Patent Publication Number: US-2009235207-A1

Title: Method and system for managing resources on wireless communication network

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0022535, filed on Mar. 11, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     One or more embodiments of the present invention, e.g., as described in the following description, relate to a three-dimensional pointing input apparatus and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a three-dimensional pointing input apparatus that controls a scroll function of a display apparatus and a method thereof. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Along with the development of communications and image technologies, display apparatuses such as computer monitors and televisions provide not only images and voice to users, but also allow the users to choose various contents with, for example, interactive televisions. As for the interactive televisions, a general pointing input device, for example, a mouse is required to be located at a particular place, for example, a desk, to control a display apparatus. 
     Alternatively, remote controllers are provided to control display apparatuses in a three-dimensional space without a limitation in range of motion. However, such the remote controller has direction controllers with limited functions, and thus a user may experience inconvenience, for example, pressing four direction keys several times to select the user&#39;s desired function. 
     To solve such the problem, there is suggested a pointing method which moves a pointer on a display. For example, a gyroscopic pointing apparatus moves a pointer on a screen of a remotely located display apparatus in any directions as a user wishes by holding and moving the pointing apparatus right and left or up and down. 
     However, the gyroscopic pointing apparatus cannot provide fine control, and especially, accurate control of inputs of a scroll function. Here, the scroll function is selected by, for example, a user&#39;s clicking a button on the pointing apparatus, and contents is scrolled automatically on a screen of a display apparatus according to motion of a pointing apparatus. However, since the gyroscopic pointing apparatus is not fixed at a particular position, it is difficult to finely control the cursor due to undesired motion of a user, such as the trembling of hands. Furthermore, a user may move suddenly the gyroscopic pointing apparatus during scrolling an image on a screen, and consequently the screen is scrolled so fast that the user may not be able to read the contents correctly. 
     SUMMARY 
     One or more embodiments of the present invention provide a three-dimensional pointing input apparatus which allows a user to use a scroll function effectively and accurately, and a method thereof. 
     In particular, one or more embodiments of the present invention provide a three-dimensional pointing input apparatus, which restricts a location of a cursor and a scrolling speed of a screen of a display apparatus upon entering a scroll function mode so that a user can use the scroll function effectively and accurately, and a method thereof. 
     According to an one or more embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a three-dimensional (3D) pointing input apparatus including a sensor unit which senses a change according to a movement of the 3D pointing input apparatus, and a control unit which maintains a scrolling speed of a screen of the display apparatus at a threshold speed when a movement range of a virtual scroll cursor of the display apparatus, which moves corresponding to the sensed change, is out of a first area. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an input method of a three-dimensional (3D) pointing input apparatus which controls a display apparatus, the input method including sensing a change according to a movement of the 3D pointing input apparatus upon entering a scroll function mode, and maintaining a scrolling speed of a screen of the display apparatus at a threshold speed when a movement range of the virtual scroll cursor of the display apparatus, which moves according to the sensed change, is out of a first area. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects and advantages will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a view of an example of a three-dimensional (3D) pointing input apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a 3D pointing input apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an input method of a 3D pointing input apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an input method of a 3D pointing input apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  are views for explaining in detail an input method of a 3D pointing input apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 7 to 9  are views for explaining in detail an input method of a 3D pointing input apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures. 
       FIG. 1  is a view of an example of a three-dimensional (3D) pointing input apparatus  1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the 3D pointing input apparatus  1  requires a device coordinate system  12 , a virtual coordinate system  14 , and a display coordinate system  16  for controlling a display apparatus  2 . The display apparatus  2  displays a cursor  18 , and the 3D pointing input apparatus  1  is an input device that remotely controls a movement of the cursor  18  in a three-dimensional space. Although the coordinate systems  12 ,  14 , and  16  are specified for the convenience of explanation, the coordinate systems may be combined with each other, for example, the combination of the virtual coordinate system  14  and the display coordinate system  16  may be used, or there may not be the virtual coordinate system  14 . 
     The three-dimensional pointing input apparatus  1  in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is useful to control the entry into a scroll function mode. The three-dimensional pointing input apparatus  1  may be used for on-screen-display (OSD) of a television, an electronic program guide (EPG), a multimedia function of a set-top box, and an Internet browser of an Internet protocol television (IPTV) or a graphical user interface (GUI). However, various embodiments other than the above-described functions can be implemented. 
     The device coordinate system  12  may include Xb-, Yb-, and Zb-axes for representing the motion and posture of the three-dimensional pointing input apparatus  1 . Using the three axes, the change according to the motion of a housing of the 3D pointing input apparatus  1 , for example, changes in acceleration and angular velocity can be represented. The 3D pointing input apparatus  1  may include an inertial sensor such as an acceleration sensor or an angular velocity sensor. However, the device coordinate system  12  is only an embodiment of the present invention, and any other coordinate system can be employed by the present invention as long as the coordinate system can display the motion and posture of the 3D pointing input apparatus  1 . Hereinafter, an additional letter “b” of the coordinates indicates that the corresponding coordinates belong to a pointing device coordinate system. 
     The virtual coordinate system  14 , which is based on the display apparatus  2 , is set corresponding to the device coordinate system  12 . The additional letter “n” of the coordinates indicates that the corresponding coordinates belong to the virtual coordinate system  14 . The 3D pointing input apparatus  1  in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can display a location of a scroll cursor of the display apparatus  2  virtually on the virtual coordinate system  14  to correspond to the change represented in the device coordinate system  12  upon entering the scroll function mode. 
     In the display coordinate system  16 , the coordinates of an actual cursor of the display apparatus  2  are shown, and the display coordinate system  16  may include Xd- and Yd-axes. However, the above-described coordinate system is only an example, and any coordinate system is applicable to the present invention as long as it can show coordinates of the cursor of the display apparatus  2 . Based on information obtained from the virtual coordinate system  14 , the 3D pointing input apparatus  1  in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention can change the scrolling speed of a screen according to the predetermined division of areas and the coordinates of the display coordinate system  16 , corresponding to which the cursor is located on the display apparatus  2 . 
     More specifically, when a user holds the 3D pointing input apparatus  1  and rotates it based on a particular axis of the device coordinate system  12  to enter the scroll function mode, the 3D pointing input apparatus  1  senses the acceleration and the angular velocity according to its movement. Then, the 3D pointing input apparatus  1  computes a location of a virtual cursor of the display apparatus  2  corresponding to the sensed acceleration and angular velocity, for example, the coordinate position of the cursor in the virtual coordinate system  14 , and determines if the computed position is within a predetermined area in order to control the scroll cursor and the scrolling speed of the screen of the display apparatus  2 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a 3D pointing input apparatus  1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the 3D pointing input apparatus  1  includes a sensor unit  10  and a control unit  20 . The control unit  20  includes a virtual coordinate setting unit  202 , a determining unit  204 , and an executing unit  206 . 
     The sensor unit  10  senses changes according to the movement of the 3D pointing input apparatus  1  upon entering a scroll function mode. The scroll function mode can be launched by a particular operation such as a user&#39;s clicking of a scroll button on the 3D pointing input apparatus  1 . Then, the sensor unit  10  senses the motion of the 3D pointing input apparatus  1 , which includes the acceleration and the angular velocity thereof. For example, when the housing is moved, the rotational angular velocity on each axis, that is, information of rotations on each of the Xb-, Yb-, and Zb-axes of the device cooperate system  12  is sensed. Additionally, the accelerations towards respective Xb-, Yb-, and Zb-axes of the device cooperate system  12  can be sensed. 
     When the position of the virtual scroll cursor, for example, the position of the cursor on the virtual cooperate system  14  in  FIG. 1 , which corresponds to the change sensed by the sensor unit  10  upon entering the scroll function mode, is out of a predetermined area of the display apparatus, the control unit  20  controls a screen of the display apparatus  2  to scroll at a threshold speed. Also, the control unit  20  can restrict the movement range of the scroll cursor of the display apparatus  2  within the predetermined area. 
     If the movement range of a virtual scroll cursor is within the predetermined area, the movement of the screen can be varied according to the sensed change. For example, the screen may be scrolled faster when the virtual scroll cursor has moved further than when the virtual cursor has moved lesser. 
     More specifically, the virtual coordinate setting unit  202  of the control unit  20  can virtually set a movement range of the scroll cursor of the display apparatus  2  on the virtual coordinate system  14  shown in  FIG. 2  to correspond to the change sensed by using the device coordinate system  12  shown in  FIG. 1 . Here, the virtual coordinate system  14  may be defined by a predetermined area formed as a circle or the like. 
     The determining unit  204  determines if the position of the virtual scroll cursor represented in the virtual coordinate system  14  shown in  FIG. 1  is within or out of the predetermined area, and the executing unit  204  restricts the position of the scroll cursor actually displayed on the display apparatus  2 , for example, a location and scrolling speed of the cursor in the display coordinate system  16  in  FIG. 1  according to the determination result of the determining unit  204 . When the movement range of the virtual scroll cursor demonstrated in the virtual coordinate system  14  in  FIG. 1  is not within the predetermined area, the screen is scrolled at a threshold speed, and the movement range of the scroll cursor in the display coordinate system  16  can be restricted within the predetermined area. 
     Accordingly, the 3D pointing input apparatus  1  in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention restricts the movement range of the cursor of the display apparatus  2  in the scroll function mode, so that it can be prevented that a scrolling speed of the screen is out of control due to unexpectedly fast movement of the user. 
     The 3D pointing input apparatus  1  can stop the scroll cursor from scrolling on the screen of the display apparatus  2  by placing the scroll cursor fixedly on the display apparatus  2  for a predetermined period of time upon entering the scroll function mode. This is because it is required to place the scroll cursor at a fixed position for a predetermined period of time for recognizing the start of the scroll function mode. Accordingly, it can be prevented that the scroll function is not selected since the user&#39;s hand is trembling or the user moves his/her hand incorrectly while holding the 3D pointing input apparatus  1 . 
     Hereinafter, various input methods for a scroll function of a 3D pointing input apparatus will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 .  FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an input method of a 3D pointing input apparatus when the movement range of a virtual scroll cursor of a display apparatus which corresponds to the movement of the 3D pointing input apparatus is set as a first area  100   a  which will be described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a flowchart of an input method of the 3D pointing input apparatus when the movement range of the virtual scroll cursor is set as a first area  100   b  and a second area  200  which will be described with reference to  FIGS. 7 to 9 . However, such the flowcharts of the method are only embodiments for facilitating explanation of the present invention, and may include various other embodiments are available. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the 3D pointing input apparatus enters a scroll function mode with a user&#39;s particular motion, for example, clicking of a scroll button (operation S 100 ). At this time, a scroll cursor can be stopped from scrolling on a screen for a predetermined period of time (operation S 110 ). As the result, it is possible to solve a problem that the user may not be able to use the scroll function when the 3D pointing input apparatus is shaken or moved unexpectedly since the user&#39;s hand is trembling without being supported while holding the 3D pointing input apparatus. 
     The 3D pointing input apparatus senses the changes according to its movement when entering the scroll function mode (operation S 120 ). In this case, the sensed changes may be displayed as coordinates in the device coordinate system  12  in  FIG. 1 . Subsequently, the location of the virtual scroll cursor of the display apparatus which corresponds to the sensed change is checked (operation S 130 ). To this end, the movement range of the scroll cursor can be displayed in the virtual coordinate system  14  shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Then the 3D pointing input apparatus determines if the movement range of the virtual cursor is within or out of the predetermined range, that is, the first area  100   a  (in  FIG. 5 ) (operation S 140 ). If it is determined that the movement range is within the first area  100   a,  a screen is scrolled corresponding to the sensed changes (operation S 150 ). That is, according to the scroll function mode, the moving speed of the cursor on the display apparatus can be varied such that the movement range of the screen of the display apparatus is changed in proportion to the movement range of the 3D pointing input apparatus. At this time, the position of the cursor of the display apparatus is identical with the position of the virtual cursor. 
     Alternatively, if it is determined that the virtual cursor of the 3D pointing input apparatus is out of the first area  100   a  (in  FIG. 5 ), the movement range of the cursor on the display apparatus is restricted to the first range  100   a  (in  FIG. 5 ) (operation S 160 ). Then, the screen is scrolled at a threshold speed (operation S 170 ). Accordingly, even when the motion of the 3D pointing input apparatus is too quick or wide, the screen of the display apparatus is moved at a constant speed, so that the user can easily check the contents on the screen. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the 3D pointing input apparatus enters the scroll function mode by a user (operation S 200 ). At this time, to accurately start the scroll function mode, the scroll cursor on the screen of the display apparatus may be stopped for a predetermined period of time (operation S 210 ). 
     Then, the 3D pointing input apparatus senses changes according to the motion of the 3D pointing input apparatus upon entering the scroll function mode (operation S 220 ). In this case, the movement can be demonstrated on the device coordinate system  12 . Then, the location of the virtual scroll cursor of the display apparatus corresponding to the sensed change is checked (operation S 230 ). For example, the location of the scroll cursor of which movement range is demonstrated in the virtual coordinate system  14  in  FIG. 1  may be checked. 
     The 3D pointing input apparatus determines if the movement range of the virtual cursor is within or out of the predetermined range, that is, the second area  200  (in  FIG. 7 ) (operation S 240 ). When it is determined that the virtual cursor is placed out of the second area  200 , the movement range of the scroll cursor of the display apparatus is restricted to the second area  200  (in  FIG. 7 ) (operation S 250 ). Then the screen is constantly scrolled at a threshold speed (operation S 270 ). 
     Alternatively, when it is determined that the movement range of the virtual cursor is within the second area  200  (in  FIG. 7 ), it is determined if the movement range is within or out of the first area  100   b  (in  FIG. 7 ) which is smaller than the second area  200  and inside the second area  200  (operation S 260 ). When it is determined that the virtual cursor is placed out of the first area  100   b  (in  FIG. 7 ), the screen of the display apparatus is constantly scrolled at a threshold speed (operation S 270 ). The threshold speed may be the same as when the virtual cursor is placed out of the second area  200  (in  FIG. 7 ). Moreover, the location of the cursor on the screen of the display apparatus is identical with the location of the virtual cursor. 
     If the movement range of the virtual cursor is within the first area  100   b  (in  FIG. 7 ), the screen is scrolled according to the sensed change of the 3D pointing input apparatus (operation S 280 ). For example, the movement range of the screen of the display apparatus can be controlled to be in proportion with the movement range of the 3D pointing input apparatus during the scroll function mode. Even in this case, the location of the cursor on the screen of the display apparatus is identical with the location of the virtual cursor. 
     Various input methods of a 3D pointing input apparatus for using a scroll function will now be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 5 to 9 .  FIGS. 5 and 6  show the first area  100  by which the region of the virtual coordinate system  14  is defined, and  FIGS. 7 to 9  show the first area  100   b  and the second area  200  by which the region of the virtual coordinate system  14  is defined. The definition of the region of the coordinate system is only for facilitating explanation of descriptions, and may include various embodiments can be implemented. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the 3D pointing input apparatus moves a virtual scroll cursor of a display apparatus into a predetermined area to place it corresponding to a cursor on a screen of the display apparatus when the movement range of the virtual scroll cursor is out of a predetermined area, and the virtual scroll cursor moves corresponding to changes in movements of a housing of the 3D pointing input apparatus when the 3D pointing input apparatus enters a scroll function mode. Also, the 3D pointing input apparatus restricts the screen scrolling speed to a threshold speed. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 5 , when the virtual scroll cursor of the display apparatus moves to P 1 , which is one of virtual coordinates, corresponding to the movement of the housing, the scroll cursor is out of the predetermined area, the first area  100   a,  and the actual cursor on the screen of the display apparatus may be moved to P 2 . Then, the scrolling speed of the screen of the display apparatus can be restricted to a threshold speed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the 3D pointing input apparatus moves the screen and the cursor on the screen of the display apparatus according to the sensed changes of the 3D pointing input apparatus when the virtual scroll cursor of the display apparatus is within the predetermined area, the virtual scroll cursor corresponding to the movement of the housing of the 3D pointing input apparatus when the 3D pointing input apparatus enters the scroll function mode. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , when the virtual cursor of the display apparatus moves to P 1  which is one of virtual coordinates, the virtual scroll cursor is within the predetermined area, the first area  100   a,  the actual cursor on the screen of the display apparatus can stay at P 1 . Then, the screen of the display apparatus can be scrolled according to sensed changes in the movement of the 3D pointing input apparatus. For example, when a moving distance of the 3D pointing input apparatus is L 1 , the screen of the display apparatus can be controlled to scroll slower than when the moving distance of the 3D pointing input apparatus is L 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the 3D pointing input apparatus moves a virtual scroll cursor of a display apparatus into a predetermined area to place it corresponding to a cursor on a screen of the display apparatus when the movement range of the virtual scroll cursor is out of a predetermined area, and the virtual scroll cursor moves corresponding to changes in movements of a housing of the 3D pointing input apparatus when the 3D pointing input apparatus enters a scroll function mode. Also, the 3D pointing input apparatus restricts the screen scrolling speed to a threshold speed. 
     For example, when the virtual cursor moves to P 1  which is one of virtual coordinates according to the movement of the housing, the cursor comes to be out of the second area  200 , which is predetermined, and thus the actual cursor on the screen of the display apparatus can be moved to P 2 . Then, the screen can be controlled to scroll at a threshold speed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the 3D pointing input apparatus places the cursor on the screen of the display apparatus to be at the same location as the virtual scroll cursor of the display apparatus while restricting the scrolling speed of the screen to a threshold speed when the virtual scroll cursor is placed between the predetermined first and second areas  100   b  and  200  and the virtual scroll cursor moves corresponding to the movement of the housing of the 3D pointing input apparatus when the 3D pointing input apparatus enters the scroll function mode. 
     For instance, as shown in  FIG. 8 , when the virtual scroll cursor is placed at P 1 , which is one of the virtual coordinates, according to the movement of the housing, the actual cursor on the screen of the display apparatus can stay at P 1  if the cursor is out of the first area  100   b  but within the second area  200 . Also, the scrolling speed of the screen can be restricted to a threshold speed V. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the 3D pointing input apparatus moves the screen and the cursor of the display apparatus according to the sensed changes in movements if the virtual scroll cursor of the display apparatus is within both first and second areas  100   b  and  200 , the virtual scroll cursor moving according to the changes in movements of the housing of the 3D pointing input apparatus. 
     For instance, as shown in  FIG. 9 , when the virtual scroll cursor is placed at P 1  which is within both the first area  100   b  and the second area  200 , the actual cursor on the screen of the display apparatus can stay at P 1 . The screen can be scrolled according to the sensed change of the 3D pointing input apparatus. As the result, if the moving distance of the 3D pointing input apparatus is L 1 , the screen of the display apparatus can be controlled to scroll slower than when the moving distance of the 3D pointing input apparatus is L 2 . 
     In brief, the 3D pointing input apparatus in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention enables a user to use an accurate scroll function by restricting the location and the scrolling speed of the scroll cursor when the motion of user&#39;s hand is not accurate enough for entering the scroll function mode, for example, the user moves his/her hand too fast. 
     Furthermore, when a 3D pointing input apparatus enters a scroll function mode, a scroll cursor of a display apparatus needs to be fixed at a particular position on a screen. The 3D pointing input apparatus in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention stops the scroll cursor from moving on the screen of the display apparatus for a predetermined period of time, so that the 3D pointing input apparatus can easily enter the scroll function mode even when the user trembles his/her hand or moves the hand improperly without being supported. 
     Although a few embodiments have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.