Patent ID: 12219249

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG.1,FIG.2, andFIG.3illustrate an audiovisual controller10adapted to communicate wirelessly with a computing device70to alternatively disable or enable microphone or video functions of an audiovisual application90executed by the computing device70. The audiovisual controller10comprises a housing12and a plurality of user-activated switches including a first switch42and a second switch44. The housing12is shaped to allow a user to identify and differentiate between the first switch42and the second switch44by touch as well as sight, thus allowing the user to quickly locate and accurately activate either the first switch42or the second switch44. Activation of one of the switches causing the audiovisual controller10to broadcast wireless transmissions38to a computing device70via a wireless communication protocol such as Bluetooth, or another suitable communication protocol employing short ranged radio frequencies.

Turning toFIG.6andFIG.7while also referring toFIGS.1-3, the audiovisual controller10further comprises a control module30, a wireless communication module34, and a battery32which are each contained within the housing12. The wireless communication module34is adapted to communicate via the wireless communication protocol, and is configured with an RF transmitter or transceiver. The control module30is operably linked to each of the switches and the communication module34, and is adapted to cause the wireless communication module34to generate a control signal when one of the switches is activated. In one embodiment, the control module34may be implemented using a microcontroller. The battery32provides electrical power to the various components of the audiovisual controller10, and may be rechargeable. Alternatively, the battery32may be replaceable, and may correspond to an alkaline battery or other appropriate battery type.

In one embodiment, the first switch42and the second switch44each correspond to a mechanical switch, such as a push button switch, tactile switch, or other appropriate switch mechanism, which activates when pressed by the user100. In an alternative embodiment, the first switch42and the second switch44may be implemented as a capacitive switch which detects contact between the hand112and the switch and results in activation of the switch.

In a preferred embodiment, the first switch42and the second switch44each have an illumination element46which produces light in response to the activation of the switch. In one embodiment, a multicolor LED48is embedded within each of the first switch42and the second switch44, and the LED48is adapted to emit a light in a plurality of colors. Alternatively, instead of a single multicolor LED48, a plurality of LEDs each configured to emit light in a single color may be incorporated into the illumination element46.

Turning toFIG.4while also referring toFIG.6andFIG.7, each illumination element46is configured to emit light in accordance with a plurality of illumination states50comprising a first illumination state50B and a second illumination state50C, in which each illumination state50represents a single color. The illumination element46emits a first color in the first illumination state50B and a second color in the second illumination state50C. In one example, the first color is green, while the second color is red. Activation of the switch causes the illumination element46to alternate between the first illumination state50B and the second illumination state50C. In addition, the illumination element46may be configured to emit the light in flashes or timed pulses. Note that the examples of red and green light are non-limiting, and the first color and the second color may correspond to any visible color.

Turning toFIG.5while also referring toFIGS.1-3, the housing12of the audiovisual controller10has a physical configuration which provides visual and tactile sensory cues which allow the user to quickly and accurately distinguish the first switch42from the second switch44. In a preferred embodiment, the housing12of the audiovisual controller10has a first end14A, a distally oriented second end14B, a first portion20positioned at the first end14A, and a second portion22positioned at the second end14B. In one embodiment, the housing12further has an upper surface16A disposed between the first end14A and the second end14B. The first switch42is positioned upon the upper surface16A at the first portion20, while the second switch44is positioned upon the upper surface16A at the second portion22. The housing12may have a substantially flat lower surface16B disposed opposite the upper surface16A. The audiovisual controller10may be positioned with the lower surface16B resting upon a horizontal surface, such as a tabletop or desktop, allowing the first switch42and the second switch44positioned upon the upper surface16A to remain accessible to the user110.

Referring toFIG.5while also referring toFIGS.1-3, the housing12has a length98L extending longitudinally between the first end14A and the second end14B. The first portion20and the second portion22have a first portion width20W and a second portion width22W respectively, measured laterally across the length98L of the housing12. The first switch42has a first switch width42W, while the second switch44has a second switch width44W. In one embodiment, the first switch42and the second switch44are circular in shape, and the first switch width42W and the second switch width44W correspond to the diameter of each switch. The first portion20and the second portion22may also be rounded in shape at the first end14A and the second end14B of the housing12.

In a preferred embodiment, the housing12is significantly enlarged at the first portion20relative to the second portion22, thus allowing the user to distinguish the first portion20from the second portion22by touch, thus minimizing the risk of the user misidentifying and incorrectly activating one of the switches. For example, if the user wishes to activate the first switch42, the user may identify the first portion20by touch based on the comparative size of the first portion20relative to the second portion22.

To further distinguish the first switch42from the second switch44, the first switch42may also be enlarged relative to the second switch44. For example, the first switch42may have a first switch width42W which is approximately two times larger than second switch width44W. The first portion width20W will be correspondingly larger than the second portion width22W to accommodate the increased size of the first switch42relative to the second switch44. For example, the first portion width20W may be at least one and a half times larger than the second portion width22W. Note that in certain embodiments, the first switch42and the second switch44may additionally incorporate visible symbols or text labels which indicate whether the switch is associated with the microphone function or the video function.

In certain embodiments, the housing12provides increased separation between the first switch42and the second switch44by increasing the distance between the first portion20and the second portion22. In one embodiment, the housing12further has a connecting portion18disposed centrally between the first portion20and the second portion22.

In one embodiment, the connecting portion18has a connecting portion width18W which is less than the second portion width22W. As such, the width of the housing12of the audiovisual controller10decreases from the enlarged first portion20to a minimum at the connecting portion18. The width of the housing12then gradually increases towards the second portion22. This configuration imparts ergonomic advantages when the audiovisual controller10is held within the hand112of the user, and may be employed as a hand grip. For example, the audiovisual controller10may be held with the first portion20positioned adjacent to the thumb and forefinger and the second portion22positioned adjacent to the pinky, while the remaining fingers of the hand112rest along the connecting portion18between the first portion20and the second portion22.

Turning toFIG.7while continuing to refer toFIGS.1-2, the computing device70has a screen for displaying graphics, a processor78for executing an operating system and computer programs, an input controller which allows the computing device70to receive user commands, and an RF receiver76adapted to receive wireless transmissions38via the wireless communication protocol. The computing device70further has a camera72for capturing video, and a microphone74for capturing audio. The camera72and/or the microphone74may be integrated within the computing device70, or be configured as separate devices operably connected with the computing device70. For example, the computing device70may be a laptop computer, tablet, or mobile phone in which the camera72and the microphone74are integrated, or a desktop computer configured to operate with a separate camera72or microphone74. The computing device70is adapted to execute an audiovisual application90which receives the video and audio captured by the camera72and the microphone74respectively. In one example, the audiovisual application90is configured to transmit the captured audio and/or video to other computing devices via a data communication network such as the Internet, to facilitate communication between users.

The audiovisual application90allows the user to activate or deactivate the capture or transmission of audio or video by entering user commands through the input device of the computing device70. In one embodiment, a video state command92may be inputted to activate or deactivate the capture of video by the camera72or the transmission thereof. Likewise, a microphone state command94may be inputted to activate or deactivate the capture of audio by the microphone74, or transmission of the audio by the audiovisual application90. In a preferred embodiment, the video state command92and the microphone state command94each correspond to a keystroke or combination of keystrokes entered through a keyboard or equivalent input device. In one non-limiting example, the audiovisual application90may be configured to recognize the keystroke combination of “Alt+A” as the microphone state command94, and the keystroke combination of “Alt+V” as the video state command92.

Referring toFIG.6andFIG.7while also referring toFIGS.1-3, the audiovisual controller10allows the user to activate or deactivate the video and audio features of the audiovisual application90by replicating the keystrokes which correspond to the video state command92and the microphone state command94, and by transmitting them to the computing device70via the wireless communication protocol. Conventional keyboard keystrokes are encoded within a control signal which the computing device70is configured to recognize as a keypress event. Each key on a keyboard is represented by a unique scan code, which allows the computing device70to recognize the control signal as an input associated with a keyboard keypress. In a preferred embodiment, the audiovisual controller10is adapted to generate and transmit control signals which are recognized by the computing device70as keyboard keystrokes in accordance with the wireless communication protocol. For example, the Bluetooth protocol utilizes scan codes contained within the USB HID (Human Interface Device) Specification. As such, the control module30of the audiovisual controller10may store the USB HID keyboard scan codes which embody the video state command92and the microphone state command94associated with the audiovisual application90, and cause the communication module34to transmit the appropriate scan codes within the control signals when the either first switch42or the second switch44is activated. Note that a person of ordinary skill in the art in the field of the invention will appreciate that variations of the audiovisual controller10may be configured for use with a range of computing devices70and audiovisual applications90by taking into account the specific keyboard protocols applicable to the computing device70and the particular keypress combinations associated with the audiovisual application90.

In one embodiment, activation of the first switch42causes the communication module34to transmit a first control signal53containing the microphone state command94, while activation of the second switch44causes the communication module34to transmit a second control signal54containing the video state command92. Each control signal is transmitted using the wireless communication protocol and is received by the RF receiver76of the computing device70. The corresponding keystroke combination is interpreted by the processor78, and the microphone state command94or video state command92is passed to the audiovisual application90.

In a preferred embodiment, the audiovisual controller10is adapted to communicate with the computing device70audiovisual application90without the requiring the user to set up or modify either the audiovisual controller10or the computing device70. The first switch42and the second switch44are each associated with only one set of scan codes corresponding to either the video state command92or the microphone state command94recognized by the audiovisual application90. As such, the first control signal53and the second control signal54are formatted according to standard specifications as defined in the wireless communication protocol, and are interpretable by the computing device70and the audiovisual application90without the need to install device drivers or modify settings.

Referring toFIG.3while also referring toFIG.2andFIGS.6-7, in one embodiment, the audiovisual controller10may be powered on or powered off by pressing and holding either the first switch42or the second switch44. In one embodiment, the illumination element46may then operate in a power-on illumination state50A which indicates that the audiovisual controller10is powered on. In certain embodiments, the power-on illumination state50A may also indicate whether the communication module34has successfully established a connection with the computing device70via the wireless communication protocol. For example, the illumination element46may emit pulsed or flashing light until the connection has been established, whereupon the illumination element46will begin operating in the first illumination state50B. In certain embodiments, the audiovisual controller10may comprise a separate power switch which is used to power-on on power-off the audiovisual controller10.

Referring toFIGS.2-4while also referring toFIG.6andFIG.7, in a preferred embodiment, the illumination states50of the first switch42and the second switch44operate independently of the audiovisual application90. Activation of the switch causes the illumination element46to alternate between the first illumination state50B and the second illumination state50C. In one example where the first switch42is configured to transmit the microphone state command94within the first control signal53, the colors of light emitted during the first illumination state50B and the second illumination state50C are not indicative of whether the microphone function of the audiovisual application90is currently active or disabled. Instead, the transition between illumination states50may be used to indicate to the user that the activation of the switch has been registered by the audiovisual controller and that the first or second control signal53,54has been transmitted.

In an illustrative example, the audiovisual controller10may be configured such that the illumination element46of the first switch42operates in the first illumination state50B once the controller10has been powered on and a connection with the computing device70has been established. On the other hand, the audiovisual application90may be set to begin operation with the microphone function disabled. The user presses and activates the first switch42, causing the audiovisual controller to transmit the first control signal53. The control module30also causes the illumination element46to alternate from the first illumination state50B to the second illumination state50C. The computing device70receives and interprets the first control signal53, and the microphone state command94is passed to the audiovisual application90, causing the microphone function to become enabled. The user then presses the first switch42for a second time, causing the first control signal53to be transmitted again, and further causing the illumination element46to alternate from the second illumination state50C to the first illumination state50B. The transmission of the first control signal53causes the audiovisual application90to disable the microphone function.

Continuing the present illustrative example, the audiovisual application90may begin operation with the video function enabled. The second switch44is associated with the video function, and the communication module34is configured to transmit a second control signal54containing the scan codes which initiate the video state command92. Pressing the second switch44causes the second control signal54to be transmitted, and further causes the illumination state50to alternate from the first illumination state50B to the second illumination state50C. The computing device70receives and interprets the second control signal54, and passes the video state command92to the audiovisual application90, causing the video function to become disabled. Upon the user100pressing and activating the second switch44again, the illumination state50of the second switch44will alternate from the second illumination state50C to the first illumination state50B, and the second control signal54will be transmitted, causing the video function of the audiovisual application90to become enabled.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present disclosure may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium (including, but not limited to, non-transitory computer readable storage media). A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus or device.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. Other types of languages include XML, XBRL and HTML5. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

Aspects of the present disclosure are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. Each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. Each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

The flow diagrams depicted herein are just one example. There may be many variations to this diagram or the steps (or operations) described therein without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order and/or steps may be added, deleted and/or modified. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In conclusion, herein is presented a wireless audiovisual controller. The disclosure is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present disclosure.