AU745547B2

AU745547B2 - A control template and control pad

Info

Publication number: AU745547B2
Application number: AU22367/00A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Zhenya Yourlo
Original assignee: Canon Inc
Current assignee: Canon Inc
Priority date: 1999-03-16
Filing date: 2000-03-16
Publication date: 2002-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 2020-03-16
Also published as: AU2236700A

Description

S&F Ref: 495320

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

Name and Address of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for Service: Invention Title: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha 30-2, Shimomaruko 3-chome, Ohta-ku Tokyo 146 Japan Zhenya Yourlo Spruson Ferguson St Martins Tower 31 Market Street Sydney NSW 2000 A Control Template and Control Pad ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION DETAILS [33] Country [31] Applic. No(s) AU PP9233 [32] Application Date 16 Mar 1999 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 5815c i~ A Control Template And Control Pad Technical Field of Invention The present invention relates to control template and a control pad.

Background Art Control pads of various types and uses are known, and typically have a wide field of application. Typically, such pads include one or more keys, buttons or pressure responsive areas which upon application of suitable pressure by a user, generate signals 10 which are supplied to associated control circuitry. Specifically of interest, are those control pads that may perform multiple functions.

One method by which control pads that perform multiple functions may be implemented is through the use of a set of control templates that individually represent distinct interfaces providing corresponding functionality. Templates of this kind are generally restricted to having a standard physical form.

Another method by which control pads that perform multiple functions may be implemented is through standardized control pads, which have one, or more keys printed on a face thereof.

These control templates and control pads have the disadvantage in that given a large number of templates or control pads to choose from, it may be time consuming to locate the particular template or control pad that is of interest.

Disclosure of the Invention It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate one or more disadvantages of the prior art.

One or more exemplary aspects of the invention are listed below, but are not limited thereto.

(CFP1653AU DTV02) I:\ELEC\CISRA\DTV\DTV02\495320au.DOC According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a control template for use with a controller having a data reader means, and a template receptacle adapted for receiving a rectangular template, the control template comprising: a laminar substrate; control indicia on at least one face of the substrate; and storage means for storing mapping data associated with the control indicia; wherein the control template has a plurality of edges only some of which are coincident with said rectangular template, and wherein upon insertion of the control template into the template receptacle, the data reader means is able to read said storage 10 means.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a control pad for use with a controller having a first data reader, a second data reader and a receptacle i adapted for receiving a rectangular control pad, the control pad comprising: a laminar substrate; 15 sensing means forming a keypad of one or more keys on at least one face of the laminar substrate; data output means for outputting key data indicative of keys selected by a user; and storage means for storing identification data for identifying functions associated with the keys; wherein the control pad has a plurality of edges only some of which are coincident with said rectangular control pad, and wherein upon insertion of the control pad into the receptacle, the first data reader is able to read said storage means and said second data reader is able to read said data output means.

Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the drawings, in which: (CFP1653AU DTV02) I:\ELEC\CISRA\DTV\DTV02\495320au.DOC Fig. 1A shows a proposed control template and an associated controller; Fig. IB shows a cross-section of the control template of Fig. 1A, taken along the roman numerals IX IX Fig. 2A shows a proposed control pad and associated controller; Fig. 2B shows a cross-section of the controller of Fig. 2A, taken along the roman numerals II- II; Fig. 2C shows a cross-section of the control pad of Fig. 2A, taken along the roman numerals III III; Fig. 3 shows a number of different shaped control templates in accordance with a 10 preferred embodiment; Fig. 4 shows a minimal shaped control template so as to interoperate with a standard controller in accordance with another preferred embodiment; Fig. 5 shows a controller with a registration guide and corresponding control template in accordance with another preferred embodiment; and 15 Fig. 6 shows a controller with a registration cutout and correspondingly keyed control template in accordance with another preferred embodiment; Detailed Description including Best Mode Where reference is made in any one or more of the accompanying drawings to oooo• steps and/or features, which have the same reference numerals, those steps and/or features have for the purposes of this description the same function(s) or operation(s), unless the contrary intention appears.

The principles of the preferred apparatus described herein have general applicability to, remote control systems, automatic tellers and video game controllers.

However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to these fields of use and many other applications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For ease of explanation, the preferred apparatus has been described with (CFP1653AU DTV02) I:\ELEC\CISRA\DTV\DTV02\495320au DOC reference to a generic apparatus but it is envisaged the apparatus may have application to numerous specific fields of use, as would be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

Before proceeding with a description of the embodiments, a description is given of a control template and associated controller shown in Figs 1A and 1B, and a control pad and associated controller shown in Figs. 2A, 2B and 2C.

Turning now to Figs. 1A and 1B, there is shown a controller and associated control template. The controller 1 has a housing 2, which defines a control template receptacle 4 and a viewing area 6. Data reading means are provided in the form of exposed contacts 7 and associated control circuitry (not shown). The controller 1 also 10 includes sensor means in the form of a substantially transparent pressure sensitive membrane 8 covering the viewing area 6.

The controller 1 is configured for use with a control template, which takes the form of a rectangular smart card 10. The smart card 10 includes a laminar substrate 12 with control indicia 20,21,22,23 and 24 printed on an upper face 16 thereof. The smart card includes storage means in the form of an embedded on-board memory chip 19 for storing mapping data associated with the control indicia 20,21,22,23 and 24. The smart card 10 also includes data contacts 18 connected to the embedded on-board memory chip 19 corresponding with the exposed contacts 7 on the controller 1.

In use, the smart card 10 is inserted into the control template receptacle 4, such oo.o°i that the pressure sensitive membrane 8 covers the upper face 16 of the smart card 10. The control indicia are visible within the viewing area 6 through the transparent pressure sensitive membrane 8.

The exposed contacts 7 and associated circuitry are configured to read mapping data associated with the control indicia from the memory chip 19, either automatically upon insertion of the smart card 10 into the control template 4, or selectively in response to a signal from the controller 1. This signal is transmitted to the smart card 10 via the exposed contacts 7 and data contacts 18.

(CFP1653AU DTV02) I:\ELEC\CISRA\DTV\DTV02\495320au.DOC Once the mapping data associated with the control indicia 14 has been read, a user can press areas of the pressure sensitive membrane 8 on or adjacent the underlying control indicia. By sensing the pressure on the pressure sensitive membrane 8 and referring to the mapping data, the controller 1 can deduce which of the control indicia the user has pressed. For example, if the user places pressure on the pressure sensitive membrane adjacent the button 24, the controller will assess the position at which the pressure was applied, refer to the mapping data, and determine that the "key" 24 was selected. The key data is then transmitted to control circuitry (not shown) either locally or remotely. In this way, the manner of operation of the proposed controller and control 10 template is standardized whilst offering at same time a high degree of flexibility in application and design.

:Turning now to Figs. 2A to 2C, there is shown a controller and associated control pad in the form of a rectangular smart card 10 and a corresponding controller 1 having a control pad receptacle 4, within which the smart card 10 can be inserted to provide functionality. The smart card 10 includes a laminar substrate 12 with contains a storage facility 19 that allows an identification of active areas 30 and associated functions provided by the smart card 10. The storage facility 19 is accessed by a set of contact points 18 that are contacted by a corresponding contact area 7 in the controller receptacle 4. The storage facility 19 can be an embedded on-board memory chip.

Alternatively, the storage facility can be replaced with a magnetic strip in conventional maniner. A corresponding controller (not shown) for this embodiment includes a magnetic read head positioned at or adjacent to an entrance to the corresponding control pad receptacle. Another embodiment of the control pad can have storage means in the form of a bar code. The corresponding controller can then include a corresponding bar code reader positioned at or adjacent to an entrance to the control pad receptacle.

On insertion of the control pad 10 into the controller receptacle 4, contact is also made between a contact point 38 and a set of contacts 36. These contacts provide a means for connection of a number of active areas 30 to the controller 1 by way of paths (CFPI653AU DTVO2) I:\ELEC\C ISRA\DT\DTVO2\495320au. DOC -6consisting of conductive ink 34. The number of contact points 38, provided by the controller 1, limits the number of active areas 30 on the control pad. The active areas form a keypad of one or more keys. The control circuitry (not shown) of the controller 1 is adapted to sense which active areas 30 have been touched or activated. In this way, the controller 1 is adapted to access key data indicative of which keys have been selected by a user. The control circuitry (not shown) of the controller 1 is also adapted to retrieve identification data from the storage facility 19 via contact area 7. This identification data identifies the type of card 10, and the function of the associated keys. For example, identification data can identify the card 10 as a video controller card for a particular game o and identify each of the functions associated with the keys on the card. In one particular embodiment, the controller is then able to execute the particular function associated with o° an activated key by using the identification data and key data. Alternatively, the controller transmits the information to a central unit, which then executes the particular function associated with the activated key.

The control pad of Fig. 2A to 2C differs from the control template Fig. 1A and 1B in that the "keys" of the latter are inactive whereas the "keys" of former are active.

However both are based on a rectangular smart card as the basic component. These templates and control pads suffer from the disadvantage that, given a large number of templates or control pads, it may be time consuming to locate the particular template or control pad that is of interest. The present invention is equally applicable to both such control templates and control pads.

Turning now to Figure 3, two different examples of specific shaped control templates as shown in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The first control template 301 is cut into the shape of a car key, and could be used for a letterbox drop. A recipient of the template 301 could then insert the template into a suitable reader, and browse associated advertising material to which the template would be linked upon activation. Navigation through the material would be effected using template controls.

The control template is inserted by a user into a controller 1 (Fig. IA) and upon pressing (CFP1653AU DTV02) I:\ELEC\CISRA\DTV\DTV02\495320au.DOC ~i ~i .ii ci:-li-l.. -7the appropriate "key" remotely accesses a server for information on the car. The second control template 302 is cut into a shape resembling that of a police badge, and includes a set of controls 303 for starting, stopping and pausing a movie referenced by the control template's storage means. It is preferable to include an indication of orientation 304 to assist a user of the control template in correctly orienting and inserting the control template into a controller. Both these control templates meet a minimal shaped control template, such as that shown in Fig. 4.

The preferred embodiments enable the use of a standardized control template or pad whilst at the same time enabling a flexibility in design. Such shaped control 10 templates/pads can allow rapid location of the template/pad from amongst many others through their shape. Preferably, the shape of the template/pad corresponds to the function of the template/pad. For example, a key shaped template/pad can indicate an authentication token.

Turning to now to Fig. 4, there is shown a minimal shaped control template 401 S 15 that is interoperable with a standard controller 1(Fig. 1A or 2A). For reliable insertion and good operation, it is preferable that a shaped template for use with a standard controller has edges corresponding to the points 402, 403, 404 and 405 that occupy the full width and length of the control template. The control template edges 402,403,404 and 405 are coincident with the edges of the standard smart card (85mm x 53.5mm).

ooo..

Fig. 5 shows another shaped control template having a slot 504 for use in association with a modification of the controller 1 (Fig. 1A) fitted with a spring-annrm assembly 503. The shaped control template has a slot 504 which corresponds to the spring-arm assembly 503 of the controller. When the control template is inserted the action of the spring-arm in the slot causes the control template to align correctly. When a standard control template or a shaped control template with no slot is inserted into the controller, the spring-arm assembly is forced downwards, and has no effect on control template orientation.

(CFP1653AU D"V02) I:\ELEC\CISRANDTV\OTV02\495320au.DOC Figure 6 shows another shaped control template and for use in another modification of the controller I (Fig. I The registration of the template and controller is assisted through the use of a keyed template 601, and a correspondingly keyed controller 602. Due to keying of both the control template and controller, the control template can only be inserted in one orientation. Good matching of both keyed sections also assists in alignment of the template. A view of the control template from a position is provided at 603 revealing the profile of the control template and keyed section 604.

The foregoing preferred embodiments described with reference to Figs. 3 to 6 are concerned with control templates. As would be apparent to the person skilled in the art, the principles of the foregoing preferred embodiments could also be applied to control pads such as described with reference to Figs. 2A to 2C. In particular, a control pad such :as described with reference to Figs. 2A can be shaped according to the control template shown in Fig. 4, wherein the set of contacts 36 (Fig. 2A) are located on the control pad at edge 402.

The foregoing only describes a small number of embodiments of the present invention, however, modifications and/or changes can be made thereto without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

In the context of this specification, the word "comprising" means "Including principally but not necessarily solely" or "having", or "including", and not "consisting only of'. Variations of the word comprising, such as "comprise", and "comprises" have corresponding meanings.

(CFP1653AU OTVO2) I:\ELEC\CISRA\DT\DTVQ2\49532Oau.DOC

Claims

1. A control template for use with a controller having a data reader means, and a template receptacle adapted for receiving a rectangular template, the control template comprising: a laminar substrate; control indicia on at least one face of the substrate; and storage means for storing mapping data associated with the control indicia; wherein the control template has a plurality of edges only some of which are 10 coincident with said rectangular template, and wherein upon insertion of the control template into the template receptacle, the data reader means is able to read said storage O means.

2. Control templates according to claim 1, being shaped so as to be easily distinguished from each other.

3. A control template according to claim 1, being shaped in a manner which indicates a function of the template.

4. A control template according to claim 1, comprising at least four edges which form a portion of, and are coincident with, said rectangular template.

A control template according to claim 1, wherein the storage means comprises an embedded on-board memory chip and the control template further comprises contacts for coupling the on-board memory chip and the data reader means. (CFP1653AU DTV02) I:\ELEC\CISRA\DTWDTV02\495320au.DOC

6. A control template according to claim 1, wherein the storage means comprises a magnetic strip and the data reader means comprises a magnetic reader for reading said magnetic strip.

7. A control template according to claim 1, wherein the storage means comprises a bar code and the data reader means comprises a bar code reader for reading said bar code.

8. A control template according to claim 1, wherein the controller further 10 comprises a spring arm assembly and the control template comprises a slot for co- operating with the spring arm assembly, wherein upon insertion of the control template into the receptacle, a spring arm extends into said slot.

9. A control template according to claim 1, wherein the profile of the 15 receptacle and the control template are keyed so that the control template can be inserted into the receptacle in only one orientation. A control pad for use with a controller having a first data reader, a second data reader and a receptacle adapted for receiving a rectangular control pad, the control pad comprising: a laminar substrate; sensing means forming a keypad of one or more keys on at least one face of the laminar substrate; data output means for outputting key data indicative of keys selected by a user; and storage means for storing identification data for identifying functions associated with the keys; (CFP1653AU DTV02) I:\ELEC\CISRA\DTV\DTVO2\495320au.

DOC -11 wherein the control pad has a plurality of edges only some of which are coincident with said rectangular control pad, and wherein upon insertion of the control pad into the receptacle, the first data reader is able to read said storage means and said second data reader is able to read said data output means.

11. Control pads according to claim 10, wherein the control pads are shaped so as to be easily distinguishable from each other.

12. A control pad according to claim 10, wherein the control pad is shaped 10 in a manner which indicates the function of the control pad. 9*

:13. A control pad according to claim 10, wherein the control pad comprises at least four edges, which form a portion of and are coincident with said rectangular control pad.

14. A control pad according to claim 10, wherein the storage means *9 *e comprises an embedded on-board memory chip and the control pad further comprises contacts for coupling the on-board memory chip and the first data reader.

15. A control pad according to claim 10, wherein the storage means comprises a magnetic strip and the first data reader comprises a magnetic reader for reading said magnetic strip.

16. A control pad according to claim 10, wherein the storage means comprises a bar code and the first data reader comprises a bar code reader for reading said bar code. (CFP1653AU DTV02) I:\ELEC\CISRA\DTV\DTV02\495320au.DOC 7n-Bx j 12-

17. A control pad according to claim 10, wherein the controller further comprises a spring arm assembly and the control pad comprises a slot for co-operating with the spring arm assembly, wherein upon insertion of the control pad in a receptacle the spring arm extends into said slot.

18. A control pad according to claim 10, wherein the profile of the receptacle and the control pad are keyed so that the control pad may be inserted into the receptacle in only one orientation. @0 .009 0* 4* 0 OS 0 .554 0 0I@* 4.

19. A control template, substantially as described herein, with reference to any one of the embodiments, as that embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings. A control pad, substantially as described herein, with reference to any one of the embodiments, as that embodiment is shown in the accompanying drawings. DATED this Fifteenth Day of March, 2000 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON FERGUSON (CFP1653AU DTVO2) I:\ELEC\CISRA\DT\ADTV02 495320au.DOC r-e