Radio frequency powered remote control

• US 8,553,159 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2012
• Issued: 10/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dish Technologies LLC (Dish Network Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Echostar Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Carmichael, Les
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael
• Application Number:
  US13/401,291
• Publication Number:
  US 20130215331A1
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 348/734, 320/108, 320/167, 320/114, 340/12.5, 340/12.22, 340/12.25
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• 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 21/42222 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 5/63 Generation or supply of power specially adapted for television receivers

Abstract

Described herein is a remote control for controlling audio/visual equipment. The remote control may include an input device, a transmitter, and a power generation device. The input device may be for receiving commands from a user. The transmitter may be for transmitting instruction signals to audio/visual equipment, where the instruction signals may be based at least in part on the commands received from the user. The power generation device may be for providing power to the transmitter. The power generation device may receive at least a first radio frequency signal and convert at least the first radio frequency signal into direct current power.

Claims

1. A remote control for controlling audio/visual equipment, wherein the remote control comprises:

an input device configured to receive commands from a user;

a transmitter configured to transmit instruction signals to audio/visual equipment;

a power storage device configured to provide power to the transmitter; and

a power generation device configured to provide power to the power storage device, receive at least a first radio frequency signal, and convert at least the first radio frequency signal into direct current power;

wherein the instruction signals are selected from a power-request signal to request transmission of the first radio frequency signal when the power storage device is at or below a predetermined level of charge, and a power-full signal to request cease of transmission of the first radio frequency signal when the power storage device is at a threshold charge.

2. The remote control for controlling audio/visual equipment of claim 1, wherein:

the power generation device is further configured to provide power to the input device.

3. The remote control for controlling audio/visual equipment of claim 1, wherein transmitting instruction signals to audio/visual equipment comprises:

transmitting a second radio frequency signal, wherein the frequency of the second radio frequency signal is different than the frequency of the first radio frequency signal.

4. A system for controlling audio/visual equipment, wherein the system comprises:

an entertainment device comprising;

a receiver configured to receive instruction signals;

a first transmitter configured to transmit a radio frequency signal;

a remote control comprising;

an input device configured to receive commands from a user;

a second transmitter configured to transmit instruction signals to the entertainment device, wherein the instruction signals are based at least in part on the commands received from the user; and

a power generation device configured to provide power to the second transmitter, wherein the power generation device receives at least the radio frequency signal and converts at least the radio frequency signal into direct current power;

wherein the first transmitter is inactive to transmit the radio frequency signal based on detected inactivity of the remote control by the entertainment device.

5. The system for controlling audio/visual equipment of claim 4, wherein the first transmitter is configured to activate in response to the receiver receiving instruction signals from the second transmitter.

6. The system for controlling audio/visual equipment of claim 4, Wherein the first transmitter is configured to activate when a power-request signal transmitted by the second transmitter is received by the receiver.

7. The system for controlling audio/visual equipment of claim 4, wherein the first transmitter is configured to deactivate when a power-full signal transmitted by the second transmitter is received by the receiver.

8. A method for controlling audio/visual equipment, wherein the method comprises:

receiving a first radio frequency signal;

converting the first radio frequency signal into direct current power;

storing the direct current power with a power storage device;

powering a first transmitter with the direct current power provided by the power storage device; and

transmitting, with the first transmitter, to audio/visual equipment a sign to request cease of transmission of the first radio frequency signal when the power storage device is at a threshold charge.

9. The method for controlling audio/visual equipment of claim 8, wherein the method further comprises:

transmitting the first radio frequency signal.

10. The method for controlling audio/visual equipment of claim 8, wherein transmitting instruction signals to audio/visual equipment comprises:

transmitting a second radio frequency signal, wherein the frequency of the second radio frequency signal is different than the frequency of the first radio frequency signal.

11. A remote control for controlling audio/visual equipment, wherein the remote control comprises:

a first means for receiving commands from a user;

a second means for transmitting instruction signals to audio/visual equipment; and

a third means for converting a radio frequency signal into power for the first means;

wherein the instruction signals are selected from a first signal to request transmission of the first radio frequency signal when a power storage means is at or below a predetermined level of charge and a second signal to request cease of transmission of the first radio frequency signal when the power storage means is at a threshold charge.

12. The remote control for controlling audio/visual equipment of claim 11, wherein the first means comprises an input device.

13. The remote control for controlling audio/visual equipment of claim 11, wherein the second means comprises a transmitter.

14. The remote control for controlling audio/visual equipment of claim 11, wherein the third means comprises a power generation device.