Patent Application
20090241052
Remote controllers for video and audio devices and home appliances are very popular. Remote controllers typically use a using key pad for input. With newly developed touch technologies, input may be entered through a touch pad with a sliding or circular input. However, end users still need to control the device with the user's fingers. Moreover, having a dedicated remote controller for each controlled device is not desirable when there are a plurality of controlled devices. Consequently, a remote controller often controls a plurality of devices.
There is a real market need to facilitate controlling a plurality of controlled devices through a remote controller by a user.
The present invention provides methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for remotely controlling a plurality of controlled devices. With three dimensional accelerometer components, detection of a user action on a remote controller and the orientation of the remote controller are viable through small electronic devices. Aspects of the invention are based on the three dimensional accelerometer components to design a remote controller that can detect the action of the user, e.g., flipping up, down, or rotating the remote controller. Based on the user action, the remote controller transmits a signal to the controlled device which conveys the corresponding command. Targeted controlled devices include, but are not limit to, window blinds, window shades, projector screens, lighting fixtures, fans, air-conditioning systems, audio and video equipment.
With another aspect of the invention, a remote controller senses motion on the remote controller through an accelerometer. Accelerometer information is processed to determine the orientation of the remote controller in order to control a selected controlled device from a plurality of controlled devices. Also, user actions on the remote controller are determined from the accelerometer information. A user action is converted to a command, and a signal is transmitted to the selected device that conveys the command.
With another aspect of the invention, a user action is matched to a plurality of predetermined actions. The matched action is mapped to the corresponding command.
With another aspect of the invention, a selected controlled device is matched to the remote controller. The selected controlled device may be matched through preprogramming or by a user pressing a match key on the controlled device.
With another aspect of the invention, a remote controller and controlled device support a learning mode. The controlled device sends the remote controller a list of supported commands. The remote controller than matches an associated action with each command in the command list.
With another aspect of the invention, when a remote controller is essentially stationary, the remote controller enters a standby mode in order to reduce power consumption.
The foregoing summary of the invention, as well as the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, is better understood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are included by way of example, and not by way of limitation with regard to the claimed invention.
With three dimensional accelerometer components, detection of action and orientation are viable through small electronic devices. Aspects of the invention are based on the three dimensional accelerometer components to provide a remote control that can detect the action of the user, e.g., flipping up, down, or rotating the remote controller. Based on the user action, the remote controller transmits a signal to the controlled device to convey the corresponding command. Controlled devices include, but are not limited to, window blinds, window shades, projector screens, lighting fixtures, fans, air-conditioning systems, and audio and video (A/V) equipment.
With an embodiment of the invention, remote controller 101 sends signals to controlled devices 103-107 over communications channels 151-153, respectively. As shown in the exemplary embodiment in
Remote controller 101 recognizes an action from the end user that is applied to the remote controller. Exemplary actions that can be detected from accelerometer 203 include:
The user action is mapped to a predefined action, which corresponds to a command. For example, remote controller 101 may command a television to change to the next channel when moved with an up swing with a return movement.
Referring to
An output signal from remote controller 101 can match a command with a user action recognized for different devices. For example, when controlling the light level of electric lamp, the user swings remote controller 101 up or up with return. The action matches with the light level up command. The light level of the lamp consequently will increase. The level can also be proportional to the acceleration of the swing movement by the user. The faster the acceleration, the brighter will be the level. When the user swings remote controller 101 down or down with return, the light level dims according to the acceleration detected.
The user can swing remote controller 101 upward or up with a return movement in order to move the window blinds upward. Remote controller 101 consequently sends a signal to the window blinds with a contained command to move the blinds upward. In order to stop the upward action, the user can impose a clockwise or anti-clockwise circular motion on remote controller 101.
Transceiver 205 may operate at different frequencies, corresponding to radio frequency, infrared, and visible light. Transceiver 205 typically comprises a transmitter portion and a receiver portion that operate from a common frequency source so that the transmit frequency and the receive frequency are related by a constant frequency offset. If only one-way communication is supported, transceiver 205 may be replaced with a transmitter without a corresponding receiver.
Processor 201 may utilize display 207 to indicate the selected controlled device being controlled for the corresponding orientation of remote controller 101. For example, in the vertical position, remote controller 101 may control a fan, while in the vertical position remote controller 101 may control a lighting system.
When remote controller 101 is resting at a predefined orientation, e.g., horizontal or vertical, remote controller 101 enters the standby or sleep mode to reduce battery consumption. Based on the application and the characteristics of a typical user, one can experimentally determine an acceleration threshold below which remote controller 101 is considered essentially stationary. Also, when remote controller 101 is positioned at a certain orientation for long time, remote controller 101 may enter into the standby or sleep mode.
Referring to
Another approach is to use two-way transceiver for both remote controller 101 and controlled devices 103-107. An input key at a controlled device can be used as a matching key. When the matching key of a selected controlled device is pressed by the user, remote controller 101 can be moved to the corresponding orientation and swing with a predefined pattern, e.g., Up→Down→Up→Down→Up for confirming with the device.
The selected controlled device can have at least one key as the “Matching” key to match the orientation of the remote to the device. With other embodiments, an additional “Learning” key is needed to enter both the selected controlled device and remote controller 101 into the learning mode. In the learning mode, remote controller 101 receives the command list from the selected controller device. The user is consequently instructed to perform appropriate actions for learning.
When remote controller 101 receives the command from the selected controlled device with a list of commands for learning corresponding actions, remote controller 101 enters into the action learning mode. The corresponding command may be displayed either on a light emitting diode (LED) indicator or a liquid crystal display (LCD). The end user can teach remote controller 101 different actions in order to control the selected controlled device.
When processor 301 determines the user action imposed on remote controller 101, processor 301 then converts the user action into a command and inserts the command in the signal sent to the controlled device through transceiver 305. Transceiver 305 includes both transmitter 307 and receiver 309. However, if only one-way communication is supported, transceiver 305 may be replaced with transmitter 307.
Once processor 401 determines the command from the received signal, processor 401 instructs the controlled device to execute the command through control interface 413. For example, processor 401 may instruct a lighting fixture to increase the level of intensity by increasing the duty cycle of the provided power signal to a light.
The controlled device may also include input device 403 to provide a key input when matching the controlled device to remote controller 101 or to support the learning mode.
Processor 401 processes the signal from transceiver 405 in accordance with computer-executable instructions from memory 411. Memory 411 may include different forms of computer-readable media that can be accessed by processor 401.
Computer-readable media may comprise storage media and communication media.
Storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, object code, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media include any information delivery media and typically embody data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism.
A corresponding indicator (e.g., LED display or LCD 207 as shown in
Referring to
As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, a computer system with an associated computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling the computer system can be utilized to implement the exemplary embodiments that are disclosed herein. The computer system may include at least one computer such as a microprocessor, digital signal processor, and associated peripheral electronic circuitry.
Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
