GB2360114A

GB2360114A - Ergonomic remote control handset

Info

Publication number: GB2360114A
Application number: GB0002863A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Storbeck
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-02-08
Filing date: 2000-02-08
Publication date: 2001-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 2020-02-08
Also published as: GB0002863D0; GB2360114B

Abstract

An infra-red remote control as used in conjunction with televisions, video machines and music systems, has an ergonomic shape, e.g. a sci-fi laser (Fig. 2), or a replica pistol, shown, employing one dual pressure main switch ("trigger") 1, and one or more auxiliaries 3-7, including one or more tilt switches 3 and 4 (and Fig. 3). These switches are used independently or in conjunction to cause the remote control to emit the required signal. The cowl assembly housing the emitter 8 is able to be adjusted or replaced to reduce the spread of the emitted IR beam (Fig. 4). Plug-ins (e.g. "bullets") can be placed within the remote control or within a carriage that is then placed within the remote control (Fig. 5)., and carry data that is readable electrically, magnetically or optically (as bar codes) by the remote control, causing emission of the required signal, e.g. to a video recorder to program it for timer recording functions.

Description

2360114 New Style Remotes Many household electrical devices,such as

televisions, video recorders and music systems use remote controls. These operate by sending an encoded infra-red waveform signal to a sensor on the device to be controlled. It is to these remote control devices that this invention relates.

Remote controls are common Place items..they comprise of an infra-red emitter,a circuit board incorporating a semiconductor capable of producing the necessary signal a power supply and set of buttons or switches.These minimum components, correctly connected are housed in usually a plastic rectangular box the switches either on the top or top and bottom and the emitter at the f ront.T'h;4s ubiquitous design is unimaginative.

According to the present invention the components of a remote control are encased in an ergonomic housing, one main switch is used.,whi'ci is either a single or ú -o activate the dual pressure swi-'--ch.,with auxiliarys 1_ remote controll thus causing it to emit the required signal.

The ergonomic design of the remote control is such that it comfortably fits into a persons hand.with the main switch easily accessible with either the;index finger or thumb of that hand,decending on the design. The auxiliary sw,,t,--l,-ies are also accessible with the minimum of movement by one or more of the digits of that hand.

The auxiliary switches include one or more tilt switches such that inclining the remote control through a requisIte angle or angles with or wIthout the use of the main switch or other auxiliary switches it is caused to emit the required signal.

Plug-ins which are placed either within the remote control or into a carriage then;into the remote control,carry encoded information which is readable by the semiconducting chip electricallyrelectro magnetically or opto electrically causing the remote control to be able to emit the required signal.

The infra-red emitter is housed at the front of the remote control. closest to the sensor at which it aimed.The emitter is housed in a cowl assembly.The cowl assembly can be set or replaced to narrow the beam from the emitter. either by shielding or -focusir-iz the beam.

I', 4..

Referring to the drawing the two basic erzonomic Ues i zns:

Fig 1 'L"he Replica Pis-t-ol main switch operated by index finger.

Fig 2 The Si-f'i Illaser.main switch operate by thumb.

The main switch is a dual pressure switch.

When full pressure i's a.T-)z,.'Lied to the main switch the remote control emits the correct signal, to switch t-he device (television video machine or music system) on or or from stand by to on or on to stand by.

By using less pressure on the main switch the remote controll emits the signal to change the channel that the device is receiving.

By combining the use of the main switch with one or more of the auxiliary switches or using one or more of the auxiliary switches. different command signals are emitted from the remote control.

The tilt switches are mounted inside the casing of the remote control so that when it is inclined through a requisite angle the switch is made.Fig 3.

Inclining the remote control is achieved by the operator twisting their wrist,left or right.The aim of the remote control at the sensor is not impaired by this action.

The cowl assembly reduces the sPread of the infra-red beam from the remote control.so that it must be aimed accurately at the sensor of the device.Fig 4.

Plug-ins carry data about channelstimes and dates for programming a video recorder to record television programs using a timer facility on the video recorder. A"he plug-ins are loaded into the remote control like bullets.Fig 5.

With reference to fig 6. The shape of the remote control and Positioning of the main switch 1, auxiliary switches 3..4,,5.6..7. and the emitter 8.. are important features.The other internal components are Positioned within the remote control accordinc to spacial requirements.

-j With the switches llabeled as table below. numbers relating to Fig 6.

For ease of explanation a basic set-up is outlined.. this is not necessarily the switch configuration.

Main switch full pressure: MF Main switch light pressure: M Tilt switch Right: Tr Tilt switch T e't: Tl J. 4 Auxilliarv switches: S I: S2 1.

i 2 4 6 Switches. F ig 6. Command.

MF Stand by > On: On > Stand by M 2 Channel Up M+Tr 2+3 Play M+TI, 2+4 stop M+Tr+SI 2+3+5 Forward wind M+Ti+Sel 2+4+5 Rewind M+Tr+S72 2 + '11.11 + 6 Record M+Ti+S2 2+4+6 Pause S1 5 Volume Up S2 6 Volume Down For exam-Die: - ExamDle 1 Pressing M (2) the main switch to its first connection (light pressure) and inclining the remote control to the riEht throu--h the requisite an;a-Le..so that 'II-r (3) one of tl..-ie internally mountell tilt switch is made,; the remote control transmits the PLAY Command.

ExamDle 2 Pressing M (2) the main switch (setting 11. 1 ight pressure) aswel 1 as the auxi iary switch 112 (6) whilst inclining the remote control to the lleL"t throuch the recuisite angle so that Tl (4) one of the internal tilt switches is made,:

the remote control transmits the PAUSE Command.

k-(-.

CLA TMS 1 An infra-red remote contol for use with televisions. video machines and, ' music systems..which is housed in an ergonomic casinz.

Claims

A remote control as claimed in Claim I which cesi--ned to resemble a

Pistol.

A remote control as claimed in Claim 1 which is designed to resemble a ScFi llazer.

4 A remote control as claimed in Clialm i or Claim 2, or CIaim 3, whereIn one main switch is used to activate the remote control to emit a reQuired signal.

A remote control as claimed in Clairn 4..wherein the main switch is dual Pressure.

6 A remote control as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim wherein auxiliary switches are used independantly or in coniunction with the main switch allowing different signals to be emitted.

7 A remote control as claimed in any preceding claim employing one or more tilt switch.

a A remote control as claimed in any Preceding claim usins a shield or focusing device to narrow the spread of the emitted infra-red beam.This cowl assembly is either a physical shield., blocking some of the beam or a magnetic or electro magnetic focus device.bending and focusing the beam.

9 A remote control as claimed in anv preceding claim wherein plug-ins carry data to program a video machine for timer recording, functions.

lo A remote controal o ergonomic shape substantialiv as herein wll, reze-rence to Figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawings.

is.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. An infra-redrernote control foruse with televisions, video machines and music systems, which is housed in an ergonomic casing.
2. A remote control as claimed in Claim 1 which is designed to resemble a pistol.
3. A remote control as claimed in Claim 1 which is designed to resemble a Se-Fi lazer.
4. A remote control as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3, wherein one main switch is used to activate the remote control to emit the required signal. The switch is a high quality switch, capable of several make/break, makelbreak actions per second. this allows the operator to input a digital code through a time period, similar to Morse, which causes the remote control to emit the required signal.
5. A remote control as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the main switch is dual pressure.
6. A remote control as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5, wherein auxiliary switches are used independently or in conjunction with the main switch allowing different signals to be emitted.
7. A remote control as claimed in any preceding claim employing one or more tilt switch.
8. A remote control as claimed in any preceding claim using a shield or focusing device to narrow the spread of the emitted infra-red beam. This cowl assembly is either a physical shield, blocking some of the beam or a magnetic or electro-magnetic focus device, bending and focusing the beam. This causes a predetermined accuracy level to be employed whilst aiming at the sensor on the item to be controlled. The cowl device can also be pre-set to deflect the beam, so that from predetermined positions the remote control is "aimed" at the centre of the television screen but the narrowed displacedbearn's footprint is only covering the sensor, which will be on the control panel of the television or on a different device eg: a video player.
9. A remote control as claimed in any preceding claim wherein plug-ins carry data to program a video machine for timer recording functions.
10. A remote control of ergonomic shape substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-6 of the accompanying drawings.