DVD remote control with interchangeable, title-specific interactive panels

• US 20040125075A1
• Filed: 12/31/2002
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bright Entertainment Limited
• Original Assignee: Bright Entertainment Limited
• Inventors: Diercks, Richard A.
• Application Number:
  US10/334,540
• Publication Number:
  US 20040125075A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/027 Remotely controlled remote control systems in general G08C

Abstract

A system for playing programs includes a monitor, a player and a remote control. The remote control has a base and set of interchangeable faceplates. Each faceplate is matched to a program so that the switches of the faceplate correspond to icons that represent menu selections of the program to provide a simple user interface.

Claims

1. A remote control for controlling the operation of a player capable of playing a plurality of programs, each program having menu selections and icons associated with said menu selections;

said remote control comprising;

(a) a power source;

(b) a base having a control chip coupled to said power source, a transmitter controlled by said control chip, and a first electrical connector connected to said control chip; and

(c) at least one interchangeable faceplate having at least one switch corresponding to an icon associated with a menu selection of a program and a second electrical connector coupled to said at least one switch and said first electrical connector, wherein upon actuation of a switch of the faceplate the transmitter transmits a signal indicative of the actuation of said switch.

2. The remote control of claim 1 wherein said first connector and said second connector are coupled by a cable.

3. The remote control of claim 1 wherein said first connector and said second connector are coupled by a direct connection between said first connector and said second connector.

4. The remote control of claim 1 wherein said faceplate includes a plurality of switches, each electrically coupled to said second electrical connector.

5. The remote control of claim 4 wherein at least one of said switches is the same color as the icon with which it corresponds.

6. The remote control of claim 4 wherein at last one of said switches is the same shape as the icon with which it corresponds.

7. The remote control of claim 4 wherein at least one of said switches is labeled in a way that matches the icon with which it corresponds.

8. The remote control of claim 1 wherein the player controlled by said remote control is a DVD player.

9. A system for playing any of a plurality of different programs each having menu selections and icons associated with said menu selections, said system comprising:

(a) a monitor;

(b) a player attached to said monitor; and

(c) a remote control comprising (i) a power source;

(ii) a base unit having a control chip coupled to said power source, a transmitter controlled by said control chip, and a first electrical connector connected to said control chip and (iii) at least one interchangeable faceplate having at least one switch corresponding to an icon associated with a menu selection of a program and a second electrical connector coupled to said at least one switch and said first electrical connector, wherein upon actuation of a switch of the faceplate the transmitter transmits a signal indicative of the actuation of said switch.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said first connector and said second connector are coupled by a cable.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said first connector and said second connector are coupled by a direct connection between said first connector and said second connector.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein said faceplate includes a plurality of switches, each electrically coupled to said second electrical connector.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein at least one of said switches is the same color as the icon with which it corresponds.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein at last one of said switches is the same shape as the icon with which it corresponds.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein at least one of said switches is labeled in a way that matches the icon with which it corresponds.

16. The system of claim 9 wherein the player controlled by said remote control is a DVD player.

17. The system of claim 9 wherein the monitor is a television.

18. A system for playing a program having menu selections and icons associated with the menu selections, said system comprising:

a. a monitor;

b. a player attached to said monitor; and

c. a remote control for the player in the form of a book comprising (i) a power source;

(ii) a control chip coupled to the power source;

(iii) a transmitter controlled by the control chip; and

(iv) pages having icons printed thereon associated with a menu selection of a program, each of said icons associated with a switch whereupon actuation of a switch the transmitter sends a signal indicative of the actuation of the switch to the player.