Multi-directional remote control system and method
A multi-directional remote control system and method is adapted for use with an entertainment system of a type including a display ( 112 ) such as a monitor or TV and having display functions employing a mouse type control. The remote controller ( 110 ) may be conveniently held in one hand of a user and still provides full mouse type functionality. The remote control system and method images the screen of the TV or other display to detect relative motion between the controller ( 110 ) and screen. This position information is transmitted to the entertainment system for control of a cursor or other GUI interface.
1. A method for remote control of a media system including a display having a screen, comprising:
detecting an amount of an off screen pointing position of a freely movable remote control employing an imaging system; and
scrolling a menu displayed on the screen with a variable speed based on the amount the pointing position is off screen.
2. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 1 , wherein the variable speed scrolling is varied continuously with the amount the pointing position is off screen.
3. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 1 , wherein the variable speed scrolling is varied in discrete zones with the amount the pointing position is off screen.
4. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 1 , wherein the menu is scrolled left or right with variable speed varied with the amount the pointing position is off screen left or right.
5. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 1 , wherein the menu is scrolled up or down with variable speed varied with the amount the pointing position is off screen up or down.
6. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 1 , wherein the variable speed scrolling comprises scrolling a TV channel menu.
7. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 1 , wherein the variable speed scrolling comprises scrolling multiple photo files.
8. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 1 , wherein the imaging system is configured on the remote control.
9. A method for remote control of a media system including a display having a screen, comprising:
detecting both an on screen pointing position and an amount of an off screen pointing position of a freely movable remote control employing an imaging system;
providing a first control operation of a menu displayed on the screen when the pointing position is on screen; and
providing a second different type of control operation of a menu displayed on the screen when the pointing position is off screen a predetermined amount.
10. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 9 , wherein the first control operation of a menu displayed on the screen comprises control of position of a cursor based on the pointing position on screen.
11. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 9 , wherein the second control operation of a menu displayed on the screen comprises a discrete jump of a page up or down control of the menu based on the pointing position off screen up or down.
12. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 9 , wherein the second control operation of a menu displayed on the screen comprises a discrete jump of a page left or right control of the menu based on the pointing position off screen left or right.
13. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 9 , wherein the imaging system is configured on the remote control.
14. A method for remote control of a media system including a display having a screen, comprising:
detecting both an on screen pointing position and an amount of an off screen pointing position of a freely movable remote control employing an imaging system;
providing a control operation of a menu displayed on the screen when the pointing position is on screen; and
providing an automatic off control operation of the imaging based control when the pointing position is off screen a predetermined amount for a predetermined time.
15. A method for remote control of a media system as set out in claim 14 , where the imager is configured on the remote control and the off control operation turns off the power to the imaging system.