Patent Publication Number: US-8531277-B2

Title: Finding system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. utility application entitled, “Rechargeable universal remote control assembly,” having Ser. No. 11/786,801 and original filing date of Nov. 15, 2002, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. RE42613, “Rechargeable universal remote control assembly,” having Ser. No. 10/295,627, filed on Nov. 15, 2002 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,879,254, all of which are entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The use of universal remote controls is known in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,112 describes a remote control apparatus for programming a series of control commands for use at a later time. Another type of universal remote controls is U.S. Pat. No. 5,953,144 having a ROM-less microprocessor system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,021 discloses a remote control having a base unit and a remote control finder. U.S. Pat. No. 3,582,783 discloses a multiple function remote control unit. U.S. Pat. No. 5,412,377 also discloses a remote control unit that has a scheduling function. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 435,544 shows an ornamental design for a universal remote control. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a remote control system that will provide commands for multiple and various devices in combination with a base unit for recharging the remote control, a remote control finding function, and wherein the remote control has a light for outlining the housing of the remote control. 
    
    
     
       SUMMARY BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a new rechargeable universal remote control assembly according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the base unit of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the base unit of the present invention taken along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the remote unit of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram view of the base unit of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram view of the remote unit of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 6  thereof, a new rechargeable universal remote control assembly embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the rechargeable universal remote control assembly  10  generally comprises a base unit  20  having a charging port  22  and a remote control unit  30  having a battery  32 . The remote control unit  30  is positionable on the base unit  20  such that the remote control unit  30  operationally engages the charging port  22 . Thus, the base unit  20  charges the battery  32  of the remote control unit  30 . 
     A transmitter  24  is positioned in the base unit  20  for transmitting a locate signal. A receiver  34  is positioned in the remote control unit  30  for receiving the locate signal from the transmitter  24 . 
     A microprocessor  36  is positioned in the remote control unit  30 . The receiver  34  is operationally coupled to the microprocessor  36 . A speaker  38  is operationally coupled to the microprocessor  36  for producing an audio signal from the remote control unit  30  when the receiver  34  receives the locate signal from the transmitter  24 . 
     A light source  40  is operationally coupled to the microprocessor  36  for illuminating when the receiver  34  receives the locate signal from the transmitter  24 . The light source  40  is a tubular light extending around a perimeter  31  of the remote control unit  30 . 
     An infrared transmitter  42  is operationally coupled to the microprocessor  36  for sending operational commands from the remote control unit  30  based on use of a plurality of operational keys  44 . Each of the operational keys  44  is operationally coupled to the microprocessor  36  for sending a selectable operational command from the remote control unit  30  using the operational keys  44 . The operational keys are configured into groups for controlling particular devices including TV, VCR, DVD, stereo and video receivers, satellite receivers, and audio equipment. The remote control unit may further include operational keys and programs to operate other household devices such as ceiling fans or appliances remotely using the remote control unit  30 . 
     A plurality of indicator lights  46  are positioned on the base unit  20 . One of the indicator lights is a positive charging light  48 . The positive charging light  48  illuminates when the remote control unit  30  engages the charging port  22  of the base unit  20  to successfully charge the battery  32  of the remote control unit  30 . A second one of the indicator lights is a negative charging light  50 . The negative charging light  50  illuminates when the remote control unit  30  is disengaged from the charging port  22  of the base unit  20 . 
     The remote control unit  30  has a plurality of battery charge indicators  52  operationally coupled to the battery  32  for indicating a charge level of the battery  32 . In an embodiment, the battery charge indicators  52  are aligned next to each other and illuminate in sequence such that a number of illuminated battery charge indicators indicates a degree to which the battery  32  is charged. 
     The remote control unit  30  has a housing  33  having a bulbous forward portion  35 , a neck portion  37 , and a rear portion  39 . The base unit  20  has a depression  25  for receiving the remote control unit  30 . The depression  25  has a complementary shape to the remote control unit  30  to prevent movement of the remote control unit  30  within the depression  25 . 
     In use, the remote control unit is placed into the depression of the base unit to charge the remote control unit. The remote control unit is used in similar fashion to existing remote controls to operate a variety of devices. When removed from the base unit, the remote control unit can be located easily by pressing a button on the base unit. In response to the button on the base unit being pressed, the remote control unit provides an audio signal via a speaker and a visual signal via the light source extending around the perimeter of the remote control unit. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.