Patent Application
20070008168
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wireless remote controller and more particularly, to such a wireless remote controller, which is made to fit Express Card specifications and has memory means for data access.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many people tend to use a desktop computer or notebook computer for making a brief presentation, or as an entertainment platform for playing video games, watching DVD, or listening music. When a computer is used for making a brief presentation or executing a multimedia function, a wireless remote controller may be necessary for controlling the operation of the computer conveniently at a distance. The wireless receiver unit and wireless transmitter (control) unit of a conventional wireless remote controller are two separate members. The user may forget where the wireless transmitter is.
Further, following fast development of data storage and access technology, a variety of mobile memory devices have been developed and have appeared on the market. However, a wireless remote controller and a mobile memory device are two different separate items, not attachable together. Because these mobile devices are compact and small, the user may lose the devices and forget where they are.
It is desirable to have a combination electronic device, which has a wireless remote controller and a data storage device incorporated therein to extend product utilization and to save the manufacturing cost.
The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is one object of the present invention to provide a wireless remote controller, which is convenient to carry. It is another object of the present invention to provide a wireless remote controller, which prevents missing of the receiver unit when not in use. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a wireless remote controller, which provides an added data storage function. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a wireless remote controller, which saves much manufacturing cost. According to one aspect of the present invention, the wireless remote controller is comprised of a transmitter (control) unit, and a receiver unit. The wireless remote controller is made subject to Express Card specifications for insertion into an Express Card slot. According to another aspect of the present invention, the transmitter unit has an open chamber in the housing thereof for accommodating the receiver unit, allowing insertion of the whole assembly into an Express Card slot. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the transmitter unit has incorporated therein a data storage device so that the main system to which the wireless remote controller is connected can store data into or fetch data from the data storage device. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the control device and the data storage device of the transmitter unit uses the same housing, saving much manufacturing cost.
Referring to FIGS. 1˜7, a wireless remote controller in accordance with the present invention is shown comprised of a transmitter unit (control unit) 1, and a receiver unit 2.
The transmitter unit 1 comprises a housing 11, which has an open chamber 111 adapted to accommodate the receiver unit 2 when not in use, a data storage device 12 and a control device 13 mounted in the housing 11. The data storage device 12 comprises a Express Card interface 121 defined subject to PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association), a flash memory control chip 122 electrically connected to the Express Card interface 121, and a flash memory 123 electrically connected to the flash memory control chip 122. The control device 13 comprises a micro-controller 131, a battery 132 electrically connected to the micro-controller 131 to provide the necessary working voltage, a RF (Radio Frequency) circuit 133 electrically connected to the micro-controller 131, an indicator light 134 electrically connected to the micro-controller 131, a set of operating buttons 135 respectively electrically connected to the micro-controller 131, a transmitting antenna 136 electrically connected to the RF circuit 133, and a sensor 137 electrically connected to the micro-controller 131.
The Express Card interface 121 is provided at one side of the housing 11 for connection to a main system (for example, a notebook computer) 3.
Through the Express Card interface 121, the flash memory control chip 122 stores data from the main system 3 into the flash memory 123, or fetches data from the flash memory 123 and then transmits fetched data to the main system 3.
The micro-controller 131 receives signal produced by the operating buttons 135 and proceeds with the related processing subject to the content of the signal from the operating buttons 135.
The RF circuit 133 receives signal provided by the micro-controller 131, and modulates the signal to a predetermined frequency for transmitting to the outside through the transmitting antenna 136.
The indicator light 134 is turned on to give a visual indication signal subject to the control of the micro-controller 131 during operation of the control device 13.
The operating buttons 135 are mounted in the outside wall of the housing 11. The user can operate each operating button 135 to produce a respective signal to the micro-controller 131 for further processing.
The transmitting antenna 136 is adapted to transmit signal from the RF circuit 133 to the receiver unit 2 by radio.
The sensor 137 may be mounted inside or outside the housing 11 to produce a corresponding control signal to the micro-controller 131 for further processing subject to the user's command or external environmental change (such as pressure or temperature).
The receiver unit 2 is comprised of an USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface 21, a micro controller 22, a RF circuit 23, a receiving antenna 24, and an indicator light 25.
The USB interface 21 is connectable to the main system 3.
The micro-controller 22 is adapted to receive signal from the RF circuit 23 and transmits the signal to the main system 3 through the USB interface 21.
The RF circuit 23 is adapted to demodulate signal received from the receiving antenna 24 and to transmit the demodulated signal to the micro-controller 22.
The receiving antenna 24 is adapted to receive modulated signal from the transmitting antenna 136 and transmits received signal to the RF circuit 23.
The indicator light 25 is turned on to give a visual indication signal when the micro-controller 22 receives a signal from the receiving antenna 24 through the RF circuit 23.
Referring to
Further, when the user operates the operating buttons 135 of the control device 13 to control the operation of the main system 3, the indicator light 134 is turned on to give a visual indication signal.
Further, the main system 3 can be a desktop computer, notebook computer, or digital TV; the indicator lights 134 and 25 can be LEDs (light emitting diodes) or laser diodes.
Referring to
As indicated above, the wireless remote controller of the present invention has the following features.
1. When not in use, the receiver unit 2 can be received in the open chamber 111 in the housing 11 of the transmitter unit 1, preventing missing of the receiver unit 2.
2. Through the Express Card interface 121, the transmitter unit 1 can be electrically connected to the main system 3 for enabling the main system 3 to store data into or fetch data from the flash memory 123 of the transmitter unit 1.
3. The data storage device 12 and the control device 13 use the same housing 11, saving much manufacturing cost.
Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.
