U.S. patent application number 12/481978 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-29 for remote control device and method of controlling other devices using the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Woo-yong Chang, Chang-hwan Hwang, Dae-hyun Kim, Eun-hee Park, Seung-dong Yu.
Application Number | 20100103125 12/481978 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42117016 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100103125 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Dae-hyun ; et
al. |
April 29, 2010 |
REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING OTHER DEVICES USING
THE SAME
Abstract
Provided is a method of controlling an electronic device by
using a remote control device comprising a touch screen, the method
including selecting one of a plurality of functions supported by
the electronic device via the touch screen, sequentially displaying
a plurality of user interfaces, usable for controlling the function
selected with an input detected by the touch screen, one-by-one,
and controlling the electronic device by using one of the plurality
of user interfaces that are sequentially displayed.
Inventors: |
Kim; Dae-hyun; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Yu; Seung-dong; (Osan-si, KR) ; Chang;
Woo-yong; (Yongin-si, KR) ; Park; Eun-hee;
(Suwon-si, KR) ; Hwang; Chang-hwan; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
42117016 |
Appl. No.: |
12/481978 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
345/173 ;
715/839 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/42224 20130101;
G06F 3/04842 20130101; G06F 3/0482 20130101; H04N 21/42204
20130101; G06F 3/04883 20130101; G06F 3/0483 20130101; H04N
21/42209 20130101; G06F 3/0488 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
345/173 ;
715/839 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/041 20060101
G06F003/041; G06F 3/048 20060101 G06F003/048 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 23, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0104261 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling an electronic device by using a remote
control device comprising a touch screen, the method comprising:
selecting one of a plurality of functions supported by the
electronic device via the touch screen; sequentially displaying
each of a plurality of user interfaces on the touch screen, the
plurality of user interfaces being usable for controlling the
selected function with an input detected by the touch screen; and
controlling the electronic device by using one of the plurality of
user interfaces that are sequentially displayed.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected function is a
function of switching channels.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of user interfaces
includes at least two selected from a group comprising a user
interface for switching channels up and down, a user interface for
inputting channel numbers, and a user interface for displaying a
list of channels.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein a first user interface, which is
either a most frequently used user interface or a user interface
designated by a user in advance, is displayed first in the
sequentially displaying of each of the plurality of user interfaces
on the touch screen.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the input detected by the touch
screen is generated by touching the touch screen.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the input detected by the touch
screen is generated by sliding while maintaining touch from a first
location to a second location across the touch screen.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein a task user interface which
controls a function relevant to a task currently performed by the
electronic device is further displayed on the touch screen when the
plurality of user interfaces are sequentially displayed.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein, when the task is completed, the
task user interface is no longer displayed on the touch screen.
9. A remote control device for controlling an electronic device,
the remote control device comprising: a touch screen which detects
an input for selecting one of a plurality of functions supported by
the electronic device and sequentially displays each of a plurality
of user interfaces for controlling the selected function; and a
control unit which controls the electronic device through use of
one of the plurality of user interfaces that are sequentially
displayed.
10. The remote control device of claim 9, wherein the selected
function is a function of switching channels.
11. The remote control device of claim 9, wherein the plurality of
user interfaces includes at least two selected from a group
comprising a user interface for switching channels up and down, a
user interface for inputting channel numbers, and a user interface
for displaying a list of channels.
12. The remote control device of claim 9, wherein the touch screen
displays a first user interface, which is either a most frequently
used user interface or a user interface designated by a user in
advance, first from among the plurality of user interfaces.
13. The remote control device of claim 9, wherein the input
detected by the touch screen is generated by touching the touch
screen.
14. The remote control device of claim 9, wherein the input
detected by the touch screen is generated by sliding while
maintaining touch from a first location to a second location across
the touch screen.
15. The remote control device of claim 9, wherein the touch screen
further displays a task user interface which controls a function
relevant to a task currently performed by the electronic device
when the plurality of user interfaces are sequentially
displayed.
16. The remote control device of claim 9, wherein, when the task is
completed, the touch screen no longer displays the task user
interface.
17. A computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a
program for executing a method of controlling an electronic device
by using a remote control device comprising a touch screen, the
method comprising: selecting one of a plurality of functions
supported by the electronic device via the touch screen;
sequentially displaying each of a plurality of user interfaces on
the touch screen, the plurality of user interfaces being usable for
controlling the selected function with an input detected by the
touch screen; and controlling the electronic device by using one of
the plurality of user interfaces that are sequentially
displayed.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein a current one of the plurality
of user interfaces being displayed on the touch screen is changed
by generating a switch command detected by the touch screen, the
switch command indicating a request for the touch screen to display
another one of the plurality of user interfaces.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the switch command is generated
by touching the touch screen.
20. The remote control device of claim 9, wherein a current one of
the plurality of user interfaces being displayed on the touch
screen is changed by generating a switch command detected by the
touch screen, the switch command indicating a request for the touch
screen to display another one of the plurality of user
interfaces.
21. The remote control device of claim 20, wherein the switch
command is generated by touching the touch screen.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2008-0104261, filed on Oct. 23, 2008, in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present
invention relate to a remote control device and a method of
controlling other devices using the remote control device.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Recent electronic devices have remote control devices for
remote controlling the electronic devices. For example, TVs, CD
players, DVD players, and video recorders have their corresponding
remote control devices. However, if each of the electronic devices
has a remote control device different from the others, too many
remote control devices for remote controlling the electronic
devices are required. Thus, a universal remote control device is
suggested to resolve the problem.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a universal remote control device
according to related art.
[0007] Referring to FIG. 1, the universal remote control device
according to the related art includes a touch screen 110 and
buttons 120.
[0008] The touch screen 110 detects a touch, and displays user
interfaces corresponding to each electronic device.
[0009] The buttons 120 include volume adjust buttons, channel
switch buttons, directional buttons, etc.
[0010] Accordingly, a universal remote control device is capable of
remote controlling various electronic devices by including the
touch screen 110.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a
remote control device and a method of controlling other devices
using the same.
[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a method of controlling an electronic
device by using a remote control device including a touch screen,
the method including selecting one of a plurality of functions
supported by the electronic device via the touch screen;
sequentially displaying a plurality of user interfaces, usable for
controlling the function selected with an input detected by the
touch screen, one-by-one; and controlling the electronic device by
using one of the plurality of user interfaces that are sequentially
displayed.
[0013] The selected function may be a function of switching
channels.
[0014] The plurality of user interfaces may include at least two of
a user interface for switching channels up/down, a user interface
for inputting channel numbers, and a user interface for displaying
a list of channels.
[0015] A user interface, which is either the most frequently used
user interface or a user interface designated by a user in advance,
may be displayed first in the displaying of the plurality of user
interfaces.
[0016] The input detected by the touch screen may be performed by
touching the touch screen.
[0017] The input detected by the touch screen may be performed by
sliding from a first location to a second location across the touch
screen.
[0018] A user interface for controlling a function relevant to a
task currently performed by the electronic device may be further
displayed when the plurality of user interfaces are sequentially
displayed one-by-one.
[0019] When the task is completed, a user interface for controlling
a function relevant to the task may be no longer displayed in the
displaying of the plurality of user interfaces.
[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a remote control device for
controlling an electronic device, the remote control device
including a touch screen which detects an input for selecting one
of a plurality of functions supported by the electronic device and
sequentially displays a plurality of user interfaces for
controlling the selected function one-by-one each time an input in
a predetermined form is detected; and a control unit which controls
the electronic device by using one of the plurality of user
interfaces that are sequentially displayed.
[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a computer readable recording medium
having recorded thereon a program for executing a method of
controlling an electronic device by using a remote control device
including a touch screen, the method including selecting one of a
plurality of functions supported by the electronic device via the
touch screen; sequentially displaying a plurality of user
interfaces, usable for controlling the function selected with an
input detected by the touch screen, one-by-one; and controlling the
electronic device by using one of the plurality of user interfaces
that are sequentially displayed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The above and other aspects of the present invention will
become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments
thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a universal remote control device
according to related art;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of controlling an
electronic device by using a remote control device, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a method of operating a
remote control device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a method of operating a
remote control device, according to another exemplary embodiment of
the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a method of operating a
remote control device, according to another exemplary embodiment of
the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a remote control device according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in
detail by explaining exemplary embodiments of the invention with
reference to the attached drawings.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of controlling an
electronic device by using a remote control device, according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] In operation 210, one of a plurality of functions supported
by the electronic device is selected via a touch screen.
[0032] Here, the electronic device that can be controlled by using
a remote control device may be a TV, a CD player, a DVD player, a
video recorder, etc.
[0033] Also, according to another exemplary embodiment, an
operation of selecting an electronic device to be remote controlled
from among a plurality of electronic devices may further be
performed.
[0034] In operation 220, according to a touch detected by the touch
screen, a plurality of user interfaces, which can be used for
controlling a function selected with the touch, are sequentially
displayed one-by-one.
[0035] In an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary function supported
by the electronic device may be a channel switching function;
however, the present invention is not limited thereto and thus the
functions supported by the electronic device can be other
functions.
[0036] Furthermore, the touch screen may display the most
frequently used user interface first from among a plurality of user
interfaces. Additionally, the touch screen may display a
predetermined user interface first, according to a user
configuration.
[0037] For example, a user interface for controlling a channel
switching function of a TV may include a user interface for
switching channels up/down, a user interface for inputting specific
channel numbers, a user interface for displaying a list of
channels, etc. Here, in the case where the user interface for
inputting specific channel numbers is the most frequently used user
interface, the user interface for inputting specific channel
numbers may be displayed first with respect to the channel
switching function.
[0038] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, one of a plurality of user interfaces for controlling
selected functions is displayed on the entire touch screen, as
described above. Thus, a user can operate a remote control device
easier than the prior art in which a user interface for controlling
all functions supported by an electronic device is displayed on the
entire touch screen.
[0039] In operation 230, the electronic device is controlled by
using one of a plurality of user interfaces sequentially displayed
one-by-one.
[0040] For example, a user can change a channel of a TV by using
one of a plurality of user interfaces for controlling a channel
switching function.
[0041] FIG. 3 is a diagram for describing a method of operating a
remote control device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 3, first through third user interfaces
310, 320, and 330 for controlling a channel switching function of a
TV are displayed on a touch screen of the remote control device
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0043] The first user interface 310 is a user interface for
switching channels of a TV up/down. When a user touches a region
"CH+" displayed on the touch screen of the remote control device, a
current channel is switched to a higher channel. When a user
touches a region "CH-" displayed on the touch screen of the remote
control device, a current channel is switched to a lower
channel.
[0044] The second user interface 320 is a user interface for
inputting specific channel numbers. A user can switch channels of a
TV by inputting specific channel numbers by using number regions
displayed on the touch screen of the remote control device.
[0045] The third user interface 330 is a user interface for
displaying a list of channels supported by a TV. A user can switch
channels of the TV by selecting one of the channels in the
displayed list of channels.
[0046] At this point, a user may switch user interfaces displayed
on the touch screen by sliding the finger from the left to the
right across the touch screen of the remote control device, as
shown in FIG. 3.
[0047] The action of sliding the finger in a predetermined
direction across a touch screen is called `rubbing.` For example,
when the first user interface 310 is displayed on the touch screen,
if a user rubs the touch screen to the right, the second user
interface 320 is displayed on the touch screen.
[0048] Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment, user interfaces
from the first user interface 310 to the third user interface 330
are sequentially displayed on the touch screen every time a user
rubs the touch screen. At this point, in an exemplary embodiment,
if a user rubs the touch screen when the third user interface 330
is displayed, the first user interface 310 is displayed again.
Accordingly, the first through third user interfaces 310, 320 and
330 are recursively displayed.
[0049] Also, according to another exemplary embodiment, a menu for
switching user interfaces to be displayed on the touch screen may
further be displayed on the touch screen, other than the first
through third user interfaces 310, 320 and 330.
[0050] For example, although not shown in FIG. 3, menus indicated
by texts such as "previous" and "next" may further be displayed in
the topmost or the bottommost region of the touch screen.
[0051] If the second user interface 320 is displayed on the touch
screen with the menus, as described above, a user may touch the
"previous" menu to display the first user interface 310 on the
touch screen or touch the "next" menu to display the third user
interface 313 on the touch screen.
[0052] However, the menus described above are not limited thereto,
and may include all types of menus for instructing to switch
between a current user interface and another user interface. For
example, the menus may be graphically indicated such as with
arrows.
[0053] FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a method of operating a
remote control device, according to another exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 4, first through third user interfaces
410, 420, and 430 for controlling a channel switching function and
a fourth user interface 440 for setting up digital broadcast
environments are displayed on a touch screen of the remote control
device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0055] Here, the first through third user interfaces 410, 420, and
430 correspond to the first through third user interfaces 310, 320,
and 330, as described above, respectively, and thus, detailed
descriptions thereof will be omitted here.
[0056] The fourth user interface 440 is a user interface for
setting up digital broadcast environments, and is displayed in the
case where content broadcasted on a channel switched by a user is
digital broadcast content.
[0057] Accordingly, in another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, a user interface for controlling a function relevant to
a task currently performed by an electronic device can further be
displayed with the first through third user interfaces 410, 420,
and 430 for controlling a selected function.
[0058] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, in the case where, while a user watches a digital
broadcast, it is necessary to input characters regarding the
digital broadcast, the touch screen may further display a user
interface via which the user can input characters, other than the
fourth user interface 440 for setting up digital broadcast
environments.
[0059] Furthermore, the first through fourth user interfaces 410,
420, 430, and 440 are recursively displayed as in the previously
discussed exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3.
[0060] FIG. 5 is a diagram for describing a method of operating a
remote control device, according to another embodiment of the
present invention.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 5, first through fifth user interfaces
510, 520, 530, 540, and 550 for controlling a channel switching
function of a TV and a sixth user interface 560 for setting up
digital broadcast environments are displayed on a touch screen of
the remote control device according to an exemplary embodiment of
the present invention.
[0062] Here, the first, the second, the fifth, and the sixth user
interfaces 510, 520, 550, and 560 correspond to the first through
fourth user interfaces 310, 320, 330, and 340, as described above,
respectively. Thus, detailed descriptions thereof will be
omitted.
[0063] The third user interface 530 of FIG. 5 is a user interface
for displaying a list of preferred channels. Since a user selects a
channel from a list of channels, which are preferred by the user,
displayed on the touch screen, the user can easily select a channel
to watch.
[0064] The fourth user interface 540 is a user interface for
displaying the history of channel selections. A user can select one
of the channels the user has previously watched from the history of
channel selections displayed on the touch screen.
[0065] Also, in an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 5, rubbing
can be performed in both directions as compared to the embodiments
of FIGS. 3 and 4 in which rubbing has only been shown to be
performed in one direction.
[0066] For example, the first user interface 510 is displayed on
the touch screen if a user rubs the user interface 520 to the left,
or the third user interface 530 is displayed on the touch screen if
the user rubs the user interface 520 to the right.
[0067] However, the directions of rubbing are not limited to
horizontal directions, and rubbing may be performed in vertical
directions or diagonal directions according to exemplary
embodiments.
[0068] Also, according to another exemplary embodiment, from among
the first through sixth user interfaces 510 through 560 shown in
FIG. 5, a user interface with respect to functions not required for
a task currently performed by an electronic device may not be
displayed on the touch screen.
[0069] For example, in the case where content broadcasted on a
channel switched by a user is not digital broadcast content, the
sixth user interface 560, which is a user interface for setting up
digital broadcast environments, may not be displayed. Therefore, in
such cases, the first user interface 510 may be displayed instead
of the sixth user interface 560, if a user rubs the fifth user
interface 550 to the right.
[0070] Furthermore, in the case of a situation that a user needs to
input characters while the user is watching a digital broadcast and
thus a user interface for inputting characters is further
displayed, the user interface for inputting characters may be no
longer displayed when the situation is over.
[0071] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a remote control device according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0072] Referring to FIG. 6, the remote control device according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a touch
screen 610 and a control unit 620.
[0073] The touch screen 610 detects an input for selecting one of a
plurality of functions supported by an electronic device. Each time
an input in a predetermined form is detected, the touch screen 610
sequentially displays a plurality of user interfaces one-by-one for
controlling a function selected with the input.
[0074] At this point, the input in a predetermined form may be
either touching the touch screen 610 or sliding from a first
location to a second location across the touch screen 610, that is,
rubbing.
[0075] The control unit 620 controls the electronic device by using
one of the plurality of user interfaces sequentially displayed on
the touch screen 610.
[0076] For example, when an input for instructing a TV to switch a
current channel to a channel of which the number is higher than
that of the current channel is detected via the touch screen 610,
the control unit 620 controls the TV by transmitting a control
instruction instructing the TV to switch the current channel to the
channel of which the number is higher than that of the current
channel.
[0077] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be
written as computer programs and can be implemented in general-use
digital computers that execute the programs using a computer
readable recording medium. Examples of the computer readable
recording medium include magnetic storage media (e.g., ROM, floppy
disks, hard disks, etc.), and optical recording media (e.g.,
CD-ROMs, or DVDs).
[0078] Alternatively, other exemplary embodiments of the present
invention can be written as computer programs and can be
implemented in general-use digital computers that execute the
programs using a computer readable recording medium, the computer
readable recording medium being a storage media such as carrier
waves (e.g., transmission through the Internet).
[0079] While this invention has been particularly shown and
described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes in form and details may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims. The exemplary embodiments should be considered in
descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the
detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims,
and all differences within the scope will be construed as being
included in the present invention.
* * * * *