Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Including keyboard
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-11
2001-09-11
Huynh, Ba (Department: 2173)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Including keyboard
C345S182000, C345S157000, C345S215000, C725S060000, C725S061000, C463S014000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06288708
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for allowing interaction between an individual and a display screen, such as the monitor of a computer system or a television set.
Human interaction with a display screen, such as a computer monitor, is generally achieved by means of a keyboard having keys assigned to a particular function or ASCII code for typing a specific letter on the screen. Alternatively a mouse or track-ball may be used to move a cursor around a computer display screen thereby targeting particular features or functions provided by the system.
The mouse is moved over a horizontal surface to cause a corresponding movement of a cursor over the vertical surface of the display screen. Once the cursor is positioned over the required feature, the mouse is clicked resulting in access being gained to the particular chosen feature. The ability to move the mouse correctly and efficiently does require a significant amount of practice and, even once mastered, does necessitate that the cursor be exactly in position to enable the feature to be selected. The mouse also has to be attached, for example by means of a lead, to the computer hardware in order to operate and hence, the operator has to be situated within close proximity of the computer screen. Furthermore, the mouse has to be moved over a flat surface hence necessitating the use of a desk or other suitable surface for allowing interaction with the computer display screen.
Alternative systems have been developed such as a touch sensitive surface. This involves the computer screen being divided into particular regions having a pictorial or other suitable representation for each region. A pressure-sensitive screen is provided over the display to allow the operator to touch the screen and select the function or feature by means of the representation corresponding to said feature or function. This requires the computer operator to be positioned close to the computer screen which is not always desirable.
Television sets also allow interaction therewith by the user, such as by means of a remote controller unit. For example, particular features on teletext may be selected by pressing an appropriate button on the remote controller unit, such as the button which is marked by a particular colour corresponding to a topic covered by teletext, such as news, sport or weather. Alternatively, particular directories may be accessed by pressing an access number given on the TV screen. The use of icons or wording on the remote controller unit may also allow the user to select the feature of his or her choice.
The aforementioned processes do have a number of drawbacks, such as being slow to operate due to the requirement to visually select the appropriate button or carefully move the mouse to position the cursor in the centre of an icon. The dedication of keys to specific functions also severely limits the number of functions which may be selected using a remote controller unit or keyboard. It is also not always appropriate for the operator to be in close proximity to the display screen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an aim of the present invention to provide an improved method and an apparatus for allowing interaction between a display screen and an individual which overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for interaction between an individual and a display screen, the apparatus comprising a controller having a plurality of keys having a spatial arrangement which corresponds to target areas of the display screen, whereby selection of a target area is achieved by pressing the key located in the corresponding position on the controller.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of enabling interaction between a display screen and an individual utilising a controller having a plurality of keys disposed in a special arrangement which correspond to target areas of the display screen, the method comprising the steps of:
identifying the target area of the screen to be selected;
translating the position of the target area to a key situated in a corresponding position on the controller; and
pressing the key to transmit an identifying code to select said target area.
The method and apparatus of the present invention are implemented by means of appropriately designed computer software. Computer software is employed to define target areas on the display screen having a position which corresponds to the spatial relationship of the keys on the controller and to determine what function or functions are to be assigned to each area and the effect of selection of a particular area.
Each target area may represent a particular function or multiple function area. In the latter case, the multiple functions will be disposed in positions which can be equated to the key positions of the controller. By this means, the functions assigned to the keys are potentially variable as they correspond to the function indicated in the target area of the screen. Software determines the functions assigned to a target area according to the application being accessed. Accordingly, the keys can be free from any numerals, pictograms, colours or other identifying characteristics.
The particular function or functions represented by an area of the screen is preferably represented by displaying an appropriate word, symbol, icon or other identifying characteristic in the target area of the screen. The option is then dynamically assigned to the appropriate key on the controller in a position corresponding to the associated target area.
The display screen is preferably divided into a 3×3 grid with the controller having a corresponding spatial arrangement of nine keys. The grid may be visible to the operator, but most usually the grid is not required to be visible since it may be imagined in the operator's mind having regard to the spatial layout of the keys on the controller.
Alternatively, the screen may be divided into a smaller or larger grid, such as a 2×2 or 6×6 grid with the controller being provided with a corresponding number of keys. If a large number of keys are to be provided, it is preferable to provide tactile nipples on the intended upper surface thereof to aid identification of the appropriate key without having to look at the controller.
The individual areas of the display screen may each be selected to divide the individual area into a plurality of discrete areas to access further functions subsidiary to the first, thereby enabling multiple functions to be accessed via one original screen, such as a 3×3 grid.
It is preferable that any keys which do not correspond to a target area and its associated function at any given time are made temporarily inoperable.
The controller may be in the form of a key pad. More preferably, the controller is in the form of a hand held unit. More preferably still, the controller is in the form of a remote control unit. The latter is advantageous as the interaction between an individual and the screen may occur with the individual situated some distance from the screen.
It is preferable to provide a remote control unit with large buttons such that the operator is able to locate the appropriate button easily.
The method and apparatus of the present invention may be used for a wide range of applications depending upon the computer program which implements the particular visual interface. For example, the interactive method and apparatus of the present invention may be used for computer games, such as chess, with moves being made by an individual using the keypad or remote control unit of the present invention. The interactive display system may also be used to edit text on a display screen.
The method and apparatus of interactive communication between an individual and a display screen of the present invention may also be utilised for interfacing with a domestic television set which contains a microprocessor. For example, the options for audio, p
Amaze Limited
Fulwider Patton Lee & Utecht LLP
Huynh Ba
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