Remote Input Device Optical Tracking for Pointing Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing input devices for consumer electronics, such as remote controls, are often complex, expensive, and difficult to use, especially in casual environments where a flat surface is not available, and they struggle to provide intuitive pointing capabilities on various display types.
Innovation Solution
A sender-receiver system that projects a light beam with a spatially varying characteristic, allowing users to specify a target point within a target area using a sender portion and determining the target's location or motion with sensor units and processing logic, integrated with display devices for intuitive pointing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a mouse is used for pointer control, then pointing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates in environments without flat surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical mouse system (requiring friction-based movement on flat surfaces) with an optical tracking system using light beams and sensors. The sender projects light patterns that the receiver detects, enabling pointer control through spatial light field interactions rather than mechanical surface contact, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and ease of operation in diverse environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light beams as an intermediary between the user and the display screen. Instead of direct mechanical contact with the screen surface, the user manipulates light fields in free space, and the system translates these light field interactions into pointer movements, enabling operation without flat surfaces while maintaining precision.
2Ease of operation
If a joystick is used for pointer control, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical joystick system with an optical field-based control system. Instead of physical deflection of a stick, the user manipulates light beam positions and patterns in three-dimensional space, allowing for more precise control resolution while maintaining intuitive hand movements, thus improving both ease of operation and measurement precision simultaneously.
3Measurement precision
If light guns based on raster-scan timing are used, then pointing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to incompatibility with non-raster displays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal light field interaction system that works with any display type (raster-scan CRT, LCD, plasma, projection) by not relying on display-specific timing characteristics. Instead, it uses spatial light patterns and sensor detection that are independent of the display's internal scanning mechanism, enabling the same system to achieve precise pointing across multiple display technologies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the raster-scan timing-based detection mechanism with a spatial light field detection approach. Instead of measuring temporal relationships between display scanning and light gun signals, the system uses sensor arrays to detect the spatial distribution and position of light patterns projected by the sender, making the system compatible with any display type regardless of its scanning or refresh characteristics.
4Adaptability or versatility
If Gyromouse with solid-state gyroscopes is used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex solid-state gyroscope system with a simpler optical field-based detection system. Instead of using inertial sensors to detect device orientation and movement, the system uses external light field interactions detected by sensor arrays, achieving similar adaptability across different operating environments without the complexity and cost of gyroscopic components.
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 cost-effective pointing capabilities in free space, compatible with various display types, and easily integrated with consumer electronics, providing long battery life and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
The sender portion projects a light beam including a pattern on to the target area. A receiver portion includes one or more sensor units located in or near the target area.
Implementation Method 2
A receiver portion includes one or more sensor units located in or near the target area. At least some of the sensor units receive a portion of the light beam regardless of the location of the target point within the target area.
Data Source
AI summary
An input device providing users with a pointing capability includes a sender portion and a receiver portion. The sender portion is adapted to be manipulated by a user to specify a target point within a target area. The sender portion projects a light beam including a pattern onto the target area. A receiver portion includes one or more sensor units located in or near the target area. At least some of the sensor units receive a portion of the light beam regardless of the location of the target point within the target area. A processing unit in the receiver portion analyzes the portions of the light beam received by one or more sensor units to determine an attribute of the target point. The attribute can be the location or relative motion of the target point. The receiver portion may be integrated with a display device.