Detachable remote controller for an electronic entertainment device and a method for using the same

• US 20020167696A1
• Filed: 11/09/2001
• Published: 11/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Simpledevices Inc. (Universal Electronics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Summitt, Scott, Edwards, Bruce, Janik, Craig M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,946,988 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 398/106
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/63 Redundant transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A detachable remote controller for an electronic entertainment device and a method for using the same are provided. The detachable remote controller includes a first infrared transmitter and a second infrared transmitter. The first infrared transmitter transmits signals to the electronic device while the detachable remote controller is coupled with the entertainment device. The remote controller is shaped in such a way to be docked within a cavity and flush with one surface of the entertainment device. The first infrared transmitter is aligned in the cavity such that the first infrared transmitter transmits signals to a light pipe embedded within the entertainment device. The second infrared transmitter is located at one end of the detachable remote controller to transmit signals to the entertainment device while the detachable remote controller is not coupled with the entertainment device.

Claims

1. A detachable remote controller comprising:

a first infrared transmitter to transmit signals to an electronic entertainment device while the detachable remote controller is coupled with the entertainment device, the detachable remote controller shaped in such a way to be docked within a cavity and flush with a surface of the entertainment device, and the first infrared transmitter aligned in the cavity such that the first infrared transmitter transmits signals to a light pipe embedded within the entertainment device; and

a second infrared transmitter located at one end of the detachable remote controller to transmit signals to the electronic entertainment device while the detachable remote controller is not coupled with the entertainment device.

2. The detachable remote controller of claim 1 further comprising exposed metal contacts to physically contact corresponding metal tabs on the entertainment device while the detachable remote controller is docked in the cavity of the entertainment device so that a wired communication line is established between the detachable remote controller and the entertainment device.

3. The detachable remote controller of claim 1 further comprising a set of control buttons to trigger specified signals to be transmitted by both the infrared transmitters.

4. A detachable remote controller for detachably coupling with an electronic entertainment device, the remote controller shaped in such a way as to be docked within a cavity and flush with one surface of the entertainment device, the detachable remote controller including a first infrared transmitter to transmit signals from the remote controller to the entertainment device while the remote controller is docked in the cavity of the entertainment device, the transmitted signals capable of traveling through a light pipe embedded within the entertainment device and aligned with the remote controller infrared transmitter when the remote controller is coupled with the entertainment device.

5. The detachable remote controller of claim 4 further comprising a second infrared transmitter located on a first end of the detachable remote controller to transmit signals to the entertainment device when the detachable remote controller is not coupled with the entertainment device.

6. The detachable remote controller of claim 4 further comprising a set of control buttons to trigger specified signals to be transmitted by the infrared transmitter.

7. A detachable remote controller comprising:

an infrared transmitter located at one end of the detachable remote controller to transmit signals to an electronic entertainment device while the detachable remote controller is not coupled with the entertainment device; and

exposed metal contacts to physically contact corresponding metal tabs on the entertainment device so that a wired communication line is established between the detachable remote controller and the entertainment device, the exposed metal contacts physically contacting the corresponding metal tabs while the detachable remote controller is docked within a cavity and flush with a surface of the entertainment device.

8. The detachable remote controller of claim 7 further comprising a set of control buttons to trigger specified signals to be transmitted by the infrared transmitter.

9. A system comprising:

an electronic entertainment device having a cavity and a light pipe, the light pipe embedded within the electronic entertainment device; and

a detachable remote controller detachably coupled with the electronic entertainment device such that the remote controller is docked within the cavity and flush with a top surface of the entertainment device, the detachable remote controller including a first infrared transmitter to transmit signals from the remote controller to the entertainment device while the remote controller is docked in the cavity of the entertainment device, the transmitted signals capable of traveling through the light pipe and aligned with the remote controller infrared transmitter when the remote controller is coupled with the entertainment device.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising a second infrared transmitter located on a first end of the detachable remote controller to transmit signals to the entertainment device when the detachable remote controller is not coupled with the entertainment device.

11. The system of claim 9 further comprising exposed metal contacts on the detachable remote controller to physically contact corresponding metal tabs on the entertainment device while the detachable remote controller is docked in the cavity of the entertainment device so that a wired communication line is established between the detachable remote controller and the entertainment device

12. The system of claim 9 further comprising a set of control buttons to trigger specified signals to be transmitted by the infrared transmitter.