Abstract:
A volume control system for use with an audio-visual component able to receive an input signal having an audio signal and a video signal is disclosed. The system includes a remote control unit having a speaker positioned thereon for outputting an audio signal therefrom. The remote control further includes means for generating a request signal in response to user command for disabling an output of audio signal by the component. The generated request signal is transmitted to the component and means positioned within the component receives the request signal and disables the audio output. The audio signal is transmitted for receipt by a receiving means in the remote control unit and is output on the speaker of the remote control.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to remote controls and, more specifically, to a remote control for an audio/video device, such as a television. The remote control has an audio circuit for receiving a wireless broadcast of an audio signal associated with at least one of a selected video program from the video monitor and selected audio program from an audio output device. Actuation of a button disables the relay of the audio signal through an output device and instead reroutes the signal to the remote control. The remote control includes a speaker to output the rerouted signal to the user, thus allowing for more private listening. The volume of the audio signal being transmitted through the speaker can be changed by the remote control. The remote control also includes an aperture for insertion of an earpiece, which upon insertion of an earpiece, causes the rerouted audio signal to be output to the earpiece. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   There are other speaker devices designed for signal reception. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 2,255,390 issued to Martin on Sep. 9, 1941 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,371 issued to George on May 31, 1983 
   Another patent was issued to Stendardo on Oct. 22, 1985 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,179. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,774 was issued to Lee on Mar. 19, 1991 and still yet another was issued on Feb. 27, 1996 to Mudra as U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,301. 
   Another patent was issued to Mudra on Mar. 26, 1996 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,513. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,127 was issued to Lansang on Aug. 11, 1998. Another was issued to Toyoaki on Aug. 17, 1985 as Japanese Patent No. JP60157398 and still yet another was issued on Dec. 14, 1987 to Katsuaki as Japanese Patent No. JP6228777. 
   Another patent was issued to Masaaki on Oct. 27, 1995 as Japanese Patent No. JP7283964. Yet another Japanese Patent No. JP2001186578 was issued to Young-min Kim on Jul. 6, 2001 and still yet another was issued on Jun. 28, 2001 to Kaufman as International Patent Application No. WO01/47258. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,255,390 
   Inventor: Herschel B. Martin 
   Issued: Sep. 9, 1941 
   A dual volume control system for a radio receiver comprising means including a direct current grid biasing source for establishing a normal gain ratio in certain amplifier stages of said receiver, a voltage divider of relatively high ohmic value having its terminals resistively connected across the terminals of said source and having a movable tap connected to the grids of said amplifier stages, a voltage divider of relatively low ohmic value having its terminals connected to corresponding terminals of the first said voltage divider and having a movable tap, the two said voltage dividers being respectively located at separate control stations, a single pole-double-throw switch at each control station, each said switch having a movable contact member connected to an adjacent one of said movable taps on the voltage dividers, and conductors interconnecting corresponding stationary contact members of the two said switches, said switches constituting means for at times interconnecting the movable taps of said voltage dividers. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,371 
   Inventor: John B. George 
   Issued: May 31, 1983 
   In a wired remote control for use with a television receiver, audio signals are coupled to a loudspeaker by a transformer providing electrical isolation. The remote control device comprises an oscillator applying a signal at a frequency above the audio range to the transformer and a rectifier at the transformer secondary converting the oscillator signal to a DC signal. That DC signal is selectively applied by a switch to an optocoupler which couples to a control device for controlling the audio source. A filter blocks the oscillator signal from the speaker. Additionally, the control device controls TV channel selection. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,179 
   Inventor: William J. Stendardo 
   Issued: Oct. 22, 1985 
   A self-contained remote control unit for use on electronic equipment processing on audio output such as home entertainment equipment (i.e. a television receiver, whether black and white or color, an AM radio, an FM radio, an AM/FM radio, or an audio magnetic tape player) comprises an externally mounted remote control receiver which connects to the home entertainment equipment through the earphone connector of said equipment and thereby disables the speakers of said equipment. The remote control receiver unit includes its own speaker, which replaces the disabled internal speaker of the equipment to be controlled, a programmable audio power amplifier for driving its speaker, and an on/off triac which supplies AC power to the equipment to be controlled when said equipment&#39;s AC power cable is connected to an AC receptacle on the receiver. A battery-operated, hand-held, hand-operated remote control transmitter is used to send wireless information to the remote control receiver. The remote control transmitter unit includes a keyboard, a remote control encoder, and an output circuit. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,774 
   Inventor: Kyu-An Lee 
   Issued: Mar. 19, 1991 
   A remote control circuit for remotely controlling a power source and a volume of a main set from a stereo-headphone composed of a remote control transmitting circuit arranged in a headphone, and a remote control receiving circuit arranged in a mainset. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,301 
   Inventor: Robert E. Mudra 
   Issued: Feb. 27, 1996 
   A full function remote control pillow speaker arrangement is coupled by three wires to a television receiver. The arrangement includes a standard IR control signal encoder, the output of which is filtered to remove the 40 kilohertz ultrasonic frequency, thus yielding an envelope corresponding to the data pulses. Operating power is supplied to the encoder from a DATA line and a common (COM) line with a shunt regulator being interposed to protect the encoder from over voltage conditions during standby operations. A speaker is supplied audio signals from the (COM) line and an audio line. The receiver is capable of functioning with other types of pillow speaker control units, i.e. those having a single key closure for channel and on/off control and those with extra key closures for channel directional control. A circuit is included that discriminates between data pulses and key closures for transmitting data pulses to the television receiver IR data processing circuitry and transmitting key closures to receiver key scan processing circuitry. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,502,513 
   Inventor: Robert E. Mudra 
   Issued: Mar. 26, 1996 
   A full function remote control pillow speaker arrangement is coupled by three wires to a television receiver. The arrangement includes a standard IR control signal encoder, the output of which is filtered to remove the 40 kilohertz ultrasonic frequency, thus yielding an envelope corresponding to the data pulses. Operating power is supplied to the encoder from a DATA line and a common (COM) line with a shunt regulator being interposed to protect the encoder from over voltage conditions during standby operations. A speaker is supplied audio signals from the COM line and an AUDIO line. The receiver is capable of functioning with other types of pillow speaker control units, i.e. those having a single key closure for channel and on/off control and those with extra key closures for channel directional control. A circuit is included that discriminates between data pulses and key closures for transmitting data pulses to the television receiver IR data processing circuitry and transmitting key closures to receiver key scan processing circuitry. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,127 
   Inventor: Wilfredo Lansang 
   Issued: Aug. 11, 1998 
   A new Headphone Remote Control for Operating an Entertainment Center for offering a headphone with a fully equipped remote control for privately operating and controlling an entertainment center. The inventive device includes an antenna receiver, a channel selector control, a locator speaker, a locator over-ride circuit, a pressure switch, and a head phone transmitter. In use, the Headphone Remote Control for Operating an Entertainment Center 10 is located by clapping one&#39;s hands together. When the device is found and placed upon one&#39;s head, the pressure switch 28 de-energizes the locator speaker 24 and can selectively energize the vibrator signal 25 which will signal the user when someone wants their attention. While wearing the device, for example, the user is able to watch and listen to the TV while others around him do not hear the TV, but rather, others can concurrently listen to the STEREO instead. 
   Japanese Patent Number JP60157398 
   Inventor: Inuma Toyoaki 
   Issued: Aug. 17, 1985 
   PURPOSE: To specify position of the body of a remote control device by making a switch provided in a body operated by the body of a remote control device to emit feeble radio waves, and making the body of the remote control device to receive the feeble radio waves and generate an acoustic signal. 
   CONSTITUTION: The body of the remote control device 15, a container 12 and a switch 13 are provided in front of a body, for instance a television 10, to be operated by the body of the remote control device 15. The body of the remote control device 15 is taken out from the container 12, and the television set 10 is remote controlled by controlling off/on of a power source, and operating a volume adjusting switch (b) and channel selection switches 1-12. When the switch 13 of the television set 10 is depressed, feeble radio waves are emitted. The body of the remote control device 15 detect this and generates an acoustic signal from a speaker 17 and informs of the position of presence. Thus, unknown position of the body of the remote control device 15 can be found easily. 
   Japanese Patent Number JP62287777 
   Inventor: Shiba Katsuaki 
   Issued: Dec. 14, 1987 
   PURPOSE: To hear a television sound from a remote control device by providing a speaker at the remote control device. 
   CONSTITUTION: In a remote control device 3 to execute the remote control of a television device 1, a speaker 3 is provided on the same surface as the operating surface. Thus, the television sound received by the television device 1 can be heard from the speaker 3 of the remote control device 1. 
   Japanese Patent Number JP7283964 
   Inventor: Ohama Masaaki 
   Issued: Oct. 27, 1995 
   PURPOSE: To enjoy television broadcasting without bothering neighbors by incorporating a speaker in a remote control and emitting the sound of a broadcast station received by a television receiver. 
   CONSTITUTION: The output side of a low frequency amplifier circuit 10 is connected to a remote control with built-in speaker 15 by switching a speaker connection switching circuit 12. The power source connection/disconnection part 20 of the remote control 14 is operated, and a power source is applied by controlling a power source circuit by a channel selection controller 17. Thence, the receiving station switching part 18 of the remote control 14 is operated, and a receiving channel is switched to a desired one by controlling the tuning element of a tuner 1 by the channel selection controller 17. Moreover, the sound volume adjusting part 19 of the remote control 14 is operated, and a sound volume is set at a desired sound volume by controlling the sound volume control circuit 11 of the low frequency amplifier circuit 10 by the channel selection controller 17. In this way, the sound of a desired broadcast station received by the television receiver emitted from the remote control with built-in speaker 15 can be heard. 
   Japanese Patent Number 2001186578 
   Inventor: Young-min Kim, et al. 
   Issued: Jul. 6, 2001 
   PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wireless remote commander for an internet device incorporating a microphone and a speaker, where the remote controller can simply be utilized for wireless speech, a Karaoke functions are executed by utilizing microphone, and a voice can be heard through the speaker. 
   SOLUTION: A configuration related to a microcomputer or a remote controller for an internet device and its body consists of a body 3, comprising an infrared reception section 37 that receives an infrared ray signal and comprising an antenna transmission reception section 31 for sending/receiving a wireless frequency signal and of a remote controller 1 comprising an infrared transmission section 22 that transmits an infrared ray signal to remotely adjust the body 3, an antenna transmission reception 11, a key button 23′ to enter various instruction words to the main body 3 and a track ball 23″ which serves as a mouse. 
   International Patent Application Number WO01/47258 
   Inventor: Dean A. Kaufman 
   Issued: Jun. 28, 2001 
   A television receiver remote control system having a receiver for receiving audio signal portions of signals carrying television channels, an audio transmitter for transmitting the audio signal portion of a selected one of the channels received by the receiver, and a remote control for remote operation of the receiver to select the audio signal portion of a desired channel for transmission by the transmitter, and for remote operation of a TV. The remote control includes an audio receiver for wireless receipt of the audio signal portion of the selected channel transmitted by the transmitter, and an audio speaker for converting the received audio signal portion into sound. The system permits the audio signal portion of any selected channel to be listened to with the remote control via the speaker without changing a channel selected on an associated TV. 
   SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to remote controls and, more specifically, to a remote control for an audio/video device, such as a television. The remote control has an audio circuit for receiving a wireless broadcast of an audio signal associated with at least one of a selected video program from the video monitor and selected audio program from an audio output device. Actuation of a button disables the relay of the audio signal through an output device and instead reroutes the signal to the remote control. The remote control includes a speaker to output the rerouted signal to the user, thus allowing for more private listening. The volume of the audio signal being transmitted through the speaker can be changed by the remote control. The remote control also includes an aperture for insertion of an earpiece, which upon insertion of an earpiece, causes the rerouted audio signal to be output to the earpiece. 
   A primary object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unit that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art. 
   A secondary object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unit incorporating a speaker. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unit with volume control for the speaker. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unit having means for receiving a wireless audio signal from a audio/video communications device. 
   A further object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unit for varying the volume of the audio signal using additional remote control keys. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unit whereby a user can position the hand held remote speaker in close proximity while viewing a video program negating the need for increasing the volume. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unit that provides for a user to hear an outputted audio signal without disturbing others. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unit for use by the hearing impaired to output the audio signal in close proximity to a user. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unit for use by the visually impaired by audibly outputting the channel number when the station or channel is changed in close proximity to the user. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unit for use by the visually impaired that broadcasts the title of the program when the station is first observed. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unit with a speaker and speaker volume control that can be used in conjunction with an existing audio-visual system to enhance the audible output of system. 
   Another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unit able to receive a wirelessly broadcasted an audio signal from an audio/video communications device wherein the remote control unit incorporates means for audibly reproducing said re-broadcasted audio/video communications audio signal and means for adjusting the volume. 
   Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unit having an optional port for receiving an ear piece therein affording the user total listening privacy. 
   Still another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unit that is simple and easy to use. 
   Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a remote control unit that is inexpensive to manufacture and operate. 
   The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a remote control for a an audio-video device, such as a television, incorporating an audio circuit for receiving a wireless broadcast of an audio signal associated with a selected video program from the video monitor including means for varying the volume of the signal through a provided speaker formed integral with the remote control. 
   The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawings, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
   The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
     In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of a remote control unit of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of a remote control unit of the present invention in use; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a remote control unit of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the face of a remote control unit of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a remote control unit of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of the television video/audio signal of a remote control unit of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a remote transceiver of a remote control unit of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart of the remote control unit of the present invention in use. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the Figures illustrate the remote control unit of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing Figures.
           10  remote control unit of the present invention     12  user     14  non-user     16  audio source     18  power button     19  minus volume button     20  plus volume button     22  plus channel button     23  minus channel button     24  digit buttons     26  mute button     27  right side of remote     29  left side of remote     30  last button     31  top end of housing     32  remote housing     33  bottom end of housing     34  speaker     35  face of housing     36  ear piece aperture     38  plus remote audio button     39  minus remote audio button     40  video/audio signal     42  television     43  video/audio signal     44  television video signal     46  television display monitor     48  television audio signal     50  television transceiver     52  television volume control processor     54  television speaker     56  second transceiver     58  remote audio signal     60  remote volume control     66  signals received     68  request signal     70  power control signals     72  channel select on signals     74  audio request signals     76  television audio control     78  remote audio control     80  first switch     82  second switch     84  audio signal processor     85  function buttons       

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
   Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1 through 8  illustrate a remote control unit of the present invention which is indicated generally by the reference numeral  10 . 
     FIG. 1  is an illustrative view of the remote control unit  10  of the present invention in use. The remote control unit  10  includes a housing  32 , having a plurality of functional buttons and a remote control speaker  34  are located on a face  35  thereof, which will be discussed hereinafter with reference to  FIG. 3 . Shown herein, a user  12  lays in bed watching a television  42 . Typically a television  42  broadcasts the audio signal through at least one of a plurality of television speakers  54 , shown in  FIG. 5 , that are formed integrally with the television  42 , thus projecting the audio signal to the entire area. Herein, however, the user  12  has actuated the remote control unit  10  by pressing a mute button  26  on the face  35 . Thus, the audio sounds normally transmitted through the television speakers  54 , are now transmitted through the remote control speaker  34 . The user  12  listens to the television  42  through the remote control speaker  34  so as not to awaken the sleeping non user  14 . 
   The illustration shown herein represents just one operation of the remote control unit  10 . The remote control unit  10  can be used or made to be used with any audio-visual device. 
   The remote control unit  10  of the present invention provides a number of advantages over the prior art. The remote control unit  10  aids people who are hearing impaired by allowing them to position the remote control unit  10  near their ears to better hear a signal being output thereby. The remote control unit  10  also aids the visually impaired by at least one of audibly outputting the channel name, channel number when the channel is changed and also by audibly outputting, upon changing the channel, the title of the program that is playing on the channel. The remote control unit  10  prevents the user  12  from disturbing others in the same area by re-directing the audio output proximate to the user. The remote control unit  10  also provides allows the user  12  to use an earpiece thus affording users  12  complete listening privacy as the audible output could be heard only through the earpiece. 
     FIG. 2  is an illustrative view of the remote control unit  10  of the present invention in use. Shown herein, the non-users  14  are sitting on a couch reading and napping. The user  12  sits in the middle of the room watching the television  42 . The user  12  has actuated the remote control unit  10  in a manner that will be discussed hereinafter. Thus, the audio sounds normally transmitted through the television speakers  54 , shown in  FIG. 5 , are now transmitted through the remote control speaker  34 . The user  12  holds the remote control unit  10  and listens to the audio sounds from through the remote control speaker  34  without disturbing the non users  14 . The user  12  also has the ability to change channels of the television  42  and adjust the volume of the remote control speakers  34 . When the user  12  changes channels, the remote control unit  10  states through the remote control speakers  34  the name of the new channel and the title of the program on the new channel. 
     FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the remote control  10  of the present invention. The remote control unit  10  includes a housing  32 , having a top end  31 , a bottom end  33 , a right side  27 , a left side  29 , and a face  35 . The remote unit  10  includes a plurality of function buttons and the remote control speaker  34  located on the face  35  of the housing  32 . Adjacent to the top end  31  is a power button  18 . Below the power button  18 , a pair of channel buttons  22 ,  23  and a pair of volume buttons  19 ,  20  are centrally located on the face  35 . The buttons are triangularly shaped, but may be formed in any geometric shape. The buttons  19 , 20 , 22 , 23  are arranged such that the interior space between all four buttons forms a square with the plus channel button  22  located opposite from the minus channel button  23  along a vertical axis and the plus volume button  20  located opposite from the minus volume button  19  along a horizontal axis. The positioning is described for purposes of example only and the buttons can be on either the horizontal or vertical axis. A plurality of digit buttons  24  are located below the volume  19 ,  20  and channel  22 ,  23  buttons. The digit buttons  24  are arranged like the numbers on a telephone. The remote speaker  34  is positioned below the mute  26  and last  30  buttons and an ear piece aperture  36  is located adjacent thereto. The remote control unit  10  further includes an audio increase button  38  and an audio decrease button  39  located adjacent to the remote speaker  34 . 
   The remote control unit  10  of the present invention includes the functionality of a standard remote control that is commonly used with audio-visual electronic devices. Examples of audio-visual devices having remote controls include but are not limited to televisions, VCRs and DVD players. 
   To engage the inventive features of the remote control unit  10 , the user  12  depresses the mute button  26 . Depression of the mute button  26  causes the signal representing audio data that is conventionally output through the television speakers  54 , shown in  FIG. 5 , to instead be transmitted for receipt by the remote control unit  10  of the present invention. Upon receipt by the remote control unit  10 , the signal representing audio data is audibly output by the speaker  34 . A volume level of the signal output by the remote speaker  34  is selectively controllable via buttons  38  and  39 . The increase remote audio button  38  increases the volume level of the sound output from the remote control speaker  34 . The decrease remote audio button  39  decreases the volume level of the sound output from the remote control speaker  34 . Alternatively, the user  12  can insert an earpiece into the ear piece aperture  36 , thereby causing the signal received from the television  42  by the remote control unit  10  to be audibly output through the earpiece instead of through the remote control speaker  34 . 
   Additionally, after the mute button  26  has been depressed, the depression of the other functionality buttons causes an audible output corresponding to the selected action to be broadcast through the remote control speaker  34  or earpiece accordingly. For example, after depressing the mute button  26 , the television  42 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is outputting a signal corresponding to a first channel through the remote control speaker  34 . The user  12  can selectively change the channel to a second channel by depressing the increase channel button  22 . The remote control speaker  34  audiblizes a data signal corresponding to the second channel including a channel identifier and a title of the current program on the second channel as well as the audio data for the second program. 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the face  35  of the remote control unit  10  of the present invention. The remote control unit  10  includes the housing  32 , having the top end  31 , the bottom end  33 , the right side  27 , the left side  29 , and the face  35 . The plurality of functional buttons and the remote control speaker  34  are located on the face  35 . Adjacent to the top end  31  is the power button  18 . Below the power button  18 , the pair of channel buttons  22 ,  23  and the pair of volume buttons  19 ,  20  are centrally located on the face  35 . The buttons are triangularly shaped, but may be formed in any geometric shape. The buttons  19 , 20 , 22 , 23  are arranged such that the interior space between all four buttons forms a square with the plus channel button  22  located opposite from the minus channel button  23  along the vertical axis and the plus volume button  20  located opposite from the minus volume button  19  along the horizontal axis. The positioning is described for purposes of example only and the buttons can be on either the horizontal or vertical axis. The plurality of digit buttons  24  are located below the volume  19 ,  20  and channel  22 ,  23  buttons. The digit buttons  24  are arranged like the numbers on a telephone. The remote speaker  34  is positioned below the mute  26  and last  30  buttons and the ear piece aperture  36  is located adjacent thereto. The remote control unit  10  further includes the audio increase button  38  and the audio decrease button  39  located adjacent to the remote speaker  34 . 
   The remote control unit  10  of the present invention includes the functionality of a standard remote control that is commonly used with audio-visual electronic devices. Examples of audio-visual devices having remote controls include but are not limited to televisions, VCRs and DVD players. 
   To engage the inventive features of the remote control unit  10 , the user  12  depresses the mute button  26 . Depression of the mute button  26  causes the signal representing audio data that is conventionally output through the television speakers  54 , shown in  FIG. 5 , to instead be transmitted for receipt by the remote control unit  10  of the present invention. Upon receipt by the remote control unit  10 , the signal representing audio data is audibly output by the speaker  34 . A volume level of the signal output by the remote speaker  34  is selectively controllable via buttons  38  and  39 . The increase remote audio button  38  increases the volume level of the sound output from the remote control speaker  34 . The decrease remote audio button  39  decreases the volume level of the sound output from the remote control speaker  34 . Alternatively, the user  12  can insert an earpiece into the ear piece aperture  36 , thereby causing the signal received from the television  42  by the remote control unit  10  to be audibly output through the earpiece instead of through the remote control speaker  34 . 
   Additionally, after the mute button  26  has been depressed, the depression of the other functionality buttons causes an audible output corresponding to the selected action to be broadcast through the remote control speaker  34  or earpiece accordingly. For example, after depressing the mute button  26 , the television  42 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , is outputting a signal corresponding to a first channel through the remote control speaker  34 . The user  12  can selectively change the channel to a second channel by depressing the increase channel button  22 . The remote control speaker  34  audiblizes a data signal corresponding to the second channel including a channel identifier and a title of the current program on the second channel as well as the audio data for the second program. 
     FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the remote control unit  10  of the present invention. A video/audio signal  43  is transmitted to the television  42 . In the television  42 , a video/audio signal processor  40  is connected to a video monitor  46 , a first transceiver  50  and a volume control processor. The video/audio signal processor  40  separates the video/audio signal  43  into a television video signal  44  and a television audio signal  48 . The video/audio control processor  40  causes the television video signal  44  to be output by the display monitor  46 . Positioned in series between the first transceiver  50  and the volume control processor  52  is a first switch  80 . When the first switch  80  is in a first closed position, the video/audio signal processor causes the television audio signal  48  to be transmitted to each of the first transceiver  50  and a television volume control processor  52 . The television volume control processor  52  causes the television audio signal  48  to be output to the television speakers  54 . When the first switch  80  is in a second open position, as will be discussed hereinafter, the television audio signal  48  is only transferred to the first transceiver  50 . 
   The remote control unit  32  includes an audio signal processor  84  which is connected to a second transceiver  56  and a speakers  34 , function buttons  85  and an activation (mute) button  26 . Positioned between the audio signal processor  84  and the second transceiver  56  is a second switch  82 . When the mute button  26  on the remote control unit  10  has been depressed, the audio signal processor  84  causes the second switch  82  to move from a first open position to a second closed position thereby completing a circuit. Additionally, depression of the mute button  26  causes the audio signal processor  84  to generate a request signal and further cause the second transceiver  56  to transmit the request signal  68 . to the request signal  68  is received by the first transceiver  50  which causes the first switch  80  to move from the first closed position to the second open position thus preventing the audio signal  48  being output through the television speakers  54 . 
   Upon opening of the first switch  80 , the first transceiver  50  transmits the audio signal  48  for receipt by the second transceiver  56 . The audio signal processor  84  detects that the audio signal  48  has been received by the second transceiver  56  and causes the received audio signal to be output by the remote speaker  34 . 
   Additionally, when a user depresses one of the plurality of function buttons  85  as described hereinabove with respect to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the audio signal processor  84  generates additional request signals corresponding to the action selected and these additional request signals are transmitted by the second transceiver  56  for receipt by the first transceiver  50 . The video/audio signal processor  40  then detects the nature of the additional request signals and operates to satisfy these requests. Examples of additional request signals include but are not limited to channel change, data requisition for associated channel and/or program data and the like. In satisfying these requests, the video/audio processor  40  causes the first transceiver  50  to transmit data signals representing the requested information for output by the remote speaker  34 . 
     FIG. 6  is block diagram of the TV video/audio signal processor  40  of the remote control unit  10  of the present invention. The television  42  includes the video/audio signal processor  40  is connected to the video monitor  46 , the first transceiver  50  and the speakers  54 . The first switch  80  is positioned between the first transceiver and the speakers  54 . The video/audio signal processor  40  separates the video/audio signal  43  into a television video signal  44  and a television audio signal  48 . The video/audio control processor  40  causes the television video signal  44  to be output by the display monitor  46 . When the first switch  80  is in a first closed position, the video/audio signal processor causes the television audio signal  48  to be transmitted to each of the first transceiver  50  and to be output by the speakers  54 . When the first switch  80  is in a second open position, which is discussed hereinabove with specific reference to  FIG. 5 , the television audio signal  48  is only transferred to the first transceiver  50 . 
     FIG. 7  is a block diagram of a remote transceiver  56  of the remote control  10  of the present invention. The remote transceiver  56  is able to receive signals  66  such as the audio signal  48 . Additionally, the remote transceiver  56  is able to transmit a plurality of request signals  68 . A first signal transmitted by the second transceiver  56  as a request signal  68  is a mute signal  26  which selectively causes the present invention to be operational as discussed hereinabove with respect to  FIG. 5 . The signals transmitted 68 include a power control signal  70  for selecting the operational status of the audio-visual device to with which the remote control unit  10  communicates. A channel selection signal  72  for determines which channel is selected is also selectively transmitted by the second transceiver. Another request signal  68  is an audio request signal  74  which includes a television audio control  76 , having television volume control  52  for selectively increasing and decreasing the volume of the television and a remote audio control  78  having remote volume control  60  for selectively increasing and decreasing the volume of the remote speaker  34 . 
     FIG. 8  is a flow chart of the remote control  10  of the present invention. In step S 100 , the user activates the power to the television. The user then selects the desired programming channel in step S 102 . In step S 104 , the user selects the desired audio control. If the user selects television audio control as in step S 106 , the user can then adjust the audio volume of the television to a desired level as per step S 108 . If the user desires remote audio control as per step S 110 , the user selects the mute button enabling the remote audio as in step S 112 . Thereafter, in step S 118 , the user is then able to adjust the remote audio volume to a desired level. If then the user desires television audio control as in step S 120 , the user must select the mute button enabling television audio as in step S 122 . If, however, the determination is made in step S 104  results in the user desiring remote audio control as in step S 114 , the user must select the mute button to enable the remote audio as in step S 116 . Thereafter, the system proceeds to steps S 118 -S 122  as described hereinabove. 
   It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of devices differing from the type described above. 
   While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
   Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.