Remote Controller Utilized with Charging Dock for Controlling Mobile Device

• US 20160165026A1
• Filed: 02/17/2015
• Published: 06/09/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Analogix Semiconductor, Inc. (Beijing Shanhai Capital Management Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Analogix Semiconductor, Inc. (Beijing Shanhai Capital Management Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Yang, Kewei, Bouwer, Andre, Su, Marvin, Mohanty, Soumendra
• Granted Patent: US 9,954,987 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances

Abstract

Provided is a console unit for controlling a mobile device. The console unit includes a remote control unit and a tower section. The tower section includes a receptacle adapted for receiving the remote control unit at least partially therein. The tower section further includes a housing and an interface configured for coupling to the mobile device. The interface is configured for selectively receiving high definition media data and USB protocol data from the mobile device and for charging the mobile device. The tower section includes at least one media port for providing the high definition media data to a media player device and a power port for receiving power. The remote control unit includes a communications transceiver configured to communicate with the mobile device. The remote control unit includes a touchpad for receiving input from a user, including gestures, while the mobile device is coupled to the tower section.

Claims

1. A console unit for controlling a mobile device, the console unit comprising:

a remote control unit including a communications transceiver configured to communicate with the mobile device; and

a tower section including a receptacle adapted for receiving the remote control unit at least partially therein, the tower section including a housing and the following;

an interface configured for coupling to the mobile device, the interface being configured for selectively receiving at least high definition media data from the mobile device;

at least one media port for providing the at least high definition media data to at least one media player device; and

a power port for coupling to a power source for receiving power.

2. The console unit of claim 1, wherein:

the remote control unit includes a touchpad for receiving an input from a user while the mobile device is coupled to the tower section; and

the mobile device is configured to perform an action associated with the received input.

3. The console unit of claim 2, wherein the remote control unit includes one or more buttons for receiving an input from a user while the mobile device is coupled to the tower section.

4. The console unit of claim 3, wherein each of the one or more buttons is associated with at least one of standard Android buttons.

5. The console unit of claim 2, wherein the touch screen includes sensitive areas, each sensitive area being associated with one of standard Android buttons.

6. The console unit of claim 2, wherein the input comprises a gesture received by pushing the touchpad by a finger and moving the finger across the touchpad while keeping the touchpad depressed.

7. The console unit of claim 2, wherein the action includes one or more of the following:

swiping at least one screen associated with a user interface of the mobile device;

scrolling a portion of the at least one screen associated with the user interface of the mobile device; and

typing letters on a virtual keyboard provided by the user interface of the mobile device.

8. The console unit of claim 1, wherein the interface includes a cable having one end coupled to the tower section, the cable having a second end including a USB protocol connector for coupling to the mobile device.

9. The console unit of claim 1, wherein the interface is further configured for selectively receiving USB protocol data and the at least high definition media data from the mobile device;

the tower section further including a USB data port configured for coupling to one or more USB compatible devices, the one or more USB compatible devices including at least one of a keyboard and pointing device; and

the USB data port being for communicating the USB protocol data between the mobile device and the one or more USB compatible devices.

10. The console unit of claim 1, wherein the tower section includes two media ports, the two media ports being selected from:

one or more HDMI ports configured for coupling to a respective HDMI compatible device; and

one or more USB ports for coupling to a respective USB compatible device.

11. The console unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the power port, the at least one media port, and the interface comprises at least one of a USB connector, an HDMI connector, and a DisplayPort connector.

12. The console unit of claim 1, wherein the interface is further configured for charging the mobile device.

13. The console unit of claim 1, wherein the tower station is configured to charge the remote control unit disposed at least partially in the receptacle.

14. The console unit of claim 13, wherein the remote control unit is charged wirelessly.

15. The console unit of claim 1, wherein the remote control unit is configured to communicate with the mobile device via one of Bluetooth and WiFi wireless protocols.

16. The console unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one media player is configured to provide a video of a screen of the mobile device while the mobile device is coupled to the tower section.

17. A method for controlling a mobile device using a console unit comprising:

a remote control unit including a communications transceiver configured to communicate with the mobile device; and

a tower section including a receptacle adapted for receiving the remote control unit at least partially therein, the tower section further including a housing and at least one of the following;

an interface configured for coupling to the mobile device, the interface being configured for selectively receiving high definition media data and USB protocol data from the mobile device, the interface being further configured for charging the mobile device;

at least one media port for providing the high definition media data to at least one media player device; and

a power port for coupling to a power source for receiving power;

the method comprising;

receiving, via the remote control unit, an input from a user while the mobile device is connected to the tower section;

recognizing an action associated with the input;

causing, at least in part, performance of the action on the mobile device; and

causing, at least in part, displaying of a result of the action via the at least one media player.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the remote control unit includes a touchpad for receiving the input from the user.

19. The console unit of claim 18, wherein the input is a gesture received from the user that comprises:

depressing the touchpad by a finger and then moving the finger across the touchpad while keeping the touchpad depressed.

20. The console unit of claim 17, wherein the action includes one or more of the following:

swiping screens associated with a user interface of the mobile device;

scrolling portion of screen associated with a user interface of the mobile device; and

typing a letter of a virtual keyboard provided by a user interface of the mobile device.

21. A non-transitory processor-readable medium having embodied thereon a program being executable by at least one processor to perform method for controlling a mobile device using a console unit comprising:

a remote control unit including a communications transceiver configured to communicate with a mobile device; and

a tower section including a receptacle adapted for receiving the remote control unit at least partially therein, the tower section further including a housing and at least one of the following;

an interface configured for coupling to the mobile device, the interface configured for selectively receiving high definition media data and USB protocol data from the mobile device, the interface being further configured for charging the mobile device;

at least one media port for providing the high definition media data to at least one media player device; and

a power port for coupling to a power source for receiving power;

the method comprising;

receiving, via the remote control, an input from a user while the mobile device is connected to the tower section;

recognizing an action associated with the input;

causing, at least partially, performing of the action on the mobile device; and

causing, at least partially, displaying of results of the action via the at least one media player.