Directional control/transmission system with directional light projector

• US 8,488,972 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2006
• Issued: 07/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tai-Her Yang
• Original Assignee: Tai-Her Yang
• Inventors: Yang, Tai-Her
• Primary Examiner(s): Curs, Nathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGO, TANYA T
• Application Number:
  US11/442,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20070279183A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,604 Days
• Field of Search: 398/156, 398/151, 398/118, 398/122, 398/129, 398/131, 398/140, 398/201, 398/182
• US Class Current: 398/131
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 21/00 Projectors or projection-type viewers; Accessories therefor devices for changing pictures G03B23/00

Abstract

A directional control/transmission system adapted with a directional light projector to mark the direction of signal control or transmission; comprised of a control or transmission system having a directional infrared or ultrasonic waves as a carrier adapted with a light projector to output a visible light-spot target to indicate control or transmission direction of directional infrared or ultrasonic waves; or to project the target on a monitor for auxiliary help; or to serve as a lighting beam; or to adjust focus for functioning as the light-spot target or selection of the lighting beam.

Claims

1. A directional control/transmission system arranged to control or communicate with a device to be controlled or communicated with, said device having a receiving unit by using infrared or ultrasonic waves as a carrier, said directional control/transmission system comprising:

an infrared or ultrasonic transmission unit for converting electrical signals into said infrared or ultrasonic waves and for transmitting said infrared or ultrasonic waves;

a dedicated circuit for operating said transmission unit;

a power source; and

a directional light projector,

wherein the light projector is connected to said power source and outputs a visible light beam,

wherein the directional light projector further includes an arrangement for diffusing said visible light beam to serve as a lighting beam, and

wherein said visible light beam is arranged to be transmitted in a same direction as the infrared or ultrasonic waves to facilitate aiming of the infrared or ultrasonic waves at the said receiving unit of said device to be controlled or communicated with, and

wherein said visible light beam is adjustable to be aimed in a different direction than the infrared or ultrasonic waves so as to illuminate a display while the infrared or ultrasonic waves are aimed at said receiving unit.

2. A directional control/transmission system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said directional light projector and infrared or ultrasonic transmission unit are stand-alone units.

3. A directional control/transmission system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said directional light projector and infrared or ultrasonic transmission unit share a common structure.

4. A directional control/transmission system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device to be controlled or communicated is selected from the group consisting of a device used in an information or communication system, a game, a monitoring device, a home electric appliance, a toy, or an AV device.

5. A directional control/transmission system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the directional control/transmission system further comprises a man-machine interface connected to said power source, light projector, and dedicated circuit for controlling said light projector and said infrared or ultrasonic transmission unit.

6. A directional control/transmission system as claimed, in claim 1, further comprising a receiving unit in said directional control/transmission system for enabling two-way communication with said device.

7. A directional control/transmission system as claimed in claim 1, herein said arrangement for diffusing said light beam includes a focus adjustment mechanism to for changing a width of said visible light beam.

8. A directional control/transmission system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said focus adjustment mechanism includes an optical lens and range adjustment mechanism.