JPH10214154A - Remote controllable pointing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To use a pointing device separately from a computer by detachably attaching the pointing device to the docking slot of the computer and controlling a displayed pointer through a radio data link. SOLUTION: This remote controllable pointing device 24 and the docking slot 34 are formed in dimensions capable of physically docking the pointing device 24 into the docking slot 34. Since an actuator on the upper surface of the pointing device 24 is exposed, the pointer 33 on a screen is controlled by freely operating the actuator. Then, when docking with the docking slot 34 is released, the pointing device 24 is remotely connected to the computer 22 through the radio data link. Thus, a pointer control command is transmitted to the computer 22 and the displayed pointer 33 can be controlled.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a remote control pointing device for a portable computer such as a portable computer or a computer projector display panel for presentation by an overhead projector (OHP).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Portable computers have rapidly become widespread. One of the reasons portable devices are gaining popularity is that computer users are becoming more mobile. When they travel, they want to carry documents, schedules, spreadsheets, presentations, and essentially their entire "office". Another reason for its popularity is that portable computers are very powerful and often match the capabilities of traditional desktop computers. For example, laptop computers are often available with the same microprocessor, memory capacity and accessories as desktop computers, and portables are lightweight and small. The ability to carry a high-performance computer that offers complete functionality is a great attraction for mobile businesspeople.

Many portable computers have a built-in pointing device, and such pointing devices are usually miniaturized to fit within the size limitations of portable computers. Pointing devices commonly provided in portable computers include trackballs, touch-sensitive joysticks, touchpads, touch-sensitive screens, and the like. In addition, portable computers typically include a mouse port that allows a conventional computer mouse to be used.

[0004] In recent years, there has been an increasing tendency to use portable computers for presentations. A portable computer, usually configured as a portable computer or computer projector display panel,
Slides can be stored electronically and the order of the slides can be controlled during the presentation. The slides can be displayed on the screen of the device (such as a laptop display) or projected onto a large projection screen. In many cases, the pointer is made visible on such a screen so that the presenter can operate the pointer so that the viewer can pay attention to a specific part. The movement of the pointer is usually controlled by a built-in pointing device.

In computer-based presentations, presenters can make more dynamic presentations by using video, moving images, highlight colors, slide switching timing programming, and audio synchronization. The presenter controls the presentation from a remote location using a remote control, which allows the presenter to leave the computer. Conventional remote-controlled handsets are configured to control slide selection, but often cannot manipulate the on-screen pointer during a presentation.

[0006] To solve this problem, manufacturers have begun designing remote controls that can control the movement of the pointer on a display or overhead projection screen. As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,095 to Redford describes a hand-held multimedia pointing device capable of remotely controlling the movement of a cursor on a display.

[0007] The present invention provides an improvement over conventional remote control pointing devices.

[0008]

A computer assembly is configured to transmit a pointer control command to a computer via a wireless link (eg, high frequency, infrared, etc.) and to a computer configured to generate and display a pointer on a display. A wireless remote control pointing device configured to control the pointer.

According to one aspect of the invention, a computer has a main body housing having an upper surface and a lower surface. A docking slot is formed on the upper surface of the housing. The pointing device is physically sized to be removably mounted in a docking slot of a computer. The pointing device can be docked to remain in the docking slot or undocked and pulled out of the docking slot.

According to another aspect, a pointing device has a plurality of actuators (eg, buttons, touchpads, multifunction disks, etc.) provided on opposing upper and lower surfaces. When docked, a portion of the pointing device actuator is exposed and accessible to the user. The pointing device can also operate when docked, and as a result,
The user can operate the exposed actuator to control the pointer.

In accordance with yet another aspect, a remote control pointing device has a rechargeable power source. When the pointing device is docked, the power supply in the remote pointing device is recharged by the recharging unit in the computer.

According to yet another aspect, a computer has a plurality of receivers for receiving transmissions from a remote pointing device. These receivers are located on both opposite sides of the computer. When using a directional wireless link (such as infrared), these multiple receivers allow the user to enter commands from various aspects of the computer or from various angles using a remote pointing device.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a computer assembly having a computer and a wireless remote control pointing device. The computer may be a portable computer (eg, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a sub-notebook computer, a handheld computer, a PDA, etc.), a computer projector display panel, or any other device that generates and controls a graphically displayed pointer. Of the electronic devices.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a computer assembly 20 constructed in accordance with one embodiment. The computer assembly 20 has a computer 22 and a wireless remote control pointing device 24. In this embodiment, computer 22 is implemented as a portable computer, more specifically, a laptop computer. The laptop computer 22 has a housing 26 for supporting the computer mechanically and for housing and protecting the internal electronic components. In addition, the laptop computer 22 includes an LCD (liquid crystal display) screen 28, a keyboard 30, and a storage drive 32 (for example, a floppy disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a hard disk drive, etc.).
Having.

The laptop computer 22 has a pointer 33
Is generated and displayed on the LCD screen 28. The pointer 33 can be realized in various different shapes and sizes. The meaning of the term "pointer" includes cursors, input bars, movable graphic symbols or icons, and other indicators that can be controlled in a conventional manner with a mouse or arrow keys on a keyboard. The pointing device 24 is configured to send a pointer control command to the laptop computer 22 via a wireless link to control the pointer 33. Wireless data communication links can be provided using existing technologies such as short-range RF (high frequency) and infrared (IR).

The laptop computer 22 has a docking slot 34 formed in the housing 26. In the embodiment described here, the docking slot 34 is
Is formed on the upper surface of the main body. Remote control pointing device 24 and docking slot 34 are sized to physically dock the pointing device into the docking slot. by this,
The remote control pointing device 24 can be inserted into, or "docked" into, the docking slot 34 as shown in FIG. 1, or can be pulled out of, or "undocked", from the docking slot 34 as shown in FIG. Pointing device 24 and docking slot 34 are designed to facilitate placement and retention of the device within the slot using cooperating mechanical means.

The docking slot 34 has an open top so that it can contact the pointing device 24 when docked. As shown in FIG. 1, the actuator on the top surface of the pointing device 24 is exposed when the pointing device is docked. The user can freely operate such an actuator to control the pointer 33 on the screen.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show the wireless remote control pointing device 24 in more detail. The pointing device 24 is formed of molded plastic or the like, and has an upper surface 42.
(FIG. 3) and a casing 40 having a lower surface 44 (FIG. 4). A plurality of actuators 46, 48, 50, 52, 54 are operably mounted on casing 40. Specifically, three actuators 46, 48, 50 are mounted on the upper surface 42 of the casing, and two actuators 52, 54 are mounted on the lower surface of the casing. The four actuators, actuators 46, 48, 52 and 54, can be implemented in various ways, such as buttons, touch sensitive pads, and the like. These four actuators are used for inputting an activation command as normally performed using the left and right mouse buttons of a conventional computer mouse.

The fifth actuator, actuator 50, is implemented as a directional element that converts operation of the actuator into a pointer movement command. For example,
Actuator 50 is implemented as a multi-function disc capable of biasing any of its edges to move the cursor in any direction. In another embodiment, there are four individual buttons that cause a compass-like movement. This actuator can also be realized as a small joystick. Another embodiment is a non-movable actuator, which detects movement of the user's thumb or other finger relative to the actuator area.

The wireless remote pointing device 24 is preferably operable in three modes. In the docking mode as shown in FIG. 1 and the presentation mode as shown in FIG.
Can be touched by the user, but the user cannot touch the actuators 52 and 54 on the lower surface 44. However, in the desktop mode, the device 24 has the upper surface 42 facing “down” and facing the desk or other hard surface and the lower surface 44 “up”.
Is turned over to face the user. In this mode, the user can touch the actuators 52 and 54, but not the actuators 46 and 48. Actuator 50, which is inaccessible to the user, detects movement of remote pointing device 24 relative to a desk surface or other hard surface.

The casing 40 may be formed with a knob or stub 56 projecting from the upper surface 42. The stub 56 is long enough to hold the pointing device off the surface without activating the directional actuator 50. Alternatively, the stub can be eliminated by forming the actuator in a concave portion of the pointing device.

The pointing device 24 has a transmission port 58 for remotely transmitting control signals over a wireless link. In the figure, the pointing device 24 is configured to transmit an IR (infrared) signal using the IrDA standard, so the transmission port 58 is shown as a light emitting diode. When using other wireless technologies such as short-range RF, the transmission port is configured as an antenna.

FIG. 5 shows the computer assembly 20 with the remote control pointing device 24 undocked with the laptop computer 22. FIG.
The embodiment corresponds to an embodiment in which the wireless communication link between the pointing device 24 and the laptop computer 22 is directional. Directional wireless links include, for example, infrared data links. If a directional data link is used, the laptop computer 22 is provided with a plurality of receivers for receiving data transmissions from the remote control pointing device 24 regardless of the location of the pointing device relative to the computer.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the laptop computer comprises two receivers 60 and 62 provided on opposite sides of the laptop computer or on both ends thereof.
Having. When the pointing device 24 transmits data from a location on the left side of the laptop computer 22, the receiver 60 on the left detects this transmission. Conversely, when the pointing device 24 is moved to a position to the right of the computer 22 (shown by a dashed line), the receiver 62 on the right detects transmission. It should be pointed out that the receiver may be located elsewhere around the computer, and that computer 22 may use more than two receivers.

FIG. 6 shows a functional block diagram of the elements in the computer assembly 20. Pointing device 24
Has an urging detection circuit 70 which detects when the user operates one of the actuators 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54. The bias detection circuit 70 generates a pointer control command in response to the detected bias.

A transmitter 72 is coupled to the activation detection circuit 70,
Send a pointer control command over the wireless data communication link. The transmitter 72 can be realized, for example, as an IR transmitter or an RF transmitter. In addition, the pointing device 24 has a rechargeable power supply (for example, a rechargeable battery pack) for supplying power to the activation detection circuit 70 and the transmitter 72.

The laptop computer 22 is a processor
80 and a memory 82 (eg, RAM, ROM, floppy disk drive, hard disk drive, etc.).
The two receivers 60 and 62 are configured to receive the pointer control command sent from the transmitter 72 and send the command to the processor 80. The pointer control commands are transmitted to the processor 80 by the pointer 33 displayed on the screen 28 (or projected onto an overhead projection screen).
Used to control

According to one embodiment, the pointer control command is sent to a conventional mouse driver 84 that drives the displayed pointer. Mouse driver 84 is illustrated as being implemented as a software driver stored in memory 82 and executed on processor 80. Mouse driver 84 can also be provided as part of the laptop computer operating system.

The laptop computer 22 is also provided in a docking slot 34 for pointing when the pointing device is docked.
It has a slot interface 86 for electrically interfacing with 24. In this configuration, the pointing device 24 can be used for input of a pointer control command while docked in the docking slot 34. The command is sent to the processor 80 via the slot interface 86, and is used for controlling the pointer 33 by the mouse driver. As a result, the remote control pointing device 24 is operable in both docked and undocked states.

The laptop computer 22 has a power supply 88 (eg, an AC adapter, a battery, etc.) that supplies power to the processor, memory, LCD screen, and other electronic components of the laptop computer. Recharge unit 90 is also coupled to power supply 88. Recharge unit 90 recharges remote control pointing device 24 when docked in docking slot 34. More specifically, recharge unit 90 recharges rechargeable power supply 74 in pointing device 24 using a direct electrical connection or inductive coupling.

As described above, the present invention has been described in terms of certain structural and methodical features with certain specific terms. However, it should be understood that the means disclosed herein are preferred embodiments of the present invention and that the present invention is not limited to the specific features described herein. Therefore, the present invention
It is intended to cover all forms and modifications that fall within the proper scope of the claims as properly construed in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Examples of the embodiments of the present invention will be listed below.

[Embodiment 1] A housing (26) and a docking slot (34) formed in the housing (26) are configured to generate and display a pointer (33) on a display (28). And the docking slot (34) of the computer (22) so that it can be docked in or undocked from the docking slot.
A physically sized remote control pointing device (24) removably mounted in the remote control pointing device (24) when undocked with the docking slot via a wireless data link. Remotely coupled to the computer (22), the remote control pointing device (24) sends a pointer control command to the computer (22) via the wireless data link to control the displayed pointer (33). A computer assembly characterized by the following.

[Embodiment 2] The remote control pointing device (24) has an upper surface and a lower surface (42, 44) and a plurality of actuators (46 to 54) provided on both the upper surface and the lower surface. 3. The computer assembly of embodiment 1, wherein

Embodiment 3 The remote control pointing device (24) can be operated to control the pointer (33) when docked in the docking slot (34). Computer assembly.

[Embodiment 4] The remote control pointing device (24) has at least one actuator (46, 48 or 50), and the actuator is connected to the remote control pointing device in the docking slot (34). 2. The computer assembly of embodiment 1, wherein the computer assembly is exposed to be activated by a user when the computer is in the on state.

[Embodiment 5] The remote control pointing device (24) has a rechargeable power supply (74), and the computer (22) controls the remote control pointing device to dock in the docking slot (34). The computer assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a recharge unit (88, 90) for recharging the rechargeable power supply (74) of the remote control pointing device (24) when being turned on.

[Embodiment 6] The computer (22) has a plurality of reception ports (60, 62) for receiving the pointer control command transmitted by the remote control pointing device (24). A computer assembly according to aspect 1.

[Embodiment 7] A computer (22) configured to generate and display a pointer (33) on a display (28) and having a plurality of reception ports (60, 62) for receiving wireless communication, and Providing a remote control pointing device (24) remotely coupled to said computer via a wireless data link, said pointing device transmitting a pointer control command to said one of said receiving ports of said computer via said wireless data link; A computer assembly configured to control the displayed pointer (33).

[Embodiment 8] The computer (22) has a housing (26) in which a docking slot (34) is formed, and the pointing device (24) connects the remote control pointing device to the docking slot. 8. The computer assembly of embodiment 7, wherein the computer assembly is physically sized to be removably mounted in the docking slot (34) of the computer (22) so that it can be docked or undocked.

[Embodiment 9] A remote control pointing device for remotely controlling a pointer displayed on a display, comprising: a casing (40) having an upper surface (42) and a lower surface (44); The upper surface (42)
At least one actuator (46, 48 or 5
0) and a plurality of actuators (46-5) operably mounted around the casing such that at least one actuator (52, 54) is mounted on the lower surface (44) of the casing (40).
4) an activation detection circuit (70) for generating a pointer control command to control the pointer when one or more actuators are actuated by a user; and transmitting the pointer control command over a data communication link. A remote control pointing device, characterized in that it comprises a transmitter (72) coupled to the remote control.

[Embodiment 10] The energization detection circuit (70)
10. The remote control pointing device of embodiment 9, comprising a rechargeable power supply (74) connected to power the transmitter (72).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a computer assembly having a portable computer and a wireless remote control pointing device.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary perspective view of the computer assembly showing an undocked state of the pointing device and the docking slot of the portable computer;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a wireless remote pointing device.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the wireless remote pointing device.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a computer assembly illustrating reception of remotely transmitted commands via two different receivers of a portable computer.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a computer assembly.

[Explanation of symbols]

 20: Computer assembly 22: Computer 24: Wireless remote control pointing device 26: Housing 28: LCD (liquid crystal display) screen 30: Keyboard 32: Storage device drive 33: Pointer 34: Docking slot 40: Casing of pointing device 24 42 : Upper surface of casing 40 44: Lower surface of casing 40 46, 48, 50, 52, 54: Actuator 56: Stub 58: Transmission port 60, 62: Receiver 70: Energizing detection circuit 72: Transmitter 74: Power supply 80: Processor 82: Memory 84: Mouse driver 86: Slot interface 88: Power supply 90: Recharge unit

Claims (1)

[Claims] A computer configured to generate and display a pointer on a display, the computer having a housing and a docking slot formed in the housing; and a computer docked in the docking slot or connected to the docking slot. Providing a physically sized remote control pointing device removably mounted within the docking slot of the computer so as to be undockable, wherein the remote control pointing device is undocked with the docking slot; When remotely coupled to the computer via a wireless data link, the remote control pointing device sends a pointer control command to the computer via the wireless data link to control the displayed pointer A computer assembly characterized by the following.