Patent ID: 6697044
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: A63F,G06F

Abstract:
A handheld remote control for controlling a device having a graphical object within a graphical display and for outputting forces to a user of the handheld remote control, the handheld remote control comprising:a housing including at least one button, wherein said user engages said button with a finger of said user for the purpose of accessing a function of said device, said button being depressable along a degree of freedom; an actuator coupled to said button, said actuator operative to apply forces in said degree of freedom of said button; a sensor for detecting displacement of said button along said degree of freedom when said button is depressed by said user, said sensor providing an output indicative of said user's engagement, said output being transmitted to said device; and control circuitry, local to said handheld remote control, controlling said actuator to generate said forces, said forces dependant on said function accessed by said user, thereby providing a tactile sensation to said user engaging said button.