1. Field
This disclosure generally relates to the field of remote control configurations. More particularly, the disclosure relates to user interfaces for remote control configurations.
2. General Background
The operation of multiple devices often requires multiple remote controls. For example, different remote controls may be needed to operate a television and a DVD player. The button arrangements on the different remote controls are often different. Accordingly, users typically find that trying to operate various remote controls for different devices is quite cumbersome.
Some configurations allow for the same remote control to be used to operate different devices through modal operations. The user has to select a particular mode to operate a particular device. Such configurations require the user to switch modes based upon the particular device being used. If the user does not switch to a correct mode, that user may press an incorrect button that appears to be correct. For instance, a play button may provide play functionality in a first mode rather than a second mode. The user has to remember which buttons are associated with particular functionality in different modes. Accordingly, configurations that use a single remote control device to operate multiple devices are often too cumbersome for users.
Therefore, current remote control devices do not provide adequate ease of use for the operation of multiple devices. A remote control device that provides an adaptable user interface that adapts to a particular device being used is needed. Further, a remote control device that provides a uniform user interface and has adaptable communications protocols is needed.
A process and apparatus provide an adaptable user interface. The process and apparatus capture an image of a device. Further, the process and apparatus identify a device identifier of the device based upon the image. In addition, the process and apparatus retrieve a control interface based upon the device identifier. The control interface includes a plurality of buttons that control operation of the device. The process and apparatus display the control interface at a control device that is distinct from the device.
Further, a process and apparatus provide a uniform user interface and have adaptable communications protocols. The process and apparatus display a uniform control interface at a control device for operation with a plurality of devices. The control interface includes a plurality of buttons that controls operation of the plurality of devices. Further, the process and apparatus capture an image of a device. In addition, the process and apparatus identify a device identifier of the device based upon the image. The process and apparatus also retrieve a communications protocol based upon the device identifier.
In addition, a process that provides a uniform user interface that is customizable and has adaptable communications protocols is provided. The process displays a uniform control interface at a control device for operation with a plurality of devices. The control interface includes a plurality of buttons that controls operation of the plurality of devices. Further, the process captures an image of a device. In addition, the process identifies a device identifier of the device based upon the image. The process also retrieves a communications protocol based upon the device identifier. Further, the process retrieves a customized control interface based upon the device identifier. In addition, the process customizes the uniform control interface according to the customized control interface. The process also displays the customized control interface.
The above-mentioned features of the present disclosure will become more apparent with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and in which:
An augmented reality context sensitive control system provides for control of a plurality of electronic devices. The augmented reality context sensitive control system allows a user to use a control device to control the plurality of electronic devices with ease of use by changing a control interface depending upon the particular device that is intended to be operated by the user with the control interface.
Alternatively, the augmented reality context sensitive control system uses the same control interface to control the plurality of electronic devices. The augmented reality context sensitive control system changes the particular communication protocols used between the control device and the device that is operated based upon the particular device being operated. Accordingly, the same buttons may be used to perform the same or similar functionality on different devices.
In one implementation, a user that wants to use the control device 102 to control the multiple devices 106 obtains different control interfaces for each device 106 through the context sensitive control system 100. The image capture device 104 captures image data for each of the plurality of devices 106. The control device 102 or a device in operable communication with the control device 102 uses object recognition code to identify the object in the captured image. The corresponding control interface for each device 106 is then retrieved. A user then selects the interface for a corresponding device 106 to control operation of that device 106. The user may store the retrieved interfaces on the control device 102 for subsequent operation of the devices 106.
For instance, a user with a control device 102 obtains control interfaces for new devices 106, devices 106 that are temporarily used in a location to which the user is not accustomed, etc. The user may use a mobile computing device such as a table device at different locations to obtain control interfaces for different devices 106 present at those locations. Therefore, the user can quickly obtain and use control interfaces for controlling devices 106.
In another implementation, a user that wants to use the control device 102 to control the multiple devices 106 obtains different communication protocols for each device 106 through the context sensitive control system 100. Rather than using different control interfaces for different devices 106, the user uses the same control interface to control each of the plurality of devices 106. For instance, the same control interface has a play button that is used to provide a play command to both the television 108 and the DVD player 110. Although the control interface appears to have the same play button, the control device 102 uses different communication protocols to communicate the play command to the television 108 and the DVD player 110. Therefore, the control device 102 captures images of the devices 106 so that the object recognition software identifies the devices 106 for the determination of corresponding communication protocols.
In one implementation, the user uses the control device 102 to obtain different control interfaces for different devices 106 and then operate those different devices with the different control interfaces on the control device 102. In another implementation, the user uses the control device 102 to obtain different communication protocols for different devices 106 and then operate those different devices with the same control interface on the control device 102 based upon the different communication protocols.
In one implementation, the display 202 is used to display captured images of devices 106 and the control interfaces. In another implementation, different displays are used to display captures images of the devices 106 and the control interfaces. Although an image of the television 108 is illustrated as being captured and displayed in the display 202, the image of the television 108 may be captured without display in the display 202.
In one implementation, the processor 302 sends the device identifier to an interface database 308 that is stored on the data storage device 304. The interface database 308 stores interfaces corresponding to various device identifiers. The processor 302 obtains a particular interface from the interface database 308 that corresponds to the device 106 for which an image has been captured. The processor 302 then sends the retrieved interface to the display device 312 so that the display device 312 renders the interface on the display 202 illustrated in
In another implementation, the processor 302 sends the device identifier to a protocols database 310 that is stored on the data storage device 304. The protocols database 310 stores protocols corresponding to various device identifiers. The processor 302 obtains a particular protocol from the protocols database 310 that corresponds to the device 106 for which an image has been captured. The processor 302 then sends the retrieved protocol to the display device 312 so that the display device 312 renders the interface on the display 202 illustrated in
In another implementation, both interface customization and communication protocol customization are used to provide a customized interface to the user.
The processes described herein may be implemented in a general, multi-purpose or special purpose processor. Such a processor will execute instructions, either at the assembly, compiled or machine-level, to perform the processes. Those instructions can be written by one of ordinary skill in the art following the description herein and stored or transmitted on a computer readable medium. The instructions may also be created using source code or a computer-aided design tool. A computer readable medium may be any medium capable of carrying those instructions and include a CD-ROM, DVD, magnetic or other optical disc, tape, silicon memory (e.g., removable, non-removable, volatile or non-volatile), packetized or non-packetized data through wireline or wireless transmissions locally or remotely through a network. A computer is herein intended to include any device that has a general, multi-purpose or single purpose processor as described above. For example, a computer may be a personal computer (“PC”), laptop, smartphone, tablet device, set top box, or the like.
It is understood that the apparatuses, systems, computer program products, and processes described herein may also be applied in other types of apparatuses, systems, computer program products, and processes. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various adaptations and modifications of the aspects of the apparatuses, systems, computer program products, and processes described herein may be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the present apparatuses, systems, computer program products, and processes. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the present apparatuses, systems, computer program products, and processes may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.