Remote computer controller and control method

• US 7,005,966 B1
• Filed: 05/18/2000
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Leman, Michael V., Creese, William M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US09/574,736
• Time in Patent Office: 2,112 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/5.61, 340/5.62, 340/5.64, 340/5.74, 340/10.1, 340/10.34, 340/10.2, 340/480, 710/73, 710/72, 710/13, 710/106, 713/200, 713/324, 713/330, 713/310, 713/185, 341/176, 455/419, 455/418, 455/343
• US Class Current: 340/10.4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0231 Cordless keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link

Abstract

A computer system is configured to be powered up by a hand-held controller. The hand-held controller is in wireless communication with a computer. One or more buttons on the hand-held controller may be used to automatically launch a particular application program which has been pre-selected by a computer user after completing the power up process.

Claims

1. A remote controlled computer system, comprising:

a computer comprising a wireless receiver configured for radio frequency communication, wherein the wireless receiver comprises a printed circuit board that is configured to connect with an expansion slot of the computer, and wherein the wireless receiver comprises a battery for powering the wireless receiver;

a hand-held controller comprising a wireless transmitter and an attachment device for attaching the hand-held controller to a key ring, purse handle, or other commonly carried personal item;

wherein said hand-held controller is configured to send a signal to said wireless receiver upon user actuation, and wherein said computer is configured to perform a power on sequence and to launch a user-defined application program in response to receiving said signal, wherein said wireless receiver and wireless transmitter have a communication range of approximately 200 to 500 feet, wherein said hand-held controller comprises at least three assigned buttons for actuating said signal, and wherein one of said assigned buttons initiates the power on sequence and the launching of a first user-defined application program, wherein another one of said assigned buttons initiates the power on sequence and the launching of a second user-defined application, and wherein another one of said assigned buttons initiates the power on sequence without launching of an application program.

2. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmitter is configured for radio frequency communication.

3. A method of remotely controlling a computer comprising transmitting a signal from a hand-held controller to said computer, and in response thereto, placing said computer in an on state and launching a user specified application program, wherein said hand-held controller comprises at least three assigned buttons for actuating said signal, and wherein one of said assigned buttons initiates the power on sequence and the launching of a first user-defined application program, wherein another one of said assigned buttons initiates the power on sequence and the launching of a second user-defined application, and wherein another one of said assigned buttons initiates the power on sequence without launching of an application program, wherein said computer comprises a wireless receiver that includes a printed circuit board that is configured to connect with an expansion slot of the computer, and wherein the wireless receiver comprises a battery for powering the wireless receiver.

4. The method of claim 3 comprising the step of analyzing said signal to select an application for launch from a plurality of application programs.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said transmitting occurs over a distance of approximately 200 to 500 feet.

6. A computer system, comprising:

a hand-held controller comprising a radio frequency transmitter, wherein said controller is configured to transmit at least first, second, and third different signals in response to at least first and second different user actuation operations, the hand-held controller further comprising an attachment device for attaching the hand-held controller to a portable object; and

a computer comprising a radio frequency receiver;

wherein said computer is configured to (1) receive said first, second, and third different signals, (2) analyze said first, second, and third different signals, (3) perform a power up sequence in response to either said first signal, said second signal, or said third signal, (4) launch a first application program in response to said first signal, and (5) launch a second application program in response to said second signal, and

wherein the radio frequency receiver comprises a printed circuit board that is configured to connect with an expansion slot of the computer, and wherein the radio frequency receiver comprises a battery for powering the wireless receiver.

7. The computer system of claim 6, wherein said first and second different user actuation operations comprise depressing first and second buttons on said hand-held controller.

8. A remote control device for a personal computer comprising a hand-held housing containing wireless signal transmission circuitry for communicating with wireless signal receiving circuitry in said personal computer, wherein said housing comprises an attachment device for connecting said remote control device to a key ring, purse handle, or other commonly carried personal item, and wherein said hand-held controller comprises at least three assigned buttons for actuating said signal and wherein one of said assigned buttons initiates the power on sequence and the launching of a first user-defined application program and wherein another one of said assigned buttons initiates the power on sequence and the launching of a second user-defined application, and wherein another one of said assigned buttons initiates the power on sequence without launching of an application program, wherein the wireless signal receiving circuitry comprises a printed circuit board that is configured to connect with an expansion slot of the computer, and wherein the wireless signal receiving circuitry comprises a battery for powering the wireless signal receiving circuitry.

9. The remote control device of claim 8, additionally comprising a plurality of user actuated buttons for selecting from a plurality of remotely controlled personal computer functions.

10. The remote control device of claim 8, wherein said wireless transmission circuitry is configured to communicate with said wireless receiving circuitry over a range of approximately 200 to 500 feet.

11. A remote control device for a personal computer comprising:

a hand-held housing containing wireless signal transmission circuitry for communicating with wireless signal receiving circuitry in said personal computer, wherein said wireless signal receiving circuitry comprises a printed circuit board that is configured to connect with an expansion slot of the computer, and wherein the wireless signal receiving circuitry comprises a battery for powering the wireless receiver; and

at least three user actuated controls operative to initiate wireless signal transmission from said remote control device of a command to said personal computer, and wherein one of said actuated controls initiates the power on sequence and the launching of a first user-defined application program, wherein another one of said actuated controls initiates the power on sequence and the launching of a second user-defined application, and wherein another one of said actuated controls initiates the power on sequence without launching of an application program.

12. The remote control device of claim 11, wherein said wireless transmission circuitry is configured to communicate with said wireless receiving circuitry over a range of approximately 200 to 500 feet.

13. A computer system comprising:

a computer comprising a power supply and a storage device storing application programs;

a wireless receiver that comprises a printed circuit board that is configured to connect with an expansion slot of the computer, and wherein the wireless receiver comprises a battery for powering the wireless receiver; and

hand-held remote control means for activating said power supply and launching a selected one of said application programs from a distance of approximately 200 to 500 feet, and wherein said hand-held controller comprises at least three assigned buttons for initiating a power up of the computer and wherein one of said assigned buttons initiates the power on sequence and the launching of a first user-defined application program, wherein another one of said assigned buttons initiates the power on sequence and the launching of a second user-defined application, and wherein another one of said assigned buttons initiates the power on sequence without launching of an application program.