Chameleon button universal remote control with tactile feel
First Claim
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1. A remote control device comprising:
- plural component select buttons corresponding to respective A/V components controllable by the remote control device; and
at least one multifunction button to serve multiple functions, with the particular function depending on which component select button was last depressed and/or on an operational state of the selected component, the multifunction button including a matrix of illuminable elements with a predetermined subset only of the elements of the multifunction button being illuminated based on the selected component and/or its operational state to indicate a word, a phrase, or a symbol, the multifunction button being depressible by a user to move the button down, the button moving back up when released.
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Abstract
A remote control device has A/V component select buttons corresponding to respective A/V components, and one or more depressible multifunction buttons each serving multiple functions. The particular function depends on which component select button was last depressed and/or on an operational state of the selected component. The multifunction button includes a matrix of illuminable elements that can be energized as appropriate to display a word, a phrase, or a symbol.
48 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A remote control device comprising:
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plural component select buttons corresponding to respective A/V components controllable by the remote control device; and
at least one multifunction button to serve multiple functions, with the particular function depending on which component select button was last depressed and/or on an operational state of the selected component, the multifunction button including a matrix of illuminable elements with a predetermined subset only of the elements of the multifunction button being illuminated based on the selected component and/or its operational state to indicate a word, a phrase, or a symbol, the multifunction button being depressible by a user to move the button down, the button moving back up when released. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system, comprising:
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plural A/V components;
a remote control device in wireless communication with at least one of the components;
means on the remote control device for selecting one of the A/V components; and
at least one multifunction button on the remote control device reciprocating up and down when a user presses and releases it, the button having a first display and a corresponding first function when a first A/V component is selected, the button having a second display and a corresponding second function when a second A/V component is selected by a user, and/or the button having a first display and a first function when a selected A/V component is in a first operational state and a second display and second function when the selected A/V component is in a second operational state, the button being separated from other buttons on the remote control device by respective immobile, substantially rigid facia elements. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for controlling plural A/V components, comprising:
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wireless communication means for sending commands to the components;
means for generating a component select command using one of plural discrete component select buttons; and
means for generating a display on a discrete multifunction button based at least in part on the generation of the component select command.
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Specification