USER INTERFACE DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING AN AUDIO VISUAL SYSTEM

• US 20100066687A1
• Filed: 03/02/2009
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Soto, Jorge, Bautista, Rachael, MacCarthy, Joe, Rymarz, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,339,371 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 9/047 the controlling member being movable by hand about orthogonal axes, e.g. joysticks for switches H01H25/04
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0334 Foot operated pointing devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface

Abstract

A user interface device for controlling an audio visual system. In one embodiment, a device for interfacing with an audio/visual system includes a sensor mat including a surface and operable to be disposed on a substantially flat floor. The sensor mat is further operable for generating electrical signals responsive to physical interactions of a user with the surface. The interface device also includes an electronic control unit including circuitry for coupling to the mat, the electronic control unit for detecting the physical interactions of the mat and the electronic control unit operable to be placed on the substantially flat floor. The interface device further includes an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end and physically coupled to the electronic control unit via the first end and extending laterally therefrom. The second end of the elongated shaft is operable to be displaced in various directions by interactions with both hands of the user. The electronic control unit is operable to detect the various directions wherein further the electronic control unit is operable to transmit signals representing the various directions and the physical interactions to a receiver unit.

Claims

1. A device for interfacing with an audio/visual system, said device comprising:

a sensor mat comprising a surface and operable to be disposed on a substantially flat floor, said sensor mat further operable for generating electrical signals responsive to physical interactions of a user with said surface;

an electronic control unit comprising circuitry for coupling to said mat, said electronic control unit for detecting said physical interactions of said mat;

an elongated shaft having a first end and a second end and physically coupled to said electronic control unit via said first end and extending laterally therefrom, said second end of said elongated shaft operable to be displaced in various directions by interactions with a hand of said user, wherein said electronic control unit is operable to detect said various directions wherein further said electronic control unit is operable to transmit signals representing said various directions and said physical interactions to a receiver unit.

2. The device as described in claim 1 further comprising said receiver unit, operable to be coupled to a display device and further operable to receive said signals representing said various directions and said physical interactions and responsive thereto, for generating audio/video signals to said display device.

3. The device as described in claim 2 wherein said signals representing said various directions and said physical interactions are transmitted wirelessly to said receiver unit.

4. The device as described in claim 2 wherein said receiver unit comprises a processor, a bus and memory for implementing a software program thereon and wherein said software program, in response to said signals representing said various directions and said physical interactions, generates said audio/video signals to said display device.

5. The device as described in claim 4 wherein said memory is removable and wherein said memory contains said software program.

6. The device as described in claim 1 wherein said various directions are forward, backward, left and right.

7. The device as described in claim 1 wherein said surface of said mat comprises a plurality of designated areas, each responsive to an interaction therewith and each for generating unique signals for said electronic control unit to designate an interaction therewith.

8. The device as described in claim 7 wherein said surface of said mat comprises printing having images and wherein a portion of said images represents said plurality of designated areas.

9. The device as described in claim 1 wherein said surface of said mat is operable to be interacted with feet of said user.

10. A device for user input to a computer system, said device comprising:

a shaft having a nominally vertical rest position pivotably coupled to a base;

a mechanism for converting a movement of said shaft from said rest position into a plurality of electrical representations of a direction of said movement;

an electronic circuit for communicating said plurality of electrical representations to said computer system, wherein;

said base is disposed to rest on a flat surface suitable for supporting a human user;

said base is disposed for supporting said shaft in said rest position and during said movement; and

a top of said shaft is in the range of 18 to 26 inches above said flat surface when coupled to said base.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein said shaft is sized to align about mid-chest level of a child three to five years old.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein said communicating comprises wireless communications.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein said shaft comprises padding configured to cushion a user'"'"'s blows to said shaft.

14. The device of claim 10 wherein said shaft and said base are disposed for operation comprising receiving striking actions from a child of less than ten years of age.

15. The device of claim 10 further comprising a sensor mat coupled to said base for receiving user input via stepping actions.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein said sensor mat is removable coupled to said base.

17. The device of claim 10 wherein said mechanism further converts a measure of displacement of said shaft from said rest position to a plurality of electrical representations of said measure of displacement for communication to said computer system.

18. The device of claim 10 wherein said mechanism further converts a measure of force applied to said shaft to a plurality of electrical representations of said measure of force for communication to said computer system.

19. A method for controlling an audio visual system utilizing an interface device, said interface device disposed for bopping, said method comprising:

accessing a change of direction signal from said interface device;

responsive to said change of direction signal, changing direction of a visual component of application software displayed on a display device;

responsive to a lack of said change of direction signal, continuing operation of said visual component of said application software in said changed direction.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said interface device is disposed for use by young children lacking fine motor skills.