REMOTE CONTROLLER

• US 20090033514A1
• Filed: 07/28/2008
• Published: 02/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakamura, Takaya, Tatehata, Naoki, Yamagiwa, Tsutomu
• Application Number:
  US12/180,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20090033514A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.220
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23043 Remote and local control panel, programming unit, switch
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23377 Touch screen, with representation of buttons, machine on screen
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/044 by capacitive means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0446 using a grid-like structure of electrodes in at least two directions, e.g. using row and column electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A remote controller includes a capacitive touch panel having flexibility, push switches beneath a lower surface of the capacitive touch panel, a control unit for detecting a position on an upper surface of the capacitive touch panel which is touched, and a transmitter for transmitting a first remote-control signal indicating the detected position and a second remote-control signal indicating the activating of the push switches. The remote controller is capable of remotely controlling various operations of an apparatus with a simple operation.

Claims

1. A remote controller comprising:

a capacitive touch panel having an upper surface and a lower surface, the capacitive touch panel having flexibility, the upper surface of capacitive touch panel being arranged to be pressed;

a plurality of push switches provided beneath the lower surface of the capacitive touch panel, the plurality of push switches being activated upon being pressed via the capacitive touch panel;

a control unit for detecting a position on the upper surface of the capacitive touch panel which is touched; and

a transmitter for transmitting a first remote-control signal indicating the detected position and a second remote-control signal indicating the activating of the plurality of push switches.

2. The remote controller according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of push switches are arranged substantially in a cross pattern beneath the lower surface of the capacitive touch panel.