Multiple function arrangement for electronic apparatus and method thereof

• US 9,691,269 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2013
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Steyer, Jean-Marie, Morizot, Gerard
• Primary Examiner(s): Backer, Firmin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Aziz, Adnan
• Application Number:
  US14/432,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20150254974A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,366 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/026 involving the transmission of elliptically or circularly polarised waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/497 Means for monitoring or calibrating
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/941 using an optical detector H03K17/968 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/9631 using a light source as part of the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96042 with illumination

Abstract

The current invention relates to the reuse of elements in an device to provide multiple functions of function indication, remote control command reception and touch sensor. The device comprises an indicator element providing a first function of indicating to a user the operating state of the said device, a receiver element providing a second function of reception of remote control commands from a remote control device, means for combining the indicator element and the receiver element to provide a third function of touch sensor. The indicator element provides the first function during a subsequent second period of time and the receiver element providing the second function during the second of the time, the first and the second period of time being continuously alternated.

Claims

1. A device, wherein the device comprises:

an indicator element capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation for providing a first function of indicating an operating state of a function of the device;

a receiver element capable of receiving invisible electromagnetic radiation from a remote control device for providing a second function of reception of remote control commands;

the indicator element and the receiver element are configured to provide a third function of touch sensor for local operating of functions of the device, the indicator element emitting, during a first period of time, an electromagnetic radiation pattern modulated at a frequency used by the remote control that, when received during the first period of time by the receiver element through reflection by an object, triggers a state change of an operating function of the device, during a subsequent second period of time the receiver element providing the second function and the indication of the operating state by the indicator element appears continuous when the emitting by the indicator element is repeated during each occurrence of the second period of time, the first period of time and the second period of time being repeatedly alternated.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the indicator element is further configured to provide the indication in a visible red light spectrum.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the indicator element is further configured to provide the indication in a visible green light spectrum.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the invisible electromagnetic radiation is infra red light.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first period of time is shorter than 20 milliseconds so that the indication of the operating state is continuous to a user of the device due to persistence of human vision when the emitting by the indicator element is repeated during each occurrence of the second period of time.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the indicator element is configured to emit electromagnetic radiation for indicating an operating state of a function of the device during the second period of time.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the indicator element is further configured to not emit electromagnetic radiation for indicating an operating state of a function of the device during the second period of time.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the pattern is comprised of pulses, each of said pulses having a pulse width that does not exceed 1 millisecond in duration.

9. A method for providing a touch sensor function for operation of functions of a device, the device comprising an indicator element capable of emitting electromagnetic radiation for a first function of indication of an operating state of a function of the device, and a receiver element capable of receiving invisible electromagnetic radiation from a remote control for a second function of reception of remote control commands, said method comprising:

the indicator element providing the first function and the receiver element providing the second function during a first period of time;

the indicator element and the receiver element providing the touch sensor function during a subsequent second period of time;

the first period of time and the second period of time being repeatedly alternated, the indicator element emitting, during the second period of time, an electromagnetic radiation pattern modulated at a frequency used by the remote control that, when received during the second period of time by the receiver element through reflection by an object, triggers a state change of an operating function of the device and the indication of the operating state by the indicator element appears continuous when the emitting by the indicator element is repeated during each occurrence of the first period of time.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the second period of time is shorter than 20 milliseconds so that the indication of the operating state is continuous to a user of the device due to persistence of human vision when the emitting by the indicator element is repeated during each occurrence of the first period of time.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the indicator element emits electromagnetic radiation for indicating an operating state of a function of the device during the first period of time.

12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the indicator element does not emit electromagnetic radiation for indicating an operating state of a function of the device during the first period of time.

13. The method according to claim 9, wherein the pattern is comprised of pulses, each of said pulses having a pulse width that does not exceed 1 millisecond in duration.