Television remote controls and systems utilizing same

• US 20060044478A1
• Filed: 07/29/2005
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/26/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mitac Technology Corporation (MiTAC Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Mitac Technology Corporation (MiTAC Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Chen, Yen Jen
• Application Number:
  US11/192,798
• Publication Number:
  US 20060044478A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• 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 21/42208 Display device provided on the remote control
• 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

Abstract

Television remote controls and system utilizing same for controlling a television. The television remote control comprises a wireless communication unit and an audio interface coupled to the wireless communication unit. The wireless communication unit initiates a wireless communication channel with the television and receives audio data from the television through the wireless communication channel. The audio interface receives the audio data and outputting audio of the audio data.

Claims

1. A television remote control for controlling a television, comprising:

a wireless communication unit for initiating a wireless communication channel with the television and receiving audio data from the television through the wireless communication channel; and

an audio interface coupled to the wireless communication unit, receiving the audio data and outputting sound based on the audio data.

2. The television remote control as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless communication channel comprises a radio frequency channel.

3. The television remote control as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio interface comprises an earphone port.

4. The television remote control as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio interface comprises a speaker.

5. The television remote control as claimed in claim 4, wherein the wireless communication unit receives a beacon signal from the television, and the speaker outputs sound in response to the beacon signal.

6. The television remote control as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a memory storing audio data;

an input device generating a signal for playing the audio data; and

a processing unit coupled to the wireless communication unit, the memory, and the input device, retrieving the audio data from the memory and outputting sound based on the audio data via the audio interface.

7. The television remote control as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit receives information reflecting the status of the television through the wireless communication channel, and the television remote control further comprises a display coupled to the wireless communication unit, presenting the status of the television according to the received information.

8. The television remote control as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a trackball coupled to the wireless communication unit, generating shift measurement signals and transmitting the shift measurement signals to the television via the wireless communication unit and the wireless communication channel.

9. A television remote control for controlling a television, comprising:

a wireless communication unit for initiating a wireless communication channel and receiving a beacon signal from the television through the wireless communication channel; and

a speaker emitting sound in response to the beacon signal.

10. The television remote control as claimed in claim 9, wherein the wireless communication channel comprises a radio frequency channel.

11. The television remote control as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a trackball coupled to the wireless communication unit, generating shift measurement signals and transmitting the shift measurement signals to the television via the wireless communication unit and the wireless communication channel.

12. The television remote control as claimed in claim 9, wherein the wireless communication unit receives information reflecting the status of the television through the wireless communication channel, and the television remote control further comprises a display coupled to the wireless communication unit, presenting the status of the television according to the received information.

13. The television remote control as claimed in claim 9, further comprising:

a memory storing audio data;

an input device generating a signal for playing the audio data; and

a processing unit coupled to the wireless communication unit, the memory, and the input device, retrieving the audio data from the memory and outputting sound based on the audio data via the audio interface.

14. A television system, comprising:

a television; and

a television remote control for initiating a wireless communication channel with the television system, receiving audio data from the television through the wireless communication channel, and outputting sound based on the audio data.

15. The television system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the wireless communication channel comprises a radio frequency channel.

16. The television system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the television remote control comprises at least an earphone port or a speaker.

17. The television system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the television remote control receives a beacon signal from the television through the wireless communication channel, and the speaker outputs sound in response to the beacon signal.

18. The television system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the television remote control further comprises a memory storing audio data, an input device generating a signal for playing the audio data, and a processing unit coupled to the wireless communication unit, the memory, and the input device, retrieving the audio data from the memory and outputting audio of the audio data via the earphone port or the speaker.

19. The television system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the television remote control receives information reflecting the status of the television through the wireless communication channel, and the television remote control further comprises a display presenting the status of the television according to the received information.

20. The television system as claimed in claim 14, wherein the television remote control further comprises a trackball generating shift measurement signals and transmitting the shift measurement signals to the television through the wireless communication channel.