Patent Publication Number: US-2015077347-A1

Title: Ergonomically optimized remote controller device and method of use thereof

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of remote controllers. More particularly, the present invention provides a useful, novel, ergonomically optimized, finger-mounted, thumb-driven remote controller device for controlling one or more remote electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section. 
     The material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner grants a limited license to any member of the public to reproduce the patent document as it appears in official governmental records. All other copyrights rights are reserved. 
     A remote controller is a component of an electronics system that operates to control functions of a remotely located, remotely controlled device. Remote controllers having relevance to this disclosure operate without physical wires that connect the remote controller to the remotely controlled device. 
     The electronics age has seen a proliferation of progressively complex and ubiquitous remotely controlled devices, accompanied by a similarly proliferation of remote controllers to remotely control those devices. 
     Well-known and familiar remotely controlled devices include televisions, cable-television boxes, home theater and stereo system components, computers, portable media players, and gaming consoles. The future will bring even more ubiquitous remotely controlled devices as virtual and augmented reality works its way into everyday life. 
     Those with knowledge in the art of remote controller devices will be familiar with conventional remote controller devices. Common remote controller devices were originally used for operating a remotely controlled device from a short line-of-sight distance. Such remote controller devices employ receiver/transmitter technology such as radio frequency or consumer infrared. These remote controller devices typically comprise a plurality of buttons designed and configured to control the various functions of the remotely controlled device. 
     Remote controller devices have evolved and advanced to include Bluetooth® connectivity, motion sensor enabled capabilities, and voice control. Simple buttons have been replaced or augmented with more sophisticated actuator components such as joysticks, touchpads, trackpads, accelerometers, position sensors, and actuation keys as the sophistication of the functions to be controlled has increased. 
     The embodiment of remote controller devices has similarly evolved and advanced. The familiar handheld television remote controller, typically a block-shaped box having a plurality of buttons, has been joined in the marketplace by more capable and sophisticated remote controller devices tailored to unique application. Examples include remote keyboard and mouse devices for controlling computers and game controllers featuring ergonomics-driven shapes and actuator components such as joysticks and motion sensors. 
     A relatively new and expanding field wherein remote controller devices will play a significant role is the field of virtual and augmented reality and virtual and augmented reality displays. The physical and functional requirements associated with application of human-machine interface in the virtual and augmented reality environment render conventional remote controller devices impractical and insufficient. 
     A type of remote controller device known as a data glove or wired glove is an input device for human-computer interaction. Worn like a glove, a data glove may comprise and utilize various sensor technologies, combined with software that interprets the data from the sensors, to translate physical data, such as the orientation of a hand or the motion of a finger, to inputs that may be used to control computer and robotic devices. Zimmerman discloses an early data glove design in U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,291. Data gloves are expected to play a role in virtual and augmented reality environments. However, conventional data glove technology is ungainly and expensive. 
     One example of virtual reality display technology is augmented reality eyewear, such as Google Glass®. Google Glass® is a computer that may be worn by a user and features an optical head-mounted display. A principal objective of Google Glass® is to display information to a user in a hands-free format, and to interact with the Internet via natural language voice commands. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 8,203,502, Chi, et al. discloses an input control device for a heads-up display, or augmented reality eyewear, wherein a finger-operable input device is secured to the frame of the augmented reality eyewear. Functionally, this input device is a track pad that senses position and/or movement of a user&#39;s finger relative to the track pad and provides input information to the heads-up display device corresponding to that position and/or movement. The sub-optimal ergonomics of this design result in the disadvantage of requiring the user to place the user&#39;s hand in proximity to the track pad, located near the temple of the user&#39;s head, and to maintain the user&#39;s hand in that position for the duration of the data input process. A further disadvantage is that the track pad is neither located within the user&#39;s field of vision, nor oriented with respect to the user&#39;s hand or fingers. Therefore, the user must reach up toward the user&#39;s temple, locate the frame of the eyewear by sense of touch, and then locate the track pad on the eyewear by sense of touch. The controller device disclosed by Chi is inconsistent with the hands-free objective of virtual reality devices such as Google Glass®. 
     In Patent Application Publication Number 20130016070, Starner, et al. disclose a virtual input system, intended for use with a remote controlled device such as Google Glass®, that includes a projector and a camera. The projector projects a pattern onto a surface. The camera then captures images as a user moves the user&#39;s hand in the projected pattern. A processor may interpret the images to determine actions to be implemented. Here, the disclosed device is inconsistent with the intended heads up function of a device such as Google Glass®, in that the user must look down to view and manipulate the projected pattern in order to control the remote device. 
     What is needed is a remote controller device that is versatile and may be adapted to use with a variety of remotely controlled devices; that provides a hands-free and heads up interface to remotely controlled devices; that is highly portable, unobtrusive and inconspicuous; that does not interfere with the ability of the user to use the user&#39;s hands for other tasks; and that provides comfortable and ergonomically-optimized user interface and ease of use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing limitations and disadvantages inherent to the conventional apparatus in the relevant art, the present invention provides a useful and novel apparatus [hereinafter “ergonomic remote controller”] for controlling a remote device. 
     A principal objective of the present invention is to provide a hands-free and heads up interface to remotely controlled devices. 
     In one aspect, the present invention may comprise a finger sleeve assembly further comprising a middle finger sleeve and an index finger sleeve, a wireless transmitter, a microprocessor, a touchpad integrated into the middle finger sleeve and located on the side of the middle segment of the user&#39;s middle finger proximal to the index finger, and an activation key integrated into the index finger sleeve and located on the front middle segment of the user&#39;s index finger. This exemplary configuration allows the user to operate the invention without looking at the device, relying instead upon the ergonomically optimized location of the touchpad and the activation key and tactile response to maintain orientation between the user&#39;s hand and the remote controller device. Further, the present invention may incorporate a wireless transmitter to eliminate the need for the user&#39;s hand to interface with the remotely controlled device. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a remote controller device that is highly portable, unobtrusive and inconspicuous. 
     In one aspect, the ergonomic remote controller of the present invention is small and lightweight and may be worn on the fingers of the user, making the device highly portable, unobtrusive and inconspicuous. The ergonomic remote controller may be used while the user is engaged in a variety of activities including, but not in a limiting sense, walking, jogging, and riding in or operating a vehicle. Further, the device may be used while the user&#39;s hand is out of sight, for example in the user&#39;s pocket, making the device essentially undetectable. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a remote controller device that does not interfere with the ability of the user to use the user&#39;s hands for other tasks. 
     In a further aspect of the present invention, the finger sleeve assembly of the present invention may be designed and configured to leave the user&#39;s hand free to perform other tasks. For example, the individual finger sleeves of the finger sleeve assembly may fit over only the base and middle segments of the user&#39;s index and middle fingers, thereby leaving the remainder of the user&#39;s hand, most notably the palm and finger tip segments, free to perform other tasks. 
     Another objective of the present invention is to provide a remote controller device that comfortable and ergonomically optimized user interface and ease of use. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, the touchpad may be located on the side of the middle segment of the middle finger, proximal to the index finger, and the activation key may be located on the front of the middle segment of the index finger. These locations are ergonomically optimized to interface comfortably and accurately with the tip segment of the user&#39;s thumb. 
     A principal object of the present invention is to provide a remote controller device that is versatile and may be adapted to use with a variety of remotely controlled devices. 
     In one aspect, the present invention may be adapted to a wide variety of embodiments as required to control a virtually any remotely controlled device. The device may comprise any number of finger sleeves, and may incorporate a any number of actuation device types. 
     Other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those with skill in the relevant art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. As will be appreciated by those with skill in the relevant art, the invention may be implemented in a plurality of equivalent embodiments. Such alternative embodiments, and their attendant objects, aspects and advantages, are within the scope of the present invention and, therefore, the examples set forth herein shall not be limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The nature of this invention, as well as all its objects, aspects and advantages, will become readily apparent and understood upon reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  presents a front view of the hand of a user of an ergonomic remote controller according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, as a reference and guide to terminology used in the disclosure of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  presents an exploded back view of an ergonomic remote controller, according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  presents a perspective view of the ergonomic remote controller of  FIG. 2 , shown as worn on the hand of a user; 
         FIG. 4  presents a back view of the ergonomic remote controller of  FIG. 2 , shown as worn on the hand of a user; 
         FIG. 5A  presents a perspective view of the ergonomic remote controller of  FIG. 2 , illustrating the device in use; 
         FIG. 5B  presents a perspective view of the ergonomic remote controller of  FIG. 2 , illustrating the device in use; 
         FIG. 6  presents a block diagram of the ergonomic remote controller of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  presents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an ergonomic remote controller, shown as worn on the hand of a user; 
         FIG. 8A  presents a top view of a pod of the ergonomic remote controller of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 8B  presents a side view of the pod of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 8C  presents a front view of the pod of  FIG. 8A ; and 
         FIG. 8D  presents a rear view of the pod of  FIG. 8A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following description is provided to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the invention, and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventor of carrying out the invention. The present invention shall not be limited to the examples disclosed. Rather, the scope of the invention shall be as broad as the claims will allow. 
     Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. However, any single inventive feature may not address any of the disadvantages discussed above, or might only address one of the disadvantages discussed above. Further, one or more of the disadvantages discussed above may not be fully addressed by any of the features described below. 
     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  presents a view of the hand  1  of a user of an ergonomic remote controller, provided as a reference and guide to terminology used in the disclosure of the invention. The hand  1  comprises a thumb  2 , an index finger  3 , a middle finger  4 , a ring finger  5 , and a little finger  6 . An ergonomically optimal location  7  is shown, defined as the location on the side of the middle segment  11  of the middle finger  4  proximal to the index finger  3  where the tip segment  9  thumb  2  may easily interface with a device mounted at that location. An ergonomically optimal location  8  is shown, defined as the location on the front of the middle segment  10  of the index finger  3  where the tip segment  9  of the thumb  2  may easily interface with a device mounted at that location. 
       FIG. 2  presents an exploded back view of an ergonomic remote controller  100 , according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, a finger sleeve assembly  102  may comprise an index finger sleeve  104  and a middle finger sleeve  106 . The index finger sleeve  104  and the middle finger sleeve  106  may be designed and configured to be worn on the index finger  3  and the middle finger  4 , respectively, of the hand  1 . In this embodiment, a touchpad  108  may be integrated into the middle finger sleeve  106  at the noted location  144  on the outer surface of the middle finger sleeve  106 . The noted location  144  corresponds to the ergonomically optimal location  7  defined in  FIG. 1 . An activation key  110  may be integrated into the index finger sleeve  104  at the noted location  142  on the outer surface (far side in  FIG. 2 ) of the index finger sleeve  104 . The noted location  142  corresponds to the ergonomically optimal location  8  defined in  FIG. 1 . 
     This embodiment is selected for disclosure because of the general usefulness of a touchpad  108 /activation key  110  combination in a remote controller for many remote devices, and because it incorporates that useful touchpad  108 /activation key  110  combination into highly-ergonomically convenient locations of the user&#39;s hand  1 . It will be readily appreciated by those with skill in the relevant arts, and to the reader of this disclosure by placing the reader&#39;s thumb against the ergonomically optimal locations  7 / 8  of the reader&#39;s fingers, that the tip segment  9  of the thumb  2  may interface easily, comfortably, and accurately with the ergonomically optimal location  7  of the middle finger  4 , and that the tip segment  9  of the thumb  2  may interface easily, comfortably, and accurately with the ergonomically optimal location  8  of the index finger  3 . 
     In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the activation key  110  may be integrated into the index finger sleeve  104  over the tip segment of the user&#39;s index finger. This location is ergonomically equivalent to the middle segment of the user&#39;s index finger. 
     The middle finger sleeve  106  and the index finger sleeve  104  may be made of any suitable and useful material, including, but not limited to polyester, cotton, spandex, neoprene, leather or suede. Materials may be selected in consideration of comfort, durability, appearance, the environment and/or conditions in which the ergonomic remote controller  100  may be used, or other considerations. 
     The middle finger sleeve  106  and the index finger sleeve  104  may be constructed of one layer of material or of multiple layers of material, such as a waterproof exterior layer over a more comfortable inner layer. 
     A touchpad (also known as a trackpad) is a pointing device featuring a tactile sensor surface that may translate the motion and position of a user&#39;s finger or thumb into an electrical signal that may be communicated to the device that is controlled by the touchpad. The motion and position of a user&#39;s finger or thumb on the touchpad may be translated into a relative motion or position on a display screen, or within the database that models the function of a display screen, and may typically function to scroll up, down, left or right on a display screen or through a database. Some touchpads may also interpret a tap of a user&#39;s finger or thumb as a click/select function, and a tap followed by a continuous sliding motion as a drag command. 
     For the purpose of the present invention, the term “touchpad” is intended to include any and all devices that may perform the function of translating the touch, position and/or motion of the user&#39;s finger or thumb into position and/or motion data for controlling motion and/or position on a screen or within a database. The touchpad may also include a select function for selecting a position on a screen or a portion of a database. The term “touchpad” therefore includes devices such as touch screens and flexible touch films. 
     The touchpad  108  may readily be selected by one with skill in the relevant arts from currently available designs or from designs that may become available in the future. The touchpad  108  may be selected in consideration of factors such as desired functionality, size, accuracy, physical integration into an ergonomic remote controller  100 , durability, and cost. 
     The touchpad  108  may be integrated into the ergonomic remote controller  100  in a variety of ways, depending primarily upon the design of the selected touchpad  108 , including sewing or bonding the touchpad  108  onto the middle finger sleeve  106  of the finger sleeve assembly  102 . 
     An activation key is a device (typically a pressure, temperature, or electrostatic sensor/switch) that may sense the tap of a user&#39;s finger or thumb and translate that tap into a command, such as on/off or select. 
     The activation key  110  may readily be selected by one with skill in the relevant arts from currently available designs or from designs that may become available in the future. The activation key  110  may be selected in consideration of factors such as desired functionality, size, physical integration into an ergonomic remote controller  100 , durability, and cost. 
     The activation key  110  may be integrated into the ergonomic remote controller  100  in a variety of ways, depending primarily upon the design of the selected activation key  110 , including sewing or bonding the activation key  110  onto the index finger sleeve  104  of the finger sleeve assembly  102 . 
     The ergonomic remote controller  100  may further comprise a battery  118 , a wireless transmitter  116 , and a microprocessor  120 . 
     In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the battery  118  may be incorporated into the middle finger sleeve  106  of the finger sleeve assembly  102 , positioned over the base segment of the user&#39;s middle finger  4 . 
     The battery  118  may be designed and configured to provide power to the electronic components of the ergonomic remote controller  100 . The battery  118  may readily be selected by one with skill in the relevant arts from currently available designs or from designs that may become available in the future. The battery  118  may be selected in consideration of factors such as power out requirements and duty cycles, size, physical integration into an ergonomic remote controller  100 , durability, and cost. 
     In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the battery  118  may be replaced by another power source, such as a plurality of batteries or a battery pack. The power source may be replaceable and/or rechargeable. The power source may be a device capable of generating power, such as a solar cell. 
     A wireless transmitter  116  may be incorporated into the index finger sleeve  104  of the finger sleeve assembly  102 , positioned over the base segment of the user&#39;s index finger  3 . 
     The wireless transmitter  116  may be designed and configured to transmit data and/or commands from the ergonomic remote controller  100  to the remote device to be controlled. The wireless transmitter  116  may readily be selected by one with skill in the relevant arts from currently available designs or from designs that may become available in the future. The wireless transmitter  116  may be selected in consideration of factors such as desired functionality, size, physical integration into an ergonomic remote controller  100 , durability, and cost. 
     Alternative embodiments of an ergonomic remote controller may incorporate Bluetooth® wireless technology, a standard for exchanging data over short distances, in the ergonomic remote controller&#39;s wireless transmitter. 
     A microprocessor  120  may be incorporated into the middle finger sleeve  106  of the finger sleeve assembly  102 , positioned over the base segment of the user&#39;s middle finger  4 . 
     The microprocessor  120  may be designed and configured to perform the signal and/or data processing functions of the ergonomic remote controller  100 . The microprocessor  120  may readily be selected and configured by one with skill in the relevant arts from currently available designs or from designs that may become available in the future. The microprocessor  120  may be selected in consideration of factors such as processing requirements, size, physical integration into an ergonomic remote controller  100 , durability, and cost. 
     The battery  118 , the wireless transmitter  116 , and the microprocessor  120  may be physically integrated into the ergonomic remote controller  100  in any of a variety of ways. In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the battery  118  may be housed within a pocket  114  that may be a feature of the middle finger sleeve  106 . Similarly, the wireless transmitter  116  and the microprocessor  120  may be housed within a pocket  112  that may be a feature of the index finger sleeve  104 . The pockets  112 / 114  may have openings  140  to accommodate removal and/or replacement of the battery  118 , the wireless transmitter  114  and/or the microprocessor  120 . The openings  140  may have a feature to maintain the openings  140  in a closed position once the battery  118 , the wireless transmitter  114  and/or the microprocessor  120  have been installed, such as a hook-and-loop fastener. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the installed position  148  of the battery  118  in the pocket  114 , and the installed position  146  of the wireless transmitter  116  and the microprocessor  120  in the pocket  112 . 
     The various electronic components may be electrically interconnected by means of an electrical conductor set  134 . 
     In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the battery  118 , the wireless transmitter  116  and/or the microprocessor  120  may be located at locations of the finger sleeve assembly  102  other than those shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 2 . While the location of the touchpad  108  and the activation key  110  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  is essential to the ergonomic functionality of the invention, the battery  118 , the wireless transmitter  116  and/or the microprocessor  120  may be placed at any useful location. 
       FIG. 3  presents a perspective view of the ergonomic remote controller  100  illustrating the ergonomic remote controller as worn on the hand  1  of a user.  FIG. 4  presents a back view of the ergonomic remote controller  100  illustrating the ergonomic remote controller as worn on the hand  1  of a user. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  present perspective views illustrating an ergonomic remote controller  100  in use.  FIG. 5A  illustrates the user&#39;s thumb  2  in position to operate the touchpad  108 .  FIG. 5B  illustrates the user&#39;s index finger  3  in position to enable the user&#39;s thumb  2  to actuate the activation key  110  while the user&#39;s thumb  2  is in position on the touchpad  108 . To use the ergonomic remote controller  100  according to this exemplary embodiment, the user may translate the user&#39;s thumb  2  about the surface of the touchpad  108  to scroll up, down, left or right (for example, to position a cursor to a desired location on a display screen or within a database that models the function of a display screen, or to scroll through a listing of data and/or commands). Once the cursor is in the desired position, the user may actuate the activation key  110  function by moving the user&#39;s index finger  3  to the user&#39;s thumb  2 , thereby causing the user&#39;s thumb  2  to come into contact with the activation key  110 . 
       FIG. 6  presents a block diagram of an ergonomic remote controller  100 , according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention. A touchpad  108 , an activation key  110 , a wireless transmitter  116 , a microprocessor  120 , and a battery  118  may be physically integrated into a finger sleeve assembly  102 . An electrical conductor  124  may transfer operating electrical power from the battery  118  to the touchpad  108 . An electrical conductor  122  may transfer operating electrical power from the battery  118  to the activation key  110 . An electrical conductor  128  may transfer operating electrical power from the battery  118  to the wireless transmitter  116 . An electrical conductor  136  may transfer operating power from the battery  118  to the microprocessor  120 . An electrical conductor  130  may transfer electrical signals between the touchpad  108  and the microprocessor  120 . An electrical conductor  132  may transfer electrical signals between the activation key  110  and the microprocessor  120 . An electrical conductor  126  may transfer electrical signals between the microprocessor  120  and the wireless transmitter  116 . 
     The electrical conductors  122 / 124 / 126 / 128 / 130 / 132 / 136  may comprise an electrical conductor set  134 , and may be implemented in a variety of ways. In one exemplary embodiment, the electrical conductors  122 / 124 / 126 / 128 / 130 / 132 / 136  may be electrical wires that may be routed between the relevant electrical components, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Physically, the electrical conductors  122 / 124 / 126 / 128 / 130 / 132 / 136  may be routed along the inner surface of the finger sleeve assembly  102 . Alternatively, the electrical conductors  122 / 124 / 126 / 128 / 130 / 132 / 136  may be routed along the outer surface of the finger sleeve assembly  102 . In yet another alternative embodiment, the electrical conductors  122 / 124 / 126 / 128 / 130 / 132 / 136  may be routed between the inner and outer layers of a multi-layer finger assembly sleeve  102 . 
       FIG. 7  presents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an ergonomic remote controller  200 , shown as worn on the hand of a user. The design and configuration of this alternative embodiment may be essentially the same as that of the ergonomic remote controller  100  presented in  FIG. 2 , except that in this embodiment, a battery pod  204  may house the system&#39;s battery  118 , and an electronics pod  202  may house the wireless transmitter  116  and microprocessor  120 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates one exemplary shape of a pod, using the electronics pod  202  as the example. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 7 , the shape of the battery pod  204  may be the same as the shape of the electronics pod  202 , although it may be substantially different in alternative embodiments.  FIG. 8A  presents a top view of the electronics pod  202 .  FIG. 8B  presents a side view of the pod of the electronics pod  202 .  FIG. 8C  presents a front view of the electronics pod  202 .  FIG. 8D  presents a rear view of the electronics pod  202 . The electronics pod  202  has a leading edge  206  and a groove  208  to secure the electronics pod  202  in the ergonomic remote controller  200 . 
       FIG. 7  presents the electronics pod  202  in its installed condition. To install the electronics pod  202  into the ergonomic remote controller  200 , the leading edge  206  of the electronics pod  202  may be inserted into a slot  210  designed into the index finger sleeve  214  of the ergonomic remote controller  200 , thereby restraining the leading edge  206 . Then, a retainer  212 , which is designed into the index finger sleeve  214  of the ergonomic remote controller  200 , may be lifted over the rear of the electronics pod  202  and placed into the groove  208 , thereby restraining the entire electronics pod  202 . The retainer  212  may be of any useful design, including but not limited to an elastic band. 
     The installation of the battery pod  204  may be identical to that of the electronics pod  202 , except the battery pod  204  may be installed into the middle finger sleeve  216  of the ergonomic remote controller  200 . 
     In alternative embodiments of the invention, an ergonomic remote controller may be configured to be worn on a user&#39;s left hand or right hand. 
     Alternative embodiments of an ergonomic remote controller may have one, two, three or four finger sleeves configured to be worn on any combination of a user&#39;s fingers. In addition, alternative embodiments of an ergonomic remote controller may have a thumb sleeve configured to be worn on a user&#39;s thumb. 
     In alternative embodiments of the invention, an ergonomic remote controller may be designed and configured for use with any remote device for which an ergonomic remote controller may be useful, including, but not limited to computer/video games, remote control vehicles, tablet computers, digital music players, smart phones, heads up displays and virtual reality displays. 
     In alternative embodiments of the invention, an ergonomic remote controller may incorporate a plurality of touchpads and/or activation keys. Further, one or more other finger and/or thumb actuated elements may be incorporated into an ergonomic remote controller, such as a joystick, a touch wheel or a click wheel. 
     In alternative embodiments of the invention, any number and/or type of controller elements, such as touchpads and activation keys, may be located at various positions on the user&#39;s fingers or thumbs. 
     In alternative embodiments of the invention, one or more of the electronic elements of an ergonomic remote controller may be removable and/or replaceable. 
     Multiple ergonomic remote controllers may be configured to work in conjunction with each other. For example, one ergonomic remote controller may be worn on and operated with a user&#39;s right hand to control certain functions of a remote device, and a second ergonomic remote controller may be worn on and operated with a user&#39;s left hand to control other functions of the remote device. 
     The elements of an ergonomic remote controller may be modified, interchanged, separated or combined, or additional elements added without departing from the spirit of the invention. The invention may be practiced in alternative embodiments other than those illustrated in the Figures. Such modifications, combinations, additions and alternatives are within the contemplation of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments and disclosed are not intended to limit the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by their legal equivalents, and shall be as broad as the claims will allow.