BACKGROUND
This disclosure relates to a universal remote control device and a charging base for the universal remote control device. In general, a remote control is an electronic device used to remotely control the operation of a machine such as a television. Universal remote control devices are used to remotely control multiple machines often manufactured by different manufacturers. Universal remote control devices generate infrared (IR) signals that are received by the machine to be controlled, and the machine performs particular functions based on the IR signals received from the universal remote control device. IR signals often require a line of sight between the device generating the IR signal and the machine receiving the IR signal.
Universal remote control devices often include a rechargeable battery as a power source. Power contacts electronically connected with the rechargeable battery are often provided in a recess formed in the housing of the universal remote control device. This recess mates with a pedestal or a similar extension on a charging base. The recess and corresponding pedestal are often small making it difficult to align of the universal remote control device with respect to the charging base.
A control unit, which is typically a small processor or integrated circuit, for the universal remote control device is programmed in a factory. It is desirable to program the control unit in an assembled universal remote control device. As such, it can be desirable to expose data contacts on the universal remote control device.
SUMMARY
In view of the foregoing, an improved universal remote control device is provided. Such a universal remote control device includes a housing, an IR signal generator positioned in or on the housing, a user interface positioned in or on the housing, a control unit positioned in the housing and connected with the IR signal generator and the user interface, a rechargeable battery positioned in the housing and connected with the control unit, and first and second power contacts each connected with the rechargeable battery. Each power contact includes an external contact surface that is parallel, at least flush with, or outwardly offset from an unrecessed flat external surface of the housing.
The aforementioned universal remote control device can be provided in combination with a charging base. The charging base includes a casing, first and second contact springs, and first and second electrical conductors. The casing includes a recess for receiving the universal remote control device. Each contact spring extends through a respective contact spring opening in the casing and into the recess. The first and second electrical conductors are each connected with a respective contact spring for connection with power conditioning electronics.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a universal remote control device and a charging base for the universal remote control device.
FIG. 2 is a front view of the universal remote control device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a lower perspective view of the universal remote control device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a schematic depiction of electrical components of the universal remote control device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a rear view of the universal remote control device of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the is a front view of the universal remote control device and the charging base of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 depicts a universal remote control device 10 and a charging base 12 for use with the universal remote control device 10. The universal remote control device 10 is configured to be operated by a user to remotely control a machine, such as a television as well as other electronic appliances, by sending wireless signals from the universal remote control device 10 to the machine.
The universal remote control device 10 includes a housing 14, which in the illustrated embodiment is hollow and generally box shaped. When in use, the universal remote control device 10 is often oriented as shown in FIG. 2. The housing 14 is dimensioned so as to be easily held with a single hand of a person similar to handheld devices such as mobile phones. The universal remote control device 10 will be described with reference to the orientation shown in FIG. 2 for ease of understanding how to make and use the universal remote control device. Directional terms will be used with reference to the orientation shown in FIG. 2; however, these directional terms are used for ease of understanding only and should not be used to limit the universal remote control device to any particular orientation unless specifically mentioned. The housing 14 includes an upper wall 16, a left (first) side wall 18, and a lower wall 20. The upper wall 16, the left side wall 18, and the lower wall 20 are integrally formed from a single piece of IR transmissive plastic in the illustrated embodiment. With reference back to FIG. 1, the upper wall 16 includes a plurality of speaker holes 24. The left side wall 18 is oriented perpendicular to the upper wall 16. The lower wall 20 is oriented parallel with the upper wall 16 and perpendicular to the left side wall 18. With reference to FIG. 3, the lower wall 20 includes first and second power contact openings 26, 28, respectively, and first and second data contact openings 32, 34, respectively. The lower wall 20 also includes a microphone hole 36. The plurality of speaker holes 24 in the upper wall 16 extend through the upper wall into the hollow interior of the housing 14. The power contact openings 26, 28, the data contact openings 32, 34 and the microphone hole 36 extend through the lower wall 20 into the hollow interior of the housing 14.
With reference back to FIG. 2, the housing 14 includes a right (second) side wall 40 opposite the left side wall 18 and interconnecting the upper wall 16 with the lower wall 20. The housing 14 further includes a front wall 42 and a rear wall 44. As more clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the right side wall 40 is beveled with respect to both the front wall 42 and the rear wall 44. The right side wall 40 includes a power button opening 46, a mute button opening 48, and a volume button opening 50. Each of these button openings 46, 48 and 50 extends through the right side wall 40 into the hollow interior of the housing 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the right side wall 40 is made from an extruded aluminum.
The front wall 42 connects together the upper wall 16, the left side wall 18, the lower wall 20, and the right side wall 40. In the illustrated embodiment, the front wall 42 is made from glass. The front wall 42 includes an indicator light opening 52. The rear wall 44 connects the upper wall 16, the left side wall 18, the lower wall 20, and the right side wall 40 together. The rear wall 44 is also made from glass in the illustrated embodiment, which is IR transmissive.
With reference to FIG. 4, the universal remote control device 10 also includes an infrared (IR) signal generator 60 (depicted schematically), which can be positioned in or on the housing 14. A plurality of IR signal generators are provided in the housing 14 of the universal remote control device 10 described herein and will be described in further detail below. If desired, however, only one IR signal generator 60 is necessary. The universal remote control device 10 also includes a user interface, which in the illustrated embodiment includes a graphical user interface (GUI) 62 positioned in or on the housing 14. The universal remote control device 10 further includes a control unit 64 positioned in the housing 14 and connected with the IR signal generator 60 and the user interface 62. The universal remote control device 10 also includes a battery 66, which in the illustrated embodiment is a rechargeable battery, positioned in the housing 14 and connected with the control unit 64. First and second power contacts 68, 70, respectively, are each connected with the rechargeable battery 66. Each of the first and second power contacts 68, 70 includes an external contact surface 74, 76 (FIG. 3), respectively, that is parallel, at least flush with, or outwardly offset from an unrecessed flat external surface 78 of the housing 14. In the illustrated embodiment, each external contact surface 74, 76 is outwardly offset from (although slightly) and parallel with the unrecessed flat external surface 78, which in the illustrated embodiment is located on the lower wall 20 of the housing 14. The location of the first and second power contacts 68, 70 could be changed such that the external contact surfaces 74, 76 extend from an unrecessed flat external surface located on another wall of the housing 14, for example on the rear wall 44 or elsewhere. The unrecessed flat external surface 78 on the housing 14 is devoid of concavity adjacent the external contact surfaces 74, 76 of the power contacts 68, 70. This facilitates alignment of the universal remote control device 10 on the charging base 12.
The control unit 64 can include a processor and other control circuitry and is powered by the rechargeable battery 66. The control unit 64 is electrically connected with a power switch 100 that can be operated by a power button 102 (FIG. 3) extending through the power button opening 46 in the right side wall 40. Pressing the power button 102 operates the power switch 100 and the control unit 64 can operate the IR signal generator 60 so that a power (ON/OFF) signal can be sent to a machine (or multiple machines) controlled by the universal remote control device 10. The control unit 64 is also electrically connected with a mute switch 104, which can be operated by a mute button 106 (FIG. 3) extending through the mute button opening 48. Pressing of the mute button 106 by an operator results in the control unit 64 controlling the IR signal generator 60 to generate a mute command signal to at least one of the machines operated by the universal remote control device 10. The control unit 64 is also electrically connected with volume switches 108 which can be operated by a volume button 110 extending through the volume button opening 50 in the right side wall 40. Operation of the volume switches 108 can result in the control unit 64 commanding the IR signal generator 60 to generate an IR command signal to change the volume on the machine operated by the universal remote control device 10. The control unit 64 can also be electrically connected with a microphone 114, which can be positioned near the microphone hole 36. The control unit 64 can also be electrically connected with a speaker 116, which can be located near the plurality of speaker holes 24. The control unit 64 can also be electrically connected with or associated with a memory 118, which can be RAM or ROM. The control unit 64 can also be electrically connected with a display 130 and a touch panel 132 associated with the display. The control unit 64 can also be electrically connected with an accelerometer 134. The accelerometer 134 is provided to detect when the universal remote control device 10 is picked up from a support surface so that the universal remote control device 10 can move from a sleep state to an ON state and display graphical images on the display 130. The universal remote control device 10 further includes first and second data contacts 138, 140, respectively, that are each connected with the control unit 64. Each of the first and second data contacts 138, 140 includes an outer contact surface 144, 146, respectively, that is parallel, at least flush with, or outwardly offset from the unrecessed flat external surface 78 of the housing 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer contact surfaces 144, 146 for each of the first and second data contacts 138, 140, respectively, are parallel with the external contact surfaces 74, 76 of the first and second power contacts 68, 70, respectively. The control unit 64 is also electrically connected with indicator lights 160, which can be LEDs positioned adjacent to the indicator light opening 52 in the front wall 42 of the housing 14. The universal remote control device 10 is also configured for wireless connectivity via IR, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee and Z-Wave. The control unit 64 is appropriately programmed and appropriate conventional antennas/receivers (not shown) are provided in the universal remote control device 10 for the aforementioned wireless connectivity.
As indicated above, the IR signal generator 60 can include a plurality of IR signal generators such as an upper IR signal generator 170 (shown in phantom in FIG. 1) and a rear IR signal generator 172 (shown in phantom in FIG. 5). The upper IR signal generator 170 is positioned in the housing 14 and configured to generate an IR signal through the upper wall 16 of the housing 14. The rear IR signal generator 172 is positioned in the housing 14 and configured to generate an IR signal through the rear wall 44 of the housing. As mentioned above, the universal remote control device 10 is configured to be a hand held device. As such when an operator handles the universal remote control device 10, her hand should not cover either the upper IR signal generator 170 or the rear IR signal generator 172. The user interface 62 for the universal remote control device 10 includes the GUI presented on the display 130 and associated with the touch panel 132. With respect to the front wall 42 of the housing 14, the display 130 is larger than typical displays on common electronic handheld devices. In the illustrated embodiment, the display 130 has an aspect ratio of 21:9. The GUI is controlled by the control unit 64 and all buttons 180 on the GUI for providing user input are positioned below the rear IR signal generator 172 toward the lower wall 20 of the housing 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear IR signal generator 172 is positioned between an upper edge 182 of the display 130 and the upper wall 16 of the housing 14 (compare FIG. 2 to FIG. 5). As such, the likelihood of an operator inadvertently covering the rear IR signal generator 172 is mitigated when the operator is holding the remote upright as shown in FIG. 2 because the GUI is provided below the rear IR signal generator 172.
The universal remote control device 10 further includes a magnet 190, which is shown in phantom in FIG. 5. The magnet 190 is disposed in the housing 14 adjacent to the rear wall 44 and nearer to the lower wall 20 as compared to the upper wall 16 of the housing 14. The magnet 190 is used to properly position the universal remote control device 10 on the charging base 12.
With reference back to FIG. 1, the charging base 12 includes a casing 210 having a recess 212 for receiving the universal remote control device 10. The charging base 12 is used by the final purchaser of the universal remote control device 10 to charge the rechargeable battery 66. Even though the universal remote control device 10 includes first and second data contacts 138, 140, the charging base 12 is devoid of any data contacts. The universal remote control device 10 is finally assembled at the factory and the first and second data contacts 138, 140 can be used to provide commands to the control unit 64 to program the control unit to perform the functions described above. As described above, the universal remote control device 10 is also configured for wireless connectivity via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee and Z-Wave. As such software updates can be pushed to the universal remote control device 10 through the internet when the device is connected with the internet via the aforementioned wireless connectivity. However, the charging base 12 is devoid of any data contact, which can provide mechanical security to any software on the control unit 64 in that the end user of the universal remote control device cannot access the first and second data contacts 138, 140 through the charging base 12.
The casing 210 of the charging base 12 includes an upper cover 214 and a base wall 216 connected with the upper cover, both of which are made from an electrically nonconductive material such as plastic. A non-slip foot pad (not shown) can be provided on the base wall 216 so that when the base wall is supported on a support surface and parallel thereto the non-slip foot pad inhibits movement of the charging base 12 with respect to the support surface.
In the illustrated embodiment, the recess 212, which is provided in the casing 210, is provided in the upper cover 214 and extends toward the base wall 216 from a top 220 of the upper cover. The top 220 is generally planar and is positioned horizontally in a typical use configuration with the charging base 12 resting on a horizontal support surface. The top 220 includes an indicator opening 222. An indicator light 224 is visible through the indicator opening 222 to provide indications to an operator as to the charging status of the universal remote control device 10. The upper cover 214 further includes a first external end wall 226, which includes a power port opening 228. A power port 232, such as a micro USB, is accessible through the power port opening 228 in the first external end wall 226. The upper cover 214 also includes a second external end wall 234 opposite the first external end wall 226 and situated generally parallel to the first external end wall. The upper cover 214 also includes a first external side wall 236, which depends downwardly from the top 220 and is positioned perpendicular to the top 220, the first external end wall 226 and the second external end wall 234. The upper cover 214 further includes a second external side wall 238 positioned opposite the first external side wall 236 and depending downwardly from the top 220.
The recess 212 is defined by a floor 242 that is offset below the top 220. The recess 212 is further defined by an end wall 244 located at a first end of the floor 242 and extending away from the floor 242 in a first (upward) direction toward the top 220. The recess 212 is further defined by a first side wall (not visible in FIG. 1) and a second side wall 248 parallel to the first side wall. The first side wall extends away from the floor 242 in the first direction and extends away from a first lateral end of the end wall 244 toward a second opposite end of the floor, which is vertically higher than the first end. The second side wall 248 extends away from the floor 242 in the first direction and extends away from a second, opposite, lateral end of the end wall 244 toward the second end of the floor. The recess 212 is deeper at the first end, which is near the end wall 244, as compared to the second end, which is the end opposite the first end, measured in a direction normal to the floor 242.
First and second contact spring openings 260, 262, respectively are provided in the end wall 244. First and second contact springs 264, 266 each extend through a respective contact spring opening 260, 262 in the casing 210 and into the recess 212. First and second electrical conductors (depicted schematically in FIG. 1) 270, 272 each connect with a respective contact spring 264, 266 for connecting the contact springs 264, 266 with power conditioning electronics through the power port 232. A charging adapter (not shown) can condition wall outlet power appropriately so that the appropriate power is delivered to the charging contact springs 264, 266 to charge the universal remote control device 10.
With reference to FIG. 3, the external contact surfaces 74, 76 of the first and second power contacts 68, 70, respectively, are accessible on the unrecessed flat external surface 78 of the housing 14 of the universal remote control device. Likewise, the outer contact surfaces 144, 146 of the first and second data contacts 138, 140 are also accessible on the unrecessed flat external surface 78 of the housing 14 of the universal remote control device 10. The universal remote control device 10 and the charging base 12 are configured such that with the universal remote control device 10 received in the recess 212 of the charging base 12 with the first and second power contacts 68, 70 contacting the first and second contact springs 264, 266, respectively, the first and second data contacts 138, 140 are adjacent to or in contact with an electrically non-conductive section of the end wall 244 offset from the first and second contact springs 264, 266. This allows for the universal remote control device 10 to be charged on the charging base, while prohibiting data transfer to or from the control unit 64 on the universal remote control device 10 through the charging base 12.
The power contacts 68 and 70 are appropriately spaced to inhibit a short circuit when charging the universal remote control device 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the first power contact 68 is positioned nearer to the left (first) side wall 18 as compared to the right (second) side wall 40 and the second power contact 70 is positioned nearer to the right (second) side wall 40 as compared to the left (first) side wall 18. Also, the first power contact 68 is positioned between the left (first) side wall 18 and the first data contact 138 and the second power contact 70 is positioned between the right (second) side wall 40 and the second data contact 140. Since the lower wall 20 is made from electrically nonconductive plastic, the power contacts 68, 70 and the data contacts 138, 140 are electrically isolated from one another.
As mentioned above, the universal remote control device 10 includes a magnet 190, which will be referred to as a first magnet, disposed adjacent to the rear wall 44 and nearer the lower wall 20 as compared to the upper wall 16 of the housing 14. The charging base 12 includes a second magnet 290 (shown in phantom in FIG. 1) disposed adjacent the floor 242 nearer the first end of the floor, which is near the end wall 244, as compared to the second end. In the illustrated embodiment, the second magnet 290 is positioned between the floor 242 and the base 216 nearer the recess floor. The first magnet 190 on the universal remote control device 10 cooperates with the second magnet 290 on the charging base 12 to properly position the universal remote control device 10 in the recess 212 so that the first and second power contact 68, 70 are in appropriate contact with the first and second contact springs 264, 266, respectively.
With reference to FIG. 7, the universal remote control device 10 is received in the recess 212 although the first and second power contacts 68, 70 are not in contact with the first and second contact springs 264, 266. The first and second contact springs 264, 266 are resilient and are configured to extend into the recess 212. With the first and second power contacts 68, 70 contacting the first and second contact springs 264, 266, respectively, and the floor 242 of the recess 212 being positioned nearer to horizontal as compared to vertical (as shown in FIG. 7), a portion of the universal remote control device 10 cantilevers from the casing 210 and the first magnet 190 cooperates with the second magnet 290 to retain the universal remote control device 10 in the recess 212. With the first and second power contacts 68, 70 contacting the first and second contact springs 264, 266, respectively, the first and second contact springs 264, 266 are pushed back through the first and second contact spring openings 260, 262, respectively. In this position, the lower wall 20 of the housing 14 of the universal remote control device 10 contacts or is positioned closely adjacent to the end wall 244 minimizing any gap between the lower wall 20 and the end wall 244. When in this position, the lower wall 20 is parallel with the end wall 244 and the end wall 244 located at the first end of the floor 242 is equal in height to the lower wall 20.
A universal remote control device and a charging base have been described above with particularity. Modifications and alterations will occur to those upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. The invention, however, is not limited to only the embodiments described above. Instead, the invention is broadly defined by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof. It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives or varieties thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
Patent Application
20150371536
