Virtual optical input device for providing various types of interfaces and method of controlling the same
AssigneeLG Electronics Inc.
InventorsYun Sup Shin, Yung Woo Jung, Young Hwan Joo, In Ho Choi, Mun Chae Joung, Jeong Uk Lee, Mi Hyun Jung
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Abstract
Provided are a virtual optical input device and a method of controlling the same. In the method, a portion of an input means such as a finger, and a portion of a shadow of the input means generated by a light source are detected through image processing. Physical variations formed between them are used to detect the touch contact of the input means, calculate the position of the input means, and input the corresponding command. Accordingly, it is possible to provide various input patterns.
Claims16
A virtual optical input device comprising:
- a multi optical input pattern generator including a light source and a plurality of filters, wherein the plurality of filters having changeable relative location are located in a light path, each filter has at least one pattern, change of relative location between the plurality of filters forms a plurality of combinations, the plurality of combinations generates a plurality of virtual optical input patterns, respectively, and the light source irradiates a light of the light path onto one combination of the plurality of filters to form one of the plurality of virtual optical input patterns by the one combination of the plurality of filters;
- an image receiver configured to detect and receive an image of an input means and a formed virtual optical input pattern;
- and
- an image processor configured to detect the position of the input means on the formed virtual optical input pattern by use of the received image, and execute a command corresponding to the detected position of the input means.
A method of controlling a virtual optical input device, wherein the virtual optical input device has a light source and a plurality of filters, the plurality of filters having changeable relative location are located in a light path, each filter has at least one pattern, change of relative location between the plurality of filters forms a plurality of combinations, the plurality of combinations generates a plurality of virtual optical input patterns, respectively, the method comprising:
- irradiating, by the light source, a light of the light path onto one of the plurality of combinations to form one of the plurality of virtual optical input patterns by one of the plurality of combinations;
- capturing an image of an input means over a formed virtual optical input pattern;
- calculating a portion of the input means, a portion of a shadow, and the related positions from the captured image;
- using the calculated position information to determine the contact of the input means;
- and
- executing a command corresponding to the contact point.
A mobile device comprising:
- a wireless communication unit configured to perform wireless communication with a wireless communication system or another mobile device;
- a user input unit including a light source and a plurality of filters, wherein the plurality of filters having changeable relative location are located in a light path, each filter has at least one pattern, change of relative location between the plurality of filters forms a plurality of combinations, the plurality of combinations generates a plurality of virtual optical input patterns, respectively, the light source irradiates a light of the light path onto one combination of the plurality of filters to form one of the plurality of virtual optical input patterns by the one combination of the plurality of filters;
- an image processor;
- a display unit displaying information;
- a memory unit configured to store the plurality of virtual optical input patterns and the corresponding command;
- and
- a control unit configured to detect the position of the input means on the formed virtual optical input pattern by use of the received image, and execute a command corresponding to the detected position of the input means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.