Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
1997-04-03
2001-08-07
Chow, Dennis-Doon (Department: 2675)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C345S169000, C348S734000, C340S870030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06271831
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to wireless control of electronic equipment and, more particularly, relates to a hand held remote control and pointer device capable of controlling the operation of an electronic component which may include the movement of a cursor displayed on a display screen of an electronic component such as a personal computer, a television receiver, or the like.
In the art, various systems for providing wireless control of electronic equipment have been proposed. An example of one such system may be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,745,402 and 4,796,019 to Auerbach. These patents both disclose a system using a remote control transmitter having the capability for controlling the movement of a cursor displayed on a display screen of an electronic device as well as the capability for controlling the operation of the device itself. The control of the cursor is disclosed to be a function of a perceived change in the angular position of the remote control while the control of the electronic device is disclosed to be a function of transmitted, dedicated, function data. More particularly, the angular position information is described as being a function of the phase angle and amplitude of the resultant of the combined signals transmitted from the energized LEDs of the remote control.
A further example of a wireless control and pointing system may be found in co-pending U.S. patent Ser. No. 08/605,546 entitled “System For Providing Wireless Pointer Control” filed on Feb. 26, 1996 in the name of Marcus Escobosa and assigned to the assignee of the subject invention. The '546 application discloses a system including a remote control pointer device capable of generating a signal having multiple signal components with different frequencies and a base station capable of receiving and decoding the signal. The base station interprets the multiple signal components to determine the orientation of the remote control pointer device to properly generate a pointer control signal for properly selecting a particular piece of equipment to receive remote commands or data, and where appropriate, properly displaying and positioning a cursor displayed on the electronic equipment. To assist in an understanding of the subject invention, the full disclosure found in the '546 patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
While the wireless command and pointing systems described above provide a means for controlling the operation of an electric appliance in conjunction with the ability to control the movement of a cursor displayed on a display screen, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved wireless command and pointer system having the capability to control the operation of an electric appliance in conjunction with the ability to control the movement of a cursor with a relatively higher degree of precision than found in the prior art. It is further object of the present invention to provide a wireless pointer capable of preventing a cursor from being vibrated due to unintentional movement of the hand of an operator. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a wireless pointer system in which frequency interference resulting from electrical lighting is minimized. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a wireless pointer in which a lens allows for the transmission of an improved radiation pattern.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a wireless control and pointer system for controlling electronic equipment is provided. The system generally includes a hand held remote control comprising a first infrared signal emitter for use in transmitting a first infrared signal comprising a plurality of signal components each of which is transmitted at a first frequency but out of phase with respect to the other of the plurality of signal components and a receiver comprising an infrared signal sensor adapted to receive the infrared signal, a circuit connected to the infrared signal sensor for generating an orientation signal indicative of the orientation of the remote control as a function of the amplitude of each of the plurality of signal components of the infrared signal, and an interface circuit for transmitting a command signal based upon the orientation signal to the electronic equipment.
In another embodiment of the invention, the system includes a hand held remote control comprising a plurality of LEDs for use in transmitting an infrared signal comprising a plurality of separately identifiable signal components and a lens for modifying the radiation pattern emitted by each of the plurality of LEDs where the intensity of the radiation pattern is seen to be a function of angle with respect to the central axis of each of the plurality of LEDs and a receiver comprising an infrared signal sensor adapted to receive the plurality of separately identifiable signal components, a circuit connected to the infrared signal sensor for generating an orientation signal indicative of the orientation of the remote control in response to a characteristic of the plurality of separately identifiable signal components, and an interface circuit for transmitting a command signal based upon the orientation signal to the electronic equipment.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the system generally comprises a hand held remote control comprising a infrared signal emitter for use in transmitting an infrared signal comprising a plurality of separately identifiable signal components and a means for synchronizing the transmission of the plurality of separately identifiable signal components to an external interference signal and a receiver comprising an infrared signal sensor adapted to receive the plurality of separately identifiable signal components, a circuit connected to the infrared signal sensor for generating an orientation signal indicative of the orientation of the remote control as a function of a characteristic of the plurality of separately identifiable signal components, and an interface circuit for transmitting a command signal based upon the orientation signal to the electronic equipment.
A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features, properties and relationships of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which set forth an illustrative embodiment and are indicative of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed.
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Shibuya Y, Hagimoto M: Infrared LED with Collimating lens OKI Technical Review, vol. 60, No. 149, Apr. 1994, pp. 5-8, XP000863796, Japan * p. 5, right-hand col., line 5-line 7 *.
Chen Fusheng Frank
Escobosa Marcus
Yun Youping
Chow Dennis-Doon
Galis Mark R.
Hyatt John E.
Jarosik Gary R.
Universal Electronics Inc.
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