Television remote control device

Abstract

A television remote control device responsive to illumination by a light beam for muting the audio output of a television receiver and automatically disabling the receiver a predetermined period following the muting thereof. A photo-responsive circuit generates a first set of control signals in response to the illumination of a portion thereof by a light beam. An audio control circuit mutes the audio output of the television immediately in response to the first signals, and a time-delay circuit responsive to the photo-responsive circuit generates a disabling signal a predetermined period following the generation of the first signals. A power control circuit disables the television by disconnecting its electrical input power in response to the disabling signal. A reset circuit is provided for manually turning the television on thereafter. If the photo-responsive circuit is illuminated a second time prior to the end of the aforementioned predetermined time period, a second set of control signals is generated which restores the audio output to its original amplitude and inhibits the generation of a disabling signal by the time-delay circuit. The various circuits may be of either electro-mechanical or electronic design, and the device may be included as original equipment or as a separate accessory to a television receiver.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.