On-screen remote control of a television receiver

United States Patent m

Gaughan et al.

[54] ON-SCREEN REMOTE CONTROL OF A TELEVISION RECEIVER

[75] Inventors: Kevin J. Gaughan, Arlington Heights;

Thomas J. Zato, Inverness, both of 111.

[73] Assignee: Zenith Electronics Corporation,
Glenview, 111.

[21] Appl. No.: 347,929
[22] Filed: Dec. 1, 1994

[51] Int. CI.6 H04N 5/445

[52] U.S. CI 348/734; 348/569; 348/601;

345/146; 345/167

[58] Field of Search 348/553, 734,

348/601, 563, 569; 345/167, 160, 156, 157, 145, 146; H04N 5/445

[56] References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

5,237,311 8/1993 Maileyetal 345/167

5,367,316 1/1994 Ikezaki 348/734

5,371,553 12/1994 Kawamuraetal 347/734

5,412,776 5/1995 Bloomfield et al 395/159

5,414,471 5/1995 Saitoh et al 348/734

...

US005589893A

[ii] Patent Number: 5,589,893 [45] Date of Patent: Dec. 31, 1996

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

Computer Consulting & Training Inc., Microsoft Word 6.0
For Macintosh and Windows, No Date, pp. 3 & 6.

Primary Examiner—John K. Peng
Assistant Examiner—Jeffrey S. Murrell

[57] ABSTRACT

A television remote control system includes an on-screen cursor that is controllable by a viewer-operated remote transmitter. The remote transmitter includes a trackball that yields X,Y coordinate information responsive to rotational movement thereof and a switch that generates an activate signal responsive to depression of the trackball. A microprocessor in the television receiver controls the on-screen cursor display and updates the cursor position in response to transmitted IR X,Y position signals. A microprocessor in the remote transmitter monitors the trackball, the trackball operated switch and any other functional key switches. The television screen is divided into different control function areas and the areas are illuminated as each area is accessed by the cursor, i.e. as the designated cursor position impinges on the area. The cursor movement defined by the position signal is divided into a series of smaller movements to produce smooth cursor movements on the screen.

3 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets