Intuitive real spatial aiming-based system, identification and communication methods using the same

• US 20070066323A1
• Filed: 08/23/2006
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Original Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
• Inventors: Park, Kyu-Ho, Lee, Woohun, Baek, Sung
• Granted Patent: US 7,751,834 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.200
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0205 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0284 Relative positioning
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

An intuitive real spatial aiming-based system, and identification and communication methods using the intuitive real spatial aiming-based system. The intuitive real spatial aiming-based system includes aiming device, target devices and an indoor location-based service server. The aiming device includes a mobile computer or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), which is provided with a first high-speed wireless communication means, a first location tracking sensor, and an electronic compass having a magneto resistive sensor for detecting a direction. The target devices each includes a fixed computer, a home appliance, a PDA, or a mobile communication terminal, which is selectively provided with second high-speed wireless communication means and a second location tracking sensor. The indoor location-based service server tracks the indoor locations and coordinates of the aiming device and the target devices in real time. To tolerate sensor'"'"'s error, this patent presents an angle-based target region, a width-based target region, and a combination of the two regions.

Claims

1. An intuitive real spatial aiming-based system for identifying indoor locations and coordinates of one or more devices located indoors and remotely controlling the respective devices, comprising:

an aiming device comprising a mobile computer or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), which is provided with first high-speed wireless communication means, a first location tracking sensor, and an electronic compass having a magneto resistive sensor for detecting a direction;

target devices each comprising a fixed computer, a home appliance, a PDA, or a mobile communication terminal, which is selectively provided with second high-speed wireless communication means and a second location tracking sensor; and

an indoor location-based service server for tracking indoor locations and coordinates of the aiming device and the target devices in real time.

2. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the indoor location-based service server is configured to track indoor locations of the aiming device and the target devices through separate indoor location tracking signals or through high-speed wireless communication, such as ZigBee, Bluetooth, or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) communication.

3. An identification method using an intuitive real spatial aiming-based system, the intuitive real spatial aiming-based system including an aiming device including a mobile computer or a PDA, which is provided with first high-speed wireless communication means, a first location tracking sensor, and an electronic compass having a magneto resistive sensor for detecting a direction;

target devices each including a fixed computer, a home appliance, a PDA, or a mobile communication terminal, which is selectively provided with second high-speed wireless communication means and a second location tracking sensor; and

an indoor location-based service server for tracking indoor locations and coordinates of the aiming device and the target devices in real time, the identification method comprising the steps of;

the indoor location-based system tracking the coordinates of the aiming device and the target devices, and the aiming device setting a target region according to an aiming direction of the aiming device provided with the electronic compass having the magneto resistive sensor; and

the aiming device searching for the target devices within the set target region, and identifying the target devices.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein, when a central axis in a direction in which the aiming device is oriented forms a first angle with an x axis, the target region includes an angle-based target region that is defined as a region between two indefinitely long straight lines that are spaced apart from the central axis by a second predetermined angle and formed in a fan shape.

5. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein, when a central axis in a direction in which the aiming device is oriented forms a first angle with an x axis, the target region includes a width-based region that is defined as a region between two infinitely long parallel straight lines spaced apart from the central axis by a predetermined width.

6. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein, when a central axis in a direction in which the aiming device is oriented forms an x axis in a first angle, the target region includes both an angle-based target region, which is defined as a region between two infinitely long straight lines that are spaced apart from the central axis by a second predetermined angle and formed in a fan shape, and a width-based region, which is defined as a region between two infinitely long parallel straight lines spaced apart from the central axis by a predetermined width.

7. A communication method using an intuitive real spatial aiming-based system, the intuitive real spatial aiming-based system including an aiming device including a mobile computer or a PDA, which is provided with first high-speed wireless communication means, a first location tracking sensor, and an electronic compass having a magneto resistive sensor for detecting a direction;

target devices each including a fixed computer, a home appliance, a PDA, or a mobile communication terminal, which is selectively provided with second high-speed wireless communication means and a second location tracking sensor; and

an indoor location-based service server for tracking indoor locations and coordinates of the aiming device and the target devices in real time, the communication method comprising the steps of;

(S1-1) orienting the aiming device, which is provided with the electronic compass having the magneto resistive sensor, in a direction in which the target device is located;

(S1-2) applying an arbitrary user command, such as a file transfer, to the aiming device through any one of body motion, voice, and button input devices;

(S1-3) the aiming device requesting information about locations of all the target devices located within a target region from the indoor location-based service server;

(S1-4) the indoor location-based service server transmitting coordinates and network addresses of the target devices to the aiming device through wireless communication in real time;

(S1-5) the aiming device setting the target region using a detected rotational angle, factor angle, and width of the target region, and searching for arbitrary target devices present in the set target region;

(S1-6) the aiming devices establishing communication channels with the found target devices and transmitting the user command to the found target devices;

(S1-7) the target devices processing the user command; and

(S1-8) the target device notifying the aiming device of completion of the user command.

8. An intuitive real spatial aiming-based system for identifying indoor locations and coordinates of one or more devices located indoors and remotely controlling the respective devices, comprising:

an aiming device comprising a mobile computers or a PDA, which is provided with first high-speed wireless communication means, a location tracking sensor, an electronic compass, and an accelerometer for detecting a user'"'"'s motion;

target devices comprising a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a PDA, or a mobile communication terminal, which is selectively provided with both second high-speed wireless communication means and a second location tracking sensor; and

an indoor location-based service server for tracking indoor locations and coordinates of the aiming device and the target devices in real time.

9. The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the aiming device is configured to communicate with the target devices through high-speed wireless communication, such as ZigBee, Bluetooth and WLAN communication.

10. An identification method using an intuitive real spatial aiming-based system, the intuitive real spatial aiming-based system including an aiming device including a mobile computers or a PDA, which is first high-speed wireless communication means, a location tracking sensor, an electronic compass, and an accelerometer for detecting a user'"'"'s motion;

target devices including a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a PDA, or a mobile communication terminal, which is selectively provided with both second high-speed wireless communication means and a second location tracking sensor; and

an indoor location-based service server for tracking indoor locations and coordinates of the aiming device and the target devices in real time, the identification method comprising the steps of;

setting a rotational angle-based target region based a rotational angle generated as a user'"'"'s arm rotates left or right after the user has grasp the aiming device or has worn it on his or her arm; and

the aiming device searching for target devices within the set rotational angle-based target region through the indoor location-based service server, and identifying the target devices.

11. A communication method using an intuitive real spatial aiming-based system, the intuitive real spatial aiming-based system including an aiming device including a mobile computers or a PDA, which is first high-speed wireless communication means, a location tracking sensor, an electronic compass, and an accelerometer for detecting a user'"'"'s motion;

target devices including a desktop computer, a mobile computer, a PDA, or a mobile communication terminal, which is selectively provided with both second high-speed wireless communication means and a second location tracking sensor; and

an indoor location-based service server for tracking indoor locations and coordinates of the aiming device and the target devices in real time, the communication method comprising the steps of;

(S2-1) a user grasping the aiming device or wearing it on his or her arm;

(S2-2) setting a rotational angle-based target region based on a rotational angle generated as a user, having grasped or worn the aiming device, rotates his or her arm left or right;

(S2-3) the aiming device receiving network addresses and coordinates of all the target devices via the indoor location-based service server through wireless communication;

(S2-4) searching for all the target devices within the rotational angle-based target region set based on the received addresses and coordinates;

(S2-5) the aiming device directing all the target devices within the rotational angle-based target region to receive data through wireless communication;

(S2-6) all the target devices receiving the data according to a command transmitted from the aiming device; and

(S2-7) each of the target devices completing the storage of the data, and transmitting a reception completion signal to the aiming device.