Remote control device

• US 4,878,055 A
• Filed: 06/22/1988
• Issued: 10/31/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
• Inventors: Kasahara, Yoshiki
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Assistant Examiner(s): Queen, Tyrone
• Application Number:
  US07/210,080
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 340/365 VL, 340/712, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 341/23, 341/22, 455/151, 455/352, 455/603, 358/194.1
• US Class Current: 341/23
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/026 with programming switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/032 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2231/036 Radio; TV
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 9/06 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. light

Abstract

The remote control device is equipped with at least one movable panel arranged rotatably to cover an operation panel having a plural number of operation keys arranged thereon, so composed as to permit manipulating the operation keys from an upper side of the movable panel and having function markings imprinted thereon, and is composed in such a manner that, when the operation panel is covered with the movable panel, a remote control transmitter is switched to the function mode displayed on the movable panel and transmits, upon operating the same keys, signals different from those sent out while the operation panel is not covered with the movable panel. The movable panel is made of a flexible material or equipped with windows formed at the positions corresponding to the operation keys, and locked when it is set at the position covering the operation panel.

Claims

1. A wireless remote control device so adapted as to permit changing remote control functions allocated to operation keys, comprising:

a body having a wireless transmitter for transmitting at least one of audio and video control signals;

an operation panel on the body equipped with a plural number of operation keys;

a function switching means for changing the functions of said operation keys;

at least one movable panel arranged pivotably to cover said operation panel, so composed as to permit operating said operation keys from an upper side of said movable panel and having markings imprinted on the surface thereof to indicate the functions of said operation keys; and

a switching operation means capable of switching said function switching means to the function mode displayed on said movable panel in conjunction with rotation of said movable panel.

2. A remote control device according to claim 1 wherein said movable panel has a plural number of windows formed at the positions corresponding to said operation keys for allowing said operation keys to protrude above said movable panel.

3. A remote control device according to claim 1 wherein at least a manipulated portion of said movable panel is made of a flexible material.

4. A remote control device according to claim 1 wherein said function switching means is a slide switch or a tact switch.

5. A remote control device according to claim 1 wherein said switching operation means is said movable panel.

6. A remote control device according to claim 5 wherein said operation panel and said movable panel are equipped with lock means for maintaining said movable panel in the state covering said operation panel.

7. A remote control device according to claim 1 wherein said movable panel is provided with a portion where a user can freely enter function markings on said movable panel.

8. A remote control device according to claim 1 wherein the body further includes a memory storing code signals which are read out from the memory and transmitted as said control signals and control means responsive to the function switching means for causing different code signals to be read out from the memory in response to depression of a particular operation key.