Remote controller integrated with wireless mouse

Details Remote controller integrated with wireless mouse Remote controller integrated with wireless mouse

1998-11-06

2002-10-15

Horabik, Michael (Department: 2635)

Coded data generation or conversion

Code generator or transmitter

Transmitter for remote control signal

C341S173000, C345S158000, C345S163000, C348S552000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06466154

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a remote controller used for controlling functions of a television or a stereo, and more particularly, to a remote controller integrated with a wireless mouse used as a pointing device of a computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wireless mouse
10
, as shown in
FIG. 1
, transmits signals through a line
12
connecting a mouse body
11
to a computer case (now shown). A wireless mouse
20
, as shown in
FIG. 2
, transmits an optical signal using a signal generator
22
located at an end of a mouse body
21
to a signal receiver (now shown) connected to the computer.
Recently, the PC-TV having functions of a television and a computer has been introduced. The functions of the PC-TV are controlled, using a remote controller integrated with a wireless mouse as shown in FIG.
3
. The remote controller integrated with a wireless mouse is obtained by combining a remote controller for controlling a television and a wireless mouse for controlling a computer. In the remote controller integrated with a wireless mouse, a multitude of buttons
32
and a track ball
34
are encased in a body
30
for operating functions. The track ball
34
is capable of freely rolling, such that the position of a cursor can move on the screen of the PC-TV. Optical Function control signals are transmitted to the PC-TV through a signal generator
36
on an end of the body
30
by the operation of the buttons
32
and the track ball
34
.
However, there are many inconveniences in the use of a conventional remote controller integrated with a wireless mouse. First, if the integrated remote controller/wireless mouse is used on a desktop or an a mouse pad, as a typical mouse is used, it may not be possible to control the television functions because the integrated remote controller/wireless mouse must be pointed toward the PC-TV. On the other hand, if the integrated remote controller/wireless mouse is used like a typical remote controller, it is difficult to use the integrated remote controller/wireless mouse as a pointing device because the track ball must be operated by the fingers. Also, because of the proximity of the buttons for controlling the television and the mouse buttons, unintentional operations sometimes occur.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a remote controller integrated with a wireless mouse in which PC operating buttons and television operating buttons are operated independently to reduce inadvertent operations of the buttons, and at the same time employing a ball for functioning as a conventional mouse for a PC.
Accordingly, to achieve the above objective, a remote controller integrated with a wireless mouse according to the present invention includes first and second buttons installed on the upper surface of a body for operating first and second apparatuses, respectively; a signal generator for generating optical signals for controlling functions of the apparatuses in accordance with the operation of the buttons; and a track ball, protruding from the bottom surface of the body, to allow free rolling movement for operating the second apparatus.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a remote controller which further comprises a cover member capable of opening and closing the top surface of the body, covering the top surface of the body such that the first buttons are covered and the second buttons are exposed.
Preferably, the cover member has one end hinge-coupled to the body which is capable of pivot-movement, to thereby open or close the top surface of the body.
It is also preferable that the remote controller further comprises: a shaft extending from the body; a rotating connection member rotatably connected to the shaft; and pivot pins formed on both sides of the rotation connection member, connected to the one end of the cover member, wherein when the rotating connection member is rotated 180°, the inner surface of the cover member faces the bottom surface of the body.
Preferably, the cover member includes a hole through which the second buttons pass to be exposed.
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a remote controller which further comprises: a cover member installed on the body to cover the first and the second buttons; and an elastic push piece formed on the cover member to interlock with the second buttons when the top surface of the body is covered.
Preferably, the cover member rotates, hinge-connected to the front end and the rear end of the body.
It is also preferable that a locking protrusion is formed on the cover member, and a locking groove connected to the locking protrusion is formed on the side of the body, to lock the cover member.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4754268 (1988-06-01), Mori
patent: 4855746 (1989-08-01), Stacy
patent: 5280276 (1994-01-01), Kwok
patent: 5457479 (1995-10-01), Cheng
patent: 5457480 (1995-10-01), White
patent: 5563631 (1996-10-01), Masunaga
patent: 5583541 (1996-12-01), Solhjell
patent: 5724106 (1998-03-01), Autry
patent: 5767841 (1998-06-01), Hartman
patent: 5798715 (1998-08-01), Saperstone
patent: 5831555 (1998-11-01), Yu
patent: 5854621 (1998-12-01), Junod
patent: 5923757 (1999-07-01), Hocker
patent: 5949401 (1999-09-01), Kazarian
patent: 5959557 (1999-09-01), Lim
patent: 5973757 (1999-10-01), Aubuchon et al.
patent: 5990868 (1999-11-01), Frederick
patent: 6040820 (2000-03-01), Choi
patent: 6078789 (2000-06-01), Bodenmann
patent: 6184869 (2001-02-01), Harding
patent: 6208384 (2001-03-01), Schultheiss
patent: 6313851 (2001-11-01), Matthews et al.
patent: 94-24726 (1994-11-01), None

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Remote controller integrated with wireless mouse does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Remote controller integrated with wireless mouse, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Remote controller integrated with wireless mouse will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2963919