Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/048—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
  • G06F3/0487—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
  • G06F3/0488—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
  • G06F3/04883—Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
  • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
  • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
  • G06F3/03—Arrangements for converting the position or the displacement of a member into a coded form
  • G06F3/033—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor
  • G06F3/0354—Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user, e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
  • G06F3/03547—Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03J—TUNING RESONANT CIRCUITS; SELECTING RESONANT CIRCUITS
  • H03J1/00—Details of adjusting, driving, indicating, or mechanical control arrangements for resonant circuits in general
  • H03J1/0008—Details of adjusting, driving, indicating, or mechanical control arrangements for resonant circuits in general using a central processing unit, e.g. a microprocessor
  • H03J1/0025—Details of adjusting, driving, indicating, or mechanical control arrangements for resonant circuits in general using a central processing unit, e.g. a microprocessor in a remote control unit
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03J—TUNING RESONANT CIRCUITS; SELECTING RESONANT CIRCUITS
  • H03J9/00—Remote-control of tuned circuits; Combined remote-control of tuning and other functions, e.g. brightness, amplification
  • H03J9/06—Remote-control of tuned circuits; Combined remote-control of tuning and other functions, e.g. brightness, amplification using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. light
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
  • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
  • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
  • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
  • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
  • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
  • H04N21/42224—Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/47—End-user applications
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
  • A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
  • A63F2300/1068—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals being specially adapted to detect the point of contact of the player on a surface, e.g. floor mat, touch pad
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03J—TUNING RESONANT CIRCUITS; SELECTING RESONANT CIRCUITS
  • H03J2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to tuning resonant circuits and selecting resonant circuits
  • H03J2200/25—Remote control device with display
  • H03J2200/26—Remote control device with touch screen display
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
  • H04B1/06—Receivers
  • H04B1/16—Circuits
  • H04B1/20—Circuits for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver
  • H04B1/202—Circuits for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver by remote control

Definitions

• the present invention generally relates to remote controls for controlling home entertainment devices and , more particularly , to a remote control having a touch pad for controlling a home entertainment device.
• HE remote controls are generally despised by human operators for a variety of reasons. There are many reasons why HE remote controls are not liked. HE remote controls are based on a button-centric paradigm and usually contain too many buttons. This crowded geography causes considerable confusion and intimidation and makes it difficult to find the desired button. It is often dark in the room in which HE remote controls are used. This makes it difficult or impossible to read the legends on the crowded button layout.
• Normal home entertainment viewing takes place at a distance of 3 meters or more and the display being viewed is usually quite large such as a TV having a diagonal viewing surface falling between 27" to 72" .
• the legends on HE remote controls are usually twelve point type or smaller. For many operators, changing viewing distance requires changing glasses or putting on reading glasses .
• An enhanced TV is a TV configured for cable video programming, Internet browsing, Internet telephony, video cassette recording, stereo receiving, and the like.
• the operator has to navigate through various menus to use enhanced TV. Using up, down, right, and left arrow keys to navigate these menus is difficult, slow, and frustrating.
• the increasing number of television channels has given rise to the electronic program guide (EPG). Because an EPG is a dense grid of selections, using arrow keys to navigate is even more difficult.
• EPG electronic program guide
• Interactive television requires text entry.
• the current solution, a wireless keyboard is undesirable in a living room because many people cannot type, the keyboard does not fit the decor of the living room, there is no place to set the keyboard down to type on it, and people simply refuse to have computer related material in living rooms.
• typing is associated with work and is not desired to be in a room devoted to entertainment.
• HE home entertainment
• HE remote control having a touch pad operable with a home entertainment device display screen provided with a movable object such that in response to an operator touching the touch pad the movable object is moved to the location of the display screen corresponding to the location of the touch on the touch pad thereby enabling a control function corresponding to the location of the movable object on the display screen for controlling an HE device.
• an HE remote control having a touch pad operable with a display screen provided with a menu listing control functions for an HE device. Still, it is still a further object of the present invention to provide an HE remote control having a touch pad operable with a keyboard provided with alphanumeric keys for controlling an HE device.
• the present invention provides a remote control for controlling a home entertainment device.
• the remote control includes a touch pad having a surface area for an operator to touch for performing a gesture thereon.
• the touch pad generates a signal in response to a gesture performed on the touch pad surface area.
• the signal is indicative of the gesture performed on the touch pad surface area.
• Each gesture performed on the touch pad surface area corresponds to a home entertainment device control function.
• a controller is operable with the touch pad for receiving a signal from the touch pad in response to a gesture performed on the touch pad surface area. In response to receiving a signal from the touch pad the controller controls the home entertainment device to enable the control function corresponding to the gesture performed on the touch pad surface area.
• the present invention provides a remote control for controlling a home entertainment device having a display screen provided with a movable object.
• the remote control includes a touch pad having a surface area for an operator to touch.
• the touch pad is operable with the display screen such that the display screen is mapped to the touch pad surface area.
• the touch pad generates a signal in response to an operator touching the touch pad surface area.
• the signal is indicative of the location of the touch on the touch pad surface area.
• a controller is operable with the touch pad for receiving a signal from the touch pad in response to an operator touching the touch pad surface area. In response to an operator touching the touch pad surface area the controller moves the movable object on the display screen to the location on the display screen corresponding to the location of the touch on the touch pad surface area.
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a remote control for controlling a home entertainment device in accordance with the present invention
• FIG. 2 illustrates a table showing two gesture sets with corresponding home entertainment device control functions
• FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a remote control for controlling a home entertainment device in accordance with the present invention
• FIG. 4 illustrates an electronic program guide displayed on a display screen operable with the remote control for controlling a home entertainment device
• FIG. 5 illustrates a menu listing control functions or menu options for controlling a home entertainment device
• FIG. 6 illustrates a keyboard having alphanumeric keys for controlling a home entertainment device. Best Modes For Carrying Out The Invention
• Remote control 10 includes a touch pad 12, a controller 14, and a display screen 16.
• Touch pad 12 includes a touch pad surface area for an operator to touch. Touch pad 12 generates a signal in response to touching by an operator on the touch pad. The signal is indicative of the location of the touch on the touch pad. The signal may also be indicative of the duration and the pressure of the touch on the touch pad for each location being touched.
• Touch pad 12 is operable with display screen 16 such that the display screen is mapped to the touch pad.
• display screen 16 has a larger area than the area of touch pad 12 and the mapping is scaled as a function of the ratio of the areas.
• Each location on touch pad 12 has a corresponding location on display screen 16.
• Display screen 16 is preferably the display screen used by a home entertainment device such as a television screen. Display screen
• Display screen 16 includes a movable object 18. Display screen 16 may be separated from the home entertainment device and coupled directly to touch pad 12.
• Controller 14 is operable with touch pad 12 for receiving a signal from the touch pad in response to an operator touching the touch pad. Controller 14 moves movable object 18 on display screen 16 to the location on the display screen corresponding to the location of the touch on touch pad 12 in response to an operator touching the touch pad. Controller 12 controls the home entertainment device to enable a control function corresponding to the location of movable object 18 on display screen 16 in response to an operator touching touch pad 12. Controller 14 may be coupled directly or remotely located from touch pad 12. If remotely located, touch pad 12 transmits infrared signals to communicate with controller 14.
• controller 14 moves movable object 12 on display screen 16 to the location on the display screen corresponding to the location of the touch on touch pad 12 independent of the location of the movable object on the display screen prior to the touch on the touch pad.
• touch pad 12 is based on absolute pointing. This means that wherever the operator touches touch pad 12 movable object 18 moves to the corresponding location on display screen 16, regardless of the location of the movable object prior to the touch. That is, the touching movement of the operator on touch pad 12 is mapped absolutely on to display screen 16.
• Traditional pointing devices such as a computer mouse use relative pointing letting the operator move a cursor from one place to another place on a display screen. That is, the movement of the operator is mapped relative to the location from where the operator moved.
• the operator may touch pad 12 to perform a gesture thereon.
• a gesture performed on touch pad 12 is a touch that corresponds to an understood or recognizable pattern.
• the touch pad In response to a gesture performed on touch pad 12, the touch pad generates a gesture signal.
• the gesture signal is indicative of the gesture performed on the touch pad.
• Each gesture performed on touch pad 12 corresponds to a home entertainment device control function.
• Controller 14 is operable with touch pad 12 for receiving a gesture signal from the touch pad in response to an operator performing a gesture on the touch pad.
• controller 14 controls the home entertainment device to enable the control function corresponding to the gesture performed on the touch pad. Referring now to FIG. 2, a table 20 illustrating two sets of gestures 22, 24 is shown.
• Gestures 22,24 correspond to a set of home entertainment device control functions 26.
• the set of home entertainment device control functions 26 are used for controlling a television and a video cassette recorder (VCR).
• VCR video cassette recorder
• a gesture may be a stroke from right to left on touch pad 12 as shown in line 9 of gesture set 22. This gesture corresponds to a control function for playing the VCR.
• Another gesture may be a stroke from left to right on touch pad 12 as shown in line 8 of gesture set 22. This gesture corresponds to a control function for changing the channel on the television to the previous channel.
• a stroke on touch pad 12 constitutes all of the points crossed by an operator's finger or stylus on the touch pad while the finger or stylus is in continuous contact with the touch pad.
• the stroke has an X and Y displacement
• the direction of the displacement is indicated in FIG. 2 by the arrowhead at the end of the stroke.
• a "T” enclosed in a square represents a tap on touch pad 12.
• An “H” enclosed in a square represents a hold on touch pad 12.
• Both the tap and hold do not have X and Y components.
• the tap and hold are differentiated from one another by time.
• a tap is an instantaneous touch on touch pad 12.
• a hold is a non-instantaneous touch on touch pad 12.
• a gesture may be a stroke from the right to the left followed by a hold as shown in line 2 of gesture set 22. This gesture corresponds to a control function for turning up the volume of the television.
• a gesture may be a tap as shown in line 11 of gesture set 22. This gesture corresponds to stopping the VCR.
• a gesture may be a series of taps as shown in line 10 of gesture sets 21, 22. This gesture corresponds to pausing the VCR.
• gestures include one or more strokes.
• Multi-stroke gestures are shown in FIG. 2 in the order the strokes are performed on touch pad 12. Recognition of a gesture by touch pad 12 does not depend on the relative position of successive strokes on the touch pad.
• alternate gesture sets may be used to replace the gesture sets shown or to correspond with different home entertainment device control functions.
• an operator may trace “9” on touch pad 12 to change the television channel to channel “9” .
• the operator may also trace “M” to mute the volume of the television or trace “P” to play the VCR.
• gestures to control home entertainment devices has many advantages.
• the operator has access to commands with no need to look at remote control 10.
• Gestures decrease the number of buttons on remote control 10.
• Remote control 10 can be upgraded simply by adding recognizable gestures.
• Hardware changes are not required meaning that there is no need to add, subtract, or change physical buttons or legends.
• Remote control 30 includes a touch pad surface area 32, a plurality of exposed control buttons 34, and a plurality of embedded control buttons 36.
• Control buttons 34 and 36 are used in conjunction with touch pad 12 and are operable with controller 12 for selecting a control function for controlling a home entertainment device.
• an operator uses touch pad 12 to point or move movable object 18 to an on screen option displayed on display screen 16.
• the operator then uses control buttons 34 and 36 to select the option being pointed at by movable object 18 on display screen 16.
• Remote control 30 is useful for harmonious bimodal operation. In this mode, the operator uses one hand on touch pad 12 to point to an option on display screen 16. The operator uses the other hand to hold remote control 30 and to make a selection by actuating a control button 34, 36.
• Remote control 30 may also be configured for one handed operation. In this mode, control buttons 34, 36 are not needed.
• One handed operation allows the operator to keep one hand free for other purposes. For instance, to hold a drink while watching television.
• To select an option one finger is used on touch pad 12 to point to an option while another finger on the touch pad is used on the touch pad to select the option.
• Another way to select an option is to have one finger on touch pad 12 to point to an option and then lifting that finger from the touch pad to select the option.
• EPG 40 displayed on display screen 16 is shown.
• EPG 40 lists programming choices 42.
• EPG 40 is displayed in a grid form with television channels displayed from top to bottom with program start times from left to right.
• EPG 40 is mapped to touch pad 12.
• touch pad 12 When EPG 40 first appears on display screen 16, the current channel is highlighted.
• touch pad 12 When the operator touches touch pad 12, the directly corresponding program on display screen 16 is highlighted. For example, if the operator touches the center of touch pad 12 then the program nearest the center of display screen
• EPG 40 becomes highlighted. If the operator touches the extreme upper left corner of touch pad 12, the upper most, left most program becomes highlighted.
• the currently highlighted program stays highlighted until the finger reaches an area of the touch pad that corresponds to a different program.
• the different program is then highlighted.
• the operator may use one of the selecting methods described above to select the program or perform a control function. If the operator lifts his finger from touch pad 12 and touches a different area, another directly corresponding area is highlighted.
• a menu 50 listing control functions or menu options for a home entertainment device such as a VCR is shown.
• the VCR control functions or menu options include Play, Stop, Pause, etc.
• Menu 50 is mapped to touch pad 12.
• touch pad 12 When an operator touches touch pad 12, the directly corresponding menu option is highlighted. For example, if the operator touches the center of touch pad 12, the menu option nearest the center of display screen 16 becomes highlighted.
• highlighting and selecting control functions for menu 50 is performed similarly with respect to the highlighting and selecting methods associated with EPG 40.
• touch pad 12 for selecting options in menu 50 is that it is easier and faster to use than arrow keys or mouse/cursor menus; it decreases the button clutter that some button menus suffer from; and it is not necessary to look at the remote control to select an option.
• keyboard 70 having alphanumeric keys for a home entertainment device is shown.
• Keyboard 70 is mapped to touch pad 12.
• touch pad 12 When an operator touches touch pad 12, the directly corresponding keyboard key is highlighted. For example, if the operator touches the center of touch pad 12, the "G" becomes highlighted. If the operator touches the upper left corner of touch pad 12, then "Q" becomes highlighted.
• the first method is based on harmonious bimodal operation. An operator places his finger on touch pad 12 and then slides his finger until the desired key is highlighted. The operator then selects the desired key by pressing a control button 34, 36 without lifting his finger from touch pad 12.
• the second method the operator places his finger onto touch pad 12 as close as possible to the area corresponding to the desired key. The operator then lifts his finger from touch pad 12 to select the desired key.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
• Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
• Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
• Electromagnetism (AREA)
• Details Of Television Systems (AREA)
• Position Input By Displaying (AREA)
• Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=23639198

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (11)

Citations (1)

Family Cites Families (11)

• 2000
  • 2000-09-25 EP EP00982615A patent/EP1222651A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2000-09-25 JP JP2001528970A patent/JP2003511883A/ja active Pending
  • 2000-09-25 WO PCT/US2000/040984 patent/WO2001026090A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Patent Citations (1)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events