Remote Controller Having Concentric Cursor Control Islands

Abstract

A remote control select button 101 for use with consumer electronics and computer devices having a housing 102 for electronic circuitry for controlling remote electronic devices.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the below referenced accompanying Drawing(s). Reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the Drawing(s).

FIG. 1 is a front view of the remote control device incorporating joystick select button.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the remote control device incorporating joystick select button.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the remote control device incorporating joystick select button.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the remote control device incorporating joystick select button.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the computer keyboard device incorporating joystick select button.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the computer keyboard device illustrating an additional embodiment of the housing.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the computer keyboard device illustrating the additional embodiment of the housing as set out in FIG. 6.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a front view of the remote control device incorporating joystick select button. In this view, joystick button 101 can be seen in conjunction with stadium keypad 107 encased by housing 102 which also frames display 109. Joystick button 101 operates both as a joystick with 360 degree motion directed towards the plane of the keypad, joystick button 101 also functions as a button when sufficient force is directed downwards on the surface of joystick button 101. While joystick button 101 is depicted in housing 102, alternate foreseen embodiments incorporate joystick button 101 in computer keyboard devices either in conjunction with stadium keypad 107 or alone. When joystick button 101 is bent towards the keypad plane, corresponding remote control functionality is displayed on display 109. When the appropriate functionality is highlighted on display 109, the desired functionality can then be activated by downward depression of joystick button 101. For physically impaired users, cooperation can be undertaken between joystick button 101 and the functions depicted on stadium keypad 107.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the remote control device incorporating joystick select button. Housing 102 covers internal electronics (not shown) for remote device operation and contains an indentation 105 for the index finger of the user to increase user comfort and device ergonomics.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of the remote control device incorporating joystick select button. Housing 102 for button 101 and keyboard stadium 107 additionally contains an indentation 105 for the index finger of the user to increase user comfort and device ergonomics.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the remote control device incorporating joystick select button. In this view, joystick button 101 can be seen in conjunction with stadium keypad 107 encased by housing 102 which also frames display 109. To facilitate user ergonomics, housing 102 is contoured on the sides with upper hand contour 111 and lower hand contour 117.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the computer keyboard device 209 incorporating joystick select button 201 and keypad stadium 207.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a back view and left view of the remote control device illustrating an additional embodiment of the housing 120. Housing 120 is depicted as having the same functionality as housing 102, see FIG. 1, along with containing a second indentation 122 for a finger of the user to further increase user comfort and device ergonomics.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention applies industrially to consumer electronics, particularly to the control of consumer electronics devices. More particularly, the present invention applies industrially to consumer electronics universal remote control devices and computer keyboards.

Claims

1. A joystick selector button device for use with consumer electronics remote control devices comprising: a housing for electronic circuitry to control said joystick selector button;electronic circuitry to control said joystick selector button; andat least one joystick selector button attached to said housing and said circuitry.

2. A joystick selector button for use with consumer electronics devices as in claim 1, wherein said joystick selector button returns position information when being bent in the direction of the housing surface plane.

3. A joystick selector button for use with consumer electronics devices as in claim 1, additionally comprising an on/off pressure switch activated by downwardly directed force upon said joystick selector button.

4. A remote control physical interface for use with consumer electronics devices comprising: a housing for electronic circuitry to control said joystick selector button;electronic circuitry to control said joystick selector button;at least one joystick selector button; anda plurality of keys surrounding said joystick selector button in a ‘keypad stadium’ configuration attached to said housing and said circuitry.

5. A remote control physical interface for use with consumer electronics devices as in claim 4, wherein said plurality of keys surrounding said joystick selector button in a ‘keypad stadium’ configuration additionally comprise Braille characters corresponding to functions attributed to said keys.

6. A remote control physical interface for use with consumer electronics devices as in claim 4, wherein said plurality of keys surrounding said joystick selector button in a ‘keypad stadium’ configuration cooperatively interoperate with said joystick selector button to undertake the functionality depicted on said respective keypad stadium key with a single joystick selector button key press when angled in the direction of the respective keypad stadium key.

7. An improved remote control interface of claim 6, wherein said plurality of keys surrounding said joystick selector button in a ‘keypad stadium’ configuration incorporate media playback control characters corresponding to functions attributed to said keys.

8. An improved remote control interface of claim 7, wherein said plurality of keys surrounding said joystick selector button in a ‘keypad stadium’ configuration and said joystick selector button are physically configured to be controlled by single thumb operation.

9. An improved remote control interface of claim 7, wherein said media playback control functions are selected from the group consisting of play, fast-forward, pause, stop and record.

10. An improved remote control interface of claim 9, wherein said joystick selector button controls one or more digital video recorder devices.

11. An improved computer keyboard physical interface, the improvement comprising: a housing for electronic circuitry to control said joystick selector button;electronic circuitry to control said joystick selector button; andat least one joystick selector button.

12. An improved computer keyboard physical interface of claim 11, the improvement additionally comprising a plurality of keys surrounding said joystick selector button in a ‘keypad stadium’ configuration attached to said housing and said circuitry.

13. An improved computer keyboard physical interface of claim 12, wherein said plurality of keys surrounding said joystick selector button in a ‘keypad stadium’ configuration incorporate media playback control characters corresponding to functions attributed to said keys.

14. An improved computer keyboard physical interface of claim 13, wherein said media playback control functions are selected from the group consisting of play, fast-forward, pause, stop and record.

15. An improved computer keyboard physical interface of claim 11, wherein said plurality of keys surrounding said joystick selector button in a ‘keypad stadium’ configuration incorporate Braille characters corresponding to functions attributed to said keys.