US5539478A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video receiver display and three axis remote control
Assignee: Dish Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 1995-05-31
•
Granted: 1996-07-23
•
Expires: 2015-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A video display, which may be a television receiver with associated set top device, an intelligent television receiver, or a personal computer system enabled for television display, has associated therewith a remote control of the three axis type which controls modification of the visual images displayed.
Inventors
- 👤 Randal L. Bertram
- 👤 Larry A. Black
- 👤 Jonathan J. Hurd
- 👤 Thomas K. Worthington
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:56
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/033; G06F3/0346; H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/422; H04N21/42204; H04N21/42206; H04N21/42222; H04N21/42226; H04N21/42227; H04N21/42228; H04N21/43; H04N21/431; H04N21/4312; H04N21/4314; H04N21/47; H04N21/478; H04N21/482; H04N21/4821; H04N21/80; H04N21/81; H04N21/8126; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/0214; H01H9/0235; H04N5/445; H04N5/45
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 99
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A combination comprising: a television receiver having: a video display device for displaying visual images to a human observer; and video reception circuitry coupled to said video display device for receiving signals transmitted at frequencies which are outside direct sensing by the human observer and for delivering to said video display device video signals which drive said video display device to display said visual images; a three axis remote control device usable at some distance of separation from said television receiver and having: a housing sized to be held in the hand of the human observer; a manually engageable input device mounted in said housing for manipulation by the human observer; and command transmitter circuitry mounted in said housing and coupled to said input device for transmitting at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of said input device by the human observer; and a display controller having: command receiver circuitry for receiving said command signals from said command transmitter circuitry and for deriving from said received command signals image directing signals directing modification of said visual images; and command processor circuitry coupled to said command receiver circuitry and to said video reception circuitry for receiving said image directing signals and for modifying said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A combination comprising: a television receiver having: a video display device for displaying visual images to a human observer; and video reception circuitry coupled to said video display device for receiving signals transmitted at frequencies which are outside direct sensing by the human observer and for delivering to said video display device video signals which drive said video display device to display said visual images; a three axis remote control device usable at some distance of separation from said television receiver and having: a housing sized to be held in the hand of the human observer; a manually engageable input device mounted in said housing for manipulation by the human observer; and command transmitter circuitry mounted in said housing and coupled to said input device for transmitting at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of said input device by the human observer; and a display controller having: command receiver circuitry for receiving said command signals from said command transmitter circuitry and for deriving from said received command signals image directing signals directing modification of said visual images; and command processor circuitry coupled to said command receiver circuitry and to said video reception circuitry for receiving said image directing signals and for modifying said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said video reception circuitry receives signals which carry analog information defining said visual images.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said video reception circuitry receives signals which carry digitally coded information defining said visual images.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination according to claim 3 wherein said video reception circuitry receives signals which carry compressed digitally coded information defining said visual images.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said video reception circuitry receives signals transmitted by broadcast transmission.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said video reception circuitry receives signals transmitted by cable transmission.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said video reception circuitry receives signals transmitted by satellite transmission.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said video reception circuitry receives signals transmitted through a telecommunications network.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination according to claim 1 further comprising a player for video recordings coupled to said video reception circuitry for transmitting thereto signals derived as output from a video recording.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination according to claim 9 wherein said player plays magnetic tape video recordings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination according to claim 9 wherein said player plays optical disk video recordings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said display controller further comprises a video recorder/player coupled to said video reception circuitry for transmitting thereto signals derived as output from a video recording and for recording signals received as input from said video reception circuitry.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said input device comprises a wiggle stick.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said input device comprises a wobble plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said input device comprises a track ball.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said input device comprises an inertial mouse.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said command transmitter circuitry comprises an infrared radiation emitter for transmitting said command signals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said command transmitter circuitry comprises an ultrasonic emitter for transmitting said command signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said command transmitter circuitry comprises a radio frequency emitter for transmitting said command signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination according to claim 1 further comprising an elongate flexible conductor for coupling said command transmitter circuitry to said command receiver circuitry.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combination according to claim 1 further comprising a cabinet for containing said television receiver and further wherein said display controller is mounted within said cabinet.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination according to claim 1 further comprising a cabinet for containing said television receiver and further wherein said display controller is mounted outside of and separately from said cabinet.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
42 words
A combination according to claim 1 wherein said display controller further has a back channel communication device coupled to said command processor circuitry for communicating to a remote location commands originating from manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
A combination according to claim 23 wherein said back channel communication device comprises a telecommunication modem.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A combination according to claim 23 wherein said back channel communication device comprises a cable modem.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
211 words
A combination comprising: a three axis remote control device usable at some distance of separation from a television receiver and having: a housing sized to be held in the hand of the human observer; a manually engageable input device mounted in said housing for manipulation by the human observer; and control transmitter circuitry mounted in said housing and coupled to said input device for transmitting at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of said input device by the human observer; and a display controller for coupling to a television receiver video display device and for delivering to a coupled television receiver video display device image directing signals, said display controller having: command receiver circuitry for receiving said command signals from said command transmitter circuitry and for deriving from said received command signals image directing signals directing modification of visual images displayed to a human observer by the television receiver video display device; and command processor circuitry coupled to said command receiver circuitry and to the television receiver video display device (a) for receiving said image directing signals, and (b) for modifying the visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
211 words
A combination comprising: a three axis remote control device usable at some distance of separation from a television receiver and having: a housing sized to be held in the hand of the human observer; a manually engageable input device mounted in said housing for manipulation by the human observer; and control transmitter circuitry mounted in said housing and coupled to said input device for transmitting at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of said input device by the human observer; and a display controller for coupling to a television receiver video display device and for delivering to a coupled television receiver video display device image directing signals, said display controller having: command receiver circuitry for receiving said command signals from said command transmitter circuitry and for deriving from said received command signals image directing signals directing modification of visual images displayed to a human observer by the television receiver video display device; and command processor circuitry coupled to said command receiver circuitry and to the television receiver video display device (a) for receiving said image directing signals, and (b) for modifying the visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination according to claim 26 wherein said display controller comprises video reception circuitry for receiving signals which carry analog information defining the visual images.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
A combination according to claim 26 wherein said display controller comprises video reception circuitry for receiving signals which carry digitally coded information defining the visual images.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination according to claim 28 wherein said video reception circuitry receives signals which carry compressed digitally coded information defining the visual images.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination according to claim 26 wherein said display controller comprises video reception circuitry for receiving signals transmitted by broadcast transmission.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination according to claim 26 wherein said display controller comprises video reception circuitry for receiving signals transmitted by cable transmission.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination according to claim 26 wherein said display controller comprises video reception circuitry for receiving signals transmitted by satellite transmission.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
A combination according to claim 26 wherein said display controller comprises video reception circuitry for receiving signals transmitted through a telecommunications network.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
A combination according to claim 26 further comprising a player for video recordings coupled to said video reception circuitry for transmitting thereto signals derived as output from a video recording.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination according to claim 34 wherein said player plays magnetic tape video recordings.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination according to claim 34 wherein said player plays optical disk video recordings.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
59 words
A combination according to claim 26 wherein said display controller comprises video reception circuitry for receiving signals which carry information defining the visual images and further comprises a video recorder/player coupled to said video reception circuitry for transmitting thereto signals derived as output from a video recording and for recording signals received as input from said video reception circuitry.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination according to claim 26 wherein said input device comprises a wiggle stick.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination according to claim 26 wherein said input device comprises a wobble plate.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination according to claim 26 wherein said input device comprises a track ball.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination according to claim 26 wherein said input device comprises an inertial mouse.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination according to claim 26 wherein said command transmitter circuitry comprises an infrared radiation emitter for transmitting said command signals.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
A combination according to claim 26 wherein said command transmitter circuitry comprises an ultrasonic emitter for transmitting said command signals.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
21 words
A combination according to claim 26 wherein said command transmitter circuitry comprises a radio frequency emitter for transmitting said command signals.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
A combination according to claim 26 further comprising an elongate flexible conductor for coupling said command transmitter circuitry to said command receiver circuitry.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
42 words
A combination according to claim 26 wherein said display controller further has a back channel communication device coupled to said command processor circuitry for communicating to a remote location commands originating from manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
16 words
A combination according to claim 46 wherein said back channel communication device comprises a telecommunication modem.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
16 words
A combination according to claim 46 wherein said back channel communication device comprises a cable modem.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
224 words
An intelligent television receiver comprising: a three axis remote control device usable at some distance of separation from the television receiver and having: a housing sized to be held in the hand of the human observer; a manually engageable input device mounted in said housing for manipulation by the human observer; and control transmitter circuitry mounted in said housing and coupled to said input device for transmitting at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of said input device by the human observer; a video display device for displaying visual images to a human observer; video reception circuitry coupled to said video display device for receiving signals transmitted at frequencies which are outside direct sensing by the human observer and for delivering to said video display device video signals which drive said video display device to display said visual images; command receiver circuitry for receiving said command signals from said command transmitter circuitry and for deriving from said received command signals image directing signals directing modification of said visual images; and command processor circuitry coupled to said command receiver circuitry and to said video reception circuitry for receiving said image directing signals and for modifying said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
224 words
An intelligent television receiver comprising: a three axis remote control device usable at some distance of separation from the television receiver and having: a housing sized to be held in the hand of the human observer; a manually engageable input device mounted in said housing for manipulation by the human observer; and control transmitter circuitry mounted in said housing and coupled to said input device for transmitting at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of said input device by the human observer; a video display device for displaying visual images to a human observer; video reception circuitry coupled to said video display device for receiving signals transmitted at frequencies which are outside direct sensing by the human observer and for delivering to said video display device video signals which drive said video display device to display said visual images; command receiver circuitry for receiving said command signals from said command transmitter circuitry and for deriving from said received command signals image directing signals directing modification of said visual images; and command processor circuitry coupled to said command receiver circuitry and to said video reception circuitry for receiving said image directing signals and for modifying said visual images as directed by manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
23 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 wherein said video reception circuitry receives signals which carry analog information defining said visual images.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
24 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 wherein said video reception circuitry receives signals which carry digitally coded information defining said visual images.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 51 wherein said video reception circuitry receives signals which carry compressed digitally coded information defining said visual images.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
19 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 wherein said video reception circuitry receives signals transmitted by broadcast transmission.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
19 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 wherein said video reception circuitry receives signals transmitted by cable transmission.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
19 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 wherein said video reception circuitry receives signals transmitted by satellite transmission.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
20 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 wherein said video reception circuitry receives signals transmitted through a telecommunications network.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
32 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 further comprising a player for video recordings coupled to said video reception circuitry for transmitting thereto signals derived as output from a video recording.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
16 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 57 wherein said player plays magnetic tape video recordings.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
16 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 57 wherein said player plays optical disk video recordings.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
46 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 wherein said display controller further comprises a video recorder/player coupled to said video reception circuitry for transmitting thereto signals derived as output from a video recording and for recording signals received as input from said video reception circuitry.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
16 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 wherein said input device comprises a wiggle stick.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
16 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 wherein said input device comprises a wobble plate.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
16 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 wherein said input device comprises a track ball.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
16 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 wherein said input device comprises an inertial mouse.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
23 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 wherein said command transmitter circuitry comprises an infrared radiation emitter for transmitting said command signals.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
22 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 wherein said command transmitter circuitry comprises an ultrasonic emitter for transmitting said command signals.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
23 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 wherein said command transmitter circuitry comprises a radio frequency emitter for transmitting said command signals.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
25 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 further comprising an elongate flexible conductor for coupling said command transmitter circuitry to said command receiver circuitry.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
28 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 further comprising a cabinet for containing said television receiver and further wherein said display controller is mounted within said cabinet.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
44 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 49 wherein said display controller further has a back channel communication device coupled to said command processor circuitry for communicating to a remote location commands originating from manipulation of said remote control device by the human observer.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
18 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 70 wherein said back channel communication device comprises a telecommunication modem.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
18 words
An intelligent television receiver according to claim 70 wherein said back channel communication device comprises a cable modem.
Claim 76
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of displaying visual images to a human observer using a television video display device comprising the steps of: receiving signals transmitted at frequencies which are outside direct sensing by the human observer; delivering, to said television video display device, video signals which drive the television video display device to display visual images; generating, with a manually engageable three axis input device remote from the television video display device and manipulable by the human observer, command signals indicative of desired modifications of the displayed visual images and delivering generated signals to a command transmitter; transmitting, from the command transmitter and at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer, command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of the input device by the human observer; receiving the command signals from the command transmitter and deriving from the received command signals image directing signals directing modification of the visual images; and receiving the image directing signals and modifying the visual images as directed by manipulation of the remote control device by the human observer.
Claim 77
Independent Claim
178 words
A method of displaying visual images to a human observer using a television video display device comprising the steps of: receiving signals transmitted at frequencies which are outside direct sensing by the human observer; delivering, to said television video display device, video signals which drive the television video display device to display visual images; generating, with a manually engageable three axis input device remote from the television video display device and manipulable by the human observer, command signals indicative of desired modifications of the displayed visual images and delivering generated signals to a command transmitter; transmitting, from the command transmitter and at a frequency which is outside direct sensing by the human observer, command signals coordinated in a predetermined manner to manipulation of the input device by the human observer; receiving the command signals from the command transmitter and deriving from the received command signals image directing signals directing modification of the visual images; and receiving the image directing signals and modifying the visual images as directed by manipulation of the remote control device by the human observer.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 73 wherein said first mentioned signals carry analog information defining the visual images.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 73 wherein said first mentioned signals carry digitally coded information defining the visual images.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 75 wherein said first mentioned signals carry compressed digitally coded information defining the visual images.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 73 wherein said first mentioned signals are transmitted by broadcast transmission.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 73 wherein said first mentioned signals are transmitted by cable transmission.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 73 wherein said first mentioned signals are transmitted by satellite transmission.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 73 wherein said first mentioned signals are transmitted through a telecommunications network.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 73 wherein said first mentioned signals are derived as output from a video recording.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 81 wherein said first mentioned signals are derived as output from magnetic tape video recordings.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 81 wherein said first mentioned signals are derived as output from optical disk video recordings.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 73 further comprising the step of selecting between (a) delivering, as said first mentioned signals, signals received by transmission and (b) delivering, as said first mentioned signals, signals derived as output from a video recording and further comprising recording signals received as by transmission.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 73 wherein said step of generating command signals comprises manipulating a wiggle stick.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 73 wherein said step of generating command signals comprises manipulating a wobble plate.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 73 wherein said step of generating command signals comprises manipulating a track ball.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 73 wherein said step of generating command signals comprises manipulating an inertial mouse.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 73 wherein said step of transmitting command signals comprises transmitting command signals by infrared radiation.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 73 wherein said step of transmitting command signals comprises transmitting command signals by ultrasound.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 73 wherein said step of transmitting command signals comprises transmitting command signals by radio frequency.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 73 wherein said step of transmitting command signals comprises transmitting command signals through an elongate flexible conductor.
Claim 97
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 73 further comprises the step of communicating to a remote location, through a back channel communication device, commands originating from manipulation of the remote control device by the human observer.
Claim 98
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 93 wherein said step of communicating through a back channel communication device comprises communicating through a telecommunication modem.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 93 wherein said step of communicating through a back channel communication device comprises communicating through a cable modem.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-23 | 2000-01-22 | 2000-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-23 | 2004-01-22 | 2004-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-23 | 2008-01-22 | 2008-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |