MULTI-FUNCTIONAL TOUCHPAD REMOTE CONTROLLER

• US 20100302190A1
• Filed: 05/27/2010
• Published: 12/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Elan Microelectronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Elan Microelectronics Corporation
• Inventors: YEH, I-HAU
• Application Number:
  US12/788,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20100302190A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/015 Input arrangements based on nervous system activity detection, e.g. brain waves [EEG] detection, electromyograms [EMG] detection, electrodermal response detection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/03547 Touch pads, in which fingers can move on a surface
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• 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 21/4221 Dedicated function buttons, e.g. for the control of an EPG, subtitles, aspect ratio, picture-in-picture or teletext
• 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 21/42224 Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42228 the reprogrammable keys being displayed on a display screen in order to reduce the number of keys on the remote control device itself
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4415 using biometric characteristics of the user, e.g. by voice recognition or fingerprint scanning cryptography using biological data H04L9/3231; authentication in networks using biometric H04L63/0861
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children

Abstract

A multi-functional touchpad remote controller has multiple functional modes to select therefrom and has a touchpad to support touch input. Different patterns may be shown on the touchpad for different functional modes. For the current operation mode, the specific pattern shown on the touchpad allows simple and intuitive to use the multi-functional touchpad remote controller.

Claims

1. A multi-functional touchpad remote controller, comprising:

a function selection unit operative to enable an operation mode selected from a plurality of functional modes according to a first control signal; and

a touchpad operative to detect operation of at least an object thereon to provide a second control signal;

wherein if a game controller mode is enabled, said touchpad manipulates a game role according to its detected operation of said at least an object.

2. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 1, wherein said touchpad comprises:

a defined movement control zone for detecting an object movement thereon to control movement of said game role; and

a defined functional button control zone for detecting a touched position thereon to trigger a functional button which is defined for said touched position.

3. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 1, wherein if a mouse mode is enabled, said touchpad detects a number of objects thereon to determine said second control signal such that when said number is one, said second control signal controls a pointer on a controlled device to move or click responsive to movement or clicking of a detected object on said touchpad, and when said number is two, said second control signal includes a command depending on an action combination of two detected objects on said touchpad.

4. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 3, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving leftwards simultaneously.

5. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 4, wherein said command comprises a page-up instruction.

6. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 3, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving rightwards simultaneously.

7. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 6, wherein said command comprises a page-down instruction.

8. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 3, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving towards each other.

9. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 8, wherein said command comprises a zoom-out instruction.

10. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 3, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving away from each other.

11. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 10, wherein said command comprises a zoom-in instruction.

12. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 3, wherein said action combination comprises one of said two detected objects fixed and the other moving.

13. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 12, wherein said command comprises a rotation instruction.

14. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 1, wherein if a keyboard mode is enabled, said touchpad activates a plurality of virtual keys defined thereon to simulate a virtual keyboard defined with a graphic interface displayed on a controlled device such that a pointer displayed on said controlled device will move to a key of said graphic interface responsive to a touch on one of said plurality of virtual keys which is defined as said key of said graphic interface.

15. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 1, wherein if a writing pad mode is enabled, said touchpad detects and records a movement trace of an object thereon for use in recognition.

16. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 1, wherein if a remote controller mode is enabled, said touchpad activates a plurality of virtual buttons defined thereon to simulate a remote controller defined with a graphic interface displayed on a controlled device such that a pointer displayed on said controlled device will move to a button of said graphic interface responsive to a touch on one of said plurality of virtual buttons which is defined as said button of said graphic interface.

17. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 1, wherein if a presenter mode is enabled, said touchpad activates a directional button defined thereon such that when said directional button is touched, said touchpad will generate a command defined for said directional button for a controlled device.

18. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 17, wherein said command comprises a page-up instruction or a page-down instruction.

19. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 1, further comprising a group of biosensors for sensing and identifying a bio-signal from a user.

20. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 19, wherein said bio-signal comprises a user identity.

21. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 1, wherein said first control signal is generated according to a gesture on said touchpad.

22. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 1, wherein said touchpad comprises a functional button assembly defined thereon to generate said first control signal responsive to a touch thereto.

23. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary element connected to said function selection unit, operative to generate said first control signal.

24. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 23, wherein said auxiliary element comprises a button assembly.

25. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 1, wherein said function selection unit directs a controlled device to display an operation interface including a plurality of icons defined for said plurality of functional modes respectively.

26. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 1, further comprising a button assembly configured to manipulate channel selection and functional adjustment setting of a controlled device.

27. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 1, further comprising at least a layer of light guide film beneath said touchpad for one of said plurality of functional modes.

28. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 27, wherein said light guide film comprises:

a thin film having a pattern thereon; and

a light-emitting element connected to said thin film, for providing light to said thin film to thereby show said pattern on said touchpad.

29. A multi-functional touchpad remote controller, comprising:

a function selection unit operative to enable an operation mode selected from a plurality of functional modes according to a first control signal; and

a touchpad operative to detect operation of at least an object thereon;

wherein if a mouse mode is enabled, said touchpad detects a number of objects thereon to determine a second control signal for a controlled device such that when said number is one, said second control signal controls a pointer on said controlled device to move or click responsive to movement or clicking of a detected object on said touchpad, and when said number is two, said second control signal includes a command depending on an action combination of two detected objects on said touchpad.

30. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving leftwards simultaneously.

31. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 30, wherein said command comprises a page-up instruction.

32. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving rightwards simultaneously.

33. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 32, wherein said command comprises a page-down instruction.

34. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving towards each other.

35. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 34, wherein said command comprises a zoom-out instruction.

36. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving away from each other.

37. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 36, wherein said command comprises a zoom-in instruction.

38. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, wherein said action combination comprises one of said two detected objects fixed and the other moving.

39. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 38, wherein said command comprises a rotation instruction.

40. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, wherein if a game controller mode is enabled, said touchpad manipulates a game role according to its detected operation of at least an object thereon.

41. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 40, wherein said touchpad comprises:

a defined movement control zone for detecting an object movement thereon to control movement of said game role; and

a defined functional button control zone for detecting a touched position thereon to trigger a functional button which is defined for said touched position.

42. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, wherein if a keyboard mode is enabled, said touchpad activates a plurality of virtual keys defined thereon to simulate a keyboard defined with a graphic interface displayed on said controlled device such that a pointer displayed on said controlled device will move to a key of said graphic interface responsive to a touch on one of said plurality of virtual keys which is defined as said key of said graphic interface.

43. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, wherein if a writing pad mode is enabled, said touchpad detects and records a movement trace of an object thereon for use in recognition.

44. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, wherein if a remote controller mode is enabled, said touchpad activates a plurality of virtual buttons defined thereon to simulate a remote controller defined with a graphic interface displayed on said controlled device such that a pointer displayed on said controlled device will move to a button of said graphic interface responsive to a touch on one of said plurality of virtual buttons which is defined as said button of said graphic interface.

45. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, wherein if a presenter mode is enabled, said touchpad activates a directional button defined thereon such that when said directional button is touched, said touchpad will generate a command defined for said directional button for said controlled device.

46. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 45, wherein said command comprises a page-up instruction or a page-down instruction.

47. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, further comprising a group of biosensors for sensing and identifying a bio-signal from a user.

48. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 47, wherein said bio-signal comprises a user identity.

49. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, wherein said first control signal is generated according to a gesture on said touchpad.

50. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, wherein said touchpad comprises a functional button assembly defined thereon to generate said control signal responsive to a touch thereto.

51. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, further comprising an auxiliary element connected to said function selection unit, operative to generate said first control signal.

52. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 51, wherein said auxiliary element comprises a button assembly.

53. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, wherein said function selection unit directs said controlled device to display an operation interface including a plurality of icons defined for said plurality of functional modes respectively.

54. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, further comprising a button assembly configured to manipulate channel selection and functional adjustment setting of said controlled device.

55. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 29, further comprising at least a layer of light guide film beneath said touchpad for one of said plurality of functional modes.

56. The multi-functional touchpad remote controller of claim 55, wherein said light guide film comprises:

a thin film having a pattern thereon; and

a light-emitting element connected to said thin film, for providing light to said thin film to thereby show said pattern on said touchpad.

57. A control method for a multi-functional touchpad remote controller having a touchpad, said control method comprising the steps of:

(a) enabling an operation mode selected from a plurality of functional modes according to a first control signal;

(b) if a game controller mode is enabled, providing a second control signal by said touchpad according to operation of at least an object on said touchpad; and

(c) manipulating a game role responsive to said second control signal.

58. The control method of claim 57, wherein said step (c) comprises the steps of:

defining a movement control zone and a functional button control zone on said touchpad;

detecting an object movement on said movement control zone to control movement of said game role; and

detecting a touched position on said functional button control zone to trigger a functional button which is defined for said touched position.

59. The control method of claim 57, further comprising the steps of:

if a mouse mode is enabled, detecting a number of objects on said touchpad;

when said number is one, controlling a pointer on a controlled device to move or click responsive to movement or clicking of a detected object on said touchpad; and

when said number is two, generating a command depending on an action combination of two detected objects on said touchpad.

60. The control method of claim 59, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving leftwards simultaneously.

61. The control method of claim 60, wherein said command comprises a page-up instruction.

62. The control method of claim 59, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving rightwards simultaneously.

63. The control method of claim 62, wherein said command comprises a page-down instruction.

64. The control method of claim 59, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving towards each other.

65. The control method of claim 64, wherein said command comprises a zoom-out instruction.

66. The control method of claim 59, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving away from each other.

67. The control method of claim 66, wherein said command comprises a zoom-in instruction.

68. The control method of claim 59, wherein said action combination comprises one of said two detected objects fixed and the other moving.

69. The control method of claim 68, wherein said command comprises a rotation instruction.

70. The control method of claim 57, further comprising the steps of:

if a keyboard mode is enabled, directing said controlled device to display a graphic interface defining a keyboard;

activating a plurality of virtual keys defined on said touchpad to simulate said keyboard; and

moving a pointer displayed on said controlled device to a key of said graphic interface responsive to a touch on one of said plurality of virtual keys which is defined as said key of said graphic interface.

71. The control method of claim 57, further comprising the steps of:

if a writing pad mode is enabled, detecting and recording a movement trace of an object on said touchpad for use in recognition.

72. The control method of claim 57, further comprising the steps of:

if a remote controller mode is enabled, directing said controlled device to display a graphic interface defining a remote controller;

activating a plurality of virtual buttons defined on said touchpad to simulate said remote controller; and

moving a pointer displayed on said controlled device to a button of said graphic interface responsive to a touch on one of said plurality of virtual buttons which is defined as said button of said graphic interface.

73. The control method of claim 57, further comprising the steps of:

if a biometrics identifier mode is enabled, sensing and identifying a bio-signal from a user by a group of biosensors on said multi-functional touchpad remote controller.

74. The control method of claim 73, further comprising the step of:

identifying a user identity from said bio-signal.

75. The control method of claim 57, further comprising the steps of:

if a presenter mode is enabled, activating a directional button defined on said touchpad;

generating a command defined for said directional button for said controlled device responsive to a touch on said directional button.

76. The control method of claim 75, wherein said command comprises a page-up instruction or a page-down instruction.

77. The control method of claim 57, further comprising the step of directing said controlled device to display an operation interface including a plurality of icons defined for said plurality of functional modes respectively.

78. The control method of claim 57, further comprising the steps of:

activating a functional button assembly defined on said touchpad; and

generating said first control signal responsive to a touch on said functional button assembly.

79. The control method of claim 57, further comprising the steps of:

detecting a gesture on said touchpad; and

generating said first control signal responsive to said gesture.

80. The control method of claim 57, further comprising the step of generating said first control signal responsive to a depressing of a button assembly on said multi-functional touchpad remote controller.

81. A control method for a multi-functional touchpad remote controller having a touchpad, said control method comprising the steps of:

(a) enabling an operation mode selected from a plurality of functional modes according to a control signal;

(b) if a mouse mode is enabled, detecting a number of objects on said touchpad;

(c) when said number is one, controlling a pointer on a controlled device to move or click responsive to movement or clicking of a detected object on said touchpad; and

(d) when said number is two, generating a command depending on an action combination of two detected objects on said touchpad.

82. The control method of claim 81, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving leftwards simultaneously.

83. The control method of claim 82, wherein said command comprises a page-up instruction.

84. The control method of claim 81, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving rightwards simultaneously.

85. The control method of claim 84, wherein said command comprises a page-down instruction.

86. The control method of claim 81, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving towards each other.

87. The control method of claim 86, wherein said command comprises a zoom-out instruction.

88. The control method of claim 81, wherein said action combination comprises said two detected objects moving away from each other.

89. The control method of claim 88, wherein said command comprises a zoom-in instruction.

90. The control method of claim 81, wherein said action combination comprises one of said two detected objects fixed and the other moving.

91. The control method of claim 90, wherein said command comprises a rotation instruction.

92. The control method of claim 81, further comprising the step of:

if a game controller mode is enabled, manipulating a game role according to detected operation of at least an object on said touchpad.

93. The control method of claim 92, wherein said step of manipulating a game role comprises the steps of:

defining a movement control zone and a functional button control zone on said touchpad;

detecting an object movement on said movement control zone to control movement of said game role; and

detecting a touched position on said functional button control zone to trigger a functional button which is defined for said touched position.

94. The control method of claim 81, further comprising the steps of:

if a keyboard mode is enabled, directing said controlled device to display a graphic interface defining a keyboard;

activating a plurality of virtual keys defined on said touchpad to simulate said keyboard; and

moving a pointer displayed on said controlled device to a key of said graphic interface responsive to a touch on one of said plurality of virtual keys which is defined as said key of said graphic interface.

95. The control method of claim 81, further comprising the steps of:

if a writing pad mode is enabled, detecting and recording a movement trace of an object on said touchpad for use in recognition.

96. The control method of claim 81, further comprising the steps of:

if a remote controller mode is enabled, directing said controlled device to display a graphic interface defining a remote controller;

activating a plurality of virtual buttons defined on said touchpad to simulate said remote controller; and

moving a pointer displayed on said controlled device to a button of said graphic interface responsive to a touch on one of said plurality of virtual buttons which is defined as said button of said graphic interface.

97. The control method of claim 81, further comprising the step of:

if a biometrics identifier mode is enabled, sensing and identifying a bio-signal from a user by a group of biosensors on said multi-functional touchpad remote controller.

98. The control method of claim 97, further comprising the step of identifying a user identity from said bio-signal.

99. The control method of claim 81, further comprising the steps of:

if a presenter mode is enabled, activating a directional button defined on said touchpad;

generating a command defined for said directional button for said controlled device responsive to a touch on said directional button.

100. The control method of claim 99, wherein said command comprises a page-up instruction or a page-down instruction.

101. The control method of claim 81, further comprising the step of directing said controlled device to display an operation interface including a plurality of icons defined for said plurality of functional modes respectively.

102. The control method of claim 81, further comprising the steps of:

activating a functional button assembly defined on said touchpad; and

generating said control signal responsive to a touch on said functional button assembly.

103. The control method of claim 81, further comprising the steps of:

detecting a gesture on said touchpad; and

generating said control signal responsive to said gesture.

104. The control method of claim 81, further comprising the step of generating said control signal responsive to a depressing of a button assembly on said multi-functional touchpad remote controller.

105. A control method for a multi-functional touchpad remote controller having a touchpad, said control method comprising the steps of:

enabling a game controller mode;

defining a movement control zone and a functional button control zone on said touchpad;

detecting an object movement on said movement control zone to control movement of a game role; and

detecting a touched position on said functional button control zone to trigger a functional button which is defined for said touched position.