Universal Remote Control or Universal Remote Control/Telephone Combination with Touch Operaed User Interface Having Tactile Feedback
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A remote control, comprising:
- a key matrix having a plurality of switches;
a display disposed in cooperable relationship with the key matrix, the display being illuminable to provide a plurality of different images in association with corresponding ones of the plurality of switches in the key matrix whereby the remote control is provided with the ability to have a plurality of different user interfaces; and
a layer of flexible, translucent material disposed over the combination of the key matrix and the display, the flexible, translucent material having located in a position near at least one of the switches in the key matrix a surface feature that serves to assist a user in locating a position on a user interface in which the switch is activatable.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A touch operated user interface having tactile feedback for use in connection with a universal remote control or universal remote control with cordless phone functionality is shown in FIG. 13. Surface features are provided as part of or as an overlay (1300) to a touchable face area of the user interface in order to assist the user in locating key positions and/or to provide positive indication of key activation. The overlay is placed over a flexible electroluminescent panel (318) that provides a lighted indication and a plurality of dome switches (310) that function as keys.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A remote control, comprising:
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a key matrix having a plurality of switches; a display disposed in cooperable relationship with the key matrix, the display being illuminable to provide a plurality of different images in association with corresponding ones of the plurality of switches in the key matrix whereby the remote control is provided with the ability to have a plurality of different user interfaces; and a layer of flexible, translucent material disposed over the combination of the key matrix and the display, the flexible, translucent material having located in a position near at least one of the switches in the key matrix a surface feature that serves to assist a user in locating a position on a user interface in which the switch is activatable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A remote control, comprising:
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a key matrix having a plurality of switches; a flexible EL display disposed in cooperable relationship over the key matrix, the EL display comprising a plurality of individually illuminable segments wherein the segments are selectively illuminable to provide a plurality of different images in association with corresponding ones of the plurality of switches in the key matrix whereby the remote control is provided with the ability to have a plurality of different user interfaces; and a layer of flexible, translucent material disposed over the combination of the kcy matrix and the display, the flexible, translucent material having located in a position directly above at least one of the switches in the key matrix a surface feature adapted to be clicked and to restore to provide positive indication of activation of the switch and which further serves to assist a user in locating a position on a user interface in which the switch is activatable, the surface feature being free of indicia which would otherwise obscure an image formed using the display. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A remote control and cordless phone system, comprising:
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a remote control combined with a cordless phone; and a base station adapted to facilitate an exchange of telephony signals between the cordless phone and a telephone line and further adapted to facilitate control of one or more appliances in response to communications received from the remote control. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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16. (canceled)
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19. (canceled)
Specification