Contoured and balanced remote tv control device
US5973757A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F3/03549
- WIPO fieldBasic communication processes
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A hand-held TV/computer remote infrared control device has an elongated rectangular housing with a front longitudinal portion and a considerably shorter rear end portion which is downwardly and rearwardly inclined relative to the front portion and has a generally bulbous underside section which may be grasped from below by a control hand of a user, with the elongated front portion extending forwardly beyond the control hand. The device is stabilized against forward tipping in the user's hand by positioning somewhat more than half of the operating weight of the device in its rear end portion. Various control buttons are disposed on the top side of the front portion, and the downward tilt of the grasped rear end portion causes the front end portion to tip upwardly to make the control buttons easier to see by the user. A computer pointing structure, in the form of a track ball and two associated selection buttons, is disposed on the top side of the rear end portion, and an auxiliary computer selection button is disposed on the bottom side of the housing at the juncture of its front portion and rear end portion. The track ball and the two top side selection buttons are positioned to be…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.