CONTROL METHODS FOR A MULTI-FUNCTION CONTROLLER

• US 20120092330A1
• Filed: 09/30/2011
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Elan Microelectronics Corporation
• Original Assignee: Elan Microelectronics Corporation
• Inventors: CHEN, SHU-JEN, OU YANG, CHANG
• Granted Patent: US 9,013,398 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/419
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1018 Calibration; Key and button assignment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04806 Zoom, i.e. interaction techniques or interactors for controlling the zooming operation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0338 with detection of limited linear or angular displacement of an operating part of the device from a neutral position, e.g. isotonic or isometric joysticks
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0483 Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning

Abstract

In control methods for a multi-function controller, which includes a sensor having a ring operation region, the position of an object on the sensor is detected for generating a position information, and the force applied to the sensor by the object is detected for generating a force information. When the sensor detects multiple successive position information, which indicate that the object is circling along the ring operation region, a rotation information may be generated additionally. The position information, the force information and the rotation information are used to perform operation in various functional modes.

Claims

1. A control method for a multi-function controller including a sensor having a ring operation region, the control method comprising the steps of:

detecting a position of an object on the sensor for generating a position information;

detecting a force applied to the sensor by the object for generating a force information;

enabling one of a plurality of functional modes; and

operating a mouse cursor responsive to operation on the sensor when a mouse mode included in the plurality of functional modes is enabled, wherein the mouse cursor is controlled to move in a direction according to the position information with a speed according to the force information.

2. The control method of claim 1, further comprising the step of operating a photo responsive to operation on the sensor when a photo mode included in the plurality of functional modes is enabled, wherein the photo is controlled to move in a direction according to the position information with a speed according to the force information.

3. The control method of claim 2, further comprising the steps of:

in the photo mode, generating a rotation information responsive to the sensor detecting multiple successive position information which indicate that the object is circling along the ring operation region; and

zooming in or out the photo according to the rotation information.

4. The control method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying a part of a map with a window and operating the window responsive to operation on the sensor when a map mode included in the functional modes is enabled, wherein the window is controlled to move in a direction according to the position information with a speed according to the force information.

5. The control method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

in the map mode, generating a rotation information responsive to the sensor detecting multiple successive position information which indicate that the object is circling along the ring operation region; and

zooming in or out the map according to the rotation information.

6. The control method of claim 4, wherein the step of displaying a part of a map with a window comprises the step of displaying the part of the map in a three-dimensional manner.

7. The control method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying a select cursor on a control menu and operating the select cursor responsive to operation on the sensor when a menu mode included in the plurality of functional modes is enabled, wherein the select cursor is controlled to move in a direction according to the position information with a speed according to the force information.

8. The control method of claim 7, further comprising the steps of:

in the menu mode, generating a rotation information responsive to the sensor detecting multiple successive position information which indicate that the object is circling along the ring operation region; and

page turning the control menu in either direction according to the rotation information.

9. The control method of claim 7, further comprising the step of displaying the control menu in a three-dimensional manner in the menu mode.

10. The control method of claim 7, further comprising the step of displaying the control menu cyclically in the menu mode.

11. The control method of claim 7, further comprising the step of displaying details of an option of the control menu responsive to the select cursor deposited on the control menu in the menu mode.

12. The control method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying an e-book and operating the e-book responsive to operation on the sensor when a read mode included in the plurality of functional modes is enabled, wherein the e-book is page turned responsive to the position information indicating that the object is on a horizontal axis of the sensor, in either direction according to the position information with a speed according to the force information.

13. The control method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

in the read mode, generating a rotation information responsive to the sensor detecting multiple successive position information which indicate that the object is circling along the ring operation region; and

zooming in or out the e-book according to the rotation information.

14. The control method of claim 1, further comprising the step of operating a multimedia file responsive to operation on the sensor when a multimedia mode included in the plurality of functional modes is enabled, wherein the multimedia file is controlled to fast forward or rewind according to the position information responsive to the position information indicating that the object is on a horizontal axis of the sensor, with a speed of fast forwarding or rewinding according to the force information.

15. The control method of claim 14, further comprising the step of pausing or stopping the multimedia file from playing according to the position information responsive to the position information indicating that the object is on a vertical axis of the sensor.

16. The control method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

in the multimedia mode, generating a rotation information responsive to the sensor detecting multiple successive position information which indicate that the object is circling along the ring operation region; and

controlling a playtime point of the multimedia file according to the rotation information.

17. The control method of claim 1, further comprising the step of operating a game character responsive to operation on the sensor when a game mode included in the plurality of functional modes is enabled, wherein the game character is controlled to move in a direction according to the position information with a speed according to the force information.

18. The control method of claim 17, further comprising the step of expressing the position information in terms of angle.

19. The control method of claim 1, further comprising the step of displaying photos of a gallery in a three-dimensional manner and operating the gallery responsive to operation on the sensor when a three-dimensional photo mode included in the plurality of functional modes is enabled, wherein the photos are browsed responsive to the position information indicating that the object is on a horizontal axis of the sensor, in either direction according to the position information with a speed according to the force information, and a currently presented photo is zoomed in or out responsive to the position information indicating that the object is on a vertical axis of the sensor, with a zooming speed according to the force information.

20. A control method for a multi-function controller including a sensor having a ring operation region, the control method comprising the steps of:

detecting a position of an object on the sensor for generating a position information;

detecting a force applied to the sensor by the object for generating a force information;

enabling one of a plurality of functional modes; and

operating a photo responsive to operation on the sensor when a photo mode included in the plurality of functional modes is enabled, wherein the photo is controlled to move in a direction according to the position information with a speed according to the force information.

21. The control method of claim 20, further comprising the steps of:

in the photo mode, generating a rotation information responsive to the sensor detecting multiple successive position information which indicate that the object is circling along the ring operation region; and

zooming in or out the photo according to the rotation information.

22. A control method for a multi-function controller including a sensor having a ring operation region, the control method comprising the steps of:

detecting a position of an object on the sensor for generating a position information;

detecting a force applied to the sensor by the object for generating a force information;

enabling one of a plurality of functional modes; and

displaying a part of a map with a window and operating the window responsive to operation on the sensor when a map mode included in the functional modes is enabled, wherein the window is controlled to move in a direction according to the position information with a speed according to the force information.

23. The control method of claim 22, further comprising the steps of:

in the map mode, generating a rotation information responsive to the sensor detecting multiple successive position information which indicate that the object is circling along the ring operation region; and

zooming in or out the map according to the rotation information.

24. The control method of claim 22, wherein the step of displaying a part of a map with a window comprises the step of displaying the part of the map in a three-dimensional manner.

25. A control method for a multi-function controller including a sensor having a ring operation region, the control method comprising the steps of:

detecting a position of an object on the sensor for generating a position information;

detecting a force applied to the sensor by the object for generating a force information;

enabling one of a plurality of functional modes; and

displaying a select cursor on a control menu and operating the select cursor responsive to operation on the sensor when a menu mode included in the plurality of functional modes is enabled, wherein the select cursor is controlled to move in a direction according to the position information with a speed according to the force information.

26. The control method of claim 25, further comprising the steps of:

in the menu mode, generating a rotation information responsive to the sensor detecting multiple successive position information which indicate that the object is circling along the ring operation region; and

page turning the control menu in either direction according to the rotation information.

27. The control method of claim 25, further comprising the step of displaying the control menu in a three-dimensional manner in the menu mode.

28. The control method of claim 25, further comprising the step of displaying the control menu cyclically in the menu mode.

29. The control method of claim 25, further comprising the step of displaying details of an option of the control menu responsive to the select cursor deposited on the control menu in the menu mode.

30. A control method for a multi-function controller including a sensor having a ring operation region, the control method comprising the steps of:

detecting a position of an object on the sensor for generating a position information;

detecting a force applied to the sensor by the object for generating a force information;

enabling one of a plurality of functional modes; and

displaying an e-book and operating the e-book responsive to operation on the sensor when a read mode included in the plurality of functional modes is enabled, wherein the e-book is page turned responsive to the position information indicating that the object is on a horizontal axis of the sensor, in either direction according to the position information with a speed according to the force information.

31. The control method of claim 30, further comprising the steps of:

in the read mode, generating a rotation information responsive to the sensor detecting multiple successive position information which indicate that the object is circling along the ring operation region; and

zooming in or out the e-book according to the rotation information.

32. A control method for a multi-function controller including a sensor having a ring operation region, the control method comprising the steps of:

detecting a position of an object on the sensor for generating a position information;

detecting a force applied to the sensor by the object for generating a force information;

enabling one of a plurality of functional modes; and

operating a multimedia file responsive to operation on the sensor when a multimedia mode included in the plurality of functional modes is enabled, wherein the multimedia file is controlled to fast forward or rewind according to the position information responsive to the position information indicating that the object is on a horizontal axis of the sensor, with a speed of fast forwarding or rewinding according to the force information.

33. The control method of claim 32, further comprising the step of pausing or stopping the multimedia file from playing according to the position information responsive to the position information indicating that the object is on a vertical axis of the sensor in the multimedia mode.

34. The control method of claim 32, further comprising the steps of:

in the multimedia mode, generating a rotation information responsive to the sensor detecting multiple successive position information which indicate that the object is circling along the ring operation region; and

controlling a playtime point of the multimedia file according to the rotation information.

35. A control method for a multi-function controller including a sensor having a ring operation region, the control method comprising the steps of:

detecting a position of an object on the sensor for generating a position information;

detecting a force applied to the sensor by the object for generating a force information;

enabling one of a plurality of functional modes; and

operating a game character responsive to operation on the sensor when a game mode included in the plurality of functional modes is enabled, wherein the game character is controlled to move in a direction according to the position information with a speed according to the force information.

36. The control method of claim 35, further comprising the step of expressing the position information in terms of angle.

37. A control method for a multi-function controller including a sensor having a ring operation region, the control method comprising the steps of:

detecting a position of an object on the sensor for generating a position information;

detecting a force applied to the sensor by the object for generating a force information;

enabling one of a plurality of functional modes; and

displaying photos of a gallery in a three-dimensional manner and operating the gallery responsive to operation on the sensor when a three-dimensional photo mode included in the plurality of functional modes is enabled, wherein the photos are browsed responsive to the position information indicating that the object is on a horizontal axis of the sensor, in either direction according to the position information with a speed according to the force information, and a currently presented photo is zoomed in or out responsive to the position information indicating that the object is on a vertical axis of the sensor, with a zooming speed according to the force information.