Environment friendly remote control

• US 8,174,133 B2
• Filed: 08/24/2009
• Issued: 05/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magnolia Licensing LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Pang, Kim Suan, Menon, Vinod
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuevas, Pedro J
• Application Number:
  US12/583,638
• Publication Number:
  US 20100052332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 988 Days
• Field of Search: 290/1.R, 310/339, 341/176, 340/4.41
• US Class Current: 290/1.R
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A remote control is suggested, which comprises an electric signal transmitter being supplied with energy from an electrical energy storage device. The remote control comprises a generator for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy to be stored in the electrical energy storage device. The remote control is provided with a display indicating an empty electrical energy storage device. The display informs the user immediately and unambiguously about the situation that he has to recharge the energy storage of the remote control before he tries to send out a command in vain.

Claims

1. A remote control, comprising:

an electric signal transmitter which is supplied with energy from an electrical energy storage device;

means for detecting a state of the electrical energy storage device; and

wherein the remote control is provided with a display indicating an empty electrical energy storage device, wherein the display includes an LCD display which is covered by a mask, and wherein the mask is tinted and provided with openings.

2. The remote control according to claim 1, wherein the LCD display, when activated, conceals the openings in the mask.

3. The remote control according to claim 1, wherein the openings of the mask make an indication visible if the LCD display is not energised.

4. The remote control according to claim 1, wherein the electric signal transmitter transmits infrared light signals or radio frequency signals.

5. The remote control according to claim 1, further comprising a generator for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy to be stored in the electrical energy storage device.

6. A remote control device, comprising:

means for transmitting signals;

means for detecting a state of an energy source that provides the transmitting means with energy; and

means for providing a display indicating if the energy source is in an empty state, wherein the display includes an LCD display covered by a mask, and the mask is tinted and includes openings.

7. The remote control device according to claim 6, wherein the LCD display, when activated, conceals the openings in the mask.

8. The remote control device according to claim 6, wherein the openings of the mask make an indication visible if the LCD display is not energised.

9. The remote control device according to claim 6, wherein the transmitting means transmits infrared light signals or radio frequency signals.

10. The remote control device according to claim 6, further comprising means for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy to be stored in the energy source.