WO2000043969A2 - Hands-free remote control - Google Patents

Abstract

A hands-free remote control (10) capable of controlling a plurality of functions of a plurality of electronic devices. A number of function buttons (14) provided on a casing (12) of the remote control (10) are adapted for activation by, for example, a foot of a user. Effective operation of the remote control (10) does not require the manual dexterity of individual fingers of the user. A variety of transmitter extensions (30, 40, 50) and/or sensor extensions are available for maintaining a line of sight between a transmitter (20) of the remote control (10) and a sensor of an electronic device.

Description

Hands-Free Remote Control

Background of the Invention

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to controlling electronic devices from remote

locations. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hands-free remote control for

controlling a plurality of functions of a plurality of electronic devices.

Related Art

In recent decades, numerous electronic devices, such as the television (TV), stereo, video

cassette recorder (VCR), compact disc (CD) player and others, have become widely available.

With advancing technology, these devices have come to be equipped with numerous features and

accessories. One popular accessory now available with nearly every electronic device is the

remote control. Remote controls allow a user to control power to a device, and adjust numerous

features thereof, from a remote location. Controllable features include various playback and

record options on a VCR; volume, tuner frequency and tone controls on a stereo; disc and track

controls on a CD player; and countless others. Virtually any feature available on an electronic

device, particularly in the audio-visual field, can now be controlled remotely-

Early remote controls were commonly hardwired to the device under its control. While

effective functionally, these remote controls often caused practical difficulties and, for consumer products, were aesthetically undesirable, due to the presence of an additional wire, often in a

living area. Other remote controls are now known which transmit signals to an electronic device

by any of a number of wireless methods, such as infrared (IR) signaling.

As electronic devices have become even more common, and more numerous in the

typical household, remote controls have advanced. Single remote controls, sometimes termed

universal remote controls, are now known which can control a variety of features of a variety of

electronic devices. Some such remote controls are pre-programmed to control multiple devices

made by a common manufacturer. Others are programmable by a user, by IR signal for example,

so as to have the ability to control any device previously controllable by its own remote control.

A problem has arisen with remote controls in that a user's hands are not always free to

operate a remote control at a time when control of an electronic device may be desirable. One

circumstance where this problem occurs is during transcription, where one produces a written

version of an event recorded on audio or videotape. The text of a conversation or a description of

events of a courtroom proceeding, for example, may need to be documented using a typewriter or

computer. In such a case, particularly when involving complex events or multi-party

conversations, it may be difficult to perform the transcription at the full speed of a standard

playback device. At the same time, it is inconvenient and inefficient to periodically remove a

hand from a typewriter or computer keyboard for the purpose of controlling the speed or

direction of the audio or video playback device, as would often be necessary for accurate

transcription.

Apart from transcription, numerous other situations involving the use of an electronic device make free use of the hands desirable. Video tapes offering instruction on a wide variety

of activities are now available. For example, a user may want to learn to play the piano or

another musical instrument that requires the use of the hands. It would be desirable to be able to

control the device through which the video tape is being played, while leaving the hands free to

play the instrument.

Unfortunately, because the remote controls typically available with today's electronic

devices are compact, and have their buttons in close proximity to each other, they may only be

effectively controlled using the fingers. Therefore, placing such a remote control on the floor for

use with the feet, for example, has not been an option. The feet and toes lack the dexterity

necessary to accurately operate these remote controls. In addition, the use of IR remote controls

presents the addition problem that these remote controls need to be aimed substantially directly

at an electronic device to be controlled for effective signal communication between the remote

control and an IR receiver at the device. The use of an IR remote control on the floor of a room

would therefore be impractical. As such, a remote control that need not be handheld and

operated by the fingers would be desirable.

One proposed solution to the above-described problems has been the use of foot-operated

controllers. Some such controllers are purely mechanical, offering mechanical linkage from a

foot of a user to push buttons on a device to be controlled. One known device includes for

transcription purposes a foot pedal device connectable to a tape recorder. Mechanical movement

of the foot pedal translates into mechanical movement at the buttons of the tape recorder that

would otherwise be operated by hand. But these controllers must typically be designed specifically for a device to be controlled, and therefore lack a desired versatility. Other foot-

operated remote controls must be hardwired into the device to be controlled or to a pre-existing

remote control therefor. Controllers of this type are known which have from one to three

buttons, and which allow a user foot-control of various aspects of VCR playback. But

hardwiring a controller to every device to be controlled is inconvenient, and again leads to a lack

of versatility of the controller.

The above devices do provide an improved environment for transcription purposes and

for the viewing of instructional and other videos. However, they provide a limited number of

control possibilities. Typically, only the most basic of features, such as play, fast-forward and

rewind, are controllable. As such, these devices are not suitable replacements for universal

remote controls capable of controlling multiple functions of a plurality of electronic devices.

Such a replacement would be useful not only in the contexts discussed above, but in numerous

other circumstances. For example, many individuals have limited use of their upper extremities,

and therefore do not possess the manual dexterity to operate today's complex and highly compact

remote controls.

In light of the above, what is needed is a remote control that is capable of controlling

multiple functions of a plurality of devices, and that may be effectively operated by means other

than the individual fingers of a user. Such a device would preferably have a number of multi¬

function control buttons for easy and accurate activation by, for example, a closed fist, an elbow,

a foot, or an inanimate object. In addition, the device would preferably operate by LR or another

wireless communication method to eliminate unsightly and inconvenient wires. The device would also address a problem of line-of-sight from the remote control to a device to be

controlled.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a remote control that substantially

obviates the above-discussed problems with the related art. The present invention solves these

problems by providing a foot-operated remote control. The remote control has a number of

activators, or buttons, and is capable of controlling multiple features of a plurality of electronic

devices. In addition, the remote control is preferably wireless, but may nonetheless be operated

from nearly any desired location with respect to the device or devices to be controlled.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the

invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention includes in a first aspect a

hands-free remote control. The remote control includes a casing. Disposed in the casing are a

plurality of function activators and a mode activator. The plurality of function activators are

each associated with one or more functions to be performed by one or more remotely located

electronic apparatus. The mode activator is for toggling between available modes of the remote

control. At least the plurality of function activators are arranged in the casing so as to be

activatable by a foot of a user.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a hands-free remote control for

controlling one or more electronic apparatus. The remote control includes a casing. Disposed in

the casing are a plurality of function activators and a mode activator. The plurality of function activators are associated with one or more functions to be performed by the one or more

electronic apparatus, while the mode activator allows for toggling between available modes of

the remote control. The remote control also includes numerous displays disposed in the casing,

including a mode display and a plurality of function displays. The mode display displays a

current mode of the remote control. The plurality of function displays, which are each in

respective proximity to one of the plurality of function activators, display a function of the one or

more electronic apparatus to be currently controlled by the respective one of the plurality of

function activators. The remote control further includes a transmitter disposed in, or connected

to, a transmitter receptacle formed in the casing, for transmitting a signal to the one or more

electronic apparatus in response to activation of one or more of the plurality of function

activators. In a remote control of the present invention, the plurality of function activators are

arranged in the casing so as to facilitate operation of the remote control device by a foot of a

user.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a remote control having a transmitter.

The transmitter may simply include an infrared (IR) emitter. Alternatively, the transmitter may

include an extendable portion coupling the IR emitter to the casing for locating the IR emitter a

desired distance away from said casing.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon

further review of the following specification and drawings. It is understood that both the

foregoing general description and the following detained description are exemplary and

explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. Brief Description of the Figures

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this

specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to

explain the objects, advantages and principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference

numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

FIG. 1 is perspective view of an embodiment of a remote control of the present

invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a remote control of the present

invention;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are perspective views of embodiments of a transmitter extension of the

present invention; and

FIGS.4a, 4b and 4c are perspective views of embodiments of a sensor extension of the

present invention.

Detained Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the

invention, examples of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

An exemplary embodiment of the hands-free remote control is shown in Figure 1 and is

designated generally by reference numeral 10. The remote control 10 includes a casing 12.

Disposed within the casing 12 are a plurality of function activators. Preferably, the function

activators comprise push buttons such as a plurality of function buttons 14. While Figure 1 illustrates five function buttons 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d and 14e in this embodiment of the present

invention, more or fewer function buttons 14 may be provided. Note that the addition of

function buttons may necessitate a larger casing 12. One or more mode activators are also

disposed within the casing 12. These mode activators may also comprise push buttons, such as

mode control buttons 16. Figure 1 illustrates two such buttons as mode control buttons 16a and

16b.

The remote control 10 is also provided with a number of displays. A plurality of function

displays 24 are disposed in the casing 12. Preferably, a function display 24 will be provided for,

and in close proximity to, each function button 14. As is illustrated, function displays 24a, 24b,

24c, 24d and 24e are provided for each function button 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d and 14e, respectively.

At least one mode display 26 is also preferably provided on the casing 12. The function displays

24 and mode display 26 preferably comprise liquid crystal displays (LCDs). However, the

casing 12 could alternatively be provided with passive displays, such as adhesive labels or others,

or no displays at all. The function of the mode display 26 in display a current mode selected by a

user using the mode control buttons 16 will be further discussed below.

It is desirable for the remote control 10 of the present invention to have the ability to

control any device having a standard remote control. Therefore, the casing 12 of the remote

control 10 preferably has disposed therein a learning portion for accepting a transmission from a

standard remote control. Because the remote control 10 of the present invention preferably

operates by IR signal, the remote control 10 has been illustrated as having an IR learning window

18. Of course, other communication methods may alternatively be used. Programming of the remote control 10 will be further discussed below.

In order to control a remotely located electronic device (not shown), the remote control

10 should have a means for transmitting a signal to the electronic device. A transmitter

receptacle 19 has therefore been defined in the casing 12 of the remote control 10. The

transmitter receptacle 19 may be adapted to receive a connector for a wired connection, but

preferably receives some type of wireless transmitter. Again, an IR transmission scheme is

preferred, but any wireless transmitter known in the art may be used. The embodiment of the

present invention shown in Figure 1 illustrates the transmitter receptacle 19 having received an

IR transmitter 20, which includes an IR emitter 22.

A useful feature of the remote control 10 of the present invention is the arrangement of

the function buttons 14 and mode control buttons 16. The buttons are preferably arranged in the

casing 10 such that any one of the function buttons 14 or mode control buttons 16 are activatable

by a reasonably large or non-dexterous object without activation of any of the other function

buttons 14 or mode control buttons 16. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, for example,

the function buttons 14 or mode control buttons 16 are easily activatable by a foot. This means

that, unlike standard remote controls that typically have numerous buttons in a compact

arrangement, any one of the buttons of the remote control 10 may be activated without

inadvertent activation of any other. This is true even when the remote control 10 is placed at a

floor lever and operated at a distance by the foot of a user. Of course, the means of activation

need not be a foot. A user could use an elbow, a closed fist, or even an inanimate object held by

or otherwise coupled to another part of the body, such as the hands, mouth or a limb. The purpose behind this non-traditional use of the remote control 10 may be to leave the hands of a

user free for other activities. In other cases, a user may have lost the full use of some part of the

body.

Another useful feature of the present invention is its ability to operate in different modes.

The remote control 10 of the present invention is preferably pre-programmed with a plurality of

modes. Each mode may correspond to a single electronic device to be controlled. For example,

the remote control 10 may have any or all of the following modes: VCR, TV, CD player, cable

box, satellite receiver, AM/FM tuner, surround sound decoder and others. Alternatively,

depending on a number of function buttons 14 and a corresponding number of functions to be

controlled, a single mode may represent only a portion of the total number functions to be

controlled on a particular electronic device. For example, the remote control 10 may include

both a VCR record mode and a VCR playback mode. In this way, the total number of electronic

devices controllable, and the total number of functions controllable on each particular electronic

device, is highly flexible and is not limited by the number of function buttons 14 provided.

During operation, the current mode of the remote control 10 will preferably be displayed

on the mode display 26. At the same time, depending on the current mode, each of the plurality

of function displays 24 will display the function currently controllable by the associated function

button 14. For example, when the remote control 10 is in a TV mode, the function displays 24a,

24b, 24c, 24d and 24e may read volume up; volume down; channel up; channel down; and

power. If control over more functions is desired, one or more additional TV modes may be

provided, as is well known in the art. Alternatively, related functions may be integrated into a single function button in a single mode. For example, the remote control 10 may be designed

such that a single function button 14a is designated 'volume' in a TV mode. There, activating

the function button 14a by pressing and holding it a first time will gradually increase TV volume

until the function button 14a is released. Pressing and holding the function button 14a again will

decrease TV volume until the function button 14a is again released. Countless variations on the

above are possible, depending on individual preference.

Programming of the remote control 10 will now be described. The remote control 10 is

preferably designed such that activating the function buttons 14 or mode control buttons 16 in a

predetermined sequence, for example pressing two mode control buttons 16a and 16b

simultaneously, places the remote control 10 into a programming mode. In the programming

mode, a particular mode/function to be programmed, such as TV mode/channel down, is first

selected. Then, a manufacturer's remote control provided with the particular device, here the

TV, is aimed at the IR learning window 18 of the remote control 10. The particular function to

be currently programmed, 'channel down' in this example, is then activated on the

manufacturer's remote control. The learning window 18 reads and decodes the nature of the IR

signal transmitted from the manufacturer's remote control and stores the same in memory. The

remote control 10 preferably includes an IR learning chip and/or a sufficient amount of random

access memory (RAM), or other storage means known in the art, as a part of its internal

electronics. The IR transmitter 20, through IR emitter 22, will thereafter produce an IR signal of

the nature stored whenever the 'channel down' function is activated in the TV mode. Likewise,

all functions over which control is desired on each of a plurality of electronic devices will be stored in RAM or other memory in the same manner.

As discussed above, the remote control 10 may be placed at floor level for control by the

feet of a user. Because of furniture or other obstacles in a typical room, a problem may arise that

there is no direct line of sight between the IR emitter 22 of the IR transmitter 20 and an IR

receiver on an electronic device to be controlled. While IR signal reflection from walls or other

objects in a room may act to compensate, the absence of a direct line of sight often leads to

inaccurate control of an electronic device. To remedy this problem, a variety of transmitter

extensions are provided for use with the remote control 10 of the present invention. Referring to

Figure 2, it can be seen that the IR transmitter 20 has been replaced by a transmitter extension 30,

also disposed in the transmitter receptacle 19. The transmitter extension 30 includes an

extendable mast 34 and an emitter 32, collectively known as an emitter mast 33. It should be

noted that the extendable mast 34 of Figure 2 is not necessarily drawn to scale.

Referring next Figures 3 a and 3b, alternative embodiments of the extendable mast 34 are

shown. As can be seen, the mast may take a variety of other forms. Figure 3 a shows a

transmitter extension 40 having an emitter 42, a base 46 and a deformable mast 44. Figure 3b

shows a transmitter extension 50 having an emitter 52 and a base 56. As can be seen in Figure

3b, the base 56 may be coupled to the emitter 52 by a wire. The emitter 52 can then be placed in

any convenient location. In addition, the emitters in Figures 2, 3a and 3b have been illustrated at

the distal ends of the respective masts from the casing 12. However, in each case, an emitter may

alternatively be located at the proximal end, i.e. disposed in or near to the casing 12 itself. In

such a case, the mast would preferably consist merely of a conduit for transmitting a signal from the emitter to the distal end of the mast. For example, the conduit may consist of a fiber optic

medium, or other means known in the art for transmitting a signal.

The present invention also provides for sensor extensions. As discussed above, the

transmitter extensions act to extend a transmission point of a control signal from the remote

control 10 to a point distant from the casing 12 of the remote control 10. In an analogous

manner, the sensor extensions of the present invention are used to extend a reception point of a

control signal to a point distant from an electronic device to be controlled. Referring now to

Figures 4a, 4b and 4c, various embodiments of a sensor extension of the present invention are

illustrated. Figure 4a shows a transmitter extension 60 having a sensor 62, a stationary mast 64

and an adapter module 66. Figure 4b shows a transmitter extension 70 having a sensor 72, a

retractable mast 74 and an adapter module 76. The retractable mast 74 may be retracted when

the device to which the transmitter extension 70 is connected is not in use. Figure 4c shows a

transmitter extension 80 having a sensor 82, a wire 84 and an adapter module 86. In this

embodiment, the sensor 82 may be placed in any convenient location. Like the transmitter

extension embodiment of Figure 3 a, a sensor extension may alternatively be designed to have a

deformable mast. The adapter modules 66, 76 and 86 are adapted to be inserted into a device to

be controlled. Like the transmitter extensions, the sensor extensions assist in overcoming a line

of sight problem between a remote control 10 and an electronic device to be controlled.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations may

be made to the remote control of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope

of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their

equivalents.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hands- free remote control for controlling one or more electronic apparatus, comprising:

a casing;

a plurality of function activators disposed in said casing, said plurality of function

activators each being associated with one or more functions to be performed by the one or more

electronic apparatus;

a mode activator disposed in said casing for toggling between available modes of the

remote control;

a mode display disposed in said casing for displaying a current mode of the remote

control; a plurality of function displays disposed in said casing, each in respective proximity to

one of said plurality of function activators, for displaying a function of the one or more electronic

apparatus to be currently controlled by the respective one of said plurality of function activators;

a transmitter receptacle formed in said casing; and

a transmitter, disposed in said transmitter receptacle, for transmitting a signal to the one

or more electronic apparatus in response to activation of one or more of the plurality of function

activators;

wherein said plurality of function activators are arranged in said casing so as to facilitate

operation of the remote control by a foot of a user.

2. The hands-free remote control of Claim 1 , wherein said transmitter comprises:

an infrared (IR) emitter; and

an extendable portion coupled between said IR emitter and said transmitter receptacle for

locating said IR emitter a desired distance away from said casing.

3. The hands-free remote control of Claim 2, wherein said extendable portion is a mast.

4. A hands-free remote control, comprising:

a casing;

a plurality of function activators disposed in said casing, said plurality of function

activators each being associated with one or more functions to be performed by one or more

remotely located electronic apparatus; and

a mode activator disposed in said casing for toggling between available modes of the

remote control;

wherein at least said plurality of function activators are arranged in said casing so as to be

activatable by a foot of a user.

5. A remote control device, comprising:

a casing; and

a plurality of activator portions disposed in said casing for controlling a plurality of

features of a plurality of electronic devices; wherein said plurality of activator portions are adapted for activation by a bodily

appendage having limited dexterity.