U.S. patent application number 11/268431 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-23 for electronic apparatus operating device, recording medium, and electronic apparatus.
Invention is credited to Hitoshi Endoh, Yasufumi Fujikawa, Takeshi Fujita, Nariaki Hatta.
Application Number | 20060061503 11/268431 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26592966 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060061503 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fujita; Takeshi ; et
al. |
March 23, 2006 |
Electronic apparatus operating device, recording medium, and
electronic apparatus
Abstract
The present invention aims to share such a unit for controllably
operating a wide variety of electronic apparatuses to be uniformly
compatible with each of them. Concretely, such data pictures
comprising picture data and relevant data as a single dealing unit
are utilized. Data pictures are individually displayed on a display
unit of the inventive operating device to enable user to specify
(305) any of them. When a certain data picture has been specified
by user's operation, a relevant data is extracted (307) from the
specified data picture, and then, based on the extracted relevant
data, a controlling data is transmitted.
Inventors: |
Fujita; Takeshi; (Chiba,
JP) ; Endoh; Hitoshi; (Saitama, JP) ; Hatta;
Nariaki; (Tokyo, JP) ; Fujikawa; Yasufumi;
(Kanagawa, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FROMMER LAWRENCE & HAUG
745 FIFTH AVENUE- 10TH FL.
NEW YORK
NY
10151
US
|
Family ID: |
26592966 |
Appl. No.: |
11/268431 |
Filed: |
November 7, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10296803 |
Nov 26, 2002 |
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PCT/JP01/04508 |
May 29, 2001 |
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11268431 |
Nov 7, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
341/176 ;
348/E5.103 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 5/44582 20130101;
H03J 2200/23 20130101; H04N 21/42224 20130101; H04N 21/42208
20130101; H04N 21/47 20130101; G08C 2201/92 20130101; H04N 21/42204
20130101; H04N 21/42221 20130101; H04N 21/4184 20130101; G08C 17/00
20130101; H04N 21/4131 20130101; H04N 21/42225 20130101; H03J
1/0025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
341/176 |
International
Class: |
G08C 19/12 20060101
G08C019/12; H04L 17/02 20060101 H04L017/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 30, 2000 |
JP |
P2000-161253 |
May 15, 2001 |
JP |
P2001-145560 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. an electronic apparatus operating device comprising: a function
to display at least one of picture data contained in a data picture
comprising as a single dealing unit a picture data and a relevant
data constituting a basis for causing a predetermined operation
when there is a command for operation; a function to specify
picture data displayed via operation; a function to extract a
relevant data from said specified data picture and outputs a
controlling data based on said extracted relevant data; and a
function to record data for specifying a specific location at which
the relevant data should be displayed.
13. An electronic apparatus operating device comprising: a display
device which displays at least one of picture data contained in a
data picture comprising a picture data and a relevant data as a
single dealing unit; a specific operation executing device which
specifies said picture data displayed on said display device via
operation; a relevant-data extractor which extracts a relevant data
from a data picture; an interface device which, based on said
extracted data, outputs a controlling data to another electronic
apparatus; and an aligned-data recorder which records data for
specifying a specific location of the display device at which the
relevant data should be displayed.
14. The electronic apparatus operating device according to claim
13, wherein said interface device outputs said controlling data via
a wireless transmission means.
15. The electronic apparatus operating device according to claim
13, wherein said data picture is acquired from an externally
inserted recording medium.
16. The electronic apparatus operating device according to claim
13, further comprising: a data-picture recorder which records said
data picture; and a recording-medium interface device which
initially reads a data picture recorded from a
controlling-objective electronic apparatus and then records said
recorded data in said data-picture recorder.
17. The electronic apparatus operating device according to claim
16, further comprising: a registration initiating operational
device which receives an instruction to activate operation for
initiating registration; and a recording-medium interface device
which reads a recorded data picture from a controlling-objective
electronic apparatus when said registration initiating operational
device receives an instruction to initiate registration and then
records said data picture in said data-picture recorder.
18. The electronic apparatus operating device according to claim
13, wherein said display device displays data pictures by way of
integrating said data pictures into groups per electronic apparatus
to be subject to controlling operation.
19. A recording medium which delivers said data pictures to the
electronic apparatus operating device according to claim 15.
20. An electronic apparatus which delivers said data pictures to
the electronic apparatus operating device according to claim
16.
21. An electronic apparatus comprising: a display device which
displays at least one of picture data contained in a data picture
comprising as a single dealing unit a picture data and a relevant
data constituting a basis for causing a predetermined operation
when there is a command for operation; a specific-operation
executing device which specifies said picture data displayed on
said display device via operation; a relevant-data extractor which
extracts a relevant data from data pictures; an interface device
which outputs a controlling data based on said relevant data
extracted by said specific operation executing device; and an
aligned-data recorder which records data for specifying a specific
location of the display device at which the relevant data should be
displayed.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an operating device for
remotely controlling electronic apparatuses. More particularly, the
present invention relates to such a remote controllable operating
device compatible with a variety of manually operable
electric/electronic apparatuses mainly including portable data
communication terminal apparatuses, television sets, video
recorders, refrigerators, microwave ovens, or the like.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In the field of a variety of electronic apparatuses, such a
remote controller utilizing infra-red rays for the medium of
communication has been generalized in recent years.
[0003] Nevertheless, although functional operation of these remote
controllers is basically analogous to each other, when there are
various kinds of electronic apparatuses being subject to a variety
of controllable conditions, it necessitates provision of a number
of remote controllers corresponding to the actual number of the
electronic apparatuses to be controlled. This in turn obliges users
to be annoyed with such a work for picking up the correct remote
controller exactly matching the apparatus that should be operated.
Although there has been such a move to unify the standard of remote
controllers being manufactured, actually, standard unification has
merely been realized by each manufacturer of corresponding
electric/electronic apparatuses on the individual basis. Actually,
it is extremely difficult to integrally unify the standards of
remote controllers among concerned manufacturing companies. Aside
from this, inasmuch as individual manufacturers are obliged to
provide customers with a plurality of remote controllers analogous
to each other per specific electric/electronic apparatus on the
market, this obligation further obstructs reduction of production
cost.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides such a novel device for
controllably operating electronic apparatuses. More particularly,
the operating device is uniformly compatible with a variety of
manually operable electric/electronic apparatus including potable
data communication terminal apparatuses, television sets, video
recorders, refrigerators, microwave ovens, or the like. The
operating device enables individual users to properly operate any
of those apparatuses cited above by referring to illustrated
characters shown on a display window of the corresponding apparatus
in order that the corresponding electronic apparatus can properly
be operated by an individual user based on such a data
corresponding to a selected illustrated character individually
meaning a specific data shown on the display window thereof. The
inventive operating device enables individual users to controllably
operate any of the corresponding electric/electronic apparatuses by
referring to illustrated characters shown on a display window of
the apparatus in order that the corresponding apparatus can
controllably be operated based on such a data corresponding to the
selected illustrated character individually meaning a specific
data.
[0005] The present invention has been realized by way of solving
the above-cited problem thus far existing among the concerned. As
will be described below, the present invention aims at facilitating
integral unification of remote controllers or reducing cost of a
variety of electric/electronic apparatuses by way of communizing
interfaces inside of operating mechanism.
[0006] To realize the above objects, the present invention
positively utilizes such a data unit comprising a package of
relevant data including such illustrated data represented by "icon"
symbols and such related data designating contents of operations to
be executed whenever any of the illustrated data has been
specified. The data unit as a package is hereinafter referred to as
"data pictures".
[0007] The present invention discloses such an operating device for
controlling operation of individual electronic apparatuses, wherein
the operating device initially displays at least one of
picture-image data components contained in data pictures on a
display to enable the operating device to specify the picture-image
data on display via an operation. Next, the operating device
extracts relevant data from the specified data pictures, and then,
based on the extracted relevant data, the operating device
externally delivers such a data required for controlling operation
of other electronic apparatuses.
[0008] The present invention discloses such an operating device for
controlling operation of individual electronic apparatuses, wherein
the operating device of the present invention comprises a display
device which displays at least one of picture-image data components
contained in data pictures, a specific operation executing device,
a relevant-data extractor, and an interface device.
[0009] The display device is disposed on the operating device,
which displays at least one of picture-image data components among
predetermined data pictures to enable an operator to visually
confirm it. The specific operation executing device functions
itself so as to extract picture-image data displayed on the display
device which is disposed at a position enabling an operator of the
operating device to specify the displayed picture-image data. The
relevant-data extractor functions itself so as to extract a
relevant data from the data pictures. Based on the relevant data,
the interface device externally delivers controlling data to such
apparatuses outside of the operating device. In such a case in
which an encoding system is present between the relevant data and
the data to be output, an encoder may be provided. In this case, it
is allowable to function the encoder to effect conversion into
corresponding encoding system based on the relevant data extracted
by the specific-operation executing device.
[0010] Further, the present invention also discloses such an
operating device for controlling operation of individual electronic
apparatuses, wherein the operating device is capable of externally
delivering a controlling data to externally controllable objects
via wireless transmission executed via the interface device.
Applicable wireless transmission format comprises the "IrDA" of an
infra-red communication standard and the "Bluetooth" of a
high-frequency communication standard, for example. Irrespective of
available frequency, the inventive operating device enables
transmission of data to all the electronic apparatuses actually
being operated by applying the above-cited communication
standards.
[0011] The present invention further discloses such a novel
operating device for controlling operation of individual electronic
apparatuses based on such an assumption that recording medium
containing data pictures is packaged together with such an operable
electronic apparatus assigned to a third party via transaction,
which are then utilized by the assignee by way of inserting those
recording media into an electronic apparatus or into a remote
controller for example. In other words, in this case, the recording
media function themselves so as to provide the operating device
with such data contents related to such a data picture to be
displayed on the surface of the operating device.
[0012] The present invention further discloses such a novel
operating device for controlling operation of individual electronic
apparatuses based on such an assumption that recording medium
containing data picture is packaged together with such an operable
electronic apparatus assigned to a third party via transaction,
which are then added with new data picture via a detachable
interface device usable as a remote controller, whereby making it
possible to realize such a remote controller which is operable in
common with other electronic apparatuses.
[0013] The present invention further discloses such a novel
operating device for controlling operation of individual electronic
apparatuses based on such an assumption that picture image data are
recorded in an operable electronic apparatus to enable the
remote-controllable device to download the recorded picture-image
data. In other words, the present invention provides such a novel
operating device for controlling functional operation of individual
electronic apparatuses incorporating a data picture recorder and a
recording medium interface device.
[0014] The data picture recorder records the data pictures cited
above. The recording medium interface device reads the data
recorded from an apparatus to be subject to control and then
functions to record the recorded data in the data picture
recorder.
[0015] The present invention further discloses such an operating
device for enabling a single remote controller to operate a
plurality of electric/electronic apparatuses. More particularly,
the operating device comprises a display device, a specific
operation executing device, a relevant data extracting device, and
an interface device. In this operating device, it is so arranged
that all the picture-image data are subject to display after being
classified into groups per data-lot usable for operating each of
electric/electronic apparatuses which are subject to the
controlling operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 presents an overall perspective view of the device
for controllably operating an electronic apparatus related to the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 presents a schematic diagram for explanatory of
operations of the device for controllably operating an electronic
apparatus related to the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 presents a schematic block diagram of essential
components of the electronic-apparatus operating device according
to the first form for implementing the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 exemplifies a schematic block diagram of the
electronic apparatus operating device as another aspect of the
first form for implementing the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 exemplifies a schematic block diagram of the
electronic apparatus operating device as a still further aspect of
the first form for implementing the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 presents a schematic block diagram of essential
components of the electronic apparatus operating device according
to the second form for implementing the present invention;
[0022] FIGS. 7A and 7B exemplify contents of display shown by the
electronic apparatus operating device according to the second form
for implementing the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 8 exemplifies a process for transplanting relevant data
into picture-image data; and
[0024] FIG. 9 exemplifies another case of transplanting relevant
data into picture-image data.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0025] Next, referring to FIGS. 1 to 9, preferred embodiments of
the present invention are described below.
(1) Common Concept:
[0026] First, basic conception in common with practical forms for
implementing the present invention is described below.
1-1: Relevant Data:
[0027] The basic conceptual relevant data used in common with the
practical embodiments of the present invention is described
below.
[0028] The term "relevant data" constitutes such a basic data to be
utilized by an operator of the operating device whenever he intends
to activate a specific operation of an objective
electric/electronic apparatus by referring to data picture. In
other words, the relevant data literally comprises such a data
related to a data picture or a picture-image data. In the practical
form of the present invention, the relevant data comprises such a
data for controlling operation of an external electric/electronic
apparatus (objects to be controlled) or such a basic data for
composing a controlling data.
[0029] Further, when utilizing such a data picture, to be described
later on, for other uses, the relevant data is not solely limited
to the above-cited controlling data. Further, when it is so
required to have operators of terminal equipment extensively refer
to such a data preserved in a specific server, the above relevant
data may include such a data (URL and IP address for example) for
specifying the data held by a specific server. Further, when an
operator intends to activate operation of a specific program, said
relevant data may comprise name of a specific program or the
program itself. It is of course possible to utilize said relevant
data as an instruction data to procure new data picture from an
electronic apparatus. Further, the above relevant data may merely
designate a specific letter, a specific numerical value, or a
specific symbol, as well.
1-2: Data-Picture:
[0030] Next, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, data picture is described
below. As described above, the data picture at least comprises data
of picture image visually shown on the above-referred display
device as the picture data and also comprises the above-referred
relevant data. Further, in order to specify the above data picture,
an identifier may also be included.
[0031] FIG. 8 exemplifies a typical format of a data picture added
with a relevant data. In FIG. 8, the exemplified data picture
comprises a GIF-format picture image. Not only the GIF-format, but
the JPG format or the PCX format may also be introduced. Initiating
portion 801 corresponds to such a field for identifying that the
present data conforms to the GIF-format picture-image data, in
which an array of characters "GIF" and the version of its
GIF-format are allocated.
[0032] A color table type picture-image data 803 conforming to a
coloring table comprises a plurality of color elements aligned from
the left to the right and from the upper rank to the lower rank.
The GIF-format picture image data are encoded by applying an LZW
algorithm based on variable length ciphers.
[0033] Remark-extender 805 may include any data other than such
graphic data sharing main part of the GIF data stream. For example,
the remark-extender 805 may include any kind of data normally not
being utilized for a direct display such as subsidiary graphic
data, data of the names of those who are concerned with
manufacturing process, annotating data in regard to the main
graphic data, and controlling data, for example.
[0034] Terminating portion 806 designates that the above-referred
data stream is terminated to imply that no other parameter data
will follow. An interval portion 802 between the initiating portion
801 and the picture-image data 803 conforming to a coloring table
and another interval portion 804 between the picture-image data 803
and the remark-extender 806 respectively contain those data other
than the above-cited one. For example, such data containing
parameter for defining the data essential for those picture image
to be drawn henceforth, where the data includes width and height of
picture, color resolution, or the like, for example.
[0035] Relevant data 807 is disposed and integrated into a single
data in the above-referred remark extender 805 as of the actual
condition or after being treated with a specific ciphering process.
Accordingly, in consequence, the picture image data can be
distinguished from other data by means of an identifier, whereby
the picture-image data internally contains such data related to
specific operation and the identifier. Although the above
operations are solely executed in conformity with the GIF-format,
insofar as those data other than the picture image data can be
recorded on specific domains discretely from picture-image data,
any format other than the GIF-format may also be introduced.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 9, a format for burying the above
relevant data into data picture is described below.
[0037] FIG. 9 exemplifies another format of a data picture added
with such a relevant data 908 pertaining to data of specific
operations. The data picture shown in FIG. 9 also introduces such
picture image conforming to the GIF format. Like the above case,
not only the GIF format, but either the JPG format or the PCX
format may also be utilized.
[0038] Like the above example, initiating portion 901 corresponds
to such a field provided for identifying that the present data
comprises such a picture image data conforming to the GIF-format.
Such an array of characters "GIF" and a version thereof are
allocated in the initiating portion 901.
[0039] In the preceding example, a color table type picture image
data 903 conforming to a coloring table comprises such picture
image data in which picture elements are respectively aligned from
the left to the right and from the upper rank to the lower rank.
However, in the present example, it is so arranged that, by way of
mixing at a mixer 909 the specific operation data 908 as one of the
relevant data via water-mark form, the specific operation data 908
is not visually discernible as of the actual condition even when
displaying picture image data, whereas picture image data is
visually discernible as of the actual condition. Next, the mixed
data mixed at the mixer 909 is subject to an encoding process by
applying an LZW algorithm based on variable length ciphers.
[0040] Normally, the remark extender 905 contains such data other
than the graphic data of the GIF data stream. Although the remark
extender 905 corresponds to such a field not always necessary for
the present example, it is also possible for a data provider to
utilize it based on free definition as required. It is also
possible to include any relevant data other than the specific
operation data in the remark extender 905.
[0041] Terminating portion 906 designates that the above data
stream is terminated, whereby implying that no other parameter data
will follow.
[0042] The above descriptions have respectively referred to such
picture image data conforming to the GIF-format. However, insofar
as the relevant data can be recorded discretely from the picture
image data, such a picture image data conforming to other formats
may also be utilized. These data pictures may be synthesized at any
processing stage. For example, these data pictures may be
synthesized via any processing stage until these data pictures are
recorded by a data image recorder set inside of the inventive
operating device, for example, at the initialized stage of such an
electronic apparatus under operation, or at the time of delivery of
those electronic apparatuses from a manufacturer's factory.
2: The First Practical Form:
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 4, the first practical form of
the present invention is described below.
2-1: Construction of Essential Components in the First Practical
Form:
[0044] First, referring to FIG. 3, construction of essential
components in the first practical form of the present invention is
described below. When implementing the first practical form of the
present invention, by way of constituting the essential components
as a physically independent module, the integrated module can
function itself as an operating unit in a variety of electronic
apparatuses. This in turn makes it possible to utilize the
integrated module in common with a variety of electronic
apparatuses during manufacturing stage. Further, as will be
described later on, it is also possible to have it function as a
remote controller operable in common with a variety of electronic
apparatuses after being combined with other elements.
[0045] Aligned-data recorder 301 specifies such a data picture that
should be displayed, and yet, it also records such a data for
specifying a specific location of the display device 304 at which
the relevant data picture should be displayed. For example, the
above data recorder 301 records such an HTML file which designates
the name of file for specifying a data picture and also designates
its layout via a tag description.
[0046] Data-picture recorder 302 records at least such a data
picture that should be displayed.
[0047] Display aligning device 303 receives data from the
aligned-data recorder 301 and data-picture recorder 302 based on
the data recorded by these recorders 301 and 302, and then, the
display aligning device 303 determines such a picture data to be
displayed on the display 304 and also determines layout of the
picture data to be displayed. In other words, the display aligning
device 303 receives an alignment data from the aligned-data
recorder 301, and then analyzes contents of the received alignment
data. Based on the analyzed result, the display aligning device 303
extracts an identifier of data picture that should be displayed
from the data-picture recorder 2 before eventually determining the
layout of the picture data to be displayed.
[0048] The display device 304 is disposed on the inventive
operating device, where the display device 304 displays at least
one of those data pictures to enable users to visually discern
it.
[0049] Based on such a data generated by the display device 304 or
by the above display aligning device 303, specific operation
executing device 305 acquires positional data related to the
specified picture-image data when a certain picture image data
displayed on the display device 304 is specified by an operator. In
this case, by way of utilizing a so called a "touch display panel"
for example, it is possible to realize the display device 304 and
the specific operation executing device 305 by means of a single
device.
[0050] Based on such a data received from the specific operation
executing device 35 and such a data recorded by the data picture
recorder 302, specific data-picture selecting device 306 specifies
such a data picture relevant to the picture data specified by an
operator and then receives the corresponding data picture from the
data picture recorder 302.
[0051] Based on such a data received from the specific data picture
selecting device 306, relevant data extracting device 307 extracts
relevant data out from the specified data pictures.
[0052] Based on such a data received from the relevant data
extracting device 307, operation executing device 308 functions
itself as an interface device which converts the extracted relevant
data into such a code that can be interpreted by an electronic
apparatus under operation and then outputs the encoded data.
Inasmuch as controlling data itself is included in the relevant
data, when such an encoding process is not required, the operation
executing device 308 outputs the controlling data as of the
condition.
2-2: Operation of Essential Components in the First Practical
Form:
[0053] Next, functional operation of essential components related
to the first practical form of the present invention is described
below.
[0054] The-above-referred display aligning device 303 reads the
alignment data from the above aligned data recorder 301. Then, in
accordance with the contents of the aligned data, the display
aligning device 303 specifies a data picture that should be
displayed. The specified picture data is delivered from the
above-referred data picture recorder 302. Next, layout of the
specified data picture is determined before being displayed on the
display device 304. Inasmuch as the picture image related to the
displayed data picture is visually discernible by an operator, the
operator then specifies any of these picture images that can be
identified as an "icon" via the specific operation executing device
305. This in consequence enables the specific operation executing
device 305 to identify the specified position and the act of
specifying the above picture image. The term "specific operation"
corresponds to an act of depressing the picture-displayed portion
with a finger or a stylus pen when a touch display panel is
applied. When the act of identifying the specific operation is
detected, a single data picture is specified via the function of
the specific data picture selecting device 306, which then reads
the contents of the specified data picture. Next, the relevant data
extracting device 307 extracts the data related to the specified
data picture, and then the extracted data picture is encoded by the
operation executing device 308 before eventually being delivered to
an electronic apparatus subject to the control of the operating
device.
[0055] Inasmuch as relevant data is previously buried in data
pictures, by way of setting the contents to be recorded by the data
picture recorder 302 and the aligned data recorder 301 to be
compatible with such an electronic apparatus to be subject to
control, despite of identical construction, those essential
components of the inventive operating device can properly control
operation of a variety of electric and electronic apparatuses.
2-3: Other Variations of the Essential Components:
[0056] Of those essential components of the inventive device, the
above referred aligned data recorder 301 may be deleted. More
particularly, since the lay-out structure formed by the display
aligning device 303 is predetermined, in such a case in which any
change of operating system is not required for a controllable
electronic apparatus, there is no need to provide the aligned data
recorder 301. In this case, based on the predetermined lay-out,
data picture recorded in the data picture recorder 302 is laid out
before displaying it on the display device 304. Although it is
necessary to initially select a data picture from the data picture
recorder 302 and then determine the display order, in this case,
such a rule shall be established, which causes all the data
pictures recorded in the data picture recorder 302 to be displayed.
Alternatively, in such a case in which a predetermined data picture
recorded in the data picture recorder 302 is merely displayed based
on a predetermined layout, it is allowable to provide such a
recording device for independently recording specific data related
to the data picture to be displayed.
2-4: Examples Derived from the First Practical Form:
[0057] Next, referring to FIG. 4, practical form of applying the
structure of the above essential components based on the first
practical form of the present invention to the formation of a
remote controller is described below.
[0058] Inasmuch as the essential components 401 of the operating
device respectively consist of the structures and executes own
operations in the same way as is described above by referring to
FIG. 3, description thereof is deleted.
[0059] Recording medium reading device 402 incorporates a
mechanical or electronic connection device for accommodating a
recording medium 405 via installation or insertion. The connection
device may be of contact format or non-contact format. The
recording medium reading device 402 transmits the contents recorded
on the recording medium 405 to an aligned data recorder or/and a
data picture recorder included in the essential components 401 of
the inventive operating device 401. On the other hand, the
recording medium 405 at least contains specific data pictures
previously prepared and recorded by a corresponding manufacturer.
In addition, it also contains such an alignment data to be recorded
by an aligned data recorder as required. It is so arranged that the
recording medium 405 can be utilized via installation or insertion
into the inventive operating device for use with an electronic
apparatus.
[0060] To simplify structural configuration, it is possible to
integrate the above-referred aligned data recorder, data picture
recorder, recording medium reading device, and the recording
medium. Concretely, since the recording medium can be accessed as a
conventional memory, even when deleting transfer of the contents of
the recording medium to the aligned data recorder and the data
picture recorder, by causing the display aligning device to
directly access the recording medium 405, it is possible to
complete functional operation of the inventive operating
device.
[0061] Transmission device 403 receives specific codes prepared by
an operation executing device included in the essential components
401 of the inventive operating device and then transmits the
received codes to a corresponding electronic apparatus subject to
the control of the inventive operating device. In the illustrated
example, since infra-red rays are utilized for transmission of the
coded signal, an infra-red ray LED 404 is driven. However, in place
of infra-red rays, it is also allowable to utilize electromagnetic
waves by way of applying such a protocol for implementing local
communication like the "Bluetooth" proposed by Erikson Company for
example. Needless to mention that the driving target is not LED,
but it should be an antenna in this case.
2-5: Example of Configuration of the Operating Device According to
the First Practical Form:
[0062] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, external configuration of
the inventive operating device for use with an electronic apparatus
suitable for composing the structure related to the practical form
shown in FIG. 4 is described below.
[0063] Those components disposed on the chassis 101 includes a
power supply switch 102, a manual touch type display panel 103 for
activating display and functional operations of the operating
device, an infra-red-ray transmitter 104, and an insertion hole 106
for inserting a recording medium 105 therein. As shown in FIG. 2,
the chassis 101 of the inventive operating device is manually held
by both hands 201 and 202. By way of depressing the spot right
above the picture data displayed on the display panel 103 with a
thumb, operator can specify such a data picture related to the
corresponding picture data. As a matter of course, even when
introducing any other form aside from the above layout, no problem
will be generated. For example, in such a case in which the
essential components of the inventive operating device shown in
FIG, 3 are utilized for operating components of a micro-wave oven
or a refrigerator for example, except for the above-referred manual
touch type display panel 103, all the rest portions will bear
totally different external forms.
2-6: Other Structures and Operations Derived from the First
Form:
[0064] Referring now to FIG. 5, another example of the inventive
operating device derived from the first practical form of the
present invention is described below. Unlike the preceding first
practical form for implementing the present invention in which data
pictures and alignment data are delivered from a recording medium,
in the present example, data pictures and alignment data are
directly procured from an electronic apparatus to be subject to
control. Concretely, in this example, the above data are delivered
to the data-picture recorder and the aligned data recorder from a
data procuring device 502. The essential components 501 of the
inventive operating device related to this example are exactly
identical to the one described earlier by referring to FIG. 3, and
thus, description thereof is deleted. The data procuring device 502
receives data from an electronic apparatus 505 as the controllable
object linked with the inventive operating device and then
functions itself to enable the above aligned data recorder and data
picture recorder to individually record the received data therein.
Structures of the transmission device 503 and infra-red-ray LED 504
are exactly identical to those provided for the preceding inventive
device described earlier by referring to FIG. 4. Depending on
cases, it is so arranged that the inventive operating device
according to this example transmits a control-operation data to
such an electronic apparatus as the controllable object by applying
such a wireless communication means including the "Bluetooth"
standard as cited above.
[0065] There are a variety of variations in terms of the timing for
procuring data from a corresponding electronic apparatus 505.
Concretely, it is possible to procure the required data from such
an electronic apparatus 505 linked with the inventive operating
device simultaneous with activation of power-supply switch for
example. In addition, it is also possible to procure the required
data from the linked electronic apparatus 505 simultaneous with
manual operation of an operator to depress a reset switch specially
added to the inventive operating device. The term "linkage" may
designate such a specific relationship between the inventive
operating device and a corresponding electronic apparatus that
exists in the direction in which directivity is present in the case
in which the inventive operating device exerts directivity as a
device for executing reception and transmission of data signal. In
other words, the inventive device may be in such a relationship
with such an electronic apparatus which enables the inventive
operating device to receive data signal the most intensely.
Alternatively, the inventive operating device may be in such a
relationship with such a corresponding electronic apparatus bearing
a predetermined carrier wave (or superimposed signal). Further, the
inventive operating device may be in such a relationship with such
a corresponding electronic apparatus being related via a special
man-machine interface for example.
2-7: Another Example of the First Form Via a Portable Telephone
Set:
[0066] As described above, practical form of the present invention
is widely applicable to a variety of electric/electronic
apparatuses such as refrigerators, microwave ovens, or the like.
Further, the inventive operating device is also applicable to a
variety of portable telephone sets which are recently generalized
in consumer's market. Inasmuch as versatile functions are built in
each of the portable telephone sets in these days, multiple
functions are exerted overlappedly by way of operating a single
button, whereby degrading operating performance. To cope with this
problem, by way of providing a portable telephone set with a
picture-data button for display to enable display of different
picture data relative to the change of function via manual
operation of user, it is realizable to drastically promote
operating sense. In this case, function designers are merely
responsible for producing data pictures on the independent basis to
enable them to execute so-called "object-oriented" design capable
of easily developing complex programs, whereby it is expected that
term for the design work can be contracted.
2-8: Transformation of Essential Components:
[0067] Essential components of the inventive operating device based
on the first practical form of the present invention may be subject
to transformation by way of the following: Concretely, as shown in
FIG. 3, instead of directly connecting the above-referred display
aligning device 303 to the display device 304, data pictures can be
output to the display device 304 by way of being superimposed on
other data that should be displayed. This is an extremely effective
means when an operator interactively operates a corresponding
electronic apparatus. As a matter of course, it is also possible in
this case to provide the display aligning device 303 with the above
function in place of newly inserting a superimposing component
between the display aligning device 303 and the display device 304
by separating them from each other.
3: The Second Practical Form:
[0068] Referring now to FIG. 6, the second form for implementing
the present invention is described below. FIG. 6 designates the
inventive operating device capable of dealing with a plurality of
operable objects.
3-1: Construction of the Operating Device of the second Practical
Form:
[0069] A plurality of aligned-data recorders 601-1, 601-2, . . .
individually specify data pictures that should be displayed. These
aligned-data recorders respectively record so-called "layout" data
for designating a specific location of the display device 604 in
order to display such a picture data pertaining to the specified
data picture. For example, it is so arranged that such a file name
representing specified data pictures and an HTML file designating
its layout via tag description can be recorded in the
above-referred recorders. Aligned data are discretely recorded per
controllable electronic apparatus to be registered. When a
control-objective electronic apparatus has been specified, recorded
contents corresponding to the specified electronic apparatus are
delivered to the display aligning device 603. The term "discrete
recording" implies that the recorded contents may desirably be
separated per electronic apparatus even when the recorded contents
are not separated above the memory space.
[0070] A plurality of data-picture recorder 602-1,601-2, . . .
individually record at least data pictures that should be
displayed. Picture data discretely recorded per controllable
electronic apparatus to be registered. When a control-objective
electronic apparatus has been specified, recorded contents
corresponding to the specified electronic apparatus are delivered
to the display aligning device 603. Also, the term "discrete
recording" implies that the recorded contents may desirably be
separated per electronic apparatus even when the recorded contents
are not separated above the memory space.
[0071] A display aligning device 603 is connected to the
aligned-data recorder 601 and the data-picture recorder 602. The
display aligning device 603 acquires data from these recorders and
then determines picture data that should be displayed on the
display device 604 and yet also determines layout thereof.
Concretely, the display aligning device 603 receives alignment data
from the aligned data recorder 601 and then analyzes contents of
the received alignment data. Next, based on the analyzed result,
the display aligning device 603 extracts such an identifier of the
displayable aligning data from the aligned data recorder 601, and
then acquires the identifier before eventually determining its
layout.
[0072] A display device 604 is disposed on the inventive operating
device, which displays at least one of picture data of data
pictures to enable an operator to visually discern it.
[0073] Specific operation executing device 605 is connected to the
display device 604. When a picture data displayed on the display
device 604 is specified by an operator (not shown), the specific
operation executing device 605 acquires positional data related to
the specified picture data. In this example, by way of utilizing a
so-called touch type display panel, the display device 604 and the
specific-operation executing device 605 can be integrated into a
single device.
[0074] Specific data picture selector 606 is connected to the
specific operation executing device 605 and the data picture
recorder 602. The specific data picture selector 606 specifies a
data picture related to such a picture data specified by an
operator and then acquires the corresponding data picture from the
data picture recorder 602. On the other hand, relevant data
extractor 607 is connected to the specific data picture selector
606. The relevant data extractor 607 extracts relevant data from
the specified data pictures. Operation executing device 608 is
connected to the relevant data extractor 607. The operation
executing device 608 converts the extracted relevant data into such
codes that can be interpreted by an electronic apparatus operated
by the inventive operating device and then outputs the encoded
data.
[0075] When a certain electronic apparatus related to a
controllable object present in any of the above recorders to be
controllably operated by an operator is specified, display group
selector 609 is designated by the operator. Based on this
designation, the display group selector 609 selects such a recorded
portion containing data related to a corresponding electronic
apparatus among the aligned-data recorders 601-1, . . . and the
data picture recorders 602-1, . . . .
3-2: Display Example in the Second Practical Form:
[0076] Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, examples of display on the
inventive device for operating an electronic apparatus are
described below.
[0077] Two examples are presented for display. In a display example
shown in FIG. 7A, by referring to display of tabs 701 and 702, such
an electronic apparatus subject to controllable operation is
selected. In this case, an operator selects an alternative means
from manual touching of the tabs or depressing of the tabs with a
stylus pen.
[0078] In another display example shown in FIG. 7B names of those
electronic apparatuses subject to selection are serially displayed
on the display device. When an operator selects any of them, a
specific display panel corresponding to the selected apparatus is
displayed. Although not only those which are exemplified in FIGS.
7A and 7B, but there are also a wide variety of conceivable
examples of display and layout for selection, description of these
conceivable examples is deleted.
3-3: Operation of the Inventive Device Under the Second Form:
[0079] Operation of the inventive operating device according to the
second practical form of the present invention is described below.
Inasmuch as the operation executed by the second practical form is
substantially identical to that of the essential components of the
preceding first form, only the difference is described below.
[0080] Irrespective of input means, whenever such a data containing
specific data pictures requiring registration is received by the
inventive operating device, the inventive operating device
determines to utilize the aligned data recorder 601-1, . . . and/or
the data picture recorder 602-1, . . . corresponding to individual
electronic apparatuses. Selection of these recorders may be
executed via manual means or an automatic means. When at least two
or more than two of registrations are effected, the display group
selector 609 perceives that there are more than two of the
controllable objects, and then, demands the operator via the
above-referred display means (including 701, 702, 703, and 704) to
determine which one of the operating means should be
implemented.
[0081] After selection of a specific operating means is effected by
the operator, the display group selector 609 specifies the aligned
data recorder and/or the data picture recorder corresponding to an
objective electronic apparatus, and then, based on this data,
activates operation of the display aligning device 603.
4: Additional Utility (1)
[0082] It should be understood that the above description has
merely referred to actual forms for implementing the present
invention, and thus, the above description does not define nor
restrict the scope of the present invention as the concrete aspects
forjudging technical matters set forth in Claims.
[0083] For example, when realizing the construction described above
in regard to practical forms for implementing the present invention
on such a computer operated by the "Windows CE", in order to enable
the computer to properly function itself as per the above inventive
means, it is possible to distribute the inventive method in the
form of a program. In this case, it is also allowable to distribute
the program via a network service line or by applying a data
recording medium such as a CD-ROM for example. Further, even when
the inventive operating components are integrated into a module, it
is also allowable to realize distribution of the above program via
a network service line or by applying a data recording medium such
as a CD-ROM for example.
5: Additional Utility (2)
[0084] Although data pictures are directly procured from an
electronic apparatus 505 shown in FIG.5, it is also possible to
procure the required data pictures from a server via a network
service line. In this case, it is possible for manufacturers of
electronic apparatuses to distribute buttons bearing a variety of
picture characters for example, whereby contributing to preserve
and promote attractiveness of the electronic apparatuses.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0085] According to the present invention, it is possible to
integrate essential components of the above-described inventive
device into a module, thus contributing to the improvement of
productivity.
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