Abstract:
A method and system are implemented for controlling the position of a cursor on a display screen of a remote host device with a mobile communication device. The method comprises establishing a communication link between the mobile communication device and the selected remote host device, detecting an amount of displacement of the mobile communication device, converting the detected amount of displacement into displacement data of the cursor in a coordinate format compatible with the display screen of the host device, and transmitting the displacement data to the remote host device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to portable electronic devices, more particularly to a method and system for integrating a computer mouse function in a mobile communication device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
         [0005]    Currently commercialized laptop computers have a touch pad that enables the user to control the cursor on the display screen of the laptop computer. However, because the touch pad may not be convenient to manipulate, a user generally prefers connecting a separate computer mouse device to the laptop computer to control the cursor. However, bringing an extra computer mouse device with the laptop computer may be cumbersome to the user, for example when the user is traveling in a short distance. 
         [0006]    Therefore, what is needed is a method and system that is able to integrate a computer mouse function in a multifunction mobile device, and address at least the problems set forth above. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In one embodiment, the present application describes a method for controlling the position of a cursor on a display screen of a remote host device with a mobile communication device. The method comprises establishing a communication link between the mobile communication device and the remote host device, detecting an amount of displacement of the mobile communication device, converting the detected amount of displacement into displacement data of the cursor in a coordinate format compatible with the display screen of the remote host device, and transmitting the displacement data to the remote host device. 
         [0008]    In another embodiment, a mobile communication device is disclosed. The mobile communication device a memory, a motion sensor, a wireless data transport module, and a processing unit configured to establish a communication link with a remote host device having a display screen adapted to visualize a cursor, convert a detected amount of displacement of the mobile communication device into displacement data of the cursor in a coordinate format compatible with the display screen of the remote host device, and transmit the displacement data to the remote host device. 
         [0009]    In yet another embodiment, a computer system is described. The computer system comprises a host computer device having a display screen adapted to visualize a cursor, and the mobile communication device as described above. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a mobile communication device implementing one or more aspects of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile communication device  1  configured into a first computer mouse mode of operation according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic diagram illustrating a mobile communication device  1  configured into a second computer mouse mode of operation according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of method steps for enabling a computer mouse function in a mobile communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of use configuration of a mobile communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart of method steps for performing a computer mouse function and voice communication in parallel according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a mobile communication device  100  implementing one or more aspects of the present invention. The mobile communication device  100  illustrated herein is exemplary embodied in the form of a multifunction mobile phone. However, a person skilled in the art would readily appreciate that the mobile communication device  100  may be embodied in a variety of forms and may include a variety of features. For example, in alternate embodiments, the mobile communication device  100  may be a personal digital assistant, a digital camera, a digital camera enabled mobile phone, or other types of portable handheld devices. 
         [0018]    The mobile communication device  100  includes a processing unit  102  coupled to a memory unit  104  and a transceiver  106 . The transceiver  106  is coupled to an internal antenna  108  to receive and transmit signals to a wireless network. The wireless network may include the Global System for Mobile (“GSM”) standard (such as GSM 900 and/or 1800 MHz), the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) standard, or the Third Generation (“3G”) standard network. While the transceiver  106  is shown separate from the processing unit  102 , alternate embodiments may also integrate the transceiver  106  in the processing unit  102 . The processing unit  102  is configured to control the operation of the mobile device  100 . In one embodiment, the processing unit  102  includes a digital signal processor (“DSP”)  110  for converting and/or processing audio and/or video signals into analog and digital forms. An interface circuit  116  also couples the processing unit  102  to hardware resource, including a speaker  122 , microphone  124 , data transport module such as Bluetooth module  126 , a keypad  128 , a display device  130 , and a motion sensor  132 . 
         [0019]    The speaker  122  produces analog audio signals provided by the DSP  110 . These audio analog signals may come from voice communication signals received from a wireless network via the antenna  108 , or from the playback of audio content files stored in the memory  104 . 
         [0020]    The microphone  124  is configured to receive sound signals that then may be converted into a digital form for transmission via the transceiver  106  to the wireless network. In another mode of operation, the sound signals received by the microphone  124  may also be recorded in a digital format to be stored in the memory  104  for playback. 
         [0021]    The Bluetooth module  126  is configured to support wireless exchange of information data in a short radio frequency range, as specified in the Bluetooth standard. When it is enabled, the Bluetooth module  126  operates to detect the presence of Bluetooth-enabled external devices in proximity of the mobile communication device  100 , and notifies the presence of such external devices to the user. After the user has chosen a detected Bluetooth compatible external device, such as the Bluetooth-enabled host device  140 , the Bluetooth module  126  operates to establish a communication link between the mobile communication device  100  and the selected Bluetooth-enabled host device  140 . The Bluetooth module  126  may be implemented in the form of a Bluetooth chip provided with its own antenna (not shown). It is worth noting that while the illustrated embodiment uses the Bluetooth protocol to implement wireless communication in a short distance range, other communication protocol standards, such as Wi-Fi, may also be applicable for the data transport module. 
         [0022]    The keypad  128  and display device  130  allow a user to control and provide inputs to the mobile communication device  100 . The keypad  128  may include a plurality of keys (not shown), such as alphanumeric keys, confirmation/rejection keys, a cursor navigation key, etc. The display device  130  may be a liquid crystal display. In alternate embodiments, the display device  130  may also be a touch panel adapted for receiving inputs from the user. 
         [0023]    The motion sensor  132  determines the direction and magnitude of displacements of the mobile communication device  100  relative to a reference coordinate system, and converts the detected motion into displacement data. More specifically, the motion sensor  132  may include a 3-dimensions motion sensor that is able to measure displacements of the device  100  relative to three orthogonal axes. Examples of construction for the motion sensor  132  can include, without limitation, a sensor mechanism that incorporates accelerometers to take the gravitational force into accounts when determining an acceleration, a sensor mechanism with encoding disks on a freely rotatable shaft connected to a weight, or a sensor mechanism that uses sphere provided with an asymmetrical weight that floats in a liquid. In alternate embodiments, the motion sensor  132  can also include gyro elements to detect rotation displacements. In yet other embodiments, the motion sensor  132  may be of a miniaturized type, using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology that integrates mechanical elements, sensors, actuators, and electronics on a common silicon substrate through micro-fabrication technology. 
         [0024]    The processing unit  102  is configured to execute diverse application programs stored in the memory  104  under management of an embedded operating system  134 . Examples of applications installed in the mobile communication device  100  may include, without limitation, audio/video content player, image editor, organizer, game programs, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, a mouse function application  136  is also installed to enable the mobile communication device  100  to operate as a computer pointing device. When the computer mouse function is enabled, the motion sensor  132  detects 3-dimensional displacements of the mobile communication device  100  when it is manipulated by a user. The detected displacements of the mobile communication device  100  are processed by the mouse function application  136  into amounts of displacements data that are then transmitted to a host computer via the Bluetooth module  126  to control the position of a cursor on the host computer screen. In addition, any keys of the keypad  128  may be used as a click button for the computer mouse function. 
         [0025]    In conjunction with  FIG. 1 ,  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are schematic diagrams illustrating the mobile communication device  100  configured into two computer mouse modes of operation, i.e. a desktop mode and a projector mode, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 2A , a desktop mode of the computer mouse function is illustrated. In the desktop mode, the mobile communication device  100  can be used in a position that slidably rests on a planar surface  202 , such as a top horizontal surface of a desktop. For the purpose of illustration, suppose the reference coordinate system (X, Y, Z) is associated with the mobile communication device  100  by the motion sensor  132 , and the movement of the mobile communication device  100  on the surface  202  corresponds to a detected movement in the plane defined by the axes X and Y the device  100 . In the desktop mode of operation, the mouse function application  136  thus converts the amounts of displacements along the axes X and Y into displacement data of a cursor  204  in a coordinate format compatible with the coordinate axes X′ and Y′ on the screen plane  206  of a host computer  208 . For example, displacements of the device  100  along the axis X are converted into displacement data for the cursor  204  along the axis X′, and displacements of the device  100  along the axis Y are converted into displacements data for the cursor  204  along the axis Y′. The mobile communication device  100  thus can be used to control the position of the cursor  204  on the computer screen plane  206 , without the need of a traditional computer mouse. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2B  illustrates the projector mode of the computer mouse function. The mobile communication device  100  can be selectively switched to the projector mode when the host computer  208  is coupled to a projector  210  that projects the image of the screen plane  206  on a vertical board  212 . In this projector mode, the cursor  204  can be controllably moved in the vertical plane of the board  212  by moving the mobile communication device  100  along the axes X and Z, which define a plane that is parallel to that of the vertical board  212 . In this projector mode of operation, the mouse function application  136  thus only processes displacements of the mobile communication device  100  along the axes X and Z, and convert them into displacement data corresponding to displacements of the cursor  204  along the axes X′ and Y′ in the screen plane  206 . For example, displacements of the device  100  along the axis X are converted into displacement data for the cursor  204  along the axis X′, and displacements of the device  100  along the axis Z are converted into displacements data for the cursor  204  along the axis Y′. As the control movement of the mobile communication device  100  is made in a plane parallel to the projected screen plane  206  on the board  212 , the control of the cursor  204  becomes more intuitive and natural to the user. 
         [0027]    It is worth noting that the shown reference coordinate system comprising the axes X, Y and Z have been described for the purpose of illustration, and other orientations of these axes may be still applicable without changing the principles of operation for the computer mouse function of the mobile communication device  100 . 
         [0028]    In conjunction with  FIG. 1  and  FIGS. 2A and 2B ,  FIG. 3  is a flowchart of method steps performed for enabling a computer mouse function in a mobile communication device  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. In initial step  302 , the mobile communication device  100  is switched to a computer mouse function. Once the computer mouse function is activated, initialization steps then are performed to properly configure the mobile communication device  100 . For example, in step  304 , the mobile communication device  100  establishes a connection link with a selected host computer  208  that will receive inputs from the mobile communication device  100  used as computer pointing device. In step  306 , the motion sensor  132  may be calibrated with respect to the assigned reference coordinate system (X, Y, Z). Calibration may be performed by setting the position of the motion sensor  132  when activated as the zero reference. Once the initialization steps are completed, the mobile communication device  100  in step  308  then determines a mode of operation selected by the user for the computer mouse function, which may be either the desktop mode or projector mode described previously. 
         [0029]    In step  310 , the desktop mode has been selected. The motion sensor  132  in step  312  consequently detects displacements of the mobile communication device  100  in the reference coordinate system (X, Y, Z) associated with the mobile communication device  100 . In step  314 , the mouse function application  136  converts detected displacements of the device  100  along the axes X and Y into displacement data in a coordinate format compatible with the cursor space, which is defined by the axes X′ and Y′ of the screen plane  206  of the host computer  208 . In step  316 , the formatted displacement data are then processed for transmission by the Bluetooth module  126  to the host computer  208 . 
         [0030]    Instead of the desktop mode, the user may select the projector mode in step  318 . Accordingly, the motion sensor  132  in step  320  detects displacements of the mobile communication device  100  in the reference coordinate system (X, Y, Z) associated with the mobile communication device  100 . In step  322 , the mouse function application  136  converts detected displacements of the device  100  along the axes X and Z into displacement data in the coordinate format of the cursor space, which is defined by the axes X′ and Y′. Step  316  then is proceeded to process the formatted displacement data for transmission by the Bluetooth module  126  to the host computer  208 . 
         [0031]    While a computer mouse function has been specifically described above, it will be understood that additional functions may also be performed concurrently to the computer mouse function. In conjunction with  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of use configuration in which the mobile communication device  100  may perform in parallel a computer mouse function with a Bluetooth enabled host computer  402 , and voice communication with a Bluetooth enabled headset  404 . In this configuration where the mobile communication device  100  is set as master device, the Bluetooth standard enables the mobile communication device  100  to exchange information via the Bluetooth module  126  with the host computer device  402  and the headset  404  in parallel. During operation, a physical radio channel is shared by the host computer  402  and the headset  404  that are slave devices synchronized to a common clock and frequency hopping pattern provided by the mobile communication device  100 . 
         [0032]    In conjunction with  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5  is a flowchart of method steps for performing a computer mouse function and voice communication in parallel according to an embodiment of the present invention. In step  502 , suppose the mobile communication device  100  is operating in a computer mouse function mode. As described previously, the computer mouse function may include either a desktop mode or a projector mode of operation. In step  504 , the mobile communication device  100  determines whether voice communication through the headset  404  is enabled. When voice communication is not enabled, the motion sensor integrated in the mobile communication device  100  determines whether there is any movement of the mobile communication device  100 . In case the mobile communication device  100  is subject to movements, step  502  is performed to transmit mouse displacement data to the host computer device  402 . Otherwise, return to step  504 . 
         [0033]    On the other hand, when the mobile communication device  100  has determined that voice communication through the headset  404  is enabled in step  504 , the mobile communication device  100  in following step  508  polls the headset  404  to retrieve voice communication data. In step  510 , the mobile communication device  100  then proceeds to transmit the voice communication data to the wireless network, which may be a GSM, CDMA, or 3G network. In case movements of the mobile communication device  100  are detected in step  506  while voice communication data are transmitted, the physical radio channel set by the Bluetooth module  126  may be divided into alternated time slots respectively allocated for the exchange of data packets between the mobile communication device  100  and the headset  404  (performed in steps  508  and  510 ) and for the exchange of mouse displacement data packets between the mobile communication device  100  and the host computer  402  (performed in step  502 ). Voice communication data and mouse movement data thereby may be processed in parallel in the mobile communication device  100 . 
         [0034]    As has been described above, the multifunction mobile communication device is thus able to also integrate a computer mouse functionality that enables a user to use the mobile communication device as a computer mouse to control a cursor on a host computer. No extra computer mouse thus is needed. 
         [0035]    The above description illustrates various embodiments of the present invention along with examples of how aspects of the present invention may be implemented. The above examples, embodiments, instruction semantics, and drawings should not be deemed to be the only embodiments, and are presented to illustrate the flexibility and advantages of the present invention as defined by the following claims.