Integrated mouse in remote control

• US 20060232550A1
• Filed: 04/15/2005
• Published: 10/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Inventors: Buckner, Nathan C.
• Application Number:
  US11/107,374
• Publication Number:
  US 20060232550A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03543 Mice or pucks G06F3/03541 takes precedence

Abstract

In various embodiments, a remote control may include a mouse logic functionality on the remote control such that when the remote control is placed on a surface, the movements of the remote control are translated into movements for a movement functionality (e.g., moving an on screen cursor) on a system such as a video conferencing system. In some embodiments, when the remote control is picked up, the mouse logic functionality may be discontinued. In some embodiments, the mouse logic functionality may continue to work after the remote control is picked up.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a housing, wherein the housing is sized to be held by a user;

remote control logic comprised in the housing, wherein the remote control logic enables the apparatus to operate as a remote control device for remotely controlling a system;

a sensor which is operable to detect whether the housing is positioned on a surface; and

mouse logic functionality coupled to the remote control, wherein the mouse logic functionality is triggered by the position detector detecting that the housing is positioned on a surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mouse logic functionality uses the sensor in determining a position of the mouse.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote control is configured to communicate with a video conferencing system and a speakerphone.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote control comprises at least one volume button and at least one zoom button.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mouse logic functionality is configured to control a cursor on a system when triggered by the sensor.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a button.

8. An apparatus for interfacing with a video conferencing system, comprising:

a remote control;

a position detector coupled to the remote control; and

a mouse logic functionality coupled to the remote control, wherein the mouse logic functionality is triggered by the position detector.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the remote control is configured to communicate with a video conferencing system and a speakerphone.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the remote control comprises at least one volume button and at least one zoom button.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mouse logic functionality is configured to control a cursor on a system when triggered by the position detector.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the position detector comprises an optical sensor.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the position detector comprises a button.

14. A method, comprising:

placing a remote control on a surface;

detecting the surface through a sensor on the remote control;

triggering a mouse logic functionality on the remote control; and

using the mouse logic functionality.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

picking up the remote control; and

deactivating the mouse logic functionality.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the remote control is configured to communicate with a video conferencing system and a speakerphone.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the remote control comprises at least one volume button and at least one zoom button.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein using the mouse logic functionality comprises controling a cursor on a system.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises an optical sensor.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the sensor comprises a button.