# US 8,089,455 B1 · Remote control with a single control button > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,089,455 B1 - Document ID: US8089455B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 11/563,785 - Filed: 2006-11-28 - Granted: 2012-01-03 - Earliest claimed: 2006-11-28 - Inventors: James W. Wieder - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8089455B1 ## CPC - H04N 21/4223: Cameras (H04N23/00 takes precedence) - G06F 3/03542: {Light pens for emitting or receiving light} - G06F 3/0386: {for light pen} - G06F 3/0412: {Digitisers structurally integrated in a display} - G06F 3/042: by opto-electronic means - G06F 3/04842: Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements (G06F3/0482 takes precedence) - H04N 21/42204: {User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor (constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205)} - H04N 21/42218: {for mapping a matrix of displayed objects on the screen to the numerical key-matrix of the remote control} - G06F 2203/0331: Finger worn pointing device - G06F 2203/04803: Split screen, i.e. subdividing the display area or the window area into separate subareas - G09G 5/14: Display of multiple viewports - G09G 2370/20: Details of the management of multiple sources of image data - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G09G: ARRANGEMENTS OR CIRCUITS FOR CONTROL OF INDICATING DEVICES USING STATIC MEANS TO PRESENT VARIABLE INFORMATION (arrangements for transferring data between digital computers and displays G06F3/14; static indicating arrangements comprising an association of a number of separate sources or light control cells G09F9/00; static indicating arrangements comprising integral associations of a number of light sources H01J, H01K, H10H, H05B33/12; scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission, details thereof H04N1/00) ## Abstract An apparatus and method for the remote control and/or interaction-with electronic-devices such as computers; home-entertainment-systems; media-centers; televisions; DVD-players; VCR-players; music systems; appliances; security systems; toys/games; and/or displays. A user may orient a pointer (e.g., laser pointer) to place a visible pointer-spot on/near object(s) on an active-display(s); and/or a fixed-display(s); and/or on real-world object(s) within a display region or pointer-spot detection-region. Detectors and/or camera(s) may be connected/attached to the display region and/or a structure that is connected/attached to display region. When the user initiates a “select”, the detectors/cameras may detect the location of the pointer-spot within the display region. Corresponding to the user's selection(s); control action(s) may be performed on the device(s) being controlled/interacted-with and additional selection-menus may be optionally presented on an active-display. In an alternative embodiment, the invention may operate equivalent to a computer-mouse or other pointing-device. In another alternative embodiment, the invention may be made inter-operable with existing electronic-devices [e.g., televisions] that are controlled with infrared signaling. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Apparatus for remotely controlling one or more electronic devices, comprising: a display-region; wherein detectors are physically attached-to or physically integrated-into said display-region; wherein said detectors image the same locations in said display-region, when said display-region is moved or re-oriented; a ring-shaped unit having an opening sized to be worn on an index finger of a user; a light-emitting pointer incorporated as part of said ring-shaped unit, wherein a pointer-spot of visible light is projected when said pointer is activated; a wireless interface incorporated as part of said ring-shaped unit; a single actuator incorporated as part of said ring-shaped unit, so that when the user is wearing said ring-shaped unit on their index finger, the user is able to actuate the actuator with a thumb of a hand the ring-shaped unit is being worn on; wherein said actuator only moves in a substantially single axis when actuated by a user; wherein, when a first action on said actuator by the user is detected, the light-emitting pointer is activated and a control signal is sent across the wireless interface to turn-on an active control-display in said display-region, and to cause selectable-objects to appear in said display-region; wherein, when the user is wearing said ring-shaped unit on their index finger, the user is able to place the pointer-spot onto a selectable-object in said display-region while the user is able to activate the actuator with a second action; wherein when a second action on said actuator by the user is detected, a control signal is sent across the wireless interface to cause said detectors to capture an image or images of said pointer-spot in said display-region, and to cause a processor to analyze said captured image or images to determine which selectable-object, the pointer-spot is on or near; wherein when a selectable-object is determined to have been selected by the pointer-spot, the processor sends control information to affect at least one electronic device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the size of said opening is adjustable to accommodate the finger of a plurality of different users that have different sizes. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first action is to push on the actuator and wherein said second action is to stop pushing on said actuator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said first action is to push the actuator from an off position into a first position and the said second action is to push the actuator further into a second position. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the actuator only moves along one physical axis in response to the user pressing or releasing the actuator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the ring-shaped unit has only a single actuator which is a push and release button. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the ring-shaped unit has only one push button; wherein the push button has an off position and a select position; wherein the push button automatically returns to the off position when not being pressed on by a user. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said detectors are one or more cameras that are physically attached-to or physically integrated-into said display-region; wherein said detectors image the same locations in said display-region when said display-region is moved or re-oriented. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein at least some of said detectors are mounted-on or incorporated-into a structure; wherein said structure is physically attached to said display-region; wherein said detectors image the same locations in said display-region when said display-region is moved or re-oriented. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein at least some of said detectors are located in one or more cameras that are mounted on a structure, wherein at least one dimension of said structure is adjustable to accommodate different sizes of said display-region, wherein the dimension of said structure is adjusted as said structure is attached to said display-region. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein responsive to the selection of a selectable-object displayed on an active-display in said display-region, some of the selectable-objects shown on the active-display are removed and other selectable-objects are displayed on the active-display. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein an active-display in said display-region displays a plurality of selectable-objects that represent control buttons for a plurality of electronic devices; wherein said control information is sent across a network to control said plurality of the electronic devices. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein some of the selectable-objects in said display-region represent control buttons for a plurality of electronic entertainment devices; and said control information is sent across a network to control a plurality of the electronic entertainment devices. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 further comprising: a network capable of forwarding said control information from said processor to a plurality of user entertainment devices. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 further including a network interconnecting a plurality of electronic-devices, wherein said control information is sent to a plurality of electronic devices that are attached to the network. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 further including a network interconnecting a plurality of electronic-devices; wherein said control information is sent to a plurality of electronic devices that are attached to the network; wherein the network automatically incorporates a newly connected electronic-device into the network, or automatically removes a newly disconnected electronic-device from the network. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 further including a network interconnecting a plurality of electronic-devices; wherein said control information is sent to a plurality of electronic devices that are attached to the network; wherein the network automatically incorporates a newly connected electronic-device into the network, or automatically removes a newly disconnected electronic-device from the network; wherein selectable-objects for a newly connected electronic-device are automatically included in the display-region; wherein selectable-objects for a newly disconnected electronic-device are automatically removed from the display-region. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the selectable-object that the pointer-spot is on or near, is determined without displaying or moving a cursor on an active-display. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said analysis by said processor, uses information that defines spatial locations of the selectable-objects, in said display-region. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said analysis by said processor, utilizes information that defines areas or locations in said display-region that are seen by individual detectors. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein if prior to said first action, an active-display in said display-region, is unpowered or is not displaying selectable-objects, then said first action causes the active-display in said display-region to power-on and to display selectable-objects. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein if prior to said first action, entertainment content without selectable-objects is being displayed on an active-display in said display-region; then said first action causes the active-display to display selectable-objects. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein if prior to said first action, entertainment content without a selectable-object is displayed on an active-display in said display-region; and in response to detecting said first action, a plurality of selectable-objects are displayed on said active-display; and if said second action is not detected within a defined time, then the selectable-objects are automatically removed from said active-display and said content without selectable-objects is displayed on said active-display. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1: wherein the location in said display that each detector images is set during manufacture of said display; wherein said detectors image the same locations in said display, when said display is moved or re-oriented. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1: wherein said detectors are limited to detecting wavelengths that correspond to said light-emitting pointer. ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) Apparatus as in claim 1: wherein fixed-objects, representing controls for an electronic-device, are in said display-region. ### Claim 27 A method for remotely controlling one or more electronic devices, comprising: providing a display-region; wherein detectors are physically attached-to or physically integrated-into said display-region; wherein said detectors image the same locations in said display-region, when said display-region is moved or re-oriented; providing a ring-shaped unit having an opening sized to be worn on an index finger of a user; wherein said ring-shaped unit includes: a light-emitting pointer incorporated as part of said ring-shaped unit, wherein a pointer-spot of visible light is projected when said pointer is activated; a wireless interface incorporated as part of said ring-shaped unit; a single actuator incorporated as part of said ring-shaped unit, wherein when the user is wearing said ring-shaped unit on their index finger, the user is able to place the pointer-spot onto a selectable-object in said display-region while the user is able to activate the actuator; wherein said actuator only moves in a substantially single axis when actuated by a user; when a first action on said actuator by the user is detected, activating the light-emitting pointer and sending a control signal across the wireless interface to turn-on an active control-display in said display-region, and to cause selectable-objects to appear in said display-region; when a second action on said actuator by the user is detected, sending a control signal across the wireless interface to cause detectors to capture an image or images of said pointer-spot in said display-region; analyzing said captured image or images to determine which selectable-object, the pointer-spot is on or near; and when said analyzing determines that a selectable-object is selected by the pointer-spot, sending control information to affect at least one electronic device. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) A method as in claim 27 wherein the selectable-object that the pointer-spot is on or near, is determined without displaying or moving a cursor on an active-display. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) A method as in claim 27 further comprising: sending said control information across a network to affect a plurality of electronic devices that are attached to the network. ### Claim 30 Apparatus for remotely controlling a plurality of electronic devices, comprising: a display-region with detectors that are physically attached-to or integrated-into said display-region; wherein when the display-region is moved or re-oriented, said detectors image the same locations in said display-region; a ring-shaped unit having an opening sized to be worn on an index finger of a user; a light-emitting pointer incorporated as part of said ring-shaped unit, wherein a pointer-spot of visible light is projected when said pointer is activated; wherein at least a portion of said pointer-spot will be visible to the user when reflecting or scattering off said display-region; wherein said detectors are able to image a spot of light from said light-emitting pointer that is shining in said display-region; a single actuator incorporated as part of said ring-shaped unit, wherein when the user is wearing said ring-shaped unit on their index finger, the user is able to place the pointer-spot onto a selectable-object in said display-region while the user is able to activate the actuator; wherein said actuator only moves in a substantially single axis when actuated by a user; a wireless interface incorporated as part of said ring-shaped unit; wherein when a first action by the user on said actuator is detected, the light-emitting pointer is activated and a control signal is sent across the wireless interface to turn-on an active control-display in said display-region, and to cause selectable-objects to appear in said display-region; wherein when additional actions by the user on said actuator is detected, a control signal is sent across the wireless interface to cause said detectors to capture an image or images of said pointer-spot in said display-region; a processor to analyze said captured image or images to determine which selectable-object, the pointer-spot is on or near; wherein dependent on which selectable-object or selectable-objects the pointer spot is on or near, the processor sends control information across a network to affect a plurality of electronic devices. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) Apparatus as in claim 30 wherein the ring-shaped unit has only a single actuator that only moves in a substantially single axis when actuated by a user. ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) Apparatus as in claim 30 wherein the selectable-object that the pointer-spot is on or near, is determined without displaying or moving a cursor on an active-display.