Customizing Input to a Videoconference Using a Remote Control Device

• US 20130155175A1
• Filed: 12/16/2011
• Published: 06/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Mock, Wayne E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,922,615 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/14.05
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/567 Multimedia conference systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

System and method for user interfaces using remote control devices. More specifically, these user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. These user interfaces may allow a user to quickly browse and filter lists of items, efficiently provide input (e.g., having multiple data types), customize directional and/or mute functionality of the remote control, perform camera control (e.g., for videoconferencing), etc.

Claims

1. A method for customizing user input to a videoconference, the method comprising:

displaying a user interface for customizing directional input of a remote control device for use during a videoconference;

receiving user input specifying first functionality for the directional input of the remote control device, wherein the user input is received, at least in part, using the directional input of the remote control;

performing a videoconference with one or more videoconferencing units;

receiving directional user input from the remote control device during the videoconference;

performing one or more actions in the videoconference based on the directional user input and the specified first functionality.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of presets for the directional input, wherein said receiving user input specifying the first functionality comprises selecting a first preset from the plurality of presets corresponding to the first functionality.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving user input specifying the first functionality for the directional input comprises:

receiving user input specifying a videoconferencing action for each direction.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving user input specifying the first functionality comprises:

associating the directional input with changing a layout of the videoconference.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving user input specifying the first functionality comprises:

associating the directional input with changing a volume of the videoconference.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving user input specifying the first functionality comprises:

associating the directional input with initiating recording of the videoconference.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving user input specifying the first functionality comprises:

associating the directional input with changing a camera preset of the videoconference.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving user input specifying the first functionality comprises:

associating the directional input with presentation functions of the videoconference.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote control is a simple remote control, comprising:

directional inputs for up, down, left, and right; and

confirmation input for confirming a selection;

wherein said receiving the user input only utilizes the directional inputs and the confirmation input.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote control is a simple remote control, wherein the simple remote control comprises no more than 8 inputs.

11. A non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium storing program instructions for customizing user input to a videoconference, wherein the program instructions are executable to:

display a user interface for customizing directional input of a remote control device for use during a videoconference;

receive user input specifying first functionality for the directional input of the remote control device, wherein the user input is received, at least in part, using the directional input of the remote control;

perform a videoconference with one or more videoconferencing units;

receive directional user input from the remote control device during the videoconference;

perform one or more actions in the videoconference based on the directional user input and the specified first functionality.

12. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 11, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of presets for the directional input, wherein said receiving user input specifying the first functionality comprises selecting a first preset from the plurality of presets corresponding to the first functionality.

13. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 11, wherein said receiving user input specifying the first functionality for the directional input comprises:

receiving user input specifying a videoconferencing action for each direction.

14. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 11, wherein said receiving user input specifying the first functionality comprises:

associating the directional input with changing a layout of the videoconference.

15. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 11, wherein said receiving user input specifying the first functionality comprises:

associating the directional input with changing a volume of the videoconference.

16. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 11, wherein said receiving user input specifying the first functionality comprises:

associating the directional input with initiating recording of the videoconference.

17. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 11, wherein said receiving user input specifying the first functionality comprises:

associating the directional input with changing a camera preset of the videoconference.

18. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 11, wherein said receiving user input specifying the first functionality comprises:

associating the directional input with presentation functions of the videoconference.

19. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 11, wherein the remote control is a simple remote control, comprising:

directional inputs for up, down, left, and right; and

confirmation input for confirming a selection;

wherein said receiving the user input only utilizes the directional inputs and the confirmation input.

20. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 11, wherein the remote control is a simple remote control, wherein the simple remote control comprises no more than 8 inputs.