents a user with a user interface image including a pointer that moves according to motion of the remote controller
Data Source
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AI summary
Movement of a pointer against user's intentions is made less likely to occur. A remote control system includes a main body apparatus and a remote controller. A motion sensor included in the remote controller detects an amount of change in posture of the remote controller. A user interface creator included in the main body apparatus creates a user interface image including a pointer. The user interface creator: determines virtual coordinates of the pointer based on the amount of change in posture; when the virtual coordinates of the pointer are present in a movable region, displays the pointer at a position of the virtual coordinates; when the virtual coordinates of the pointer are present outside the movable region, displays the pointer at a position in the movable region closest to the virtual coordinates; and when the virtual coordinates of the pointer have reached a boundary of a clip region, limits the virtual coordinates of the pointer within the clip region.