Remote controller with hands-free function for portable terminal

• US 7,694,879 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2006
• Issued: 04/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Lee, Yang-Un
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US11/453,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20070002187A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,398 Days
• Field of Search: 235/381, 235/380, 235/375, 235/383, 235/472.01, 235/472.02, 235/472.03, 235/486, 235/487, 600/300, 600/365
• US Class Current: 235/383
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42206 characterized by hardware details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4221 Dedicated function buttons, e.g. for the control of an EPG, subtitles, aspect ratio, picture-in-picture or teletext
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42222 Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4852 for modifying audio parameters, e.g. switching between mono and stereo
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/642 Disposition of sound reproducers

Abstract

Disclosed is a remote controller for a portable terminal which can perform a hands-free function and control the channel selection and the volume of the portable terminal for watching television (TV) and moving pictures. The remote controller with a hands-free function for a portable terminal, the portable terminal including a liquid crystal display (LCD) for watching TV and moving pictures, a speaker unit capable of controlling the volume of the portable terminal, and a microphone unit, the remote controller including a connecting section for connecting with the portable terminal and a remote controller device having a hands-free unit and having an end for attaching to the connecting section, the remote controller device selecting channels for watching TV and moving pictures of the portable terminal and for controlling the volume of the portable terminal.

Claims

1. A remote controller with a hands-free function for a portable terminal including a liquid crystal display for watching television (TV) and moving pictures, a speaker unit capable of controlling the volume of the portable terminal, and a microphone unit, the remote controller comprising:

a connecting section provided in the portable terminal; and

a remote controller device having a hand-free unit and having an end for releasably coupling with the connection section, the remote controller device being capable of selecting channels for watching TV and moving pictures using the portable terminal and for controlling a volume level of the portable terminal.

2. A remote controller according to claim 1, wherein the portable terminal further includes a wire connecting section connected to both the connecting section and the portable terminal.

3. A remote controller according to claim 1, wherein the remote controller device includes:

a connecting member provided at one end of the remote controller device for releasably coupling with the connecting section; and

a key input section including a plurality of keys for selecting channels and controlling a volume level of a speaker unit.

4. A remote controller according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member of the remote controller device is releasably coupled with the connecting section by screws.

5. A remote controller according to claim 3, wherein the key input section includes a channel selecting key for selecting TV channels, a volume controlling key for controlling the volume level of the speaker unit, and a hands-free talk/end key for providing the portable terminal with a hands-free function.

6. A remote controller according to claim 1, further comprising:

a close range communication module for transmitting and receiving signals wirelessly to and from the portable terminal to perform the hands-free function, the close range communication module being embedded in the remote controller device; and

a speaker unit and a microphone unit to enable communication with the portable terminal using the remote controller device.

7. A remote controller according to claim 1, wherein the remote controller device further comprises a hook for locating the remote controlling device on an ear of a user.

8. A remote controller according to claim 1, wherein the remote controller device has a substantially rectangular shape extending in a lengthwise direction, wherein a connecting member, a speaker unit, a key input section, and a microphone unit are sequentially disposed in the lengthwise direction of the remote controller device.

9. A remote controller with a hands-free function for a portable terminal including a liquid crystal display, a speaker unit capable of controlling the volume of the portable terminal, and a microphone unit, the remote controller comprising:

a connecting section provided in the portable terminal; and

a device having a hands-free unit for performing a remote controlling function for selecting channels to watch TV and moving pictures of the portable terminal and for controlling a volume of the speaker unit.