Abstract:
A user input module that enables user input without the relatively high costs associated with dedicated user input mechanisms or the relatively high costs associated with handheld devices. A user input module for a device according to the present teachings includes a set of RFID tags for storing a user input and a switching mechanism for activating the RFID tags such that the RFID tags when activated transmit the user input. Devices may use RFID readers to obtain the transmitted user input and then act on the user input as appropriate.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     A wide variety of venues may include an arrangement of devices that provide services to users. For example, a conference room may include audio/visual devices that may be employed by individuals in the conference room. In another example, an information center at an institution or amusement park, etc. may include a variety of devices for providing information to visitors.  
         [0002]     It may be desirable to provide individuals at a venue with the capability of accessing the functions of the devices contained within the venue. For example, it may be desirable to provide individuals who enter a conference room with the capability of using the audio/visual devices in the conference room. Similarly, it may be desirable to provide visitors to an information center of an institution or amusement park with the capability of using the devices in the information center.  
         [0003]     A set of devices contained in a venue may be equipped with dedicated user input mechanisms. For example, a conference room may include user input devices, e.g. keyboard, keypad, etc. for controlling conference room devices. Unfortunately, the cost of equipping a venue with dedicated user input mechanisms may be relatively high. In addition, dedicated user input mechanisms may be subject to theft or vandalism and may lack a flexibility that enables frequent changes to a user interface.  
         [0004]     Individuals may employ handheld devices to access the devices contained in a venue. Examples of handheld devices include PDAs and cell phones. A handheld device may enable an individual to establish a wireless communication link with the devices in a venue and enter commands to the devices. Unfortunately, such a method may exclude access to devices by individuals who are not in possession of a relatively expensive handheld device.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     A user input module is disclosed that enables user input without the relatively high costs associated with dedicated user input mechanisms or the relatively high costs associated with handheld devices. A user input module for a device according to the present teachings includes a set of RFID tags for storing a user input and a switching mechanism for activating the RFID tags such that the RFID tags when activated transmit the user input. Devices may use RFID readers to obtain the transmitted user input and then act on the user input as appropriate.  
         [0006]     Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The present invention is described with respect to particular exemplary embodiments thereof and reference is accordingly made to the drawings in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  shows a user input module that accesses a device according to the present teachings;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a database that holds a set of information associated with a user input stored in a user input module;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of an RFID tag that includes an antenna and a microcontroller having a memory;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  shows one method for implementing a switching mechanism in an RFID tag;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  shows another user input module according to the present teachings;  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  shows one example method for employing a user input module to interact with a device;  
         [0014]      FIG. 7  shows a venue that may be controlled with a user input module according to the present techniques;  
         [0015]      FIG. 8  shows another venue that may be controlled with a user input module according to the present techniques.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a user input module  20  that accesses a device  10  according to the present teachings. The user input module  20  includes a button  22  and an RFID tag  24  that corresponds to the button  22 . The RFID tag  24  stores a user input  410  that may be acted upon by the device  10 . For example, the user input  410  may be a code, set of data, etc., that may be acted upon by the device  10 .  
         [0017]     The user input module  20  includes a switching mechanism for activating the RFID tag  24 . The RFID tag  24  when activated transmits the user input  410  associated with the button  22 . In one embodiment, a holder of the user input module  20  activates the RFID tag  24  by pressing the button  22 . The switching mechanism in the RFID tag  24  may be a switch between a microcontroller and an RF antenna in the RFID tag  24 .  
         [0018]     An RFID reader  14  establishes an RF communication link  30  to the RFID tag  24  when the RFID tag  24  is activated. The RFID reader  14  obtains the user input  410  from the RFID tag  24  via the RF communication link  30 . The device  10  obtains the user input  410  from the RFID reader  14  and in response may perform one or more functions.  
         [0019]     The device  10  may be any type of device that is capable of user interaction. Examples include visual display devices, e.g. televisions, plasma displays, large auditorium displays, specialized event displays, computer monitors, etc. as well as audio systems, e.g. home audio systems, public address systems, etc., and audio/visual systems, information systems, vending machines, environmental control devices, etc.  
         [0020]     The RFID reader  14  may be separate from the device  10  as shown or may be integrated into the device  10 .  
         [0021]     The user input  410  may specify an input function for a user interface associated with the device  10 . For example, the device  10  may perform a function corresponding to the button  22  in response to the user input  410 . The functions of the device  10  that may be instigated via the user input module  20  may depend on the particular nature of the device  10 . For example, if the device  10  is a media rendering device then the user input module  20  may be used to select media objects to be rendered on the device  10 . In another example, if the device  10  is an environmental controller, e.g. temperature or lighting control, then the user input module  20  may be use to switch on/off lights, adjust temperature, etc.  
         [0022]     The device  10  may include a visual display that provides visual feedback to a holder of the user input module  20 . For example, the device  10  may include a display device that displays a graphical user interface to a user. Alternatively, audio feedback or other types of human perceptible feedback may be employed.  
         [0023]     The user input  410  may identify a holder of the user input module  20 . For example, the user input  410  may include an account number associated with a holder of the user input module  20 .  
         [0024]     The user input  410  may identify a media file that may be rendered by the device  10 . For example, the user input  410  may identify a video and/or audio file to be rendered on the device  10 .  
         [0025]     The user input  410  may include a set of profile attributes that pertain to a holder of the user input module  20 . The profile attributes may be used by the device  10  to adapt its functions to the holder of the user input module  20 . For example, the profile attributes may specify a spoken language, e.g. English, French, Italian, Spanish, etc., and the device  10  in response may generate a user interface display using the specified spoken language. In another example, the profile attributes may specify a particular subject of interest, e.g. types of shopping, amusement rides, events, etc., and the device  10  in response may generate a user interface display that is adapted to that particular subject.  
         [0026]     The user input  410  may include scripts or programs that may be executed by the device  10 . For example, a script or program may cause the device  10  to perform a sequence of functions.  
         [0027]     The user input  410  may include a serial number associated with the RFID tag  24 .  
         [0028]     The user input  410  may be flexibly remapped per device and the mapping may depend on the context of the device.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  shows a database  430  that holds a set of information  420  associated with the user input  410  stored in the user input module  20 . In one embodiment, the user input  410  includes a pointer that enables the device  10  to retrieve the information  420  from the database  430 . The information  420  may specify an asset, e.g. a media file or other type of file, associated with the user input  410 . The information  420  may specify an instruction or action to be taken by the device  10  in response to the user input  410 . The information  420  may include scripts or programs that may be executed by the device  10 . The database  430  may include security controls that prevent exposure of the information  420  to unauthorized parties.  
         [0030]     The device  10  obtains the user input  410  from the user input module  20  when the button  22  is activated and in response uses the user input  410  to perform a lookup to the database  430 . The device  10  reads the information  420  from the database  430  and then takes the appropriate action.  
         [0031]     For example, if the information  420  includes a media file then the device  10  renders the media file. If the information  420  provides a pointer to a media file, e.g. a URL of a media file, then the device  10  obtains the media file using the URL, e.g. by using Internet protocols to obtain the media file from a web server via a network connection (not shown).  
         [0032]     If the information  420  includes a program then the device  10  executes the program. If the information  420  includes a script then the device  10  executes the script. If the information  420  specifies a sequence of functions for the device  10  then the device  10  performs the specified sequence of functions.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of the RFID tag  24 . The RFID tag  24  includes an antenna  32  and a microcontroller  34  having a memory  40 . The RFID tag  24  also includes a switch  36 . The switch  36  closes when the button  22  is pressed. The switch  36  when opened disables the RFID tag  24  from activating in the presence of RF energy. The switch  36  when closed enables the RFID tag  24  to activate in the presence of RF energy. The switch  36  is normally open until the button  22  is pressed.  
         [0034]     The switch  36  when closed causes the microcontroller  34  to receive electrical power in response to RF energy received via the antenna  32 . The RF energy received via the antenna  32  is generated by the RFID reader  14 . The microcontroller  34  establishes the communication link  30  with the RFID reader  14  when powered.  
         [0035]     The memory  40  is a persistent memory that holds the user input  410  associated with the button  22 . The microcontroller  34  reads the user input  410  from the memory  40  and transfers it to the RFID reader  14  via the antenna  32  for the RF communication link  30 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 4  shows one method for implementing a switching mechanism in the RFID tag  24 . The antenna  32  is mounted on a substrate  38 . The microcontroller  34  has a hinged contact  42  to the antenna  32  and a contact  44  to the antenna  32 . The contact  44  is open until the button  22  that overlays the RFID tag  24  is pressed. Pressure on the button  22  causes the contact  44  to engage the antenna  32  and complete the circuit. The RFID tag  24  may be an off-the-shelf RFID tag with the hinged contact  42  remaining soldered and the contact  44  unsoldered.  
         [0037]     A variety of alternative switching mechanisms may be employed to open/close the signal from the antenna  32 . For example, a momentary contact switch, e.g. a rubber dome contact switch, may be used to complete the circuit on one of the leads of the antenna  32  between the antenna  32  and the solder pad. This enables both contacts of the microcontroller  34  to be soldered, thereby increasing the strength of attachment of the microcontroller  34 . The switching mechanism implemented may be one suited to volume manufacturing of user input modules.  
         [0038]     The button  22  may be any material that may be adhered to the top surface of the RFID tag  24 . The material for the button  22  may be a material that holds a depiction, e.g. text/graphics, etc., of a function of the button  22  that is associated with the device  10 . Example materials for the button  22  include paper and plastic materials.  
         [0039]      FIG. 5  shows a user input module  50  according to the present teachings. The user input module  50  includes a set of RFID tags  82 - 86  mounted on a card  80 . The user input module  50  includes a set of buttons  90 - 94 . The buttons  90 - 94  are shown separate from the RFID tags  82 - 86  for illustration. In operation, the button  90  is mounted on top of the RFID tag  82 , the button  92  is mounted on top of the RFID tag  84 , and the button  94  is mounted on top of the RFID tag  86 .  
         [0040]     In this example, the button  90  depicts a “Yes” input, the button  92  depicts a “No” input, and the button  94  depicts a right arrow input. The memory in the microcontroller in the RFID tag  82  is programmed with a user input code associated with the “Yes” input for button  90 . Similarly, the memory in the microcontroller in the RFID tag  84  is programmed with a user input code associated with the “No” input of the button  92  and the memory in the microcontroller in the RFID tag  86  is programmed with a user input code associated with the right arrow input of the button  94 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 6  shows one example method for employing the user input module  50  to interact with the device  10 . In this example, the device  10  includes a display  100  and a device controller  102 . The device controller  102  generates a set of graphical objects  60 - 70  on the display  100 .  
         [0042]     Each graphical object  60 - 70  is associated with a function of the device  10 . For example, if the device  10  is a media playback device then each graphical object  60 - 70  may depict a title that may be played on the device  10 . In another example, if the device  10  is an information device then each graphical object  60 - 70  may depict an information category that may be serviced by the device  10 .  
         [0043]     A holder of the user input module  50  interacts with the device  10  by positioning the user input module  50  near the RFID reader  14  and pressing the buttons  90 - 94  while viewing the display  100 . For example, when the holder of the user input module  50  presses the button  90  the device controller  102  obtains the code for the “Yes” input via the RFID reader  14 . Similarly, when the holder of the user input module  50  presses the button  92  and then the button  94  the device controller  102  obtains the codes for the “No” input and right arrow input, respectively, via the RFID reader  14 .  
         [0044]     The device controller  102  performs one or more functions associated with the device  10  in response to the codes received from the user input module  50 . For example, the right arrow button  94  may be used to move to a next graphical object  60 - 70 . The device controller  102  may initially highlight the graphical object  60  and the de-highlight the graphical object  60  and highlight the graphical object  62  when the holder of the user input module  50  presses the right arrow button  94 . Each successive press of the right arrow button  94  may be used to move the next graphical object. The button  90  may be used to enter a “Yes” input for the currently highlighted graphical object and the button  92  may be used to enter a “No” input for the currently highlighted graphical object.  
         [0045]     The device controller  102  may be embodied as a computer system that communicates with the RFID reader  14  via a serial port. Alternatively, an RFID reader may be integrated into the device controller  102 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 7  shows a venue  200  that may be controlled by a user input module  208  according to the present techniques. The venue  200  includes a computer system  202 , an audio/visual system  204 , and an RFID reader  206 . For example, the audio/visual system  204  may include a display, e.g. a projector, plasma, etc., as well as audio amplifier and loudspeakers.  
         [0047]     The RFID reader  206  reads a user input from the user input module  208  when it is positioned near the RFID reader  206  and activated. The RFID reader  206  provides the obtained user input to the computer system  202 . The computer system  202  then obtains a URL that corresponds to the user input obtained from the user input module  208 . For example, the computer system  202  may maintain an internal table that maps a set of possible user inputs contained in the user input module  208  to corresponding URLs.  
         [0048]     The computer system  202  uses the obtained URL to obtain an object and then renders the object on the audio/visual system  204  according to a MIME-type associated with the URL. For example, if the obtained URL points to a web page then the computer system  208  obtains the web page and renders it on the audio/visual system  204 . If the obtained URL points to an mp3 file then the computer system  202  obtains the mp3 file and renders it on the audio/visual system  204 . If the obtained URL points to a video file then the computer system  202  obtains the video file and renders it on the audio/visual system  204 .  
         [0049]     The computer system  202  may obtain objects specified by a URL from its own internal storage or may obtain objects using web protocols via a network communication link  210 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 8  shows a venue  300  that may be controlled with a user input module  330  according to the present techniques. The venue  300  includes a set of devices  310 - 314  that may be controlled with the user input module  330 . Each device  310 - 314  may include an integrated RFID reader. Alternatively, the devices  310 - 314  may share an RFID reader.  
         [0051]     The venue  300  includes a vending machine  320  that dispenses the user input module  330 . The vending machine  320  in this embodiment includes a card reader  322  and an RFID writer  324 .  
         [0052]     The card reader  322  reads account information from a card provided by a holder of the user input module  330 . For example, a holder may insert a credit card into the card reader  322 . The card reader  322  reads an account number from the credit card and the RFID writer  324  programs the account number into the input module  330 . For example, the RFID writer  324  may program the account number into a memory of an RFID tag of the user input module  330 .  
         [0053]     The user input module  330  once dispensed by the vending machine  320  may be employed to control any one or more of the devices  310 - 314 . The devices  310 - 314  obtain the account number of the holder of the user input module  330  from the user input module  330  and log charges to the holders account. For example, a holder of the user input module  330  may access the functions of the device  310  by pressing buttons on the user input module  330  near the RFID reader in the device  310 . The RFID reader of the device  310  reads the user inputs from the user input module  330  including the account number for the holder. The holder of the user input module  330  may roam among the devices  310 - 314  and be charged only for the functions of the devices  310 - 314  that are accessed.  
         [0054]     The vending machine  320  may enable the user input module  330  only for the devices  310 - 314  that are paid for at the time of vending. For example, a holder of the user input module  330  may use a front panel user interface on the vending machine  320  to select a subset of the devices  310 - 314 . The holder may then enter payment for the selected devices, e.g. by providing cash or a credit card, into the vending machine  320 . The vending machine  320  then programs user input codes into the user input module  330  only for the devices and/or functions for which payment is made. For example, the microcontroller memory in the RFID tag for each button on the user input module  330  may store a validation code for each of the devices  310 - 314  and the vending machine  320  programs only the validation codes for which payment is made.  
         [0055]     The vending machine  320  may write account information associated with a holder of the user input module  330  into a server  600  that is accessible by the devices  310 - 314  via a communication path  610 . The vending machine  320  may write a pointer to the account information contained on the server  600  into the user input module  330 . The server  600  may include security controls for protecting the account information. The holder of the user input module  330  may then roam among the devices  310 - 314  and access the functions of the devices  310 - 314  using the pointer programmed into the user input module  330  and the devices  310 - 314  obtain the account information from the server  600 .  
         [0056]     A user input module according to the present teachings may implement a variety of switching arrangements. For example, a user input module may include a set of RFID tags that are switched using a multi-pole switching mechanism such that each active switch position activates a corresponding RFID tag.  
         [0057]     In addition, a user input module may include a chord switch arrangement. A chord switch may include a set of RFID tags each having a corresponding switching mechanism. A user may activate any combination of the RFID tags in the chord and the combination may provide a chord code that may be acted upon by a device. For example, a device may include an RFID reader that is capable of reading multiple RFID tags that transmit at the same time. An encoding of functions using a chord code may enable space saving on a user input module and reduce the cost of manufacturing a user input module.  
         [0058]     The foregoing detailed description of the present invention is provided for the purposes of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiment disclosed. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.