Abstract:
A device for remotely controlling a media device is provided. A related system and method is included. The device includes a body, circuitry and multiple control input mechanisms generating and sending control signals to a media device by wireless communications. The multiple control input mechanisms include a keyboard, mouse, directional pad and various keys for selecting and controlling modes of the remote control device and the appearance and movement of images displayed on the display of the media device. The device further includes its own display for displaying entries to the keyboard of the device concurrently with engaging the keys, such as when a user enters the name of a command, program, address or search string. The display further includes a light sensitive display for illumination of a backlight when the ambient light goes below a certain threshold.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention pertains generally to a remote control device for generating and sending control signals to a media device by wireless communications. More particularly, the invention pertains to using a remote control device for generating control signals from multiple input mechanisms in multiple modes. The present invention is more particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a system for remotely controlling a media device, such as an internet television device, wherein the remote control device includes a keyboard and a display so that the user can key in commands to the remote control device and concurrently see the commands in the display of the remote device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Various forms of remote controls for media devices, such as televisions, computers and internet televisions are available. These include means for inputting text, such as keyboards, and for directional movement of the position of a cursor on a screen of the media device, such as a mouse and directional pad. Important factors in considering the utility of such remote control devices are the range of inputs and modes available in the devices and the ease of using the device to control media devices. Problems arise where multiple remote control devices are required to provide a range of control signals and to control a range of possible media devices in a common setting. Problems also arise with inputting control signals into remote control devices, particularly text signals via a remote keyboard, without having the ability to display the text as it is input on the device. Otherwise, the user must input text signals to the remote device, and then look elsewhere to the display of the media device to check the text entered. This cycle is often repeated many times in the course of entering relatively simple information, such as a title, which is tedious and confusing. 
         [0003]    In light of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a small, handheld remote control device for generating control signals from multiple input mechanisms based on multiple modes selected by the user of the remote control device. Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a device including a display along with the input mechanisms, such as a keyboard, so that the user can see the commands in the display of the remote device key as text and other commands are input into the remote control device via the keyboard. Yet another object of the invention is to provide the device and a method for using the remote device, including a backlight to illuminate the display and the keyboard in low light conditions. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system in which to use this device, including various possible media devices, such as internet television systems. Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a device, system and method that is easy to use, simple to install and comparatively cost effective. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In accordance with the present invention, a remote control device is provided for controlling a media device. This remote control includes multiple control signal input mechanisms, such as a keyboard, trackball mouse, and directional pad mounted on the body of the device. These input mechanisms are each easily engaged by a user of the device, such as by pressing the keys or moving the mouse, to enter text, symbols and instructions for control signals. To communicate with the media device, the remote control device of the present invention also includes a transmitter to wirelessly communicate with a receiver that is in communication with the media device, whereby the transmitter provides control signals from the remote device to the media device via the receiver. 
         [0005]    More specifically, the present invention also includes one control signal input mechanism comprising a keyboard as well as a display mounted on the front side of the body of the device. The keyboard has keys which generate control signals when pressed to represent symbols in multiple modes. The display shows the symbols in response to the engagement of the keys of the keyboard. Preferably, the keyboard comprises a QWERTY style layout keyboard. The combination of the keyboard and display allow a user to concurrently input text and other symbols to the keyboard and see that text displayed on the remote device. As such, the user can look at the keyboard and directly above the keyboard to the display to easily see the text entered, rather than attempting to press keys on the remote device and then look at a display of the separate media device to check the text and other symbols entered. 
         [0006]    The device of the present invention further includes a light sensor to detect the light reaching the sensor. For instances where the light is too low, the display further comprises a backlight that is illuminated based on the sensor and circuitry. If the sensor does not detect a certain threshold of light, then the backlight is illuminated and the user can see the display and the keyboard more easily. 
         [0007]    The remote control device also includes multiple additional input mechanisms for controlling the display and play of media on media devices, such as controlling the applications, images, menus and screens selected by the media device and displayed by the media device. As such, the remote control provides a multiple purpose controller for media devices, such as internet television and other computer and television systems. The device is small and can be operated with one hand. The remote control device can be used along with the media device to comprise an entertainment system. The invention also includes a method for using the remote control device to control the media device and achieve the user friendly features described above. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a situational view of the remote control device and system of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the remote control device of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the remote control device of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a back side view of the remote control device of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart showing the circuitry of the remote control device of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the receiver of the present invention; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of the remote control device of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , system  11  of the present invention includes the remote control device  10  of the present invention to control a media device  76 , such as a computer system  78  and/or TV system  80 , including an Internet television system. As shown, device  10  is a handheld remote control. General dimensions for device  10  include about 2-3 inches in width, 6-8 inches in length and 0.5-1 inches in thickness. However, the dimensions of device  10  may vary beyond those ranges. 
         [0017]    As further shown, device  10  includes at least a keyboard  28  and a display  32 . Together, as explained in more detail below in reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5 , keyboard  28  and display  32  are used to concurrently generate and display control signals for controlling the media device  76 . 
         [0018]    As also shown in  FIG. 1 , device  10  is in communication with media device  76  via wireless communications. Device  10  transmits control signals wirelessly to receiver  70 . Receiver  70  is connected to media device  76  via USB cable  74  and transmits control signals received from device  10  to media device  76  via USB cable  74 . 
         [0019]    As indicated by  FIG. 1 , device  10  pairs with receiver  70  in order to establish a connection via a pairing process. This pairing process is usually done once, but it may be repeated if the connection between the device  10  and the receiver  70  is lost. The pairing process achieves a wireless connection between device  10  and receiver  70  using for example 2.4 GHz wireless protocol. Other wireless protocols may be used, such as Zigbee, infrared. 
         [0020]    In general, the pairing process is accomplished by turning on the power on the device  10 . Device  10  is confirmed so that the power of device  10  can be turned on by pressing any key of keyboard  28 . To indicate that the power of device  10  is turned on, LED lights on device  10 , such as status indicator  12 , are configured to start to flash, which also indicates that there is no connection yet with receiver  70  although the power of device  10  is on. Next, the device  10  is configured so that certain combinations of keys of keyboard  28  may be engaged (pressed) to complete the pairing process. For example, in a preferred embodiment, keys F10 and J of keyboard  28  are pressed simultaneously for a few seconds to prompt device  10 , including transmitter  86  (see  FIG. 5 ), to look for receiver  70  by transmitting signals. The light of status indicator  12  may be configured to start to flash at a certain rate, which indicates that the device  10  has been powered on and is transmitting signals to attempt to pair with receiver  70 . The device  10  and display  32  may further be configured so that an explanatory term, such as the word “pairing” will appear on display  32 , which also indicates that the device  10  is looking for receiver  70  for purposes of pairing. When device  10  finds receiver  70 , that is the transmitted signals of device  10  are received and acknowledged by receiver  70 , device  10  and receiver  70  are paired. To visually indicate when this pairing occurs, status indicator  12  may be configured to change from flash to steady light. Other status indicator lights on device  10  may also be configured to convey that pairing (connection) has been established. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , device  10  is comprised of a body  52 , which includes at least a top  54 , bottom  56 , front  58 , right side  62  and left side  64 . As shown further in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the body  52  of device  10  also includes a back  60 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , back  60  of device  10  includes battery cover  50 , and batteries  48  are housed in a battery compartment covered by battery cover  50 . Device  10  is preferably made of plastic materials, but any material sufficient to provide a structurally sound frame for a handheld device for light hand and finger use will suffice. 
         [0022]    As shown further in  FIG. 2 , device  10  includes a plurality of control signal input mechanisms  15 . As shown, input mechanisms  15  include by example mouse  16 , directional pad  20  and keyboard  28 . Each input mechanism  15  is individually positioned at a location on the body  52  of device  10 . Each input mechanism  15  is electronically connected to the media device  76  (as shown and described for  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 6 ). Each input mechanism  15  generates a set of unique control signals for controlling the media device  76 . 
         [0023]    As also shown in  FIG. 2 , at least one control signal input mechanism  15  comprises a keyboard  28  mounted on the front  58  of the body  52 . Components for such keyboards are commercially available. The body  52  and front  58  of the body  52  of the device  10  are designed to fit the keyboard  28 , such as by securely inserting the components into openings in the front  58  of the body  52 . 
         [0024]    As further shown in  FIG. 2 , keyboard  28  has keys for engaging (pressing) to generate control signals. In operation, keyboard  28  can be used for any functions typical for keyboard use (e.g., to type search text, URLs and messages). 
         [0025]    Keyboard  28  includes various keys for different characters and functions. For example, keyboard  28  includes a shift key, which when pressed concurrently with another key with a secondary character the keyboard  28  provides the secondary character. Keyboard  28  also includes a capital key, which when engaged provides capital characters, and a caps indicator  38  (e.g., an LED indicator light) is provided on body  52  which indicates when caps are enabled/disabled. Keyboard  28  also includes at least one key (e.g., sym key  24 ) for switching the keyboard  28  between multiple sets of symbols represented by engagement of the keys of the keyboard  28 . For example, sym key  24  switches the keyboard  28  from among multiple sets of symbols (e.g., sym key  24  will prompt a file or window, such as from software  88  in  FIG. 5 , with special characters that are not indicated on the face of the keyboard). That is, sym key  24  opens a menu with special symbols not included in any of the keys on the keyboard  28 . Keyboard  28  also includes an enter key  26 , for generating enter control signals. As also shown however, device  10  includes at least one additional enter key  30  offset from keyboard  28 , for the same purpose but for alternative access. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , keyboard  28  preferably comprises a QWERTY layout keyboard, although other layouts can be used. A keyboard backlight  29  is also preferably included to selectively illuminate keyboard  28 . For example, keyboard backlight  29  will illuminate when any key of the keyboard  28  is pressed, and the keyboard backlight  29  will go off after some seconds of keyboard  28  inactivity. Backlight  33  for the display can be configured in the same way to respond to the pressing of any key of keyboard  28  or to a particular key or set of keys of keyboard  28  to light the backlight  33 . 
         [0027]    As also shown in  FIG. 2 , at least one control signal input mechanism  15  further comprises a mouse  16 . Mouse  16  is for generating control signals to control movement of a cursor on a display of the media device  76 . Mouse  16  has at least two buttons for generating control signals to controlling the cursor on a display of the media device. In particular, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , device  10  includes right mouse click button  44  on the right side  62  and left mouse click button  46  on the back side  60 . 
         [0028]    As also shown in  FIG. 2 , mouse  16  is mounted on the front  58  of the body  52  like keyboard  28 , and mouse  16  is preferably a trackball mouse, as also shown. Components for such mouses are commercially available. The body  52  and front  58  of the body  52  of the device  10  are designed to fit the mouse  16 , such as by securely inserting the components into openings in the front  58  of the body  52 . 
         [0029]    As also shown in  FIG. 2 , at least one control signal input mechanism  15  comprises a directional pad  20 . Directional pad  20  is preferably a directional arrow pad, as shown, having arrows up, down, left and right incorporated within the pad  20 . Components for such directional pads are commercially available. The function of directional pad  20  is to provide control signals to provide directional control to the medial device  76 . This control is similar to keyboard use of arrows for directional control, (e.g., up/down, right/left) except that the directional pad provides separate and specific control dedicated to directions. More specifically, directional pad  20  is for generating control signals to control the direction of the cursor on the display of the media device  76 , the point of view of the display of the media device  76  and the image size of the display of the media device  76 . 
         [0030]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , directional pad  20  is mounted on the front  58  of the body  52 , like the keyboard  28  and mouse  16 . The body  52  and front  58  of the body  52  of the device  10  are designed to fit the directional pad  20 , such as by securely inserting the components into openings in the front  58  of the body  52 . 
         [0031]    As also shown in  FIG. 2 , device  10  also includes a light sensor  40 . As shown, light sensor  40  includes a sensor exposed to light via an opening in the front  58  of body  52  of device  10 . Light sensor also includes the ability to detect the amount of light exposed to the sensor and to generate a signal corresponding to the amount of light, including whether the light is above or below certain thresholds. Light sensors of this type are commercially available. The purpose of light sensor  40  is to detect a threshold degree of light reaching the sensor and to generate a corresponding control signal for controlling illumination and deillumination of lights, such as the backlight  33  of the display  32  and keyboard backlight  29  of keyboard  28  described above and below. In particular, display  32  and keyboard  28  are backlit by keyboard backlight  29  and display backlight  33  in low lighting conditions when light sensor  40  does not sense a certain threshold of light. As described above in reference to keyboard  28 , backlights  29  and  33  can also be configured to illuminate when any key of the keyboard  28  is pressed and go off after some seconds of inactivity of keyboard  28 . 
         [0032]    As also shown in  FIG. 2 , a display  32  is mounted on the front side  58  of the body  52  of device  10 . Display  32  displays one or more symbols corresponding to control signals in response to the engagement of one or more of the control signal input mechanisms  15 . Display  32  is preferably comprised of an LCD display, but can include a variety of display mechanisms such as touch, flat panel and CRT. Display may include a plurality of lines of displays. Display  32  further comprises a backlight  33 . And, as explained above and below in reference to  FIG. 5 , circuitry  82  illuminates the backlight  33  when any key of keyboard  28  is pressed and the light sensor  40  does not detect the threshold degree of light. 
         [0033]    The primary purpose of display  32  is to display symbols generated by keyboard  28  and other input mechanisms  15 , wherein the symbols represent control signals. For example, keyboard  28  can be used to type search text, URLs and messages, which are considered control signals for purposes of this disclosure. With the device  10 , including display  32  and input mechanisms on the device  10 , the user can see their inputted control signals on the display  32  of the device  10 , rather than having to look to the media device  76  display. This greatly enhances the input process. Users do not have to input symbols (e.g., strings of characters, etc.) and control signals into one device and look to another device to see whether the symbols were correctly entered. Rather, the user can look directly at the display  32  of device  10  while concurrently entering via input mechanisms  15  of device  10 . As such, for example, keyboard  28  and display  32  are used to concurrently generate and display control signals for controlling the media device  76 . 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , device  10  also includes a home key  14  for generating control signals to select and display the home page of an application program in operation on the media device  76  and for maximizing a displayable image from an application program in operation on the media device  76 . In other words, and using multiple game or TV applications running on the media device  76  as examples, engaging the home key  14  can maximize the minimized application. Home key  14  can also be used to display the home page of the application. 
         [0035]    As also shown in  FIG. 2 , device  10  includes escape key  22  to perform an escape function (e.g., executing the well known escape function on a computer or media device running a program). Escape key  22  can be used to go back to the previous menu or to close screens. More specifically, escape key  22 , when engaged, is for generating control signals to return to an image previously displayed on the media device  76  and for generating control signals to closing a screen displayed on the media device  76 . 
         [0036]    As further shown in  FIG. 2 , device  10  includes next/previous keys  18 . Next/previous keys  18  are for generating control signals to change from one image displayed on the media device  76  to a subsequent image to be displayed on the media device  76 . Next/previous keys  18  are further for generating control signals for enlarging and reducing the image displayed on the media device  76 . These keys allow movement to the next or previous screens in the libraries and to zoom the screen of media device  76  in and out. 
         [0037]    Device  10  also includes media control keys  42  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Media controls  42  are for generating control signals to control the speed and direction of play of images displayed on the media device  76 . For example, in Windows Media Player or TV application, media control keys  42  can be used to control the video players (e.g., play, fast forward, reverse, stop, and pause). 
         [0038]    In alternative embodiments, the device  10  can include at least one key for switching one or more control signal input mechanisms  15  between functions or modes (e.g., mouse only mode, keyboard only mode, internet TV mode, etc.). For example, function key  36  can be configured to provide this switch between functions or modes. Indicator  12  or other indicators can be configured on device  10  for indicating a mode of a control signal input mechanism  15 . 
         [0039]    As also shown in  FIG. 2 , device  10  also includes volume keys  34  to adjust the volume of the media device  76 . 
         [0040]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , device  10  includes circuitry  82  electronically connected to the control signal input mechanisms  15  and display  32  for concurrently generating and displaying symbols representing control signals and for changing symbols generated in response to the engagement of one or more keys to the keyboard  28 . Circuitry  82  is further electronically connected to CPU  84  for processing, memory  89  for storage and retrieval and software  88  for computing, programming and other software instructions and functions. Software  88  is programmable. Circuitry  82  is inclusive of and/or incorporates CPU  84 , memory  89  and software  88  to the extent required for processing control signals, in that circuitry incorporates or is interoperable with each of these items as the electronic connections among the control signal input mechanisms  15 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , and as also discussed in view of  FIG. 1  above, device  10  also includes a transmitter  86  for wirelessly communicating with receiver  70  that is in communication with the media device  76 . The transmitter  86  provides control signals from the remote device  10  to the media device  76  via the receiver  70 . 
         [0041]    As shown further in  FIG. 5 , the device  10  includes a CPU  84  which provides processing of the various control signals processed by the device  10  and provides processing for transmitted control signals by transmitter  86  to receiver  70  and received signals from receiver  70 . Device  10  further includes software  88  for computing, instructing and processing (along with CPU  84 ) the various control signals along generated and processed by the device  10 . Device  10  further includes memory  89  for storing control signals and circuitry  82  for retrieving stored control signals from memory  89  via CPU  84  in response to control signals generated by one or more control signal input mechanisms  15 . In accord with the controls and functionality of device  10  described above, this memory  89  and circuitry  82  are configured for retrieving stored control signals in response to one or more subsets of control signals generated by one or more control signal input mechanisms  15 . For example, circuitry  82  is configured for deilluminating the backlight  33  after a predetermined amount of time in which one or more control signal input mechanisms  15  do not generate control signals, whereby CPU  84  provides processing. 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the system  11  further includes receiver  70 . As explained above in reference to  FIG. 1 , device  10  transmits control signals wirelessly to receiver  70 , which is connected to media device  76  via USB cable  74  and transmits control signals received from device  10  to media device  76  via USB cable  74 . Receiver  70  further includes a receiver status indicator  72 , which is preferably a LED light or series of LED lights configured to light when the receiver is connected, connecting (pairing), disconnected and on or off. Receiver  70  is preferably comprised of a 2.4 GHz wireless module. USB cable  74  fits USB port for media device  76 , which can be any variety of media devices as explained above. 
         [0043]    In accord with the description above, the device  10  also provides a method for remotely operating a media device  76 . For example, the device  10  can be used in a method to provide control signals to the media device  76 . The media device  76  can be selected from among several items, such as a computer system  78 , a television system  80  and an Internet television system. At least one control signal input mechanism  15  can be used along with the display to concurrently generate and display symbols representing control signals and to control the media device  76 . The device  10  can further be used to review the symbols on the display, and then change one or more symbol to other symbols (e.g., corrections, changes) via one of the control signal input mechanisms  15  as desired to provide the desired control to the media device  76 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  shows an exploded perspective view of the remote control device  10  of the present invention and its components, including components for the assembly of the mouse  16 , directional pad  20 , display  32 , keyboard  28  and displays  33  and  29 . 
         [0045]    While the particular system and method as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that they are merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.