Performing camera control using a remote control device

• US 8,885,057 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2011
• Issued: 11/11/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lifesize, Inc. (Enghouse Systems Limited)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Mock, Wayne E.
• Primary Examiner(s): GILES, NICHOLAS G
• Application Number:
  US13/328,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20130155268A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,061 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.04, 348/14.05, 348/14.07, 348/14.08, 348/211.99, 348/211.1, 348/211.2, 348/211.4, 348/211.7, 348/211.8, 348/211.9
• US Class Current: 348/211.7
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/631 Graphical user interfaces [GUI] specially adapted for controlling image capture or setting capture parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/695 Control of camera direction for changing a field of view, e.g. pan, tilt or based on tracking of objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

System and method for user interfaces using remote control devices. More specifically, these user interfaces may be particularly useful for providing an intuitive and user friendly interaction between a user and a device or application using a display, e.g., at a “10 foot” interaction level. The user interfaces may be specifically designed for interaction using a simple remote control device having a limited number of inputs. For example, the simple remote control may include directional inputs (e.g., up, down, left, right), a confirmation input (e.g., ok), and possibly a mute input. These user interfaces may allow a user to quickly browse and filter lists of items, efficiently provide input (e.g., having multiple data types), customize directional and/or mute functionality of the remote control, perform camera control (e.g., for videoconferencing), etc.

Claims

1. A method for performing camera control of a camera using a remote control device, comprising:

displaying a first input control and a second input control on a display, wherein the first input control is configured to control pan and tilt of the camera, and wherein the second input control is configured to control zoom of the camera, wherein the first input control is displayed distinctly and separately from the second input control, wherein the first input control and the second input control are independently selectable for controlling pan and tilt or zoom, respectively, wherein the first input control comprises four portions, a first two portions along a first axis and a second two portions along a second axis, wherein the first two portions are associated with panning left and panning right, respectively, and wherein the second two portions are associated with tilting up and tilting down, respectively, wherein the second input control comprises two portions along an axis associated with zooming in or zooming out, respectively;

receiving first directional user input from the remote control device selecting one of the first input control or the second input control, wherein the remote control is a simple remote control, comprising directional inputs for up, down, left, and right, and confirmation input for confirming a selection, wherein the first directional user input is received using one or more of the directional inputs;

receiving user input from the remote control device indicating acceptance of selection of the one of the first input control or the second input control, wherein the user input indicating acceptance is received using the confirmation input;

receiving second directional user input from the remote control device to adjust the pan and tilt or zoom of the camera, depending on which of the first input control or the second input control is selected, wherein said receiving the second directional user input is performed after acceptance of selection of the one of the first input control or the second input control, and wherein the second directional input is received using one or more of the directional inputs;

adjusting the pan and tilt or the zoom of the camera in response to the second directional user input, depending on which of the first input control or the second input control is selected.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first directional user input selects the first input control to control the pan and tilt of the camera, wherein the user input indicates acceptance of selection of the first input control, wherein the second directional user input is performed to adjust the pan and tilt of the camera, and wherein said adjusting adjusts the pan and tilt of the camera in response to the second directional user input.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second directional user input comprises one or more of vertical or horizontal directional user input.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first directional user input selects the second input control to control the zoom of the camera, wherein the user input indicates acceptance of selection of the second input control, wherein the second directional user input is performed to adjust the zoom of the camera, and wherein said adjusting adjusts the zoom of the camera in response to the second directional user input.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second directional user input comprises either vertical directional user input or horizontal directional user input.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

receiving third directional user input from the remote control device while controlling the zoom of the camera, wherein the third directional user input is opposite of the directionality of the second directional user input, wherein the third directional user input is used to select the first input control, wherein after the third directional user input, the remote control device is usable to control the pan and tilt of the camera;

receiving fourth directional user input from the remote control device; and

adjusting the pan and tilt of the camera in response to the fourth directional user input.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to the user input indicating acceptance of the selection, visually indicating the one of the first input control or the second input control on the display, wherein the visual indication indicates that directional user input to the remote control device controls either pan and tilt of the camera or zoom of the camera, depending on which of the first input control or the second input control is selected.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving second user input from the remote control device to escape control of the pan and tilt or zoom of the camera;

after said receiving the second user input, receiving third directional user input from the remote control device to navigate a user interface displayed on the display.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a plurality icons corresponding to camera presents on the display;

receiving second user input from the remote control device selecting a first icon of the plurality of icons, wherein the first icon corresponds to a first camera preset;

receiving third user input from the remote control device indicating acceptance of selection of the first icon;

adjusting the pan and/or zoom of the camera based on a first camera preset.

10. A non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium storing program instructions for performing camera control of a camera using a remote control device, wherein the program instructions are executable to:

display a first input control and a second input control on a display, wherein the first input control is configured to control pan and tilt of the camera, and wherein the second input control is configured to control zoom of the camera, wherein the first input control is displayed distinctly and separately from the second input control, wherein the first input control and the second input control are independently selectable for controlling pan and tilt or zoom, respectively, wherein the first input control comprises four portions, a first two portions along a first axis and a second two portions along a second axis, wherein the first two portions are associated with panning left and panning right, respectively, and wherein the second two portions are associated with tilting up and tilting down, respectively, wherein the second input control comprises two portions along an axis associated with zooming in or zooming out, respectively;

receive first directional user input from the remote control device selecting one of the first input control or the second input control, wherein the remote control is a simple remote control, comprising directional inputs for up, down, left, and right, and confirmation input for confirming a selection, wherein the first directional user input is received using one or more of the directional inputs;

receive user input from the remote control device indicating acceptance of selection of the one of the first input control or the second input control, wherein the user input indicating acceptance is received using the confirmation input;

receive second directional user input from the remote control device to adjust the pan and tilt or zoom of the camera, depending on which of the first input control or the second input control is selected, wherein said receiving the second directional user input is performed after acceptance of selection of the one of the first input control or the second input control, and wherein the second directional input is received using one or more of the directional inputs;

adjust the pan and tilt or the zoom of the camera in response to the second directional user input, depending on which of the first input control or the second input control is selected.

11. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 10, wherein the first directional user input selects the first input control to control the pan and tilt of the camera, wherein the user input indicates acceptance of selection of the first input control, wherein the second directional user input is performed to adjust the pan and tilt of the camera, and wherein said adjusting adjusts the pan and tilt of the camera in response to the second directional user input.

12. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 11, wherein the second directional user input comprises one or more of vertical or horizontal directional user input.

13. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 10, the first directional user input selects the second input control to control the zoom of the camera, wherein the user input indicates acceptance of selection of the second input control, wherein the second directional user input is performed to adjust the zoom of the camera, and wherein said adjusting adjusts the zoom of the camera in response to the second directional user input.

14. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 13, wherein the second directional user input comprises either vertical directional user input or horizontal directional user input.

15. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 14, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

receive third directional user input from the remote control device while controlling the zoom of the camera, wherein the third directional user input is opposite of the directionality of the second directional user input, wherein the third directional user input is used to select the first input control, wherein after the third directional user input, the remote control device is usable to control the pan and tilt of the camera;

receive fourth directional user input from the remote control device; and

adjust the pan and tilt of the camera in response to the fourth directional user input.

16. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 15, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

in response to the user input indicating acceptance of the selection, visually indicate the one of the first input control or the second input control on the display, wherein the visual indication indicates that directional user input to the remote control device controls either pan and tilt of the camera or zoom of the camera, depending on which of the first input control or the second input control is selected.

17. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 10, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

receive second user input from the remote control device to escape control of the pan and tilt or zoom of the camera;

after said receiving the second user input, receive third directional user input from the remote control device to navigate a user interface displayed on the display.

18. The non-transitory, computer accessible memory medium of claim 10, wherein the program instructions are further executable to:

display a plurality icons corresponding to camera presents on the display;

receive second user input from the remote control device selecting a first icon of the plurality of icons, wherein the first icon corresponds to a first camera preset;

adjust the pan and/or zoom of the camera based on a first camera preset.