Portable User Control Device and Method for Vehicle Information Systems

• US 20090079705A1
• Filed: 09/15/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Rhoads, Cedric, Sizelove, Steven, Kirby, Brian
• Granted Patent: US 8,547,340 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/40 Processing input control signals of video game devices, e.g. signals generated by the player or derived from the environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00155 Individual entertainment or communication system remote controls therefor, located in or connected to seat components, e.g. to seat back or arm rest
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0624 Arrangements of electrical connectors, e.g. for earphone, internet or electric supply
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• 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 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display

Abstract

A personal user control device suitable for use in cooperation with information systems, such as vehicle information systems, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The personal user control device provides a user-friendly interface system for interacting with the information system. Unlike conventional control devices, the user interface system includes no dedicated buttons and provides a customizable environment for interacting with the information system. When in communication with the information system, the personal user control device can automatically detect system status information, such as available system functionality, available viewing content, and/or a current system operation mode, of the information system and provides a user interface system that instinctively adapts for use with the information system in light of the detected system status information. The personal user control device thereby provides a versatile and intuitive manner for interacting with the information system.

Claims

1. A personal user control device for use with an information system in communication with a content source, said personal user control device comprising:

a handheld housing suitable for coupling with a display overlay system having a user controller interface portion; and

a touchscreen display system disposed on said handheld housing, being in communication with the information system, and presenting a menu system of viewing content available from the content source,

wherein, when the display overlay system is disposed adjacent to said touchscreen display system, the display overlay system forms a user interface system for the personal user control device such that the user controller interface portion contacts a predetermined location of said touchscreen display system to navigate the menu system and select selected viewing content for presentation.

2. The personal user control device of claim 1, wherein said handheld housing is formed with an ergonomic shape.

3. The personal user control device of claim 1, wherein said handheld housing includes an ergonomic grip.

4. The personal user control device of claim 1, wherein said handheld housing is at least partially disposed within an ergonomic cover assembly.

5. The personal user control device of claim 1, wherein said handheld housing removably couples with the display overlay system.

6. The personal user control device of claim 1, wherein said handheld housing engages the display overlay system.

7. The personal user control device of claim 1, wherein said handheld housing is suitable for coupling with the display overlay system selected from a group of display overlay systems to customize the user interface system of the personal user control device.

8. The personal user control device of claim 1, wherein said touchscreen display system presents the selected viewing content.

9. The personal user control device of claim 1, wherein said touchscreen display system presents identifying indicia associated with the user controller interface portion, the identifying indicia being visible via the display overlay system.

10. The personal user control device of claim 9, wherein said touchscreen display system presents the identifying indicia once said touchscreen display system is activated.

11. The personal user control device of claim 1, further comprising an audio presentation system.

12. The personal user control device of claim 11, wherein said audio presentation system is selected from an audio system group consisting of an audio connector and an internal speaker system.

13. A method for controlling an information system in communication with a content source, comprising:

providing a personal user control device that includes;

a handheld housing suitable for coupling with a display overlay system having a user controller interface portion; and

a touchscreen display system disposed on said handheld housing, being in communication with the information system, and presenting a menu system of viewing content available from the content source; and

when the display overlay system is disposed adjacent to said touchscreen display system,

enabling a user interface system to be formed for the personal user control device; and

permitting the user controller interface portion to contact a predetermined location of said touchscreen display system to navigate the menu system and select selected viewing content for presentation.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said providing the personal user control device includes providing a plurality of display overlay systems, the display overlay system being selected from the plurality of the display overlay systems.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said permitting the user controller interface portion to contact the predetermined location of said touchscreen display system includes providing a control signal from the personal user control device to the information system.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising presenting identifying indicia associated with the user controller interface portion, the identifying indicia being visible via the display overlay system.

17. An information system suitable for installation aboard a vehicle, comprising:

a headend system that provides overall system control functions for the information system;

a content presentation system that presents selected viewing content;

an access point;

a distribution system that communicates with said headend system, said content presentation system, and said access point; and

a personal user control device that includes;

a display overlay system having a user controller interface portion;

a handheld housing that couples with said display overlay system; and

a touchscreen display system disposed on said handheld housing, being in communication with the information system via said access point, and presenting a menu system of available viewing content available from the information system,

wherein, when said display overlay system is disposed adjacent to said touchscreen display system, said display overlay system forms a user interface system for said personal user control device such that said user controller interface portion contacts a predetermined location of said touchscreen display system to navigate said menu system and to select the selected viewing content.

18. The information system of claim 17, wherein said headend system includes a content source.

19. The information system of claim 17, wherein said headend system communicates with a remote content source.

20. The information system of claim 19, wherein the remote content source provides Internet content to said information system for presentation via said content presentation system.

21. The information system of claim 17, wherein said content presentation system includes an audio presentation system that presents an audio portion of the selected viewing content.

22. The information system of claim 17, wherein said content presentation system comprises a video presentation system that presents a video portion of the selected viewing content.

23. The information system of claim 17, wherein said touchscreen display system and the information system communicate via a communication cable assembly.

24. The information system of claim 23, wherein said access point includes a communication connector, and wherein said communication cable assembly includes a system communication connector that cooperates with said communication connector of said access point.

25. The information system of claim 24, wherein said system communication connector removably couples with said communication connector.

26. The information system of claim 17, wherein said access point provides operating power to said touchscreen display system.

27. The information system of claim 17, wherein said distribution system comprises a wired distribution system.

28. The information system of claim 17, wherein the information system is suitable for installation aboard an aircraft.

29. An aircraft, comprising:

a fuselage and a plurality of passenger seats arranged within the fuselage; and

a vehicle information system, said vehicle information system coupled with said fuselage and comprising;

a content source;

a headend system that provides overall system control functions for the vehicle information system;

a content presentation system that presents viewing content;

an access point provided at a selected passenger seat; and

a distribution system that communicates with said headend system, said content presentation system, and said access point; and

a personal user control device that includes;

a display overlay system having a user controller interface portion;

a handheld housing that couples with said display overlay system; and

a touchscreen display system disposed on said handheld housing, being in communication with said vehicle information system via said access point, and presenting a menu system of available viewing content available from said vehicle information system,

wherein, when said display overlay system is disposed adjacent to said touchscreen display system, said display overlay system forms a user interface system for said personal user control device such that said user controller interface portion contacts a predetermined location of said touchscreen display system to navigate said menu system and to select the selected viewing content.

30. The aircraft of claim 29, further comprising a storage compartment that stores said personal user control device, said storage compartment being disposed at one of said passenger seats.

31. The aircraft of claim 30, wherein said storage compartment is disposed adjacent to an armrest of said selected passenger seat.

32. The aircraft of claim 30, wherein said storage compartment is disposed on one of a seatback and a headrest of an adjacent passenger seat.

33. The aircraft of claim 29, wherein said access point is disposed adjacent to an armrest of said selected passenger seat.

34. The aircraft of claim 29, wherein said access point is disposed on one of a seatback and a headrest of an adjacent passenger seat.