Spherical remote control

• US 9,176,602 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2013
• Issued: 11/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Sesto, Adrian, Walker, Mark Leroy
• Primary Examiner(s): Tzeng, Fred
• Application Number:
  US13/915,420
• Publication Number:
  US 20140362025A1
• Time in Patent Office: 875 Days
• Field of Search: 345/174, 345/173, 345/163, 345/166
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/02 using a radio link
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/05 using capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• 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 21/42222 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

Abstract

A spherical remote control, including: a spherical shell; a surface sensor to detect a contact on the spherical shell; an accelerometer to detect a movement of the remote control; a circuit to transmit a signal based on the detected contact, orientation and movement; and a first induction coil to receive power for charging a battery in the circuit. The spherical remote control can be placed on a cradle which includes: a power supply; and a second induction coil for providing power to the first induction coil.

Claims

1. A remote control system, comprising a spherical remote control and a cradle, wherein the spherical remote control comprises:

a spherical shell;

a surface sensor to detect a contact on the spherical shell;

an accelerometer to detect a movement of the spherical remote control;

a circuit to transmit a signal based on the detected contact and movement; and

a first induction coil to receive power for charging a battery in the circuit; and

wherein the cradle comprises;

a power supply; and

a second induction coil for providing power to the first induction coil.

2. The spherical remote control according to claim 1, wherein the surface sensor comprises an array of capacitance touch switches.

3. The spherical remote control according to claim 1, wherein the surface sensor comprises an array of resistance touch switches.

4. The spherical remote control according to claim 1, wherein the surface sensor comprises an array of mechanical touch switches.

5. The spherical remote control according to claim 1, wherein the accelerometer is a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) based accelerometer.

6. The spherical remote control according to claim 1, wherein the circuit translates the detected contact and movement into a remote control signal specific to a device.

7. The spherical remote control according to claim 1, further comprising an inner sphere and a viscous liquid, wherein the viscous liquid fills the space between the inner sphere and the spherical shell.

8. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the spherical remote control further comprises a gyroscope to detect an orientation of the spherical remote control and the transmitted signal is further based on the detected orientation.

9. The spherical remote control according to claim 8, wherein the gyroscope is a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) based gyroscope.

10. The remote control of claim 8, wherein the gyroscope is further configured to align the first induction coil with respect to the second induction coil for optimal inductive charging.

11. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the cradle is ring-shaped.

12. The remote control system according to claim 1, wherein the cradle comprises a concave spherical surface that matches the radius of the spherical shell of the spherical remote control.

13. The remote control system according to claim 1, further comprising an alignment means to align the first induction coil with respect to the second induction coil for optimal inductive charging.

14. The remote control of claim 13, wherein the alignment means is a weight.

15. The remote control of claim 13, wherein the alignment means is a magnet.

16. The remote control of claim 13, wherein the alignment means is the first induction coil.

17. A method of using a spherical remote control, the method comprising:

providing a remote control system comprising a spherical remote control and a cradle, wherein the spherical remote control comprises;

a spherical shell;

a surface sensor to detect contact on the spherical shell;

an accelerometer to detect a movement of the spherical remote control;

a circuit to transmit a signal based on the detected contact and movement; and

a first induction coil to receive power for charging a battery in the circuit; and

wherein the cradle comprises;

a power supply; and

a second induction coil for providing power to the first induction coil;

detecting a contact on the spherical shell;

detecting movement of the spherical remote control; and

transmitting a signal based on the detected contact and movement.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the spherical remote control further comprises a gyroscope to detect an orientation of the spherical remote control;

and wherein the transmitted signal is further based on the detected orientation.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the gyroscope is a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) based gyroscope.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the surface sensor of the spherical remote control comprises an array of capacitance touch switches.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the surface sensor of the spherical remote control comprises an array of resistance touch switches.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the surface sensor of the spherical remote control comprises an array of mechanical touch switches.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the accelerometer of the spherical remote control is a micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) based accelerometer.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the circuit of the spherical remote control translates the detected contact and movement into a remote control signal specific to a device.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the spherical remote control further comprises an inner sphere and a viscous liquid, wherein the viscous liquid fills the space between the inner sphere and the spherical shell.