Patent Application
20110267277
1. Technical Field
The present invention is directed toward the field of small, hand-held electronic devices such as remote controls and the like.
2. Background Art
Home automation systems and sophisticated home theaters are increasingly common features in households. Homeowners now have the ability to remotely control and monitor most aspects of their home environment including audio-visual equipment, lighting, HVAC equipment and security systems. As such, remote controls have become an integral part of any home theater or home automation system. Increasingly, users demand a simple and convenient method to remotely input control commands to the various controlled devices in their home. There is now a desire for a more capable and convenient remote control.
Universal remote controls are known in the prior art.
Recent prior art programmable remote controls have incorporated touch screens to overcome this limitation. Touch screens incorporate both a graphic interface and a physical interface in a display and provide additional flexibility and adaptability. The graphic interface of menu options displayed on a touchscreen can be laid out and programmed without regard to the location or number of any physical buttons.
Another recent advance is touch screens with multi-touch control. Multi-touch control capable touch screens recognize predefined sequences of simultaneous or successive finger gestures as corresponding to a single input or function.
There are significant disadvantages associated with equipping remote controls solely with a touch screen. In many remote control applications, touch screens are awkward and uncomfortable to use. Touch screen use for more than a few minutes adds significant stress to a user's fingers and can cause repetitive stress injuries (RSI). Despite these drawbacks there is a definite trend toward equipping remote controls solely with touch screens. Accordingly, there is a need for a remote control with the graphic interface flexibility of a touch screen and the ergonomic benefits of physical control buttons.
In addition, although users desire a remote control with a large display, touch screens limit the display size of devices as touch screens require a free hand for inputting. Remote controls with large touch screens, as in tablet remote controls, are difficult to hold with one hand and must be placed down to operate. Users have a natural inclination to grasp tablet devices with each hand in an open precision grip with the user's thumb finger above the top side of the tablet and the remaining four digit fingers on the bottom side supporting the tablet. Accordingly, there is a need for a tablet remote that may be easily operated while being held naturally by a user.
Users also desire a more convenient and capable graphic interface for remote controls. Those skilled in the art will recognize that prior art programmable remote controls organize the menu options of graphic interfaces as a multi-tier hierarchical menu, also called a tree menu. By separating menu options into discrete tiers, multi-tier hierarchical menus limit the number of menu options shown on the display at one time and provide the user a logical path of successive menu options to reach a desired control function.
However, there are significant disadvantages associated with multi-tier hierarchical menus. Multi-tier hierarchical menus require that the user make numerous inputs to reach his required control function. For example, channel up is an essential and commonly used control function of television remote controls. Because prior art television remote controls and universal remote controls include dedicated buttons that are immediately accessible, channel surfing with prior art television remote controls or universal remote controls is a passive experience, which users prefer.
Conversely, a user operating a prior art programmable remote control with a multi-tier hierarchical menu must select multiple menu options to reach the channel up control function. This is not a passive experience. To compound the problem, a user may only progress linearly up or down within a multi-tier hierarchical menu. Accordingly, there is a need for a remote control that utilizes a graphic interface that is easily navigable.
Taking into account these and other issues, there is a need for a remote control with the graphic interface flexibility of a touch screen and the ergonomic benefits of physical control buttons. There is also a need for a tablet remote that may be easily operated while being held naturally by a user. Finally, there is a need for a remote control that utilizes a graphic interface that is easily navigable.
It is to be understood that both the general and detailed descriptions that follow are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention.
Accordingly, a need exists for a remote control controlled with the thumbs and operable without being placed down. The embodiments of the present invention provide these advantages and others not specifically mentioned above but described in the sections to follow.
According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a remote control unit, all the functions of which, are operable by both a first thumb and a second thumb of a user. The remote control comprises a top surface, a first control button, a second control button, a display screen, and a bottom surface. The top surface comprises a first edge and a second edge diametrically opposite the first edge. The first control button is positioned on the top surface of the remote control proximate to the first edge and is accessible to and actuatable by only the first thumb. The second control button is positioned on the top surface of the remote control proximate to the second edge and is simultaneously accessible to and actuatable by only the second thumb. The display screen is positioned on the top surface of the remote control between the first control button and second control button. The bottom surface is supported in space by one or more finger digits forming a first open precision grip with the first thumb and by one or more second finger digits forming an open precision grip with the second thumb, such that the first open precision grip is diametrically opposite the second open precision grip.
According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a remote control unit, all the functions of which, are operable by both a first thumb and a second thumb of a user. The remote control comprises a top surface, a first control button, a second control button, a display screen, and a bottom surface. The top surface comprises a first edge and a second edge diametrically opposite the first edge. The first control button is positioned on the top surface of the remote control proximate to the first edge and is accessible to and actuatable by only the first thumb. The second control button is positioned on the top surface of the remote control proximate to the second edge and is simultaneously accessible to and actuatable by only the second thumb. The display screen is positioned on the top surface of the remote control between the first control button and second control button and is configured for displaying a plurality of menu options organized into a gross level and a refined level. The gross level comprises a plurality of gross menu options and the refined level comprises a plurality of control menu options. The bottom surface is supported in space by one or more finger digits forming a first open precision grip with the first thumb and by one or more second finger digits forming an open precision grip with the second thumb, such that the first open precision grip is diametrically opposite the second open precision grip.
According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a method for operating a remote control comprising a first control button, a second control button and a display disposed between the first control button and second control button. The display is configured for displaying a plurality of menu options organized into gross level comprising a plurality of gross menu options and a refined level comprising a plurality of device groups. Each of the plurality of device groups comprises a plurality of control menu options. The method comprises the steps of: displaying the plurality of gross menu options on the display screen; navigating to one of the plurality of gross menu options by inputting one or more directional inputs to the first control button with a first thumb; selecting the one of the plurality of gross menu options by inputting a selection input to the first control button with the first thumb; displaying one of the plurality of device groups corresponding the one of the plurality of gross menu options on the display screen; navigating to one of the plurality of control menu options of the one of the plurality of device groups by inputting one or more directional inputs to the first control button with the first thumb; and selecting the one of the plurality of control menu options by inputting a selection input to the first control button with the first thumb.
The accompanying figures further illustrate the present invention.
The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
The following is a list of the major elements in the drawings in numerical order.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.
The present invention involves a thumb-operated remote control and related methods of use. The remote control accepts user inputs and is capable of transmitting control commands to a plurality of controllable devices, such as audio and video components, lighting controls, and HVAC controls, and receiving feedback from controllable devices. The means for communicating with controllable devices is beyond the scope of this invention. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the remote control may utilize many communication methods known in the prior art to transmit control commands either directly to the controllable device or indirectly through an intermediate device. For example, the remote control may transmit control commands as infrared (IR) or wireless radio frequency (RF) signals.
Referring now to the drawings,
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the first control button 31 and second control button 32 are optical finger navigation (OFN) buttons, such as those offered by Avago Technologies. OFN buttons are known in the prior art and operate by using an infrared (IR) beam to track the motion of a finger across a top surface of the button. A finger gesture across the top surface of the OFN button inputs a directional input. A finger tap on the top surface of the OFN button inputs a selection input. OFN buttons have additional capabilities that are beneficial to the remote control 30 such as the capability to recognize various multi-touch gestures and to read fingerprint sequences. Although the first control button 31 and second control button 32 are preferably OFN buttons, those skilled in the art will recognize that any control button or combination of control buttons that are capable of providing a physical interface for a user to navigate and select within a graphic interface are suitable for use with the remote control 30.
The display screen 33 is configured for displaying the graphic interface of the remote control 30. Advantageously, as the remote control 30 is a tablet, the area of the display screen 33 is large in relation to the overall surface area of the remote control 30. The relative area of the display screen 33 is particularly useful for displaying menu options organized in a two-tier structure as will be discussed later in this section.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the display screen 33 is a touch screen. Although all functions of the remote control 30 are capable of being operated exclusively with the first control button 31 and second control button 32, the touch screen provides a secondary means for accepting user inputs. The touch screen may employ capacitive, resistive, acoustic, or optical touch sensors or any other suitable method for sensing touch. Although the display screen 33 in the preferred embodiment is a touch screen, those skilled in the art will recognize that the touch sensing aspect of the display screen 33 is a secondary consideration and any display screen capable of displaying a graphic interface can be used in alternative embodiments of the invention.
In one embodiment of the invention the first control button 31, second control button 32, and display screen 33 are situated on a top surface 34 of the remote control 30. The first control button is disposed proximate to a first edge 36 of the remote control 30. The second control button 32 is disposed proximate to a second edge 37 of the remote control 30 diametrically opposite to the first edge 36. The display screen 33 is positioned in the between the first control button and second control button 32. With this advantageous positioning of the first control button 31 and second control button 32, the user can comfortably and effectively operate the remote control 30 while holding the remote control with both hands.
The first control button 31 is actuatable exclusively by the first thumb 53 and the second button 32 is actuatable exclusively by the second thumb 57. The first control button 31 and the second control button 32 are capable of being actuated simultaneously by the user while holding the remote control 30 in space. By positioning the first control button 31 and second control button 32 under the first thumb 53 and the second thumb 57, the remote control 30 is operable without needing to be placed down on a surface, such as a table or a knee, by the user.
Users have a natural inclination to grasp tablet shaped objects with open precision grips as shown in
Additionally, due of the placement of the first control button 31 and second control button 32, the remote control 30 can take advantage of the increased functionality of the first thumb 53 and second thumb 57 as opposed to the first digit fingers 54 and second digit fingers 58. Thumb joints provide an increased range of motion compared to digit joints, and therefore are capable of performing wider variety of finger gestures. In one embodiment of the invention, the remote control 30 is programmed to recognize predefined sequences of finger gestures as a single predefined input or control command. The predefined sequence of finger gestures may comprise one or more finger gestures on a single control button, such as two consecutive circular motions on the first control button. The predefined sequence can also comprise simultaneous finger gestures on both the first control button 31 and second control button 32. For example, simultaneous up finger gestures on both the first control button 31 and the second control button 32 with the first thumb 53 and the second thumb 57, respectively, may correspond to a channel up control function of the remote control 30. By utilizing multi-touch capabilities, the remote control 30 provides quick access to commonly used control functions and provides the passive control experience that users prefer.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that additional functions and devices may be integrated into the remote control 30. As stated above, OFN buttons have the capability to read fingerprint patterns. In one embodiment of the invention, this capability is integrated into the remote control 30 to distinguish between users for security and customization purposes. The remote control 30 may also be equipped with a digital camera for taking pictures or speakers to aid hearing impaired users.
Thus far the remote control 30 has been explained in terms of its physical layout and orientation in the hands of a user. The remainder of this section describes the graphic interface of the remote control 30 and methods of using the remote control 30.
The display screen 33 is configured to display a graphic interface comprising selectable menu options. The organization of menu options of the graphic interface is adapted to take advantage of the physical orientation of the remote control 30 and is one feature that aids the remote control 30 in being effectively and comfortably controlled with a user's thumbs.
The refined level 62 comprises control menu options 631 corresponding to control functions of the remote control 30. Control menu options 631 are grouped into device groups 621 and each gross menu option 611 of the gross level 61 is refined into a device group 621 of control menu options 631. Continuing with the above example, the TV1 gross menu option 611a is refined into a TV1 device group 621a of control menu options 631 for controlling “TV1”. The THERMO gross menu option 611b is refined into a THERMO device group 621b for controlling “THERMO”.
Device groups 621 are represented in
Device groups 621 are organized in relation to each other exactly as the device group's 621 associated gross menu options 611 are organized in relation to each other. For example, the TV1 gross menu option 611a is to the left and adjacent to the THERMO gross menu option 611b on the gross level 61 and the TV1 device group 621a of control menu options 631 is to the left and adjacent to the THERMO device group 621b on the refined level 62.
Refer to
The user navigates between the gross menu options 611 of the gross level 61 by inputting directional inputs to a first control button. The user can navigate horizontally, vertically or diagonally among the gross menu options 611. Once the user has navigated to the desired gross menu option 611 he selects the gross menu option 611 by inputting a selection input to the first control button 31. In embodiments of the remote control 30 in which the first control button 31 and second control button 32 are OFN buttons, the user gestures across the first control button 31 in the desired direction to navigate between gross menu options 611 and taps the first control button 31 to select a desired gross menu option 611.
Once the desired gross menu option 611 is selected, the display screen 33 is configured to display the refined level 62 of the two-tier menu structure 60. Unlike the gross level 61, the display screen 33 does not display the entire refined level 62 but only the device group 621 corresponding to the selected gross menu option 611. For example, once the TV1 gross menu option 611a is selected, the display screen 33 will display the TV1 device group 621a.
Just as with the gross level 61, the user navigates between the control menu options 631 of the refined level 62 by inputting directional inputs to the first control button 31 and selects control menu options 631 by inputting a selection input to the first control button 31. In embodiments of the remote control 30 in which the first control button 31 and second control button 32 are OFN buttons, the user gestures across the first control button 31 in the desired direction to navigate between control menu options 631 and taps the first control button 31 to select a desired control menu option 631.
In further embodiments of the invention in which the OFN buttons are multi-touch capable, the user can input predefined sequences of inputs to both the first control button 31 and second control button 32 to quickly select control menu options 631. For example, while the remote control 30 is displaying the TV1 device group 621a, the user can simultaneously gesture both the first thumb up the first control button 31 and the second thumb up the second control button 32 to raise the volume of “TV1”.
In one embodiment of the invention, additional control menu options 631 for “TV1” are grouped in a separate device group 621 and correspond to a separate gross menu option 611. For example, control menu options 631 for adjusting the display of “TV1” are grouped in another device group 621, a TV1-Display device group, and accessed through another gross menu option 611, a TV1-Display gross menu option. However, in alternative embodiments of the remote control 30 all control menu options 631 for “TV1” are grouped in a single scrollable TV1 device group 621a. In another alternative embodiment of the remote control 30, the TV1 device group 621a may include control menu options 631 for commonly used functions such as power, channel controls and volume controls and a sub-level of the refined level 62 accessed through an option on the device group 621 includes less commonly used functions such as display settings.
Continue to refer to
In embodiments of the remote control 30 in which the first control button 31 and second control button 32 are OFN buttons, the user navigates to an adjacent device group 621 of control menu options 631 by gesturing a finger in that direction. As the user becomes more familiar with the organization of device groups 621 within the refined level 62, he can quickly access the desired device group 621 and corresponding control menu options 631.
Refer to
In embodiment of the remote control 30, the device groups 621 of the refined level 62 are displayed in a format that is intuitive to the user. Control menu options 631 from one device group 621 that are similar to control menu options 631 of other device groups 621 are displayed in like positions in each device group 621. For example, the channel directional control menu options 631b and the temperature directional control menu options 631g are located in similar locations on the TV1 device group 621a and the THERMO device group 621b. This applies for power control menu option 631a and power control menu option 631f, as well as channel numerical control menu options 631c and temperature numerical control menu options 631h.
Additionally, in embodiments of the remote control 30, control menu options 631 are displayed as graphic representations of their physical analogues. For example, the control menu options 631 of the THERMO device group 621b are graphically displayed on the remote control as they physically appear as buttons and displays on the “THERMO” thermostat. The current temperature setting is displayed and positioned within the device group 621 on the remote control as a current temperature display screen is displayed and positioned on the “THERMO” thermostat.
Flowchart 100 and flowchart 110 include processes of the present invention which, in one embodiment, are carried out by a processor and electrical components under the control of computer readable and computer executable instructions. The computer readable and computer executable instructions may reside, for example, in data storage features such as computer usable memory or in any other type of computer readable medium. Although specific steps are disclosed in flowchart 100 and flowchart 110, such steps are exemplary. That is, the present invention is well suited to performing various other steps or variations of the steps recited in
Refer to
Advantageously, the entire method outlined in
Refer to
Advantageously, the entire method outlined in
In summary, embodiments of the present invention provide a remote control with a two-tier menu structure operated with the thumbs and methods of using such device.
To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention is a unique tablet remote control displaying a two-tier menu structure and which can be operated by user with only a first thumb and a second thumb while holding the remote control in space.
The following is a list of the acronyms used in the specification in alphabetical order.
HVAC heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
IR infrared
OFN optical finger navigation
RF radio frequency
RSI repetitive strain injury
Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spirit or the scope of the invention. For example, in alternative embodiments the first control button and the second control button may be joysticks.
