Prior art — US Patent 9946369

To identify the most relevant prior art for US patent 9946369, I will examine the "Cited By" and "Citations" sections of the patent, focusing on those references that appear to address similar inventive concepts, particularly regarding 3D input and display control. The USPTO provides a Patent Public Search tool for this purpose.

Here's an analysis of the patent citations and their potential anticipation of claims in US9946369:

Most Relevant Prior Art for US9946369:

The core innovation of US9946369 lies in its use of 3D position sensing of an input means (stylus) relative to a display to control displayed data, specifically enabling continuous zoom and selection without physical contact. This involves detecting X, Y, and Z coordinates (distance from the display) and often the angle of the stylus.

Given this, the most relevant prior art would be patents that describe:

Three-dimensional pointing devices or input systems.
Methods for determining the Z-coordinate (depth/distance) of an input device.
Systems that use non-contact 3D input for controlling a display, especially for navigation or "zooming."

Here's a breakdown of potentially highly relevant citations from the patent document:

1. US6081255A - Position detection apparatus and remote control apparatus

Full Citation: US6081255A, Sony Corporation, "Position detection apparatus and remote control apparatus"
Publication Date: June 27, 2000 (Priority Date: December 25, 1996)
Brief Description: This patent describes a position detection apparatus that can determine the position of a pointing device in three-dimensional space relative to a display. It details a remote control apparatus with a light-emitting element, and a display device with light-receiving elements to detect the light and calculate the position of the pointing device. The system can control a cursor on the display based on the detected position.
Potential Anticipation: This patent appears highly relevant to Claim 1 and Claim 11 of US9946369.
- Claim 1: It describes an "interactive device" (remote control + display) with "light sensors" (light-receiving elements) to detect light from an "object" (pointing device with light-emitting element). It determines a 3D position and can control displayed data (e.g., cursor). The "position of an object in a three-dimensional (3D) space relative to the interactive device" and the use of "output signal" from sensors to determine this position are directly addressed.
- Claim 11: The method of "detecting, by one or more sensors of an interactive device, light associated with an object," "determining, by a processor... a position of the object in a three-dimensional (3D) space relative to the interactive device based on the light detected," and subsequently "determining... the position of the object in a first dimension and a second dimension" and a "third dimension" are all potentially anticipated. The description of controlling a cursor suggests the execution of a function related to a selectable element.

2. US6184863B1 - Direct pointing apparatus and method therefor

Full Citation: US6184863B1, The George Washington University, "Direct pointing apparatus and method therefor"
Publication Date: February 6, 2001 (Priority Date: October 13, 1998)
Brief Description: This patent describes a direct pointing apparatus and method for controlling a cursor on a display. It involves a light-emitting pointing device and a detector that senses the light from the device to determine its position and orientation, allowing for non-contact control. While it mentions position and orientation, the emphasis on 3D depth control for functions like zoom in US9946369 would need closer examination to see if it's explicitly taught.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is relevant to Claim 1 and Claim 11.
- Claim 1: The concept of a "direct pointing apparatus" as an "input means" for "controlling the data displayed on the display in dependence on the three-dimensional position of the input means" has overlap. The sensing of "light" from the pointing device by a "detector" aligns with the "plurality of light sensors" detecting "light incident on the device." The determination of "position of an object in a three-dimensional (3D) space relative to the interactive device" is a strong match.
- Claim 11: The method of "detecting... light associated with an object," "determining... a position of the object in a three-dimensional (3D) space relative to the interactive device," and controlling a "cursor" or display object based on this input would align with the general steps of the method claim. The explicit determination of "distance" and "change in the distance" would require further analysis of this reference.

3. US20010050672A1 - Coordinate input apparatus and method, coordinate input pointing device, storage medium, and computer program

Full Citation: US20010050672A1, Kiwamu Kobayashi, "Coordinate input apparatus and method, coordinate input pointing device, storage medium, and computer program"
Publication Date: December 13, 2001 (Priority Date: April 7, 2000)
Brief Description: This patent application describes a coordinate input apparatus that uses an input device (e.g., a pen-type device) and a sensor to detect its position. It discusses detecting the position in a 3D space. The abstract and descriptions suggest a focus on coordinate input generally, rather than specifically on depth-based UI functions like zooming or non-contact selection.
Potential Anticipation: This reference is relevant to Claim 1 and Claim 11.
- Claim 1: An "interactive device" with "light sensors" (sensor in the apparatus) detecting "light incident on the device" from an "object" (input device). The determination of "a position of an object in a three-dimensional (3D) space relative to the interactive device" is explicitly mentioned. The execution of a "function" based on this movement, while broadly possible, would need to be specifically demonstrated for depth-based functions to fully anticipate.
- Claim 11: The method of "detecting, by one or more sensors... light associated with an object," and "determining, by a processor... a position of the object in a three-dimensional (3D) space relative to the interactive device" are clearly taught. The specifics of "change in the distance" and executing a function based on that change for UI control (like zoom) would be key to determining full anticipation.

4. US20020175924A1 - Image display system capable of displaying images on plurality of image sources and display control method therefor

Full Citation: US20020175924A1, Hideaki Yui, "Image display system capable of displaying images on plurality of image sources and display control method therefor"
Publication Date: November 28, 2002 (Priority Date: May 27, 1998)
Brief Description: This patent describes an image display system and method for controlling image display. While it pertains to display control, its focus appears to be on managing multiple image sources and display modes, rather than a 3D input device for direct manipulation of displayed content with depth. However, without a detailed review of the full text, it's hard to rule out any potential overlap with display control functions based on input.
Potential Anticipation: This reference is less directly anticipatory of the 3D input aspects of US9946369, but might be relevant to the "controlling the data displayed on the display" or "executing a function related to at least one of the one or more selectable options" aspects of Claim 1 and Claim 11, particularly if it discusses altering display content based on some form of user input. It's less likely to anticipate the three-dimensional nature of the input.

5. US5227985A - Computer vision system for position monitoring in three dimensions using non-coplanar light sources attached to a monitored object

Full Citation: US5227985A, University Of Maryland, "Computer vision system for position monitoring in three dimensions using non-coplanar light sources attached to a monitored object"
Publication Date: July 13, 1993 (Priority Date: August 19, 1991)
Brief Description: This patent describes a computer vision system that determines the 3D position of an object by monitoring non-coplanar light sources attached to it. This is a foundational patent for 3D position tracking using optical means.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant to the fundamental concept of 3D position determination in Claim 1 and Claim 11.
- Claim 1: The "sensing means for sensing the three-dimensional position of the input means relative to the device" and the processing unit determining "a position of an object in a three-dimensional (3D) space relative to the interactive device" are directly related to the subject matter of this patent. While the specific mechanism (stylus emitting conical beam vs. multiple light sources on an object) differs, the underlying principle of optical 3D position sensing is present.
- Claim 11: The method of "determining... a position of the object in a three-dimensional (3D) space relative to the interactive device based on the light detected by the one or more sensors" aligns closely with this prior art. It establishes the concept of optically deriving 3D position.

6. US5892501A - Three dimensional wireless pointing device

Full Citation: US5892501A, LG Electronics Inc., "Three dimensional wireless pointing device"
Publication Date: April 6, 1999 (Priority Date: January 17, 1996)
Brief Description: This patent describes a wireless pointing device capable of detecting movement in 3D space and transmitting corresponding signals to a computer for cursor control. It focuses on the hardware and transmission aspects of a 3D pointing device.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant to Claim 1 and Claim 11, especially regarding the 3D nature of the input.
- Claim 1: The "input means" as a "three-dimensional wireless pointing device" and the determination of "a position of an object in a a three-dimensional (3D) space relative to the interactive device" are directly anticipated. The wireless aspect also touches on the remote linkage mentioned in US9946369's detailed description.
- Claim 11: The method steps of detecting an object's position in 3D space and using that for control are broadly covered. The specific mechanism for detecting the Z-dimension (e.g., using a conical beam's area/eccentricity) would be a point of differentiation for US9946369.

7. US5793361A - Unconstrained pointing interface for natural human interaction with a display-based computer system

Full Citation: US5793361A, Corporation For National Research Initiatives, "Unconstrained pointing interface for natural human interaction with a display-based computer system"
Publication Date: August 11, 1998 (Priority Date: June 9, 1994)
Brief Description: This patent describes a pointing interface that allows for unconstrained, natural human interaction with a display. It details methods for tracking a pointer in 3D space and using its position and orientation for controlling a display-based system.
Potential Anticipation: This patent is highly relevant to both Claim 1 and Claim 11, especially regarding the use of 3D input for display control.
- Claim 1: An "interactive device" with an "input means" (unconstrained pointing interface) and "sensing means" to determine its "three-dimensional position." The control of "data displayed on the display in dependence on the three-dimensional position of the input means" is a central theme. The execution of a "function related to at least one of the one or more selectable options" would likely be encompassed by "controlling a display-based system."
- Claim 11: The method of tracking an object in 3D space and using its 3D position to control a display system is directly relevant to the method steps of determining 3D position and executing a function based on it.

8. US5959617A - Light pen input systems

Full Citation: US5959617A, U.S. Philips Corporation, "Light pen input systems"
Publication Date: September 28, 1999 (Priority Date: August 10, 1995)
Brief Description: This patent discusses light pen input systems. Traditional light pens primarily interact directly with the screen (2D). However, if this patent describes any method for determining distance or Z-axis information, it would be highly relevant. Without a deeper dive into the full text, it's presumed to be more 2D-focused, but the term "light pen" is specifically mentioned in US9946369 as an alternative embodiment for X-Y determination.
Potential Anticipation: If this patent describes any mechanism for discerning Z-axis information or non-contact interaction, it would be highly relevant to Claim 1 and Claim 11. If it's limited to 2D contact-based interaction, it would be less directly anticipatory of the key 3D innovation of US9946369, but still relevant to the general concept of a light-based input device for display interaction. The "alternative embodiment" in US9946369 where "the stylus 16 operates in the manner of a conventional light pen and contains a light sensor or photodiode therein which senses the light given off by the display" explicitly ties this prior art type to a component of the claimed invention.

Summary of Anticipation under 35 U.S.C. § 102:

The identified prior art, particularly US6081255A, US6184863B1, US20010050672A1, US5227985A, US5892501A, and US5793361A, disclose various aspects of 3D position detection and the use of such detection for controlling electronic devices. These references collectively or individually teach:

3D Position Determination: Many of these patents explicitly teach systems for determining the 3D position of an input object relative to a device or display using optical or other means. This directly anticipates the "determining, based on the output signal, a position of an object in a three-dimensional (3D) space relative to the interactive device" in Claim 1 and the corresponding method step in Claim 11.
Input Means and Sensing Means: The concepts of an "input means" (e.g., pointing device, stylus, object with light sources) and "sensing means" (e.g., light sensors, detectors, vision systems) are widely present, covering elements of Claim 1.
Control of Displayed Data: The use of the detected 3D position to control a display (e.g., cursor movement, interaction with a system) is also a common theme, which aligns with "controlling the data displayed on the display in dependence on the three-dimensional position of the input means" in Claim 1 and "executing... a function related to the at least one selectable element" in Claim 11.
X and Y Dimensions: The determination of position in "a first dimension and a second dimension of the 3D space" (X-Y plane) is a well-established concept in pointing devices and is present in the prior art.

The key differentiating aspects for US9946369, particularly in its preferred embodiment, involve the specific mechanism of determining the Z-dimension (distance) using the elliptical eccentricity and/or area/intensity of a conical infrared beam from the stylus, and using this continuous Z-axis input for continuous zoom functionality or non-contact selection based on specific thresholds or "dipping motions." While prior art teaches 3D position, the specific methods for determining Z from a conical beam's properties on a display's sensitive layer, and the explicit application of continuous Z-axis movement to continuous zoom or threshold-based contactless selection, would be crucial for establishing novelty and non-obviousness over these references.

For example, US6081255A, US6184863B1, US20010050672A1, US5227985A, US5892501A, and US5793361A broadly anticipate the general idea of 3D input and control. However, the specific details of using light beam eccentricity and area to determine distance, and then specifically using that distance for a continuous zoom, as detailed in US9946369, would need to be present in these references to fully anticipate the claims. Further detailed analysis of each cited patent's full text would be necessary to ascertain the extent to which these specific features are disclosed or rendered obvious.