Easily deployable interactive direct-pointing system and presentation control system and calibration method therefor

A device for providing first data for use in controlling positional coordinates of a feature on a computer-generated image, the device comprising:

• an enclosure designed to be handheld by a user and operated by the user in mid-air;
• an accelerometer located in said enclosure for providing a first output signal;
• a gyroscope located in said enclosure for providing a second output signal;
• a user input device located in said enclosure for providing a user output signal, said user input device allowing a user to provide directional inputs;
• a light source located in said enclosure and configured for use in collecting data dependent on distance;
• at least one of a connection to an external first power source and an internal second power source for providing power to devices located in said enclosure;
• and
• a communication element located in said enclosure and coupled to said accelerometer, said gyroscope, and said user input device, said communication element including a unique identification value, for providing first data dependent on said first output signal and said second output signal and for providing second data dependent on said user output signal.

A device for providing first data for use in controlling a feature on a computer-generated image, the device comprising:

• an enclosure designed to be handheld by a user and operated by the user in mid-air;
• an accelerometer located in said enclosure for providing a first output signal;
• a gyroscope located in said enclosure for providing a second output signal;
• a magnetometer located in said enclosure for providing a third output signal;
• a user input device located in said enclosure for providing a user output signal, said user input device allowing a user to provide directional inputs;
• at least one of a connection to an external first power source and an internal second power source for providing power to devices located in said enclosure;
• and
• a communication element located in said enclosure and coupled to said accelerometer, said gyroscope, said magnetometer, and said user input device, for providing first data dependent on said first output signal and said second output signal and said third output signal and for providing second data dependent on said user output signal.

A system for use in controlling two positional coordinates of a feature on a computer-generated image, the system comprising:

• a first enclosure including:
• a processing unit;
• computer program storage coupled to said processing unit;
• an image generation element coupled to said processing unit and for coupling to
• an image display device and for providing the computer-generated image;
• a first power source for providing power to devices located in said first enclosure;
• and
• a first enclosure communication element coupled to said processing unit;
• a second enclosure separate from said first enclosure, said second enclosure including:
• a level sensing device providing a level sensor output signal;
• at least one of a connection to an external second power source and an internal third power source for providing power to devices located in said second enclosure;
• and
• a second enclosure communication element coupled to said level sensing device and for coupling to said first enclosure communication element, said second enclosure communication element for providing first data dependent on said level sensor output signal;
• and
• a third enclosure designed to be handheld and operated by a user in mid-air, said third enclosure separate from said first enclosure and said second enclosure, said third enclosure including:
• a light source configured for use in collecting data dependent on position of said third enclosure;
• a user input device configured to allow a user to provide directional inputs and for providing a user output signal;
• at least one of a connection to an external fourth power source and an internal fifth power source for providing power to devices located in said third enclosure;
• and
• a third enclosure communication element coupled to said user input device and for coupling to said first enclosure communication element, said third enclosure communication element for providing second data dependent on said user output signal.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable instructions for directing a processing unit in a computer to perform a method for controlling positional coordinates of a feature on a rectangular computer screen interaction region spanned by a first and a second computer axis, the computer communicating with an enclosure designed to be handheld by a user and operated by the user in mid-air, the enclosure defining a pointing line with a predetermined relation to the enclosure, the pointing line defining a point of aim as the intersection of the pointing line with a rectangular interaction structure, the interaction structure being spanned by a horizontal first structure axis and a vertical second structure axis, the enclosure for providing first data that allows for the complete definition of the orientation of said pointing line in three dimensions, the enclosure comprising an accelerometer for providing a first output signal and a gyro for providing a second output signal, the first data being dependent on the first and second output signals, the method comprising:

• receiving the first data from the enclosure;
• and
• using the first data to control the positional coordinates of the feature,
• wherein said step of using the first data to control the feature does not depend on the angles between the computer axes and the structure axes and operates so that:
• first data that is generated while the position of the enclosure is kept substantially fixed while the points of aim substantially lie on a line that is parallel to the first structure axis results in positional coordinates for the feature that substantially lie on a line that is parallel to the first computer axis of the computer screen interaction region, and
• first data that is generated while the position of the enclosure is kept substantially fixed while the points of aim substantially lie on a line that is parallel to the second structure axis results in positional coordinates for the feature that substantially lie on a line that is parallel to the second computer axis of the computer screen interaction region,
• whereby the positional coordinates of the feature can be controlled by the user by movement of the enclosure.