Remote control

• US 5,552,917 A
• Filed: 09/29/1994
• Issued: 09/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Jansky, Louis S., Darbee, Paul V., Grossman, Avram S., Ellis, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): PASCAL, LESLIE C
• Application Number:
  US08/314,970
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 348/734, 359/148, 359/142, 340/825.57, 340/825.72
• US Class Current: 398/107
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/21 Programming remote control devices via third means
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/33 Remote control using macros, scripts
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/189 with a tactile symbol or indication, e.g. for blind people
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/056 Modular conception
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/0025 in a remote control unit remote control tuning in general H03J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 2200/24 Remote control device with display showing program content
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/114 Indoor or close-range type systems

Abstract

The remote control comprises: input circuitry and structure including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands to the remote control; infrared signal output circuitry for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device including IR lamp driver circuitry; a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the input circuitry and structure and to said signal output circuitry means; a memory coupled to the CPU; code data for generating infrared codes stored in the memory; and data coupling circuitry and structure coupled to the CPU for enabling at least one of instruction codes or of infrared code data for generating infrared codes to be supplied from outside the remote control through the data coupling circuitry and structure directly to the CPU for entry into the memory to enable a user of the remote control to operate a selected controlled device upon inputting commands to the remote control by depressing selected keys of the remote control.

Claims

1. A remote control comprising input means including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands to the remote control, infrared signal output means for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device including IR lamp driver circuitry, a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to said input means and to said signal output means, memory means coupled to said CPU, code data for generating infrared codes stored in said memory means, and two-way data coupling means coupled to said CPU for enabling at least one of instruction codes or of infrared code data for generating infrared codes to be supplied from outside said remote control through said two-way data coupling means directly to said CPU for entry into said memory means to enable a user of the remote control to operate a selected controlled device upon inputting commands to the remote control by depressing selected keys of the remote control and to be transmitted from said remote control through said two-way data coupling means to a computer.

2. The remote control of claim 1 wherein said two way data coupling means include terminal means comprising three serial ports coupled to said CPU, one port being coupled to ground, one port defining a receiving port and being coupled to an input to said CPU and one port being coupled to an output of said CPU and defining a transmitting port.

3. The remote control of claim 2 wherein said two-way data coupling means includes signal conversion and coupling means for coupling interface means of a computer operating at a given voltage to said three serial ports operating at a different voltage, said signal conversion and coupling means including signal receiving circuit means and signal transmitting circuit means.