Remote Control with Integrated Optical Mouse Functionality

• US 20080186412A1
• Filed: 02/06/2008
• Published: 08/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Johansson, Henrik
• Application Number:
  US12/026,831
• Publication Number:
  US 20080186412A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0317 in co-operation with a patterned surface, e.g. absolute position or relative movement detection for an optical mouse or pen positioned with respect to a coded surface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/32 Remote control based on movements, attitude of remote control device
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42206 characterized by hardware details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42222 Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device

Abstract

A device for identifying information on a remote video display is disclosed. The device includes a remote control having a housing with a first side and a second side, the second side defining at least one opening therein, at least one functional control located on the first side of the housing, and a camera/light module positioned inside the housing adjacent the second side, said camera/light module oriented so as to align a camera lens with, and project a light source through, the at least one opening away from the second side of the housing. A method for identifying information on a remote video display is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A device for controlling a video display, the device comprising:

a housing with a first side having at least one functional control located thereon for controlling the video display to display information, and a second side having a light emitter and a light sensor, the light emitter being configured to emit light away from the second side toward a surface and the light sensor being configured to detect the light reflected from the surface; and

a processor for determining a location of the housing relative to the surface based on the detected light and controlling the device to wirelessly send signals to the video display to control the video display to display an indication of the location of the device on the surface.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the light emitter emits the light toward the surface and the light sensor detects the light reflected from the surface when the housing is moved along the surface, and the processor determining movement of the housing relative to the surface based on the detected light and controls the device to send signals to the video display to control the video display to display an indication representative of a relative movement of the device on the surface.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further includes a wireless transmitter and the processor controls the wireless transmitter to transmit the signals wirelessly to the video display.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the light emitter emits red light.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the signals are infra-red radiation.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the signals are radio frequency signals.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the functional control controls a television receiver.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the functional control controls a set-top box.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is movable by a human over the surface.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the light emitter and light sensor are capable of operating on a non-rigid surface.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises dust-resistant material configured to protect the light emitter and light sensor.

12. A method for controlling a video display, the method comprising:

providing a remote control device having at least one functional control for controlling the video display to display information, and a light emitter and a light sensor;

positioning the remote control device on a surface;

operating the light emitter to emit light away from the second side toward the surface and operating the light sensor to detect the light reflected from the surface;

determining a location of the remote control device relative to the surface based on the detected light; and

operating the device to wirelessly send signals to the video display to control the video display to display an indication of the location of the remote control device on the surface.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

moving the remote control device along the surface while operating the light emitter to emit the light toward the surface and operating the light sensor to detect the light reflected from the surface when the housing is moved along the surface;

determining movement of the remote control device relative to the surface based on the detected light; and

operating the remote control device to send signals to the video display to control the video display to display an indication representative of a relative movement of the remote control device on the surface.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of operating the device to send signals comprises transmitting the signals over a wireless communications link.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising the step of directing the light emitter to a particular position on the surface.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the light emitter emits a red light.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the moving step is accomplished by a human over the surface.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the determining step is accomplished using a camera to photograph the position of the remote control on the surface.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the remote control device is positioned on a non-rigid surface.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the remote control device controls a television receiver.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the remote control device controls a set-top box.