GENERATING POSITION INFORMATION EMPLOYING AN IMAGER

• US 20150009139A1
• Filed: 09/19/2014
• Published: 01/08/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: I-Interactive LLC
• Original Assignee: I-Interactive LLC
• Inventors: HENTY, DAVID L.
• Granted Patent: US 9,405,431 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/005 Input arrangements through a video camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• 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 3/0386 for light pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04855 Interaction with scrollbars
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/32 Remote control based on movements, attitude of remote control device
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42206 characterized by hardware details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42222 Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42225 characterized by types of remote control, e.g. universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44008 involving operations for analysing video streams, e.g. detecting features or characteristics in the video stream arrangements characterised by components specially adapted for monitoring, identification or recognition of video in broadcast systems H04H60/59
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications

Abstract

An application control approach using generated position information of a control device and adapted for use with a display, such as a monitor or TV, is disclosed. The control device may be conveniently held by a user. An imager is employed to image the control device to detect reference fields and generate position information. This information is used by the control device to control an application.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving image information from an imager;

identifying at least one passive reference field of a user-manipulated device based on one or more colors and shapes that comprise the at least one passive reference field, the at least one passive reference field reflecting light;

determining identified reference information based on the at least one passive reference field;

generating position information based at least in part on the identified reference information, the position information expressing a position of the user-manipulated device relative to the imager, the position information generated at least in part by mapping the position of the at least one passive reference field to one or more fixed reference points; and

controlling an application based on the generated position information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the imager is configured to image the user-manipulated device when the user-manipulated device is pointed toward a display device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling an application based on the generated position information comprises controlling a display.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling an application based on the generated position information comprises controlling a pointer on the display using the position information.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein controlling an application based on the generated position information comprises controlling a game on the display using the position information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more fixed reference points are defined by reference to the imager field of view.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more fixed reference points comprise the center of the imager field of view.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-manipulated device comprises a game controller.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-manipulated device comprises a remote control.

10. A method comprising:

receiving image information from an imager;

identifying at least one reference field of a user-manipulated device based on one or more an angle sensitive markings that comprises the at least one reference field;

determining identified reference information based on the at least one reference field;

generating position information based at least in part on the identified reference information, the position information changing in response to movement of the user-manipulated device relative to the imager, the position information generated at least in part by detecting movement response of the angle sensitive markings; and

controlling an application based on the generated position information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the reference field comprises a diffractive marking.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the reference field comprises a holographic marking.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein controlling an application based on the generated position information comprises controlling a display.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein controlling an application based on the generated position information comprises controlling a pointer on the display using the position information.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein controlling an application based on the generated position information comprises controlling a game on the display using the position information.