WO1998048394A1 - Remote control apparatus - Google Patents
Remote control apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1998048394A1 WO1998048394A1 PCT/IB1998/000554 IB9800554W WO9848394A1 WO 1998048394 A1 WO1998048394 A1 WO 1998048394A1 IB 9800554 W IB9800554 W IB 9800554W WO 9848394 A1 WO9848394 A1 WO 9848394A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- remote control
- control device
- light source
- external signal
- keyboard
- Prior art date
Links
- 230000005236 sound signal Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 2
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
- G08C23/00—Non-electrical signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems
- G08C23/04—Non-electrical signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems using light waves, e.g. infrared
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
- G08C23/00—Non-electrical signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems
- G08C23/02—Non-electrical signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems using infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic waves
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
- H01H9/02—Bases, casings, or covers
- H01H9/0214—Hand-held casings
- H01H9/0235—Hand-held casings specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
- G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
- G08C2201/30—User interface
- G08C2201/31—Voice input
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G08—SIGNALLING
- G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
- G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
- G08C2201/30—User interface
- G08C2201/32—Remote control based on movements, attitude of remote control device
Definitions
- the invention relates to a remote control device comprising a keyboard and a light source for illuminating said keyboard.
- Illuminated remote control devices as defined in the opening paragraph simplify the control of home appliances such as television receivers in a dusky living room.
- the keyboard has transparent keys and the light source is of the backlight type.
- An example hereof is disclosed in US 5,568,367.
- the invention addresses the aspect of activating the light source.
- the light source is activated by pressing a particular key.
- the necessity for a user to press a key for activating the illumination of a remote control device constitutes a vicious circle.
- the first key to be pressed still has to be found by touch. For many persons, particularly elderly people who are afraid to press the "wrong" key, this is a tremendous problem.
- the remote control device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the device comprises means for detecting an external signal and activating the light source in response to detection of said external signal.
- the need for pressing a key to activate the light source is eliminated.
- the external signal may be a specific sound signal produced by the user, such as whistling or clapping his hands.
- the external signal may also be an ultrasonic, infrared, or radio signal produced by the controlled apparatus in response to pressing a key on said apparatus.
- the abstract of Japanese Patent Application JP 61-292479 discloses a remote control device which generates a light signal when it detects an external signal produced by the controlled apparatus. However, the light source of this device does not illuminate the keyboard. The light signal allows the user to locate the remote control device when it has been mislaid.
- the external signal may also be kinetic motion applied to the device.
- the light source is simply activated, inter alia, by shaking the device for a short period of time.
- a light sensor may be provided for disabling the detection means when sufficient environmental light is detected.
- Fig. l shows a remote control device in accordance with the invention.
- Fig.2 shows a remote control device in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.
- Fig. l shows a cross section of a remote control device in accordance with the invention.
- the device 1 comprises a keyboard 10 with a plurality of labeled keys 11.
- the keys are transparent and illuminated by a light source 12.
- the remote control device further comprises a detector 13 which is arranged so as to activate the light source 12 in response to an input signal which is received from a transducer 14.
- the light source may be switched off automatically after a predetermined period of time, or in response to the reception of a further input signal.
- the transducer 14 is a microphone.
- the detector 13 is arranged to detect a whistle tone 2 produced by a person 3, or an audio wave 4 that is typically produced by clapping of hands 5.
- the detector 14 is known per se and needs no further description. It is already used, inter alia, for locating mislaid articles such as key rings which produce a beep signal in response to whistling or clapping of hands.
- the remote control device 1 may optionally comprise a light sensor 15. The sensor is connected to detector 13 so as to prevent the detector from activating the light source 12 when there is sufficient environmental light. A considerable reduction of battery power consumption is herewith achieved because the keyboard will not be illuminated unintentionally in the daytime.
- the transducer 14 is an element for receiving a wireless signal 6 which is generated by a signal generator 71 accommodated in the controlled apparatus 7 when a button 72 of said apparatus is pressed.
- the signal 6 may be an ultrasonic, infrared or radio signal.
- Fig.2 shows a cross section of a remote control device in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.
- the detector 13 is now arranged to detect kinetic motion applied to the device.
- the detector comprises two contact plates 131 and 132, perpendicular to each other, and a conducting ball 133 which is withheld from making contact with one of the plates by means of a spring member 134. If the remote control device is subject to substantial acceleration due to, inter alia, shaking, the ball contacts the plate 131 in spite of the spring force, and the light source is provided with power from a power source 16.
- electromechanical accelerometers as used in wireless PC mouse devices, or acceleration detectors as used in car airbag systems, are nowadays available.
- a remote control device for controlling home consumer equipment, it is not restricted thereto. More particularly, a mobile telephone apparatus having a keyboard for controlling an operation center so as to establish a requested telephone connection is also understood to fall under the wording of the appended claims.
- a remote control device with a keyboard (10) and a light source (12) for illuminating said keyboard.
- the device comprises a detector (13) which activates the light source upon reception of an external signal.
- the external signal may be a specific sound signal such as a whistle tone (2) or clapping of hands (4) . It may also be a wireless signal (6) generated by the controlled appliance (7) when a button (72) of said apparatus is pressed.
- An optional light sensor (15) may disable the operation of the detector by day.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
- Input From Keyboards Or The Like (AREA)
Abstract
A remote control device is disclosed with a keyboard (10) and a light source (12) for illuminating said keyboard. The device comprises a detector (13) which activates the light source upon reception of an external signal. The external signal may be a specific sound signal such as a whistle tone (2) or clapping of hands (4). It may also be a wireless signal (6) generated by the controlled appliance (7) when a button (72) of said apparatus is pressed. An optional light sensor (15) may disable the operation of the detector by day.
Description
Remote control apparatus.
The invention relates to a remote control device comprising a keyboard and a light source for illuminating said keyboard.
Illuminated remote control devices as defined in the opening paragraph simplify the control of home appliances such as television receivers in a dusky living room. Usually, the keyboard has transparent keys and the light source is of the backlight type. An example hereof is disclosed in US 5,568,367.
The invention addresses the aspect of activating the light source. In the above-mentioned prior art remote control device, the light source is activated by pressing a particular key. However, the necessity for a user to press a key for activating the illumination of a remote control device constitutes a vicious circle. The first key to be pressed still has to be found by touch. For many persons, particularly elderly people who are afraid to press the "wrong" key, this is a tremendous problem.
It is an object of the invention to provide a remote control device which does not have this disadvantage. To achieve this, the remote control device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the device comprises means for detecting an external signal and activating the light source in response to detection of said external signal. Herewith, the need for pressing a key to activate the light source is eliminated.
The external signal may be a specific sound signal produced by the user, such as whistling or clapping his hands. The external signal may also be an ultrasonic, infrared, or radio signal produced by the controlled apparatus in response to pressing a key on said apparatus. It should be noted that the abstract of Japanese Patent Application JP 61-292479 discloses a remote control device which generates a light signal when it detects an external signal produced by the controlled apparatus. However, the light source of this device does not illuminate the keyboard. The light signal allows the user to locate the remote control device when it has been mislaid.
The external signal may also be kinetic motion applied to the device. In such an embodiment, the light source is simply activated, inter alia, by shaking the device for a short period of time.
In order to preclude the light source from consuming battery power when illumination is not necessary, a light sensor may be provided for disabling the detection means when sufficient environmental light is detected.
Fig. l shows a remote control device in accordance with the invention. Fig.2 shows a remote control device in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention.
Fig. l shows a cross section of a remote control device in accordance with the invention. The device 1 comprises a keyboard 10 with a plurality of labeled keys 11. The keys are transparent and illuminated by a light source 12. The remote control device further comprises a detector 13 which is arranged so as to activate the light source 12 in response to an input signal which is received from a transducer 14. The light source may be switched off automatically after a predetermined period of time, or in response to the reception of a further input signal.
In one embodiment of the invention, the transducer 14 is a microphone. The detector 13 is arranged to detect a whistle tone 2 produced by a person 3, or an audio wave 4 that is typically produced by clapping of hands 5. The detector 14 is known per se and needs no further description. It is already used, inter alia, for locating mislaid articles such as key rings which produce a beep signal in response to whistling or clapping of hands. The remote control device 1 may optionally comprise a light sensor 15. The sensor is connected to detector 13 so as to prevent the detector from activating the light source 12 when there is sufficient environmental light. A considerable reduction of battery power consumption is herewith achieved because the keyboard will not be illuminated unintentionally in the daytime.
In another embodiment of the invention, the transducer 14 is an element for receiving a wireless signal 6 which is generated by a signal generator 71 accommodated in the controlled apparatus 7 when a button 72 of said apparatus is pressed. The signal 6 may be an ultrasonic, infrared or radio signal.
Fig.2 shows a cross section of a remote control device in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention. The detector 13 is now arranged to detect kinetic motion applied to the device. In the embodiment shown, the detector comprises two contact plates 131 and 132, perpendicular to each other, and a conducting ball 133 which is withheld from making contact with one of the plates by means of a spring member 134. If the remote control device is subject to substantial acceleration due to, inter alia, shaking, the ball
contacts the plate 131 in spite of the spring force, and the light source is provided with power from a power source 16. It will be appreciated that more sophisticated detectors than the simple mechanical one described above can be used. For example, electromechanical accelerometers as used in wireless PC mouse devices, or acceleration detectors as used in car airbag systems, are nowadays available.
Although the invention described hereinbefore relates to a remote control device for controlling home consumer equipment, it is not restricted thereto. More particularly, a mobile telephone apparatus having a keyboard for controlling an operation center so as to establish a requested telephone connection is also understood to fall under the wording of the appended claims.
In summary, a remote control device is disclosed with a keyboard (10) and a light source (12) for illuminating said keyboard. The device comprises a detector (13) which activates the light source upon reception of an external signal. The external signal may be a specific sound signal such as a whistle tone (2) or clapping of hands (4) . It may also be a wireless signal (6) generated by the controlled appliance (7) when a button (72) of said apparatus is pressed. An optional light sensor (15) may disable the operation of the detector by day.
Claims
1. A remote control device comprising a keyboard and a light source for illuminating said keyboard, characterized in that the device comprises means for detecting an external signal and activating the light source in response to detection of said external signal.
2. A remote control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the external signal is a predetermined sound signal.
3. A remote control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external signal is received from an apparatus controlled by the device.
4. A remote control device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the external signal is kinetic motion applied to the device.
5. A remote control device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a light sensor for detecting the amount of environmental light, the detection means being arranged to activate the light source in response to the amount of environmental light.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP97201182.9 | 1997-04-22 | ||
EP97201182 | 1997-04-22 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1998048394A1 true WO1998048394A1 (en) | 1998-10-29 |
Family
ID=8228230
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB1998/000554 WO1998048394A1 (en) | 1997-04-22 | 1998-04-14 | Remote control apparatus |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
WO (1) | WO1998048394A1 (en) |
Cited By (16)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE20004282U1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2000-05-18 | Schmitz-Werke GmbH + Co, 48282 Emsdetten | Remote control system for a shading system |
EP1050864A1 (en) * | 1999-05-05 | 2000-11-08 | Sagem Sa | System for remote control of apparatus with bidirectional connection |
US6467924B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2002-10-22 | Michael Shipman | Keyboard having illuminated keys |
WO2005045461A1 (en) * | 2003-10-16 | 2005-05-19 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Universal communications, monitoring, tracking, and control system for a healthcare facility |
US6918677B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2005-07-19 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
DE202004016868U1 (en) * | 2004-11-02 | 2006-03-16 | Schwaiger, Klaus | Remote control e.g. for TV receiver, DVD or video recorder etc, has sensor device coupled on output side to control device input |
US7172303B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2007-02-06 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
CN1303502C (en) * | 2003-03-14 | 2007-03-07 | 三星电子株式会社 | Electronic apparatus controller and method based on motion |
US7193535B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2007-03-20 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
US7193536B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2007-03-20 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
US7283066B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2007-10-16 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
CN102346430A (en) * | 2010-07-30 | 2012-02-08 | 鸿富锦精密工业(深圳)有限公司 | Portable electronic device with remote control function |
US8690368B1 (en) | 2005-08-22 | 2014-04-08 | Michael Shipman | Cavity filled lightpipe for illuminating keys of a keyboard |
US8890720B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2014-11-18 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
US10013075B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2018-07-03 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
US11216078B2 (en) | 2005-01-18 | 2022-01-04 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2135536A (en) * | 1982-12-24 | 1984-08-30 | Wobbot International Limited | Sound responsive lighting system and devices incorporating same |
US5183325A (en) * | 1990-10-09 | 1993-02-02 | D. T. Hurdle | Illumination apparatus for remote control device |
EP0683476A1 (en) * | 1994-05-16 | 1995-11-22 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Remote control device for automotive vehicle |
-
1998
- 1998-04-14 WO PCT/IB1998/000554 patent/WO1998048394A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2135536A (en) * | 1982-12-24 | 1984-08-30 | Wobbot International Limited | Sound responsive lighting system and devices incorporating same |
US5183325A (en) * | 1990-10-09 | 1993-02-02 | D. T. Hurdle | Illumination apparatus for remote control device |
EP0683476A1 (en) * | 1994-05-16 | 1995-11-22 | Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. | Remote control device for automotive vehicle |
Cited By (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2793336A1 (en) * | 1999-05-05 | 2000-11-10 | Sagem | TWO-WAY CONNECTION DEVICE SYSTEM |
EP1050864A1 (en) * | 1999-05-05 | 2000-11-08 | Sagem Sa | System for remote control of apparatus with bidirectional connection |
US10942581B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2021-03-09 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
US6467924B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2002-10-22 | Michael Shipman | Keyboard having illuminated keys |
US6918677B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2005-07-19 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
US8890720B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2014-11-18 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
US7172303B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2007-02-06 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
US7193535B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2007-03-20 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
US7193536B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2007-03-20 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
US7283066B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2007-10-16 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
US10013075B2 (en) | 1999-09-15 | 2018-07-03 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
DE20004282U1 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2000-05-18 | Schmitz-Werke GmbH + Co, 48282 Emsdetten | Remote control system for a shading system |
CN1303502C (en) * | 2003-03-14 | 2007-03-07 | 三星电子株式会社 | Electronic apparatus controller and method based on motion |
WO2005045461A1 (en) * | 2003-10-16 | 2005-05-19 | Hill-Rom Services, Inc. | Universal communications, monitoring, tracking, and control system for a healthcare facility |
DE202004016868U1 (en) * | 2004-11-02 | 2006-03-16 | Schwaiger, Klaus | Remote control e.g. for TV receiver, DVD or video recorder etc, has sensor device coupled on output side to control device input |
US11216078B2 (en) | 2005-01-18 | 2022-01-04 | Michael Shipman | Illuminated keyboard |
US8690368B1 (en) | 2005-08-22 | 2014-04-08 | Michael Shipman | Cavity filled lightpipe for illuminating keys of a keyboard |
CN102346430A (en) * | 2010-07-30 | 2012-02-08 | 鸿富锦精密工业(深圳)有限公司 | Portable electronic device with remote control function |
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