Pointing Device Reflective Surface Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience with multiple remote controls for various electronic devices, and existing methods require additional hardware installations for signal transmission, complicating device differentiation and operation.
Innovation Solution
A pointing device that uses a reflective surface on external devices to transmit and analyze multi-wavelength infrared or multi-frequency signals, allowing identification and operation of multiple devices with a single device without additional hardware, utilizing a controller to generate and transmit operating signals based on reflected signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an integrated remote control integrates all functions of multiple electronic devices into one device, then a single remote control can operate multiple devices, but the number of buttons increases and user convenience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the remote control functionality by separating device identification from operation control. The reflective surface on each external device reflects identification signals back to the pointing device, enabling automatic device identification without requiring the user to manually select from multiple buttons for different devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surface acts as an intermediary between the pointing device and external devices. It enables automatic device identification by reflecting identification signals, eliminating the need for users to navigate through multiple buttons to select different devices.
2Measurement precision
If a signal transmitting module is installed on external devices to enable distinction, then external devices can be easily distinguished, but additional hardware installation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The external devices utilize their existing surfaces to reflect identification signals, eliminating the need for additional signal transmitting modules. The reflective surface property is inherent to the device surface, allowing automatic identification without extra hardware installation on the external devices.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having external devices actively transmit identification signals (requiring additional modules), the patent inverts the approach by having the pointing device transmit signals that are passively reflected back. This eliminates the need for active signal transmitting hardware on external devices.
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 the distinction and operation of multiple external devices with a single pointing device, reducing user inconvenience and eliminating the need for additional hardware installations, while providing information about identified devices and their content.
Implementation Method 1
receiving a reflected signal that is generated by reflecting the identification signal from a reflective surface attached to a surface of the external device
Implementation Method 2
The identification signal may be a multi-wavelength infrared signal, and the reflected signal is generated as only a preset wavelength is reflected among the multi-wavelength infrared signal
Implementation Method 3
The reflective surface comprises a frequency selective surface (FSS) that amplifies or offsets the preset frequency
Data Source
AI summary
A pointing device and a controlling method thereof are provided. The controlling method of the pointing device includes transmitting an identification signal to an external device that is targeted by the pointing device according to a user input, receiving a reflected signal that is generated by reflecting the identification signal from a reflective surface attached to a surface of the external device, and analyzing the reflected signal and identifying the external device.