Selection device and method for performing positioning operation

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/506,696, filed Jul. 21, 2009, claiming foreign priority as well to TW-097130594, filed on Aug. 11, 2008, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

The present invention relates to a selection device and method, and more particularly to a selection device and method for performing a positioning operation.

For a long time, the common operation way of a conventional two-dimensional (2D) mouse device moved on a table is that the left push button of the mouse device is clicked twice quickly for performing the function of the icon after the cursor on the computer screen is positioned on the icon. Please refer to FIGS. 1( a ) and 1 ( b ), which are schematic diagrams showing conventional selection configurations 911 and 912 of an icon selection system 91 . As shown in FIG. 1( a ), the selection configuration 911 includes an image area 12 , an image 13 , a cursor 14 and a mouse device 17 . The image 13 (not shown) is to be displayed in the image area 12 and includes plural icons 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 and 136 . The mouse device 17 may be a 2D one, operated on a plane, or a three-dimensional (3D) one, operated in the air. Regarding the operation of selecting the icon 134 , the motion purpose of the conventional mouse device 17 is to move the cursor 14 to the desired icon 134 . Therefore, the motion of the mouse device 17 is to move the cursor 14 along X or/and Y directions.

As shown in FIG. 1( b ), the cursor 14 in the selection configuration 912 is used for selecting the icon 131 , and the motion trace of the cursor 14 , generally speaking, can include plural connected line segments such as those A 1 , A 2 , A 3 , A 4 , A 5 , A 6 , A 7 and A 8 .

Recently, as the micro-electro-mechanical types of the accelerometer and the gyroscope are more popular, the so-called 3D mouse device, which senses the motion of the hand in the air thereby for controlling the computer screen pointer to select the icon and to perform the function of the icon, is developed gradually. However, comparing the 3D mouse device with the conventional 2D mouse device used on the table, there are main differences between their operations. The 2D mouse device moving on the table is always supported by the contacting surface of the table, thereby the cursor moved on the screen will not to deviate from the icon pointed when the push button of the 2D mouse is quickly clicked twice with a finger. In contrast, the handheld 3D mouse device operating in the air, does not have an additional support; then the cursor moving on the screen by the 3D mouse is easy to deviate from the location of the selected icon due to a careless on an unintended hand motion when the push button is quickly clicked with a finger for performing the function of the icon, which will make a fault operation. Unfortunately, the user of a commercial product such as Air Mouse of Logitech Inc. is facing the problem.

In order to overcome the above-mentioned problem, some companies arrange an active push button on their products to improve the motion operation of the cursor; e.g. the 3D mouse device/Air Mouse commercial products provided by Gyration Inc. The method is as follows; while the 3D mouse device moves in the air and the active push button is also in a press state, then the cursor on the screen can move with the mouse device; while the cursor is positioned in the icon and the active push button is released, the cursor no longer moves with the mouse device. At this moment, clicking the push button performs the function of the icon even if the mouse device can move. Because relations between the cursor on the screen and the motion of the mouse device are disconnected from each other, the cursor can be positioned in the icon to cause the function to be performed successfully. Although this operation mode can cause the function to be performed correctly, this operation behavior practically violates the ergonomic motion. This operation is not only intermittent without continuity but also uncomfortable.

Please refer to FIG. 1( c ), the cursor H 11 is controlled to move in the horizontal direction. In a state E 111 , the remote-control mouse device 11 has an orientation N 111 , and the orientation N 111 with an alignment direction V 111 is aligned with the cursor H 11 . In a state E 112 , the remote-control device 11 has an orientation N 112 , and the orientation N 112 with an alignment direction V 112 is aligned with the cursor H 11 . The posture or the orientation of the remote-control device 11 in the air points to a variable direction; and ideally, the variable direction is to be aligned with the cursor H 11 moved on the screen, so that the user can intuitively consider being consistent with the direction, indicating where the cursor H 11 is located, when operating the cursor movement by the gesture or the motion of his/her hand (not shown).

However, a first operation shown in FIG. 1( c ) can perplex the operation of the remote-control 3D air mouse device. FIG. 1( d ) shows how the perplexity is happing during operation. In a state E 121 , the remote-control device 11 has an orientation N 121 with an alignment direction V 121 pointed at the cursor H 11 . In a state E 122 , the remote-control device 11 has an orientation N 122 with an alignment direction V 122 pointed at a position P 11 outside the display area 121 . For instance, in the state E 121 , the cursor H 11 touches a boundary of the perimeter 1211 of the display area 121 . Afterward, if the remote-control device 11 further has a motion or a posture change, the orientation of the remote-control device 11 will only be changed from the orientation N 121 into the orientation N 122 , and the pointing direction of the remote-control device 11 will be correspondingly changed from the alignment direction V 121 , originally pointing to the cursor H 11 , into the alignment direction V 122 , but the remote-control device 11 cannot cause the cursor H 11 to further cross over the perimeter 1211 , and thus a deviation or a misalignment between the device's orientation and its direction pointing at the cursor H 11 is happened.

Under this condition, a second operation shown in FIG. 1( d ) will result in the phenomenon shown in FIG. 1( e ). In a state E 131 , the remote-control device 11 has an orientation N 131 , and the orientation N 131 with the alignment direction V 131 is aligned with a position P 12 outside the display area 121 . When the remote-control device 11 is moved back to control the cursor H 11 to simultaneously move back away from the boundary, the remote-control device 11 has the orientation N 131 , which is aligned with the position P 12 , and the pointing direction of the remote-control device 11 cannot be caused to point to the alignment direction V 132 for being aligned with the cursor H 11 in the display area 121 . In this way, the remote-control device 11 cannot be recovered to have the orientation or the posture, which the remote-control device 11 previously has under the normal operation in the state that the cursor H 11 has not touched the perimeter 1211 , thereby forming an orientation deviation. The orientation deviation causes that the remote-control device 11 cannot have the alignment direction V 132 to be aligned with the cursor H 11 in the orientation N 131 for intuitively controlling the motion of the cursor H 11 . Therefore, the inconsistence between the alignment direction of the orientation of the remote-control device 11 and the actual direction pointing to the cursor causes the perplexity when the user operates.

It is an object of the present invention to mark an area with a circle-shape motion locus or trajectory and cause the locus to encircle or pass through an icon to be selected, or the area enclosed by the locus covers the icon to be selected. After the icon is in a selected status, a motion is subsequently performed to cause a preset function of the icon to be launched, and the motion can be a movements of drawing a check mark “V”, a letter “X”, a circle“◯”, or other motion or gesture performed by arm and wrist. This operation method of present invention to select and execute the function of the icon is not only conforming with ergonomics, but also smooth, complete and accomplished at one stretch.

It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to provide a method for performing a positioning operation related to an image area having a specific position. The method includes the following steps. A specific orientation directed towards the specific position is provided, wherein the specific orientation and the specific position have a specific spatial relation therebetween, and the specific orientation and the image area have a specific angle structure therebetween. The specific angle structure is determined by detecting the specific orientation. The specific spatial relation is calculated according to the determined specific angle structure and the image area.

It is therefore another aspect of the present invention to provide a selection device for performing a positioning operation related to an image area having a specific position and a definable position. The selection device includes a selection unit having a motion orientation. The motion orientation and the definable position have a spatial relation therebetween. On a condition that the motion orientation is aligned with a specific orientation directed towards the specific position, the selection unit detects the specific orientation to determine a specific angle structure between the specific orientation and the image area. The selection unit calculates the spatial relation according to the determined specific angle structure and the image area.

It is still another aspect of the present invention to provide a selection device for performing a positioning operation related to an image area having a specific position. The selection device includes a selection unit. On a condition that the selection unit is set to have a specific orientation directed towards the specific position, the selection unit detects the specific orientation to determine a specific angle structure between the specific orientation and the image area, and the specific orientation and the specific position have a specific spatial relation therebetween. The selection unit calculates the specific spatial relation according to the determined specific angle structure and the image area.

It is therefore another aspect of the present invention to provide a control device and method for controlling the cursor moving on a screen to avoid the orientation misalignment between the control device and the cursor by evaluating the measured angles to determine if the cursor should be moved according to the motion of the control device. The control device, being one of a motion-sensing remote controller and an air mouse device, will go back to the original posture or the original orientation to continue to click on an electronic item or control the cursor to move on the screen whether the cursor touches the boundary area of the screen or not.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood through the following descriptions with reference to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1( a ), FIG. 1( b ), FIG. 1( c ), FIG. 1( d ) and FIG. 1( e ) are schematic diagrams showing selection configurations of a conventional selection system;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a selection system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a selection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4( a ) and FIG. 4( b ) are schematic diagrams showing initialization configurations of the selection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a correspondence configuration of the selection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6( a ) and FIG. 6( b ) are schematic diagrams showing selection configurations of the selection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7( a ) and FIG. 7( b ) are schematic diagrams showing position configurations of the selection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8( a ), FIG. 8( b ), FIG. 8( c ) and FIG. 8( d ) are schematic diagrams showing scroll configurations of the selection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing an operation of the selection system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for the purposes of illustration and description only; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.

Please refer to FIG. 2 , which is a schematic diagram showing a selection system 92 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the selection system 92 includes a display screen 21 and a selection device 26 . There is an image area 22 , where an image 23 is to be displayed, within an area of the display screen 21 . There is an icon 231 defined in the image 23 , and there is a definable position 2 A in the image area 22 . The selection device 26 is used for selecting an icon 231 in the image area 22 and includes a selection unit 27 .

The selection unit 27 has a motion F 21 , converts the motion F 21 into a locus G 21 of the definable position 2 A, determines an area H 21 in the image area 22 according to the locus G 21 , and determines whether the icon 231 is to be selected according to the area H 21 and an area K 21 where the icon 231 is to be displayed in the image area 22 .

The selection unit 27 may includes a motion-sensing unit 28 and a processing unit 29 . The motion-sensing unit 28 converts the motion F 21 into a signal S 1 . The processing unit 29 converts the signal S 1 into the locus G 21 , determines the area H 21 according to the locus G 21 , and determines whether the icon 231 is to be selected according to the area H 21 and the area K 21 . The processing unit 29 may includes a controller 291 which may include at least one selected from a group consisting of a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor and a central processing unit.

In an embodiment, the motion-sensing unit 28 includes a gyroscope 281 , and the gyroscope 281 senses the motion F 21 for producing the signal S 1 . In an embodiment, the motion-sensing unit 28 includes an accelerometer 282 , and the accelerometer 282 senses the motion F 21 for producing the signal S 1 . In an embodiment, the motion-sensing unit 28 includes the gyroscope 281 and the accelerometer 282 . The gyroscope 281 has at least two sensing degrees of freedom and senses the motion F 21 for producing a first portion S 11 of the signal S 1 . The accelerometer has at least two sensing degrees of freedom and senses the motion F 21 for producing a second portion S 12 of the signal S 1 .

A hand (not shown) may drive the selection unit 27 to form the motion F 21 of the selection unit 27 . The motion F 21 may include at least one of a three-dimensional motion and a two-dimensional motion. The locus G 21 of the definable position 2 A may include at least one selected from a group consisting of a first arc having an arc angle, a combination of a second arc and a first line segment, and plural second line segments. The arc angle of the first arc is in a degree being one selected from a group consisting of 360°, near 360°, and beyond 360° when the locus G 21 is the first arc.

The area H 21 determined by the locus G 21 includes a closed area, and the icon has the area K 21 . The selection unit 27 causes the icon 231 to be selected when in a specific condition, wherein the specific condition is one selected from a group consisting of: a first condition that the areas H 21 and K 21 are partially overlapping, a second condition that the areas H 21 and K 21 are entirely overlapping, a third condition that the area H 21 is entirely covering the area K 21 , a fourth condition that a centroid of the area H 21 is within the area K 21 , a fifth condition that the locus G 21 passes through the area K 21 , and a sixth condition that the locus G 21 touches the area K 21 .

In an embodiment, the selection device 26 includes a motion-sensing unit 28 and a processing unit 29 . The motion-sensing unit 28 senses the motion F 21 and converts the motion F 21 into the signal S 1 . The processing unit 29 converts the signal S 1 into the locus G 21 of the definable position 2 A in the image area 22 , determines the area H 21 in the image area 22 according to the locus G 21 , and determines whether the icon 231 is to be selected according to the area H 21 and an area K 21 where the icon 231 is to be displayed in the image area 22 . The motion F 21 sensed by the motion-sensing unit 28 may be generated by at least one selected from a group (not shown) consisting of a hand, an arm, a foot, a leg, a head, a neck, a shoulder and a waist.

Please refer to FIG. 3 , which is a schematic diagram showing a selection system 93 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the selection system 93 includes a display screen 31 and a selection device 36 . There is an image area 32 within an area of the display screen 31 , and there is a definable position 3 A in the image area 32 , wherein the definable position 3 A may be defined to any position in the image area 32 .

The selection device 36 includes a selection unit 37 . The selection unit 37 includes a defining device 471 , a motion-sensing unit 38 , a processing unit 39 , a wireless transmission module 373 , a light emitting unit 374 and a speaking unit 375 . Each of the defining device 471 , the motion-sensing unit 38 , the wireless transmission module 373 , the light emitting unit 374 and the speaking unit 375 is coupled to the processing unit 39 . For instance, the defining device 471 includes a push-button device 371 .

The motion-sensing unit 38 has the ability to sense a three-dimensional (x, y, z) motion and provides a signal S 3 to the processing unit 39 . The motion-sensing unit 38 at least includes a gyroscope 381 and/or an accelerometer 382 , wherein either the gyroscope 381 or the accelerometer 382 may have one, two or three independent sensing degree(s) of freedom. The gyroscope 381 and the accelerometer 382 provide a sub-signal S 31 and a sub-signal S 32 of the signal S 3 respectively to the processing unit 39 .

Please refer to FIG. 4( a ) and FIG. 4( b ), which are schematic diagrams showing initialization configurations 941 and 942 of the selection system 93 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4( a ), in order to initialize or start the motion sensing, the push button 371 of the selection unit 37 can be pushed to start sensing, or a certain motion is used to start sensing. In other words, the certain motion may be sensed by the accelerometer 382 and recognized by means of interpreting the acceleration/deceleration in order to start the sensing function. For instance, an up-down pitching motion F 41 is used to start the motion-sensing function of the selection unit 37 .

As shown in FIG. 4( b ), after the motion-sensing function of the selection unit 37 starts, a locus G 42 of the definable position 3 A in the image area 32 corresponds to a locus of the motion F 42 of the selection unit 37 , and a reference point G 421 of the locus G 42 may be set up. The absolute coordinate of the terminating point of the locus G 42 swept by the selection unit 37 is read through pushing the push button 371 , and the terminating point is taken to be the reference point G 421 for starting positioning.

Please refer to FIG. 5 , which is schematic diagram showing a correspondence configuration 951 of the selection system 93 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the correspondence configuration 951 includes a front view configuration P 1 , a right view configuration P 2 and a top view configuration P 3 . The initial position value of the reference point G 421 is determined and the definable position 3 A is correlated with a motion orientation CM 1 of the selection unit 37 through deriving the correspondence relation between the range of the image area 32 and the operation range of the selection unit 37 .

In FIG. 5 , the symbols H and L denote the dimensions, the length and the width (e.g., in pixel basis), of the image area 32 respectively. The symbols u, v and w denote the respective distances between the selection unit 37 and three consisting of the left 3213 and the upper 3211 edges of the image area 32 and the display screen 31 (perpendicular) thereof The symbols α 1 , α 2 and β denote the respective included angles between the selection unit 37 and three consisting of the upper 3211 , the lower 3212 and the left 3213 edges of the image area 32 , wherein the angles α 1 and α 2 may be measured by the accelerometer 382 of the selection unit 37 , and the angle β may be measured by the gyroscope 381 . The correspondence relation between the motion orientation CM 1 of the selection unit 37 and the definable position 3 A in the image area 32 may be obtained through the calculation of the geometric relation in FIG. 5 as follows: u=H tan β/(tan β 1 +tan α 2 ); v=H tan α 1 /(tan α 1 +tan α 2 ); w=H/(tan α 1 +tan α 2 ).

The selection unit 37 has the motion orientation CM 1 , a reference position 37 P and a specific axis AX 1 , and the image area 32 has a specific position B 5 . For instance, when selection unit 37 points at the specific position B 5 , the motion orientation CM 1 is directed towards the specific position B 5 and is aligned with a specific orientation CA 1 . The motion orientation CM 1 and the definable position 3 A have a spatial relation EM 1 therebetween. The specific orientation CA 1 and the specific position B 5 have a specific spatial relation EA 1 therebetween. The specific orientation CA 1 and the image area 32 have a specific angle structure KA 1 therebetween. The reference position 37 P and the upper edge 3211 have a line segment L 1 therebetween extending from the reference position 37 P to the upper edge 3211 . The reference position 37 P and the lower edge 3212 have a line segment L 2 therebetween extending from the reference position 37 P to the lower edge 3212 . The reference position 37 P and the left edge 3213 have a line segment L 3 therebetween extending from the reference position 37 P to the left edge 3213 . For instance, the upper edge 3211 , the lower edge 3212 and the left edge 3213 form three boundary lines, respectively; and the line segments L 1 , L 2 and L 3 are perpendicular to the upper edge 3211 , the lower edge 3212 and the left edge 3213 , respectively.

The motion orientation CM 1 can be changed to align with an orientation CB 1 different from the specific orientation CA 1 . The orientation CB 1 and the image area 32 have an angle structure KB 1 therebetween. The selection unit 37 can define the definable position 3 A as a specific position B 6 under the orientation CB 1 , wherein specific position B 6 is different from the specific position B 5 .

The variation of the set (u, v, w) forms the relative displacement set (Δx, Δy, Δz). The absolute coordinate (x, y, z) of the definable position 3 A may be obtain with the relative displacement set (Δx, Δy, Δz). The above-mentioned position technique may include features of: the initialization of the motion-sensing; the initialization of the position of the reference point; the correspondence between the operation range, where the selection unit 37 moves to mark, and the range of the image area 32 ; the compensation of the reference point, and so on. An operation program resident in a computer (not shown), coupled to the selection unit 37 , may perform the technique. In an embodiment, the processing unit 39 built in the selection unit 37 may perform the technique.

Please refer to FIG. 6( a ) and FIG. 6( b ), which are schematic diagrams showing selection configurations 961 and 962 of the selection system 93 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6( a ), an image 33 is displayed and filled in the image area 32 , and plural icons 331 , 332 , 333 , 334 , 335 and 336 are defined in the image 33 . A locus G 61 (may be one of loci G 611 , G 612 , G 613 and G 614 ) of the definable position 3 A corresponds to a motion F 61 . The following conditions are judged by means of a certain operation method. Whether the drawn locus G 61 certainly encircles or passes through the coordinate of the icon 334 in the image area 32 or not? Whether the marked area H 61 is partially overlapped with, entirely overlapped with or entirely covers the defined area K 61 or not? The area H 61 marked by the locus G 61 and a centroid of the area H 61 are calculated, and whether the centroid is located in the area K 61 of the marked icon 334 . If one of the above-mentioned conditions is true, the icon 334 is to be selected.

Under the present condition, as shown in FIG. 6( b ), the color of the marked icon 334 can be changed (e.g. with the highlight or the blinking) and the marked icon 334 is replaced with an icon 434 . Alternatively, the computer (not shown), coupled to the selection unit 37 , or the selection unit 37 produces sound, emits light, or produces force feedback or vibration to remind the operator, who makes the motion F 61 , that the icon 334 is in the selected status.

After the marking motion completes, as shown in FIG. 6( b ), the operator further makes a motion F 62 to produce a message, which causes a preset function of the icon 334 to be performed. The motion F 62 may includes at least one movement of drawing a check mark F 621 , a letter “X”, a wavy line, a triangle, an arc or a circle. Alternatively, the motion F 62 is that the wrist turns the selection unit 37 to produce a pitching motion, a yawing motion, or a rolling motion, or draw an arc or a circle F 622 again. The selection unit 37 may convert the motion F 62 into a locus G 62 of the definable position 3 A, and the locus G 62 may be not shown. A preset acceleration-deceleration, a motion or a rotation modes is utilized to judge the acceleration-deceleration, the motion or the rotation modes of the locus G 62 or the motion F 62 for determining whether a preset function of the icon 334 or 434 is to be performed, wherein the locus G 62 has the shape of the motion F 62 .

For instance, the accelerometer 382 may be used to sense the acceleration-deceleration distribution of the motion F 62 or an inclination for the selection unit 37 with the motion F 62 ; therefore, the accelerometer 382 can output the sub-signal S 32 of the signal S 3 to the processing unit 39 as shown in FIG. 3 . The processing unit 39 analyzes an acceleration-deceleration distribution of the motion F 62 according to the sub-signal S 32 and an execution signal is formed to cause the preset function of the icon 434 to be performed. The execution signal may be similar to a conventional execution signal sent on condition that the left push button of the conventional mouse device is clicked twice quickly when the cursor is positioned in the desired icon, which cause a preset function of the desired icon to be performed.

Please refer to FIG. 7( a ) and FIG. 7( b ), which are schematic diagrams showing position configurations 971 and 972 of the selection system 93 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7( a ), the definable position 3 A may be positioned to a certain position G 711 in the image area 32 by the push button 371 of the selection unit 37 . For instance, the definable position 3 A moves to form a locus G 71 in response to a motion F 71 of the selection unit 37 ; when the definable position 3 A sweeps to the certain position G 711 , the push button 371 is clicked once. In this way, the above-mentioned operation program can obtain the absolute coordinate (x, y, z) of the certain position G 711 , which is the terminating point swept by the selection unit 37 at present. As shown in FIG. 7( a ), the definable position 3 A is positioned to the certain position G 711 , and a keyboard 79 inputs data 72 , as shown in FIG. 7( b ), which have an input starting point 71 corresponding to the certain position G 711 .

In an embodiment in reference to the illustrations from FIG. 3 to FIG. 7( b ), a selection device 36 for performing a positioning operation related to an image area 32 is provided, wherein the image area 32 has a specific position B 5 and a definable position 3 A. The selection device 36 includes a selection unit 37 having a motion orientation CM 1 . The motion orientation CM 1 and the definable position 3 A have a spatial relation EM 1 therebetween. On a condition that the motion orientation CM 1 is aligned with a specific orientation CA 1 directed towards the specific position B 5 , the selection unit 37 detects the specific orientation CA 1 to determine a specific angle structure KA 1 between the specific orientation CA 1 and the image area 32 . The selection unit 37 calculates the spatial relation EM 1 according to the determined specific angle structure and the image area 32 .

For instance, the spatial relation EM 1 is calculated in order to perform the positioning operation. For instance, the selection unit 37 is a remote-control unit, and has a reference position 37 P and a specific axis AX 1 passing through the reference position 37 P. For instance, the specific axis AX 1 serves as a pointing axis. The selection unit 37 causes the definable position 3 A to be defined as the specific position B 5 under the specific orientation CA 1 , and determines an angle structure KB 1 between an orientation CB 1 and the image area 32 on a condition the motion orientation CM 1 is aligned with the orientation CB 1 different from the specific orientation CA 1 . The selection unit 37 includes a defining device 471 , a motion-sensing unit 38 and a processing unit 39 . The defining device 471 forms a defining signal in response to a first defining operation applied to the defining device 471 . The motion-sensing unit 38 produces a signal S 3 for determining the motion orientation CM 1 , wherein the signal S 3 has a sub-signal S 31 and a sub-signal S 32 . For instance, the positioning operation is performed to define the definable position 3 A as a position in the image area 32 .

For instance, the specific orientation CA 1 is represented by using the specific angle structure KA 1 , and the orientation CB 1 is represented by using the angle structure KB 1 . On a condition that the motion orientation CM 1 is aligned with the orientation CB 1 , the processing unit 39 calculates the orientation CB 1 according to the signal S 3 so as to generate a determined angle structure for the angle structure KB 1 . The processing unit 39 calculates a specific position B 6 in the image area 32 according to the determined angle structure for the angle structure KB 1 , the determined specific angle structure for the specific angle structure KA 1 , and the image area 32 , wherein the specific position B 6 is different from the specific position B 5 . The processing unit 39 defines the definable position 3 A as the specific position B 6 under the orientation CB 1 , thereby causing a trajectory (such as the trajectory G 42 ) of the definable position 3 A to be formed in the image area 32 for the motion orientation CM 1 . When the defining signal is formed, the processing unit 39 causes the definable position 3 A to be defined as a reference position G 421 having a first absolute coordinate according to the defining signal, the signal S 3 and the calculated spatial relation for the spatial relation EM 1 and causes the first absolute coordinate to be read. For instance, the reference position G 421 is a reference point.

For instance, the defining device 471 is one of a push-button device 371 and a motion-sensing trigger device (not shown). The motion-sensing unit 38 includes a gyroscope 381 and an accelerometer 382 . The gyroscope 381 is coupled to the processing unit 39 , and produces the sub-signal S 31 . The accelerometer 382 is coupled to the processing unit 39 , and produces the sub-signal S 32 .

For instance, the selection unit 37 detects the specific orientation CA 1 to produce the determined specific angle structure for the specific angle structure KA 1 , and points to the specific position B 5 in the specific orientation CA 1 . The image area 32 is located on a display screen 31 , and has a length H, a width L, an upper edge 3211 , a lower edge 3212 and a left edge 3213 . The specific position B 5 and the left edge 3213 have a perpendicular distance u therebetween. The specific position B 5 and the upper edge have a perpendicular distance v therebetween. The reference position 37 P and the display screen 31 have a perpendicular distance w therebetween, wherein the perpendicular distance w is given between the reference position 37 P and the specific position B 5 , and the perpendicular distances u, v and w constitute a perpendicular distance group {u, v, w}. The reference position 37 P and the upper edge 3211 have a line segment L 1 therebetween extending from the reference position 37 P to the upper edge 3211 . The reference position 37 P and the lower edge 3212 have a line segment L 2 therebetween extending from the reference position 37 P to the lower edge 3212 . The reference position 37 P and the left edge 3213 have a line segment L 3 therebetween extending from the reference position 37 P to the left edge 3213 . The specific axis AX 1 and the line segment L 1 have an included angle α 1 therebetween. The specific axis AX 1 and the line segment L 2 have an included angle α 2 therebetween. The specific axis AX 1 and the line segment L 3 have an included angle β therebetween. The spatial relation EM 1 is equal to a specific spatial relation EA 1 under the specific orientation CA 1 , wherein the specific spatial relation EA 1 satisfies equations of u=H tan β/(tan α 1 +tan α 2 ), v=H tan α 1 /(tan α 1 +tan α 2 ) and w=H/(tan α 1 +tan α 2 ).

For instance, the selection unit 37 or the processing unit 39 measures the included angle α 1 and the included angle α 2 by using the sub-signal S 32 , and measures the included angle β by using the sub-signal S 31 . The specific angle structure KA 1 includes the included angles α 1 , α 2 and β. The included angles α 1 , α 2 and β are measured to respectively form a first measured angle, a second measured angle and a third measured angle. The determined specific angle structure for the specific angle structure KA 1 includes the first, the second and the third measured angles. The definable position 3 A is defined to have a second absolute coordinate associated with a displacement. The perpendicular distance group {u, v, w} has a variation corresponding to the displacement. The processing unit 39 causes the second absolute coordinate to be obtained by using the displacement.

For instance, the motion orientation CM 1 includes the reference position 37 P and the specific axis AX 1 . The motion orientation CM 1 can be aligned with a first orientation, a second orientation, a third orientation and the specific orientation CA 1 respectively at a first time, a second time, a third time and a fourth time, wherein the first, the second, the third and the fourth times are different, and each of the first, the second and the third times is earlier than the fourth time. For instance, the first, the second and the third orientations are aligned with the line segments L 1 , L 2 and L 3 , respectively; and the specific orientation CA 1 is aligned with a line segment extending from the reference position 37 P to the specific position B 5 . When the motion orientation CM 1 is aligned with the first orientation, the selection unit 37 detects the first orientation to generate a detected first orientation. When the motion orientation CM 1 is aligned with the second orientation, the selection unit 37 detects the second orientation to generate a detected second orientation. When the motion orientation CM 1 is aligned with the third orientation, the selection unit 37 detects the third orientation to generate a detected third orientation. When the motion orientation CM 1 is aligned with the specific orientation CA 1 , the selection unit 37 detects the specific orientation CA 1 to generate a detected specific orientation, measures the included angle α 1 according to the detected specific orientation and the detected first orientation, measures the included angle α 2 according to the detected specific orientation and the detected second orientation, and measures the included angle β according to the detected specific orientation and the detected third orientation, thereby determining the specific angle structure KA 1 . In a similar manner, when the motion orientation CM 1 is aligned with the orientation CB 1 , the selection unit 37 determines the angle structure KB 1 .

For instance, the selection unit 37 further has a motion F 71 , and converts the motion F 71 into a trajectory G 71 of the definable position 3 A. When the definable position 3 A reaches a specific position G 711 having a third absolute coordinate on the image area 32 , the defining device 471 causes the definable position 3 A to be defined as the specific position G 711 through the processing unit 39 in response to a second defining operation and causes the third absolute coordinate to be obtained, wherein the second defining operation is applied to the defining device 471 . For instance, the selection unit 37 is coupled to a computer (not shown) calculating the spatial relation EM 1 for performing the positioning operation.

In an embodiment in reference to the illustrations from FIG. 3 to FIG. 7( b ), a method for performing a positioning operation related to an image area 32 is provided, wherein the image area 32 has a specific position B 5 . The method includes the following steps. A specific orientation CA 1 directed towards the specific position B 5 is provided, wherein the specific orientation CA 1 and the specific position B 5 have a specific spatial relation EA 1 therebetween, and the specific orientation CA 1 and the image area 32 have a specific angle structure KA 1 therebetween. The specific angle structure KA 1 is determined by detecting the specific orientation CA 1 . The specific spatial relation EA 1 is calculated according to the determined specific angle structure and the image area 32 .

For instance, the method further includes a step of providing a selection unit 37 . The selection unit 37 has a motion orientation CM 1 , a reference position 37 P and a specific axis AX 1 . On a condition that the motion orientation CM 1 is aligned with the specific orientation CA 1 , the specific orientation CA 1 is detected. The specific spatial relation KA 1 is calculated in order to perform the positioning operation. The image area 32 further has a definable position 3 A, and the motion orientation CM 1 and the definable position 3 A have a spatial relation EM 1 therebetween.

For instance, the method further includes the following steps. The definable position 3 A is defined as the specific position B 5 under the specific orientation CA 1 , wherein the specific orientation CA 1 is represented by using the specific angle structure KA 1 . On a condition that the motion orientation CM 1 is aligned with an orientation CB 1 different from the specific orientation CA 1 , an angle structure KB 1 is determined between the orientation CB 1 and the image area 32 by detecting the orientation CB 1 , wherein the orientation CB 1 is represented by using the angle structure KB 1 . A specific position B 6 is calculated in the image area 32 according to the determined angle structure for the angle structure KB 1 , the determined specific angle structure for the specific angle structure KA 1 , and the image area 32 , wherein the specific position B 6 is different from the specific position B 5 . The definable position 3 A is defined as the specific position B 6 under the orientation CB 1 . The definable position 3 A is defined as a reference position G 421 having a first absolute coordinate in response to a first defining operation in order to read the first absolute coordinate. A gyroscope 381 and an accelerometer 382 are provided; and a defining device 471 for sensing the first defining operation is provided. A signal S 3 is produced for determining the motion orientation CM 1 , wherein the signal S 3 has a sub-signal S 31 produced by the gyroscope 381 and a sub-signal S 32 produced by the accelerometer 382 . A trajectory G 42 of the definable position 3 A in the image area 32 is formed according to the signal S 3 and the calculated specific spatial relation for the specific spatial relation EA 1 .

For instance, the defining device 471 is one of a push-button device 371 and a motion-sensing trigger device (not shown), and the reference position G 421 is a reference point. The first defining operation includes a position defining push applied to the push-button device 371 when the defining device is the push-button device. The first defining operation includes a position defining motion applied to the motion-sensing trigger device when the defining device 471 is the motion-sensing trigger device.

For instance, the spatial relation EM 1 is equal to the specific spatial relation EA 1 under the specific orientation CA 1 , wherein the specific spatial relation EA 1 satisfies equations of u=H tan β/(tan α+tan α 2 ), v=H tan α 1 /(tan α 1 +tan α 2 ) and w=H/(tan α 1 +tan α 2 ). The definable position 3 A is defined to have a second absolute coordinate associated with a displacement. The perpendicular distance group {u, v, w} has a variation corresponding to the displacement.

For instance, the method further includes the following steps. The included angles α 1 and α 2 are measured by using the sub-signal S 32 . The included angle β is measured by using the sub-signal S 31 , wherein the specific angle structure KA 1 including the included angles α 1 , α 2 and β; the included angles α 1 , α 2 and β are measured to respectively form a first measured angle, a second measured angle and a third measured angle; and the determined specific angle structure for the specific angle structure KA 1 includes the first, the second and the third measured angles.

For instance, the method further includes the following steps. The second absolute coordinate is obtained by using the displacement. The selection unit 37 is caused to have a motion F 71 . The motion F 71 is converted into a trajectory G 71 of the definable position 3 A. When the definable position 3 A reaches a specific position G 711 having a third absolute coordinate on the image area 32 , the definable position 3 A is defined as the specific position G 711 in response to a second defining operation and the third absolute coordinate is obtained. A computer (not shown) coupled to the selection unit 37 is provided. The spatial relation EM 1 is calculated by the computer for performing the positioning operation.

In an embodiment in reference to the illustrations from FIG. 3 to FIG. 7( b ), a selection device 36 for performing a positioning operation related to an image area 32 is provided, wherein the image area 32 has a specific position B 5 . The selection device 36 includes a selection unit 37 . On a condition that the selection unit 37 is set to have a specific orientation CA 1 directed towards the specific position B 5 , the selection unit 37 detects the specific orientation CA 1 to determine a specific angle structure KA 1 between the specific orientation CA 1 and the image area 32 , and the specific orientation CA 1 and the specific position B 5 have a specific spatial relation EA 1 therebetween. The selection unit 37 calculates the specific spatial relation EA 1 according to the determined specific angle structure and the image area 32 .

For instance, the image area 32 further has a definable position 3 A. The selection unit 37 further has a motion orientation CM 1 . On a condition that the motion orientation CM 1 is aligned with a orientation CB 1 different from the specific orientation CA 1 , the selection unit 37 detects the orientation CB 1 to determine an angle structure KB 1 between the orientation CB 1 and the image area 32 . The selection unit 37 calculates a specific position B 6 in the image area 32 according to the determined angle structure for the angle structure KB 1 , the determined specific angle structure for the specific angle structure KA 1 , and the image area 32 , wherein the specific position B 6 is different from the specific position B 5 . The selection unit 37 defines the definable position 3 A as the specific position B 6 under the orientation CB 1 , thereby causing a trajectory (such as the trajectory G 42 ) of the definable position 3 A to be formed in the image area 32 for the motion orientation CM 1 .

Please refer to FIGS. 8( a ), 8 ( b ), 8 ( c ) and 8 ( d ), which are schematic diagrams showing scroll configurations 981 , 982 , 983 and 984 of the selection system 93 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown, there is an image 83 displayed in the image area 32 . The selection unit 37 is configured to have a motion (e.g. one of F 811 , F 821 , F 831 and F 841 ) to establish a starting point (e.g. one of R 11 , R 21 , R 31 and R 41 ) of the definable position 3 A in the image area 32 and causes the image 83 to be scrolled in the image area 32 by the motion (e.g. one of F 811 , F 821 , F 831 and F 841 ). The motion may be an upward F 811 , a downward F 821 , a leftward F 831 or a rightward F 841 instantaneous motion. The gyroscope 381 or the accelerometer 382 is utilized to sense the above-mentioned motion in order to perform the scroll function.

As shown in FIG. 8( a ) and FIG. 8( b ), an up-down scroll operation is performed in the image area 32 . The selection unit 37 causes an upward or a downward scroll operation to be performed by an upward F 811 or a downward F 821 instantaneous motion. As to the scrolling amount, a distance R 13 between the position of the starting point R 11 and the upper edge 3211 of the image area 32 represents a scrolling amount, which the image 83 scrolls upward. Besides, a distance R 23 between the position of the starting point R 21 and the lower edge 3212 of the image area 32 represents a scrolling amount, which the image 83 scrolls downward.

As shown in FIG. 8( c ) and FIG. 8( d ), a left-right scroll operation is performed in the image area 32 . The selection unit 37 causes a leftward or a rightward scroll operation to be performed by a leftward F 831 or a rightward F 841 instantaneous motion. As to the scroll amount, a distance R 33 between the position of the starting point R 31 and the left edge 3213 of the image area 32 represents a scroll amount, which the image 83 scrolls leftward. Besides, a distance R 43 between the position of the starting point R 41 and the right edge 3214 of the image area 32 represents a scroll amount, which the image 83 scrolls rightward.

In an embodiment, the selection unit 37 is configured to have a motion (e.g. one of F 811 , F 821 , F 831 and F 841 ), converts the motion into a locus (e.g. one of G 811 , G 821 , G 831 and G 841 corresponding to F 811 , F 821 , F 831 and F 841 respectively) of the definable position 3 A in the image area 32 , wherein the locus is a line segment near one of a horizontal and a vertical line segments having a direction (e.g. one of R 12 , R 22 , R 32 and R 42 ) and a starting point (e.g. one of R 11 , R 21 , R 31 and R 41 ) within the image area 32 . The selection unit 37 causes the image 83 displayed in the image area 32 to be scrolled by another motion (e.g. one of F 812 , F 822 , F 832 and F 842 corresponding to F 811 , F 821 , F 831 and F 841 respectively) according to the starting point and the direction of the line segment and a boundary 321 of the image area 32 .

Please refer to FIG. 9 , which is a flow diagram showing an operation of the selection system 93 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Step Q 02 , a motion sensing starts. In Q 04 , a reference point G 421 for positioning is initialized; e.g., the reference point G 421 of the locus G 42 of the definable position 3 A is initialized. In Q 06 , the operation range of the selection unit 37 corresponds to the range of the image area 32 for correlating the definable position 3 A with a motion orientation CM 1 of the selection unit 37 . In Q 08 , a calibration and a compensation of the reference point G 421 is performed. In step Q 10 , a marked area H 61 is utilized to cause the icon 334 to be selected. In step Q 12 , the motion F 62 is utilized to cause a preset function of the icon 334 to be performed.

Please refer to FIG. 2 again. A selection method for selecting an icon 231 in an image area 22 is described according to the present invention. The method includes the following steps. A motion F 21 is converted into a locus G 21 in the image area 22 . An area H 21 in the image area 22 is determined according to the locus G 21 . And, the selection of the icon 231 is determined by the relations between the area H 21 and an area K 21 where the icon 231 is to be displayed in the image area 22 .

Compared to the operation of the existing 3D air mouse device, the progresses of the present invention include that the operation of marking an area collocates with the natural motion of the wrist and the arm, and is utilized to cause the icon on the screen to be selected and cause the preset function of the icon to be performed, which is different from the existing technique on the market. In the existing technique, e.g. Gyration 3D remote controller or Logitech Air Mouse, a cursor or an object on the screen is moved to select the icon on the screen first, and then the active push button of the conventional mouse device is clicked twice quickly to cause the preset function of the icon to be performed.

While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.