WO1996016385A1

WO1996016385A1 - Remote control device

Info

Publication number: WO1996016385A1
Application number: PCT/ES1995/000135
Authority: WO
Inventors: José Javier Alejo Trevijano
Original assignee: Tenorio Campa, Juan Manuel; Kim Sin, Tai, Myung
Priority date: 1994-11-24
Filing date: 1995-11-23
Publication date: 1996-05-30

Abstract

The operation of the disclosed device is based on remote controls. It is characterized in that the control electronics is comprised of multidirectional light emitting means (1), the signal of which is susceptible of being received by a remote control which is comprised of light reflecting means (4) in front of which are provided coding means (5) facing concentration means (6) which concentrate on one point the light received; when displacing the coding means with respect to the light concentration point, the reflected light received by the control electronics is modulated; the control electronics has concentration means (3) for the light received at a point where is situated a photodetector, the control circuit providing for the corresponding function; the remote control operates without using any electric power.

Description

REMOTE GOVERNMENT DEVICE OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, as expressed in the statement of this specification, consists of a remote control device, of the type that bases its operation on remote controls; and which aims to empower the operation of the remote control without requiring any type of power supply. That is, by means of the invention, the batteries that are conventionally used in remote controls are suppressed.

Obviously, the invention that concerns us now is applicable in the remote manipulation of doors, videos, televisions, wireless computer keyboards, video game controllers, and in all those applications in which a remote control is used to govern the operation of electrical, electronic and similar devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventionally it is well known the use of remote controls that send a coded signal to a control electronics, which after demodulating the received signal, extracts the code and performs the corresponding government function to said code, controlling the corresponding device, such as for example it can be the change of channel in television, video, programming of functions, opening of door, etc.

To achieve these objectives, the most common and ancient way of remote electronic manipulation is the one carried out via radio, in which the information or data required for the control of the electronic system is transmitted by modulating hertzian waves of different frequencies.

This system has the great advantage that the signal can pass through physical obstacles and the control distance, therefore it is high. On the other hand 7ES95 / 00135

- 2 - has the disadvantage that its consumption is relatively high.

Likewise, to perform these functions it is known to use infrared that have proliferated in recent times, since it is the system used in the controls that remotely control the different functions of videos and television sets.

This system of emission of the encoded signal offers the advantage that it has a much smaller consumption than that of electromagnetic waves, but on the contrary it has the disadvantage that the signal cannot cross physical obstacles and the distance of action is very limited ; it is necessary to orient the control towards the receiver to obtain the remote control. Both systems have the disadvantage that remote controls require power by a battery or battery, so it must be replaced by the user every time it runs out, which requires some maintenance on the control, which obviously It is inconvenient.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION To achieve the objectives already mentioned in the corresponding section, the invention consists of a remote control device that is characterized in that the control electronics that govern the device to be manipulated, has multidirectional light emission means. , whose signal is capable of being received by a remote control that has light reflecting means to which encoding means are placed and these concentration means at a point of the received light; so that when the coding means run with respect to the point of concentration of the light, the reflected light is modulated and sent to the control electronics, which also has concentration means, of the light received, at a point in that a photodetector is located, demodulating the light received by the control electronics, which generates the corresponding signals so that the electronic device performs the function assigned to the received code; and all this without the remote control using any type of electrical energy, which constitutes a great advance.

The reflector means are determined by a mirror.

On the other hand, the coding means can be determined by opaque symbols located on the mirror itself so that when coding it is moved along with the mirror.

In addition, the coding means can be determined by at least one independent mask, so that in order to perform the coding they move with respect to the mirror, which is fixed; and depending on the key pressed, one mask or another will be moved, obtaining different codes, and therefore it is possible to perform the government of several functions. It should be noted that in addition the coding means can be materialized by the alternative folding of the mirror which can be obtained by including a channel provided on the mirror, said channel having a series of projections, so that by running a rod or prominence guided on the channel, the alternative folding of the mirror is produced, for which it must be supported on a parallel axis and close to said channel. Depending on the length and separation of the prominences made, different codes are obtained.

The code is capable of being located on the rod through which a projection runs like a spike that moves the mirror alternately.

The means of concentration of light at one point, are determined by a lens or lens set, which can also intervene in the emission of light obtaining a greater range of it.

To increase the coverage angle of the remote control, the control electronics are capable of having a plurality of photodetectors to which the corresponding lenses are placed.

Likewise, to increase said coverage angle, a multidirectional receiver based on lenses and mirrors can be placed before the photosensor. Another possibility is that the code can be inscribed on a disc or inertia wheel, so that when the button is pressed the wheel rotates for a few seconds, thereby maintaining the code's emission for a certain time, thus ensuring its reception. The wheel can turn both ways, obtaining two different codes.

In addition, the inertia wheel is capable of being determined by a cylinder of inertia in which a plurality of codes arranged in transverse stripes are registered, whereby pressing a button selects the corresponding height of the cylinder to then produce the rotation of the same issuing the chosen code.

It should be noted that on the perimeter of each transverse strip of the inertia cylinder two or more codes can be written, so that combined with the previous characteristics of different directions of rotation and different heights, a plurality of codes can be obtained and therefore of functions in a single command, for which axially the cylinder includes a cylindrical mask equipped with transparent and opaque areas that allow the issuance of the corresponding code; or in an area it is provided with an opening governed by a shutter that is synchronized with the rotation of the cylinder.

Then to facilitate a better understanding of this descriptive report and being part integral of the same, a series of figures are accompanied in which the object of the invention has been represented by way of illustration and not limitation.

BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE FIGURES Figure 1.- Shows a schematic diagram representative of the device of the invention, in which the emission of light from the control device to the remote control is shown by means of the arrows.

Figure 2.- Shows a schematic diagram of the device of the invention equivalent to that of the previous figure, but in which the reflection of light by the remote control is represented.

Figure 3.- Shows a schematic diagram of the device of the invention to expand the coverage angle of the control.

Figure 4.- Shows a schematic diagram of a possible embodiment of the reflection part of the remote control in which the modulation is carried out by means of a mask. Figure 5.- Shows a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the reflection part of the control, in which the modulation is carried out by the alternative folding of the reflection part.

Figure 6.- Shows an example of embodiment of a possible form of alternative abatement of the reflection means corresponding to the previous figure, so that said alternative abatement determines the code that is emitted.

Figure 7.- It shows an attic eεqe diagram of the extension of the remote control for its use with several functionalities materialized by different masks.

Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of another possible embodiment of the invention, in which the use of a plurality of codes is empowered. referring to each of the functions, and also the continuous sending of the code for a certain time is allowed, ensuring its reception, for which said codes are printed on a cylinder of inertia. Figure 9.- Shows a schematic diagram of a possible embodiment according to the previous figure, for the issuance of a single code printed on the inertia cylinder, and corresponding to the key pressed; for which a cylindrical mask is used that selects the code corresponding to the pressed key.

Figure 10.- Shows a schematic diagram of another possible embodiment corresponding to Figure 8§, in which the chosen code is emitted through a shutter that is synchronized with the rotation of the inertia cylinder.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE OF EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Below is a description of the invention based on the figures mentioned above. As previously mentioned, the invention aims to perform remote control of opening doors, operation of videos, televisions, wireless computer keyboards, video game control, etc. which use a remote control to govern the functions of said electrical devices.

To achieve these objectives, the invention is based on the emission-reflection-modulation and reception of a light signal, for which the control circuit conventionally located in the devices to be remotely manipulated, has a multidirectional light source 1 , which spreads and can be picked up by a remote control.

In addition, a photodetector 2 is included in the control circuit and a lens or lens assembly 3 is placed before it as well as the light emitter 1. Said set of lenses 3 is capable of being combined with mirrors and the like.

For its part, the remote control is determined by a lens 6, which can also consist of a set of lenses, following which reflective means are located, which can be determined by a mirror 4 in which opaque areas are included 5.

In this way, the emission of light is magnified by the lens 3 obtaining a greater luminosity that provides more range, and therefore a greater distance from which the control can govern the functionality or functionalities that are desired.

The light emitted when striking the lens 6, is concentrated at a point of light (Figure 1 ^§ ) so that when the mirror 4 is moved with the opaque marks 5, the reflection of the light occurs, but coded according to the arrangement tion of said opaque areas 5.

The modulated reflected light strikes the lens 3, which also concentrates said modulated reflected light at a point where the photoser 2 is arranged (figure 28), so that the control circuit, which is not described as being conventional, performs the decoding of said light signal, and generates the precise orders or signals to obtain the function or functions of the apparatus to be governed.

The light signal is preferably within the non-visible spectrum such as infrared or ultraviolet rays, and does not need to be modulated. The coverage angle and operating distance of the control unit depends on the characteristics of the lenses 3 and 6, as well as the power of the light source.

However, the invention provides for the possibility of increasing said coverage angle, for which the number of photosensors 2 can be multiplied to which puts the corresponding lens or lens system 3, located in a semicircle or straight line, so that said coverage angle is increased (figure 38).

A single photosensor 2 can also be used, which is provided with a multidirectional reception system based on lenses and mirrors.

Previously, a possible form of modulation of the reflected light has been exposed, by including opaque areas in the mirror 4, but it is evident that said modulation can also be carried out by means of a mask 7 that is interposed between the lens 6 and the mirror 4, so that the latter remains fixed and the modulation is carried out producing the displacement of the mask 7, so that when acting on the corresponding button, it moves with respect to the point at which the light is concentrated, producing the modulation discussed above.

The invention provides another concept for modulation, which is based on effecting the alternative folding of a mirror; despondency that provides a choppy reflection when it is not oriented to punctual light, which emits a code.

To achieve the abatement of the mirror 4, it is attached on an axis 11 around which it articulates as described below.

On the mirror 4, and in proximity to the axis 11, a channel 9 is provided in which a series of projections 10 are included, which establish the code, so that when moving a guided rod in the channel 9, it pushes the mirror each time a projection 10 is found, whereby depending on the length of said projection and separation between them, one code or another is issued.

At this point, it should be added that on the mirror 4 it is possible to include more than one channel 9 with the corresponding code, so that when acting on the corresponding button, which act on a rod located in a channel, different codes would be obtained to govern different functionalities of the device to be controlled. The abatement of said mirror can also be obtained by other means, such as the case of including codes in different rods, which are located in proximity to the mirror, so that by displacing a prominence like a spike between the mirror and the rod, the corresponding dejection of said mirror 4 takes place, and therefore the emission of the code selected by the corresponding key.

The control of different functions or what can be considered as a multichannel control described above can also be obtained by incorporating more than one mask 7, which can be held by a spring 8, so that when acting on the corresponding button 12, the displacement of said mask 7 is generated, the action of the spring 8 overcoming, whereby the corresponding code is issued. Then the mask 7 returns to its original position by the action of the spring 8, when it ceases to act on the corresponding button. The government of selection of a mask and can be done by a hydraulic system, pneumatic, or any other. Based on the description made so far, it is easily understood that the command of the invention must be oriented towards the receiving apparatus, within a coverage range, to achieve the reflection of the light, but the user may not know exactly the coverage and therefore, as conventionally performed, move the control with the button actuated to achieve: r the desired function; for what it is necessary to issue the code for a certain time, to ensure the correct reception of it by moving the command; and therefore the function required by the operation of the command is performed. To achieve this objective, the reflective surface is arranged on a wheel of inertia, not shown in the figure, which is equivalent to the inertia cylinder 13 of Figure 88, whose outer surface is highly reflective, such as a mirror, such and as already described, so that on said inertia wheel the corresponding opaque zones are arranged, so that when the rotation of the inertia wheel is maintained for a certain time, the code is emitted a certain number of times which is depending on the angular speed and the time that the wheel of inertia is kept rotating, so that the reception of the code is assured and the user is allowed to move the control to achieve the desired functionality. It is evident that if the inertia wheel rotates in one direction we obtain a code by the arrangement of the opaque surfaces, and if on the contrary it rotates in the opposite direction the obtained code is another, so that the same code, controlling the direction of turn, it becomes two, thus achieving a multifunction.

On the other hand, the inertia wheel is susceptible of presenting a certain height, which becomes a cylinder of inertia, which can be divided into a plurality of transverse strips 23 in each of which one is included. or several codes, that for example in the case in which in each one of the strips they have two codes, functionally we obtain four, depending on the direction of rotation.

The numerical reference 15 indicates the axis of rotation of the cylinder or inertia wheel.

Since in the same strip 23, for example, two codes can be located, it is necessary to cover the code that you do not want to send, for which axially to said inertia cylinder 13 there is a mask 16 divided into transverse strips identical to the strips cross-sections 23 of the cylinder, in which opaque zones 18 and transparent zones 17 are included, so that in order to choose a code when acting on the corresponding push-button 12, first of all the displacement of the inertia cylinder takes place, for subsequently, the mask 16 is rotated by matching the dark area 18 with the code that is not desired to be issued, then rotated in solidarity with said inertia cylinder 13, in one direction or another, producing repeated emission of the selected code.

In figure 91, said mask has been represented for an example in which two codes are used for each of the transverse strips 23, but its application is obviously easily deductible to include more than two codes in said strip so that the transparent zone 17 will be reduced to the length of a code.

Another way of issuing a single code by means of the described inertia cylinder consists in the provision at the exit of the control of a shutter 19 in which an opaque zone 21 and a transparent zone 22 are included, so that said shutter 19 rotates synchronized with the speed of the inertia cylinder 13, matching the passage of the opaque zone 21 with the code or codes that are not desired to be issued and the arrangement of the transparent zone with the code to be issued. In this way, the same effect is achieved as with the mask 16.

All the description made of the remote control of the invention, gets its use without it requiring any type of battery or battery, so the remote control does not require any maintenance.

If the remote control is to be used in areas with excessive ambient light, it can be equipped with a polarizer to avoid easy saturation of the photodetector.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- REMOTE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, of the type that bases its operation on remote controls that send a coded signal to a control electronics, which after demodulating the received signal extracts the code and performs the corresponding government function on the electrical-electronic device to be applied; It is essentially characterized in that the control electronics have multidirectional light emission means (1), whose signal is capable of being received by a remote control that has light reflecting means (4) to which coding means are placed (5, 7), and to these, concentration means (6), at one point, of the received light are preceded, so that by passing the coding means with respect to the point of concentration of the light, the light is modulated reflected and sent to the control electronics, which also has concentration means (3), of the light received, at a point where a photodetector (2) is located, demodulating the light received by the control electronics , which generates the corresponding signals so that the electronic device performs the function corresponding to the received code; and all this without the remote control using any type of electrical energy.

2. DISTANCE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, according to claim 18, characterized in that the reflective means are determined by a mirror (4).

3. DISTANCE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, according to claim 18, characterized in that the coding means are opaque symbols (5) located on the mirror itself (4); so that to carry out the coding, they move together with the mirror with respect to the point of concentration of light.

4. DISTANCE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, according to claim 18, characterized in that the means of coding are determined by at least one independent mask (7), so that in order to perform the coding, it is displaced with respect to the mirror that is fixed; and depending on the key (12) pressed, a mask (7) or another is moved, obtaining different codes.

5. DISTANCE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, according to claim 18, characterized in that the coding means are materialized by the alternative folding of the mirror (4), which swings around an axis (11) according to a code.

6.- REMOTE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, according to claim 5§, characterized in that the successive folding means of the mirror are capable of being obtained by at least one channel (9), provided on the mirror (4) in which a series is included of projection (10), so that when a rod or guided prominence runs over the channel, the mirror is alternately collapsed depending on the length and separation of the projections (10) made for each code.

7. DISTANCE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, according to claim 5, characterized in that the means of successive folding of the mirror are likely to be included on one or more stems through which a barbed prominence runs that alternately displaces the mirror.

8. DISTANCE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, according to claim 18, characterized in that the concentration means (6) of the light at one point are determined by a lens or set of lenses.

9.- REMOTE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, according to claims 18 and 88, characterized in that the lens or lenses (3), are also susceptible to being placed before the light emitter to increase its distance of action.

10.- DISTANCE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, according to claims 18 and 88, characterized in that the control electronics are capable of having a plurality of photodetectors (2) to which the corresponding lenses (3) are placed; in order to increase the coverage coverage angle of the command.

11. DISTANCE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, according to claims 18 and 88, characterized in that to increase the coverage angle, a multidirectional receiver based on lenses and mirrors can be placed before the photosensor (2).

12.- REMOTE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, according to claims 18 108 and 113, characterized in that a polarizer is available on the photodetector or photodetectors (2) to avoid saturation in areas with excessive ambient light.

13.- REMOTE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, according to claims 18 and 28, characterized in that the code is capable of being inscribed on a disk or inertia wheel, so that when the button (12) is actuated, the wheel rotates for a few seconds, with what the emission of the code is maintained during a certain time, assuring its reception; and having provided that the wheel can turn both ways, obtaining two different codes depending on that direction.

14.- REMOTE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the inertia wheel is capable of being determined by a cylinder of inertia (13) in which a plurality of codes arranged in transverse strips (23) of so that when pressing a button (12), the corresponding height of the cylinder (13) is selected to emit the chosen code.

15.- REMOTE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, according to previous claim, characterized in that in the perimeter of each transverse strip (23) of the cylinder of inertia (13), two or more codes can be registered; and having provided that axially the cylinder includes a cylindrical mask (16) provided with transparent areas (17) and one or more opaque areas (18), in each of the .ranges (23); so that the transparent zone (17) is placed on the chosen code, the solidarity rotation with the cylinder then taking place, in one direction or another, the corresponding code being issued.

16.- REMOTE GOVERNMENT DEVICE, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that, before the inertia wheel or inertia cylinder (13), a shutter (19) is included, which is opened each time the code chosen for it passes what the opening is synchronized with said turn.