User interface and means for controlling same

• US 7,812,823 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2002
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: III Holdings 1, LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Claes Lorentz Uno Wellton Persson
• Inventors: Wellton Persson, Claes Lorentz Uno
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KIMNHUNG T
• Application Number:
  US10/475,087
• Publication Number:
  US 20040130523A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,093 Days
• Field of Search: 348/734, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 715825-829, 725/39, 725/43, 345156-158, 345168-171
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/422 Input-only peripherals , i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] input devices also receiving signals from specially adapted client devices H04N21/4104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72

Abstract

A user interface for communication equipment facilitating communication via the Internet and preferably providing other audio/video services and including a monitor or TV screen (S) for display of a user interface. The user interface comprises display of symbols (1, 2, 3, 4) resembling the keys of a keypad, each symbol including one icon symbolizing an associated service and also at least a number or symbol (e.g. 0-9;*,#) as associated with the keys of a keyboard and/or a short descriptive text for associated service. User input identified as the number/symbol displayed results in display of at least one further screen image related to chosen alternative. At least the first displayed screen (S) includes preferably at least one additional group of symbols (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) resembling keys, extending as a vertical and/or horizontal row of keys, each key symbol preferably only including an icon and/or a short descriptive text, said group(s) preferably related to services for control and setting of parameters related to the communication equipment used.

Claims

1. A user interface control system comprising:

a handheld remote control unit to control a user interface, the remote control unit having a keypad with a plurality of buttons arranged thereon, and the remote control unit being separated from the user interface; and

the user interface for a communication equipment facilitating communication via the Internet and including a monitor or TV for display of the user interface, the user interface including display of a group of icons on a main screen, said group of icons symbolizing associated services and including at least a number or symbol and a short descriptive text for one of the associated services;

the main screen of available services being followed by one or more subsequently following subscreens for each service, arranged to narrow down a choice made into subsequently following alternatives for chosen service, the subscreen also having a display adapted to keyed input of selected choice; and

the group of icons being positioned on the main screen or the subscreen in a layout configuration substantially corresponding to a layout arrangement of the plurality of the buttons on the keypad of the handheld remote control unit.

2. The user interface control system according to claim 1, wherein the user interface includes at least one additional group of icons related to control and setting of parameters of the communication equipment.

3. The user interface control system according to claim 2, wherein said at least one additional group of icons are arranged as a vertical column or a horizontal row.

4. The user interface control system according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is controlled by a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) equipped for wireless communication with the communication equipment.

5. The user interface control system according to claim 1, wherein the user interface is controlled by a keypad of a mobile telephone, equipped for wireless communication with the communication equipment.

6. The user interface control system according to claim 1, wherein the handheld remote control unit for selection from a screen display of available services is arranged to facilitate two-way wireless audio communication with the communication equipment, and said remote control unit includes a microphone and a loudspeaker.

7. The user interface control system according to claim 6, wherein the microphone and the speaker of the handheld remote control unit are located on a side that is opposite to the keypad.

8. The user interface control system according to claim 1, wherein information displayed in at least some of the subscreens, or the main screen, is modified by a user to suit individual preferences.

9. The user interface control system according to claim 1, wherein audio output for different types of services is user modified and stored.

10. The user interface control system according to claim 1, wherein input of text information from the user is performed using a PDA, a keyboard, or the handheld remote control unit by repeated depression of keys.

11. The user interface control system according to claim 1, wherein there is no cable connection between the user interface and the handheld remote control unit.

12. The user interface control system according to claim 11, wherein the user interface and the handheld remote control unit communicate through a wireless communication method.

13. The user interface control system according to claim 12, wherein the wireless communication method is a method based on radio frequency (RF) or infrared (IR).

14. The user interface control system according to claim 1, wherein the group of icons positioned on both the main screen and the subscreen are in a layout substantially corresponding to a layout of the plurality of the buttons on the keypad of the handheld remote control unit.

15. A user interface for a communication equipment facilitating communication via the Internet, said user interface comprising

a monitor or TV for display of the user interface, the user interface including display of a group of icons on a main screen, said group of icons symbolizing associated services and including at least a number or symbol and a short descriptive text for one of the associated services;

the main screen of available services being followed by one or more subsequently following subscreens for each service, arranged to narrow down a choice made into subsequently following alternatives for chosen service, the subscreen also having a display adapted to keyed input of selected choice; and

the user interface being controlled by a handheld remote control unit having a keypad which at least partly has a layout configuration substantially corresponding to a layout arrangement of the group of icons on the main screen or the subscreen of the user interface.