Controlling and electronic device

• US 20010035861A1
• Filed: 06/04/2001
• Published: 11/01/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anoto Group AB
• Original Assignee: Anoto Group AB
• Inventors: Ericson, Petter, Hoglind, Henrik
• Granted Patent: US 7,054,487 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/179
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0317 in co-operation with a patterned surface, e.g. absolute position or relative movement detection for an optical mouse or pen positioned with respect to a coded surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0321 by optically sensing the absolute position with respect to a regularly patterned surface forming a passive digitiser, e.g. pen optically detecting position indicative tags printed on a paper sheet constructional details of pen-shaped pointing devices G06F3/03545, G06F3/03542, G06F3/037
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03545 Pens or stylus
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/17 using hand-held instruments

Abstract

An electronic device (200), such as a computer, a mobile phone or a PDA, is controlled by an arrangement comprising a handheld input unit (300), which records images and converts these to text strings comprising character sequences. The text strings recorded by the input unit (300) are used when controlling the electronic device (200). A signal-processing unit (210) receives the text strings, matches the format of a current text string to a format database comprising predetermined formats, each of which is associated with a command, and generates the command associated with the current text string, so as to control the electronic device (200) . The signal-processing unit (210) can search for an address in the current text string. If an address is found, the signal-processing unit (210) causes the electronic device (200) to connect to the address. The input unit, which is capable of operating in different function modes, such as a mouse function mode and a text inputting mode, is arranged to automatically change between the different function modes on the basis of the contents of the recorded images, typically in identification of a predetermined pattern.

Claims

1. An arrangement for controlling an electronic device, said arrangement comprising an input unit with on optical sensor for recording images, and a signal-processing unit for identifying predetermined information in at least one of said images and for controlling the electronic device dependent upon said predetermined information, characterized in that the input unit in a first function mode is arranged to convert said at least one image to a current text string containing a sequence of characters, and that the signal-processing unit is arranged to control the electronic device on the basis of the current text string.

2. An arrangement according to

claim 1

, wherein the signal-processing unit is arranged to control the electronic device on the basis of the format of the current text string.

3. An arrangement according to

claim 2

, wherein the signal-processing unit is arranged to match the format of the current text string to a format database comprising predetermined formats, each of which is associated with at least one command, and to generate the command associated with the current text string, so as to control the electronic device.

4. An arrangement according to

claim 3

, wherein said command initiates execution of software on the electronic device.

5. An arrangement according to

claim 3

, wherein said format database comprises predetermined formats of different types of addresses.

6. An arrangement according to

claim 3

, which fur ther comprises a database editor which allows a uses to add formats and associated commands to the format database.

7. An arrangement according to

claim 1

, wherein the signal-processing unit is arranged to identify an address in the current text string and to cause the electronic device to connect to said address.

8. An arrangement according to

claim 1

, wherein the signal-processing unit is arranged to cause, when identifying an address for electronic mail in said text string, the electronic device to open a program for electronic mail.

9. An arrangement according to

claim 1

, wherein the signal-processing unit is arranged to cause, when identifying a web address in said text string, the electronic device to open a web browser.

10. An arrangement according to

claim 1

, wherein the signal-processing unit is arranged to cause, when identifying a phone or fax number in said text string, the electronic device to connect to the phone or fax number.

11. An arrangement according to

claim 1

, wherein the input unit in the first function mode is a handheld text scanner.

12. An arrangement according to

claim 1

, which is selectively operable in a control function mode, in which the signal-processing unit is arranged to control the electronic device on the basis of the current text string, preferably tho format thereof.

13. An arrangement according to

claim 1

, wherein the signal-processing unit is at least partly placed in the same casing as the electronic device.

14. An arrangement according to

claim 1

, wherein the input unit is arranged for wireless communication with the electronic device.

15. An arrangement according to

claim 1

, wherein the input unit in a further function mode is controllable to record single images.

16. An arrangement according to

claim 1

, wherein the input unit in a second function mode is arranged to control a cursor on a display of the electronic device.

17. An arrangement according to

claim 16

, wherein the input unit is arranged to automatically select function mode on the basis of the contents of said at least one image.

18. An arrangement according to

claim 16

, wherein the input unit is arranged to operate in the second function mode when said at least one image contains a predetermined pattern.

19. An arrangement according to

claim 15

, wherein the input unit is arranged to automatically select a predefined function mode, preferably the first function mode, in the absence of a predetermined pattern in said at least one image.

20. An arrangement according to

claim 18

, wherein the predetermined pattern consists of a position-coding pattern, preferably an absolute position-coding pattern.

21. An arrangement according to

claim 1

, which further comprises a product, on which a plurality of command words are indicated.

22. A method for controlling an electronic device comprising the steps of operating a handheld input unit to record at least one image, identifying predetermined information in said at least one image, and controlling the electronic device dependent upon said predetermined information, characterized by the further steps of converting said at least one image to a current text string including a sequence of characters, and controlling the electronic device on the basis of the current text string.

23. A method according to

claim 22

, comprising the further step of controlling the electronic device on the basis of the format of the current text string.

24. A method according to

claim 23

, comprising the step of matching the format of the current text string to a format database comprising predetermined formats, each of which is associated with a command, and generating the command associated with the current text string, so as to control the electronic device.

25. A method according to

claim 24

, wherein said command initiates execution of software on the electronic device.

26. A method according to

claim 24

, wherein the format database comprises predetermined formats for different types of addresses.

27. A method according to

claim 22

, comprising the steps of searching for an address in the current text string, and, when an address is found, causing the electronic device to connect to said address.

28. An input unit with at least a first and a second function mode, comprising a detector for capturing images and an image processor for processing the images to achieve said two function modes, characterized in that the input unit is arranged to change from the first to the second function mode when the image processor detects a first piece of predetermined information in one of said images.

29. An input unit according to

claim 28

, wherein said first piece of predetermined information is a predetermined pattern.

30. An input unit according to

claim 28

, which is arranged to change from the second function mode to the first function mode when it detects a second piece of predetermined information in one of said images.

31. An input unit according to

claim 28

, wherein said predetermined information consists of a position-coding pattern, preferably an absolute position-coding pattern.

32. An input unit according to

claim 28

, wherein the first function mode is a mouse function, and the second function mode is an input function, preferably a scanner function.