Communications device for remotely controlling an electrical device and method of manufacturing same

• US 20090081966A1
• Filed: 09/25/2007
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Belkin International Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kleeman, David, Neu, Thorben
• Application Number:
  US11/904,130
• Publication Number:
  US 20090081966A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/100
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control

Abstract

A communications device (100) for remotely controlling an electrical device (690) can include: (a) a transmitter (220) for transmitting electrical signals; (b) a casing (110) having a first surface (129) in a first plane, and mechanically coupled to the transmitter; and (c) a user control mechanism (160) with an outer surface (161) and electrically coupled to the transmitter with the outer surface of the user control mechanism projecting out of the first plane. The casing and the transmitter are configured to be coupled to an upper arm of a user. The user control mechanism and the casing are flexible.

Claims

1. A communications device for remotely controlling an electrical device, the communications device comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting electrical signals;

a casing having a first surface in a first plane; and

a user control mechanism with an outer surface and electrically coupled to the transmitter, the outer surface of the user control mechanism projecting out of the first plane, wherein;

the casing and the transmitter are configured to be coupled to an upper arm of a user; and

the user control mechanism and the casing are flexible.

2. The communications device of claim 1, wherein:

the user control mechanism is a tactile mechanism.

3. The communications device of claim 1, wherein:

the casing includes the outer surface of the user control mechanism; and

the transmitter is devoid of being covered by the casing.

4. The communications device of claim 1, wherein:

the casing is configured to be coupled to a carabineer.

5. The communications device of claim 1, wherein:

the casing has an aperture; and

the transmitter is electrically coupled to the user control mechanism through the aperture.

6. The communications device of claim 1, further comprising:

an armband removably coupled to the casing and the transmitter,

wherein;

the armband is configured to couple the casing and the transmitter to the upper arm of the user.

7. The communications device of claim 1, wherein:

the user control mechanism comprises;

a center button;

two first buttons; and

two second buttons;

a first axis extends through the center button and the two first buttons;

a second axis extends through the center button and the two second buttons; and

the first axis is perpendicular to the second axis.

8. The communications device of claim 7, wherein:

each button of the center button, the two first buttons, and the two second buttons includes a label such that when the casing is coupled to the upper arm of the user, the label is oriented to be readable right-side-up by the user.

9. The communications device of claim 8, wherein:

the casing includes the outer surface of the user control mechanism; and

the transmitter is devoid of being covered by the casing.

10. The communications device of claim 9, further comprising:

a first coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to a carabineer; and

a second coupling mechanism configured to be coupled to an armiband.

11. The communications device of claim 7, further comprising:

the first axis and second axis has a plus-sign shape when viewed by the user while the casing and the transmitter are coupled to the upper arm of the user.

12. An electrical device for transmitting data to an electrical receiver, the electrical device comprising:

a cover having a first surface;

a transmitting module configured to broadcast the data;

at least four buttons extending beyond the first surface of the cover, electrically coupled to the transmitting module, and enclosed in the cover;

a first attachment mechanism configured to be coupled to a carabineer; and

a second attachment mechanism configured to be coupled to an armband, wherein;

the at least four buttons are configured to instruct the transmitting module to broadcast the data;

the at least four buttons collectively form an X-shape; and

the at least four buttons, the first attachment mechanism, the second attachment mechanism, and the cover are flexible.

13. The electrical device of claim 12, wherein:

the at least four buttons are controls for a media player coupled to the electrical receiver.

14. The electrical device of claim 12, further comprising:

an armband coupled to the second attachment mechanism, wherein;

each button of the at least four buttons has markings indicating a function of the button; and

the markings on the at least four buttons are oriented towards the user such that they are readable right-side-up by the user when the second attachment mechanism is coupled to the armband and the armband is coupled to an upper arm of a user.

15. The electrical device of claim 12, further comprising:

a structure for holding the transmitter module and a portable power source coupled to the transmitter module,

wherein;

the structure is devoid of being enclosed by the cover.

16. The electrical device of claim 12, wherein:

the at least four buttons comprise;

a first button located at a first arm of the X-shape for controlling volume;

a second button at a second arm of the X-shape for controlling volume;

a third button at a third arm of the X-shape for controlling a playing location;

a fourth button at a fourth arm of the X-shape for controlling a playing location; and

a fifth button at a center of the X-shape;

the first and second arms are collinear with each other; and

the third and forth arms are collinear with each other.

17. A method of manufacturing a communications device configured to remotely control an electrical device, the method comprising:

providing a transmitter;

providing a casing having a surface in a first plane;

providing a flexible user control mechanism with an outer surface, the outer surface of the user control mechanism projects out of the first plane;

electrically coupling the user control mechanism to the transmitter; and

enclosing the user control mechanism in the casing.

18. The method of manufacturing of claim 17, further comprising:

providing a structure;

enclosing the transmitter in the structure; and

keeping the structure outside of the casing.

19. The method of manufacturing of claim 17, further comprising:

providing the casing to further comprise;

a first coupling mechanism configured to couple to a carabineer; and

a second coupling mechanism configured to couple to an armband.

20. The method of manufacturing of claim 17, wherein:

providing the flexible user control mechanism to further comprise;

a first button located at a first arm of an X-shape;

a second button at a second arm of the X-shape;

a third button at a third arm of the X-shape;

a fourth button at a fourth arm of the X-shape; and

a fifth button at a center of the X-shape.