US6040829A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Personal navigator system
Assignee: American Patents LLC
•
Filing: 1998-05-13
•
Granted: 2000-03-21
•
Expires: 2018-05-13
Abstract
Abstract A hand-held device and system for monitoring and controlling electronic devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, a control device for monitoring and controlling an electronic device, includes: 1) a base unit including a microcontroller and an interface coupled to the microcontroller for receiving external information; and 2) a personal navigator coupled to the base unit via a data link, the personal navigator further including a display component for displaying a dual partition selection list including at least a portion of the external information received from the interface, the dual partition selection list further includes a first selection list and a second selection list, at least a portion of the first selection list and at least a portion of the second selection list being at least partly concurrently displayable on the display component.
Inventors
- 👤 Clemens Croy
- 👤 Rainer F.R. Bermbach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:21
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/422; H04N21/42204; H04N21/43; H04N21/431; H04N21/418; G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/048; G06F3/0481; H04N21/4104; H04N21/4126; H04N21/41265; H04N21/426; H04N21/42684; H04N21/436; H04N21/4363; H04N21/43637; H04N21/45; H04N21/462; H04N21/4622; H04N21/47; H04N21/475; H04N21/482
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A control device for monitoring and controlling an electronic device, comprising: a display component for displaying a dual partition selection list, the dual partition selection list having a first selection list and a second selection list, at least a portion of the first selection list and at least a portion of the second selection list being at least partly concurrently displayable on the display component; and a selection component for selecting elements from the dual partition selection list, the selection component having a first selection component for selecting elements from the first selection list, a selection made from the first selection list using the first selection component causing a display of corresponding items in the second selection list while the first selection list is at least partly concurrently displayed, a selection made from the second selection list using the second selection component causing a display of corresponding items in the first selection list while the second selection list is at least partly concurrently displayed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A control device for monitoring and controlling an electronic device, comprising: a display component for displaying a dual partition selection list, the dual partition selection list having a first selection list and a second selection list, at least a portion of the first selection list and at least a portion of the second selection list being at least partly concurrently displayable on the display component; and a selection component for selecting elements from the dual partition selection list, the selection component having a first selection component for selecting elements from the first selection list, a selection made from the first selection list using the first selection component causing a display of corresponding items in the second selection list while the first selection list is at least partly concurrently displayed, a selection made from the second selection list using the second selection component causing a display of corresponding items in the first selection list while the second selection list is at least partly concurrently displayed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display component and the selection component resides in a hand-held device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display component is a monitor and the selection component resides in a hand-held device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control device as claimed in claim 1 further including a data interface for receiving information from a network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control device as claimed in claim 4 wherein the information includes electronic program guide information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the selection component includes a selection for activating a function for selecting a program by program time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the selection component includes a selection for activating a function for selecting a program by program type.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the selection component includes a selection for activating a function for selecting a broadcast station.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the selection component includes a selection for activating a function for selecting a program by keyword.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the selection component includes a selection for activating a function for selecting and recalling personal preferences.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the selection component includes a selection for activating a function for displaying detailed information about a particular program.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the selection component includes a selection for activating a marking function for marking at least one program for application of further specified functions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the display component includes an information display for displaying a history of user selections previously made.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The control device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the selection component includes a function for automatically rearranging menu selections based on a history of user selections previously made.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control device as claimed in claim 1 further including a non-volatile memory device for storing a unique identifier.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
A hand-held control device for monitoring and controlling an electronic device, comprising: a base unit including a VBI decoder and a modem; and a personal navigator coupled to the base unit via a data link, the personal navigator further including a display component for displaying a selection list including information received from the VBI decoder or the modem, the display component being housed in a hand-held control device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
A hand-held control device for monitoring and controlling an electronic device, comprising: a base unit including a VBI decoder and a modem; and a personal navigator coupled to the base unit via a data link, the personal navigator further including a display component for displaying a selection list including information received from the VBI decoder or the modem, the display component being housed in a hand-held control device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the information includes electronic program guide information.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the functionality of the base station is integrated into a set-top box.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The control device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the data link further includes a bidirectional IR link.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The control device as claimed in claim 16 wherein the data link further includes a bidirectional RF link.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
The control device as claimed in claim 16 further including a non-volatile memory device for storing a unique identifier.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
78 words
A hand-held control device for monitoring and controlling an electronic device, comprising: a base unit including a microcontroller and an interface coupled to the microcontroller for receiving external information; and a personal navigator coupled to the base unit via a data link, the personal navigator further including a display component for displaying a selection list including at least a portion of the external information received from the interface, the display component being housed in a hand-held control device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
78 words
A hand-held control device for monitoring and controlling an electronic device, comprising: a base unit including a microcontroller and an interface coupled to the microcontroller for receiving external information; and a personal navigator coupled to the base unit via a data link, the personal navigator further including a display component for displaying a selection list including at least a portion of the external information received from the interface, the display component being housed in a hand-held control device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the interface further includes a VBI decoder for receiving external information via a VBI encoded signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the interface further includes a modem for receiving external information via a telephone network.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the interface further includes a VBI decoder and a modem for receiving external information via a VBI encoded signal and a telephone network.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the interface further includes a cable modem for receiving external information via an encoded cable signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the interface further includes a set-top box interface for receiving external information via a set-top box.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the interface further includes a wireless receiver for receiving external information via an RF signal.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
17 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the external information includes electronic program guide information.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the external information includes electronic commerce information.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the external information includes information obtained from the Internet.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the external information includes electronic mail information.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the external information includes control code information.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the external information includes software or firmware upgrades for the base unit or the personal navigator.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 further including a non-volatile memory device coupled to the microcontroller for storing a unique identifier.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the personal navigator further includes a smart card interface for receiving additional external information.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the functionality of the base unit and the functionality of the personal navigator is integrated together into the same unit.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the functionality of the base unit is integrated into a set-top box.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
21 words
The control device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the personal navigator further includes functionality for use as a cordless telephone.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
92 words
A hand-held control device for monitoring and controlling an electronic device, comprising: a base unit including a microcontroller and an interface coupled to the microcontroller for receiving external information; and a personal navigator coupled to the base unit via a data link, the personal navigator further including a display component for displaying a selection list including at least a portion of the external information received from the interface, the personal navigator further including a smart card interface for receiving additional external information, the display component being housed in a hand-held control device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
92 words
A hand-held control device for monitoring and controlling an electronic device, comprising: a base unit including a microcontroller and an interface coupled to the microcontroller for receiving external information; and a personal navigator coupled to the base unit via a data link, the personal navigator further including a display component for displaying a selection list including at least a portion of the external information received from the interface, the personal navigator further including a smart card interface for receiving additional external information, the display component being housed in a hand-held control device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5410326A
Cited
US5541738A
Cited
US5734444A
Cited
US5751373A
Cited
US5901366A
Cited
US5724106A
Cited
US5710605A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-21 | 2003-09-20 | 2004-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-21 | 2007-09-20 | 2008-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-20 | 2012-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |