Control interface for controlling multiple functional devices or a multiple purpose device having a plurality of modes

• US 20080180305A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 07/31/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: About Face Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: About Face Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: McRae, Kimberly A.
• Application Number:
  US11/981,267
• Publication Number:
  US 20080180305A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2474 Telephone terminals specially adapted for disabled people user interfaces for cordless or mobile telephones specially adapted for disabled users H04M1/72475; network based special services or facilities for hearing-impaired persons H04M3/42391; devices for conversing with the deaf-blind G09B21/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6775 by providing access to preprogrammed keys

Abstract

The present invention relates to intuitive based control elements and interfaces and devices using said intuitive based control elements. In certain embodiments, machine interfaces such as remote control devices for operation of various devices are provided. More specifically, machine interfaces according to embodiments of the invention herein include one or more control elements in the form of shapes and/or positioned indicia to facilitate operation by users. Control elements provided herein having intuitive shapes and/or positions described above as associated with the man-machine interfaces may also be provided integral with various devices. For example, personal electronic devices, personal care devices, personal healthcare devices, communications devices and personal comfort devices may benefit from control elements having intuitive shapes and/or positions associated with the function as described herein. In one aspect, a control interface is provided for controlling multiple functional devices. The control interface includes at least one control element in the form of, or positioned in a configuration on the control interface corresponding to, a part of the a face or body. The control element performs a function of the device associated with the part of the face or body. The control interface further includes a selector for selecting one from a plurality of functional devices. In another aspect, a control interface is provided for controlling a multiple purpose device having a plurality of modes. The control interface includes at least one control element in the form of, or positioned in a configuration on the control device corresponding to, a part of the a face or body. The control element performs a function of the device associated with the part of the face or body. The control interface further includes a selector for selecting one from a plurality of modes.

Claims

1. A control interface for controlling multiple functional devices comprising:

at least one control element in the form of, or positioned in a configuration on the control device corresponding to, a part of the a face or body;

wherein the control element performs a function of the device associated with the part of the face or body;

a selector for selecting one from a plurality of functional devices.

2. The control interface as in claim 1, wherein the control element comprise physical control elements.

3. The control interface as in claim 1, wherein the control element comprise virtual control elements.

5. The control interface as in claim 1, wherein the control element comprise physical control elements.

6. The control interface as in claim 1, wherein the control element comprise virtual control elements.

4. A control interface for controlling a multiple purpose device having a plurality of modes:

at least one control element in the form of, or positioned in a configuration on the control device corresponding to, a part of the a face or body;

wherein the control element performs a function of the device associated with the part of the face or body;

a selector for selecting one from a plurality of modes.