Systems, methods and apparatus for determining button degradation of a user input device

Various embodiments of systems, apparatus, and methods are described for A user input device, such as a remote control device. In one implementation, the remote control device includes at least one pair of electrical contacts, at least one button configured to electrically connect the at least one pair of electrical contacts, and a degradation measurement module in electrical communication with at least one of the electrical contacts. The degradation measurement module is configured to determine a degradation level of the at least one button based on at least one electrical property of a circuit associated with the at least one button when the at least button electrically connects the at least one pair of electrical contacts.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to user input devices, and more particularly to buttons of the user input devices and their degradation over time.

BACKGROUND

Many electronic devices—especially consumer electronic devices—include the ability to be remotely controlled by a user. The user enters commands on a user input device, which then transmits the commands to the electronic device. Typically the commands are transmitted to the electronic device wirelessly using infrared or radio frequency signals. Occasionally the electronic device may fail to carry out the user's command. This failure may be due to a variety of factors, such as low battery in the user input device, blocked line-of-sight between the user input device and the electronic device, entry of an incorrect command on the user input device, or a hardware failure of the user input device and/or electronic device. In many cases, the user may be unaware of which of these factors caused the failure of the electronic device to carry out the user's command.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

The term “signal” may be any digital or analog signal. Those signals may include, but are not limited to, a bit, a specified set of bits, an AC signal, or a DC signal. Uses of the term “signal” in the description may include any of these different interpretations. It will also be understood to one skilled in the art that the term “connected” is not limited to a physical connection but can refer to any means of communicatively or operatively coupling two devices.

The disclosure uses the terms “television converter,” “receiver,” “set-top box,” “receiving device,” “television receiver,” “television recording device,” “set-top box (STB)”, “satellite set-top box,” “satellite receiver,” “cable set-top box,” “cable receiver,” and “television tuner” to refer interchangeably to a converter device or electronic equipment that has the capacity to acquire, process and distribute one or more signals transmitted by broadcast, cable, telephone, or satellite distributors. DVR and “personal video recorder (PVR)” refer interchangeably to devices that can record and play back signals and that may implement trick functions including, but not limited to, fast-forward, rewind and pause. DVR and PVR functionality or devices may be combined with a television converter. The signals transmitted by these broadcast, cable, telephone or satellite distributors may include, individually or in any combination, internet, radio, television or telephonic data or information. One skilled in the art will recognize that a television converter device may be implemented as an external self-enclosed unit, a plurality of external self-enclosed units or as an internal unit housed within a television. One skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention can apply to analog and digital satellite set-top boxes.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of a user input device100, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. In some examples, the user input device100may be a remote control device for inputting user commands for a receiving device.

The user input device100includes a user input section105having a one or more buttons106. While only one exemplary button106is shown inFIG. 1, it should be understood that the user input section105may include many buttons106which operate in a similar manner. The buttons106may be located such that a user can view and interact with the buttons106. Each of the buttons106is associated with a pair of electrical contacts107. When a button106is depressed, the depressed button106forms an electrical connection between the pair of electrical contacts107, and a signal125is transmitted from the user input section105. A microprocessor110receives the signal125and a key detection module115detects which button106was depressed based on the signal125. The key detection module115may use various techniques to determine which button of the one or more buttons106is depressed, as further described herein.

Over time, one or more of the buttons106may become degraded. This may decrease the ability of a button106to form an electrical connection between the contacts107. For example, the impedance of a button106may increase as it is used over time. This increase in impedance may be caused by various factors, such as the wearing down of the conductor (often made of carbon) in the button106that connects the pair of electrical contacts107, or on the electrical contacts107. The overall impedance may also be increased as a result of various substances in the user input device100, such as solder flux, plastic/rubber components, and/or contamination from the user spilling liquids on the user input device100. Inaccurate mechanical alignment of the button106and electrical contacts107may also cause an increase in the impedance.

In order to detect the degradation of a button106, or the entire input section107, the user input device100includes a degradation measurement module120. The degradation measurement module120may be a component of the microprocessor110or an independent component of the user input device100. The degradation measurement module120receives the signal125from the user input section105when a button106is depressed. In some embodiments, the microprocessor110may include a multiplexer or switch to route the signal125to the degradation measurement module120. The degradation measurement module120determines at least one electrical property of the circuit which transmitted the signal125. Because the depressed button106and electrical contacts107form part of the circuit, the degradation level of the depressed button106and/or electrical contacts107may be determined from one or more properties of the circuit.

For example, in some embodiments, the degradation measurement module120determines a voltage level of the signal125. In other embodiments, the degradation measurement module120determines a current level of the signal125. This voltage or current level may be compared to historical levels to determine how the electrical properties of the depressed button106change over time. In some embodiments, an approximate impedance associated with the depressed button106may be derived from the measured voltage and/or current levels. This impedance may then be compared to historical impedances to determine a degradation level of the depressed button106. If the degradation level exceeds a threshold, then the user or manufacturer may be notified of the degradation level, as further described herein.

In some embodiments, the degradation measurement module120is an analog-to-digital converter. The analog-to-digital converter converts an analog voltage or current level into a numerical value representative of the voltage or current level. This numerical value may be stored and compared to historical values to determine the degradation level of the depressed button106. In some embodiments, the historical values may include at least one value associated with a new user input device100.

In some embodiments, the user input device100includes an indicator (not shown). The indicator may receive information from the degradation measurement module120and/or microprocessor110associated with the degradation level. If the degradation level exceeds a threshold, then the indicator may be instructed to indicate to a user that the depressed button106is degraded. The indication may include a light, a sound, a displayed message, tactile feedback, or other types of indication.

In some embodiments, the user input device100includes a communication module (not shown). The communication module may allow the user input device100to communicate with an external device (such as a receiving device shown inFIGS. 3 and 4). The user input device100may transmit information associated with the degradation levels of the buttons106to the external device. The external device may notify a user or manufacturer of the user input device if the degradation level for one or more of the buttons106exceeds a threshold. The external device may also compile historical information regarding the degradation level of the buttons106.

FIG. 2is a block diagram of a user input section105, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The user input section includes buttons106. While the diagram shows nine buttons106, it should be understood that a user input section may include additional or fewer buttons. Each of the buttons106is associated with a pair of electrical contacts107. When a button106is depressed, the depressed button106forms an electrical connection between the pair of electrical contacts107. As a result, the depressed button forms an electrical connection between a column and a row. Based on which column and row are connected, the key detection module115shown inFIG. 1may determine which button106was depressed.

The key detection module115may detect which column and row are connected using various techniques. For example, the key detection module115may send different signals over each column, and then detect which from which row a particular signal is received, or vice versa. Similarly, each column may be associated with different sensing circuits which allow determination of the row pressed, and in conjunction with information of the column drive state/function, a particular key may be determined, or vice versa. Other key detection techniques may also be used.

Each of the key detection techniques allow the degradation measurement module120(shown inFIG. 1) to determine an electrical property of the circuit formed by the depressed button106and electrical contacts107. Based on the measured electrical property, the degradation measurement module120determines a degradation level of the depressed button106and/or electrical contacts107, as described in reference toFIG. 1. In some embodiments, where it is not cost effective or convenient to have degradation measurement circuitry120connected to all buttons106in the user input section105, the buttons106with higher expected use may be preferentially connected to the degradation measurement circuit120. Preference of buttons106to connect may also be given to circuitry layout/routing or convenience of assembly.

FIG. 3is a block diagram of a communication system300, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The system includes a remote control device305. The remote control device305may be an example of the user input device100described in reference toFIG. 1. The remote control device305includes a user input section105having one or more buttons, as described in reference toFIGS. 1 and 2. A degradation measurement module120determines a degradation level of the button in the user input section105, as described in reference toFIGS. 1 and 2.

The remote control device305may communicate with a receiving device310, such as a set-top box. The remote control device305may transmit commands to the receiving device310which control the operation of the receiving device310. For example, the remote control device305may transmit a command for the receiving device to tune to a particular television channel.

The receiving device310may be connected to, or be a component of, a presentation device320. The presentation device320displays content that the receiving device310receives.

In some embodiments, the remote control device305transmits degradation level information to the receiving device310. Based on the degradation level information, the receiving device310may instruct the presentation device320to display a notification to the user regarding the degradation level of a button on the remote control device305. The user may then take action to fix or replace the degraded button or the entire remote control device305.

In some embodiments, the receiving device310may be in communication with a network or other external devices. The receiving device310may transmit the degradation level information over the network. A remote computer may receive the degradation level information. The remote computer may compile degradation level information from multiple remote control devices. Based on this compiled information, a manufacturer of the remote control device305may become aware of the lifespan or defects with the remote control device305. In some embodiments, the remote computer may automatically send a replacement remote control device or other fix for the degraded button to the user in response to the degradation level information.

FIG. 4illustrates an example of a receiving device310, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The receiving device310may be an example of one or more of the receiving devices310described in reference toFIG. 3.

The receiving device310includes one or more tuner/demodulators404. The tuner/demodulators may tune and process one or more channels and/or transponder signals from a television feed413. The tuner/demodulators404may tune to a particular channel or transponder as part of the process of a user selecting a certain content stream for viewing on a presentation device320. A control logic412may instruct the tuner/demodulators404to tune and demodulate a channel or transponder in response to a command for a remote control device305. Once a channel or transponder signal has been tuned and demodulated, the control logic412may extract a content stream for display on the presentation device320.

A user communication module418receives the user input and degradation level information from the remote control device305. One or more storage units414may be included internal and/or external to the receiving device310. The storage unit414may store recorded content streams and/or other control or informational data, such as the degradation level information. The control logic412may coordinate the storage and retrieval of content streams or other data to/from the storage unit414.

In some embodiments, the control logic412may instruct a network communication module406to transmit the degradation level information. The network communication module406may be in communication with a network or other remote device, which records the transmitted degradation level information.

The receiving device310may also include a rendering module422. The rendering module422renders a content stream into a presentable format for the presentation device320. The control logic412may coordinate the output of a video stream to the rendering module422. Furthermore, the receiving device320may include other components, modules, elements, or devices not illustrated for the sake of brevity.

FIG. 5is a flow diagram showing a method500for indicating to a user that a button is degraded, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The method500may be performed by user input device or remote control device, such as described in reference toFIGS. 1-4.

At step502, the method500includes generating an electrical signal through at least one pair of electrical contacts and at least one button. The at least one button electrically connects the at least one pair of electrical contacts.

At step504, the method500includes determining at least one electrical property of a circuit associated with the at least one button based at least in part on the electrical signal. The electrical property may be a voltage level, a current level, and/or an impedance associated with the at least one button.

At step506, the method500includes estimating a degradation level of the at least one button based at least in part on the at least one electrical property. The degradation level may be estimated by comparing the electrical property to historical measurements of electrical properties associated with the button.

At step508, the method500includes indicating to a user the estimated degradation level. The indication may include a light, a sound, a displayed message, tactile feedback, or other types of indication.

The method500may include additional acts, omit some acts, and/or may perform the acts in a different order than set out in theFIG. 5.

FIG. 6is a flow diagram showing a method600for reporting to an external device that a button is degraded, according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment. The method600may be performed by user input device or remote control device, such as described in reference toFIGS. 1-4.

At step602, the method600includes generating an electrical signal through at least one pair of electrical contacts and at least one button. The at least one button electrically connects the at least one pair of electrical contacts.

At step604, the method600includes determining at least one electrical property of a circuit associated with the at least one button based at least in part on the electrical signal. The electrical property may be a voltage level, a current level, and/or an impedance associated with the at least one button.

At step606, the method600includes estimating a degradation level of the at least one button based at least in part on the at least one electrical property. The degradation level may be estimated by comparing the electrical property to historical measurements of electrical properties associated with the button.

At step608, the method600includes reporting the estimated degradation level to an external receiving device. The external receiving device may compare the estimated degradation level to historical information associated with the button. If the estimated degradation level exceeds a threshold, the external receiving device may inform the user or a manufacturer of the degraded button.

The method600may include additional acts, omit some acts, and/or may perform the acts in a different order than set out in theFIG. 6.

The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, schematics, and examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, schematics, and examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that many functions and/or operations within such block diagrams (e.g., the functions of the stream packer or stream packing apparatus), flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combination thereof and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software and/or firmware would be well within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this disclosure. For example, the functions of the stream packer could be implemented in discrete logic with no central processing unit (CPU) or software involvement.

When logic is implemented as software and stored in memory, logic or information can be stored on any non-transitory computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with any processor-related system or method. In the context of this disclosure, a memory is a non-transitory computer- or processor-readable storage medium that is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical device or means that non-transitorily contains or stores a computer and/or processor program. Logic and/or the information can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device and execute the instructions associated with logic and/or information.

In the context of this specification, a “computer-readable medium” can be any physical element that can store the program associated with logic and/or information for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system (e.g., the control logic412), apparatus, and/or device. The computer-readable medium can be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus or device. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable medium would include the following: a portable computer diskette (magnetic, compact flash card, secure digital, or the like), a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CDROM), and digital tape.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary, to employ systems, circuits and concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments.

The above description of illustrated embodiments, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Although specific embodiments and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, as will be recognized by those skilled in the relevant art.