Docking stations for remote control and multimedia devices

A representative base unit for charging a remote controller and a multimedia device includes at least two docking stations for a remote controller and a multimedia device, wherein the at least two docking stations having charging slots that transfer power to the remote controller and the multimedia device for recharging; and a processing device that is electrically coupled to the docking stations for communicating with the remote controller and the multimedia device, wherein the processing device facilitates communication between the remote controller and the multimedia device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to universal remote control systems, and more particularly pertains to a universal remote control system for providing a multi-function multipurpose remote control with a base charger.

BACKGROUND

Many remote control systems may be used to issue commands, from a distance, to televisions and other consumer electronic devices. Existing remote controls may be charged by small AAA and AA batteries, but such battery operated remote controls typically use disposable batteries that are replaced when batteries are discharged. In addition, the remote control may be placed where the user cannot find it, which can be very frustrating. Thus, a need exists to address this and other deficiencies.

SUMMARY

A representative base unit for charging a remote controller and a multimedia device includes at least two docking stations for a remote controller and a multimedia device, wherein the at least two docking stations having charging slots that transfer power to the remote controller and the multimedia device for recharging; and a processing device that is electrically coupled to the docking stations for communicating with the remote controller and the multimedia device, wherein the processing device facilitates communication between the remote controller and the multimedia device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary systems are first discussed with reference to the figures. Although these systems are described in detail, they are provided for purposes of illustration only and various modifications are feasible.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a rechargeable universal remote control system10for a remote controller30and a multimedia device40, such as, an iPod, iPhone and/or MP3 and MP4 player. The rechargeable universal remote control system10comprises a base unit20having docking stations22(FIG. 2),24for a remote controller30and the multimedia device40.

The remote controller30and multimedia device40may be positioned on the base unit20such that the remote controller30and multimedia device40may operationally engage docking stations22,24of the docking platforms50,60, respectively, for recharging. Thus, the base unit20may charge the battery of the remote controller30and multimedia device40. Other base units have been disclosed such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,879,254, to Tarah N. Graham, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Alternatively or additionally, the base unit20can include speakers15and microphones17that are electrically coupled to the multimedia device40for playing and receiving audio signals. For example, an audio player, such as an iPod or iPhone, can play stored audio signals through the speakers15of the base unit20. In another example, the base unit20having speakers15and microphones17can be use as a speakerphone during a telephone call of the iPhone or any other smartphones. The user can press the button84to answer an incoming telephone call and begin speaking through microphones17.

A controller docking platform50of the base unit20includes a height50H that is approximately ½ of the height of the remote controller30. A multimedia device docking platform60of the base unit20is integrally connected to the base52of the controller docking platform50and extends horizontally to the right side of the controller docking platform50. The multimedia device docking platform60includes a height60H that is approximately the ¼ of the height of the controller docking platform50. The docking station24can hold the multimedia device40such that a user controller42of the multimedia device40is above the top surface62of the multimedia device docking platform60.

Both docking platforms50,60hold the remote controller30and multimedia device40, respectively, in an upright position within the docking stations22,24, respectively. The docking stations22,24include charging ports (not shown) that provide power to the remote controller30and multimedia device40for recharging. The charging port of the docking stations24can also be used as a media interface that facilitates communication between the multimedia device, the base unit20, and the remote controller30. The base unit20further includes multimedia ports, such as, a Firewire™ port80and a universal serial bus (USB) port70, that facilitates electrical connection between the multimedia device40and other multimedia devices (not shown) using the ports70,80. The ports70,80allow the base unit20to be able to communicate with the other multimedia devices and download files (data, music, etc.) to the multimedia device40or the remote controller30. A charging indicator light82is position in front of the base unit to illuminate either a green light or red light when the remote controller30and/or multimedia device40are or are not recharging, respectively. A paging controller button84pages the remote controller30so that the remote controller30can respond with a flashing and/or illuminating light or make a sound to allow the user to find the remote controller30.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of a base unit20, such as that shown inFIG. 1. The front section206of the controller docking platform50has a generally rectangular shape and includes the docking station22positioned in the middle of the front section206. The controller docking station22is a depression that is generally shaped in a letter V and conforms to the middle and lower portion of the remote controller30. The back portion of the base unit20includes a power port222that electrically couples to a power source (not shown) to provide power to the base unit20. The back portion of the base unit20further includes a stereo jack224that electrically couples the multimedia device40to an external speaker (e.g., home entertainment speaker system) for playing audio signals. The external speaker can be used to play audio signals of a song or a telephone call from the multimedia device40.

The front section206and back section208of the controller docking station22converges toward the side ends202,204of the controller docking platform60. Each side end202,204is flat and has a generally triangular shape. The top width of the side ends202,204is smaller than the bottom width of the side ends202,204of the controller docking platform60

The multimedia device docking platform60is integrally connected to the lower portion at the right side and back side of the controller docking platform50. The left end210of the multimedia device docking platform60are integrally connected to the lower portion left side end202of the controller docking platform50. The back section of the multimedia device docking station24extends and curves away from the controller docking platform50beginning at the left end210of the multimedia device docking platform60and towards the flat right end212of the multimedia device docking station24. The front section of the multimedia device docking platform60curves toward the multimedia device docking station24beginning at the front right side214of the multimedia device docking platform60and ends at the flat right end212. The multimedia device docking station24of the multimedia device docking platform60is generally in a shape of a rectangle and conforms to the lower portion of the multimedia device40.

FIG. 3is a right side view of a base unit20, such as that shown inFIG. 1. As shown inFIG. 3, both the controller and multimedia device docking platforms50,60tilt right from bottom to top. The front section206of the controller docking platform50further includes a slight curve from the front bottom to the front top. The back section208curves toward the front section206beginning at the top surface62of the multimedia device docking platform60and ending at the top surface of the controller docking platform50.

FIG. 4is a front view of a base unit20, such as that shown inFIG. 1and illustrates the various functions of the buttons on the remote controller30. The list of functions are as follows:Power button 402: Turns product on and off (controls power on #2)Buttons 404A-H to control selected devices, such as, VCR, TV, DVD, DVR, Cable, AUDIO Receiver, Satellite, and, CD, multimedia device, Xbox, playstation, WITLearn button 406: Used to setup learning functions (learn other remotes)Code Search 408: Used for setup (search code for #2)Input 410: Brings up the DVD Players Setup MenuMarco Preset Channel 412: Works with digits (1-9) to program and store up to 9 button-presses of your choiceMute 414: Turns off the TV sound while the picture is remainsTV listing find 416: Replay Zones—searches TV listing by category (DVR function)Component Change 418: Change viewing setting on the TV such as video 1, video 2, DVD, sat, etcTV sleep 420: Turns off the TV after a period of 1 to 99 minutesChannel Guide 422: Guide menu (cable, sat, dvr, etc. . . . )Instant Playback 424: Catches you up with live broadcast (DVR function)Sub title/Closed Caption 426: TV closed Caption (if your TV has this feature) or DVD subtitle toggleClear Functions 428: Used to exit menuChannel Up 430: Changes the channels upPIP control 432: TV picture-in-picture controlPage UP 434: scrolls thru the entire page up (instead of channel by channel/used in guide menu—on cable & satellite)Display 436: Displays/selects on-screen channel information, etcVolume Down 438: volume turned down . . . controls DVD/CD/IPOD/MULTIMEDIA (MP3/MP4/ETC) track selections—DVD/CD/IPOD/MULTIMEDIA (MP3/MP4/ETC) track skips up/down (in DVD and Sat modes)Volume UP 440: volume turned up . . . controls DVD/CD/IPOD/MULTIMEDIA (MP3/MP4/ETC) track selections—DVD/CD/IPOD/MULTIMEDIA (MP3/MP4/ETC) track skips up/down (in DVD and Sat modes)Enter 442: execution button, used to selectLast Channel 444: switches channels on TV to the last/previous channelSwap 446: Swaps TV PIP screensPage Down 448: scrolls thru the entire page down (instead of channel by channel/used in guide menu—on cable & satellite)Channel Down 450: Changes the channels downChannels 452: Enter numbers for direct channel selection. Some products require enter to be pressed after channel selectionDVD/VCR/IPOD/MULTIMEDIA (MP3/MP4/ETC) Functions 454: fast forward (2×& above), rewind, pause, play, stopAspect Ratio 456: Change between viewing ratiosPicture Zoom 458: Zoom pictureDVD Menu: Takes you to the DVD menuCharge/Power indicator 460: shows that the remote controller is charging and how much power/battery life is remaining on remoteGo Now-access 482 to the internet and weather featuresOn Demand-Video on demand 483 (offer by cable companies)Blue Tooth Enable/button and Indicator 462: shows when Blue tooth is connected. It syncs to other blue tooth compatible products when the button is pressedDVR/VCR Record button (not shown): Record onto the DVR or VCR

The remote control30can communicate with the multimedia device40using infrared, radio frequency (RF) and Bluetooth technology. At least one of the infrared, radio frequency (RF) and Bluetooth technology can be implemented into the base unit20. The infrared sensor can be located on the front-bottom-center of the base unit20. The remote controller30can connect automatically via Bluetooth when placed on its base unit20. Then once the two device (e.g., remote controller30and multimedia device40) synchronizes, the Bluetooth light can begin blinking/illuminating. Once the synchronicity has completed, the two device (e.g., remote controller30and multimedia device40) can communicate between each other. All the information from the multimedia device40can appear on a display (not shown) of the remote controller30. The infrared sensor or Radio frequency (RF) signals, can enable the user to control the actual multimedia device40, such as, play, rewind, fast forward, pause, shuffle and stop. The base unit20can be compatible for various MP3 players, such as, Apple IPOD/MULTIMEDIA (MP3/MP4/etc), Creative Zen, Microsoft Zune, Samsung, YP-P2, SanDisk Sansa, Sony, COBY MP and more.

The following is a description of the operation between the remote controller30/multimedia device40and the base unit20. The remote control30charges while on docking station and lighting features remain off until a remote's button is motioned. The multimedia device40operates as disclosed in its owner's manual. Then once the multimedia device40is placed on the multimedia device docking station24the multimedia device40starts to synchronize via Bluetooth with the remote controller40. The multimedia device40also charges via the media interface at the multimedia device docking station24.

Bluetooth can be built into the base unit20. The remote controller30communicates with the base unit20. The information is then relayed to the multimedia device40via the media interface. When the multimedia device40has completed its synchronization with the remote controller30, the Bluetooth light can then be constant and cease blinking. If the Bluetooth does not synchronize properly, hold and press the remote control's Bluetooth button for 5 seconds and point it directly at the infrared sensor square located on the base unit. Next, release the button and when the Bluetooth light cease blinking, it has synchronized with the remote controller30. With Bluetooth implemented in the remote controller30, the remote controller30can control car stereos or any devices that uses Bluetooth.

The multimedia device40sends information to the remote controller30via the media interface and the Bluetooth. Bluetooth then transmits the data from multimedia device40to the display of the remote controller30. The display can display information being received from the multimedia device40.

Once the multimedia device40and remote controller30have completed synchronizing and the Bluetooth light is constantly lit, the remote controller30can be used to control the multimedia device40. The remote controller30and IPOD multimedia device40can automatically synchronize.

The remote controller30can control the multimedia device40responsive to pressing an MP3 button on the remote controller30. Once MP3 button is pressed, information can start to transmit from the multimedia device40to the display of the remote controller30. A user can use the control buttons on the remote controller30to control multimedia device40.

A user can view the playlist on the display of the remote controller30. Since the remote controller30can control the multimedia device40via the base unit20, the display on the remote controller30can display other information related to the audio signals, such as, title, artist, and genre of the audio song, among others.

The following is a description of the features of the base unit20. The base unit20can include the following components: 1) Bluetooth, 2) Infrared, 3) Speaker port, 4) USB port, 5) media interface for MP3 player, 6) Infrared sensor, 7) Power outlet, 8) Fire wire port, 9) Control Docking Station, 10) Charging light indicator, 11) Paging control button, and 12) multimedia device docking station. The base unit20includes a circuit board that electrically connects to the remote controller30via wires and/or Bluetooth. The base unit20is one unit with two docking stations22,24; one for the remote controller30and the other for multimedia device40. Both the remote controller30and base unit20can be fitted with removable face plate that customized or personalized to the liking of the user.

The following is a description of the features of multimedia device40. The multimedia device40operates as usual respective to its owner's manual. The base unit20and remote controller30communicate between each other, transmitting signals to the multimedia device40via the infrared, radio frequency (RF) and Bluetooth technology.

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram of a base unit20, such as that shown inFIG. 1. The controller docking platform50includes a locate button505that a user can push to instruct the base unit10to locate the remote controller30. The locate button sends a signal to a transmitter510instructing the transmitter510to transmit a locate signal to the remote controller30. The locate signal can be generated by a microprocessor570and transmitted to the transmitter510. The remote controller30receives the locate signal and, for example, flashes light from an LED or makes a sound (e.g., beeps or plays music) to aid the user in locating the remote controller30.

The controller docking platform50further includes contacts520for electrically coupling the remote controller30with a charging unit515, which facilitates charging the batteries of the remote controller30. The green and right lights530,535are connected to the charging unit515that illuminates the lights530,535to indicate that the batteries are fully charges or the batteries have insufficient power, respectively.

The remote controller30can communicate with the microprocessor570via the contacts520to gather and process information related to the remote controller30. Similarly, the multimedia device40can communicate with the microprocessor570via contacts560to gather and process information related to the multimedia device40. For example, the remote controller30can be synchronized with the multimedia device40when the remote controller30and the multimedia device40are docking on the base unit10. The microprocessor570receives information from both the remote controller30and the multimedia device40via the contacts520,560. After synchronization is completed, the remote controller30can control the multimedia device40using a Bluetooth module565and/or an infrared receiver575.

The infrared receiver575, a Bluetooth module565, and RF receiver (not shown) can receive instruction signals from the remote controller30and facilitate controlling the multimedia device40on the base unit10. The infrared receiver575transmits the received instruction signals to the microprocessor570, which processes the instruction signals and instructs the multimedia device40based on the instruction signals. The microprocessor570is electrically coupled to audio output540, USB input545and Firewire input550, which connects the multimedia device40to audio receivers/speakers and devices that can communicate via USB and Firewire.

The multimedia device40can electrically couple to a charging unit555via the contacts560. The charging unit555facilitates charging the batteries of the multimedia device40. The green and red lights530,535are connected to the charging unit555that illuminates the lights530,535to indicate that the batteries are fully charges or the batteries have insufficient power, respectively.

FIG. 6is a schematic diagram of a remote controller30, such as that shown inFIG. 1. A receiver610is positioned in the remote controller30for receiving the locate signal from the transmitter510of the base unit10. A microprocessor625is positioned in the remote controller30. The receiver610is operationally coupled to the microprocessor625. A speaker620is operationally coupled to the microprocessor625for producing an audio signal from the remote controller30when the receiver610receives the locate signal from the transmitter510, mentioned above.

A light source615is operationally coupled to the microprocessor625for illuminating when the receiver610receives the locate signal from the transmitter510. The remote control30can include a light source615. The microprocessor625is further coupled to inputs655, such as operational buttons that were described inFIG. 4. The operational keys can be configured into groups for controlling particular devices including TV, cable VCR, DVD, stereo and video receivers, satellite receivers, and audio equipment, playstation, xbox, or alike. Based on the inputs, the microprocessor625determines which particular control units630,635,640,645to use to control a particular device. Responsive to determining the control unit630,635,640,645to use, the microprocessor625communicates with the determined control unit630,635,640,645, instructing the control unit630,635,640,645to transmit control signals to the particular device using an infrared transmitter650based on the input655. The remote controller30includes memory622, which can store music or various sounds that can be used to locate the remote controller. The memory622can further store synchronized information associated with the multimedia device40.

Alternatively or additional, the remote control30can communicate wirelessly with home electronic devices other than televisions and DVD/CD players that were previously mentioned, such as, appliances, lighting, garage door system, security system, and HVAC systems, among others. The remote control30can be implemented with Z-Wave® technology, created by Zensys, Inc. It should be noted that the microprocessors570,625can include any custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU) or an auxiliary processor among several processors, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip), or a macroprocessor.

The memory622,573can include any one or a combination of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, etc.)) and nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, etc.). The memory622,573normally comprises various programs (in software and/or firmware) including an operating system (O/S). The O/S controls the execution of programs, and provides scheduling, input-output control, file and data management, memory management, and communication control and related services.

The systems and methods disclosed herein can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the system and/or method is implemented in software that is stored in a memory and that is executed by a suitable microprocessor (μP) situated in a computing device. However, the systems and methods can be embodied in any computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Such instruction execution systems include any computer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system that can fetch and execute the instructions from the instruction execution system. In the context of this disclosure, a “computer-readable medium” can be any means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by, or in connection with, the instruction execution system. The computer readable medium can be, for example, but not limited to, a system or propagation medium that is based on electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor technology.

Specific examples of a computer-readable medium using electronic technology would include (but are not limited to) the following: an electrical connection (electronic) having one or more wires; a random access memory (RAM); a read-only memory (ROM); an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory). A specific example using magnetic technology includes (but is not limited to) a portable computer diskette. Specific examples using optical technology include (but are not limited to) optical fiber and compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM).