Remote control unit with unitary crystal and button

• US 5,291,325 A
• Filed: 12/13/1991
• Issued: 03/01/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics Incorporated (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Consumer Electronics Incorporated (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Elliott, Charles A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PASCAL, LESLIE C
• Application Number:
  US07/807,370
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 359/142, 359/146, 359/159, 455/128, 455/192, 358/194.1
• US Class Current: 398/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control

Abstract

A simplified and compact remote control unit is presented. A light transmissive crystal, mounted to the housing, is unitary with one of the operative buttons with a flexible hinge therebetween so that a portion of the crystal serves as at least one of the operative buttons.

Claims

1. A remote control unit for remotely controlling an external responsive device comprising:

a housing,

a light generating means disposed within the housing for producing radiant light in the electromagnetic spectrum extending from the ultraviolet to the far infrared for communication with the external responsive device,

a plurality of buttons movable with respect to the housing for user actuation of the light generating means by external mechanical pressure applied to at least one of the buttons,

a window means disposed in the housing for passage therethrough of radiant light produced by the light generating means, and

a light transmissive means having a first portion covering the window means and disposed over the window for passing through radiant light, and having a second portion unitary with the first portion with the first and second portions being joined by a flexible portion so that the first and second portions are flexibly movable with respect to each other, said second portion comprising at least one of the plurality of buttons.

2. The remote control unit of claim 1 wherein the light transmissive means comprises a lens which focuses the light.

3. The remote control unit of claim 1 wherein the first and second portions of the light transmissive means are generally orthogonal to each other and further comprise a flexible portion disposed within the first portion.

4. The remote control unit of claim 1 wherein the first and second portions of the light transmissive means are generally orthogonal to each other and further comprise a flexible portion disposed within the second portion.

5. A remote control unit comprising a light transmissive crystal for transmitting light generated by a light generating means and at least one of a plurality of actuation button for actuation of the light generating means, the light transmissive crystal and one of the buttons being unitary.

6. A remote control unit comprising a light transmissive crystal for transmitting light generated by a light generating means and at least one button for actuation of the light generating means, the light transmissive crystal and one of the at least one buttons being flexibly secured to each other.