Ergonomic television remote control

• US 7,170,420 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2003
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James Phifer
• Original Assignee: James Phifer
• Inventors: Phifer, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber; Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BANGACHON, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US10/712,442
• Publication Number:
  US 20050104742A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,174 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.72, 340/825.69, 341/176, 341/22, 341/20, 248/127, 248/146, 200/330, 200/18, 345/158, 345/161, 348/734, 455/151.2
• US Class Current: 340/12.55
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A control stick-shaped, programmable TV remote control device fixed to a base, including a infrared diode and circuitry for transmitting control signals to a television, VCR, or DVD. The ergonomic design provides a plurality of conveniently located switches for single handed control of a television, including a five position thumb switch controlling TV volume up, volume down, mute, channel up, and channel down. The quick access control stick switches may be user programmable. A microprocessor retains user selected and programmed television channels that are sequentially accessed by an index-finger trigger switch. Infrequently used television controls, such as picture quality adjustments, are located on a television control panel on the base. Similarly, VCR and DVD controls are also located on a control panel on the base. Batteries, mounted within the fixed base, provide weight to keep the remote control upright.

Claims

1. An ergonomic remote control device for the remote control of a television set, the remote control device comprising:

a cylindrical housing substantially in the shape of a aviation control stick, adapted for being held by a human hand and being manipulated by the digits of the same hand, fixed to a base such that the housing will stand upright,

a plurality of control switches mounted on said control stick positioned to be manipulated by the digits of the same hand while holding the cylindrical housing in the palm of the hand,

an infrared transmitting light diode housed in said control stick for transmitting television viewing control signals to a television set,

an electrical circuit contained within said housing capable of encoding signals from said plurality of control switches for transmission through said infrared light diode, and

a power supply mounted within said housing for suppling power for said electrical circuitry.

2. The ergonomic remote control device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of switches comprises at least one readily available thumb switch mounted near the top front face of the control stick.

3. The ergonomic remote control device of claim 2 wherein said thumb switch is a four position switch.

4. The ergonomic remote control device of claim 3 wherein said four position switch controls the television volume and the television channel selection.

5. The ergonomic remote control device of claim 1 wherein the control functions of the various said plurality of switches are user programmable.

6. The ergonomic remote control of claim 2 wherein said thumb switch is a five position switch controlling the television up volume, down volume, mute, channel up, and channel down functions.

7. The ergonomic remote control device of claim 2 wherein said plurality of switches further comprises at least one readily available finger trigger switch mounted on the back upper portion of the control stick.

8. The ergonomic remote control device of claim 7 wherein:

said electrical circuit is further adapted with a memory for retaining a plurality user programmable television channels,

said memory being successively accessed by activation of said trigger switch to signal a change in channel.

9. The ergonomic remote control device of claim 1 wherein said power supply source comprises at least one battery mounted within said base.

10. The ergonomic remote control device of claim 9 wherein:

said plurality of switches comprises at least one readily available thumb switch mounted near the top front face of the control stick,

said plurality of switches further comprises at least one readily available finger trigger switch mounted on the back upper portion of the control stick,

said electrical circuit is further adapted with a memory for retaining a plurality of user programmable television channels,

said memory being successively accessed by activation of said trigger switch to signal a change in channel.

11. The ergonomic remote control device of claim 10 wherein:

said plurality of switches further comprises a digit keypad mounted on the upper portion of the control stick, and

said readily available thumb switch is a multi-position switch.

13. The ergonomic remote control device of claim 11 wherein:

said plurality of switches comprises at least one readily available thumb switch mounted near the top front face of the control stick,

said plurality of switches further comprises at least one readily available finger trigger switch mounted on the back upper portion of the control stick,

said electrical circuit is further adapted with a memory for retaining a plurality of user programmable television channels,

said memory being successively accessed by activation of said trigger switch to signal a change in channel.

14. The ergonomic remote control of claim 13 wherein said thumb switch controls the television up volume, down volume, channel up, and channel down functions.

12. An ergonomic remote control device for the remote control of a television set and a VCR, the remote control device comprising:

a cylindrical housing substantially in the shape of an aviation control stick, adapted for being held by a human hand and being manipulated by the digits of the same hand, fixed to a base such that the housing will stand upright,

a plurality of control switches mounted on said control stick positioned to be manipulated by the digits of the same hand while holding the control stick in the palm of the hand,

an infrared transmitting light diode housed in said control stick for transmitting television viewing control signals to a television set and for transmitting VCR control signals to a VCR, wherein the plurality of control switches includes a plurality of VCR control switches and a plurality of television control switches;

an electrical circuit contained within said housing capable of encoding signals from said plurality of control switches for transmission through said infrared light diode, and

a power supply mounted within said housing for supplying power for said electrical circuitry.

15. An ergonomic remote control device for the remote control of a television set and a DVD, the remote control device comprising:

a cylindrical housing substantially in the shape of an aviation control stick, adapted for being held by a human hand and being manipulated by the digits of the same hand, fixed to a base such that the housing will stand upright,

a plurality of control switches mounted on said control stick positioned to be manipulated by the digits of the same hand while holding the control stick in the palm of the hand,

an infrared transmitting light diode housed in said control stick for transmitting television viewing control signals to a television set and for transmitting DVD control signals to a DVD, wherein the plurality of control switches includes a plurality of DVD control switches and a plurality of television control switches;

an electrical circuit contained within said housing capable of encoding signals from said plurality of control switches for transmission through said infrared light diode, and

a power supply mounted within said housing for suppling power for said electrical circuitry.

16. The ergonomic remote control device of claim 15 wherein:

said plurality of switches comprises at least one readily available thumb switch mounted near the top front face of the control stick,

said plurality of switches further comprises at least one readily available finger trigger switch mounted on the back upper portion of the control stick,

said electrical circuit is further adapted with a memory for retaining a plurality user programmable television channels,

said memory being successively accessed by activation of said trigger switch to signal a change in channel.