Control device
First Claim
1. An apparatus for controlling at least one target device and for operating as an input control device for a computer system, said apparatus comprising:
- a host computer comprising an output display and a host configuration for storing control data and for permitting selection of a plurality of operating modes including a remote control mode and a cursor control mode, and for permitting selection of a function for said target device, said host configuration being constructed to generate a mode select to indicate said operating mode, and control data corresponding to said function selected for said target device when operating in said remote control mode;
a control device coupled to receive said mode select and said control data from said host computer, said control device comprising;
an encoder for encoding said control data when said mode select indicates selection of said remote control mode;
a reflective pad;
a transmitter, coupled to said encoder, for transmitting said control data encoded to said target device when said mode select indicates selection of said remote control mode, and for transmitting a constant signal to said reflective pad when said mode select indicates selection of said cursor control mode; and
a decoder coupled to receive an input, said decoder being constructed to receive said constant signal transmitted from said reflective pad to generate said position data for said host computer to control placement of a cursor on said output display when said control device is operating in said cursor control mode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control device method and apparatus has application for use in multi-media systems. The multi-media system contains a host computer having a video display, a control device and at least one target device. The target device is any remotely controlled equipment that the user wishes to integrate into the multi-media system. The host computer contains a host system configuration which provides the user the ability to select an operating mode for the control device. The control device operates as an interactive user interface to control a cursor on the host computer video display when the control device is placed in the cursor control mode. The user selects a remote control mode to remotely control the target devices using the control device. The host system configuration also includes learn and computer networking modes. In the learn mode, control data information is entered into the host system configuration for new target devices. In the computer networking mode, the control device operates as a network interface allowing other similarly equipped computers to communicate with the host computer.
249 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling at least one target device and for operating as an input control device for a computer system, said apparatus comprising:
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a host computer comprising an output display and a host configuration for storing control data and for permitting selection of a plurality of operating modes including a remote control mode and a cursor control mode, and for permitting selection of a function for said target device, said host configuration being constructed to generate a mode select to indicate said operating mode, and control data corresponding to said function selected for said target device when operating in said remote control mode; a control device coupled to receive said mode select and said control data from said host computer, said control device comprising; an encoder for encoding said control data when said mode select indicates selection of said remote control mode; a reflective pad; a transmitter, coupled to said encoder, for transmitting said control data encoded to said target device when said mode select indicates selection of said remote control mode, and for transmitting a constant signal to said reflective pad when said mode select indicates selection of said cursor control mode; and a decoder coupled to receive an input, said decoder being constructed to receive said constant signal transmitted from said reflective pad to generate said position data for said host computer to control placement of a cursor on said output display when said control device is operating in said cursor control mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for controlling at least one target device and for operating as an input control device for a computer system, said method comprising the steps of:
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storing control data in said host computer, said control data specifying at least one function for said target device; permitting selection of a plurality of operating modes in said host computer including a remote control mode and a cursor control mode; permitting selection of said at least one function for said target device in said host computer; generating a mode select to indicate said operating mode selected; retrieving said control data corresponding to said function selected for said target device when operating in said remote control mode; encoding said control data when said mode select indicates selection of said remote control mode; transmitting said control data encoded when said mode select indicates selection of said remote control mode; transmitting a constant signal to a reflective pad when said mode select indicates selection of said cursor control mode; and decoding said constant signal to generate position data for said host computer to control placement of a cursor on an output display of said host computer when said control device is operating in said cursor control mode. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A multi-media computer system comprising:
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at least one target device; a host computer comprising an output display and a host configuration, said host configuration for storing control data and for permitting selection of a plurality of operating modes including a remote control mode and a cursor control mode, and for permitting selection of a function for said target device, said host configuration being constructed to generate a mode select to indicate said operating mode, and control data corresponding to said function selected for said target device when operating in said remote control mode; a control device coupled to receive said mode select and said control data from said host computer, and for generating input data, including position data, for said host computer when said mode select indicates selection of said cursor control mode, said control device comprising; an encoder for encoding said control data when said mode select indicates selection of said remote control mode; a reflective pad; a transmitter, coupled to said encoder, for transmitting said control data encoded to 8aid target device when said mode select indicates selection of said remote control mode, and for transmitting a constant signal to said reflective pad when said mode select indicates selection of said cursor control mode; and a decoder coupled to receive an input said decoder being constructed to receive said constant signal from said reflective pad to generate a said position data for said host computer to control placement of a cursor on said output display when said control device is operating in said cursor control mode. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification