Patent Description:
Depending on their mobility, terminals may be classified into mobile/portable terminals and stationary terminals. Mobile terminals may further be classified into handheld terminals and vehicle-mounted terminals depending on whether the terminals can be carried directly by users.

Along with the development of a variety of functions, such a terminal is configured as a multimedia player equipped with composite functions such as capturing of a still image or a video, play of music or a video file, and gaming, broadcasting reception.

To execute complex functions of the multimedia player, new various attempts have been made in hardware or software. For example, a user interface environment is provided, in which a user searches for or selects a function easily and conveniently.

In addition, as a mobile terminal is regarded as a personal portable item representing the personality of its user, various designs have been demanded for mobile terminals. The design of a mobile terminal includes structural changes and modifications which enable the user to more conveniently use the mobile terminal. One of the structural changes and modifications may be considered for a manipulation unit.

<CIT> relates to an input device for controlling a display device. A movement of the input device is converted into a physical quantity, and a cursor movement command is created (at the display device or the input device and transmitted to the display device) when a size of the physical quantity is less than the predetermined threshold value. When the cursor is on a UI object and when the size of the physical quantity is more than the predetermined threshold value, a predetermined control command is created.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for controlling a digital device and such digital device facilitating execution of a specific function.

This object is solved by the present invention as defined in the independent claims.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the technical effect of minimizing a time taken to execute a specific function of a digital device to be controlled is achieved.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the effects that can be achieved with the present disclosure are not limited to what has been particularly described hereinabove and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description.

Hereinbelow, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Irrespective of figure numbers, the same or similar components are denoted by like reference numerals, and a redundant description of the components is avoided. In the following description, postfixes attached to the names of components, "module" and "unit" are assigned or interchangeably used only in consideration of ease of the description, and do not have differentiated meanings or functions. Further, lest it should obscure the subject matter of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a related known technology is not described. In addition, the accompanying drawings are given only to help with the understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and it is to be understood that the disclosure covers various modifications, equivalents, and alternatives.

Terms including an ordinal number such as first or second may be used to describe various components, not limiting the components. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component.

When it is said that a component is "coupled with/to" or "connected to" another component, it should be understood that the one component is connected to the other component directly or through any other component. On the other hand, when it is said that a component is "directly coupled to" or "directly connected to" another component, it may be understood that there is no other component between the components.

Unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, singular forms include plural referents.

In the present disclosure, it is to be understood that the term "include" or "have" signifies the presence of a feature, a number, a step, an operation, a component, or a part, or a combination thereof as described in the disclosure, not excluding the presence or the possibility of addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, components, or parts, or combinations thereof.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an overall system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, an overall system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes IoT devices <NUM> and a mobile device <NUM>. The mobile device <NUM> may be, for example, a remote control or a portable phone. Further, the IoT devices <NUM> may be, for example, an air conditioner <NUM>, a TV <NUM>, and a light bulb <NUM>.

Particularly, even when the IoT devices <NUM> do not have display modules, the present disclosure is applicable. One feature of the present disclosure lies in that a quick mode is provided to fast access a specific function of the IoT devices <NUM> as well as all IoT devices <NUM> may be controlled by the single mobile device <NUM>.

Meanwhile, it is assumed in the present disclosure that the mobile device <NUM> has knowledge of the position of each IoT device <NUM> as well as the position of the mobile device <NUM> in a home. Therefore, a conventional IPS technique may be adopted, or an IPS technique of the present disclosure which will be described later with reference to <FIG> may be adopted. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims.

Although there is a conventional universal remote control, a process of selecting a device to be controlled is complex and many buttons are unnecessary. Moreover, no tool is provided, which enables fast access to a specific function.

Furthermore, more and more digital devices are to be controlled in the era of IoT which has recently attracted much intention. Meanwhile, certain functions are mainly used in the digital devices.

If a digital device to be controlled does not have a display, it is difficult to implement a quick mode which enables fast access to a specific function.

The present disclosure is intended to solve all these problems and define a solution of allowing a mobile device to control a plurality of digital devices with minimum cost.

<FIG> is a block diagram of components of each of a mobile device and a digital device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

A digital device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication module <NUM> which conducts data communication with a mobile device, a memory <NUM> which stores at least one data, and a controller <NUM> coupled to the communication module <NUM> and the memory <NUM>.

Particularly, the controller <NUM> receives a first pointing signal from a mobile device <NUM> by controlling the communication module <NUM>. If the received first pointing signal is sensed in a first virtual region, the controller <NUM> accesses the memory <NUM>, and receives a second pointing signal from the mobile device <NUM> by controlling the communication module <NUM>.

If the received second pointing signal is sensed in a second virtual region, the controller <NUM> executes a specific function of the digital device <NUM>, referring to the memory <NUM>. This process may be referred to as a quick mode in the present disclosure.

The first virtual region includes a range in which a point pointed at by the mobile device <NUM> is formed inside the digital device <NUM>, and the second virtual region includes a range in which a point pointed at by the mobile device <NUM> is formed outside the digital device <NUM>. The above-described first and second virtual regions will be described later in greater detail with reference to <FIG>.

The memory <NUM> is characterized in that the second virtual region is stored mapped to the specific function. Further, a plurality of second virtual regions are defined, and separated with respect to the position of the digital device <NUM>.

Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the second virtual region is characteristically changed according to the distance between the mobile device <NUM> and the digital device <NUM> or the angle between the mobile device <NUM> and the digital device <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mobile device <NUM> includes a display module <NUM>, a communication module <NUM> which conducts data communication with the digital device <NUM>, a memory <NUM> which stores at least one data, and a controller <NUM> coupled to the display module <NUM>, the communication module <NUM>, and the memory <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> transmits a first pointing signal to a first virtual region by controlling the communication module <NUM>, and displays an identification (ID) which identifies the digital device <NUM> located in the first virtual region.

Further, the controller <NUM> transmits a second pointing signal to a second virtual region by controlling the communication module <NUM>, and transmits, to the digital device <NUM>, a command for executing a specific function of the digital device <NUM>, referring to the memory <NUM>.

<FIG> is a detailed view illustrating an example of the mobile device illustrated in <FIG>. As described before, a mobile device <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> corresponds to, for example, a portable phone or a remote control. That is, a person skilled in the art could implement a mobile device by a portable phone or a remote control, on the basis of the description of the mobile device in the present disclosure.

A user input module <NUM> corresponds to, for example, a touch module or a general button. A device attribute and function memory <NUM> stores basic information and function information about a digital device to be controlled, within a building (e.g., a home).

A device position information memory <NUM> stores position information about the digital device to be controlled within the building. As described later with reference to <FIG>, the mobile device <NUM> may detect its position by communicating with a reference device installed indoors. In addition, a process of pointing at a digital device by a mobile device may be required in order to determine the position of the digital device located within the building. For example, if the mobile device determines a distance based on a signal strength or the like by communicating with the digital device, and determines a direction through a <NUM>-axis or <NUM>-axis sensor of the mobile device, the mobile device may calculate position information about the digital device located indoors.

A user and other person position information detector <NUM> estimates the position of a user based on the position of the mobile device <NUM>, and determines the position of another person carrying another mobile device based on position information of this another mobile device.

A controller position and direction information detector <NUM> calculates the position of the mobile device <NUM> by communicating with reference devices as described later with reference to <FIG>, and further calculates direction information about the mobile device <NUM> through the <NUM>-axis or <NUM>-axis sensor.

A wired/wireless communication unit <NUM> communicates with reference devices or in-home digital devices. The controller <NUM> may be configured as a CPU or the like, is coupled to all of the forgoing modules, and controls each module.

<FIG> is a detailed view illustrating another example of the mobile device illustrated in <FIG>.

As described in <FIG>, the mobile terminal <NUM> (or mobile device) is shown having components such as a wireless communication unit <NUM>, an input unit <NUM>, a sensing unit <NUM>, an output unit <NUM>, an interface unit <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a controller <NUM>, and a power supply unit <NUM>. It is understood that implementing all of the illustrated components is not a requirement, and that greater or fewer components may alternatively be implemented.

For example, the mobile terminal <NUM> is shown having wireless communication unit <NUM> configured with several commonly implemented components. For instance, the wireless communication unit <NUM> typically includes one or more components which permit wireless communication between the mobile terminal <NUM> and a wireless communication system or network within which the mobile terminal is located.

The sensing unit <NUM> is typically implemented using one or more sensors configured to sense internal information of the mobile terminal, the surrounding environment of the mobile terminal, user information, and the like. For example, in FIG. 1A, the sensing unit <NUM> is shown having a proximity sensor <NUM> and an illumination sensor <NUM>. If desired, the sensing unit <NUM> may alternatively or additionally include other types of sensors or devices, such as a touch sensor, an acceleration sensor, a magnetic sensor, a G-sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a motion sensor, an RGB sensor, an infrared (IR) sensor, a finger scan sensor, a ultrasonic sensor, an optical sensor (for example, camera <NUM>), a microphone <NUM>, a battery gauge, an environment sensor (for example, a barometer, a hygrometer, a thermometer, a radiation detection sensor, a thermal sensor, and a gas sensor, among others), and a chemical sensor (for example, an electronic nose, a health care sensor, a biometric sensor, and the like), to name a few. The mobile terminal <NUM> may be configured to utilize information obtained from sensing unit <NUM>, and in particular, information obtained from one or more sensors of the sensing unit <NUM>, and combinations thereof.

The controller <NUM> typically functions to control overall operation of the mobile terminal <NUM>, in addition to the operations associated with the application programs.

The controller <NUM> may provide or process information or functions appropriate for a user by processing signals, data, information and the like, which are input or output by the various components depicted in <FIG>, or activating application programs stored in the memory <NUM>. As one example, the controller <NUM> controls some or all of the components illustrated in <FIG> according to the execution of an application program that have been stored in the memory <NUM>.

At least one of element among the elements discussed above performs with cooperating with other elements in order to obtain embodiments below. Furthermore, the operations within the mobile device perform based on at least one of program stored in the memory (<NUM>).

Referring still to <FIG>, various components depicted in this figure will now be described in more detail.

The mobile communication module <NUM> can transmit and/or receive wireless signals to and from one or more network entities. Typical examples of a network entity include a base station, an external mobile terminal, a server, and the like. Such network entities form part of a mobile communication network, which is constructed according to technical standards or communication methods for mobile communications (for example, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Code Division Multi Access (CDMA), CDMA2000(Code Division Multi Access <NUM>), EV-DO(Enhanced Voice-Data Optimized or Enhanced Voice-Data Only), Wideband CDMA.

(WCDMA), High Speed Downlink Packet access (HSDPA), HSUPA(High Speed Uplink Packet Access), Long Term Evolution (LTE) , LTE-A(Long Term Evolution-Advanced), and the like).

In some embodiments, another mobile terminal (which may be configured similarly to mobile terminal <NUM>) may be a wearable device, for example, a smart watch, a smart glass or a head mounted display (HMD), which is able to exchange data with the mobile terminal <NUM> (or otherwise cooperate with the mobile terminal <NUM>). The short-range communication module <NUM> may sense or recognize the wearable device, and permit communication between the wearable device and the mobile terminal <NUM>. In addition, when the sensed wearable device is a device which is authenticated to communicate with the mobile terminal <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, for example, may cause transmission of data processed in the mobile terminal <NUM> to the wearable device via the short-range communication module <NUM>. Hence, a user of the wearable device may use the data processed in the mobile terminal <NUM> on the wearable device. For example, when a call is received in the mobile terminal <NUM>, the user may answer the call using the wearable device. Also, when a message is received in the mobile terminal <NUM>, the user can check the received message using the wearable device.

The input unit <NUM> may be configured to permit various types of input to the mobile terminal <NUM>. Examples of such input include audio, image, video, data, and user input. Image and video input is often obtained using one or more cameras <NUM>. Such cameras <NUM> may process image frames of still pictures or video obtained by image sensors in a video or image capture mode. The processed image frames can be displayed on the display unit <NUM> or stored in memory <NUM>. In some cases, the cameras <NUM> may be arranged in a matrix configuration to permit a plurality of images having various angles or focal points to be input to the mobile terminal <NUM>. As another example, the cameras <NUM> may be located in a stereoscopic arrangement to acquire left and right images for implementing a stereoscopic image.

The sensing unit <NUM> is generally configured to sense one or more of internal information of the mobile terminal, surrounding environment information of the mobile terminal, user information, or the like. The controller <NUM> generally cooperates with the sending unit <NUM> to control operation of the mobile terminal <NUM> or execute data processing, a function or an operation associated with an application program installed in the mobile terminal based on the sensing provided by the sensing unit <NUM>. The sensing unit <NUM> may be implemented using any of a variety of sensors, some of which will now be described in more detail.

The proximity sensor <NUM> may include a sensor to sense presence or absence of an object approaching a surface, or an object located near a surface, by using an electromagnetic field, infrared rays, or the like without a mechanical contact. The proximity sensor <NUM> may be arranged at an inner region of the mobile terminal covered by the touch screen, or near the touch screen.

The proximity sensor <NUM>, for example, may include any of a transmissive type photoelectric sensor, a direct reflective type photoelectric sensor, a mirror reflective type photoelectric sensor, a high-frequency oscillation proximity sensor, a capacitance type proximity sensor, a magnetic type proximity sensor, an infrared rays proximity sensor, and the like. When the touch screen is implemented as a capacitance type, the proximity sensor <NUM> can sense proximity of a pointer relative to the touch screen by changes of an electromagnetic field, which is responsive to an approach of an object with conductivity. In this case, the touch screen (touch sensor) may also be categorized as a proximity sensor.

The term "proximity touch" will often be referred to herein to denote the scenario in which a pointer is positioned to be proximate to the touch screen without contacting the touch screen. The term "contact touch" will often be referred to herein to denote the scenario in which a pointer makes physical contact with the touch screen. For the position corresponding to the proximity touch of the pointer relative to the touch screen, such position will correspond to a position where the pointer is perpendicular to the touch screen. The proximity sensor <NUM> may sense proximity touch, and proximity touch patterns (for example, distance, direction, speed, time, position, moving status, and the like). In general, controller <NUM> processes data corresponding to proximity touches and proximity touch patterns sensed by the proximity sensor <NUM>, and cause output of visual information on the touch screen. In addition, the controller <NUM> can control the mobile terminal <NUM> to execute different operations or process different data according to whether a touch with respect to a point on the touch screen is either a proximity touch or a contact touch.

A touch sensor can sense a touch applied to the touch screen, such as display unit <NUM>, using any of a variety of touch methods. Examples of such touch methods include a resistive type, a capacitive type, an infrared type, and a magnetic field type, among others.

As one example, the touch sensor may be configured to convert changes of pressure applied to a specific part of the display unit <NUM>, or convert capacitance occurring at a specific part of the display unit <NUM>, into electric input signals. The touch sensor may also be configured to sense not only a touched position and a touched area, but also touch pressure and/or touch capacitance. A touch object is generally used to apply a touch input to the touch sensor. Examples of typical touch objects include a finger, a touch pen, a stylus pen, a pointer, or the like.

When a touch input is sensed by a touch sensor, corresponding signals may be transmitted to a touch controller. The touch controller may process the received signals, and then transmit corresponding data to the controller <NUM>. Accordingly, the controller <NUM> may sense which region of the display unit <NUM> has been touched. Here, the touch controller may be a component separate from the controller <NUM>, the controller <NUM>, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the controller <NUM> may execute the same or different controls according to a type of touch object that touches the touch screen or a touch key provided in addition to the touch screen. Whether to execute the same or different control according to the object which provides a touch input may be decided based on a current operating state of the mobile terminal <NUM> or a currently executed application program, for example.

The touch sensor and the proximity sensor may be implemented individually, or in combination, to sense various types of touches. Such touches includes a short (or tap) touch, a long touch, a multi-touch, a drag touch, a flick touch, a pinch-in touch, a pinch-out touch, a swipe touch, a hovering touch, and the like.

If desired, an ultrasonic sensor may be implemented to recognize position information relating to a touch object using ultrasonic waves. The controller <NUM>, for example, may calculate a position of a wave generation source based on information sensed by an illumination sensor and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors. Since light is much faster than ultrasonic waves, the time for which the light reaches the optical sensor is much shorter than the time for which the ultrasonic wave reaches the ultrasonic sensor. The position of the wave generation source may be calculated using this fact. For instance, the position of the wave generation source may be calculated using the time difference from the time that the ultrasonic wave reaches the sensor based on the light as a reference signal.

The camera <NUM> typically includes at least one a camera sensor (CCD, CMOS etc.), a photo sensor (or image sensors), and a laser sensor.

Implementing the camera <NUM> with a laser sensor may allow detection of a touch of a physical object with respect to a 3D stereoscopic image. The photo sensor may be laminated on, or overlapped with, the display device. The photo sensor may be configured to scan movement of the physical object in proximity to the touch screen. In more detail, the photo sensor may include photo diodes and transistors at rows and columns to scan content received at the photo sensor using an electrical signal which changes according to the quantity of applied light. Namely, the photo sensor may calculate the coordinates of the physical object according to variation of light to thus obtain position information of the physical object.

In some embodiments, the display unit <NUM> may be implemented as a stereoscopic display unit for displaying stereoscopic images. A typical stereoscopic display unit may employ a stereoscopic display scheme such as a stereoscopic scheme (a glass scheme), an auto-stereoscopic scheme (glassless scheme), a projection scheme (holographic scheme), or the like.

When the mobile terminal <NUM> is connected with an external cradle, the interface unit <NUM> can serve as a passage to allow power from the cradle to be supplied to the mobile terminal <NUM> or may serve as a passage to allow various command signals input by the user from the cradle to be transferred to the mobile terminal there through. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may operate as signals for recognizing that the mobile terminal is properly mounted on the cradle.

The memory <NUM> can store programs to support operations of the controller <NUM> and store input/output data (for example, phonebook, messages, still images, videos, etc.). The memory <NUM> may store data related to various patterns of vibrations and audio which are output in response to touch inputs on the touch screen.

The memory <NUM> may include one or more types of storage mediums including a Flash memory, a hard disk, a solid state disk, a silicon disk, a multimedia card micro type, a card-type memory (e.g., SD or DX memory, etc), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), a Programmable Read-Only memory (PROM), a magnetic memory, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and the like. The mobile terminal <NUM> may also be operated in relation to a network storage device that performs the storage function of the memory <NUM> over a network, such as the Internet.

The controller <NUM> may typically control the general operations of the mobile terminal <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may set or release a lock state for restricting a user from inputting a control command with respect to applications when a status of the mobile terminal meets a preset condition.

The power supply unit <NUM> receives external power or provide internal power and supply the appropriate power required for operating respective elements and components included in the mobile terminal <NUM>. The power supply unit <NUM> may include a battery, which is typically rechargeable or be detachably coupled to the terminal body for charging.

The power supply unit <NUM> may include a connection port. The connection port may be configured as one example of the interface unit <NUM> to which an external charger for supplying power to recharge the battery is electrically connected.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a process of generating a virtual region for executing a quick mode according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Now, a description will be given below of a solution of mapping and applying a quick function of a digital device pointed at by a mobile device (e.g., a portable phone or a remote control) onto a virtual space.

As illustrated in (a) of <FIG>, it is assumed that a mobile device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure points at a digital device <NUM> to be controlled. That is, a point <NUM> pointed at by the mobile device <NUM> is located in a first virtual region corresponding to the digital device <NUM>. If a pointing signal from the mobile device is sensed in the first virtual region (this is a procedure for determining a digital device to be controlled), the digital device <NUM> generates one or more second virtual regions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> around the digital device <NUM>, each second virtual region being mapped to a specific function of the digital device <NUM>, as illustrated in (b) of <FIG>. For example, as illustrated in (b) of <FIG>, a very top end of the second virtual region <NUM> to the right of the digital device <NUM> is mapped to a first specific function, a middle point <NUM> of the second virtual region <NUM> is mapped to a second specific function, and a very bottom end <NUM> of the second virtual region <NUM> is mapped to a third specific function. Apparently, a design which enables a user to freely edit the specific functions or the second virtual regions falls within another scope of the present disclosure.

Therefore, as illustrated in (c) of <FIG>, once the mobile device <NUM> points at the specific point <NUM> in the second virtual region, the specific function of the digital device <NUM>, mapped to the specific point <NUM> is automatically executed.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a process of changing a virtual region for execution of a quick mode according to a change in the position of a mobile device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in the left drawing of (a) of <FIG>, a first virtual region <NUM> and a second virtual region <NUM> are determined with respect to a mobile device <NUM>. As described before, in concept, the first virtual region <NUM> includes an area in which a specific digital device is located, whereas the second virtual region <NUM> includes an area around the specific digital device.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in the right drawing of (a) of <FIG>, if the mobile device moves from the old position <NUM> to a new position <NUM>, the first virtual region <NUM> including the area in which the digital device is located is still the same, whereas the second virtual region should be moved from the old point <NUM> to a new point <NUM>.

Further, as illustrated in the left drawing of (b) of <FIG>, a first virtual region <NUM> and a virtual second region <NUM> are determined according to a distance a between a mobile device <NUM> and a digital device. The angle between the center point of the first virtual region <NUM> and the center point of the second virtual region <NUM> is determined according to the distance a, as illustrated in (b) of <FIG>.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in the right drawing of (b) of <FIG>, a design is made such that if the mobile device <NUM> gets farther from the digital device (i.e., the distance between the two devices is changed to b), the second virtual region is also changed from the old point <NUM> to a new point <NUM>. That is, this is meant not to change the angle, and only this design brings about the technical effect that the quick mode can be executed by moving the mobile device only at the same angle and pointing at the digital device by the mobile terminal irrespective of the distance between the digital device and the mobile device.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a response result of a digital device, when a mobile device points at a first virtual region according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

If the mobile device points at a first region <NUM> as indicated by reference numeral <NUM>, the mobile device displays, on a screen <NUM>, the name of the digital device to be controlled.

Upon selection of a power button <NUM> of the mobile device, a command to power on a light bulb in the first virtual region <NUM> is transmitted.

However, to implement the above operation, the mobile device should have prior knowledge of the existence of the specific digital device (e.g., the light bulb) in the pointing direction <NUM> of the mobile device. For example, a process configurable through data communication between the two devices or a process of registering the position of the specific digital device by the mobile device is applicable.

More specifically, for example, if the mobile device performs a registration process while pointing at the specific digital device, a direction toward the specific digital device may be calculated by a <NUM>-axis or <NUM>-axis sensor of the mobile device. However, the mobile device needs to know its in-home position at the moment of pointing at the specific digital device, for accurate positioning. A solution of determining the position of the mobile device indoors will be described later in greater detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an exemplary response result of a digital device, when a mobile device points at a second virtual region according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in (a) of <FIG>, if a mobile device <NUM> points at a first virtual region in which a specific digital device is located, as indicated by reference numeral <NUM>, the mobile device <NUM> displays the name of the specific digital device located in the first virtual region on a screen <NUM>. Further, upon selection of a confirm button or an OK button <NUM>, a quick mode is set. The quick mode refers to immediate execution of a specific function of the digital device without any interruption, as the mobile device points at the vicinity of the digital device.

As illustrated in (b) of <FIG>, when the mobile device points at a first virtual region <NUM> in which the specific digital device is located, a second virtual region <NUM> enabling execution of the quick mode is generated in the vicinity of the first virtual region <NUM>. For example, if a very top end point <NUM> is pointed at in the second virtual region <NUM>, the color or brightness of a light bulb illustrated in <FIG> is changed to that of a mood mode. If a middle point <NUM> in the second virtual region <NUM> is pointed at, the color or brightness of the light bulb illustrated in <FIG> is changed to that of a reading mode. If a very bottom end point <NUM> is pointed at in the second virtual region <NUM>, the color or brightness of the light bulb illustrated in <FIG> is changed to that of a standard mode.

Further, the mobile device provides an option <NUM> to turn off the quick mode. A design is made such that if the option <NUM> is selected, all objects in the second virtual region <NUM> disappear, thereby preventing data loss.

As illustrated in (c) of <FIG>, if the mobile device points at the specific point <NUM> in the second virtual region defined in the vicinity of the specific digital device, not the first virtual region <NUM> in which the specific digital device is located, the mobile device outputs a message <NUM> which guides to a corresponding mode. Owing to a feedback function of the guide message <NUM>, the technical effect of preventing execution of a quick mode different from a user's intended quick mode is achieved.

Further, if an OK button <NUM> is selected while the specific point <NUM> is pointed at, the light bulb located in the virtual first region <NUM> executes a specific function corresponding to the mood mode.

Accordingly, for implementation of the quick mode, the data structure of Table <NUM> below should be pre-stored in at least one of the mobile device or the digital device.

With reference to <FIG>, a specific embodiment to which Table <NUM> is applied will be described in greater detail.

<FIG> is a view illustrating another exemplary response result of a digital device, when a mobile device points at a second virtual region according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As described before with reference to <FIG> and Table <NUM>, the data structure of mapping regions (second virtual regions) around the digital device to specific functions of the digital device is stored in the memory of the digital device or the mobile device.

Referring to (a) of <FIG> based on the above premise, if a mobile device <NUM> points at a digital device <NUM> (i.e., a region in which the digital device is located, that is, a first virtual region), the mobile device <NUM> displays guide messages <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> indicating modes mapped to second virtual regions defined around the digital device.

Therefore, if the mobile device <NUM> points at one (e.g., a right region) <NUM> of the second virtual regions of the digital device <NUM> and an OK button is pressed, the digital device immediately executes the channel mode. That is, the quick mode for the channel mode is executed.

Meanwhile, if the mobile device <NUM> points at another (e.g., an upper region) <NUM> of the second virtual regions of the digital device <NUM> and the OK button is pressed, the digital device immediately executes the movie mode. That is, the quick mode for the movie mode is executed.

If the mobile device <NUM> points at a third (e.g., a left region) <NUM> of the second virtual regions of the digital device <NUM> and the OK button is pressed, the digital device immediately executes the search mode. That is, the quick mode for the search mode is executed.

While the digital device illustrated in (a) of <FIG> has been described as a TV, by way of example, (b) of <FIG> illustrates an air conditioner as an example of the digital device.

As illustrated in (b) of <FIG>, if a mobile device <NUM> points at a digital device <NUM> (i.e., a region in which the digital device is located, that is, a first virtual region), the mobile device <NUM> displays guide messages <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> indicating modes mapped to second virtual regions defined around the digital device. The positions of the guide messages being identical to the positions of the plurality of second virtual regions fall within another scope of the present disclosure.

Therefore, if the mobile device <NUM> points at one (e.g., a right upper region) <NUM> of the second virtual regions of the digital device <NUM> and an OK button is pressed, the digital device immediately executes an air cleaning mode.

Thus, if the mobile device <NUM> points at another (e.g., a right bottom region) <NUM> of the second virtual regions of the digital device <NUM> and the OK button is pressed, the digital device immediately executes a dehumidification mode.

Thus, if the mobile device <NUM> points at a third one (e.g., a left upper region) <NUM> of the second virtual regions of the digital device <NUM> and the OK button is pressed, the digital device immediately executes a cool power mode.

Thus, if the mobile device <NUM> points at a fourth one (e.g., a left bottom region) <NUM> of the second virtual regions of the digital device <NUM> and the OK button is pressed, the digital device immediately executes a power save mode.

Meanwhile, the present disclosure is applicable to outdoors. In this case, a GPS signal is used. However, the biggest shortcoming of the GPS lies in that the GPS does not operate indoors in which GPS signals cannot be received. For example, a smartphone with a built-in GPS function may search for the main entrance of a large shopping mall, but fail in searching for a specific store or a restroom in the shopping mall. To solve the problem, an IPS has been introduced.

Most of IPS techniques using ultra wideband (UWB), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. adopt triangulation for positioning. Triangulation is performed by using an anchor device (or reference device) serving as a position origin, and a mobile device to be positioned.

In general, three or more reference devices as position origins are required for two-dimensional (2D) positioning, and four or more reference devices as position origins are required for 3D positioning.

However, if an angle of arrival (AOA) algorithm is applied, two or more reference devices are required. Even in this case, the present disclosure as described with reference to <FIG> is also applicable. Further, in the case of a single reference device, it is also possible to set an origin reference device by pointing the mobile device to the reference device.

Meanwhile, only if reference devices have knowledge of their position coordinates with respect to an origin, the reference devices may determine unique position relationships between the mobile terminal and the reference devices. Therefore, according to the conventional technology, the position of each reference device should be physically measured in order to acquire position information about the reference device. A related problem will be described later in greater detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Meanwhile, according to the present disclosure which will be described below, it is possible to fast set the coordinates of the positions of reference devices by using the <NUM>-axis or <NUM>-axis sensor of the mobile terminal. This operation will be described later in greater detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating an overall triangulation-based indoor positioning system (IPS). It is assumed in <FIG> that four reference devices (referred to as anchors or anchor devices) are required for 3D positioning. Apparently, three reference devices are sufficient for 2D positioning.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the coordinates of the positions of reference devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> used in the IPS should be determined in order to position a mobile terminal <NUM> located in a home. The conventional technology has the problem that a user or an expert should measure the positions of the reference devices preliminarily, and then input the coordinates of the positions.

For example, after the user or the expert directly measures the positions of the reference devices, the user or the expert should store, in a memory, the coordinates (x1, y1, z1) of the position of the first reference device <NUM>, the coordinates (x2, y2, z2) of the position of the second reference device <NUM>, the coordinates (x3, y3, z3) of the position of the third reference device <NUM>, and the coordinates (x4, y4, z4) of the position of the fourth reference device <NUM>. Therefore, accuracy is poor and an unnecessary time is taken. Although each reference device may measure a distance by communicating with other reference devices, this case also has a problem. In this context, <FIG> will be described below in detail.

<FIG> is a view referred to for describing a problem encountered with the conventional triangulation-based IPS illustrated in <FIG>. As described before, it is assumed that distances between reference devices are calculated through communication between the reference devices.

However, without information about the coordinates of the positions of the reference devices, the mobile terminal may not get knowledge of accurate directions in which the respective reference devices are located. Particularly, since the positions of the reference devices and the mobile terminal are relative positions, it may not be determined only based on distance information whether an image formed by the reference devices is the image illustrated in (a) of <FIG> or the image illustrated in (b) of <FIG>, which is formed by a mirror plane.

Moreover, without the information about the coordinates of the positions of the reference devices, the mobile terminal may not determine a first angle with respect to a z axis and a second angle with respect to an x axis. In addition, the mobile terminal may not determine rotation information based on the first angle and the second angle.

Due to the above-described problems, there is a pressing need for a solution of enabling even a layman to easily and fast set position information about reference devices in an IPS environment. The solution will be described below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating components of a mobile device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, a mobile terminal <NUM> is designed to communicate with a position calculation module <NUM> and IPS reference devices <NUM>. The position calculation module <NUM> functions to calculate the positions of the mobile terminal <NUM> and the reference devices <NUM> in an IPS environment. The position calculation module <NUM> may be configured as an independent entity such as a gateway or a server, or may be designed to be incorporated in the mobile terminal <NUM>.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the mobile terminal <NUM> includes a UI <NUM>, an anchor position configuration module <NUM>, an IPS module <NUM>, and a motion fusion module <NUM>. The IPS module <NUM> is configured to use, for example, UWB, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi. The motion fusion module <NUM> is configured to be, for example, a <NUM>-axis or <NUM>-axis sensor. The <NUM>-axis sensor includes an acceleration sensor which senses a motion in a space and a geomagnetic sensor which senses directionality, and the <NUM>-axis sensor includes an inclination sensor in addition to the above features of the <NUM>-axis sensor.

The geomagnetic sensor is designed to sense, for example, the directions of North, East, South, and West, the inclination sensor is designed to sense a turned state or an upside-down state of the mobile terminal, and the acceleration sensor is designed to sense shaking or movement of the mobile terminal.

Therefore, the mobile terminal <NUM> including the modules illustrated in <FIG> is capable of calculating the positions of the reference devices <NUM>. The reference devices <NUM> may communicate with each other, and measure the distances between them by time of arrival (TOA), time of flight (TOF), RSSI, or the like. Meanwhile, the content described with reference to <FIG> will be described below in detail with reference to the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>.

Meanwhile, TOA and triangulation as described herein will be described below in greater detail.

In the TOA scheme, a distance is calculated by measuring the TOA of a signal between a mobile device and a stationary device. A TOA may be calculated synchronously or asynchronously. In the synchronous scheme, a receiver and a beacon are synchronized to each other in time, and the beacon transmits a signal indicating an absolute current time to the receiver. Due to the time synchronization between the receiver and the beacon, the receiver may calculate an absolute TOA of a signal with the beacon during a reception period by measuring the reception time of a signal. Accordingly, the distance may be calculated from a known transmission rate of a signal and the TOA. In the asynchronous scheme, there is no need for time synchronization between the receiver and the beacon. The beacon transmits a signal to the receiver shortly after recording a current time. The receiver returns the signal received from the beacon to the beacon. If a time delay involved in transmitting the received signal from the receiver to the beacon is constant, the beacon may calculate the distance between the beacon and the receiver based on the difference between the transmission time and reception time of the signal and the time delay of the receiver. As a scheme which enables measurement of round-trip time of flight (TOF) of a signal between two asynchronous receivers, there is a TWR scheme.

In the TWR distance measurement scheme, a distance is measured from the transmission time and propagation speed of a signal which starts from a transmitter and arrives at a receiver. The TWR distance measurement scheme has a higher accuracy than a conventional RSSI-based scheme, and is based on actual RF waves faster than ultrasonic waves by about <NUM>,<NUM> times. The above-described schemes are applicable between reference devices or between a reference device and a mobile terminal.

Triangulation-based positioning is a method of estimating the position of a mobile terminal by calculating the distances between three or more origins (reference devices or anchor devices) and the mobile terminal. The distance between an origin and the mobile terminal is calculated by using a propagation property value such as RSSI.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> depicts a method for more accurately calculating the positions of reference devices, which are not determined in <FIG> described before. Particularly, step B in <FIG> is a main feature of the present disclosure, and enhancing the technical effects of the present disclosure by adding step C is another feature of the present disclosure.

First, an overall description will be given below of main steps (step A, step B and step C) illustrated in <FIG>.

Step A of <FIG> is a step of detecting the distances between the reference devices illustrated in <FIG>. Each reference device may measure the distances to other reference devices by a TOF or RSSI algorithm. After step A, a polyhedron is defined by the reference devices, as illustrated in (b) of <FIG>.

Step B of <FIG> is a step of removing the image formed by the mirror plane, illustrated in <FIG>, and determining rotation angles of each reference device with respect to a horizontal surface in the gravity direction and with respect to the magnetic north direction. Step B may be performed by using the <NUM>-axis or <NUM>-axis sensor of the mobile terminal.

If the result value of step B of <FIG> is within a predetermined error rage, step C may not be performed. However, step C is a step of accurately correcting a rotation angle with respect to the horizontal surface in the gravity direction. For example, if the distance between reference devices is too large or the reference devices are not within a line of sight (LOS) range for each other, step C is needed to enhance the accuracy of step B.

Meanwhile, the sequence of steps A, B and C is not limited to an alphabetical order, and a modification to a part of the sequence also falls within the scope of the present disclosure. Each step illustrated in <FIG> will be described below in greater detail.

As illustrated in <FIG>, it is assumed that a plurality of reference devices are installed in a home (S5310). A network is set up so that each reference device may communicate with the mobile terminal (S5320).

Step A (S5330) of <FIG> includes steps S5331 and S5332, which will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>. The mobile terminal (IPS mobile device) executes an anchor position configuration function (S5331). The anchor position configuration function corresponds to a command for calculating the coordinates of the reference devices. Further, the reference devices (or anchor devices) measure the distances between the reference devices by communicating with each other (S5332).

Step B (S5340) of <FIG> includes steps S5341, S5342, S5343, and S5344, which will be described in detail with reference to <FIG>. A reference device is arbitrarily selected by means of the mobile terminal (S5341). The mobile terminal points in a direction in which the selected reference device is located (S5342).

Herein, the mobile terminal stores the distance between the mobile terminal and the reference device in the memory by a TOF or RSSI algorithm, and further stores information sensed by the <NUM>-axis or <NUM>-axis sensor in the memory (S5343). That is, it is possible to acquire information about the directionality of each reference device based on the information sensed by the <NUM>-axis or <NUM>-axis sensor of the mobile terminal, and the distance information.

Finally, another feature of step B is step S5344. It is possible to estimate the positions of all the reference devices without repeating steps S5341 to S5343 for all the reference devices.

If the number of the in-home reference devices is an even number, steps S5341 to S5343 may be repeated only for ((the total number of the reference devices/<NUM>)+<NUM>) or more reference devices, while there is no need for performing the steps for the remaining reference devices. On the other hand, if the number of the in-home reference devices is an odd number, steps S5341 to S5343 may be repeated only for (the total number of the reference devices/<NUM>) or more reference devices, while there is no need for performing the steps for the remaining reference devices. This is because it is assumed that distance information between the reference devices is already known.

Step C of <FIG> (S5350) will be described below in greater detail with reference to <FIG>. Step C may be understood as another embodiment of the present disclosure.

The position of each reference is set on the basis of data collected in the afore-described steps S5310 through S5350 (S5360).

Further, the mobile terminal is placed at a position on the ground in a vertical direction from the arbitrary reference device. The distance between the reference device and the mobile terminal on the ground is calculated to thereby apply an offset to the height of the reference device (S5370). This operation will be described below in greater detail with reference to <FIG>.

The position information about each reference device, determined in steps S5310 through S5370, is shared with another mobile terminal or device through the position calculation module <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> (S5380).

<FIG> is a view referred to for further describing step A of <FIG>.

As illustrated in (a) of <FIG>, since a reference device <NUM> has no knowledge of the distances to other reference devices before step A of <FIG> is performed, the reference device <NUM> cannot estimate a tetrahedron defined by a plurality of reference devices. Therefore, a mobile terminal <NUM> does not know the position of the reference device at all.

On the other hand, if step A of <FIG> is performed, the reference device <NUM> acquires information about relative distances to the other reference devices, as illustrated in (b) of <FIG>. Therefore, as illustrated in (b) of <FIG>, a tetrahedron defined by reference devices <NUM> in a home in which the mobile terminal <NUM> is located is determined. However, as described before with reference to <FIG>, the mobile terminal <NUM> does not accurately know the positions of the reference devices <NUM> only with the distance information between the reference devices (i.e., there are no directionalities because of the absence of rotation information).

<FIG> is a view referred to for further describing step B of <FIG>.

Step (a) of <FIG> corresponds to step (b) of <FIG>. That is, although a reference device <NUM> illustrated in (a) of <FIG> may determine the distances to the other reference devices, a mobile terminal <NUM> does not have directionality information about each reference device.

Accordingly, as illustrated in (b) of <FIG>, the mobile terminal <NUM> may point at an arbitrary reference device <NUM>, and determine the rotation state of the reference device <NUM> with respect to the gravity direction and the magnetic north direction by means of the <NUM>-axis/<NUM>-axis sensor of the mobile terminal <NUM>.

Finally, as illustrated in (c) of <FIG>, since a mobile terminal <NUM> has the directionality information about a reference devices <NUM> as well as the distance information about the reference device <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> can advantageously determine an actual object, not the image formed by the mirror plane, illustrated in <FIG>.

Meanwhile, if the accuracy of the <NUM>-axis or <NUM>-axis sensor in the mobile terminal <NUM> is high, an error is small. Therefore, the image determined in (c) of <FIG> is almost identical to the actual object. However, if the accuracy of information sensed by the <NUM>-axis or <NUM>-axis sensor is relatively low, the image illustrated in (c) of <FIG> may be slightly rotated, unlike the actual object. To solve this problem, a process (step C of <FIG>) described below with reference to <FIG> is needed.

<FIG> is a view referred to for further description step C of <FIG>. As described before, it is designed that if the error exceeds a predetermined range after step B, step C is performed.

(a) of <FIG> corresponds to (b) of <FIG>, and it is assumed that reference devices <NUM> are capable of communicating with the mobile terminal. Further, as illustrated in (b) of <FIG>, it is designed that reference devices <NUM> are maintained in a stationary state, whereas a mobile terminal <NUM> is maintained to be at a fixed height and further in a horizontal state. For example, as illustrated in (b) of <FIG>, if the mobile terminal <NUM> forms any plane (indicated by a dotted line), the plane should be parallel to the ground or the horizontal surface. If the plane is not parallel to the ground or the horizontal surface, it may be considered that as much an inclination error as the angle difference exists. Therefore, the angle difference is compensated for, to thereby adjust the angle between a mobile terminal <NUM> and a reference device <NUM>, as illustrated in (c) of <FIG>.

That is, a comparison between (b) of <FIG> of <FIG> reveals that a closed curve formed by the mobile terminal has been adjusted to be perfectly parallel to the ground. Apparently, while the plane formed by the mobile terminal is shown in <FIG> as a square closed curve, the plane may be modified to another shape representing a horizontal surface, which also falls within the scope of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a view referred to for further describing step S5370 illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> of <FIG> corresponds to (c) of <FIG>. However, as illustrated in (a) of <FIG>, a mobile terminal <NUM> is likely to collect data including a slight error for height information about a reference device <NUM>. To solve this problem, (b) of <FIG> is provided.

That is, as illustrated in (b) of <FIG>, a mobile terminal <NUM> is placed on the ground. Particularly, the mobile terminal <NUM> is placed at a point of the ground vertical from the reference device <NUM>. Therefore, the distance between the arbitrary specific reference device <NUM> and the mobile terminal <NUM> is measured, to thereby apply an offset to a height above the ground.

The forgoing drawings have been described on the assumption that there are at least three or four reference devices. Meanwhile, if there is only one reference device, the position of the reference device with respect to the magnetic north direction based on a mobile terminal with a <NUM>-axis sensor may be recorded by pointing at the reference device with the mobile terminal, and used in conjunction with another positioning system such as a geomagnetic fingerprinting scheme. Also, if there are two reference devices, an indoor positioning algorithm such as an angle of arrival (AOA) scheme may be applied.

Meanwhile, in the fingerprinting scheme, when a user carrying a terminal capable of communicating with an AP enters in an environment in which APs are installed, the strength of a signal from an AP is determined and compared with the strengths of signals from reference points (RPs) (or reference devices) pre-stored in a database, and an RP having a most similar characteristic is estimated to be the position of the user.

This scheme is divided into a training step of detecting signal characteristics in predetermined areas and storing the detected signal characteristics in a DB, and a positioning step of determining the position of an object based on the training step. Despite the shortcoming that an operation of presetting areas before positioning, detecting signal characteristics in each area, and storing the signal characteristics in a DB should be performed preliminarily, and this operation should be performed again each time the environment of positioning areas is changed, this scheme is advantageously less limited by an ambient environment and more accurate in positioning than a conventional modeling-based positioning scheme.

Fingerprinting schemes are divided into a deterministic fingerprinting scheme and a probabilistic fingerprinting scheme depending on which finger data is to be stored in a DB for fingerprinting-based positioning or how this data is to be used for positioning.

<FIG> is a view illustrating components of a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, a mobile terminal <NUM> includes an interface module <NUM>, a first calculation module <NUM>, a second calculation module <NUM>, a setup module <NUM>, and a controller <NUM>.

The interface module <NUM> points at a direction toward any of a plurality of in-home reference devices. The interface module <NUM> may be configured specially as a component without a communication means in the mobile terminal <NUM>, and it is sufficient for the interface module <NUM> to function to point.

The first calculation module <NUM> calculates the distance between the mobile terminal <NUM> and the arbitrary reference device, and the second calculation module <NUM> calculates information about a direction toward the arbitrary reference device by means of a sensing module. Apparently, the first and second calculation modules may be designed to be one module, and the sensing module corresponds to, for example, a <NUM>-axis or <NUM>-axis sensor.

The controller <NUM> controls the steps to be repeated restrictively according to the number of the plurality of in-home reference devices, and the setup module <NUM> sets the position of each of the plurality of in-home reference devices on the basis of the calculation results.

If the number of the in-home reference devices is an even number, the controller <NUM> controls repetition of the pointing operation and the calculation operations for ((the total number of the reference devices/<NUM>)+<NUM>). Further, if the number of the in-home reference devices is an odd number, the controller <NUM> controls repetition of the pointing operation and the calculation operations for (the total number of the reference devices/<NUM>) or more reference devices.

While not shown in <FIG>, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the mobile terminal further includes a reception module which receives information about the distances between the plurality of in-home reference devices.

While not shown in <FIG>, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the mobile terminal further includes a third calculation module which calculates an error between the mobile terminal and a horizontal surface or a vertical surface. The setup module <NUM> resets the position of each of the plurality of in-home reference devices according to the calculated error.

While not shown in <FIG>, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the mobile terminal further includes a third calculation module which calculates the distance between the mobile terminal placed on the ground and the arbitrary reference device. The setup module <NUM> resets the position of each of the plurality of in-home reference devices according to the calculated distance.

The second calculation module <NUM> calculates a first angle between the arbitrary reference device and the gravity direction and a second angle between the arbitrary reference device and the magnetic north direction by using the <NUM>-axis or <NUM>-axis sensor.

The mobile terminal <NUM> corresponds to one of, for example, a portable phone, a tablet PC, or a wearable device.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a mobile terminal according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the mobile terminal points at an arbitrary reference device among a plurality of in-home reference devices (S5910) and calculates the distance between the mobile terminal and the arbitrary reference device (S5920).

The mobile terminal calculates information about a direction toward the arbitrary reference device by using a sensing module (S5930), and controls the above steps to be restrictively repeated according to the number of the plurality of in-home reference devices (S5940). Then, the mobile terminal sets the position of each of the plurality of in-home reference devices based on the calculation results.

The above-described present disclosure may be implemented as code that can be written as a computer-readable code on a medium recording a program. The computer-readable recording medium may be any type of recording device in which data is stored in a computer-readable manner. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state disk (SSD), a silicon disk drive (SDD), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a compact disk ROM (CD-ROM), a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, an optical data storage, and a carrier wave (e.g., data transmission over the Internet). The computer may include the controller <NUM> of the terminal. The above embodiments are therefore to be construed in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Various embodiments have been described in the best mode for carrying out the invention, and some of the embodiments can be modified by a person skilled in the art.

Claim 1:
A method for controlling a digital device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) capable of communicating with a mobile device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the method comprising:
receiving a first pointing signal from the mobile device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
sensing that the received first pointing signal corresponds to the mobile device pointing to a first virtual region (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the digital device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), formed in an internal region of the digital device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
accessing a memory (<NUM>) of the digital device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
generating a plurality of second virtual regions (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) by the digital device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) around the digital device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), each of the second virtual regions (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) is formed outside of the digital device (<NUM>), wherein a specific function of the digital device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is mapped to each of the second virtual regions (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>), and wherein the memory (<NUM>) stores the specific functions mapped to each of the second virtual regions (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>);
receiving a second pointing signal from the mobile device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
sensing that the received second pointing signal corresponds to the mobile device pointing to one of the second virtual regions (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>) of the digital device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); and
executing one of the specific functions of the digital device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) that is mapped to the one of the second virtual regions (<NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>).