IP Library Granted Patent US 7,404,518
Granted Patent B2
US 7,404,518 · App. 11/417,150 · Granted Jul 29, 2008

Controller, control method, and program

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,404,518
App. No.
11/417,150
Granted
Jul 29, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A controller has a display unit for displaying commands used for controlling apparatuses, wherein the display unit includes a first area for displaying commands selected with a first operation unit and set with a second operation unit, and a second area for displaying commands selected and set at the same time with a third operation unit.

Claims (35)

1. A controller comprising:

displaying means for displaying commands used for controlling apparatuses, wherein the displaying means includes

a first area for displaying infrequently used commands selected with a first operation unit and set with a second operation unit, and

a second area for displaying frequently used commands selected and set at the same time with a third operation unit,

wherein the third operation unit includes components, each of which corresponds, respectively, to only one of the frequently used commands displayed in the second area.

2. The controller according to claim 1 , wherein in an operation unit including the first operation unit, the second operation unit, and the third operation unit, part of the operation unit is assigned to the first operation unit and the second operation unit, and a remaining part is assigned to the third operation unit.

3. The controller according to claim 1 , wherein

the first operation unit includes components for causing a cursor, movable between the commands displayed in the first area, to move upward, downward, to the left, and to the right, and wherein

the second operation unit includes a component to be operated to set a command at which the cursor is located.

4. The controller according to claim 1 , wherein the first area and the second area are of different sizes.

5. The controller according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a memory configured to store at least a first command set for a first electronic apparatus and a second command set for a second electronic apparatus, the frequently used commands for the first electronic apparatus being different than the frequently used commands for the second electronic apparatus.

6. The controller according to claim 5 , wherein the first electric apparatus is a television and a second electric apparatus is an air conditioner.

7. A control method for a controller having displaying means for displaying commands used for controlling apparatuses, the control method comprising:

controlling the displaying means to display a first area for displaying infrequently used commands selected with a first operation unit and set with a second operation unit, and to display a second area for displaying frequently used commands selected and set at the same time with a third operation unit, the third operation unit including components, each of which corresponds, respectively, to only one of the frequently used commands displayed in the second area.

8. A computer readable medium including computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:

controlling the displaying means to display a first area for displaying infrequently used commands selected with a first operation unit and set with a second operation unit, and to display a second area for displaying frequently used commands selected and set at the same time with a third operation unit, the third operation unit including components, each of which corresponds, respectively, to only one of the frequently used commands displayed in the second area.

9. A control method for a controller having displaying means for displaying commands used for controlling apparatuses, the control method comprising:

displaying, on the displaying means, a first area for displaying infrequently used commands selected with a first operation unit and set with a second operation unit, and a second area for displaying frequently used commands selected and set at the same time with a third operation unit, the third operation unit including components, each of which corresponds, respectively, to only one of the frequently used commands displayed in the second area;

allowing a user to select one of the infrequently used commands displayed in the first area by operating the first operation unit;

allowing the user to set the selected infrequently used command by operating the second operation unit; and

allowing the user to select and set one of the frequently used commands displayed in the second area by operating the third operation unit.

10. A controller comprising:

a display unit for displaying commands used for controlling apparatuses, wherein the display unit includes

a first area for displaying infrequently used commands selected with a first operation unit and set with a second operation unit, and

a second area for displaying frequently used commands selected and set at the same time with a third operation unit, the third operation unit including components, each of which corresponds, respectively, to only one of the frequently used commands displayed in the second area.

11. A control method for a controller having a display unit for displaying commands used for controlling apparatuses, the control method comprising:

controlling the display unit to display a first area for displaying infrequently used commands selected with a first operation unit and set with a second operation unit, and to display a second area for displaying frequently used commands selected and set at the same time with a third operation unit, the third operation unit including components, each of which corresponds, respectively, to only one of the frequently used commands displayed in the second area.

12. A computer readable medium including computer executable instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising:

controlling the display unit to display a first area for displaying infrequently used commands selected with a first operation unit and set with a second operation unit, and to display a second area for displaying frequently used commands selected and set at the same time with a third operation unit, the third operation unit including components, each of which corresponds, respectively, to only one of the frequently used commands displayed in the second area.

13. A control method for a controller having a display unit for displaying commands used for controlling apparatuses, the control method comprising:

displaying, on the display unit, a first area for displaying infrequently used commands selected with a first operation unit and set with a second operation unit, and a second area for displaying frequently used commands selected and set at the same time with a third operation unit, the third operation unit including components, each of which corresponds, respectively, to only one of the frequently used commands displayed in the second area;

allowing a user to select one of the infrequently used commands displayed in the first area by operating the first operation unit;

allowing the user to set the selected infrequently used command by operating of the second operation unit; and

allowing the user to select and set one of the frequently used commands displayed in the second area by operating the third operation unit.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 13, 2017
From: SONY CORPORATION
To: SATURN LICENSING LLC
Reel/Frame 043177/0794 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2006
From: NAKAMURA, JUNICHI; OTSU, SHUICHI; NAMAI, MIE
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 018030/0904 →