Remote controlled video display GUI using 2-directional pointing

• US 20040090423A1
• Filed: 08/22/2003
• Published: 05/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Bisset, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US10/646,149
• Publication Number:
  US 20040090423A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/32 Remote control based on movements, attitude of remote control device

Abstract

A display system in which a video display is controlled via a pointing device. The pointing device is used to indicate motion in two different directions. The video controller will display a menu on the video display when the pointing device is used. Movement in a first direction selects menu items, while movement in a second direction selects an aspect of the selected menu item.

Claims

1. A controlled display system comprising:

a video display;

a video controller coupled to said video display and being responsive to an input;

a pointing device, capable of indicating motion in two directions and providing a signal corresponding to said motion to said input;

said video controller being configured to display a menu, and to select among items on said menu in response to motion in a first direction, and to select an aspect of a selected menu item in response to motion in a second direction.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein motion in said first direction indicates function, and motion in said second direction indicates value.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein deactivation of said pointing device selects a value for a selected function.

4. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

a pointing surface on said pointing device;

means, connected to said pointing surface, for detecting contact with said pointing surface and, responsive thereto, sending an activation signal to said video controller; and

said video controller being configured to display said menu in response to said activation signal.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said pointing device is a touchpad.

6. The system of claim 5 further comprising means for detecting a tap on said touchpad, and sending an additional control signal in response to said tap.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said menu items include volume and channel.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein:

said menu items are vertically arranged on said display; and

selection of a menu item activates a horizontal display corresponding to values of the selected menu item.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said pointing device is mounted in a remote control unit, and further comprising:

a wireless transmitter mounted in said remote control unit; and

a wireless receiver coupled to said video controller.

10. A remote control and display system comprising:

a video monitor including

a video display;

a video controller coupled to said video display and being responsive to an input;

a wireless receiver coupled to said video controller;

a remote control unit including

a pointing device, capable of indicating motion in two directions and providing a signal corresponding to said motion to said input;

a wireless transmitter mounted in said remote control unit; and

said video controller being configured to display a menu, and to select among functions on said menu in response to motion in a first direction, and to select a value of a selected function in response to motion in a second direction.

11. A remote control and display system comprising:

a video monitor including

a video display;

a video controller coupled to said video display and being responsive to an input;

a wireless receiver coupled to said video controller;

a remote control unit including

a touchpad, capable of indicating motion in two directions and providing a signal corresponding to said motion to said input;

a wireless transmitter mounted in said remote control unit; and

said video controller being configured to display a menu, and to

select among functions on said menu in response to motion on said touchpad in a substantially vertical direction, causing a horizontal value display for a selected function to be activated,

and to move and indicator horizontally along said horizontal value display in response to motion on said touchpad in a substantially horizontal direction,

and to select a currently indicated value upon termination of contact with said touchpad by a user.