Coded data generation or conversion – Code generator or transmitter – Transmitter for remote control signal
Reexamination Certificate
1998-02-27
2001-06-05
Horabik, Michael (Department: 2735)
Coded data generation or conversion
Code generator or transmitter
Transmitter for remote control signal
C341S173000, C341S020000, C341S022000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06243035
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
One of the interesting technologies presently being developed is focused on combining the Internet or World Wide Web with the standard television set, video cassette recorder (“VCR”) and other home and office electronic products. Surveys show that almost 90% of U.S. homes have television sets, and most homes have more than one set. Various companies have developed and are selling products to create Internet sites that are fully compatible with the technology; these sites will allow customers full access to the Internet via their television set. It has been observed that the challenge to universal acceptance of the World Wide Web is, in fact, the television set (TV).
To utilize the emerging Web-to-TV technology, standard computer keyboards having wires have been used. Keyboards have long been popular as PC (personal computer) accessories such as for this application. Companies which offer Internet access, using the user's TV as the display device, usually offer either corded or cordless keyboards. A user can use the keyboard for various Internet functions including the sending of e-mail (electronic mail). However, for a variety of reasons, infrared (IR) wireless keyboards which have a range of up to 30 feet appear to be the preferred structure for interfacing with a home TV. Thus, a user merely needs a wireless keyboard, the TV, a phone line, and the Internet access service or Internet terminal to conveniently utilize this new technology. It has been found that a desirable feature for the user of a cordless keyboard is to be able to turn on his TV, VCR or cable box, make adjustments to the volume, and make adjustments to other functions thereof, directly from the keyboard without having to set the keyboard down and pick up the TV remote control.
Presently, in order for a keyboard manufacturer to offer this capability, the manufacturer has to contract with an IR database owner to obtain an IR code library for TV control, modify his firmware and/or hardware inside the keyboard to support the TV control signal transmission, and either add keys to the keyboard or assign additional functions to the existing keyset to allow the user to access these functions. This is time consuming, inefficient and presents a range of technical problems. The present invention addresses the problems outlined above by providing a self-contained module that is available as a standard component and is mountable on a standard keyboard housing with only minimal changes, if any, to the plastic tooling of the housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A self-contained universal and standardized module is mountable on, and is used in conjunction with a wireless keyboard for computer control of a TV, VCR or other consumer electronic products. A standard keyboard can be minimally modified to accommodate mounting of the module thereon and to electronically connect to the circuitry of the keyboard. A microcontroller within the module is programmed for controlling basic functions of a TV and VCR via the IR LED (light emitting diode) output of the keyboard.
The foregoing features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the invention. The accompanying drawings, listed hereinbelow, are useful in explaining the invention.
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Dent John D.
Walter Ronald J.
Galis Mark R.
Horabik Michael
Hyatt John E.
Universal Electronics Inc.
Wong Albert K.
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