Portable user control device and method for vehicle information systems

• US 9,317,181 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 04/19/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Avionics Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Sizelove, Steven, Rhoads, Cedric, Lundquist, Christopher Brian, Kirby, Brian Jennings
• Primary Examiner(s): RENWICK, REGINALD A
• Application Number:
  US13/842,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20130210525A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,131 Days
• Field of Search: 463/31, 463/36, 463/40
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/40 Processing input control signals of video game devices, e.g. signals generated by the player or derived from the environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0015 Arrangements for entertainment or communications, e.g. radio, television
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/00155 Individual entertainment or communication system remote controls therefor, located in or connected to seat components, e.g. to seat back or arm rest
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0624 Arrangements of electrical connectors, e.g. for earphone, internet or electric supply
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/32 Remote control based on movements, attitude of remote control device
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display

Abstract

A personal user control device suitable for use in cooperation with information systems, such as vehicle information systems, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The personal user control device provides a user-friendly interface system for interacting with the information system. Unlike conventional control devices, the user interface system includes no dedicated buttons and provides a customizable environment for interacting with the information system. When in communication with the information system, the personal user control device can automatically detect system status information, such as available system functionality, available viewing content, and/or a current system operation mode, of the information system and provides a user interface system that instinctively adapts for use with the information system in light of the detected system status information. The personal user control device thereby provides a versatile and intuitive manner for interacting with the information system.

Claims

1. A portable control device for communicating with an external computer system, comprising:

a touchscreen display system disposed within a handheld housing for cooperating with first and second detachable overlay systems each forming a channel for receiving said handheld housing and with respective first and second button regions; and

a controller interface system including the button regions and the touchscreen display system for presenting a customizable user interface system, said controller interface system for generating the user interface system based upon an application available from the computer system and associating respective functions of the application with the button regions and predetermined locations of said touchscreen display system,

wherein activation of a selected button region or a selected location of said touchscreen display system initiates the associated application function, and

wherein the first and second button regions are separate from said touch screen display system and disposed on opposite end regions of said handheld housing, said touchscreen display system being disposed between the first and second button regions and presenting indicia associated with the application.

2. The portable control device of claim 1, wherein said first and second button regions are adjacent to said touchscreen display system.

3. The portable control device of claim 1,

wherein the application comprises a game application, and

wherein at least one of said first and second button regions comprise a game pad.

4. The portable control device of claim 3,

wherein said first button region comprises a four-button region, and

wherein said second button region comprises a directional pad.

5. The portable control device of claim 1, wherein the portable control device and the computer system are disposed aboard a moving platform.

6. The portable control device of claim 5, wherein the moving platform is an aircraft.

7. The portable control device of claim 6, wherein said controller interface system provides a flight attendant call button and a seat lighting system control button.

8. The portable control device of claim 1, wherein said controller interface system presents a menu system for selecting among a plurality of applications available from the computer system and enables navigation within the menu system.

9. The portable control device of claim 8, wherein the menu system is a hierarchical menu system.

10. The portable control device of claim 1, wherein said controller interface system presents a soft keyboard.

11. The portable control device of claim 1, wherein the portable control device communicates with the computer system via a communication cable.

12. The portable control device of claim 1, further comprising an accelerometer operable to detect an orientation of said handheld housing, wherein said touchscreen display system is operable to switch between portrait and landscape modes based on an orientation of said handheld housing.

13. The portable control device of claim 1, further comprising a telephone microphone and a telephone speaker disposed at opposite end regions of said handheld housing, wherein the portable control device is configured for selective use as a telephone.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the channels formed by the first and second detachable overlay systems receive the respective opposite end regions of said handheld housing.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second detachable overlay systems enclose the respective opposite end regions of said handheld housing.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second detachable overlay systems extend at least partially across said touchscreen display system.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of said touchscreen display system is exposed between the first and second detachable overlay systems.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second detachable overlay systems cover said touchscreen display system.

19. A system, comprising:

a passenger entertainment system disposed aboard a passenger vehicle; and

a portable control device disposed at a passenger seat and having a controller interface system including a touchscreen display system being disposed within a handheld housing for cooperating with first and second detachable overlay systems each forming a channel for receiving said handheld housing and with respective first and second button regions, the touchscreen display system for generating the user interface system based upon an application available from said passenger entertainment system and associating respective functions of the application with the button regions and predetermined locations of said touchscreen display system,

wherein activation of a selected button region or a selected location of said touchscreen display system initiates the associated application function, and

wherein the first and second button regions are separate from said touch screen display system and disposed on opposite end regions of said handheld housing, said touchscreen display system being disposed between the first and second button regions and presenting indicia associated with the application.

20. A method for communicating with an external computer system via a controller interface system including a touchscreen display system for presenting a customizable user interface system and being disposed within a handheld housing for cooperating with first and second detachable overlay systems each forming a channel for receiving said handheld housing and with respective first and second button regions, comprising:

generating the user interface system based upon an application available from the computer system; and

associating respective functions of the application with the button regions and predetermined locations of the touchscreen display system,

wherein activation of a selected button region or a selected location of the touchscreen display system initiates the associated application function, and

wherein the first and second button regions are separate from said touch screen display system and disposed on opposite end regions of said handheld housing, said touchscreen display system being disposed between the first and second button regions and presenting indicia associated with the application.