Detachable remote controller for an electronic entertainment device and a method for using the same

• US 6,946,988 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2001
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Simpledevices Inc. (Universal Electronics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Edwards, Bruce, Janik, Craig M., Summit, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): DANG, HUNG Q
• Application Number:
  US10/053,015
• Publication Number:
  US 20020167696A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,411 Days
• Field of Search: 341/176, 345/169, 345/158, 340/825.72, 348/734, 235/462.46, 235/472.02, 255/473, 255/462.95
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/63 Redundant transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A detachable remote controller for an electronic entertainment device and a method for using the same are provided. The detachable remote controller includes a first infrared transmitter and a second infrared transmitter. The first infrared transmitter transmits signals to the electronic device while the detachable remote controller is coupled with the entertainment device. The remote controller is shaped in such a way to be docked within a cavity and flush with one surface of the entertainment device. The first infrared transmitter is aligned in the cavity such that the first infrared transmitter transmits signals to a light pipe embedded within the entertainment device. The second infrared transmitter is located at one end of the detachable remote controller to transmit signals to the entertainment device while the detachable remote controller is not coupled with the entertainment device.

Claims

1. A detachable remote controller comprising:

a housing;

the housing shaped to allow for docking within a cavity in an electronic entertainment device and flush with a surface of the electronic entertainment device;

a first and second infrared transmitter;

the first infrared transmitter disposed within the housing to transmit signals to the electronic entertainment device while the housing is docked within the cavity of the electronic entertainment device;

the first infrared transmitter positioned in the housing and aligned in the cavity to enable the first infrared transmitter to transmit signals to a light pipe embedded within the entertainment device; and

the second infrared transmitter disposed at one end of the housing to transmit signals to the electronic entertainment device while the housing is not docked within the cavity of the electronic entertainment device.

2. The detachable remote controller of claim 1 further comprising exposed metal contacts to physically contact corresponding metal tabs on the electronic entertainment device while the housing is docked within the cavity of the electronic entertainment device so that a wired communication line is established between the housing and the electronic entertainment device.

3. The detachable remote controller of claim 1 further comprising a set of control buttons to trigger specified signals to be transmitted by both the first and second infrared transmitters.

4. The detachable remote controller of claim 3 wherein the set of control buttons correspond to functions of the electronic entertainment device that are triggered exclusively by the control buttons of the remote controller.

5. A detachable remote controller for detachably coupling with an electronic entertainment device, comprising:

a housing;

the housing shaped to allow for docking within a cavity in an electronic entertainment device and flush with a surface of the electronic entertainment device;

a first infrared transmitter disposed within the housing to transmit signals to the electronic entertainment device while the housing is docked within the cavity of the electronic entertainment device; and

the first infrared transmitter positioned in the housing and aligned in the cavity to enable the first infrared transmitter to transmit signals to a light pipe embedded within the electronic entertainment device.

6. The detachable remote controller of claim 5 further comprising a second infrared transmitter disposed at an end of the housing to transmit signals to the electronic entertainment device when the housing is not coupled with the electronic entertainment device.

7. The detachable remote controller of claim 5 further comprising a set of control buttons to trigger specified signals to be transmitted by both the first and second infrared transmitters.

8. The detachable remote controller of claim 7 wherein the set of control buttons correspond to functions of the electronic entertainment device that are triggered exclusively by the control buttons of the remote controller.

9. A detachable remote controller comprising:

a housing;

the housing shaped to allow for docking within a cavity in an electronic entertainment device and flush with a surface of the electronic entertainment device;

an infrared transmitter disposed at one end of the housing to transmit signals to the electronic entertainment device while the housing is not docked within the electronic entertainment device; and

exposed metal contacts disposed on the housing to physically contact corresponding metal tabs on the electronic entertainment device while the housing is docked within the cavity and flush with the surface of the electronic entertainment device to enable a wired communication line between the housing and the electronic entertainment device.

10. The detachable remote controller of claim 9 further comprising a set of control buttons to trigger specified signals to be transmitted by the infrared transmitter.

11. The detachable remote controller of claim 10 wherein the set of control buttons correspond to functions of the electronic entertainment device that are triggered exclusively by the control buttons of the remote controller.

12. A system comprising:

an electronic entertainment device having a cavity and a light pipe, the light pipe embedded within the electronic entertainment device; and

a detachable remote controller detachably coupled with the electronic entertainment device such that the remote controller is docked within the cavity and flush with a surface of the entertainment device, the detachable remote controller including a first infrared transmitter to transmit signals from the remote controller to the entertainment device while the remote controller is docked within the cavity of the entertainment device, the first infrared transmitter optically aligned with the light pipe to enable the first infrared transmitter to transmit signals to the light pipe embedded within the electronic entertainment device.

13. The system of claim 12 further comprising a second infrared transmitter disposed at an end of the detachable remote controller to transmit signals to the electronic entertainment device when the detachable remote controller is not coupled with the electronic entertainment device.

14. The system of claim 12 further comprising exposed metal contacts disposed on the detachable remote controller to physically contact corresponding metal tabs on the electronic entertainment device while the detachable remote controller is docked within the cavity of the electronic entertainment device so that a wired communication line is established between the detachable remote controller and the electronic entertainment device.

15. The system of claim 12 further comprising a set of control buttons to trigger specified signals to be transmitted by both the first and second infrared transmitters.

16. The detachable remote controller of claim 15 wherein the set of control buttons correspond to functions of the electronic entertainment device that are triggered exclusively by the control buttons of the remote controller.