Abstract:
An integrated remote control and massage device includes a housing having at least one massage surface, a remote control input interface for enabling a user to control at least one electronic entertainment device, and at least one motor that selectively provides vibrating motion to the massage surface(s). The integrated device enables control of devices such as a television, an audio system, a video disc player, a video cassette recorder, a direct broadcast satellite receiver, a personal video recorder, a cable box, and a digital portable music and/or entertainment system. In addition, the device may be used as a vibrating massage device. The device may optionally include a heating element, a sound recorder, a device locator, or a flashlight.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. The Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to remote control units for electronic entertainment devices and vibrating massage devices.  
         [0003]     2. The Relevant Technology  
         [0004]     Home entertainment systems typically include several components such as a television, an audio system, a video disc player, a video cassette recorder, a direct broadcast satellite receiver, a personal video recorder, a cable box, and a stereo or surround sound receiver. Almost invariably, with each device, the manufacturer will provide a remote control unit for use with that device. Universal remote control units have gained popularity for use in remotely controlling the components of a home entertainment system. The universal remote control generally allows the user to control the various devices with just one remote control, eliminating or reducing the need for the user to keep and use a separate remote control for each device.  
         [0005]     Massage devices are often used to release muscle tension and stress. They often include moving or vibrating massage surfaces which the user may use to apply pressure or vibration to the back, shoulders, arms, legs, neck, head, or other body parts of the user or another person. A convenient time to use a massage device is while relaxing in front of the television with a spouse or friend or while listening to music.  
         [0006]     It would be an improvement in the art to reduce the number of devices needed to both control a person&#39;s electronic entertainment devices and give a massage.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention is directed to an integrated remote control and massage device. The integrated remote control and massage device comprises a housing having at least one massage surface, a remote control input interface for enabling a user to control one or more electronic entertainment devices, and at least one motor for providing vibrating movement to the massage surface of the housing.  
         [0008]     The housing of the device may be of any suitable configuration. It includes at least one massage surface, and may be configured so as to allow the attachment and interchangeability of additional massage surfaces.  
         [0009]     The remote control input interface enables the user to control one or more electronic entertainment devices. Examples of entertainment devices that may be controlled include a television, an audio system, a video disc player, a video cassette recorder, a direct broadcast satellite receiver, a personal video recorder, and a cable box. Entertainment devices may also include digital portable music and/or entertainment systems (e.g., mp3 players, portable CD or DVD players, PDA devices, etc.). The input interface includes an input device or means, which in one embodiment comprises a touch pad. The touch pad or other input means is electrically connected to a printed circuit board and a transmitter. The input interface may use infrared and/or radio frequency communication to control the various entertainment devices. The device may include one or more light sources for illuminating the touch pad or other input of the interface, making operation more convenient in the dark.  
         [0010]     The integrated remote control and massage device includes at least one motor for powering the massage surface or surfaces. The one or more motors may be electric powered motors, as known in the art. The one or more motors interact with the massage surface or surfaces situated on the housing in order to vibrate the surfaces so as to provide massaging action to any of various body parts. In one embodiment, the motor is connected to an eccentric cam which transfers rotational movement provided by the motor into vibrational or oscillating movement of the massage surface or surfaces of the device. According to one embodiment, the cam rotates around a central axis such that movement is perpendicular to the axis. According to another embodiment, cam movement is along a central axis such that movement is parallel to the axis.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, all power required by the integrated device is provided by a battery pack. Disposable or rechargeable batteries may be used. In an embodiment including rechargeable batteries, the batteries may be packaged as a battery pack and the integrated device may include an onboard battery charger. Alternatively, the device may include an AC input or an AC/DC adapter. Power to drive the motor may be derived from the AC input or AC/DC adapter while the power may simultaneously be used to charge rechargeable batteries.  
         [0012]     The integrated device may include one or more removable massage attachments. The massage attachments can have varying size, shape, and contour to provide greater versatility to the massager. The attachments may be rigid or soft, they may be interchangeable, and they may include one or more heating elements embedded within the massage attachments.  
         [0013]     The integrated remote control and massage device may include various features, such as (1) heating elements that can provide heat instead of or while giving a massage, (2) a “device locator” feature, e.g., an audible or visible response (e.g., beep and/or flash) to a user&#39;s hand clap or other input, or query, (3) a built in sound recorder, and (4) a built in flash light.  
         [0014]     These and other benefits, advantages and features of the present invention will more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     In order that the manner in which the above recited and other benefits, advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary integrated remote control and massage device;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the integrated remote control and massage device illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the integrated remote control and massage device illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is an exploded assembly view of the integrated remote control and massage device illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5A  is a partial side view of an exemplary integrated remote control and massage device including an interchangeable massage surface having raised bumps;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5B  is a partial side view of an exemplary integrated remote control and massage device including an interchangeable massage surface having raised ribs;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5C  is a partial side view of an exemplary integrated remote control and massage device including an interchangeable massage surface having a smooth surface;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an integrated remote control and massage device including a detachable massage surface;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an integrated remote control and massage device that includes massage surfaces at each end of the integrated device;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of an exemplary integrated remote control and flashlight;  
         [0026]      FIG. 8B  is an exploded assembly view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 8A ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of an exemplary integrated remote control device and a sound recorder;  
         [0028]      FIG. 9B  is an exploded assembly view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 9A ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an exemplary integrated remote control device and a massage device, the remote control device having a dynamic touch screen interface;  
         [0030]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an exemplary massage device that is selectively attachable to an existing remote control device.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0000]     I. Introduction  
         [0031]     A detailed description of the invention will now be provided with specific reference to Figures illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated that like structures will be provided with like reference designations. To provide context for interpreting the scope of the invention, certain terms used throughout the application will now be defined.  
         [0032]     As used herein, the term “remote control” refers to a device that allows the user to control one or more electronic entertainment devices from a distance. Such a device generally includes an input interface such as a touch pad, push buttons, switches, or a touch screen where the user initiates commands that are transmitted to the electronic entertainment device being controlled. Commands may be transmitted by any electromagnetic communication, for example infrared, radio frequency (including, for example, Bluetooth®), light spectrum frequencies, or any other wireless communication.  
         [0033]     In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an integrated remote control and massage device. The integrated device provides a user the functionality of a remote control while at the same time providing a vibrating massage surface that can be used to massage the back, shoulders, arms, legs, neck, head, or other body parts. The integrated remote control and massage device comprises a housing having at least one massage surface, a remote control input interface for enabling a user to control a plurality of electronic entertainment devices, and at least one motor for providing vibrating movement to the massage surface or surfaces.  
         [0000]     II. Exemplary Integrated Remote Control and Massage Device  
         [0034]      FIGS. 1-4  illustrate an exemplary integrated remote control and massage device  100 . The integrated device includes a housing  102  having at least one massage surface  104 , a universal remote control input interface  106 , and at least one motor  108  (shown in  FIG. 4 ).  
         [0035]     A. Housing  
         [0036]     The housing  102  of the integrated device  100  may be of a configuration easily gripped by the user. For example, it may include a gripable portion  110  including ribs to facilitate gripping of the gripable portion by a user&#39;s hand. If present, at least a portion of the gripable portion  110  is preferably formed of a plastic or thermoplastic elastomer (e.g., natural rubber) so as to be more comfortable in the user&#39;s hand. The housing  102  may also be sealed so as to prevent or inhibit water, beverages, massage oil, or other liquids from entering the device  100 .  
         [0037]     B. Universal Remote Control Input Interface  
         [0038]     The universal remote control input interface  106  includes input means which may include a touch pad  112  for enabling a user to control one or more electronic entertainment devices. Alternatively, input means may comprise push buttons, switches, or a touch screen. Touch pad  112  is communicatively connected to processor  114  and transmitter  116 . In one embodiment, processor  114  is a printed circuit board. Transmitter  116  may be an infrared and/or radio frequency transmitter or other appropriate electromagnetic transmitting means. Various ways of communicatively connecting the input means, processor and transmitter will be known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0039]     C. Motor  
         [0040]     The integrated remote control and massage device  100  includes at least one motor  108  for providing vibrating movement to the massage surface or surfaces  104 . The motor may be an electric powered motor, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In an alternate embodiment, an induction coil may be used as the motor. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor  108  may provide vibrating movement to massage surface  104  by creating rotational movement and transferring the rotational movement to an eccentric cam  1118 . The rotational movement is transformed into vibrational movement by the imbalanced motion of the eccentric cam  118 . These vibrations are transferred through contact between the cam  118  through the housing  102  attached to the massage surface  104 , thereby causing massage surface  104  to vibrate. In actuality, the vibrating motion results from a constantly changing momentum vector created by the imbalanced angular rotation of the eccentric cam. The vibrating surface  104  is useful for massaging the back, shoulders, arms, legs, neck, head, or other body parts of the user or another person.  
         [0041]     In a preferred embodiment, the device  100  may include at least one chamber and an electronic interface that allows the device  100  to operate using one or more batteries  120 . Batteries  120  may be disposable or rechargeable. In one embodiment, batteries  120  comprise two or more 600 mAh Nickel Cadmium (Ni—Cd) 1.2 V “AA” size batteries. Other Ni—Cd or Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni—MH) rechargeable batteries or disposable batteries (e.g. alkaline batteries), or even an alternative power storage device (e.g. fuel cells) can alternatively be used.  
         [0042]     In an embodiment including rechargeable batteries, the batteries may be packaged in plastic or other material as a battery pack, and the integrated device  100  may include an onboard or detached battery charger (e.g., a charging docking station). One such suitable device would be any UL listed class 2 power unit. Standard connections between the battery charger, the batteries, the printed circuit board, and the motor are known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0043]     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , in one embodiment the motor  108  may be controlled by a switch  122 . In one embodiment, switch  122  is a 3-way, 2 pole slider switch. The three positions may, for example, correspond to motor speeds of “off,” “low,” and “high.” In one embodiment, switch  122  may be configured so that when active, the input interface  106  deactivates control over the electronic entertainment device(s). This prevents inadvertent commands from being sent by the integrated device  100  to an electronic entertainment device while the device  100  is being used in the massage mode. Alternatively, any type of electronic or mechanical (e.g., push button) switch could be used.  
         [0044]     The integrated remote control and massage device  100  may optionally include a “device locator” feature, such as an audible or visible response (e.g., beep and/or flash) to a user&#39;s hand clap, phone call, or other input or query. Such a feature allows the user to quickly and easily locate the integrated device  100  if it has been misplaced. In such an embodiment, the integrated device may include a receiver for receiving an electronic or audible input. The receiver is communicatively connected to an audible or visible response device, such as a speaker or a flashing light source (not shown). When an appropriate signal is received, the speaker may beep or the light source may flash.  
         [0045]     D. Massage Surface Attachments  
         [0046]     The integrated remote control and massage device  100  may include one or more removable and interchangeable massage surface attachments. The massage attachments can have varying size, shape, and contour to provide greater versatility to the massager. Referring to  FIGS. 5A-5C , various exemplary massage attachments  104   a - 104   c  are shown. Each massage attachment is configured to be interchangeably attachable to massage surface  104  of housing  102 . The attachments may attach by a snap fit, a friction fit, a threaded connection, a bayonet connection, or other engagement means known in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachments  104   a - 104   c  are hemispherical in shape. Attachment  104   a  includes raised bumps along the outside surface of attachment  104   a . Attachment  104   b  includes raised ribs along the outside surface. Attachment  104   c  exhibits a smooth outer surface.  
         [0047]     Any portion of the housing  102 , massage surface  104  or attachments may further include one or more heating elements that selectively provide heat to the massage surface and area to be massaged. The heating element may be an infra-red (IR) heating element or a resistive heating element. The heating element may be electrically connected to batteries  120  by any electrical connection known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, it may be desirable to include an AC power input or an AC/DC adapter in order to provide power to the one or more heating elements. Such an embodiment may be especially useful to prolong battery life while using the integrated device in a massage and/or heating mode.  
         [0048]     The massage surface(s)  104  or attachments may be rigid or soft. Preferably, the massage surface  104  or attachments are formed of a shore A material having a durometer hardness of between about 30 and about 90, more preferably between about 40 and about 80, and most preferably about 50 to about 70.  
         [0049]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , an alternative embodiment of the integrated remote control and massage device  100 ′ includes a detachable massage surface  104 ′ which may be attachable and detachable from housing  102 ′. Massage surface  104 ′ may be attachable by a slide fit, a snap fit, or any other locking engagement known in the art.  
         [0050]      FIG. 7  illustrates an alternative embodiment of an integrated remote control and massage device  200  that includes massage surfaces  204 , on opposite sides of the massage device  200 . In this embodiment, a pair of massage surfaces  204  are situated at each end of the integrated device  200 .  
         [0000]     III. Other Integrated Remote Control Devices  
         [0051]     A. Integrated Remote Control and Flashlight  
         [0052]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate an alternative embodiment of an integrated remote control device  300  incorporating a flashlight. Integrated device  300  includes a housing  302 , a remote control input interface  306 , and a light source  350  configured to be used as a flashlight. The light source may comprise an LED, incandescent bulb, halogen bulb, fluorescent bulb, or other suitable light source. According to one embodiment, the light source may comprise a plurality of LEDs (other light sources could also be used) arranged in a circular pattern with a focusing lens (not shown). The lens may be rotated in order to narrowly focus or widen the light emitted from the light source. The integrated device  300  may also include a massage surface  304  and a motor  308 , as described above.  
         [0053]     B. Integrated Remote Control and Recording Device  
         [0054]      FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate an alternative embodiment of an integrated remote control device  400  incorporating a recording device. Integrated device  400  includes a housing  402 , a remote control input interface  406 , and a sound recorder  470 . The sound recorder  470  may comprise a memory device (e.g., a mini audio tape or a digital audio storage device).  
         [0055]     The memory device may have a capacity as large or small as desired for a desired play-back duration. For short messages, the memory device may allow for sound recordings of up to about 20, 40 or 60 seconds per message.  
         [0056]     The integrated remote control device  400  preferably includes one or more activation switches for controlling sound recorder  470 . Buttons  472  are examples of suitable activation switches for controlling sound recorder  470 . Sound recorder  470  may be used to store, for example, music to be played back during use of the massage mode to induce relaxation. For example, buttons  472  may include buttons to allow the user to play, fast forward, fast reverse, and record. The integrated device  400  may also include a massage surface  404  and a motor  408 , as described above. According to one embodiment, the integrated device  400  may include an interlock feature that prevents use of the remote control function until the recorded sound has been played back.  
         [0057]     C. Integrated Remote with Touch Screen Interface and Massage Device  
         [0058]     For some people who are PDA savvy, providing a remote control device having a touch screen interface might be especially desirable.  FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment of an integrated remote control device  500  having a touch screen interface and massage device. Integrated device  500  includes a housing  502  having at least one massage surface  504 , an input interface (only the touch screen and auxiliary buttons  512  are shown), and at least one motor (not seen). The housing  502  may be of a configuration that is easily held and gripped by the user. The input interface includes input means  512  that may include any desired combination of buttons, keys, or a touch screen. The buttons, keys, touch screen, or other input means  512  may be backlit, and are communicatively connected to a processor (not seen). The processor may be a printed circuit board. In addition to being used as a remote control device, the integrated device  500  may also optionally include other capabilities (e.g., a cordless phone, an audio recorder or a PDA).  
         [0059]     The integrated device  500  includes a motor (not seen) for providing vibrating movement to the one or more massage surfaces  504 . According to one embodiment, activation of the motor may be controlled by the input means  512  (e.g., button, key, or touch screen). Alternatively, the motor may be activated by an optional separate switch  522  (e.g., similar to switch  122 ).  
         [0060]     Massage surface  504  may be such that it may be interchangeable with various other massage attachments varying in size, shape, and contour to provide greater versatility to the massager. For example attachments such as those illustrated in  FIGS. 5A-5C  may be used. Any portion of the housing  502 , massage surface  504  or attachments may further include one or more heating elements for selectively providing heat to the massage surface and the area to be massaged. The heating element may be an IR heating element or a resistive heating element. The integrated device, including the heating element, may be powered by batteries (e.g., disposable or rechargeable), by AC current, fuel cell, or by any electrical connection known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0061]     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , according to one embodiment, a detachable massage device  504   a  may be attachable to a housing  502  of an existing remote control device. Massage device  504   a  may be attachable by a hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), tape, or another adhesive. The illustrated example includes a strip of hook material  514  and a strip of loop material  516 , each strip being glued or otherwise adhered to a respective housing  502  and the massage device  504   a.    
         [0062]     It will also be appreciated that the present claimed invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.