Abstract:
A series of reflecting mirrors to transfer waves from a portable remote control device to control electronic devices where the wave receiving eye of the electronic device is not in uninterrupted alignment with the remote control device. A wave filter to block certain definable instructions from reaching the wave receiving eye.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention is in the field of storage and holding equipment. More specifically, the present invention provides a means to operate by remote control, electronic devices and/or devices with a status display, for example home theater equipment, A/V devices like, DVD player, VCR and the like. This invention enables such electronic devices to be mounted in a vertical position thus saving floor and/or shelf space, without impairing the ability to operate the same by means of remote control devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In most houses today there are many electronic devices. The television is a prime example. Sometimes there is a smart home controller that controls via a computer program or an electronic chip, pre-programmed instructions or real-time instructions. Such a smart home controller could control many electronic devices like the television, DVD player, a satellite receiver, a VCR and similar devices that can be operated by remote control. 
         [0003]    Most of the above mentioned devices can be operated by remote control. Even where a particular device is not controllable by remote control, but the smart home controller is connected to the device, then a remote control instruction to the home theater could control the other device. 
         [0004]    Remote control devices usually use infra-red technology, whereby the user presses certain buttons on the remote device in order to operate, close or alter the program, where the device has optional programs. 
         [0005]    Infra-red uses part of the light spectrum invisible to the human eye. Electronic devices that are made to be operated by remote control, have their infra-red receiver facing in such a direction that the instructing rays from the remote control device can conveniently reach the said receiver. There must be uninterrupted uncluttered air space between the remote control and the receiver. 
         [0006]    Many electronic devices today are made to fit under the CRT type television which means they are made to be the approximate width and depth as the television and with a relatively small height. This low flat size tends to use a lot of floor space. 
         [0007]    The trend today is towards LCD or plasma screens for television sets. These relatively thin televisions are often mounted on the wall or on a wall mounted remote controlled movable screen holder. 
         [0008]    This growing phenomenon leaves the other electronic devices, like for example, a DVD, without their television housing and without a convenient and protected place for storage. Floor space is therefore not saved by having an LCD or plasma television set, if the old housing under the CRT TV is still used. 
         [0009]    There could be other considerations against the placing these electronic devices flat on the floor or on a shelf, for example vulnerability to damage or internal home design requirements. 
         [0010]    This invention comes to offer a solution to this problem of housing or storing large surface area, low height electronic devices whereby their ability to receive instruction from a remote control device will not be impaired. 
         [0011]    The invention applies to any device that is required to be controlled and operated by remote control where the receiving window does not face the user whether or not housed or stored in a housing. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description present embodiments of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview, or framework, for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, together with the description serve to explain the principles and operations of the invention. 
         [0013]    An object of this invention is to have a method of operating electronic devices by remote control where the receiving window for receiving operating instructions does not face the direction of the operator. 
         [0014]    Another object of this invention is to have a means of holding remote control operated devices in a vertical position. 
         [0015]    Another object of this invention is to save floor and/or shelf space. 
         [0016]    Another object of this invention is to provide a method to give electronic remote control instruction using for example, infra red where there is no open uninterrupted uncluttered air space between the remote control and the electronic device. 
         [0017]    Another object of this invention is to block certain infra-red remote instruction where the said instruction could cause damage or be otherwise undesirable. 
         [0018]    Another object of this invention is to use reflecting mirrors to see the writing on the screen of the said electronic devices when the said writing is not directly visible. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain, by way of example only, the principles of the invention: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a schematic depiction of an optional housing for the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a schematic depiction of the said housing open and an electronic device. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a sketch of a light or other wave hitting two reflective surfaces. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a schematic depiction of the said housing from the end view showing a method of operation of this invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a schematic depiction of the present invention showing an alternate path for the remote controller&#39;s waves. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a schematic depiction of this invention as a stand alone device without a housing unit. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a schematic depiction of an optional method of adjusting the position of the reflecting mirrors. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a schematic depiction of an optional lip addition to the CD tray. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a schematic depiction of a filter for infra-red waves. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    As will be appreciated the present invention is capable of other and different embodiments than those discussed above and described in more detail below, and its several details are capable of modifications in various aspects, all without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the embodiments set forth below are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  shows a possible housing for this invention. It is an empty box  100  made from any suitable material like wood, plastic or the like. One side  102  could be used for a door for inserting or extracting the electronic device being used with this invention or as a window if a screen of a plasma or LCD type television were placed behind the window or the plasma type television could be attached to its external wall. The space  104  of the box  100  would be kept free of any electronic devices. Some elements of this invention could be housed in that space  104  and will be more fully described in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0031]    The hole  103  is for electric and other cables to go from their source to the electronic device inside the box  100 . The hole  103  could be on any face of the box  100  to conveniently allow the said cables to be orderly. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows an optional method to place an electronic device  106  inside the housing  100 . The door  102  opens at the hinge  108  and rests in a horizontal position with, for example, the aid of folding leg  113 . The said horizontal position could be achieved in other ways for example, with the aid of a cord or wire inside box  100 , preventing the door  102  from opening more than a set amount. The electronic device  106  could be brought onto the open door  102  before being turned into a vertical position on the raised shelf  109 . 
         [0033]    A strap  105 , for example, could be used to hold the electronic device from slipping when being turned upright. The door  102  could then be closed. The electric cables of the electronic device  106  would pass under the shelf  109  and out through the hole  103 . This process of opening the door  102  could be sometimes a one-time happening when the device is initially installed in box  100 . In a case where access to the front of the device  106  is needed on a frequent basis, the device  106  could easily be turned onto its legs  112  by opening door  102 . An example of this need could be if the only way to insert and eject discs is from the front of the device  106 . When the door  102  is opened there would need to be some slack in the electric cables to prevent tension in those cables. This slack could be housed in the space under the shelf  109 . 
         [0034]    The housing  104  for the reflecting mirrors is described in more detail in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 3  shows the path of a wave  120  as it hits the first reflective surface  122  and rebounds to the second reflective surface  124 . The physics principle involved in this invention is that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection, when light or other types of wave hit a reflective surface. The first angle of incidence  126  equals the first angle of reflection  127 . The wave continues on its path until it collides with the second reflective surface  124 . The wave  120  rebounds again and here also, the second angle of incidence  128  equals the second angle of reflection  129 . The angles  126  and  127  are not necessarily equal to angles  128  and  129  respectively unless angle  126  is 45° and angle  134  is 90°. 
         [0036]    The reflective material  122  is any suitable material that reflects waves truly, like for example, a mirror or a prism. Adjustment of the angle  134  by moving the angle of the reflecting surfaces  122  and  124  will enable the final reflected wave  121  to reach the intended target, being, in this invention, the receiving eye  FIG. 2   114 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  shows the cross-sectional end view of this invention. The box  100  houses the electronic device  106 , which is lying on its end in an upright position. This is so even though the normal way for this device to stand is on its feet  112 . The receiving eye  114  which normally faces frontward, is facing upward. In this situation, in the absence of this invention, the receiving eye  114  would not be able to receive operating instructions from the remote control unit, because the remote control waves do not have a straight uninterrupted path to the receiver eye  114 . 
         [0038]    There are two surfaces for wave reflection  116  and  118 . The invention is not limited to two such surfaces. 
         [0039]    The remote control wave could be directed at the first reflective surface  116 . The wave would reflect off the surface  116  and onto surface  118  as described in relation to  FIG. 3 . The angles of the surface would be fixed, with an option for adjustment, so that the final reflected wave will enter the receiving eye  114  of the electronic device  106 . The optional adjustment is necessary when the electronic device  106  is exchanged for a different one whose receiving eye  114  is in a different position. 
         [0040]    The side of box  100  could be closed except for the section at the top  104  that would be left open and uncluttered to enable waves to freely enter. 
         [0041]    A difficulty encountered with turning these electronic devices to a vertical position is that when CD discs are used, they may slip off their designated tray before the tray slides shut. Once the said tray closes the disc is held firmly in place and the fact that the disc is vertical is not a hazard. However, in the short time between placing the disc on the tray and the closing of the tray, the disc could slip out of place. 
         [0042]    A solution to this problem is to load and eject the disc only when the electronic device  106  is horizontal. This process was described in relation to  FIG. 2 . However, there is a need to prevent automatic ejection and ejection by use of the remote control device. Automatic ejection is prevented by disenabling that feature in the electronic device  106 . The remote control eject function could be disabled by using an infra-red filter device  132 . This filter device is shown in greater detail in  FIG. 9 . The filter device  132  takes incoming infra-red waves, filters out pre-determined infra-red commands and emits the remaining infra-red commands that give the appropriate instruction to the electronic device  106 . In the case of this invention the filtered wavelengths would be those relevant to operate the eject feature. In this way the ejection of discs could be prevented when the electronic device is in a position other than horizontal. In the horizontal position the ejection could be done using the manually operated eject button. 
         [0043]    The blocking screen  130  is pivotally attached to the box  100  at hinge  131 . The blocking screen  130  is made from a transparent material that allows light to pass through but does not allow infra-red to pass through. It is desirable for light to pass through to enable the user to see what is written on the front screen, as described in relation to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0044]    A possible alternative method of dealing with discs is for the top section  104  of box  100  to be on a hinge  117  whereby access to the discs is available by lifting the section  104 . The difficulty with CD discs slipping off their tray could be dealt with by having a disc tray with a protection lip as shown in  FIG. 8   180 . Another possible method of holding the disc from slipping is by means of clips, as known in the art.  FIG. 5  is another embodiment of this invention. Here some of the reflecting surfaces  150  and  152  are affixed adjustably on the outside of the box  100 . They reflect the wave path to the internal reflecting surfaces  118  and  116  respectively. The path of the remote control wave is shown by an intermittent line  156  until it reaches the receiving eye  114 . In the case of DVD and other devices using CD discs the infra-red filter  FIG. 4   132  and  FIG. 9 , would be used. Also there would be a blocking screen  FIG. 4   130  to prevent instruction being given by the remote control device direct to the electronic device  106 . The said instruction would be given via the infra-red filter  FIG. 4   132  and  FIG. 9 . In this case the reflecting surfaces  116 , 118 ,  150  and  152  would be used for one function only, namely, for the user to look at surface  150  to see what is written on the screen on the front of the electronic device  106 . The other use of the said reflecting surfaces namely, to enable the remote control to give instruction via the receiving eye  114 , would be blocked by the blocking screen  FIG. 4   130 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  is another embodiment of this invention. In this case there is no box. The electronic device  106  stands on its back with its feet  112  facing sideways. There is a frame  160  that could be attached to the electronic device  106 . Alternatively, the vertical part of frame  160  could continue down  162  to the surface  164  with a right angled base piece  166 . This latter option would facilitate changes of electronic devices as the latter&#39;s weight would hold the frame  160  firmly in place, and would avoid physical attachments to any particular electronic device  106 . 
         [0046]    On this frame  160  would be affixed the adjustable reflecting devices  118  and  116 . 
         [0047]    In other respects this device would operate as the previously described devices with or without their various options, like for example the infra-red filter  FIG. 4   132  and the blocking screen  FIG. 4   130 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  shows an optional method of adjusting the position of the reflecting mirrors. Throughout this description reference has been made to fixed adjustable reflecting mirrors. The requirement for these reflecting devices to be fixed is to ensure that the instruction waves emitted by the remote control device consistently reach the receiving eye of the electronic device. When the infra-red filter  FIG. 4   132  is being used, the said reflecting mirrors need to be held in a fixed position to enable the electronic front screen to be viewed. An unintentional movement of either the electronic device or the reflective mirrors will prevent the proper working of this invention. 
         [0049]    However, it could happen that the electronic device is moved a little or is positioned other than vertical or the electronic device is replaced with a different one and the receiving eye of the new device is in a different position from the previous one. In these cases the position of the reflecting mirrors will need to be adjusted to a new fixed position. 
         [0050]    The device could be based on the principle of the vehicle rear view mirror as is well known in the art. The back plate  170  is firmly affixed to the box  FIG. 1   100  or frame  FIG. 6   160 . The extension arm  172  would be fixed to the plate  170  at one end and at the other end would have a socket  176  for holding a bearing. The reflecting surface  174  would be attached to an arm with a bearing that fits the socket  176 . The said fitting would be such that not less than reasonable hand force would be able to move the bearing in the socket  176 . 
         [0051]    As described above these reflecting surfaces  174  have a dual purpose, namely to re-direct the infra-red waves coming from the remote control device to the receiving eye  FIG. 2   114  of the electronic device. The second function is when a CD disc is used and the wave blocker  FIG. 4   130  is in place then the reflecting surfaces  174  are to reflect what is displayed on the screen on the front face of the electronic device  FIG. 2   106  to the user of the device. The said user can not see directly what is written on the said screen as it faces upward. The reflecting devices  FIG. 4   116  and  118  or  FIG. 5   116 ,  118 ,  150  and  152  enable the user to see what is written on the said screen. There needs to be an even number of reflecting devices in these reflector arrangements so that the writing is seen in the same direction as the original writing on the said screen. 
         [0052]      FIG. 8  shows the optional lip  180  to prevent a CD disc and the like from moving off its tray  182  when the electronic device  FIG. 2   106  is turned to a vertical or near vertical position. 
         [0053]      FIG. 9  is a diagram of an infra-red filter  200 . It consists of an infra-red receiving section  202  which receives the infra-red waves from the remote control device. The said waves pass through the filter  204  which is programmed to prevent certain infra-red commands from passing through and to allow others to pass through to the transmitter section  206 . The transmitting section  206  transmits the infra-red instruction to the receiving eye  FIG. 2   114  of the electronic device  FIG. 2   106 . 
         [0054]    The infra-red filter  204  could be programmable by the user to recognize the infra-red commands that are undesirable to pass through to the transmitter  206 .