TELEVISION REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE WITH BUILT-IN LOCATOR FUNCTION

DISPOSITIF DE TELECOMMANDE POUR TELEVISEUR AVEC FONCTION DE LOCALISATION INTEGREE

English Abstract

The invention describes an improvement to the television and associated remote
control device
that facilitates finding the remote, if misplaced. The television unit
includes a circuit that, when
activated, transmits a signal to the remote control device. In addition to the
normal television
controls, the remote control device has a sensor to detect the television's
transmission. Upon
detecting this transmission, the remote control device has the ability to emit
localizable audio
and/or visual cues.

Claims

The Embodiments Of The Invention In Which An Exclusive Property Or
Privilege Is Claimed Are Defined As Follows:
1. In a television and associated remote control:
~ A transmitter contained within the television unit that can be activated on
demand; and
A remote control device that contains a receiver and locating device
Wherein the transmitter within the television can communicate with the
receiver
in the remote control device, when activated.
2. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the communication between the
television
and the remote control is based on infrared signals.
3. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the communication between the
television
and the remote control is based on radio signals (including involving the
Bluetooth
protocol, or others).
4. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the locating property is based
on vibrations
of the remote control device itself or a part thereof.
5. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the locating property is based
on a tone
generator or other sound-producing device.
6. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the locating property is based
on a flashing
light, or other visual cues.
7. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the user-activation of the
transmitter is
performed via a physical button or switch.
8. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the user-activation of the
transmitter is
performed via a menu or semi-automated system.
9. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the transmitter circuit has an
independent
power source, such as a battery.
10. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the transmitter circuit has a
shared power
source with the television unit.
11. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the receiver circuit has an
independent
power source, such as a battery.
12. The combination defined in claim 1, wherein the receiver circuit has a
shared power
source with the other functions of the remote control.

Description

CA 02690680 2009-12-10
Television Remote Control Locator
The invention describes an improvement to the television and associated remote
control device
that facilitates finding the remote, if the remote is misplaced.
Background of the Invention
Eugene Polley, a Zenith engineer, created the first wireless TV remote in
1955. For decades
since, cordless television remote controls have been widely known and almost
universally used.
During that time, a common issue with television owners, particularly those
with small children,
has been the misplacement of the remote control. There have previously been
other, ad hoc
methods of finding the misplaced controller; however there has always been the
need for
substantial improvement.
Sound-based and radio wave-based "key finders" have been available for
purchase for several
years; however their popularity has been limited due to the population's
general aversion to add-
on battery-powered devices.
By incorporating the locating system into the television and remote controller
themselves, these
limitations can be overcome.
Summary of the Invention
The Television Remote Control Locator functions by transmitting a signal
(radio, infrared, or
other) from the television to a receiver in the remote control unit.
When a person is unable to locate the remote control via normal means, they
are able to activate
the transmitter circuit inside the television unit. This activation may via a
physically accessible
button or via a semi-automated internal system. The transmitted signal is then
detected by a
receiver in the remote control. This receiver then triggers audible and/or
visual cues originating
from the remote control that allows it to be more easily located.
The receiver is simply a battery-powered circuit board containing a chip that
is housed in the
same small plastic chassis as the remainder of the remote control's contents.
In the drawings, which form a part of this specification,
Fig. 1 is a view of the inside of a portion of the remote control device. It
shows the receiver
circuit-board and tone generator.
Fig. 2 is a view of the opposite side of the circuit board shown in figure 1.
Fig. 3 is a view of the outside of a portion of the remote control device.
Fig.4 is a view of the inside of a portion of the television unit. It shows
the switch, circuit-board
and power-supply.

CA 02690680 2009-12-10
Fig. 5 is a view of the opposite side of the circuit board shown in figure 4.
It shows the
transmitter, LED, and circuit-board.
Fig. 6 is a view of the outside of the television showing the external switch
and LED.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The circuit-board inside the television is powered by an independent 12 volt
battery(Fig.4)
rather than the television's power source. There is an external switch (Fig.6)
that, when pressed,
closes the circuit and activates the transmitter unit. A 433.92 MHz signal is
then generated by the
resonator (Fig.5 - Labeled HR433A) for detection by the receiver unit.
The circuit-board inside the remote control device is powered by the same
batteries that provide
power to the rest of the remote control's functions. The receiver (Fig.2 -
Labeled C7) is tuned to
detect a 433.92 MHz signal. When that specific frequency is detected, it
activates the electric
tone-generator (Fig. I - Labeled TG) that is attached to the inside of the
outer body of the remote
control device. There is a hole in the outside body in this area (Fig.3) that
allows the sound to be
emitted powerfully to facilitate discovery.
It will be apparent that various changes and modifications can be made without
departing from
the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. For example, the method
of communication
between the transmitter and receiver can be altered to suit advancements and
changes in the
marketplace.