Device, method and computer program product for causing an input device to enter a low power state and sending a command that disables display of a graphical user interface

1. An input device comprising:

an operation unit configured to be held by a user and to be operated in a three-dimensional free space so as to remotely operate an information processing apparatus;

a sending unit configured to send a command that disables display of a graphical user interface of the information processing apparatus when the operation unit is placed, and to send a command that enables display of the graphical user interface of the information processing apparatus when a button of the operation unit is operated; and

a power control unit configured to cause the input device to enter a low power consumption state when the operation unit is placed.

2. The input device according to claim 1 , wherein holding or placing of the operation unit is detected from an output of a sensor that detects an operation entered by using the operation unit in the free space.

3. The input device according to claim 2 , wherein the sensor that detects an operation entered by using the operation unit in the free space is an acceleration sensor.

4. The input device according to claim 3 , wherein the power control unit turns off activation power of the acceleration sensor when a first time elapses after the operation unit is placed.

5. The input device according to claim 4 , wherein the sending unit sends a command that disables display of the graphical user interface of the information processing apparatus when the first time elapses after the operation unit is placed.

6. The input device according to claim 4 , wherein the sending unit sends a command that disables display of the graphical user interface of the information processing apparatus when a second time that is shorter than the first time elapses after the operation unit is placed.

7. The input device according to claim 6 , wherein the sending unit sends a command that enables the graphical user interface of the information processing apparatus when the operation unit is held again within the first time.

8. The input device according to claim 2 , wherein the sensor that detects an operation entered by using the operation unit in the free space is an angular velocity sensor.

9. The input device according to claim 8 , wherein the power control unit turns off activation power of the angular velocity sensor when a first time elapses after the operation unit is placed.

10. The input device according to claim 9 , wherein the sending unit sends a command that disables display of the graphical user interface of the information processing apparatus when the first time elapses after the operation unit is placed.

11. The input device according to claim 9 , wherein the sending unit sends a command that disables display of the graphical user interface of the information processing apparatus when a second time that is shorter than the first time elapses after the operation unit is placed.

12. The input device according to claim 11 , wherein the sending unit sends a command that enables the graphical user interface or the information processing apparatus when the operation unit is held again within the first time.

13. The input device according to claim 1 , further comprising a detection unit configured to detect placing of the operation unit on the basis of physical contact of the operation unit with another object.

14. The input device according to claim 2 , wherein the operation unit includes the entirety of the input device.

15. The input device according to claim 14 , wherein the input device is integrated with the information processing apparatus.

16. An input method for an input device including an operation unit, a sending unit, and a power control unit, the input method comprising:

holding the operation unit by a user and operating the operation unit in a three-dimensional free space so as to remotely operate an information processing apparatus;

sending, by using the sending unit, a command that disables display of a graphical user interface of the information processing apparatus when the operation unit is placed, and a command that enables display of the graphical user interface of the information processing apparatus when a button of the operation unit is operated; and

causing, by using the power control unit, the input device to enter a low power consumption state when the operation unit is placed.

17. A non-transitory computer program product having instructions stored therein that when executed by a processor implement a device comprising:

an operation unit configured to be held by a user and to be operated in a three-dimensional free space so as to remotely operate an information processing apparatus;

sending unit configured to send a command that disables display of a graphical user interface of an information processing apparatus when the operation unit is placed, and for sending a command that enables display of the graphical user interface of the information processing apparatus when a button of the operation unit is operated; and

a power control unit that causes the input device to enter a low power consumption state when the operation unit is placed.

18. An information processing system comprising:

an input device; and

an information processing apparatus configured to be controlled by a remote control signal from the input device,

wherein the input device includes

an operation unit configured to be held by a user and to be operated in a three-dimensional free space so as to remotely operate the information processing apparatus,

a sending unit configured to send a first command that disables display of a graphical user interface of the information processing apparatus when the operation unit is placed, and to send a second command that enables display of the graphical user interface of the information processing apparatus when a button of the operation unit is operated, and

a power control unit configured to cause the input device to enter a low power consumption state when the operation unit is placed, and

wherein the information processing apparatus includes

a receiving unit configured to receive the first command and the second command, and

an execution unit configured to disable display of the graphical user interface when the first command is received, and to enable display of the graphical user interface when the second command is received.