Method of using physical buttons in association with a display to access and execute functions available through associated hardware and software

• US 20040237052A1
• Filed: 06/29/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Research Investment Network Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Research Investment Network Incorporated
• Inventors: Allport, David
• Application Number:
  US10/881,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20040237052A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/840
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0489 using dedicated keyboard keys or combinations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/21 Programming remote control devices via third means
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/33 Remote control using macros, scripts
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• 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 21/42204 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 21/42209 for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42228 the reprogrammable keys being displayed on a display screen in order to reduce the number of keys on the remote control device itself
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/088 the inserted signal being digital
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/14 Systems for two-way working H04N7/12, H04N7/173 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/147 Communication arrangements, e.g. identifying the communication as a video-communication, intermediate storage of the signals selecting H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

Systems and methods are described for using physical buttons on a device in association with a display to display, access, and execute functions available through associated hardware and software. The physical buttons are programmable, and the function of each button is displayed on an associated display when the button is activated using a first type of motion, and the function of the button is performed when the button is activated using a second type of motion. This allows the display to be free of unnecessary icons, tool-tips, menus, text, etc., and to be devoted to actual content unless and until a user decides to perform a function associated with the device containing the display. Increasing the available display space is especially important in the advancing art of electronics, where devices are becoming smaller and smaller, yet consumers are demanding more and more functionality.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing on a display, in response to a first motion performed upon a first button, a description of a function associated with said first button; and

executing, in response to a second motion performed upon said first button, the function associated with said first button;

wherein said first and second motions are different motions performed on said first button.

2. The method as in claim 1, wherein the first button is on a hand-held device.

3. The method as in claim 2, further comprising providing for the removal from the display after a suitable amount of time of non-activity, the description of the function associated with the first button.

4. The method as in claim 2, wherein the display is on the device.

5. The method as in claim 1, further comprising providing for the removal from the display, in response to another motion performed upon said first button, the description of the function associated with the first button.

6. The method as in claim 1, wherein the description of the function associated with the first button is displayed on the display adjacent to the first button.

7. A system comprising:

a device having at least a first input area; and

a display;

wherein a first manner of activation in said first input area causes a description to be displayed on the display, and a second manner of activation in said first input area causes a function to be executed,

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the device is a hand-held device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the display is on the device.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising a port, wherein when said function is executed, a result occurs on said display or at said port.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said result at said port comprises sending a signal from said hand-held device to a second device.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said second device is a television.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein said second device is a set-top box.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein said second device is a recording device.

15. A hand-held device, comprising:

a display and a port integrated into said device; and

a button having a first motion and a second different motion, said first motion causing a description associated with said button to be presented on the display and the second different motion an said button causes an execution of a function,

wherein said execution of said function comprises either causing said display to change to a new state or causing said port to send an output signal to a second device.

16. The hand-held device of claim 15 wherein said second device is a television.

17. The hand-held device of claim 15 wherein said second device is a set-top box.

18. The hand-held device of claim 15 wherein said second device is a recording device.

19. The hand-held device of claim 15 wherein said output signal is a wireless signal.

20. The handheld device of claim 19 wherein said wireless signal is a radio frequency signal.

21. The hand-held device of claim 15 wherein said wireless signal is an infrared signal.

22. A computer program product comprising:

a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein for causing a computer to perform an action, comprising,

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to provide on a display, in response to a first motion performed upon a first button, a description of a function associated with said first button; and

computer readable program code means for causing a computer to execute, in response to a second motion performed upon said first button, the function associated with said first button;

wherein said first and second motions are different motions performed on said first button.

23. The computer program product as in claim 22, wherein the first button is on a hand-held device.

24. The computer program product as in claim 23, further comprising computer readable program code means for causing a computer to provide for the removal from the display after a suitable amount of time of non-activity, the description of the function associated with the first button.

25. The computer program product as in claim 23, wherein the display is integrated into the device.

26. The computer program product as in claim 22, further comprising computer readable program code means for causing a computer to provide for the removal from the display, in response to another motion performed upon said first button, the description of the function associated with the first button.

27. The computer program product as in claim 22, wherein the description of the function associated with the first button is displayed on the display adjacent to the first button.