Applications for remote control devices with added functionalities

• US 20080278635A1
• Filed: 05/08/2007
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Hardacker, Robert, Richman, Steven, Shintani, Peter, Candelore, Brant, DaCosta, Behram, Ota, Takaaki
• Granted Patent: US 8,797,465 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/91 Remote control based on location and proximity
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• 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 21/42209 for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4222 Remote control device emulator integrated into a non-television apparatus, e.g. a PDA, media center or smart toy remote control device for a television receiver integrated into a mobile phone H04M1/72415
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording

Abstract

A handheld wireless device for controlling an electronic device. Ambient noise is automatically detected using a microphone and user preference parameters (e.g., volume) are adjusted, compensating for the detected noise. Plurality of signals are sent and received, operable to determine the location of the remote control, thereby operable to automatically tune various user preference parameters (e.g., surround sound). The remote control may be used as a telephone. When receiving a call, the caller information may be displayed using a popup window (e.g., on a television set). A call may be answered and the program may be paused/recorded/muted. The electronic device is automatically configured by identifying the user. A reader may read information on a payment card in a contactless manner. In one embodiment a radio frequency signal is used to reduce interference with LCD wavelength. The remote control may respond to a user command in order to be located.

Claims

1. A handheld wireless device for controlling an electronic device comprising:

a processor;

at least one input device operable to receive a user input to control said electronic device;

an audio input device operable to receive an audio input, wherein output volume of said electronic device is automatically adjusted based on said audio input;

an output device for outputting a signal operable to control operation of said electronic device; and

a transceiver operable to communicate with said electronic device.

2. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 1, wherein said output device automatically transmits a signal and in response to said transmitted signal receives a signal from said electronic device, wherein said transmitted and said received signals are used to determine a location of said handheld wireless device.

3. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 2, wherein a surround sound system of said electronic device is automatically tuned in response to said determined location of said handheld wireless device.

4. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 3, wherein said tuning is performed by said processor of said handheld wireless device.

5. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 1, wherein said audio input is ambient noise.

6. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 1, wherein said signal operable to control operation of said electronic device is a radio frequency signal.

7. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 1, wherein said at least one input device comprises at least one of:

a plurality of soft key buttons;

a plurality of mechanical buttons;

a rotating input component;

a sliding input component; and

a voice activation component.

8. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 1 further comprising:

an audio output device for outputting audio.

9. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 8, operable to function as a wireless telephone and operable to receive calls through said electronic device.

10. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 8, wherein said audio output device in response to said audio input outputs an audible noise, wherein said audio input is a user command for locating said handheld wireless device.

11. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 1 operable to function as a telephone and receive calls through said electronic device, and wherein an audio output from a caller is rendered through an output device of said electronic device.

12. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 1 operable to function as a telephone and operable to receive calls through said electronic device, and wherein information related to a caller is displayed on a display of said electronic device.

13. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 1 operable to function as a telephone and in response to receiving a call pauses an execution of an application on said electronic device.

14. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 1 operable to function as a telephone and in response to receiving a call mutes audio output of said electronic device.

15. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 1, wherein said audio input device comprises a microphone.

16. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 1 further comprising:

a biometric device, operable to identify a user of said handheld wireless device, wherein said handheld wireless device causes automatic configuration of said electronic device based on a preference of said user.

17. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 1 further comprising:

a reader, operable to contactlessly detect and read card payment information.

18. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 1 further comprising:

an encryption/decryption unit, operable to encrypt and decrypt input and output data.

19. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 1 further comprising:

a display, operable to display content and information.

20. The handheld wireless device as described in claim 19 operable to function as a telephone, and wherein information related to a caller is displayed on said display, and wherein said handheld wireless device is operable to receive calls through said electronic device.

21. A remote control implemented method of controlling an electronic device comprising:

receiving a user input operable to control said electronic device;

in response to said receiving, outputting an output signal for controlling operation of said electronic device;

receiving an audio input; and

in response to said receiving audio input, automatically adjusting an output volume of said electronic device.

22. The method as described in claim 21 further comprising:

automatically sending a signal to said electronic device;

in response to said sending, receiving a signal from said electronic device;

in response to said sending and said receiving, determining a location of said remote control sending said signal to said electronic device, wherein said location is relative to said electronic device;

in response to said determining, tuning an audio output of said electronic device, wherein said tuning is operable to adjust a surround sound of said electronic device based on said location of said remote control.

23. The method as described in claim 21, wherein said audio input is ambient noise.

24. The method as described in claim 21, wherein said output signal is a radio frequency signal.

25. The method as described in claim 21 further comprising:

outputting an audio output signal.

26. The method as described in claim 21 further comprising:

receiving a signal from said electronic device indicating a telephone call;

in response to a user indication to answer said telephone call, pausing execution of an application on said electronic device; and

connecting said telephone call.

27. The method as described in claim 21 further comprising:

receiving a signal from said electronic device indicating a telephone call;

in response to a user indication to answer said telephone call, muting an audio output of said electronic device; and

connecting said telephone call.

28. The method as described in claim 21 further comprising:

receiving a signal from said electronic device indicating a telephone call;

displaying information related to a caller;

in response to a user indication to answer said telephone call, connecting said telephone call.

29. The method as described in claim 21 further comprising:

identifying a user of said remote control; and

in response to said identification, automatically configuring said electronic device based on a preference of said user.

30. The method as described in claim 29, wherein said identification is through voice recognition.

31. The method as described in claim 21 further comprising:

reading information on a card payment, wherein said reading is performed when said card payment is within a given proximity of said remote control; and

transmitting said read information to said electronic device.

32. The method as described in claim 21 further comprising:

encrypting/decrypting input/output data.

33. The method as described in claim 21 further comprising:

displaying information on said remote control.

34. The method as described in claim 21 further comprising:

in response to said received audio input wherein said audio input is a user command for locating said remote control, outputting an audible noise.

44. The apparatus as described in claim 21 further comprising:

in response to said received audio input wherein said audio input is a user command for locating said controller, means for outputting an audible noise.

35. An apparatus implemented method of controlling an electronic device comprising:

means for receiving a user input operable to control said electronic device;

in response to said receiving, means for outputting an output signal for controlling operation of said electronic device;

means for receiving an audio input; and

in response to said receiving audio input, means for automatically adjusting an output volume of said electronic device.

36. The apparatus as described in claim 35 further comprising:

means for automatically sending a signal to said electronic device;

in response to said sending, means for receiving a signal from said electronic device;

in response to said sending and said receiving, means for determining a location of a remote control sending said signal to said electronic device, wherein said location is relative to said electronic device;

in response to said determining, means for tuning an audio output of said electronic device, wherein said tuning is operable to adjust a surround sound of said electronic device based on said location of said remote control.

37. The apparatus as described in claim 35, wherein said audio input is an ambient noise.

38. The apparatus as described in claim 35, wherein said output signal is a radio frequency signal.

39. The apparatus as described in claim 35 further comprising:

means for outputting an audio output signal.

40. The apparatus as described in claim 35 further comprising:

means for receiving a signal from said electronic device indicating a telephone call;

in response to a user indication to answer said telephone call, means for pausing execution of an application on said electronic device; and

means for connecting said telephone call.

41. The apparatus as described in claim 35 further comprising:

means for receiving a signal from said electronic device indicating a telephone call;

in response to a user indication to answer said telephone call, means for muting an audio output of said electronic device; and

means for connecting said telephone call.

42. The apparatus as described in claim 35 further comprising:

means for identifying a user of said controller; and

in response to said identification, means for automatically configuring said electronic device based on a preference of said user.

43. The apparatus as described in claim 35 further comprising:

means for reading information on a card payment, wherein said reading is performed when said card payment is within a given proximity of said controller; and

means for transmitting said read information to said electronic device.