Integrated remote control unit for operating a television and a video game unit
First Claim
1. A remote control unit for controlling a plurality of electronic audio/video applications, comprising:
- (a) a keypad having a plurality of keys on a remote control housing arranged for receiving input to control a first electronic audio/video application when the remote control unit is accessed in a first position and a second electronic audio/video application when the remote control unit is accessed in a second position;
(b) a CPU for generating control signals to control electronic audio/video applications based upon input received from the keypad;
(c) a memory connected to the CPU for storing control signal data associated with input received by the CPU; and
(d) at least one transmitter for transmitting control signals from the CPU to an electronic device for controlling either the first or second electronic audio/video application according to the position by which the remote control unit is accessed;
wherein the remote control housing is ergonomically shaped and the keys on the keypad are arranged such that the remote control is handheld in one hand when operated in the first position and is handheld in two hands when operated in the second position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A hand-held remote control unit for controlling the operation of a television and other electronic audio/video components, such as a VCR, DVD player, or home stereo, operates in a different mode for use as a video game controller. The location and position of the push buttons on the remote controller unit are arranged such that a subset of the buttons that are used for the television remote control are operable in a different mode as a video game controller. A user rotates the remote control unit from a vertically upright position to a horizontal position to use the remote control unit for operating a video gaming system. When used as a video game controller, the controller indicates which of the subset of buttons on the remote control are to be used for operating the video game.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A remote control unit for controlling a plurality of electronic audio/video applications, comprising:
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(a) a keypad having a plurality of keys on a remote control housing arranged for receiving input to control a first electronic audio/video application when the remote control unit is accessed in a first position and a second electronic audio/video application when the remote control unit is accessed in a second position;
(b) a CPU for generating control signals to control electronic audio/video applications based upon input received from the keypad;
(c) a memory connected to the CPU for storing control signal data associated with input received by the CPU; and
(d) at least one transmitter for transmitting control signals from the CPU to an electronic device for controlling either the first or second electronic audio/video application according to the position by which the remote control unit is accessed;
wherein the remote control housing is ergonomically shaped and the keys on the keypad are arranged such that the remote control is handheld in one hand when operated in the first position and is handheld in two hands when operated in the second position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A remote control unit, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of pushbuttons arranged on a housing of the remote control unit for operating the remote control unit in a first hand-held position to control a first electronic device;
(b) a subset of the plurality of pushbuttons for operating the remote control unit in a second hand-held position to control a second electronic device;
(c) a CPU for receiving input from the pushbuttons and generating control signals for controlling either the first or second electronic device; and
(d) a first and second transmitter for transmitting control signals to control the respective first and second electronic devices. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A remote control unit, comprising:
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(a) a plurality of pushbuttons arranged on a housing of the remote control unit for operating the remote control unit to control a first electronic device;
(b) a subset of the plurality of pushbuttons for operating the remote control unit to control a second electronic device;
(c) a CPU for receiving input from the pushbuttons and generating control signals for controlling either the first or second electronic device;
(d) a transmitter for transmitting the control signals to control the respective first and second applications; and
(e) an illuminating display on the housing for illuminating pushbuttons on the remote control unit, wherein only the subset of pushbuttons for controlling the second electronic device are illuminated when the remote control unit is operated to control the second electronic device.
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20. A remote control unit for controlling the operation of a plurality of applications of at least one electronic audio/video device, comprising:
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(a) input means for providing user input, wherein a user enters input by operating the remote control in a first hand-held position when controlling the operation of a first application and by operating the remote control in a second hand-held position when controlling the operation of a second application;
(b) removable face plate means for indicating functions operating the remote control for different applications;
(c) transmitting means for transmitting signals to the at least one electronic audio/video device to operate an application indicated by user input to the input means; and
(d) switching means for switching the operation of the remote control unit between the plurality of applications.
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21. A method for controlling access to operation of video games, comprising the steps of:
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(a) providing a controller unit to users for operating video games on video game consoles, wherein the controller unit includes a keypad with a plurality of keys for controlling the operation of video games;
(b) designing face plates that are removably attachable to the controller keypad for operating different video games, wherein each face plate covers keys on the keypad that are unnecessary for controlling a particular video game, and the face plate provides an access code to the controller when attached to the keypad for accessing operation of the particular video game; and
(c) selling the face plates to users.
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Specification