Patent Publication Number: US-2023145059-A1

Title: Grid system and method for remote control

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     This invention relates to remote control systems and, more particularly, to a remote control system and related user interface for controlling an interactive menu of a video feed using a grid system. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Remote controls are commonly used with a variety of audio and video devices. The devices and paired remote controls have varying levels of complexity and sophistication, often with dozens of functions that are capable of being controlled through the remote control. As the number of functions a device is capable of increases, the number of buttons that a remote control has also increases, leading to complicated and confusing remote control layouts. 
     One common way to handle the increased functions of a device is by using a directional pad on the remote control to control a user interface that is displayed to the user. The directional pad generally has buttons to move a cursor up, down, left, and right, and an additional button to select the currently highlighted option. Although this method increases the functions that can be controlled through a remote control, it can also be very time consuming for the user, requiring users to press several buttons in a row to choose the function that they wish to execute. Given that the directional pad does not provide alternate functionality beyond item-by-item menu navigation and selection, the directional pad also adds buttons to remote controls that are already filled with buttons. It is not uncommon with today&#39;s electronics to see remote controls with 50 or more buttons. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In accordance with the present disclosure, a remote control with buttons arranged in a grid pattern is used to control an associated device. The remote control and associated device both utilize a grid pattern with the same number of columns and rows. Each button of the remote control corresponds to a user selectable option displayed on a user interface of the associated device. The user is able to control the associated device by selecting one of the user selectable options by pressing the corresponding button on the remote control. 
     According to one embodiment, a video device includes a controller coupled to a display screen, a memory coupled to the controller, a user interface stored on the memory and configured to be output to the display screen, a menu stored on the memory and displayable on the user interface, and a receiver coupled to the controller. The menu contains a variety of user selectable options that are arranged in a grid pattern. These user selectable options correspond to a variety of buttons that are also arranged in a grid pattern on a remote control. Each of the user selectable options has a corresponding button on the remote control, located in the same relative position in the grid pattern. When a user presses one of the buttons in the grid pattern, the corresponding user selectable option is selected. 
     In a further embodiment, the grid pattern contains at least three rows and at least three columns. In one embodiment, the size of the grid pattern can be changed, depending on the user selectable options being displayed. In another further embodiment, the video device will visually indicate a user selectable option when the corresponding button in the grid pattern has been touched by a user. 
     In yet another embodiment, the remote control buttons are dual-function. The buttons arranged in the grid pattern are used to highlight and select corresponding user selectable options when the user interface displays the user selectable options in a grid pattern. When the user interface does not display the user selectable options in a grid pattern, the video device transmits a signal to the remote control to enter into a “standard mode” in which the remote control executes different functions for button presses. In standard mode, the buttons arranged in the grid pattern execute a variety of static pre-set functions, such as play, pause, stop, rewind, up, down, left, right, and back. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a remote control system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a block diagram of a remote control according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a block diagram of a video device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a remote control system with a grid pattern according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a flowchart of the remote control system of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  6    is a flowchart of the operation of a video device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a remote control system having a dual-function remote control according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a flowchart of the dial-function remote control of  FIG.  7    according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG.  1    shows a remote control system  10  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The remote control system  10  includes a remote control  12  and a video device  14 . The video device  14  is generally a set-top box, but may be any device that displays video, such as a DVD player. The remote control  12  is paired with and used to control the video device  14 , with functions of the video device being executed when a user presses assorted buttons on the remote control  12 . The video device  14  is coupled to a display screen  16  and displays video feed and menus or other visuals. A user views the display screen  16 , in part, to see a menu that the user interacts with in order to control the device with the remote control  12 . 
     The remote control  12  has a plurality of buttons  20  located such that a user can view and interact with the buttons  20 . At least some of the buttons  20  are arranged in a grid pattern  22  on the remote control  12 . The grid pattern  22  can have any number of columns and rows, but preferably has at least three columns, and at least three rows. On the display screen  16  the video device  14  outputs a user interface  30 , which provides a number of user selectable options  32  to the user for control of the video device  14 . At least some of the user selectable options  32  are also arranged in the same grid pattern  22  as the buttons  20  on the remote control  12 . Each one of the user selectable options  32  that is arranged in the grid pattern  22  corresponds to each one of the buttons  20  that are arranged in the grid pattern  22 . For example, as shown in  FIG.  1   , the top, left button “1” corresponds to the top, left selectable option “1,” and the middle button “5” corresponds to the middle selectable option “5.” The corresponding buttons  20  and user selectable options  32  provide a way to select options and execute functions on the video device with a relatively low number of buttons  20 . 
       FIG.  2    shows a block diagram of the remote control  12 . The remote control  12  contains a first controller  40 , touch sensor  42 , button sensor  44 , first memory  46  and first receiver/transmitter  48 . The first controller  40  is coupled to the touch sensor  42 , button sensor  44 , memory  46  and receiver/transmitter  48 . The first controller  40  can be any microprocessor or other logic controller capable of processing input and output functions. 
     The touch sensor  42  is a sensor capable of detecting an object that is touching or in close proximity to the sensor. The sensor may be any common touch sensor, such as capacitive touch sensors, inductive touch sensors, resistive touch sensors or any other suitable sensor. The object that is touching the sensor is generally a finger, but may also be a stylus or any other object used for touch functionality. The touch sensor  42  is located under the buttons  20 , particularly the buttons  20  that are arranged in the grid pattern  22 . The touch sensor senses the position of a finger or other object on the buttons  20  that are arranged in the grid pattern  22  to determine which button is being touched. The touch sensor is coupled to the first controller  40 , which processes the output of the touch sensor  42 . 
     The button sensor  44  is generally a pressure sensitive sensor located under the buttons  20 . The button sensor  44  detects when an object, preferably a finger, presses a button. The button sensor  44  is used to detect when a user desires to select one of the user selectable options  32  using the grid pattern  22 , or is used to execute a variety of static functions that may be assigned to assorted buttons  20 . Upon pushing the button, the button sensor  44  will output a signal to the controller  40 , which processes and sends the signal to the video device. 
     In alternative embodiments, the button sensor could also be the touch sensor  42 . In such an embodiment, the button sensor  44  would register touches that are different from those that the touch sensor  42  is configured to register. For example, the button sensor  44  could register a finger double-tapping the touch sensor  42 , or any other specific touch motion. 
     The first memory  46  is coupled to the first controller  40  and used to store instructions, data, and other information. The first memory  46  is generally any non-volatile memory, such as ROM or Flash memory, but may include any memory device, such as DRAM or SRAM. The first memory stores instructions for the first controller  40 , as well as other information and data related to the remote control  12  or video device  14 . 
     The receiver/transmitter  48  is coupled to the first controller  40  and configured to send and receive wireless signals. The wireless signals are generally radio signals, such as RF4CE or Bluetooth, but can also be infrared signals or any other wireless signal. In a preferred embodiment, the remote control  12  and video device  14  are in two-way communication with each other. The remote control  12  sends signals to the video device primarily to instruct the video device to execute the assorted functions associated with the buttons  20  located on the remote control, or any other instructions or information that the video device needs from the remote control. The video device  14  also sends signals to the remote control  12 . These signals are received by the receiver  48 , and are configured to instruct the remote control  12  of the state of the video device, or to provide other information to the remote control such as software updates. In an alternative embodiment, the remote control  12  may contain only a transmitter, and is not configured to receive wireless signals. 
       FIG.  3    shows a block diagram of the video device  14 . The video device contains a second controller  50 , second transmitter/receiver  52 , second memory  54  and output  56 . The second controller  50  is coupled to the second memory, second transmitter/receiver and output of the video device, and acts a processor for inputs and outputs of the video device. The second controller  50  is preferably a microprocessor, but can be any device capable of logic functions and processing inputs and outputs. 
     The second transmitter/receiver  52  is configured to receive and transmit signals with the first transmitter  48  of the remote control  12 . The second receiver/transmitter  52  performs many of the same functions described above with respect to the first receiver/transmitter  48  of the remote control  12 . The receiver  52  may also be configured to receive radio signals over Wi-Fi, or receive a wired internet, satellite or cable connection in order to receive video information from a remote server. 
     The second memory  54  is coupled to the second controller  50 , and configured to store instructions and other data. The memory  54  may be any volatile or non-volatile memory, such as Flash, ROM or RAM. In some embodiments, the memory  54  may consist of multiple types of memory, such as volatile memory for storing temporary instructions or data, and non-volatile memory for storing permanent instructions or data. 
     The output  56  is coupled to the controller  50 , and configured to connect to the display screen  16 . The output  56  is an analog or digital video, audio or audio/video output, such as HDMI, DVI, composite video, VGA or component video. The output  56  is used to connect the video device  14  to the display screen  16  in order to display information or entertainment the user. The user interface  30 , and related grid pattern  22  and user selectable options  32 , are viewed by the user via the output  56  and display screen  16 . 
       FIGS.  4 - 6    show the remote control system  10  utilizing the grid pattern  22 . The user first enters into the user interface on the video device  14 . This can be performed automatically upon start-up of the video device  14 , or may be entered via instruction by the remote control  12 . Once the user interface  30  has been entered, the user views the user interface  30  on the display screen  16 . The user interface  30  will have a variety of functions, at least some of which will utilize the grid pattern  22 . When a user desires to perform a function or functions using the grid pattern  22 , the video device  14  will display the grid pattern  22  on the display screen  16 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the remote control  12  and associated touch sensor  42  will first detect a finger or other object touching the buttons  20  at  102 . When the touch sensor  42  detects a finger touching a specific button  20 , it will transmit this data to the video device  14  through the first transmitter  48 . Upon receiving the signal from the remote control  12 , the video device  14  will highlight the corresponding user selectable option  32  on the user interface at  104 . As the user moves their finger around the remote control  12  to different buttons  20 , the video device  14  visually indicates the user selectable options  32  that correspond to the button currently being touched at  104 . The visual indication may be changing the color of the use selectable option  32 , placing a border around the option  32 , enlarging the option  32  or any other suitable means to indicate the option. In this way, the user can move their finger around the buttons that are arranged in the grid pattern  22  and view which button  20  they are currently touching by showing the corresponding user selectable option  32  on the display screen  16 . This allows users to use the remote control  12  in low-light environments, common for television or movie watching. In addition to viewing the corresponding user selectable option  32  highlight on the screen, the remote control  12  may provide tactile feedback to the user in order to distinguish between the different buttons  20  in the grid pattern  22 . For example, the buttons may be separated by a raised or lowered channel, allowing a user to feel the border between different buttons so that they may feel when they have moved their finger to a new button  20 . Alternatively, the buttons may provide a brief vibration when the touch sensor  42  detects that the user has moved their finger from one button to another. 
     Once a user has touched the button  20  that corresponds to the user selectable option  32  that they wish to select, they will select that option by pressing the button  20 . The button sensor  44  will detect when a button has been pressed, and transmit the information to the video device through the transmitter  48  at  106 . When the video device receives the signal indicating that button has been pressed, it will select the user selectable option  32  corresponding to the button being pressed at  108 . If a button  20  that is not a part of the grid pattern  22  is pressed, or if the grid pattern  22  is not currently in use, the button&#39;s pre-set function, such as power, volume, channel or other functions, will be transmitted to the video device  14 . 
       FIGS.  7 - 8    show an embodiment of the remote control system  10  wherein the remote control  12  is a dual-function device. The remote control  12  uses buttons  20 , particularly the buttons arranged in the grid pattern  22 , as dual-function buttons. Each button arranged in the grid pattern  22  has a pre-set function, as well as functioning as the corresponding button to a user selectable option  32 . The remote control  12  receives signals from the video device  14  that instruct the remote control which of the dual-function modes it will enter. When the video device is displaying a grid pattern  22  on the user interface, it will instruct the remote control  12  to enter a “grid mode,” and when the video device is not displaying the grid pattern  22 , it will instruct the remote control  12  to enter a “standard mode.” 
     The buttons  20  that are arranged in the grid pattern  22  also have at least one pre-set function each that is performed when in “standard mode.” For example, a button may have the function of DVR, Guide, Search, Select, or a directional function such as up, down, left or right. In a preferred embodiment, these functions will be visually labeled on the remote control  12 , as seen in  FIG.  7   . When the video device  14  is in “standard mode” these pre-set, labeled functions will execute upon a user pressing one of the buttons  20 . When functioning in “standard mode,” the remote control  12  will function in a similar fashion to a standard remote control, wherein each button has a pre-set function. 
     When the video device  14  displays the user selectable options  32  in a grid pattern on the display screen  16 , it sends a signal to the remote control  12  to enter into a “grid mode.” The grid mode changes the functionality of the buttons  20  arranged in the grid pattern  22  from the pre-set functions of the “standard mode” to functioning as corresponding buttons to the user selectable options  32 . While in grid mode, each of the buttons of the grid pattern  22  act to select the corresponding user selectable option  32  of the user interface  30 . For example, with respect to  FIG.  7   , when in grid mode, a user touching the “guide” button will highlight the user selectable option “C” which will type the letter C into a search query or other text input. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the user may select between “grid mode” and “standard mode” even when the grid pattern  22  is being displayed on the user interface  30 . Many users will be used to the standard functionality of a remote control, and therefore will desire to use the “standard mode” to navigate through the user selectable options  32  using a directional pad. 
     The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Aspects of the embodiments can be modified, if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents, applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments. 
     These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, the claims are not limited by the disclosure.