Method and apparatus for remote pointing

• US 7,142,198 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2002
• Issued: 11/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Jung-won
• Primary Examiner(s): Lefkowitz, Sumati
• Assistant Examiner(s): Beck, Alexander S.
• Application Number:
  US10/289,216
• Publication Number:
  US 20030107748A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,482 Days
• Field of Search: 345156-158, 345/179, 345180-183, 356/3, 356/3.01, 356/614, 356620-623
• US Class Current: 345/180
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0325 using a plurality of light emitters or reflectors or a plurality of detectors forming a reference frame from which to derive the orientation of the object, e.g. by triangulation or on the basis of reference deformation in the picked up image
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0386 for light pen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42202 environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• 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 21/42221 Transmission circuitry, e.g. infrared [IR] or radio frequency [RF]
• 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 21/47 End-user applications

Abstract

A remote pointing apparatus including a remote control that generates an optical signal that is periodically expanded and/or reduced around the origin and an optical sensor that detects whether the optical signal is received, and a remote pointing method therefor. The remote pointing method includes projecting an optical signal that is periodically expanded and/or reduced around an origin; detecting whether the optical signal is received using a plurality of optical sensors that are two-dimensionally disposed; and detecting the position of the origin, which exists within a position recognition range including at least a polygon having the optical sensors as vertexes, based on the results of detection of the optical sensors. Since the remote pointing apparatus and method do not need a light receiving panel that is installed to fully cover a display screen or installed in vertical and horizontal directions of the display panel in order to receive a laser beam, a manufacturing cost thereof can be reduced.

Claims

1. A remote pointing method comprising:

projecting an optical signal that is periodically expanded and/or reduced around an origin;

detecting whether the optical signal is received using a plurality of optical sensors that are two-dimensionally disposed;

detecting the position of the origin, which exists within a position recognition range including at least a polygon having the optical sensors as vertexes, based on the results of detection of the optical sensors;

radiating a visible laser beam at the origin of the optical signal to allow a user to visibly recognize the origin; and

generating an infrared signal indicating a time instant when an area of the optical signal projected on the position recognition range starts to increase around the origin and an infrared signal indicating a time instant when the area of the optical signal is a maximum,

wherein the detecting of the position of the origin comprises receiving the infrared signals, recognizing the time instant when the area of the optical signal projected on the position recognition range starts to increase, and comparing the recognized time instant with a time instant when each optical sensor receives the optical signal to calculate the position of the origin.

2. The remote pointing method of claim 1, wherein the optical signal is invisible light.

3. The remote pointing method of claim 1, wherein the shape of the optical signal projected on the position recognition range is a circle, spiral, or doughnut.

4. The remote pointing method of claim 3, wherein when the shape of the optical signal is a doughnut, the width of the optical signal is broader than the size of the optical sensor or resolution required for a command input device.

5. The remote pointing method of claim 3, wherein the radius of the optical signal projected on the position recognition range continuously increases and/or decreases over time.

6. The remote pointing method of claim 3, wherein the radius of the optical signal projected on the position recognition range discontinuously increases and/or decreases over time.

7. The remote pointing method of claim 6, wherein discontinuous time intervals are narrower than a resolution required in the position recognition range.

8. The remote pointing method of claim 6, wherein discontinuous time intervals are less than a minimum width of each optical sensor that allows detection of the optical signal.

9. The remote pointing method of claim 1, wherein the detecting of the position of the origin comprises comparing an already-known period of expansion and/or reduction of the optical signal with a period with which the optical signal is detected by the optical sensors so as to calculate a distance between a light source generating the optical signal and the position recognition range and calculating the position of the origin based on the calculated distance and the time instants when the optical sensors receive the optical signal.

10. The remote pointing method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a cursor at the detected origin of the optical signal in order to allow a user to visibly recognize the origin.

11. The remote pointing method of claim 1, wherein the number of optical sensors is at least three.

12. The remote pointing method of claim 11, wherein the number of optical sensors is three, and the optical sensors are installed at the periphery of the position recognition range to form a right triangle.

13. The remote pointing method of claim 11, wherein the optical sensors are installed at the periphery of the position recognition range to form a right isosceles triangle.

14. A remote pointing apparatus comprising:

a remote controller that generates an optical signal that is periodically expanded and/or reduced around an origin;

a plurality of optical sensors that are disposed at the periphery of a position recognition range; and

an arithmetic unit that calculates the position of the origin, which exists within the position recognition range, based on a state in which the optical signal is received by each optical sensor,

wherein the remote controller comprises a laser beam source which radiates a visible laser beam at the origin of the optical signal in order to allow a user to visibly recognize the origins,

wherein the remote controller further comprises an infrared ray emitter that generates an infrared signal indicating a time instant when an area of the optical signal projected on the position recognition range starts to increase around the origin and an infrared signal indicating a time instant when the area of the optical signal is a maximum, and

wherein the arithmetic unit receives the infrared signals, recognizes the time instant when the area of the optical signal projected on the position recognition range starts to increase, and compares the recognized time instant with a time instant when each optical sensor receives the optical signal to calculate the position of the origin.

15. The remote pointing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the remote controller comprises:

a light source that generates a diffusive optical signal; and

a light transmission adjustor that adjusts the shape of the optical signal that is projected on the position recognition range.

16. The remote pointing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the light source generates invisible light.

17. The remote pointing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the light transmission adjustor adjusts light transmission such that the shape of the optical signal projected on the position recognition range is a circle, spiral, or doughnut.

18. The remote pointing apparatus of claim 17, wherein when the shape of the optical signal is a doughnut, the width of the doughnut is broader than resolution required in the position recognition range.

19. The remote pointing apparatus of claim 17, wherein the light transmission adjustor adjusts light transmission such that the radius of the optical signal projected on the position recognition range continuously increases and/or decreases over time.

20. The remote pointing apparatus of claim 19, wherein the light transmission adjustor adjusts light transmission such that the radius of the optical signal projected on the position recognition range discontinuously increases and/or decreases over time.

21. The remote pointing apparatus of claim 20, wherein discontinuous intervals are narrower than resolution required in the position recognition range.

22. The remote pointing apparatus of claim 20, wherein discontinuous intervals are less than a minimum width of each optical sensor which allows detection of the optical signal.

23. The remote pointing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the light transmission adjustor is a shutter.

24. The remote pointing apparatus of claim 15, wherein the light transmission adjustor is a liquid crystal on which an image is formed to transmit and/or shield the optical signal generated from the light source.

25. The remote pointing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the arithmetic unit compares an already-known period of expansion and/or reduction of the optical signal with a period, with which the optical signal is detected by the optical sensors, so as to calculate a distance between a light source generating the optical signal and the position recognition range and calculates the position of the origin based on the calculated distance and the time instants when the optical sensors receive the optical signal.

26. The remote pointing apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a cursor generator that generates a cursor image to be displayed at the origin of the optical signal calculated by the arithmetic unit in order to allow a user to visibly recognize the origin.

27. The remote pointing apparatus of claim 14, wherein the number of optical sensors is at least three.

28. The remote pointing apparatus of claim 27, wherein the number of optical sensors is three, and the optical sensors are installed at the periphery of the position recognition range to form a right triangle.

29. The remote pointing apparatus of claim 28, wherein the optical sensors are installed at the periphery of the position recognition range to form a right isosceles triangle.

30. A remote controller comprising:

a light source that generates a diffusive optical signal;

a light transmission adjustor that adjusts the projected shape of the optical signal; and

an infrared ray emitter which generates an infrared signal indicating a time instant when an area of the optical signal projected on the position recognition range starts to increase around the origin and an infrared signal indicating a time instant when the area of the optical signal is a maximum.

31. The remote controller of claim 30, wherein the light source generates invisible light.

32. The remote controller of claim 30, wherein the light transmission adjustor adjusts light transmission such that the projected shape of the optical signal is a circle, spiral, or doughnut.

33. The remote controller of claim 32, wherein when the projected shape of the optical signal is a doughnut, the width of the doughnut is broader than resolution required for an optical sensor that detects the optical signal.

34. The remote controller of claim 30, wherein the light transmission adjustor adjusts light transmission such that the radius of the optical signal continuously increases and/or decreases over time.

35. The remote controller of claim 30, wherein the light transmission adjustor adjusts light transmission such that the radius of the optical signal discontinuously increases and/or decreases over time.

36. The remote controller of claim 35, wherein discontinuous intervals are narrower than resolution required for an optical sensor that detects the optical signal.

37. The remote controller of claim 30, wherein the light transmission adjustor is a shutter.

38. The remote controller of claim 30, wherein the light transmission adjustor is a liquid crystal on which an image is formed to transmit and/or shield the optical signal generated from the light source.

39. A display apparatus comprising:

a plurality of optical sensors that detect a state in which an optical signal that is periodically expanded and/or reduced around an origin is received and are disposed at the periphery of a display screen;

an arithmetic unit that calculates the position of the origin based on the receiving state detected by each optical sensor; and

an infrared sensor that detects an infrared signal indicating a time instant when an area of the optical signal projected on the display screen starts to increase around the origin and an infrared signal indicating a time instant when the area of the optical signal is a maximum, and

wherein the arithmetic unit receives the infrared signals, recognizes the time instant when the area of the optical signal projected on the display screen starts to increase, and compares the recognized time instant with a time instant when each optical sensor receives the optical signal to calculate the position of the origin.

40. The display apparatus of claim 39, wherein the number of optical sensors is at least three.

41. The display apparatus of claim 39, wherein the number of optical sensors is three, and the optical sensors are installed at the periphery of the display screen to form a right triangle.

42. The display apparatus of claim 39, wherein the optical sensors are installed at the periphery of the display screen to form a right isosceles triangle.

43. The display apparatus of claim 39, further comprising a cursor generator that generates a cursor image to be displayed at the origin of the optical signal calculated by the arithmetic unit in order to allow a user to visibly recognize the origin.

44. A system, comprising:

a remote controller, comprising;

an invisible light source to transmit invisible light around an origin when the invisible light source is active,

a laser source, which is surrounded by the invisible light source, to indicate the origin of the invisible light when the laser source is active,

a light transmission adjuster, which is positioned in front of the invisible light source, to adjust the transmission state of the invisible light such that the radius of transmitted invisible light is expanded, reduced, or expanded and reduced around the origin at a predetermined period,

a pointer on/off button to activate and deactivate the laser source,

a selection button to register a selection, and

an infrared ray source to transmit an infrared control signal indicating the selection, whether the laser source is inactive, and whether the invisible light source is active;

a display unit, comprising;

three optical sensors, which are positioned at predetermined positions on the display unit, wherein each optical sensor detects the invisible light at a particular time, and

an infrared sensor to detect the infrared control signal;

an arithmetic unit to calculate the origin of the invisible light based on the predetermined positions of the optical sensors, the predetermined period of expansion or reduction of the pattern of transmitted invisible light, a time of a start of transmission of the invisible light, and the particular times; and

a processor to cause the display unit to indicate the calculated origin when the laser source is inactive.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the three optical sensors are positioned on the display unit such that each of the three optical sensors forms a vertex of a polygon.

46. The system of claim 45, wherein the polygon is a triangle.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the triangle is an isosceles right triangle.

48. The system of claim 44, wherein the light transmission adjuster is a shutter.

49. The system of claim 44, wherein the light transmission adjuster is a liquid crystal.

50. The system of claim 44, wherein the display unit indicates the calculated origin using a displayed cursor.

51. The system of claim 44, wherein the selection is used to initiate an operation by the processor.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the operation is a selection of a menu option.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the invisible light source is active only when the menu option is displayed.

54. The system of claim 51, wherein the operation controls a navigation unit that displays a map on a vehicle window.

55. The system of claim 44, wherein the invisible light source is active only when the laser source is active.

56. The system of claim 44, wherein the light transmission adjuster adjusts the transmission state of the invisible light so that a projected shape of the invisible light is a circle, spiral, or doughnut.

57. The system of claim 44, wherein the radius of the invisible light is continuously expanded, continuously reduced, or continuously expanded and continuously reduced around the origin at a predetermined period.

58. The system of claim 44, wherein the radius of the invisible light is discontinuously expanded, discontinuously reduced, or discontinuously expanded and discontinuously reduced around the origin at a predetermined period.

59. The system of claim 44, wherein the display unit further comprises:

a display screen,

wherein the predetermined positions of the three optical sensors on the display unit are on edges of the display screen.

60. A remote controller, comprising:

an invisible light source to transmit invisible light around an origin when the invisible light source is active;

a laser source, which is surrounded by the invisible light source, to indicate the origin of the invisible light when the laser source is active;

a light transmission adjuster, which is positioned in front of the invisible light source, to adjust the transmission state of the invisible light such that the radius of transmitted invisible light is expanded, reduced, or expanded and reduced around the origin at a predetermined period; and

an infrared ray source to transmit an infrared control signal indicating the selection, whether the laser source is inactive, and a start of transmission of the invisible light.

61. The remote controller of claim 60, further comprising:

a pointer on/off button to deactivate the laser source; and

a selection button to register a selection.

62. The remote controller of claim 60, wherein the light transmission adjuster adjusts the transmission state of the invisible light so that a projected shape of the invisible light is a circle, spiral, or doughnut.

63. The remote controller of claim 60, wherein the radius of the invisible light is continuously expanded, continuously reduced, or continuously expanded and continuously reduced around the origin at a predetermined period.

64. The remote controller of claim 60, wherein the radius of the invisible light is discontinuously expanded, discontinuously reduced, or discontinuously expanded and discontinuously reduced around the origin at a predetermined period.

65. The remote controller of claim 60, wherein the invisible light source is active only when the laser source is active.