Intuitive based control elements, and interfaces and devices using said intuitive based control elements

• US 7,782,244 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: About Face Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: About Face Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: McRae, Kimberly A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr.; Timothy
• Application Number:
  US11/981,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20080180304A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,028 Days
• Field of Search: 341/173, 341/176, 340/825.22, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, D13/168
• US Class Current: 341/173
• 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: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

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.

Claims

1. A man-machine interface device comprising:

a housing including at least one control element, the control element capable of actuation upon being depressed, rotated, twisted, pulled, slid, rubbed, touch-screen actuated, manipulated, or any combination of the foregoing actions, the control element shaped in the form of, or positioned on the housing corresponding to,

at least one ear, said control element in the form of at least one ear, or positioned on the housing corresponding to at least one ear, controlling audio functions, and/or

at least one eye, said control element in the form of at least one eye, or positioned on the housing corresponding to at least one eye, controlling visual functions; and

a transmission sub-system for transmitting a signal from said at least one control element.

2. The man-machine interface device as in claim 1, further comprising a speech generating sub-system, wherein upon producing a signal with said at least one control element, the speech generating sub-system speaks the function of said at least one control element.

3. The man-machine interface device as in claim 1, wherein said transmission sub-system is pre-programmed.

4. The man-machine interface as in claim 1, the housing configured with a base and a shaped region in the general shape of a face of an animate being, the shaped region having a tilted axis with respect to the base.

5. The man-machine interface device as in claim 1, further comprising:

at least one control element shaped in the form of a nose or positioned on a location of the housing corresponding to a nose, said control element controlling power functions, and/or

at least one control element shaped in the form of a mouth or positioned on a location of the housing corresponding to a mouth, said control element controlling power functions.

6. The man-machine interface device as in claim 1, wherein the device is configured for interface directly with an existing remote control.

7. The man-machine interface device as in claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a removable and programmable controller therein.

8. The man-machine interface device as in claim 1, wherein the device is directly programmable.

9. The man-machine interface device as in claim 1, comprising at least two control elements for controlling at least two different functions, wherein at least one of said control elements is detachable.

10. The man-machine interface device as in claim 1, comprising a first control elements for controlling at least a first function, and a second control element for controlling at least a second function, wherein at least one of said control elements is capable of being added subsequent to an initial device configuration.

11. The man-machine interface device as in claim 1, wherein the device controls at least a video system, an audio system, a computer system or an appliance.

12. The man-machine interface device as in claim 1, wherein the transmission sub-system comprises a wireless transmission subsystem, an IR transmission subsystem, an RF transmission subsystem, an optical transmission subsystem, or a wired transmission subsystem.

13. The man-machine interface device as in claim 1 further comprising

a master control device disposed within at least a portion of said body and operably coupled to said at least one control element;

and

wherein said transmission sub-system transmits a signal from said master control panel.

14. The man-machine interface device as in claim 13 wherein said master control device comprises a self contained programmable control device.

15. The man-machine interface device as in claim 13 wherein said master control device includes a transmitter.

16. The man-machine interface device as in claim 14 wherein said master control device functions independently as a man-machine interface.

17. The man-machine interface device as in claim 13, wherein said master control device is in the form of a cartridge which is optionally programmable by a user upon interfacing with a computer device.

18. The man-machine interface device as in claim 13, wherein said master control device is in the form of computer media.

19. The man-machine interface device as in claim 13, further comprising a mechanical interface between the master control device and at least one of said control elements.

20. The man-machine interface device as in claim 19, wherein said mechanical interface is configured for interfacing with an existing remote control device.

21. A man-machine interface device comprising:

a housing including at least one control element, the control element capable of actuation upon being depressed, rotated, twisted, pulled, slid, rubbed, touch-screen actuated, manipulated, or any combination of the foregoing actions, the control element shaped in the form of, or positioned on the housing corresponding to, a part of the face selected from the group consisting of ears, eyes, mouth, nose, cheek, and chin;

a transmission sub-system for transmitting a signal from said at least one control element; and

a master control device removably disposed within at least a portion of said body and operably coupled to said at least one control element; and

wherein said transmission sub-system transmits a signal from said master control panel, and wherein said master control device functions independently as a man-machine interface.

22. A man-machine interface device comprising:

a housing including at least two control elements, the control elements each being capable of actuation upon being depressed, rotated, twisted, pulled, slid, rubbed, touch-screen actuated, manipulated, or any combination of the foregoing actions, the control elements shaped in the form of, or positioned on the housing corresponding to, one or more parts of the face selected from the group consisting of ears, eyes, mouth, nose, cheek, and chin; and

a transmission sub-system for transmitting a signal from said at least one control element,

wherein the at least two control elements are for controlling at least two different functions, and wherein at least one of said control elements is detachable.

23. A man-machine interface device comprising:

a housing including at least a first control element for controlling at least a first function, the first control element being capable of actuation upon being depressed, rotated, twisted, pulled, slid, rubbed, touch-screen actuated, manipulated, or any combination of the foregoing actions, the control element shaped in the form of, or positioned on the housing corresponding to, one or more parts of the face selected from the group consisting of ears, eyes, mouth, nose, cheek, and chin;

a second control element for controlling at least a second function that is added subsequent to an initial device configuration, the second control element being capable of actuation upon being depressed, rotated, twisted, pulled, slid, rubbed, touch-screen actuated, manipulated, or any combination of the foregoing actions, and the second control element shaped in the form of, or positioned on the housing corresponding to, one or more parts of the face selected from the group consisting of ears, eyes, mouth, nose, cheek, and chin; and

a transmission sub-system for transmitting a signal from said first control element and said second control element when said second control element is added.