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

• US 7,253,765 B2
• Filed: 04/06/2005
• Issued: 08/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Edwards, Bruce, Janik, Craig M., Summit, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman; Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dang; Hung Q
• Application Number:
  US11/100,275
• Publication Number:
  US 20050179559A1
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 341/176, 348/211.2, 348/734, 340/825.69, 398/13, 398/20, 398/22, 398/23, 398/24, 398/106, 398/110, 398/113, 398/138
• 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. An apparatus, comprising:

a device for controlling the playback of media; and

a remote control having a housing supporting a single integrated, complete set of user interface control elements, wherein the remote control is removably attached to the device and wherein the single integrated, complete set of user interface control elements correspond to functions of the device and the functions of the device are triggered exclusively by the single integrated, complete set of user interface control elements of the remote controller when the remote control is removably attached to the device; and

wherein the device comprises a single infrared signal receiver for receiving wirelessly transmitted infrared signals from the remote control when the remote control is both attached to and removed from the device and wherein the housing of the remote control functions to block the single infrared signal receiver from receiving infrared signal transmissions from anything other than the remote control when the remote control is removeably attached to the device.

2. An apparatus, comprising:

a device with controls; and

a remote control having a housing supporting a single integrated, complete set of user interface control elements, wherein the remote control is removably attached to the device and wherein the single integrated, complete set of user interface control elements correspond to functions of the device and the functions of the device are triggered exclusively by the single integrated, complete set of user interface control elements of the remote controller when the remote control is removably attached to the device; and

wherein the device comprises a single infrared signal receiver for receiving wirelessly transmitted infrared signals from the remote control when the remote control is both attached to and removed from the device and wherein the housing of the remote control functions to block the single infrared signal receiver from receiving infrared signal transmissions from anything other than the remote control when the remote control is removeably attached to the device.