GB2410820A

GB2410820A - Remote control lock-out

Info

Publication number: GB2410820A
Application number: GB0402584A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Russell John Haines
Original assignee: Toshiba Research Europe Ltd
Current assignee: Toshiba Europe Ltd
Priority date: 2004-02-05
Filing date: 2004-02-05
Publication date: 2005-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2024-02-05
Also published as: GB2410820B; GB0402584D0

Abstract

A remote control device for controlling home entertainment equipment has means 2 for entering commands, means 3 for communicating with the equipment to transmit the commands 4, and means 7 for disabling the device such that it cannot transmit commands to the equipment.

Description

24 1 0820 M&C Folio: GBP88808 Document: 979293

REMOTE CONTROL LOCK-OUT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to remote control devices for home entertainment equipment such as televisions for example.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Remote control devices for home entertainment equipment such as televisions, video's and stereo's are popular because a user of the home entertainment equipment will typically need to be positioned distant from the equipment in order to enjoy it properly.

Without the remote control device, this would require trips to the home entertainment equipment in order to control it as desired. Typically such remote control devices utilise an infra-red beam to communicate with the home entertainment equipment, although other options exist including wireless or radio frequency links.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms, the present invention provides a remote control device having a lock out function which disables operation of the device such that it is no longer able to communicate or issue commands to a home entertainment equipment that it would otherwise control. Thus for example all of the control command interfaces (except the lock out function) on the remote control are disabled such that they no longer control operation of the home entertainment equipment.

The lock out function may be implemented in a number of ways, for example using an on/off switch to isolate the power source, for example the batteries, of the device. In another embodiment a mechanical slider interrupts the infra-red beam, and in yet another embodiment a particular combination of push buttons or keys can be used to disable the device.

By disabling the device, inadvertent or unwanted commands instigated by young children will not affect the home entertainment equipment. In some embodiments, the disabling Unction is implemented by isolating the battery, which has the further advantage of avoiding battery drain of the remote controller if key pressing continues despite its lack of effect on the entertainment equipment. Such an arrangement is particularly useful for television equipment where children may be constantly attempting to change the channel.

In particular in one aspect there is provided a remote control device for controlling home entertainment equipment and comprising means for entering commands to control said equipment, for example push buttons or keys on the remote control device. Means for communicating with the equipment in order to transmit the commands, for example a transmitter and infra-red beam. In addition, means for disabling the communication means, for example a mechanical slider operable to block the infra red transmitter; a power supply switch for isolating the batteries for example; or a key code which disables the device.

This remote control device arrangement prevents or at least minimises unwanted use of the remote control device, and in particular its control of the home entertainment equipment. Thus users can derive uninterrupted pleasure from their home entertainment equipment.

Home entertainment equipment is a generic term intended to cover various visual and sound reproduction systems especially suitable for home or indoor use but not so limited. Thus the entertainment equipment may also be suitable for around the home (for example pool-side), in-vehicle (car or boat for example) or in- office applications.

Examples of entertainment equipment include a television set, a set top box for the television set, a video player/recorder, a DVD player/recorder, a PVR "personal video recorder" (with internal storage, typically on a hard disk at the current time), a personal computer (used for streaming content and/or browsing the World Wide Web for example), a hi-fi or stereo music system, and any speakers or headphones.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the following drawings, by way of example only and without intending to be limiting, in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment remote control device; and Figure 2 shows a second embodiment remote control device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to Figure 1, a first embodiment remote control device is shown for controlling home entertainment equipment such as a television set. The device 1 comprises means for entering commands such as keys or push buttons 2. These commands are then converted into signals which are transmitted to the home entertainment equipment in order to control it. The device 1 comprises an infra red transmitter 3, although alternative means for communicating with the home entertainment equipment could be used; for example wireless links. The transmitter 3 transmits an infra red signal 4 which is received and processed by the home entertainment equipment in order to control its operation. Examples of user commands might be volume changes, channel changes, picture adjustments and screen based menu driven controls. The device 1 also comprises batteries 5, although some other alternative power supply could be used.

In addition the device 1 comprises an on-off switch 6 which isolates the batteries 5 from the rest of the device 1. The switch may alternatively be used to isolate other parts of the device 1, for example the infra red transmitter 3 or the keys 2 in order to disable the device's remote control function. Preferably the switch 6 is slightly or fully recessed and mechanically stiff in order to make it difficult for a small child to operate.

In operation, when the disabling switch 6 is set to the opposition, the device 1 is disabled such that operating the keys 2 does not activate the infra red transmitter 3 to signal the home entertainment equipment. The disable switch itself is difficult for a small child to operate and therefore allows for uninterrupted viewing in the case of a television home entertainment equipment.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment remote control device in which common features have been labelled the same as for Figure 1. As with the first embodiment, the device of the second embodiment comprises keys or push buttons 2 and some means of communicating with the home entertainment equipment, in this case an infra red transmitter 3 which transmits an infra red control signal 4. In addition, the device 10 comprises a mechanical slider 7 which is manually operable to slide over the infra red transmitter 3. In this position, the infra red signal 4 is blocked, and not received by the home entertainment equipment, thus disabling effective operation of the device 10.

Whilst a slider 7 has been shown, alternative arrangements for interrupting the signal 4 could alternatively be used, for example those based on hinges.

In a further alternative, a slider may alternatively be used to cover the keys 2 in order to prevent their operation.

In a third embodiment (not shown), a combination of key presses is recognised by the device as a locking and unlocking sequence. Thus when the device is locked, none of the keys will activate transmission of a control signal to the home entertainment equipment. This will require the unlocking code first to be entered using the keys before the device will issue any control commands to the home entertainment equipment via its communication means. Various methods of achieving this are available to those skilled in the art.

Various other disabling means may also now become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Such means will disable operation of the remote control device in some way such that it cannot issue commands to the home entertainment equipment.

Whilst the embodiments have been described with respect to infra red transmitters, an alternative means of communicating with the home entertainment equipment is possible, for example wireless control signals, including the remote control device as part of a wireless local area network. Some remote control devices may even be coupled to their respective equipment by cable. Also other EM frequencies may be used, for example a low-powered laser rather than infra red which would give much higher data throughput forthe sending of complex commands.

Similarly, the means for entering commands need not be restricted to keys 2, but may include dials, jog controls, or even voice activation. Biometrics sensors may also be a possibility in the future.

The invention has been described with respect to embodiments thereof. Alterations or modifications obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be incorporated within the scope hereof.

Claims

1. A remote control device for controlling home entertainment equipment and comprising: means for entering commands to control said equipment; means for communicating with said equipment in order to transmit said commands; and means for disabling said device such that it cannot transmit said commands to said equipment.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein said device disabling means comprises means for disabling said communications means.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the communications means comprises an infra red transmitter and said disabling means comprises a mechanical slider operable to block the transmitter.

4. Equipment according to claim 3 and comprising one or more of the following group: a television set; a video recorder or player; a DVD recorder or player; a set-top box; a sound reproduction system; a PVR; a personal computer adapted for home entertainment.

4. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a power supply and wherein the disabling means comprises means for isolating said power supply.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein said power supply isolating means comprises a mechanically operable switch.

6. A device according to any one preceding claim wherein the means for entering commands comprises a plurality of push-buttons.

7. A device according to claim 1 or 6 wherein said disabling means comprises means for determining a lock command entered into said command entering means and disabling said device in response.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the lock command is a sequence of push- button operations.

9. Home entertainment equipment comprising a remote control device according to any one preceding claim.

10. Equipment according to claim 9 and comprising one or more of the following group: a television set; a video recorder or player; a DVD recorder or player; a set-top box; a sound reproduction system; a PVR; a personal computer adapted for home entertainment.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A remote control device for controlling home entertainment equipment and comprising: means for entering commands to control said equipment; an infrared transmitter for communicating with said equipment in order to transmit said commands; and any one of: i. a mechanical slider, and; ii. a mechanical hinge, operable to block the transmitter such that it cannot transmit said commands to said equipment.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the means for entering commands comprises a plurality of push-buttons.

3. Home entertainment equipment comprising a remote control device according to Claim 1 or 2.