Selectively arrangeable, multi-mode input controller

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9566512-B2
Application number	US-201414182958-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 18, 2014
Priority date	Feb 18, 2014
Publication date	Feb 14, 2017
Grant date	Feb 14, 2017

Abstract

An apparatus for providing input via a selectively arrangeable, multi-mode input controller is disclosed. A method and computer program product also perform the functions of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a processor, a first body having a first input device, a second body pivotably connected to the first body and having a second input device, and a memory that stores code executable by the processor, the code comprising code that receives indication of an orientation of the first body with respect to the second body and code that alters operation of the first input device based on the orientation of the first body with respect to the second body.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a processor;
a first body having a first input device that receives user input;
a second body pivotably connected to the first body and having a second input device that receives user input;
a memory that stores code executable by the processor to:
receive user input from at least one of the first user input device and the second user input device;
determine an orientation of the first body with respect to the second body;
generate input commands to control an external device based on the user input and further based on the orientation of the first body with respect to the second body; and
send the control signals to an external device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an angle sensor operatively coupled to the first body and the second body that determines an angle between the first body and the second body, wherein receiving indication of an orientation comprises the processor determining the orientation based on the determined angle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first input device comprises a first touchscreen display and the second input device comprises a second touchscreen display.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:
a transmitter that sends the input commands to the external device; and
a protocol module that selects a signaling protocol based on the arrangement of the first body and the second body.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a bias member that maintains the first body and the second body in a first configuration, wherein the first input device and the second input device process input in a first manner in response to the apparatus being in the first configuration.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the bias member further comprises a magnet that maintains the first body adjacent to the second body.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a bias member that urges the first body and the second body into a predetermined arrangement.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first input device comprises a first touch panel and the second input device comprises a second panel, wherein the second touch panel acts as a continuation of the first touch panel in response to the apparatus being arranged in a first configuration.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the apparatus is configured as a touch panel pointing device in response to the first body and the second body being arranged in the first configuration.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured as a gaming controller in response to the first body and the second body being arranged in an extended configuration.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured as a remote control in response to the first body and the second body being arranged in a closed configuration.

12. A method comprising:
determining an arrangement of a first body with respect to a second body, the first body pivotably connected to the second body, wherein the first body includes a first user input device and the second body includes a second user input device;
receiving user input from at least one of the first user input device and the second user input device;
generating control signals, by use of a processor, from the user input based on the arrangement of the first and second bodies, wherein generating control signals comprises generating input commands specific to the arrangement of the first body with respect to the second body; and
sending the control signals to an external device.

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
displaying a virtual control based on the arrangement of the first and second bodies; and
reconfiguring the virtual control in response to a change in the arrangement of the first and second bodies.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising selecting a signaling protocol based on the arrangement of the first and second bodies.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein selecting the signaling protocol further comprises selecting a different signaling protocol in response to a change in the arrangement of the first and second bodies.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first user input device comprises a first touch panel and the second user input device comprises a second touch panel, the method further comprising configuring the second touch panel as a continuation of the first touch panel in response to the first and second bodies being arranged in a first configuration.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein sending the control signals comprises:
sending first control signals suitable for controlling a first external device in response to the first and second bodies being arranged in a first configuration; and
sending second control signals suitable for controlling a second external device, different than the first external device, in response to the first and second bodies being arranged in a second configuration.

18. A program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium that stores code executable by a processor to perform:
determining an arrangement of an input device;
mapping the determined arrangement to an input profile;
receiving user input from the input device;
generating control signals from the received input according to the input profile, wherein generating control signals comprises generating input commands specific to the determined arrangement and
sending the control signals to an external device.

19. The program product of claim 18 , further comprising code to perform:
displaying a virtual control on the input device based on the arrangement of the input device; and
reconfiguring the virtual control on the input device in response to a change in the arrangement of the input device.

20. The program product of claim 19 , further comprising code to perform:
selecting a signaling protocol based on the arrangement of the input device; and
sending the control signals to an external device using the selected signaling protocol.

Assignees

• Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd
• Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd

Inventors

• Schantz Daniel Jordan
• Case Michaela Rose

Classifications

• A63F13/2145

  the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens · CPC title

• A63F13/22

  Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment · CPC title

• A63F13/26

  having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth · CPC title

• G06F1/1615

  with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function (constructional details of portable telephones comprising a plurality of mechanically joined movable body parts H04M1/0206) · CPC title

• A63F13/21

  characterised by their sensors, purposes or types · CPC title