Remote control unit for controlling a plurality of devices and corresponding methods of using the remote control device
OwnerJiun Pink Taiinventor
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Abstract
There are provided a remote control unit configurable to be used to control a plurality of devices together with corresponding methods to use the remote control. Advantageously, the transmission of both master IR signals and an illumination beam from the remote control unit is adjustable for varying a field of coverage of the master IR signals, with at least one of the plurality of devices within the field of coverage receiving the master IR signals allowing the at least one of the plurality of devices to be controlled.
Claims30
A remote control unit configurable to be used to control a plurality of devices, the remote control unit comprising:
- a micro-controller for controlling functions performed by the remote control unit;
- an IR transceiver coupled to the micro-controller for both receiving supplementary IR signals and transmitting master IR signals;
- a memory module coupled to the micro-controller for storing the received supplementary IR signals in a plurality of profiles;
- a user input interface coupled to the micro-controller for both providing instructions to the micro-controller and for allocating the received supplementary IR signals in at least one command field in each of the plurality of profiles;
- an illumination source coupled to the micro-controller for providing a visible indication of a location that the IR transceiver is pointed towards, the illumination source being activated when the master IR signals are transmitted;
- and
- an adjustable lens assembly for adjusting transmission of both the master IR signals and an illumination beam from the illumination source;
- wherein the transmission of both the master IR signals and the illumination beam is adjusted for varying a field of coverage of the master IR signals, with at least one of the plurality of devices within the field of coverage receiving the master IR signals.
A method for using a remote control unit to control a plurality of devices, the method including:
- receiving supplementary IR signals from the plurality of devices through an IR transceiver of the remote control unit;
- allocating the received supplementary IR signals in at least one command field in each of a plurality of profiles;
- storing the received supplementary IR signals in a memory module of the remote control unit;
- transmitting master IR signals through the IR transceiver;
- illuminating with an illumination beam from an illumination source of the remote control unit, a location that the IR transceiver of the remote control unit is pointed towards with a visible indication;
- and
- adjusting transmission of both the master IR signals and the illumination beam with an adjustable lens assembly of the remote control unit;
- wherein the transmission of both the master IR signals and the illumination beam is adjusted for varying a field of coverage of the master IR signals, with at least one of the plurality of devices within the field of coverage receiving the master IR signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.