Control apparatus

Abstract

An interface including a panel defining at least one edge at least one detector arranged along the at least one edge of the panel, an electromagnetic radiation beam emitter operative to direct at least one beam of electromagnetic radiation onto the panel from a variable distance and at a variable angle, the panel being operative to transmit electromagnetic radiation from the at least one beam impinging thereon to the at least one edge thereof, for detection by the at least one detector, the panel being operative to generally attenuate the electromagnetic radiation passing therethrough to the at least one edge as a function of the distance traveled by the electromagnetic radiation through the panel, thereby the at least one detector is operative to provide at least one output which can be used to determine the variable distance and the variable angle.

1 . A mobile device, comprising:
 a panel;   a stylus that emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation, wherein the beam of electromagnetic radiation defines an elliptical cross section when incident on the panel;   an array of detectors positioned proximate to the panel, the array of detectors are configured to provide an output corresponding to detected portions of the electromagnetic radiation incident on the panel; and   processing circuitry configured to:
 receive the output from the array of detectors; 
 determine at least one of a location, shape, or size of the elliptical cross section; 
 determine at least one of an angle or orientation of the stylus with respect to the panel based on the at least one of the location, shape or size of the elliptical cross section; and 
 determine the at least one of the angle or orientation of the stylus corresponds to an application icon displayed by the mobile device; and 
 execute a function corresponding to the application icon. 
   
     
     
         2 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the orientation of the stylus includes a three-dimensional angular orientation. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
 determine a three-dimensional position of the stylus relative to the panel based on the at least one of the location, shape, or size of the elliptical cross section.   
     
     
         4 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the function corresponding to the application icon includes a selection operation. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the function corresponding to the application icon includes a highlighting operation. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the function corresponding to the application icon includes a zoom operation. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the function corresponding to the application icon includes presenting a menu. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation includes frequencies in at least one of visible or non-visible ranges.