DIRECTIONAL REMOTE CONTROL

• US 20130108275A1
• Filed: 07/07/2010
• Published: 05/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Magnolia Licensing LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Mathur, Saurabh, Knutson, Paul Gothard
• Granted Patent: US 8,965,210 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 398/107
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/16 in which transmission is by pulses
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/71 Directional beams
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1143 Bidirectional transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42225 characterized by types of remote control, e.g. universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895

Abstract

A remote control unit generates a first beam which a user points at one of a plurality of information appliances to select that appliance. After selecting the desired appliance, the user then actuates a button on a control keypad on the remote control unit to cause the unit to generate a second, modulated beam. The remote control unit modulates the second beam in accordance with a desired functionality of the information appliance to control the appliance accordingly.

Claims

1. A method for controlling one of a plurality of devices, comprising the steps of:

receiving at one or more devices a beam of electromagnetic radiation;

generating by the one or more devices an acknowledgement signal upon receipt of the beam of electromagnetic radiation directed thereat;

designating a device generating an acknowledgement signal; and

enabling the designated device to receive at least one control signal to control the device.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the user designates the device generating the acknowledgement signal.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein a controller designates the device generating the acknowledgement signal.

4. The method according to claim 3 wherein the acknowledgement signal comprises an electrical signal.

5. The method according to claim 2 wherein the acknowledgement signal comprises an optical signal.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the designating step includes the step of choosing among multiple devices in accordance which device has highest priority.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the designating step includes the step of choosing among multiple devices in accordance which device was designated previously.

8. The method according to claim 1 de-designating the device after the device completes receiving a control signal.

9. A method for controlling one of a plurality of devices, comprising the steps of:

directing a first beam at the device to initiate device selection;

directing a second beam, broader than the first beam, at the device; and

modulating the second beam in accordance with a desired device functionality to control the device to achieve the desired functionality.

10. The method according to claim 9 further including the steps of:

receiving an acknowledgement from a device selected by illumination of the first beam; and

supplying the selected device with a confirmation signal confirming selection.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the step of supplying the selected device with a confirmation signal includes the step of generating a modulated optical beam directed at the selected device.

12. The method according to claim 9 wherein the first and second beams comprise optical beams.

13. A remote control unit for controlling at least one of a plurality of devices comprising:

a first beam generating unit for generating a first beam for initiating selection of a device;

a second beam generating unit for generating a second having a beam width wider than the first beam, the second beam modulated in accordance with a desired device functionality to control the device to achieve the desired functionality.

14. The remote control unit according to claim 13 further comprising a control button keypad coupled to the second beam generating unit, said key pad actuated by a user to select a desired device functionality.