Obviousness

Obviousness Analysis under 35 U.S.C. § 103 for US Patent 9,946,369

The patent US 9,946,369 claims an interactive device and a method for controlling an electronic device based on the three-dimensional (3D) position of an input means relative to a display. The key inventive aspect, as described in the independent claims, is the detection of an object's 3D position (X, Y, and Z dimensions) using light sensors, and then executing a function (such as zooming or selection) based on the object's movement in the third dimension (Z-axis, representing distance from the device).

A person having ordinary skill in the art (PHOSITA) in 2002 (the priority date of US 9,946,369) would have been familiar with various input technologies and the challenges of user interfaces on small electronic devices, as explicitly stated in the background of US 9,946,369. The background notes the "significant disadvantage" of reduced user interface size and the prevalence of "data 'layers' or 'levels'" requiring multiple selections, which is "time consuming and can be irritating to the user." This problem statement provides a clear motivation for a PHOSITA to seek improved, more intuitive interaction methods for small displays.

The following combination of prior art references would render the claims of US 9,946,369 obvious to a PHOSITA:

Primary References and their Teachings:

1. JPH05265637A (Toshiba Corp.): "Three-dimensional pointing device" (Published 1993-10-15, Priority 1992-03-16). This reference teaches a device capable of three-dimensional pointing. A PHOSITA would understand that a 3D pointing device inherently involves detecting an object's position in X, Y, and Z coordinates. Interaction with such a device would naturally imply a display for visualizing the pointing actions.
2. US5959617A (U.S. Philips Corporation): "Light pen input systems" (Published 1999-09-28, Priority 1995-08-10). This patent discloses input systems utilizing a "light pen" for interaction with a display. Light pens are well-known optical input devices that detect X-Y coordinates on a screen. This reference provides the concept of optical sensing for pointing on a display.
3. US5227985A (University Of Maryland): "Computer vision system for position monitoring in three dimensions using non-coplanar light sources attached to a monitored object" (Published 1993-07-13, Priority 1991-08-19). This patent explicitly describes a system for monitoring an object's position in three dimensions using light sources. It teaches a mechanism for determining the Z-coordinate (distance) based on the light emitted from or reflected by an object.

Motivation for Combination:

A PHOSITA, motivated to overcome the user interface challenges of small electronic devices (as described in US 9,946,369's background), would recognize the value of adding a third dimension of input beyond conventional 2D touchscreens.

• Combining JPH05265637A (3D pointing device) with US5959617A (light pen input for displays) would be obvious to a PHOSITA seeking to implement 3D pointing using optical sensing technology. The problem of enhancing user interaction with displays would motivate the use of a pointing device with a display.
• To achieve the three-dimensional detection, the PHOSITA would look to known methods for optically determining 3D position, such as the "computer vision system for position monitoring in three dimensions using non-coplanar light sources" taught by US5227985A. This reference provides a technical basis for determining the Z-coordinate by analyzing characteristics of light. The specific methods mentioned in US 9,946,369 for determining Z-position, such as sensing the area, intensity, or elliptical eccentricity of a conical light beam, are optical principles that would be known or readily apparent to a PHOSITA skilled in computer vision and optical sensing, in light of US5227985A. For example, US 9,946,369 describes a stylus emitting a conical beam and a sensitive layer detecting the area and/or intensity, or the elliptical eccentricity, to determine distance and angle. These are common optical sensing techniques for determining depth. Furthermore, the use of an infrared emitter in a stylus was known, as shown in US6529189B1 (filed 2000-02-08, published 2003-03-04), which describes a "Touch screen stylus with IR-coupled selection buttons."

Application to Independent Claims:

Independent Claim 1 (Interactive device):

• Housing, screen, selectable options: The concept of an interactive device with a screen displaying options is generic and taught or implied by JPH05265637A (a 3D pointing device would interact with a display) and other general display technologies (e.g., US6028595A "Touch-screen display").
• Plurality of light sensors disposed in the housing, detecting light, providing output signal: Light-sensitive input for displays is taught by US5959617A (light pen systems) and EP0572182A1 ("Display unit with integral optical input apparatus"). The use of a "plurality" of sensors or an array (such as CCD/CMOS arrays mentioned in US 9,946,369) for comprehensive detection would be an obvious design choice for a PHOSITA.
• Processing unit configured to receive output signals and determine 3D position: JPH05265637A clearly teaches a 3D pointing device, and US5227985A teaches a computer vision system for 3D position monitoring using light, which would involve a processor receiving signals and determining position.
• Determine X-Y position corresponds to selectable options: This is a fundamental aspect of pointing devices like those in US5959617A (light pen) and US20010050672A1 ("Coordinate input apparatus and method, coordinate input pointing device").
• Determine Z-movement based on change in output signal: US5227985A teaches 3D position monitoring using light sources, which inherently involves detecting changes in light characteristics (e.g., area, intensity, eccentricity) to determine movement in the Z-dimension. The specific techniques described in US 9,946,369 for determining Z-distance from the optical characteristics of a conical beam are well-understood optical principles.
• Execute a function (zoom, selection, sub-menu) based on Z-movement: Given a functional 3D input system, a PHOSITA would be motivated to map the Z-axis movement to common navigation and control functions to improve user experience, particularly to address the acknowledged difficulties with multi-level menus on small screens. Zooming was a known software function (the '369 patent mentions "conventional software offers an 'incremental zoom' with each discrete selection"), and providing continuous zoom or menu navigation via intuitive Z-axis movement would be an obvious way to enhance interaction, as directly motivated by the patent's own problem statement.

Independent Claim 11 (Method):
The steps of the method claim are likewise rendered obvious by the combination:

• Detecting light by one or more sensors associated with an object: Taught by US5959617A (light pen) and US5227985A (computer vision system using light sources).
• Determining 3D position by a processor based on detected light: Taught by JPH05265637A (3D pointing device) and US5227985A (3D position monitoring using light).
• Determining X-Y position corresponds to a selectable element: Taught by US5959617A and US20010050672A1.
• Determining Z-position corresponds to a distance: Explicitly taught by US5227985A's 3D position monitoring.
• Calculating a change in distance based on detected light: Inherently part of the 3D position monitoring in US5227985A.
• Executing a function related to the selectable element based on the change in distance: As explained for Claim 1, this mapping of Z-axis input to control functions like zoom or menu navigation would be an obvious design choice for a PHOSITA motivated to improve user interfaces, especially for small displays.

Therefore, a PHOSITA, equipped with the knowledge of JPH05265637A, US5959617A, and US5227985A, and motivated by the recognized need for improved user interfaces on small electronic devices, would have found it obvious to combine these teachings to arrive at the claimed invention.

Citations:
US9946369B2, Description, Abstract