Patent Publication Number: US-10319220-B2

Title: Control arrangement and control method

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a control arrangement for communicating remotely with an electronic device. The present invention further relates to a respective control method. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Although applicable in principal to any system that may be controlled by an operator, the present invention and its underlying problem will be hereinafter described in combination with test devices. 
     Test devices and laboratory equipment, like e.g. signal generators, spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, network analyzers, ranging devices, medical devices or the like, provide a plurality of possible user interactions and configuration options. 
     Traditionally the user interface is provided integrally with the respective device or equipment. However, controlling the respective device is therefore inflexible. 
     Against this background, the problem addressed by the present invention is providing improved control of electronic devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention solves this object by a control arrangement with the features of claim  1  and a control method with the features of claim  17 . 
     Accordingly it is provided:
         A control arrangement for communicating remotely with an electronic device, which may e.g. be sensitive to radio interference, the control arrangement comprising a local control unit associated with the electronic device, the local control unit comprising a first non-RF spectrum receiver for non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals and a controller coupled to the first receiver for controlling the electronic device based on the received non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals, and a remote control unit, which may be located remotely from the electronic device and therefore the local control unit, with a first non-RF spectrum transmitter for transmitting the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals to the local control unit.   A control method for remotely controlling an electronic device comprises transmitting non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals to a local control unit at the electronic device from a remote control unit, receiving the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals at the local control unit, and controlling the electronic device based on the received non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals.       

     The control arrangement of the present invention provides two separate units. The first unit, the local control unit, is provided at the electronic device and may control the electronic device based on the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals. The second unit, the remote control unit, may e.g. be provided to the user of the electronic device for issuing control commands to the electronic device. 
     It is understood that the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals refer to wireless signals and that the uplink in this regard refers to the communication from the remote control unit to the local control unit. 
     With the presented arrangement it is possible for a user to control the electronic device remotely, i.e. without physically interacting with the electronic device. This on the one hand allows the user to perform other tasks at the same time as controlling the electronic device and further to be spaced apart at a distance from the electronic device that would not allow the user to physically control the electronic device. 
     The present invention at the same time performs the communication, e.g. the remote control, via signals in the non-RF wireless spectrum, such a spectrum may e.g. be the visible light spectrum or the invisible light spectrum, like e.g. the infrared spectrum. The local control unit and the remote control unit may therefore e.g. communicate via visible light communication or infrared communication. Visible light communication may refer to a communication performed according to the IEEE 802.15.7 standard, which is incorporated herein by reference. Further possible visible light communication standards, which are incorporated herein by reference may e.g. comprise Axrtek MOMO, the Visible Light Communication Consortium (VLCC) Specification Standard. 
     With this wireless non-RF communication the control arrangement is especially suitable for control of electronic devices in RF sensitive areas or for control of RF sensitive electronic devices. If for example a RF wireless control would be used in a test environment for RF devices, like e.g. cell phones or the like, the communication signals of the test arrangement could influence the measurements. The same applies e.g. to medical equipment, like e.g. CT or MRI imaging devices. With the control arrangement of the present invention such negative influences are avoided while providing full control over the electronic device. 
     Further, the present invention e.g. allows controlling electronic devices that are arranged behind a shielding, like e.g. electronic devices provided inside of a test chamber with devices under test. The test chamber may e.g. comprise a window that may pass through the non-RF spectrum communication signals from the remote control unit to the local control unit. 
     Further embodiments of the present invention are subject of the further subclaims and of the following description, referring to the drawings. 
     In a possible embodiment, the remote control unit may comprise a user input device for receiving user input, wherein the first non-RF spectrum transmitter may transmit the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals based on the received user input. 
     The user input device may be any type of user input that allows the user to interact remotely with the electronic device. Such a user input device may e.g. comprise knobs, switches, buttons or the like. Respective user inputs may then be transmitted to the local control unit and be translated by the controller into respective control signals. 
     In a possible embodiment, the user input device may comprise a microphone for receiving audio user input, and the first non-RF spectrum transmitter may comprise a modulator that modulates non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals based on the received audio user input. 
     The user input device may e.g. be any kind of microphone. The audio user input may especially comprise spoken words. However, in one embodiment the user may wear the microphone like a headset or somehow attached to his clothes, e.g. via clips. Not having to hold the microphone while remotely controlling the electronic device will allow the user to perform further tasks with his hands at the same time, e.g. on a DUT or the like. 
     The modulator may e.g. be an analogue modulator that modulates the received audio user input into the non-RF uplink signals, e.g. with an AM or FM modulation scheme. However, the modulator may also comprise A/D converters and encode the received audio user input into a digital data stream that e.g. conforms to a visible light based communication standard. 
     The user may e.g. receive visual feedback from the electronic device if the electronic device is in view of the user. The user will e.g. see changes on a display of the electronic device or status indicators, like e.g. LEDs, of the electronic device. 
     In a possible embodiment, the controller of the local control unit may comprise a voice decoder for decoding the audio user input and providing respective control signals. 
     The voice decoder may be coupled to the first non-RF spectrum receiver and receive the audio user input. The voice decoder may e.g. comprise a voice recognition device. The voice recognition device may either be a hardware device, like e.g. an ASIC or FPGA or the like that comprises the respective voice analysis functions. Alternatively, the voice recognition device may be a computer program product that may e.g. be executed by the controller. Such a hardware device or computer program product may comprise a database of audio commands and may comprise a comparator that compares the received audio user input with the audio commands in the database. Further a mapping table or mapping database may be provided that maps the identified audio command to respective control signals for controlling the electronic device. 
     The voice decoder may also comprise a training function that trains the voice decoder according to the voice of a specific user. Voice data may be stored for a plurality of different users. 
     In a possible embodiment, the voice decoder may comprise a command converter for converting the decoded audio user input into “Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments”, SCPI, based control signals. 
     SCPI is a standard for syntax and commands to use in controlling programmable test and measurement devices. 
     The command converter may e.g. comprise a mapping from audio commands that may be provided by a user to the respective SCPI commands. The command converter may e.g. comprise a respective look-up-table that provides the mapping. 
     It is understood that user provided audio user input may also comprise parameters, like e.g. ranges for signals or for setting output parameters. Therefore, the voice decoder and/or the command converter may comprise a segmenting unit that segments the received audio user inputs or user commands into the command and the parameter section. The parameters may be converted by the voice decoder and/or the command converter into respective numbers. 
     The segmentation may e.g. be performed based on keywords. Commands may e.g. have the structure “set XX to YY”, wherein XX refers to a parameter and YY to the respective value. The voice decoder may segment such a command based on the keywords “set” and “to”. It is understood, that this command structure is just exemplarily presented and that any other structure is also possible. 
     In a possible embodiment, the remote control unit may comprise a second non-RF spectrum receiver for receiving non-RF spectrum downlink communication signals, and the controller of the local control unit may generate non-RF spectrum downlink communication signals, e.g. in response to received non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals or respective feedback signals. In addition, the local control unit may comprise a second non-RF spectrum transmitter for transmitting the non-RF spectrum downlink communication signals to the remote control unit. 
     The non-RF spectrum downlink communication signals serve to provide e.g. direct feedback to the remote control unit, and therefore to the user. 
     The first non-RF spectrum transmitter and the second non-RF spectrum transmitter may both communicate via the same type of non-RF spectrum signals, like e.g. visible light. It is understood, that the first non-RF spectrum transmitter and the second non-RF spectrum transmitter may therefore comprise some kind of arbitration unit that performs signal arbitration for the two transmitters. As an alternative, the first non-RF spectrum transmitter and the second non-RF spectrum transmitter may use different types of non-RF spectrum signals or the same types of non-RF spectrum signals with different wavelengths. 
     In a possible embodiment, the remote control unit may comprise an output device that provides the feedback signals to a user. 
     The user of the remote control unit may be informed of the outcome of the commands he provided to the electronic device via the user input. This is especially useful if the user can&#39;t see the electronic device. 
     In a possible embodiment, the controller of the local control unit may generate the feedback signals as audio feedback signals, and the output device may comprise a speaker device. 
     If the output device is a speaker the feedback signal may be provided as audio feedback signal that the user may hear via the speaker. The audio feedback signal may e.g. comprise beeps or sequences of beeps or different kinds of sounds that may e.g. represent an “OK” or “Error” signal. 
     The speaker can e.g. be integrated into headphones. In one embodiment, the headphones may be integrally formed with the microphone, e.g. in a headset. This allows the user to communicate with the electronic device in a bidirectional fashion without the need to use his hands to control the electronic device. 
     In a possible embodiment, the controller of the local control unit may comprise a voice encoder for encoding the feedback signals as voice feedback signals. Optionally, the voice encoder may be configured to encode SCPI based result signals into voice feedback signals. 
     The electronic device or the controller may generate or provide feedback signals for the user in reaction to received user inputs. The feedback signals may be provided as voice feedback, i.e. as spoken words. 
     It is understood, that the voice decoder and the voice encoder may both be adapted to handle one or more languages and that new languages may e.g. be provided via firmware or software updates. 
     In a possible embodiment, the controller of the local control unit may comprise a dialogue engine coupled to the voice decoder and the voice encoder for performing a natural speech dialogue with a user. 
     The dialogue engine may e.g. comprise a scripting engine or e.g. an artificial intelligence based engine that may handle user inputs and provide respective feedback signals. The user may therefore interact with the electronic device naturally and does not have to learn any specific behavior to control the electronic device. 
     In a possible embodiment, the local control unit may be integrated into the electronic device or the local control unit may be connectable to an interface of the electronic device. 
     The local control unit may be integrally formed as a part of the electronic device. The local control unit may e.g. be integrated into the main processor of the electronic device. 
     As an alternative the local control unit may be attachable to the electronic device. Such a local control unit may e.g. be a USB token or the like. 
     If the local control unit is attached to the electronic device via an interface, the local control unit may provide the control signals according to that interface. 
     For example a USB token may identify itself as serial port and provide the control signals as serial data to the electronic device. 
     In a possible embodiment, the first non-RF spectrum transmitter may comprise at least one optical emitter for emitting the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals, and the first non-RF spectrum receiver may comprise respective optical receivers. 
     In a possible embodiment, the second non-RF spectrum transmitter may comprise at least one optical emitter for emitting the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals, and the second non-RF spectrum receiver may comprise respective optical receivers. 
     It is understood, that optical transmitters may e.g. comprise LEDs or infrared diodes and that the optical receivers may e.g. comprise photo transistors or photo diodes. 
     If the first non-RF spectrum transmitter comprises one optical emitter, like a LED, a user may direct the emitter to the first non-RF spectrum receiver manually or e.g. by moving his head with the mounted head-set. 
     The first non-RF spectrum transmitter may also comprise a plurality of optical emitters and therefore emit the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals in a plurality of directions. Aiming by the user will therefore not be necessary. 
     In a possible embodiment, the local control unit may comprise a tracking mechanism for tracking the remote control unit and the controller may aim the first non-RF spectrum receiver at the tracked remote control unit. 
     The tracking mechanism may e.g. comprise a camera based tracking with a camera that records an image of a scene in front of the camera and with an image recognition process that identifies the remote control unit in the image. A mechanical moving structure may then point the first non-RF spectrum receiver at the detected remote control unit. 
     The tracking may e.g. work as described in “Camera-based 3D Object Tracking and Following Mobile Robot” by Nazim Mir-Nasiriin, which is included herein by reference. Further tracking methods that are included herein by reference may include “Localization and Tracking Using Camera-Based Wireless Sensor Networks” by J. R. Martinezde Dios et al., “Camera-based three-dimensional realtime particle tracking at kHz rates and Angstrom accuracy”, by Alexander Huhle et al., “Camera-based system for tracking and position estimation of humans” by Robert Hartmann et al. 
     The identification may e.g. be performed based on image recognition algorithms that detect the shape of the remote control unit. As an alternative dedicated identification marks, like e.g. barcodes, QR-codes or the like, may be provided on the remote control unit and be detected by the image recognition algorithms. 
     In a possible embodiment, the first non-RF spectrum receiver may comprise a solar panel. 
     The solar panel may substitute a single photo diode or photo transistor and provide a large area receiver. Aiming or directing the receiver will therefore not be crucial. 
     In a possible embodiment, the local control unit may at least in part be powered by the solar panel. 
     The solar panel may not only serve as a receiver for the non-RF spectrum communication signals. Instead the solar panel may also power the local control unit. It is understood, that in addition to the solar panel further energy supplies, like e.g. batteries or power connectors may be present. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a more complete understanding of the present invention and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments which are specified in the schematic figures of the drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a control arrangement according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of another embodiment of a control arrangement according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of another embodiment of a control arrangement according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of another embodiment of a control arrangement according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  shows a flow diagram of an embodiment of a control method according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     The appended drawings are intended to provide further under-standing of the embodiments of the invention. They illustrate embodiments and, in conjunction with the description, help to explain principles and concepts of the invention. Other embodiments and many of the advantages mentioned become apparent in view of the drawings. The elements in the drawings are not necessarily shown to scale. 
     In the drawings, like, functionally equivalent and identically operating elements, features and components are provided with like reference signs in each case, unless stated other-wise. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of control arrangement  100 . 
     The control arrangement  100  comprises a remote control unit  101  and a local control unit  104 . 
     The remote control unit  101  comprises a first non-RF spectrum transmitter  102 . In the control arrangement  100  the first non-RF spectrum transmitter  102  is just exemplarily shown as comprising a white LED  108  as optical emitter for emitting non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals  103 . 
     The local control unit  104  comprises a first non-RF spectrum receiver  105 . Just exemplarily the first non-RF spectrum receiver  105  comprises a photo diode  109  as optical receiver. The local control unit  104  further comprises a controller  106  that is coupled to the first non-RF spectrum receiver  105 . The controller  106  is coupled to the electronic device  150  to provide control signals  107  to the electronic device  150 . 
     In the control arrangement  100  the first non-RF spectrum transmitter  102  may e.g. transmit the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals  103 . User commands may e.g. server as a basis for the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals  103 . Although not shown such user commands may e.g. be provided via a keyboard with keys, knobs, sliders or the like. A further input arrangement is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals  103  may comprise an encoding that allows the first non-RF spectrum receiver  105  and the controller  106  to extract the user commands. Such an encoding may e.g. comprise on/off keying, or amplitude modulation. The keying or modulation frequency may be high such that no visible change in the intensity of the light emitted by the white LED  108  is perceptible to the human eye. 
     The control arrangement  100  therefore provides an uplink data path from the remote control unit  101  to the local control unit  104  to control the electronic device  150 . 
     With the arrangement of  FIG. 1  it is possible to provide the user commands wirelessly to the electronic device  150  without causing any RF pollution in the vicinity of the electronic device  150 . This is especially useful to control electronic devices  150 , like e.g. test and measurement equipment or medical equipment that is RF sensitive or that is used in an RF sensitive surrounding. 
       FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of another control arrangement  200 . The control arrangement  200  is based on the control arrangement  100  and therefore also comprises remote control unit  201  with the first non-RF spectrum transmitter  202  and with the white LED  208 , as well as the local control unit  204  with the first non-RF spectrum receiver  205  and with the controller  206 . 
     In addition, the remote control unit  201  comprises a user input device  210  for receiving user input  211 . The first non-RF spectrum transmitter  202  then generates the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals  203  based on the received user input  211 . 
     In the control arrangement  200  the local control unit  204  further comprises a second non-RF spectrum transmitter  215  that has a white LED  216  as optical emitter. In addition the remote control unit  201  comprises a second non-RF spectrum receiver  212  with a photo diode  213  as optical receiver. 
     The electronic device  250  may provide feedback signals  218  in response to the command signals  207 . This feedback signals  218  may e.g. indicate success or failure of the execution of respective command signals  207 . 
     The second non-RF spectrum transmitter  215  generates non-RF spectrum downlink communication signals  214  based on the feedback signals  218 . The second non-RF spectrum transmitter  215  may e.g. generate the non-RF spectrum downlink communication signals  214  based on the same modulation scheme as the first non-RF spectrum transmitter  202  generates the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals  203 . 
     The second non-RF spectrum receiver  212  receives the non-RF spectrum downlink communication signals  214  and demodulates the contents, i.e. the feedback signals  218 , of the non-RF spectrum downlink communication signals  214  to output them via the output device  217  e.g. to a user. 
     The additional elements of the control arrangement  200  provide an additional downlink channel, i.e. a channel from the electronic device  250  to the remote control unit  201 . Therefore, the control arrangement  200  allows providing feedback from the electronic device  250  to the user. This is especially useful if the user can&#39;t see the electronic device  250  while operating the electronic device  250 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of another control arrangement  300 . The control arrangement  300  is based on the control arrangement  200 . Therefore, the control arrangement  300  also comprises the remote control unit  301  with the user input device  310 , the first non-RF spectrum transmitter  302 , and the local control unit  304  with the first non-RF spectrum receiver  305  and the controller  306 . Further, the local control unit  304  also comprises the second non-RF spectrum transmitter  315  and the remote control unit  301  also comprises the second non-RF spectrum receiver  312  and the output device  317 . 
     In the remote control unit  301  the user input device  310  comprises a microphone  320  that records voice commands  311  from a user. The voice commands  311  are then modulated into the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals  303  by modulator  321  that is provided in the first non-RF spectrum transmitter  302 . 
     In the local control unit  304  the controller  306  comprises a voice decoder  322  and an optional command converter  323 . The voice decoder  322  decodes the audio user input  311 , i.e. it extracts the commands that the user spoke into the microphone  320 , e.g. as text. The command converter  323  then uses the decoded audio user input  311  and maps the commands to specific SCPI commands  307  that are then transmitted to the electronic device  350 . The command converter  323  is just exemplarily shown as SCPI converter. It is understood, that the command converter  323  may be omitted or provide any other type of output. 
     Further, in the controller  306  a dialogue engine  325  is provided. The dialogue engine  325  receives the extracted commands from the voice decoder  322  as well as the feedback signals  318  from the electronic device  350 . Based on this information the dialogue engine  325  may provide audio feedback signals  327 , which are then encoded into spoken voice signals by voice encoder  326 . The voice encoder  326  provides this spoken voice signals to the second non-RF spectrum transmitter  315  that transmits a non-RF spectrum downlink communication signals  314  to the second non-RF spectrum receiver  312 . 
     In the second non-RF spectrum receiver  312  although not shown a decoder or demodulator may decode or demodulate the non-RF spectrum downlink communication signals  314  and provide the respective audio signal to the output device  317 . The output device  317  comprises a speaker  324  that will provide the audio feedback signals  327  to the user. 
     In  FIG. 3  the microphone  320  and the speaker  324  are shown separated in the microphone  310  and the output device  317 . It is understood that the microphone  320  and the speaker  324  may e.g. be provided together in a head-set or the like. 
     The control arrangement  300  shown in  FIG. 3  allows a user to easily control the electronic device  350  performing a natural language spoken dialogue. 
       FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of another control arrangement  400 . The control arrangement  400  is based on the control arrangement  100  and therefore also comprises remote control unit  401  with the first non-RF spectrum transmitter  402  and with the white LED  408 , as well as the local control unit  404  with the first non-RF spectrum receiver  405  and with the controller  406 . 
     In the first non-RF spectrum receiver  405  a solar panel  431  is provided as optical receiver. The solar panel  431  may at the same time provide electrical power e.g. to the controller  406 . The solar panel  431  has a larger surface than the photo diode  109  of the control arrangement  100  and therefor may improve the reception quality when receiving the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals  403  from the white LED  408  of the first non-RF spectrum transmitter  402 . 
     To further improve the reception quality, the local control unit  404  comprises a tracking mechanism  430 . The tracking mechanism  430  tracks the remote control unit  401 . The tracking mechanism  430  is just exemplarily shown as camera based tracking mechanism  430 . Such a tracking mechanism  430  may e.g. track the remote control unit  401  with the help of an image or pattern recognition algorithm. As an alternative identification marks, like e.g. QR-codes or barcodes, may be provided on the remote control unit  401 . 
     The first non-RF spectrum receiver  405  may then position the solar panel  431 , at least in one dimension or around one axis, according to the tracked position of the remote control unit  401 . 
     Although not shown, the first non-RF spectrum receiver  405  may e.g. comprise electric actuators to move or position the solar panel  431 . 
     For sake of clarity in the following description of the method based  FIG. 5  the reference signs used above in the description of apparatus based  FIGS. 1-4  will be maintained. 
       FIG. 5  shows a flow diagram of a control method for remotely controlling an electronic device  150 ,  250 ,  350 ,  450 . 
     The control method comprises transmitting S 1  non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals  103 ,  203 ,  303 ,  403  to a local control unit  104 ,  204 ,  304 ,  404  at the electronic device  150 ,  250 ,  350 ,  450  from a remote control unit  101 ,  201 ,  301 ,  401 . The control method further comprises receiving S 2  the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals  103 ,  203 ,  303 ,  403  at the local control unit  104 ,  204 ,  304 ,  404 , and controlling S 3  the electronic device  150 ,  250 ,  350 ,  450  based on the received non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals  103 ,  203 ,  303 ,  403 . 
     The control method may further comprise receiving user input  211 ,  311 , wherein the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals  103 ,  203 ,  303 ,  403  are transmitted based on the received user input  211 ,  311 . This means that the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals  103 ,  203 ,  303 ,  403  may e.g. be modulated according to the user input  211 ,  311  or may comprise a digital representation of the user input  211 ,  311 . 
     The user input  211 ,  311  may e.g. be received as audio user input  211 ,  311  and the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals  103 ,  203 ,  303 ,  403  may be modulated based on the received audio user input  211 ,  311 , e.g. with an AM or FM modulation or with a digital audio transmission. The method may then further comprise decoding the audio user input  211 ,  311  and providing respective control signals  107 ,  207 ,  307 ,  407  to the electronic device  150 ,  250 ,  350 ,  450 . Decoding may e.g. comprise converting the decoded audio user input  211 ,  311  into “Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments”, SCPI, based control signals  107 ,  207 ,  307 ,  407 . 
     To provide feedback to the user, the control method may further comprise generating non-RF spectrum downlink communication signals  214 ,  314  in the local control unit  104 ,  204 ,  304 ,  404  based on feedback signals  218 ,  318  of the electronic device  150 ,  250 ,  350 ,  450 , and transmitting the non-RF spectrum downlink communication signals  214 ,  314  to the remote control unit  101 ,  201 ,  301 ,  401 . 
     In the remote control unit  101 ,  201 ,  301 ,  401  the non-RF spectrum downlink communication signals  214 ,  314  may be received and provided to a user. The feedback signals  218 ,  318  may e.g. be generated as audio feedback signals  218 ,  318 , and be provided as audio feedback to the user. 
     When generating the feedback signals  218 ,  318  the feedback signals  218 ,  318  may be encoded as voice feedback signals  218 ,  318 , e.g. based on SCPI based result signals. 
     When voice or audio signals are used to provide commands from a user to the electronic device  150 ,  250 ,  350 ,  450  and vice versa, a natural speech dialogue may be performed with the user. 
     To improve the connection quality between the remote control unit  101 ,  201 ,  301 ,  401  and the local control unit  104 ,  204 ,  304 ,  404 , the remote control unit  101 ,  201 ,  301 ,  401  may be tracked and the first non-RF spectrum receiver  105 ,  205 ,  305 ,  405  of the local control unit  104 ,  204 ,  304 ,  404  may be aimed at the tracked remote control unit  101 ,  201 ,  301 ,  401 . 
     Finally, the non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals  103 ,  203 ,  303 ,  403  may be received via a solar panel  431 , that may also at least in part power the local control unit  104 ,  204 ,  304 ,  404 . 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations exist. It should be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration in any way. Rather, the foregoing summary and detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing at least one exemplary embodiment, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Generally, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. 
     In the foregoing detailed description, various features are grouped together in one or more examples or examples for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. It is understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. It is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the scope of the invention. Many other examples will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon reviewing the above specification. 
     Specific nomenclature used in the foregoing specification is used to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art in light of the specification provided herein that the specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Throughout the specification, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein,” respectively. Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc., are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on or to establish a certain ranking of importance of their objects. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 
     
         
           100 ,  200 ,  300 ,  400  control arrangement 
           101 ,  201 ,  301 ,  401  remote control unit 
           102 ,  202 ,  302 ,  402  first non-RF spectrum transmitter 
           103 ,  203 ,  303 ,  403  non-RF spectrum uplink communication signals 
           104 ,  204 ,  304 ,  404  local control unit 
           105 ,  205 ,  305 ,  405  first non-RF spectrum receiver 
           106 ,  206 ,  306 ,  406  controller 
           107 ,  207 ,  307 ,  407  control signals 
           108 ,  208 ,  216 ,  308 ,  316  optical emitter 
           408  optical emitter 
           109 ,  209 ,  213 ,  309 ,  313  optical receiver 
           210 ,  310  user input device 
           211 ,  311  user input 
           212 ,  312  second non-RF spectrum receiver 
           214 ,  314  non-RF spectrum downlink communication signals 
           215 ,  315  second non-RF spectrum transmitter 
           217 ,  317  output device 
           218 ,  318  feedback signal 
           320  microphone 
           321  modulator 
           322  voice decoder 
           323  command converter 
           324  speaker device 
           325  dialogue engine 
           326  voice encoder 
           327  audio feedback signal 
           430  tracking mechanism 
           431  solar panel 
           150 ,  250 ,  350 ,  450  electronic device 
         S 1 , S 2 , S 3  method steps