Remote Control Systems and Methods for Activating Buttons of Digital Electronic Display Devices

• US 20120001844A1
• Filed: 07/02/2010
• Published: 01/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auguste Research Group, LLC
• Original Assignee: Alpha and Omega Incorporated
• Inventors: Auguste, Donna Marie, Hayes, David Edward
• Granted Patent: US 8,405,606 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A method for controlling an e-book reader, set forth by way of example and not limitation, includes transmitting a digital packet including an address of a button actuator and a button control signal in response to a detection of a button press on a remote control device. The method further includes receiving the packet at the button actuator, decoding the packet in a digital processor to derive the button control signal, and controlling a motor to move a physical actuator between a neutral position and a button press position.

Claims

1. A remote control system comprising:

a remote control device operative to develop a plurality of button control signals; and

a button actuator responsive to said button control signals.

2. A remote control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said button actuator includes a physical actuator configured to move between a neutral position and a button-press position.

3. A remote control system as recited in claim 2 wherein said button actuator further includes a frame configured to engage a digital electronic display device, wherein said physical actuator is configured to move with respect to said frame.

4. A remote control system as recited in claim 3 wherein said button actuator includes a motor coupled to said physical actuator to move said physical actuator between said neutral position and said button-press position.

5. A remote control system as recited in claim 4 wherein said button actuator further includes a digital controller operative to develop motor control signals.

6. A remote control system as recited in claim 5 wherein said button actuator further includes a motor controller coupled between said digital controller and said motor.

7. A remote control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said button actuator includes a digital electronic display device interface.

8. A remote control system as recited in claim 7 wherein said digital electronic display device interface includes a mechanical interface.

9. A remote control system as recited in claim 7 wherein said digital electronic display device interface includes a hardwire interface.

10. A remote control system as recited in claim 7 wherein said digital electronic display device interface includes a wireless interface.

11. A remote control system as recited in claim 7 wherein said digital electronic display device interface includes a network interface.

12. A remote control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said button actuator further includes remote control interface operative to receive said plurality of button control signals from said remote control device.

13. A remote control system as recited in claim 12 wherein said remote control interface includes a wireless interface.

14. A remote control system as recited in claim 12 wherein said remote control interface includes a hardwired interface.

15. A remote control system as recited in claim 12 wherein said remote control interface includes a network interface.

16. A remote control system as recited in claim 1 wherein said button actuator is integrated with a digital electronic display device.

17. A remote control system as recited in claim 2 wherein movement of said physical actuator between said neutral position and said button press position includes movement in a first dimension, and wherein said physical actuator is further configured for movement in a second dimension generally orthogonal to said first dimension.

18. A remote control system as recited in claim 17 wherein said physical actuator is further configured for movement in a third dimension generally orthogonal to said first dimension and said second dimension.

19. An e-book reader page turner system comprising:

a remote control device including a case provided with a plurality of buttons, a digital processor coupled to said plurality of buttons, and a digital packet transmitter; and

a button actuator including a frame configured to engage with an e-book reader, a plurality of physical actuators supported by said frame and movable with respect thereto, a digital packet receiver, a digital processor coupled to said digital packet receiver, a motor controller coupled to said digital processor, and a plurality of motors electrically coupled to said motor controller and physically coupled to said plurality of physical actuators, wherein said plurality of physical actuators are positioned so as to be aligned with a plurality of page turn buttons of said e-book reader.

20. A method for controlling an e-book reader comprising:

transmitting a digital packet including an address of a button actuator and a button control signal in response to a detection of a button press on a remote control device; and

receiving said packet at said button actuator, decoding said packet in a digital processor to derive said button control signal, and controlling a motor to move a physical actuator between a neutral position and a button press position.