Remote control device with illumination

• US 20020084898A1
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Published: 07/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stefanik, John R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,903,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/02 Switches operated by change of position, inclination or orientation of the switch itself in relation to gravitational field tilting mercury container H01H29/20; change of position due to change of liquid level H01H35/18
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/14 Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch wherein the liquid constitutes a contact of the switch H01H29/002
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/182 Illumination of the symbols or distinguishing marks H01H9/181 takes precedence

Abstract

A remote control device including a housing, a processor located in the housing, and a motion detector in communication with the processor. The device also includes at least one input device in communication with the processor and a light source attached to a top side of the housing and in communication with the processor, wherein the motion detector communicates a signal to the processor upon detection of motion, and wherein the processor effects the light source to be lit upon receipt of the signal.

Claims

1. A remote control device, comprising:

a housing;

a processor located in the housing;

a motion detector in communication with the processor;

at least one input device in communication with the processor; and

a light source attached to a top side of the housing and in communication with the processor, wherein the motion detector communicates a signal to the processor upon detection of motion, and wherein the processor effects the light source to be lit upon receipt of the signal.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the input device is selected from the group consisting of a touch screen, a keypad, a stylus, a joystick, a keyboard, a mouse, and an LCD screen.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the motion detector is selected from the group consisting of a gravity-based switch, a mercury switch, and an electronic component-based switch.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a storage area in communication with the processor.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of an incandescent light, a fluorescent light, an electro-luminescent light, or a low voltage light.

6. A remote control device, comprising:

a housing;

a processor located in the housing;

a motion detector in communication with the processor;

at least on input device in communication with the processor;

a light source located in the housing and in communication with the processor, wherein the motion detector communicates a signal to the processor upon detection of motion, and wherein the processor effects the light source to be lit upon receipt of the signal; and

a semi-transparent area located on a top side of the housing and having no input function, wherein the semi-transparent area is backlit when the light source is lit.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the semi-transparent area includes a border located on the top side of the housing.

8. A remote control device, comprising:

a housing;

a processor located in the housing;

a motion detector in communication with the processor;

a keypad located on a top side of the housing and in communication with the processor, the keypad having a plurality of keys; and

a plurality of lights attached to a top side of the housing and in communication with the processor, each of the lights corresponding to at least one of the keys, wherein the motion detector communicates a signal to the processor upon detection of motion, and wherein the processor effects the plurality of lights to be lit upon receipt of the signal.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of lights includes a plurality of LEDs.

10. A remote control device, comprising:

a housing;

a processor located in the housing;

a motion detector in communication with the processor;

at least one input device in communication with the processor; and

a light source in communication with the processor, wherein the motion detector communicates a signal to the processor upon detection of motion, wherein the processor effects the light source to be lit upon receipt of the signal, and wherein a portion of the input device is backlit upon lighting of the light source.

11. A remote control device, comprising:

a housing;

a processor located in the housing;

a motion detector in communication with the processor;

at least one input device in communication with the processor;

a light source in communication with the processor, wherein the motion detector communicates a signal to the processor upon detection of motion, wherein the processor effects the light source to be lit upon receipt of the signal, and wherein the input device is backlit upon lighting of the light source; and

a user-controllable switch in communication with the light source for disabling the lighting of the light source.