Remote control device with illumination

• US 6,903,655 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Issued: 06/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stefanik, John R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US09/751,468
• Publication Number:
  US 20020084898A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,621 Days
• Field of Search: 340/571, 340/572.1, 340/569, 340/566, 340/555, 340/543.3, 340/552, 340/553, 340/554, 340/567, 340/686.1, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/539, 348/734, 341/176, 341/175
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/02 Switches operated by change of position, inclination or orientation of the switch itself in relation to gravitational field tilting mercury container H01H29/20; change of position due to change of liquid level H01H35/18
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/14 Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch wherein the liquid constitutes a contact of the switch H01H29/002
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/182 Illumination of the symbols or distinguishing marks H01H9/181 takes precedence

Abstract

A remote control device including a housing, a processor located in the housing, and a motion detector in communication with the processor. The device also includes at least one input device in communication with the processor and a light source attached to a top side of the housing and in communication with the processor, wherein the motion detector communicates a signal to the processor upon detection of motion, and wherein the processor effects the light source to be lit upon receipt of the signal.

Claims

1. A remote control device, comprising:

a housing;

a processor located in the housing;

a motion detector in communication with the processor;

at least one input device in communication with the processor; and

a light source attached to an extending projection, wherein the extending projection is attached to a top side of the housing, wherein the light source is in communication with the processor, wherein the light source is one of an incandescent light and a light emitting diode, wherein the motion detector communicates a signal to the processor upon detection of motion of the device, wherein the processor effects the light source to be lit upon receipt of the signal, and wherein the light source shines down upon the input device when the light source is lit.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the input device is selected from the group consisting of a touch screen, a keypad, a stylus, a joystick, a keyboard, a mouse, and an LCD screen.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the motion detector is selected from the group consisting of a gravity-based switch, a mercury switch, and an electronic component-based switch.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a storage area in communication with the processor.

5. The remote control device of claim 1, further comprising a user-controllable switch in communication with the light source for disabling the lighting of the light source.