Remote controller integrated with wireless mouse

• US 6,466,154 B1
• Filed: 11/06/1998
• Issued: 10/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Byoung-taek, Bang, Chung-sik
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, ALBERT KANG
• Application Number:
  US09/187,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20020149509A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,439 Days
• Field of Search: 341/20, 341/173, 341/176, 341/26, 345/163, 345/167, 345/156, 345/158, 345/172, 348/734, 348/564, 348/601, 348/552
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/32 Remote control based on movements, attitude of remote control device
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

An integrated remote controller/wireless mouse includes first and second buttons installed on the upper surface of a body for operating first and second apparatuses, respectively, a signal generator for generating optical signals for controlling functions of the apparatuses in accordance with the operation of the buttons, and a track ball, protruding from the bottom surface of the body, to allow free rolling movement for operating the second apparatus.

Claims

1. A remote controller comprising:

at least one first button and at least one second button installed on an upper surface of a body for operating first and second apparatuses, respectively;

a signal generator for generating optical signals for controlling respective functions of the first and second apparatuses in accordance with the operation of said at least one first button and said at least one second button, respectively;

a track ball, separate from said at least one first button and said at least one second button, protruding from a bottom surface of the body, for operating the second apparatus, wherein said track ball faces in an opposite direction from a direction that said at least one first button and said at least one second button face; and

a cover member for selectively opening and closing a top portion of the body, wherein when the top surface portion of the body is closed, said at least one first button is covered, and said at least one second button is exposed,

wherein the cover member has a hinge coupled to one end of the body, which is capable of pivot-movement, to thereby open or close the top portion of the body, and

wherein the remote controller further comprises;

a shaft extending from the body;

a rotating connection member rotatably connected to the shaft; and

pivot pins formed on both sides of the rotation connection member, connected to one end of the cover member,

wherein when the rotating connection member is rotated 180°

, the inner surface of the cover member faces a bottom surface of the body.

2. A remote controller comprising:

at least one first button and at least one second button installed on an upper surface of a body for operating first and second apparatuses, respectively;

a signal generator for generating optical signals for controlling respective functions of the first and second apparatuses in accordance with the operation of said at least one first button and said at least one second button, respectively;

a track ball, separate from said at least one first button and said at least one second button, protruding from a bottom surface of the body, for operating the second apparatus, wherein said track ball faces in an opposite direction from a direction that said at least one first button and said at least one second button face;

a cover member installed on the body to cover said at least one first button and said at least one second button, thereby preventing depression of said at least one first button; and

at least one elastic push piece formed on the cover member for selectively contacting only at least one of said at least one second button when a top portion of the body is covered,

wherein the cover member is rotatably connected to opposite ends of the body, and the cover member is operable to selectively expose at least one of said at least one first button and said at least one second button, and the cover member is operable to cover said track ball, upon rotation of the cover member.