Multi-directional remote control system and method

• US 8,760,522 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2006
• Issued: 06/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: I-Interactive LLC
• Original Assignee: I-Interactive LLC
• Inventors: Henty, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Daniels, Anthony J
• Application Number:
  US12/083,811
• Publication Number:
  US 20090115723A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,801 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.99
• US Class Current: 348/207.99
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0304 Detection arrangements using opto-electronic means constructional details of pointing devices not related to the detection arrangement using opto-electronic means G06F3/033; optical digitisers G06F3/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/32 Remote control based on movements, attitude of remote control device
• 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 21/42206 characterized by hardware details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4221 Dedicated function buttons, e.g. for the control of an EPG, subtitles, aspect ratio, picture-in-picture or teletext
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42222 Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42225 characterized by types of remote control, e.g. universal remote control

Abstract

A multi-directional remote control system and method is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display (112) such as a monitor or TV and having display functions employing a mouse type control. The remote controller (110) may be conveniently held in one hand of a user and still provides full mouse type functionality. The remote control system and method images the screen of the TV or other display to detect relative motion between the controller (110) and screen. This position information is transmitted to the entertainment system for control of a cursor or other GUI interface.

Claims

1. A method for remote control of a media system including a display having a screen, comprising:

detecting an amount of an off screen pointing position of a freely movable remote control employing an imaging system; and

scrolling a menu displayed on the screen with a variable speed based on the amount the pointing position is off screen.

2. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 1, wherein the variable speed scrolling is varied continuously with the amount the pointing position is off screen.

3. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 1, wherein the variable speed scrolling is varied in discrete zones with the amount the pointing position is off screen.

4. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 1, wherein the menu is scrolled left or right with variable speed varied with the amount the pointing position is off screen left or right.

5. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 1, wherein the menu is scrolled up or down with variable speed varied with the amount the pointing position is off screen up or down.

6. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 1, wherein the variable speed scrolling comprises scrolling a TV channel menu.

7. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 1, wherein the variable speed scrolling comprises scrolling multiple photo files.

8. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 1, wherein the imaging system is configured on the remote control.

9. A method for remote control of a media system including a display having a screen, comprising:

detecting both an on screen pointing position and an amount of an off screen pointing position of a freely movable remote control employing an imaging system;

providing a first control operation of a menu displayed on the screen when the pointing position is on screen; and

providing a second different type of control operation of a menu displayed on the screen when the pointing position is off screen a predetermined amount.

10. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 9, wherein the first control operation of a menu displayed on the screen comprises control of position of a cursor based on the pointing position on screen.

11. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 9, wherein the second control operation of a menu displayed on the screen comprises a discrete jump of a page up or down control of the menu based on the pointing position off screen up or down.

12. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 9, wherein the second control operation of a menu displayed on the screen comprises a discrete jump of a page left or right control of the menu based on the pointing position off screen left or right.

13. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 9, wherein the imaging system is configured on the remote control.

14. A method for remote control of a media system including a display having a screen, comprising:

detecting both an on screen pointing position and an amount of an off screen pointing position of a freely movable remote control employing an imaging system;

providing a control operation of a menu displayed on the screen when the pointing position is on screen; and

providing an automatic off control operation of the imaging based control when the pointing position is off screen a predetermined amount for a predetermined time.

15. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 14, where the imager is configured on the remote control and the off control operation turns off the power to the imaging system.