Remote control device with directional mode indicator

• US 20070080846A1
• Filed: 11/30/2006
• Published: 04/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Stefanik
• Original Assignee: John Stefanik
• Inventors: Stefanik, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,385,548 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/32 Remote control based on movements, attitude of remote control device
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/94 Smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for a remote control device. Means for detecting orientation of the remote control device couples to a processor. The processor is operative to change a mode of operation of the remote control device in response to a change in the orientation.

Claims

1. A remote control device, comprising:

means for detecting orientation of the remote control device; and

a processor operative to change a mode of operation of the remote control device in response to a change in the orientation.

2. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further operative to select one of multiple modes of operation based on the orientation.

3. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further operative to select one of multiple modes of operation based on the orientation, with each mode of operation controlling a different consumer electronics device.

4. The remote control device of claim 3, further comprising means for indicating which consumer electronics device is controlled according to the orientation.

5. The remote control device of claim 3, wherein the consumer electronics device is selected from at least one of a television, a video cassette recorder, a digital video disk player, a digital video recorder, a satellite controller, a cable controller, a high definition television controller, a theater system component, and a stereo system component.

6. The remote control device of claim 1, further comprising a light source in communication with the processor, the processor further operative to activate the light source when the orientation changes.

7. The remote control device of claim 1, further comprising a light source in communication with the processor and means for detecting movement in communication with the processor, wherein the processor is further operative to activate the light source when movement is detected.

8. The remote control device of claim 1, further comprising a directional mode indicator in communication with the processor that indicates the mode of operation of the remote control device.

9. The remote control device of claim 1, further comprising a receiver communicating with the processor, the receiver operative to receive a message describing an event and, in response to the message, the processor is further operative to produce an alert to indicate the event.

10. The remote control device of claim 1, further comprising a card reader coupled to the processor for reading instructions.

11. The remote control device of claim 1, further comprising means for reading profiles of different users.

12. The remote control device of claim 1, further comprising a receiver communicating with the processor, the receiver operative to receive a signal from a consumer electronics device and, in response to the signal, the processor is further operative to provide feedback to indicate to a user that the consumer electronics device sent the signal.

13. A method, comprising:

detecting an orientation of a remote control device; and

in response to a change in the orientation, changing a mode of operation of the remote control device.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising selecting one of multiple modes of operation based on the orientation.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising selecting one of multiple modes of operation based on the orientation, with each mode of operation controlling a different consumer electronics device.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising indicating which consumer electronics device is controlled according to the orientation.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising activating a light source when the orientation changes.

19. The data storage area of claim 17, further comprising instructions for selecting one of multiple modes of operation based on the orientation, with each mode of operation controlling a different consumer electronics device.

20. The data storage area of claim 19, further comprising instructions for indicating which consumer electronics device is controlled according to the orientation.

18. A data storage area storing processor-readable instructions for:

detecting an orientation of a remote control device; and

in response to a change in the orientation, changing a mode of operation of the remote control device.