WO1994001844A1

WO1994001844A1 - Universal remote control assembly

Info

Publication number: WO1994001844A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/006330
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul V. Darbee; Frank A. O'donnell
Original assignee: Universal Electronics Inc.
Priority date: 1992-07-02
Filing date: 1993-07-02
Publication date: 1994-01-20
Also published as: AU4663893A; US5422783A; DE9309894U1

Abstract

A universal remote control assembly (10) for operating a consumer electronic device comprising a housing (12) including a keyboard assembly (20) having a set of keys (22), the keys (22) including functional keys (24) and numerical keys (26) for selecting a predetermined function or channel and electrical circuitry (30) in the housing (12) for remote control of the consumer electronic device, the electrical circuitry being coupled to the keys (22), and at least one of the numerical keys (26) having a geometry indicating a number, the numerical key (26) corresponds to from zero through nine.

Description

UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND OP THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention. The present invention relates to universal remote controls and, more particularly, to a universal remote control assembly using indicia shaped keys for operating a home entertainment device.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Universal remote controls are typically hand held devices capable of emitting infrared light modulated with information, which when received by equipment capable of processing suc information, can control various functions of the equipment. A remote control is commonly called universal if it can send I signals modulated by the codes pertaining to a wide variety of equipment, usually manufactured by different companies.

Presently, universal remote controls are of two principal types: learning, wherein the user can "teach" the universal remote control functions emitted by an existing "native" remot control; and pre-programmed, wherein the universal remot control is manufactured with codes to control a variety o equipment already in its memory.

Heretofore various remote controls for operating a hom entertainment device have been disclosed. Examples of suc remote controls are disclosed in the following U.S. Patents: U.S.Patent No. Patentee

4,626,848 Ehlers

4,841,368 Rumbolt et al

The Ehlers U.S. Patent No. 4,626,848 discloses an exampl of a learning remote control. A disadvantage of a learnin remote control is that the user must possess a working teachin remote control in order to program it, the teaching process i often cumbersome and confusing to the user, and there exist s many different IR modulation schemes that it is difficult t create a hand held device capable of "learning" them all.

The Rumbolt et al. U.S. Patent 4,841,368 discloses a example of a pre-programmed remote control. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a universal remote control assembly for operating a consumer electronic device comprising a housing including a keyboard assembly having a set of keys. The keys include functional keys and numerical keys for selecting a predetermined function or channel. Electrical circuitry is provided in the housing for remote control of the consumer electronic device, the electrical circuitry being coupled to the keys, and at least one of the numerical keys having a geometry indicating a number the numerical key corresponds to from zero through nine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a front plan view of a universal remote control using alpha-numeric shaped keys for operating a home entertainment device, according to the teachings of this invention.

FIG. 2 of the drawings is an exploded view of the components of the universal remote control of FIG. 1, including an upper housing member, keyboard, circuit board and lower housing member. FIG. 3 of the drawings is a perspective view of the fully assembled universal remote control of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 of the drawings is a top plan view of the universal remote control of FIG. 1, including an infra-red light emitting diode thereon. FIG. 5 of the drawings is a bottom plan view of the universal remote control of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 of the drawings is a rear view of the universal remote control of FIG. 1, including a battery compartment and latch for said compartment. FIG. 7 of the drawings is a right-side plan view of the universal remote control of FIG. 1, including keys and a battery compartment.

FIG. 8 of the drawings is a left-side plan view of the universal remote control of FIG. 1. FIGS. 9a and 9b of the drawings is a schematic diagram of the universal remote control of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, there is illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 a universal remote control using alpha-numeric shaped keys for operating a home entertainment device.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the remote control 10 includes a housing 12 including an upper housing member 14 having ports 16 for receiving keys and a lower housing member 18, a keyboard 20 coupled to the housing 12 including keys 22 extending outwardly at least partially through the ports 16 of the housing 12, the keys 22 including functional keys 24 and numerical keys 26 for selecting a predetermined function or channel, the numerical keys 26 correspond to from zero through nine, and electrical circuitry 30 in the housing 12 for remote control of a home entertainment device, the electrical circuitry 30 is operatively coupled to the keys 22.

In FIG. 2, the electrical circuitry 30 includes a circuit board 32 having a keyboard facing side 33 having a plurality of switch pad receiving cross-points 34 and a central processing unit (CPU) 35 for remotely controlling a home entertainment device.

Starting at the top of FIG. 2, the figure shows the upper housing member 14, the keyboard 20, the circuit board 32, and the lower housing member 18. The keys 22 extend at least partially through the ports 16 of the upper housing 14, to allow the operator to feel the shape, geometry and configuration of the keys 22. The keyboard 20 includes a key side with keys 22 thereon and a side 21 opposite the keys 22. On side 21 are a plurality of conductive switch pads 23 each in alignment with said keys 22.

More particularly, the circuit board 32 includes cross- points 34 which are in alignment with the keys 22 and conductive switch pads 23 on side 21. When a key is depressed, a corresponding switch pad 23 shorts or closes cross-points 34, which allows signals to pass to a unique pair of CPU 35 inputs, to determine which keys were pressed, and to execute a certain function associated with such pressed key. Although not shown in FIG. 2, in FIG 9 it is shown that each cross-point 34 is coupled to the CPU 35 by a conductive trace. The universal remote control 10 in FIG. 1 is specially configured an assembled to be portable, light weight and durable, whil allowing easy access to the keys 22.

In one preferred embodiment, the functional keys 24 include a geometry and shape indicating what letter of th alphabet a particular functional key corresponds to. Fo example, in one embodiment, the functional keys 24 include a "s" shaped key for stop, an "r" shaped key for record and a "m" shaped key for mute. In another preferred embodiment, th functional keys 24 further include for example, keys fo selecting a home entertainment device to be controlled, such a a television, video cassette recorder, cable box and auxiliary. The term auxiliary as used herein can include a secon television, second video cassette recorder or second cable box, or a compact disc, stereo or the like.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the functional key 24 include an asterisk ("*"). shaped key for power, a downwardl pointing triangle with a downwardly pointing apex ("▼") in FIG. 1 and an upwardly pointing triangle with an upwardly pointin apex ("•*") corresponding to the letter "v" ("▼") for lowerin the volume and an upside down "v" ("A") for raising the volum of a home entertainment device. The functional keys 24 ca also include a triangle having an apex pointing to the right i FIG. 1 for selecting play ("►"), a double over-lapping triangl having an apex pointing to the right ("►•►") for selecting fas forward, and a second double over-lapping triangle having a apex pointing to the left ("-«<«") for selecting rewind for video cassette recorder. Advantageously, the preferre functional keys 24 allow the operator of the remote control 1 to select various channels in a dimly lit room by feel o sight. More specifically, since many of the functional keys 2 have certain shapes that have certain meanings, and/or raise lettering, they can be readily understood and remembered by user. The numerical keys 26 allow the operator of the remot control 10 to select various channels in a dimly lit room b feel or sight, since the numerical keys 26 have the shape o the numbers and channels they correspond to.

In FIG. 1, the universal remote control 10 is show including a plurality of columns 36 and rows 38. In one embodiment, there are four vertical columns indicated as items 1, 2, 3 and 4 and nine horizontal rows indicated as items A-I, in FIG. 1. The first row or row A includes an A/1 (row A/column 1) key 40, an A/2 key 42, an A/3 key 44 and an A/4 key 46. The keys 40, 42, 44 and 46 are functional keys 24 for selecting a home entertainment device to be controlled, corresponding to video cassette recorder, auxiliary, television, and cable box, respectively. In one preferred embodiment, each of the keys 40, 42, 44 and 46 has raised lettering including "VCR", "AUX", "TV" and "CBL", respectively, for allowing an operator to feel the letters each key corresponds to. The row A keys 40, 42, 44 and 46 are circular, functional keys 24, strategically located near a top portion of the remote control 10 to be easily remembered and identified by an operator as being the keys to select the home entertainment device to be controlled.

The second row or row B includes a B/l key 48, a B/2 key 50, a B/3 key 52 and a B/4 key 54. The keys 48, 50 and 52 are shaped in the letters "a", "b", and "c", respectively for programming the universal remote control 10. The key 54 is shaped like an eight point asterisk ("*") for indicating power. In one embodiment, the key 54 has raised lettering including "PWR" for allowing an operator to feel the asterisk and/or raised lettering.

The third row or row C includes a C/l key 56, a C/2 key 58, a C/3 key 60 and a C/4 key 62. The keys 56, 58 and 60 are numerically shaped indicating the numbers one ("1") , two ("2") and three ("3") in sequence, for selecting channels having at least one digit including 1, 2 or 3, respectively. The key 62 includes a generally triangular shaped key with an apex pointing upwardly ("•*") in FIG. 1,, for raising the volume of the device being controlled. In one embodiment, the key 62 also includes raised lettering including "VOL", for indicating it is a volume controlling key for raising the volume of the home entertainment device being controlled.

The fourth row or row D includes a D/l key 64, a D/2 key 66, a D/3 key 68 and a D/4 key 70. The keys 64, 66 and 68 are in the shape of numbers four ("4") , five ("5") and six ("6") in sequence, for selecting channels having at least one digi including 4, 5 or 6, respectively. The key 70 is a triangula shaped key with an apex pointing downwardly ("▼") in FIG. 1, for lowering the volume of the device being controlled. In on embodiment, the key 70 includes raised lettering includin "VOL", for indicating it is a volume controlling key.

The fifth row or row E includes an E/l key 72, an E/2 ke 74, an E/3 key 76 and an E/4 key 78. The keys 72, 74 and 7 are generally shaped like the numbers seven ("7") , eight ("8") and nine ("9") in sequence for selecting channels having a least one digit including 7, 8 or 9, respectively. The key 78 is generally "m" shaped, for muting the home entertainmen device being controlled.

The sixth row or row F includes only an F/2 key 80 and a F/4 key 82. The key 80 is in the shape of a zero ("0") fo selecting a channel having at least one zero. The key 82 i generally semi-circularly shaped with a half-circle pointin upwardly and a flat side opposite thereto in FIG. 2, fo changing the channel to a higher channel. In one embodiment, the key 82 has raised lettering including "CH" for indicatin channel.

The next row G (seventh row) includes only a G/4 channe key 84, which is generally semi-circularly shaped with a half circle pointing downwardly and a flat side opposite thereto i FIG. 3 for lowering the channel. In one embodiment, the key 8 includes raised lettering with the lettering "CH" fo indicating channel.

The next two rows are functional keys 24 located toward bottom portion of the upper housing member 14, and are used fo operating a video cassette recorder or an auxiliary (secon video cassette recorder) .

The eighth row or row H includes an H/l key 86, H/2 ke 88, an H/3 key 90 and a H/4 key 92. In one embodiment, the ke 86 includes a generally overlapping double triangle with a apex pointing to the left in FIG. 1, for rewinding a vide cassette recorder. The key 86 further includes raised letterin with letters "REW". The key 88 includes a single triangula shaped key having an apex pointing to the right ("►") in FIG 1, for indicating play, and further includes raised letterin with the letters "PLAY". The key 90 includes a double overlapping triangle having an apex pointing to the right in FIG. 1, for indicating fast forward. The key 90 further includes raised lettering with the letters "FF". The key 92, 5 is a generally square shaped key with raised lettering indicating "PAUSE", for pausing a video cassette recorder.

The bottom row or row I in FIG. 1 includes an 1/2 key 94 and an 1/3 key 96. The key 94 is generally "s" shaped for stopping a video cassette recorder. The key 96 is generally 10 "r" shaped for recording with a video cassette recorder.

The remote control 10 is specially configured in the following way:

1) The first row of keys, located near an upper portion 97 of upper housing member 14 allow a user to select the home

15 entertainment device to be operated;

2) The second row keys 48, 50 and 52 also located near the upper portion of member 14, are utilized to program the remote control 10;

3) The numerical keys 26, including keys 56, 58, 60, 64, ' 20 66, 68, 72, 74, 76 and 80, are strategically positioned in a central portion 103 of the upper housing member 14 and in numerical sequence, for comfort, easy access and clear recognition for the user;

4) The fourth column or on a right side of the remote 25 control 10 in FIG. 1, are strategically positioned frequently used functional keys 24, such as the power control key 54, the volume keys 62 and 70, the mute key 78, and channel raising and lowering keys 82 and 84; and

5) On a lower portion 104 of the upper housing member 30 14, defined by rows H and I, are functional keys 24 utilized to operate a video cassette recorder or second video cassette recorder connected through the auxiliary key 42.

The upper portion 97 of the upper housing member 14 further includes a centrally located light-emitting device 98 35 for indicating when an individual key 22 is pressed on the remote control 10. The device 98 is a visible indicator that the remote control 10 is working. If the diode 98 does not light when a key is pressed, the batteries may need to be replaced. In FIG. 4, a top section 99 includes an infra-red light emitting diode 100, held securely in place by a cradle section 101. The infra-red diode 100 is adapted to be aimed at the home entertainment device to be controlled. The diode 100 is generally in alignment with diode 98. The infra-red diode 100 is further coupled to the electrical circuitry 30 and keys 22 herein, as for fully discussed with respect to FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 6, the lower housing member 18 of the housing 12 includes a battery compartment 106 adapted to receive four AAA alkaline batteries, with a latch 108 and a door assembly 110 to lock the battery compartment 106 closed.

In FIG. 9, is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuitry 30 of the present invention.

The electrical circuitry 30 includes the plurality of cross points 34, which have been identified as items 40a-96a in

FIG. 9. Each such cross point 34 is in alignment with and corresponds to keys 40-96, respectively, and is coupled to CPU

35.

As shown in FIG. 9, each cross point 34 has a unique pair of input ports to CPU 35, to determine which key(s) were pressed to execute a function associated with such key(s) . For example, if VCR key 40 is depressed, cross point 40a is closed connecting the PCO and PAO input ports, to execute the function associated with key 40, which is to select the "VCR" command. As should be understood by those skilled in the art, each key and corresponding cross-point works in a similar way.

Coupled to a reset input of CPU 35 is a voltage divider 112 to cause CPU 35 to reset and re-initialize itself when battery power is applied. Power is applied to CPU 35 through an isolation diode Dl to input VDD. Capacitors Cl and C2 provide power supply filtering for the power line.

An oscillator circuit 114 provides a clock frequency for CPU 35. The circuitry 30 includes pull up resistors R1-R5, item 116, to keep the input ports and the IRQ line to CPU 35 at a known state when the keys are not depressed. The circuitry 30 further includes isolation diodes D2-D5, providing an "or" logic function circuit 118 for isolating each line from the other to the IRQ of CPU 35. Each diode prevents action in one line from spurious indicating action on another line, while still permitting each line individually to signal the IRQ input of CPU 35. 5 The CPU 35 includes an output PB5 to light emitting device 98 to indicate when a key has been pushed and the circuit 35 is sending an infra-red frequency through infra-red diode 100. The CPU 35 also includes an output PA7 to a transistor 120, which allows a signal to flow therethrough, and activate the 10 infra-red diode 100, to control a home entertainment device.

EXAMPLES

1. How to Program a Television

15 First, find the TV code in Table 1. TVs are listed by brand name, followed by a series of three-digit codes. The most popular code is listed first. First turn on the TV. Next, press TV A B C keys 44, 48, 50 and 52, followed by the code. The remote control 10 device 98 will blink twice. Next,

^•20 aim the remote control 10 to the TV and press POWER, key 56. The remote control 10 is ready to run a TV. In use, when a user desires to use the remote control 10 to operate the TV, press the TV key 44.

25 Table 1 - Setup Codes For TVs

AOC 019, 030, 052, 003, 137, 268

Anam 180, 004, 068

CXC 180

30 Candle 030, 046, 186, 056

Capehart 052

Citizen 039, 056, 060, 030, 046, 092, 186

Concerto 056

Craig 180, 161

35 Curtis Mathes 039, 060, 030

Daewoo 039, 019, 091, 066, 067, 092

Daytron 039

Dyna Tech 049

Electrohome 039

40 Emerson 236, 180, 179, 039, 158, 177,

178, 181, 182, 183, 185, 270,

280, 282

Fisher 154, 159

Funai 180, 179

45 Futuretech 180

GE 047, 021, 027, 055, 029, 051,

138, 174, 178, 251, 10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

Yamaha 019 Zenith 017, 016 Zonda 003 2 How To Program A VCR

VCR codes are in Table 2. First, find the VCR code. VCRs are listed by brand name, followed by a series of three digit codes. The most popular code is listed first. Next, turn on the VCR and put in a tape. Press VCR A B C keys 40, 48, 50 and 52 followed by the code in Table 2. The light emitting device 98 will blink twice. Thereafter, aim the remote control 10 at the VCR and press POWER, key 54. The remote control 10 is ready to run the VCR. If the VCR does not respond, try all the codes under that brand. In use, when an operator wants the remote control 10 to run the VCR, press the VCR key. Note, if the user desires to change channels on the TV through the VCR, the operator must press VCR.

3.

First, find the cable box code in Table 3. Cable boxe are listed by brand name, followed by a series of three-digi codes. The most popular code is listed first. Next, turn o the cable box. Press CABLE A B C keys 46, 48, 50 and 52, followed by the three digit code. The remote control 10 ligh emitting device 98 will blink twice. Now aim the remot control 10 at the cable box and press POWER key 54. If th cable box does not have a power key, aim and press the channe key. The remote control 10 is ready to run the cable box Remember, for the remote control 10 to run the cable box, pres the CABLE key 46. Note, if a user desires to change channel on the TV through the cable box, the operator must press th CABLE key 46. Table 3 - Setup Codes For Cable Converters

The following is a brief explanation of how to use the AUX key to set up a second TV, VCR or cable box. To set up a second TV, press A B C 9 9 9 AUX TV, keys 48, 50, 52, 76, 76,

76, 42 and 44. Next, refer to Example 1 and follow the TV set up instructions but this time press AUX A B C keys 42, 48, 50 and 52 and the TV code. To set up a second VCR, press A B C 9 9 9 AUX VCR, keys 48, 50, 52, 76, 76, 76, 42 and 40. Now, refer to Example 2 and follow the VCR set up instructions but this time press AUX A B C, keys 42, 48, 50 and 52 and the TV code. To set up a second cable box, press A B C 9 9 9 AUX CABLE, keys 48, 50, 52, 76, 76, 76, 42 and 46. Now refer to Example 3 and follow the cable box set up instructions but this time press AUX A B C keys 42, 48, 50 and 52 and the cable box code.

Although only one embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that modifications and substitutions, as well as rearrangements and combinations of the preceding embodiment can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the teachings of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is only to be limited as necessitated by the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMSThe Claims:

1. A universal remote control assembly for operating consumer electronic device comprising: a housing including a keyboard assembly having a set o keys, said keys including functional keys and numerical key for selecting a predetermined function or channel; and electrical circuitry in said housing for remote control o the consumer electronic device, said electrical circuitry bein coupled to said keys, and at least one of said numerical keys having a geometr indicating a number the numerical key corresponds to from zer through nine.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said functional key include indicia corresponding to one or more letters in th alphabet for indicating what function each functional ke corresponds to.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said functional key include an "ε" shaped key for stop, an "r" shaped key fo record and an "m" shaped key for mute.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said functional key include keys for selecting a home entertainment device to b controlled selected from at least one member of the grou consisting of televisions, video cassette recorders, cable bo and auxiliary.

5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said functional key include an asterisk shaped key for power.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said functional key include a downwardly pointing triangle and upwardly pointin triangle corresponding to a letter "v" ("▼") for lowering th volume and an upside down "v" ("•*") for raising the volume o a home entertainment device.

7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said functional key include a triangle having an apex pointing to the right ("►" for selecting play, a double over-lapping triangle having a apex pointing to the right for selecting fast forward, and second double over-lapping triangle having an apex pointing t the left for selecting rewind for a video cassette recorder

8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said keyboard is sandwiched between an upper housing portion and the lower housing portion and wherein said keys extend at least partially

5 through said upper housing portion.

9. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said keyboard is adjacent to said upper housing member and a electrical circuitry includes a circuit board adjacent to a lower housing portion.

10 10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein a lower housing portion includes a compartment for receiving batteries.

11. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing has ports and said ports and said keys have geometries that complement the other. 15

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said numerical keys are positioned in a substantially central portion of the housing and in numerical sequence.

13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said keyboard comprises keys on a first side and a conductive layer on a side

^• 20 opposite the keys.

14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said function keys include video cassette recorder controlling keys.

15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said electrical circuitry includes:

25 a control processing unit; electrical conductor means for coupling said keys to said control processing unit; memory means for storing information therein coupled to said control processing unit; and 30 transmitting means for transmitting a signal to a home entertainment device to cause the device to perform a specific function, said transmitting means being coupled to said control processing unit and memory means.

16. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least some of said 35 function keys include raised lettering thereon.