KEYPAD DISPLAY UNIT

• US 20090093220A1
• Filed: 10/03/2007
• Published: 04/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harris Global Communications, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Warsaw, Thomas, Benoit, Mark, Ransom, Nathan
• Granted Patent: US 8,050,713 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/74
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/52 including functional features of a camera

Abstract

A remote control panel (RCP) is provided for controlling an operation of a radio (104, 106). The RCP (102) includes a keypad (208) configured for receiving user input commands for controlling the radio using the same keypad commands as would be used when operating the same without the RCP. The RCP also includes a display unit (206) for displaying information concerning an operational state of the radio. The RCP further includes a communication interface (212, 312-316, 320-322) configured for relaying information from the RCP to the radio located a distance away. The interface is also configured for relaying information from the radio to the RCP. The RCP includes a computer processing device configured for providing an extended capability for the radio exclusive of a predefined functional capability. The extended capability is selected from the group consisting of additional digital data processing capability, additional display capability, and additional communication capability.

Claims

1. A remote control panel for controlling an operation of a radio transceiver having a predefined functional capability, comprising:

a keypad configured for receiving user input commands for controlling a radio transceiver;

a display unit for displaying information concerning an operational state of said radio transceiver;

a communication interface configured for relaying control information from said remote control panel to said radio transceiver, and for relaying status/receive information from said radio transceiver to said remote control panel, said control information including said user input commands and transmit data to be transmitted by said radio transceiver, said status/receive information including state information concerning said operational state of said radio transceiver and receive data which has been received by said radio transceiver;

said remote control panel also including at least one computer processing device configured for providing an extended capability for said radio transceiver exclusive of said predefined functional capability, said extended capability selected from the group consisting of additional digital data processing capability, additional display capability, and additional communication capability.

2. The remote control panel according to claim 1, wherein said extended capability comprises text messaging.

3. The remote control panel according to claim 1, wherein said extended capability comprises an electronic map display with GPS positioning.

4. The remote control panel according to claim 1, wherein said extended capability comprises a video display.

5. The remote control panel according to claim 1, wherein said extended capability comprises a video decoder for decoding at least one video format.

6. The remote control panel according to claim 1, wherein said extended capability comprises a video encoder for encoding data from at least one video camera.

7. The remote control panel according to claim 1, wherein said extended capability comprises a digital image encoder.

8. The remote control panel according to claim 1, wherein said extended capability comprises a digital image decoder.

9. The remote control panel according to claim 1, wherein said extended capability is a cipher ignition key.

10. The remote control panel according to claim 1, wherein said extended capability is an internet web browsing capability.

11. The remote control panel according to claim 1, wherein said user interface is also configured for receiving user input commands for controlling a second radio transceiver, and said display unit is configured for displaying second state information concerning an operational state of said second radio transceiver.

12. The remote control panel according to claim 11, wherein said communication interface is further configured for relaying second information from said remote control panel to said second radio transceiver located a second distance away, and for relaying second information from said second radio transceiver to said remote control panel.

13. The remote control panel according to claim 12, wherein said second information includes said user input commands, information concerning said operational state of said radio transceiver, transmit data to be transmitted by said radio transceiver, and receive data which has been received by said radio transceiver.

14. The remote control panel according to claim 1, wherein said communication interface is configured to automatically switch between a plurality of different communication protocols depending on operating conditions.

15. The remote control panel according to claim 14, wherein said different communication protocols are selected from the group consisting of USB, Serial LVDS, RS-232, and RS-422.

16. The remote control panel according to claim 1, wherein said communication interface is a wireless interface.

17. The remote control panel according to claim 1, wherein said communications interface is configured to automatically select a data transfer protocol which permits a highest data transmission rate for an existing communications link provided between said remote control panel and said radio transceiver.

18. A remote control panel for controlling an operation of a plurality of radio transceivers, each having a predefined functional capability, comprising:

a keypad configured for receiving user input commands for controlling a plurality of radio transceivers;

a display unit for displaying information concerning an operational state of said plurality of radio transceivers;

a communication interface configured for relaying control information from said remote control panel to each said radio transceiver, and for relaying status/receive information from each said radio transceiver to said remote control panel, said control information including said user input commands and transmit data to be transmitted by each said radio transceiver, said status/receive information including state information concerning said operational state of each said radio transceiver and receive data which has been received by each said radio transceiver;

said remote control panel further comprising at least one computer processing device configured for providing an extended capability for said plurality of radio transceivers exclusive of said predefined functional capability, said extended capability selected from the group consisting of additional data processing capability, additional display capability, and additional communication capability.

19. The remote control panel according to claim 18, wherein said communication interface is configured to automatically switch between a plurality of different communication protocols depending on operating conditions.

20. The remote control panel according to claim 19, wherein said different communication protocols are selected from the group consisting of USB, Serial LVDS, RS-232, and RS-422.

21. The remote control panel according to claim 18, wherein said extended capability is an internet web browsing capability.

22. The remote control panel according to claim 18, wherein said communications interface is configured to automatically select a data transfer protocol which permits a highest data transmission rate for an existing communications link provided between said remote control panel and said radio transceiver.

23. A remote control panel for controlling an operation of a plurality of radio transceivers, each having a predefined functional capability, comprising:

a keypad configured for receiving user input commands for controlling a plurality of radio transceivers;

a display unit for displaying information concerning an operational state of said plurality of radio transceivers;

a communication interface configured for relaying control information from said remote control panel to each said radio transceiver, and for relaying status/receive information from each said radio transceiver to said remote control panel, said control information including said user input commands and transmit data to be transmitted by each said radio transceiver, said status/receive information including state information concerning said operational state of each said radio transceiver and receive data which has been received by each said radio transceiver;

said remote control panel providing also comprising at least one computer processing device configured for providing an extended capability for said plurality of radio transceivers exclusive of said predefined functional capability, said extended capability selected from the group consisting of additional data processing capability, additional display capability, and additional communication capability; and

wherein said remote control panel that supports commercial off-the shelf operating system software and application software.