Patent Application
20070241929
The present invention relates to a modular remote control device. Below reference will be made, for the sake of simplicity, to the particular case of automated systems for gates, shutters and the like, but obviously the invention also embraces other areas.
In the last few years automated systems for the home, such as gates, shutters, Venetian blinds, roll-up awnings, entrance doors and garage doors, have become widespread. All of these automated systems are now equipped with remote control devices which operate by means of infrared rays or radio waves via which the user can control operation, as required.
Various types of remote control devices exist, but principally they are divided into portable or wall-mounted remote control devices. The first type are small in size such that they may be easily held in one hand, while the second type are fixed to a wall. The first type have a limited number of pushbuttons for a limited number of functions generally from 1 to 4 pushbuttons so that their size may be kept small), while the second type may have a greater number of pushbuttons (a keypad) so as to have a greater number of functions.
Often the second type of remote control device may be incorporated in other devices such as a light switch or a control unit or may comprise controls for managing the automated system. Obviously, these remote control devices, after being fixed to a wall or incorporated in another device, cannot be replaced easily and quickly as required, or in keeping with the user's taste, since this requires the assistance of specialized personnel at a considerable cost.
Moreover, owing to the varied nature of the applications for automated systems gates, access doors, shutters, blinds, garage doors, awnings, etc.), it is required to use numerous portable or wall-mounted remote control devices, resulting in high purchase costs and difficulty as regards management by the user.
The remote control devices for automated systems hitherto have also become “furnishing complements”. In fact, particular attention is focused on ergonomics and design and, like all articles which come under the sway of fashion, they are subject to frequent review or restyling. Users who wish to replace their own remote control with a newly designed remote control must replace, where possible, the entire remote control unit (this depends also on whether or not the new remote control is compatible with the old receiving section).
This gives rise to the need to provide an automated system with an associated “universal” remote control device which can be easily adapted to the abovementioned requirements, in particular which can be easily adapted by the user to the style of their own home, shop or office premises so that, where possible, the user does not have to purchase complete remote control units which are different from each other.
The main object of the present invention is to provide a group of remote control devices for automated systems which does not have the disadvantages of the state of the art.
This and other objects are achieved with a modular remote control device comprising at least one transmission unit, provided with at least one pushbutton, and a support for said at least one unit, said at least one unit being removably housed with interference inside a seat with corresponding dimensions formed in a surface of said support, so as to allow said at least one unit to be interchangeable with said support.
A main characteristic feature of the invention is therefore the provision of a transmission unit independent of the support, to which it may be fixed using temporary fixing means and from which it may be easily removed for insertion inside another support. Consequently it is sufficient to produce a single electronic transmission module (operating via radio waves, infrared, etc.) to be associated, if necessary, with supports suitable for defining the end use of the remote control device. For this purpose, the transmission unit forms a stand-alone module which incorporates all the functions and the components necessary for correct operation thereof, including an independent power supply, (coded or uncoded) transmission and/or receiving circuits, user interfaces (displays, acoustic signalling devices, etc.).
In an advantageous variant of the remote control device, said unit and said seat have the form of a parallelepiped with a square base, such as to allow the insertion of the unit in the seat with four relative positions. This allows the direction of the transmitter to be adapted to a particular requirement.
Other advantageous variants are listed in the following dependent claims.
The advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the following description of an embodiment of the invention, provided by way of a non-limiting example. This description will refer to the accompanying drawings in which:
In the figures a remote control device according to the invention is generically indicated by 10. It comprises—see
In
In
In
Said units 20a,b,c may be engaged, by means of a manual operation, inside the seat 44a of the plate 40a, inside the seat 44b of the grip 40b or inside the seat 44c of the support 40c. The remote control device 10 which is obtained from engagement of the unit 20a in the case of the plate 40a and the grip 40b can be seen in
The assembly consisting of a unit 20a, 20b or 20c and the grip 40b forms a portable remote control device 10. The soft element 48 has the function of making the remote control device 10 comfortable to grip as well as providing a protective support cushion and protecting it in the case of being accidentally dropped.
The square form of the units 20a, b, c in plan view and the corresponding seats 44a, 44b or 44c allows insertion of any one of the units 20a, b, c inside the seat 42a, 44a or 44c in four different positions, at 90° with respect to each other, and therefore orientation of the units 20a, b, c where necessary. From this it can be understood how it is possible to assemble, as required, a remote control device 10, by choosing one of the three units 20a, b, c for the plate 40a or for the grip 40b.
In
It is therefore obvious that it is possible to combine with the support 40d one or more different transmission units such as those indicated by 20e or 20f, it being sufficient to form on said support 40d corresponding seats inside which it is inserted. Different groups of remote control devices are formed in this case, as before, being able to be adapted to any environment at a very low cost since only the support 40, and not the intelligent electronics of the transmission unit, is replaced. It is therefore sufficient to produce separately a single unit 20 and combine it with as many supports 40 as there are final uses to be obtained. There exists, moreover, an economic advantage from a production point of view since a standard part (unit 20) is produced and it is “made up” as required, while according to the state of the art, in order to modify the aesthetic form of the remote control device, it is necessary to modify also the form, dimensions and internal arrangement of the control components. The invention therefore achieves the predefined object.
The support 40a, b, c, d may, for example, be made of plastic materials, wood or metal. It is obvious from the figures that a remote control device 10 may have a transmission unit with different forms (for example round or two half-moons—see Figures) or with several transmitters (one, two, three or more). Moreover, supports 40 and units 20 may be made with forms, colours and functions different from those described, arranging the units 20 on the support 40 also in different layouts. The power supply of the unit 20 may be incorporated in the support 40 and conveyed to the unit 20 via known connections.
It is also possible to use (known) techniques for temporarily fixing the unit 20 to the support 40 (screws, buttons, tabs, tongues, etc.).
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP05/56642 | Dec 2005 | EP | regional |
| TV2004A000153 | Dec 2004 | IT | national |
