MXPA06007874A - Hand-held remote control system - Google Patents

Abstract

An infrared hand-held remote control for handling a single or plural devices such as lights, shades, drapes and the like contains ergonomically selected and placed control buttons that are self-describing and easy to use. It allows explicit, easy-to-use control of different functions by providing for each function to be controlled vertically disposed discrete buttons that provide"all or nothing"control of some physical feature and similar, vertically disposed and horizontally aligned"adjust"buttons that allow for fine and continuous control of the physical quantities between the extremes or limits of the discrete button functions. Successive groups of buttons provide for the control of different appliances or devices, where each group of buttons is identified by easy to comprehend icon or alphabetic representations. A preset button is also provided for setting and recalling an operational preset value for the device(s) from memory.

Description

PORTABLE REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to remote controls for apparatus such as lights, blinds, etc., and more particularly relates to ergonomically improved remote controls that are operable with one or several or a variety of apparatuses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Remote controls for apparatuses are everywhere. Many existing remotes incorporate and provide a great array of buttons, functions and features that present a discouraging challenge to a new user, the more in this era where we are constantly exposed to a very wide variety of new electronic devices and we need to master and learn them all . Remote controls, such as those referred to in US Application No. 10 / 142,146, may be provided for home and office appliances such as lights, window blinds and the like, in a particularly ergonomic manner. That is, such remote controls allow the domination of functionality without having to classify complex and extensive manuals or instruction books or the investment of valuable time to visually study the remote control. The basic construction of the remote controls, which include remote controls that operate in an infrared electromagnetic spectrum are known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent No. 5,987,205 entitled "Infrared Energy Transmitter and Radiation Receptor Member" which was issued to the assignee of the present invention, discloses preferred embodiments of circuits and other features of a remote control. The content of the aforementioned US Patent No. 5,987,205 is incorporated herein by reference. An apparatus that can be controlled with the portable infrared remote control of the present invention is described in the Assignee's US Patent No. 5,467,266 and US Patent No. 5,671,387 and the contents of these two patents are incorporated herein by reference as well.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to improve an ergonomic portable remote control, such as the remote control referred to in the North American Application S. N. 10 / 142,146. Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide an ergonomic portable remote control with a preset (ie, favorite) functionality for at least one device to be controlled. In this way, an operator of the remote control can store a desired or favorite setting of the device in a memory and then recall the preset memory setting at a subsequent time. For example, if the remote control is operable to control the lighting setting of a light, the remote control may allow the operator to store a desired lighting setting in the memory and then recall the lighting setting stored at a subsequent time. whenever you want . To remember the preset memory setting; the operator, for example, can press a special key, such as a preset key. In this way, for example, if the operator wishes to recall the preset for the lighting of the lights, he can press the preset button to remember the setting. To store a new preset for the device to be controlled, the operator can press and hold the "preset" button for a time exceeding a predetermined threshold time, such as two seconds. In this way, the current setting for the device can be stored as the preset (ie, favorite) setting. Thus, for example, to store the current lighting setting of the lights in the preset setting, the operator can press and hold the "preset" button for a time exceeding, for example, two seconds. The present invention is represented in an exemplary embodiment in which a control system is provided to establish a variable physical property of a structure for an operational adjustment between a maximum adjustment and a minimum adjustment. The system includes a control device that has first, second, third, fourth buttons and at least one preset button; and a receiving arrangement communicatively coupled to the control device and structure. The reception arrangement includes a memory for storing at least one preset of the variable physical property, and each of the buttons of the control device is operable to cause a transmission of a respectively assigned signal from the control device to the control arrangement. reception when pressed. The reception arrangement is operable to set the operational adjustment of the variable physical property to the maximum setting when the control device transmits the signal assigned to the first button, to set the operational adjustment of the variable physical property to the minimum setting when the control device transmits the signal assigned to the second button, increase the operational adjustment of the variable physical property to the maximum setting when the control device transmits the signal assigned to the third button, decrease the operational adjustment of the variable physical property to the minimum setting when the device control transmit the signal assigned to the fourth button, to set the operational adjustment of the variable physical property to the preset stored in the memory if the preset button is pressed for a time less than a predetermined threshold time, and to store the operational adjustment of the property Variable physics in the memory if the preset button is pressed for a time exceeding the threshold time. The control device can be a hand-held portable unit with an infrared coupling system for coupling the control device to the control input and the control elements are preferably arranged on the surface of the portable hand-held unit for manual operation by a user. The underlying electronics can be configured such that only one of the first, second, third and fourth control elements can be operated individually at any time to initiate the adjustment of the variable property. The control elements can be switching elements that can be pressed. At least one second structure can be provided separately from the first structure mentioned. It has a second respective simple variable property, and fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth control elements that are identical to the first, second, third and fourth control elements, respectively, to control the variable property of the second structure in a process identical to control of the first variable structure mentioned. The first structure can be a lamp and the variable property, its production of luminosity. The second structure can be a cover or blind or similar of motor operated window, and its variable property can be its opening amount. Preferably, the first and third control elements are laterally adjacent to each other and the second and fourth control elements are laterally adjacent to each other. The first control element is arranged vertically on the second control element, whereby the operation of the control elements is equally discernible to a user of the placements of the control elements. Preferably, the remote control device can operate a single structure or apparatus, or several different structures or apparatuses. The control device can also be configured with preset buttons that allow the control device to establish the physical property of a location or value between the maximum setting and the minimum setting. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a portable infrared remote control of the prior art. The Figure shows an exemplary remote control having a preset button according to the present invention. Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of the portable remote control according to the present invention. Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show different appearances of the button for the "adjustment" buttons of the device of Figure 2 and various label or legend options for them. Figure 3 shows additional button shapes and / or labels for the remote control. Figure 3A shows graphic labels with the portable device of Figure 2. Figure 3B shows an additional embodiment of the portable remote control of the present invention which can be operated to control a variety of appliances. Figure 4 shows a further embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an operational sequence for operating and programming a preset according to the present invention. Figures 6A and 6B show another embodiment of the present invention that provides fully active control and completely inactive control along with preset controls for a plurality of apparatuses. Figure 6C shows a further embodiment of the invention involving different ergonomically selected button placements. Figures 7 and 8 are block diagrams showing the main circuit and the software sections of the portable remote control of the present invention. Figures 9A-F show several views of the exemplary remote control of Figure 7. Figure 10 shows a functional block diagram of the remote control of Figure 7. Figure 11 shows a block diagram of an exemplary reception arrangement in accordance with the present invention. Figure 12 is a block diagram showing an operational sequence of the remote control of Figure 7. Figure 13 is a block diagram showing an operational sequence of the receiving arrangement of Figure 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES With reference to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates an infrared portable remote control 10 of the prior art which is manufactured and sold by the assignee of the present invention. It has two large buttons 26a and 26b arranged vertically on the left side of the control. These buttons 26a and 26b comprise active and inactive controls for a light or open and close commands for a shutter. Immediately to the right of these buttons, a vertically disposed sway button 28 is located. This button can "flip" back and forth to cause the light to illuminate or darken or the blinds to open or close in a continuous manner between the two ends which is controlled by the on / off buttons 26a and 26b (or open and close buttons). With reference to Figure 2, there is shown an ergonomic set of button controls for an infrared portable remote control of another conventional form such as control 10 of Figure 1. In Figure 2, a button 14 other than "open" and a corresponding "close" button 16 is vertically aligned, and these discrete buttons, which provide "full limit" control of a certain variable physical characteristic, are accompanied by a pair of horizontally adjacent and vertically aligned "fit" buttons 20 and 22. . A preset button 36 is also provided to select one or more preset values, as described more fully in the following. In operation, the open and close buttons 14, 16 operate to establish a controllable device at the maximum and minimum "full limit" settings, respectively. For example, if the open and close buttons 14, 16 control the curtains, the open button 14 can operate to fully open the curtains, while the closing button 16 can operate to completely close the curtains. Figure 3A shows a variety of useful icons such as 30a for lights, 30b for roller blinds, 30c and 30d for draperies and 30e for Roman blinds. These icons can be incorporated into the remote control 10 shown in Figure 3B which is provided to control three apparatus including curtains, roller shutters and lights. In this way, the icons 30c, 30b and 30a are placed adjacent to the open and close buttons 14 and 16 and the attached adjustment buttons 20 and 22. A corresponding icon is located adjacent to the opening and closing buttons 14a and 16a as well as the adjustment buttons 20e and 22e for the curtains. The remote control of Figure 3B also provides buttons 14b and 16b and accompanying adjustment buttons to control the lights. In all cases the on / off buttons are vertically aligned and arranged symmetrically in relation to buttons of similar adjustment and vertically aligned. The button arrangement for the portable control shown in Figure 4 retains the vertical and horizontal alignment of the adjustment buttons 20, 22 but replaces the double buttons 14, 16 of the embodiment of Figure 3B with a single button 34 which is designs (together with the electronics within the remote control 10) to provide alternate on / off or open and close action commands for light, blind, etc. In addition, the control of Figure 4 provides at least one of the apparatuses that is controlled by a "preset" button 36 which, when activated, automatically selects a particular adjustment position, for example, a light production level or roll blind position, etc. Figures 6A-6D show additional ergonomic button arrangements for portable infrared remote controls, including, in Figure 6A, three button groups 46, 48 and 50, for controlling, respectively, lights, roller shutters and curtains, including Within each of the groups a respective preset button 36, 37 and 39 replaces the previously described "adjustment" buttons. By pressing any of these preset buttons 36, 37, 39, the light or shade assumes a preset production level or "preset" position of the roller blind and curtain. The preset buttons 36, 37, 39 can be preset at the factory for particular settings or can be programmable such as by pressing them long enough, for example, three seconds or more, so the underlying electronics can then begin to continuously adjust the level of particular light or the position of the roller, etc., and when the preset button is released, the "preset" position is stored. The preset buttons 36, 37, 39 may also have at least one respective default setting, which may be programmed by the factory. For example, the preset button 36 for light control may have a default setting that causes the lights to illuminate at 25% of maximum illumination. The variation presented in the embodiment of Figure 6B provides a pair of preset buttons 37a and 37b for roller blinds of a control of Figure 6A to allow selection of two separate preset positions and further provides buttons 51a and 51b for "selection". "for group 50 of curtain buttons of Figure 6A. These buttons 51a, 51b allow an operator to select which window curtains are selected to be controlled by the remote control. Still another button arrangement is shown in Figure 6C in which the on / off and open / close buttons are still vertically aligned but are not vertically separated now by the location of the preset buttons in vertical alignment therewith, as it is indicated by buttons 39, 37 and 36c, 36d and 36e preset. The buttons 36c, 36d and 36e provide several pre-set positions for the lights so that one can easily select between three preset positions without having to adjust or reprogram the preset buttons. The operation of the remote control 10 is clarified by the circuit and software block diagram of Figures 7 and 8. In Figure 7, the system 70 includes a microcontroller 72 and other electronic components that are energized by a power supply 74, for example, a battery. A reset circuit 76 is coupled to the microcontroller and a ceramic resonator 78 provides the basic clock signal that controls the sequential steps of the computer instructions executed within the microcontroller 72. For input / output, the button array block 80 comprises the circuitry that detects and communicates to the microcontroller 72 which buttons have been pressed and / or which indicators on the face of the control 10 need to be illuminated. Current activation signals for the LED or other display devices are provided to the LED activation circuit 82. As shown in Figure 8, the software 84 implements an algorithm that executes a routine of driving the system in block 86 when the device first turns on and proceeds to perform the initialization of several variables in step 88. The renewal of the positions of the buttons and other functions within the system 70 is carried out by the software in block 90. The button reader 92 constantly carries the various buttons as part of the overall process 84, observing which buttons have been pressed and stored. those settings in a table or register 94. The neuralgic center of the overall process at 96 selects one of a plurality of functions such as those provided in the encoder block 98, the button group management block 100, the transmitter block 102. and the inactivation manager 104 that manages energy saving. Based on the determination in the decision block 104a, when the inactivation time has been determined to have been executed, the activation routine 110 is invoked and the process is then repeated as indicated. If the inactivation time has not been executed, then the decision block software 106 inquires whether the 1-bit time is executed and proceeds to renew the control program, so that the LEDs have proper stroboscopy to obtain the visibility of deployment adequate Referring now to Figure 5, there is an operational sequence 500 for operating and programming a preset according to the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the remote control 700 may include more than one preset respectively assigned to more than one device to be controlled. However, for brevity, only the operation of the preset button 36 for light control will be described.

To begin the sequence, an operator presses the preset button 36 which causes the operational sequence 500 to advance from step 505 to step 510. In step 510, an internal timer inside the infrared portable remote control is reset and, after , start. In step 515, it is checked whether the chronometer has exceeded a predetermined threshold value, for example, two seconds. If not, it is checked whether the preset button 36 is still pressed in step 520. If so, the operational sequence is reversed to step 515 to check if the timer has exceeded the predetermined threshold value. If not, the sequence 500 proceeds to step 525, in which the lights are set to a lighting setting defined by the preset level for control of the light stored in a memory. Then, the internal timer stops at step 530, with sequence 500 ending at step 535 terminated. If it is determined that the internal timer has exceeded the predetermined threshold in step 515, the operational sequence 500 proceeds to step 540, in which the current illumination value of the lights is stored in the memory as the preset level for the control of the light. The memory can reside in any circuit communicatively coupled to the remote control system. For example, the memory may reside in the remote control itself and / or in the receiving unit of the remote control. Then, the sequence 500 proceeds to step 545, in which a confirmation signal is communicated to the operator to inform that a new preset for light control has been stored. The internal timer then stops at step 530, and sequence 500 ends at completed stage 535. The confirmation signal communicated to the operator may comprise any observable characteristic capable of informing the operator that a new preset for light control has been stored, and the confirmation signal may be generated by the infrared remote control or by any other device communicatively coupled to the infrared remote control. For example, the confirmation signal may comprise an audible "buzz" produced by the infrared portable remote control or by the infrared remote control receiver. Or, for example, the confirmation signal may comprise a flash of light produced by a light emitting element (for example, a light bulb, an LED, a backlight by LED illuminating the preset button itself, etc.) in the portable infrared remote control and / or infrared remote control receiver. In a preferable embodiment, the confirmation signal is communicated by the device to which the pre-set value is assigned. For example, with respect to the preset button 36 for light control, the confirmation signal can be communicated to the operator by the lights themselves. For example, to confirm that a new preset value for light control has been stored, the infrared remote control may cause the lights to flash in succession, for example, to flash in rapid succession. 0 for example, to confirm that a new preset 37 for the control of the blinds has been stored, the infrared remote control can cause the blinds to rise and fall quickly before settling at the preset height. 0 for example, to confirm that a new preset 39 for controlling the curtains has been stored, the infrared remote control can cause the curtains to open and close quickly before setting the desired preset. Referring now to Figure la, an exemplary infrared remote control 700 operable to control the lights and to establish and / or recall at least one preset setting assigned to the lights, in accordance with the present invention, is observed. The remote control 700 includes an infrared emitter 720 and two large buttons 705a, 705b arranged vertically on the left side of the control. The buttons 705a, 705b comprise on-off controls for a light. Immediately to the right of the buttons 705a, 705b, there is a set of buttons 710a, 710b vertically arranged which can be pressed to cause the light to be illuminated or darkened in a continuous manner between the two ends which are controlled by the buttons 705a, 705b on and off (or the open and close buttons). The remote control 700 is also provided with a preset button 715 to set and / or recall a preset value for memory light control, as described more fully in the above with respect to the operational sequence 500 of the Figure 5. Preferably, the preset button 715 is colored in marked contrast to the colors used for the remaining buttons and the remote control housing. For example, the preset button 715 may be bright orange. Figures 9a-9f show several views of the remote control 700 of Figure la. It should be appreciated that, although the Figure illustrates an exemplary remote control having a simple preset control for lights, the remote control 700 may control more than one device, and may have a separate preset control assigned to each device to be controlled. For example, remote control 700 may have inputs to control lights, blinds, and curtains, with separate preset controls that are assigned to each one respectively. Referring now to Figure 10, a functional block diagram 1000 of remote control 700 of Figures 7 and 9 is seen. Remote control 700 includes a processing arrangement 1005 communicatively and electrically coupled to buttons 705a, 705b, 710a, 710b, 715, a transmitting arrangement 1010 communicatively and electrically coupled to the processing arrangement 1005, a power supply 1015 for distributing electrical power to the processing arrangement 1005 and the transmitter arrangement 1010, and a power source 1020 to provide the electrical energy distributed by the 1015 power supply. The processing arrangement 1005 may include any operable circuitry for processing the signals communicated by buttons 705a, 705b, 710a, 710b, 715 to perform a desired operation of the remote control. For example, the processing arrangement 1005 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), discrete logic components, and / or any combination of these electrical components. In operation, the processing arrangement 1005 formats the signals reported by the buttons 705a, 705b, 710a, 710b, 715 in a pre-transmission signal 1025 for communication to the transmission arrangement 1010. The transmission arrangement 1010 may include any operable circuitry for converting the pre-transmission signal 1025 into a transmission signal 1030 suitable for communication to a remote control receiving unit. For example, if the remote control 700 is an infrared remote control, the transmitter arrangement 1010 may include an infrared LED 720 and attached circuitry configured to communicate the transmission signal 1030 to a remote control receiving unit having an infrared receiver. Or for example, if the remote control 700 is an RF remote control, the transmitter arrangement 1010 may include an RF antenna (not shown) and attached circuitry configured to communicate the transmission signal 1030 to a remote control receiving unit that It has a radio frequency receiver. The transmit signal 1030 is communicated to the remote control receiving unit via a medium (e.g., air, space, etc.), as more fully described in the following. Referring now to Figure 12, there is shown an operational sequence for the operation of the portable remote control 700 to control a device, for example, lights. In step 1205, the processing arrangement 1005 checks whether any of the buttons 705a, 705b, 710a, 710b, 715 has been pressed. If not, the remote control 700 remains in step 1205 until a button pressure is detected. Once detected, the operational sequence 1200 proceeds to step 1210, in which the processing arrangement 1005 determines which of the buttons 705a, 705b, 710a, 710b, 715 has been pressed. Then, in step 1215, the processing arrangement formats and generates a single pre-transmission signal 1025 assigned to the button detected as pressed in step 1210. The transmitter arrangement 1010 then converts the pre-transmission signal 1025 into the signal 1030 of transmission for transmission to a remote control receiver and returns again to step 1205 to wait for the next button pressure. Referring now to Figure 11, there is shown a functional block diagram of an exemplary remote control receiver 1105 in accordance with the present invention. The remote control receiver 1105 includes a signal receiving unit 1105, a receiver processing arrangement 1110 communicatively and electrically coupled to the signal receiver unit 1105, a memory unit 1140 communicatively and electrically coupled to the processing arrangement 1110. , attenuation circuitry 1115 communicatively and electrically coupled to the processing arrangement 1110, a power supply 1120 for providing electrical power to the signal receiving unit 1105, the receiver processing arrangement 1110, and attenuation circuitry 1115 and a source 1125 power (eg, a voltage line provided by a structure in which the receiver 1105 is accommodated) to provide the electrical power provided by the power supply 1120. The power source 1125 can also be connected directly to the attenuation circuitry 1115, as shown in Figure 11. It should be appreciated that, although Figure 11 shows a functional block diagram for a remote control receiver 1105 configured to control the lights through the attenuation circuitry 1115, the remote control receiver 1105 may include circuitry configured to control other devices. For example, the remote control receiver 1105 may include circuitry for controlling blinds, curtains, windows, doors, etc. The signal reception unit 1105 includes any circuitry operable to receive the transmission signal 1030 of the remote control 700 and convert it into the reception signal 1130 for communication to the receiver processing arrangement 1110. If the remote control receiver 1105 is operable to receive an infrared signal from the remote control 700, for example, the signal receiving unit 1105 may include an infrared receiving diode and attached circuitry. Or for example, if the remote control receiver 1105 is operable to receive an RF signal from the remote control 700, the signal reception unit 1105 may include an RF reception antenna (not shown) and attached circuitry. The receiver processing arrangement 1110 may include any operable circuitry for processing the reception signal 1130 communicated by the signal reception unit 1105. For example, the processing arrangement 1110 may include a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), discrete logic components, and / or any combination of these electrical components. In operation, the receiver processing arrangement 1110 communicates an attenuation signal 1135 to the attenuation circuitry 1115 in accordance with the lighting information contained in the transmission signal 1030. The attenuation circuitry 1115 includes all operable circuitry to cause the lights to illuminate at a level defined by the attenuation signal 1135 communicated by the receiver processing arrangement 1110. For this purpose, the attenuation circuitry 1115 may include phase control attenuation circuitry and / or stabilizer control circuitry if the attenuating lights are controlled by an external stabilizer. Referring now to Figure 13, an operational sequence for the operation of remote control receiver 1105 is seen. In step 1305, the signal reception unit checks whether a transmission signal 1030 has been received from the remote control 700. If not, the remote control receiver 1105 remains in step 1305 until a transmission signal 1030 is detected. Once detected, the operational sequence 1300 proceeds to step 1310, in which the receiver processing arrangement 1110 processes the received signal 1130 to determine which transmission signal 1030 was transmitted by the remote control 700. Then, in step 1215, the receiver processing arrangement 1110 suitably illuminates the lights according to the transmission signal 1030 by communicating an appropriate attenuation signal to the attenuation circuitry 1115. For example, if the reception signal 1130 indicates that the maximum level button 705a was pressed, the receiver processing arrangement 1110 causes the lights to light at maximum illumination. For example, if the reception signal 1130 indicates that the minimum level button 705b was pressed, the receiver processing arrangement 1110 will cause the lights to illuminate at the minimum illumination. 0 for example, if the reception signal 1130 indicates that the preset button 715 was pressed, the receiver processing arrangement 1110 will perform the operational sequence described in the above with respect to Figure 5. In any case, the receiver 1105 of Remote control can store the current level of illumination in memory 1140 in case of a work cycle or power outage. In this way, the remote control receiver 1105 can remember the last lighting setting once the power is restored. The above description of various devices and properties or parameters to be controlled by the remote control of the present invention can be extended to a virtually unlimited list of other devices and parameters. In this way, the remote control of the present invention is intended to be applicable to such devices as audio / video equipment, projection screens, motorized skylights, various doors, for example garage doors, thermal and cooling apparatus, cooking, and the like. The parameters or variables of these apparatuses include variables such as temperature, heating capacity, light, sound, humidity, ventilation and other electrical and mechanical properties such as, for example, torque, pressure, force, power, energy, speed, etc. According to the additional concept illustrated in Figure 3, the various control buttons need not be square or rectangular in shape. They can be conformed to allow an immediate association with the device that is controlled. In this way, the buttons for controlling a light can be shaped to carry the image of a light fixture, a button for a roller blind can be in the form of a roll blind symbol, etc. These forms include forms 31a and 31b for "light off" and "light on", respectively; 31c and 31d for "shutter down" and "shutter up", respectively; 3le and 31f for "Roman blind below" and "Roman blind above", respectively; and 31g and 31h for "curtain closure" and "curtain opening", respectively. Alternatively, the shapes 31a-31h can be used as labels on buttons of different form. Thus, as described above, according to the various embodiments of the present invention, the invention is directed to a portable remote control that includes at least the following features and functionalities. The device is a portable remote control for controlling at least two types of device selected from a group including lights, roller blinds, curtains and any of the devices listed in the above or even others. The device includes a plurality of buttons in orderly arrangement, with all the buttons related to a single type of device grouped together, within each group of device type organized as a first pair of nearby operable buttons to cause the device type associated to one of two extreme states, and a second pair of adjacent buttons operable to cause the associated device type to go to an intermediate state of two extreme states. The control device can be a portable multi-device type remote control with all the buttons associated with a single type of device grouped together with each group including a pair of rough adjustment buttons and a pair of fine adjustment buttons. This type of generic multiple device can be configured with each pair of nearby buttons that are different in size from the other pair of nearby buttons within each group of device type buttons. The relative size of each pair of buttons can be related to the magnitude of the change of the particular pair of buttons that it is able to control. Or the shape of the buttons in the device type group can be the same and relate to the type of device. Or the shape of each device type group can be different from the forms of all the other device type groups. The shape of each button within each device type group can be different and related to the function performed by that button. Functionally corresponding buttons in different device type groups can have the same shape. And the shape of a button can be a visual representation of the final result achieved by the activation of the button. The various features observed in the foregoing can be selected for any particular implementation of the remote control of the present invention by selecting features to involve a particular remote control that has a specific selection of features and functionalities and appearance. Those functionalities and features also include each pair of close buttons that are vertically separated from each other and each pair of neighboring buttons that are horizontally separated from each other and / or each pair of neighboring buttons that are axially separated from each other, and the pair of buttons inside. of each group of device type that are axially separated from the other pair of buttons proximate orthogonally to the first pair. The buttons can also be differentiated based on their functionality which is different as indicated by the color of the button, texture, material, tactile sensation and the like. The remote control can make each button provide a single function different from all the other functions within each group of devices. Similarly, the buttons may have labels formed directly on or adjacent to them which are different from all labels associated with other buttons within each group. Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore preferred that the present invention be limited not by the specific description herein, but only by the appended claims.

Claims (33)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and therefore the property described in the following claims is claimed as property. CLAIMS 1. A control system for establishing a variable physical property of a structure in an operational setting between a maximum adjustment and a minimum adjustment, the system is characterized in that it comprises: a control device that includes first, second, third and fourth buttons and at least one preset button; and a receiving arrangement communicatively coupled to the control device and the structure, the receiving arrangement includes a memory for storing at least one preset of the variable physical property, each of the buttons of the control device can be operated to cause a transmission of a respectively assigned signal from the control device to the receive arrangement when it is pressed, the reception arrangement which is operable to: a) establish the operational adjustment of the variable physical property at the maximum setting when the control device transmits a first signal assigned to the first button, b) setting the operational adjustment of the variable physical property to the minimum setting when the control device transmits a second signal assigned to the second button, c) increasing the operational adjustment of the variable physical property to the maximum adjustment when the control device t transmits a third signal assigned to the third button, d) decrease the operational adjustment of the variable physical property to the minimum setting when the control device transmits a fourth signal assigned to the fourth button, e) establish the operational adjustment of the variable physical property in the preset stored in the memory if the preset button is pressed for a first duration of time, and f) storing the operational setting of the variable physical property in the memory if the preset button is pressed for a second duration of time.
2. 2. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the second time duration is greater than the first time duration.
3. The control system according to claim 2, characterized in that the reception arrangement is also operable to communicate an observable signal to an operator of the control device to confirm that the operational setting of the variable physical property is stored in the memory when the preset button is pressed during the second duration of time.
4. 4. The control system according to claim 3, characterized in that the observable signal includes an audible buzz.
5. 5. The control system according to claim 3, characterized in that the reception arrangement further includes a light emission arrangement, the observable signal includes a flash of light emitted by the light emission arrangement.
6. The control system according to claim 3, characterized in that the observable signal is communicated by the structure itself.
7. 7. The control system according to claim 6, characterized in that the structure includes a light, the observable signal includes at least one flash emitted by the light.
8. 8. The control system according to claim 6, characterized in that the structure includes a curtain, the observable signal includes at least one movement of the curtain.
9. 9. The control system according to claim 6, characterized in that the structure includes a blind, the observable signal includes at least one movement of the blind.
10. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device is a hand-held portable unit with an infrared coupling system for coupling the control device to the reception arrangement.
11. 11. The control system according to claim 1, characterized in that the preset button is colored in marked contrast as compared to the colors of the first, second, third and fourth buttons.
12. The control system according to claim 11, characterized in that the preset button is orange.
13. 13. A receiving unit of a control system for establishing a variable physical property of a structure in an operational setting between a maximum adjustment and a minimum adjustment, the system includes a control device having first, second, third and fourth buttons and at least one preset button, each of the buttons can be operated to cause a transmission of a respectively assigned signal from the control device to the receiving unit when it is pressed, the receiving unit is characterized in that it comprises: a memory for storing at least one pre-set adjustment of the variable physical property; and a receiving arrangement communicatively coupled to the memory, the control device and the structure, the receiving unit can be operated to: a) set the operational adjustment of the variable physical property at the maximum setting when the control device transmits a first signal assigned to the first button, b) setting the operational adjustment of the variable physical property to the minimum setting when the control device transmits a second signal assigned to the second button, c) increasing the operational adjustment of the variable physical property to the adjustment maximum when the control device transmits a third signal assigned to the third button, d) decrease the operational adjustment of the variable physical property to the minimum setting when the control device transmits a fourth signal assigned to the fourth button, e) establish the operational adjustment of the physical property variable in the preset stored in the memory if the preset button is pressed for a first duration of time, and f) storing the operational setting of the variable physical property in the memory if the preset button is pressed for a second duration of time.
14. The receiving unit according to claim 13, characterized in that the second duration of time is greater than the first duration of time.
15. The receiving unit according to claim 14, characterized in that the reception arrangement is further operable to communicate an observable signal to an operator of the control device to confirm that the operational setting of the variable physical property is stored in the memory when the preset button is pressed during the second duration of time.
16. 16. The receiver unit according to claim 15, characterized in that the observable signal includes an audible buzz.
17. 17. The receiving unit according to claim 15, characterized in that the reception arrangement also includes a light emission arrangement, the observable signal includes a flash of light emitted by the light emission arrangement.
18. 18. The receiving unit according to claim 15, characterized in that the observable signal is communicated by the structure itself.
19. 19. The receiving unit according to claim 18, characterized in that the structure includes a light, the observable signal includes at least one flash emitted by the light.
20. 20. The receiving unit according to claim 18, characterized in that the structure includes a curtain, the observable signal includes at least one movement of the curtain.
21. 21. The receiving unit according to claim 18, characterized in that the structure includes a blind, the observable signal includes at least one movement of the blind.
22. The receiving unit according to claim 13, characterized in that the receiving arrangement is operable to store the operational setting of the variable physical property in the memory so that the operational setting can be recovered from the memory after cycling a supply of Energy.
23. 23. A control system for establishing a variable physical property of a structure in an operational setting between a maximum adjustment and a minimum adjustment, the system is characterized in that it comprises: a control device that includes first, second, third and fourth buttons and at least one preset button; and a receiving arrangement communicatively coupled to the control device and the structure, the receiving arrangement includes a memory for storing at least one preset of the variable physical property, each of the buttons of the control device can be operated to cause a transmission of a signal respectively assigned from the control device to the reception arrangement when it is pressed, the reception arrangement is operable to: a) set the operational adjustment of the variable physical property in the preset stored in the memory if the the preset button is pressed for a first duration of time, and b) storing the operational setting of the variable physical property in the memory if the preset button is pressed for a second duration of time, the receiving arrangement communicates an observable signal to a operator of the control device for co nfirm that the operational setting of the variable physical property is stored in the memory when the preset button is pressed during the second duration of time.
24. 24. The control system according to claim 23, characterized in that the second time duration is greater than the first time duration.
25. 25. The control system according to claim 23, characterized in that the observable signal includes an audible buzz.
26. 26. The control system according to claim 23, characterized in that the reception arrangement further includes a light emission arrangement, the observable signal includes a flash of light emitted by the light emission arrangement.
27. 27. The control system according to claim 23, characterized in that the observable signal is communicated by the structure itself.
28. 28. The control system according to claim 27, characterized in that the structure includes a light, the observable signal includes at least one flash emitted by the light.
29. 29. The control system according to claim 27, characterized in that the structure includes a curtain, the observable signal includes at least one movement of the curtain.
30. 30. The control system according to claim 27, characterized in that the structure includes a blind, the observable signal includes at least one movement of the blind.
31. The control system according to claim 23, characterized in that the control device is a hand-held portable unit with an infrared coupling system for coupling the control device to the reception arrangement.
32. 32. The control system according to claim 23, characterized in that the preset button is marked in contrast color compared to the colors of the first, second, third and fourth buttons.
33. 33. The control system according to claim 32, characterized in that the preset button is orange.