US 6,636,273 B1 · Remote control dedicated keybutton for confirming tuner setting of a TV set to a specific channel setting

Abstract

Portable remote controller for accessory television devices for program channel selection and other operating functions. A single uniquely identified keybutton enables the viewer to remotely reset a televisor's video input to an “unused” channel such as channel 3. After a reset, the remote controller's functions revert to whatever device was previously selected. A variation provides that intentional pressing of a a “device selection” button, such as a CBL “cable box select” button, for a few seconds implements the input reset mode to automatically urge a specific video input selection. Another variation senses an extent of a TV or other device's “select” keybutton action. A partial depression of the TV keybutton may merely initiate the usual device selection function. By further depressing the TV keybutton a preceptive wireless signal is automatically sent to remotely affirm the appropriate video input selection.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A remote controller method including a keypad entry for device selection and functional instruction and comprising steps of:

presently selecting a command mode for one of at least two remotely controlled devices;
first entering a user preferred functional instruction command into the keypad;
sending the user preferred functional instruction command to the presently selected said remotely controlled device;
manually actuating a first dedicated keybutton switch;
overriding the presently selected remotely controlled device with a priority selection of a predesignated device in a measured response to the manual actuation of the first dedicated keybutton;
sending a preceptive setup command to the predesignated device;
and,
returning the presently selected command mode preexisting the manual actuation of the first dedicated keybutton.

5 more elements

A remote controller method comprising steps of:

first associating a remotely controlled apparatus comprising a televisor and an ancillary device;
first linking an intermediate video signal coupled between the ancillary device's output port and the televisor's input port;
first presetting a carrier frequency of the intermediate video signal delivered by the ancillary device to a predetermined channel and usually selected as one of channel 3 and channel 4;
configuring a portable remote controller to include a keypad port enabling a user to manually enter and first send device selection and channel tuning commands to at least one of the devices comprising the remotely controlled apparatus;
configuring the portable remote controller to include a user actuatable first dedicated keybutton operated switch to enable the user to particularly send a preceptive function signal to the televisor for affirming an immediate tuning of the televisor's input port to preferably match the first preset carrier frequency of the intermediate video signal.

2 more elements

A remote controller apparatus comprising:

a first keypad data entry means comprising a first switch means including a plurality of individually operable user accessible keybutton switches which may be manually actuated in concert to select and to initiate an immediate and usually multi-digit command function to implement control at least one of a televisor and an ancillary device ordinarily coupled with the televisor;
and,
a manually actuatable second switch means which may initiate translation of a preceptive function signal to the televisor;
a wireless sender means first modulated by a first set of uniquely encoded command signals comprising the immediate command function and operational to link a first set of wireless commands with at least one of the televisor and the ancillary device;
and,
the wireless sender means second modulated by a second set of uniquely encoded command signals comprising the preceptive function signal and operational to link a second set of wireless commands exclusively with the televisor to assert an immediate extent of interface signal compatibility between the televisor video signal input port and the ancillary device's video signal output port.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Remote control dedicated keybutton for confirming tuner setting of a TV set to a specific channel setting

Life of this patent

Remote control dedicated keybutton for confirming tuner setting of a TV set to a specific channel setting

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20