Abstract:
A remote control for consumer electronic device in one embodiment includes a passive RFID tag so as to be powered by its own rechargeable battery in operation, and a Zigbee arrangement so as to be aligned with future trend with respect to wireless transmission. In another embodiment, the remote control can be alternatively powered by a solar cell,

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to remote controls and more particularly to such a remote control having a passive RFID tag so as to be powered by its own rechargeable battery in operating a consumer electronic device, and a Zigbee arrangement so as to be aligned with future trend with respect to wireless transmission. Moreover, the remote control can be additionally powered by a solar cell. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    A remote control is typically used to control a consumer electronic device, for example, a TV. Also, typically a user has to use an associated remote control to control a consumer electronic device. Moreover, a user may have to operate a number of remote controls sequentially in order to operate a consumer electronic device (e.g., home theater). This is cumbersome. 
         [0005]    Most typical remote controls communicate to their respective devices via infrared (IR) signals and a few via radio signals. They are usually powered by small batteries. This feature is less desired since, for example, as compared with most hand held calculators which are powered by solar cell(s) nowadays. 
         [0006]    ZigBee is the name of a specification for a suite of high level communication protocols using small, low-power digital radios based on the IEEE 802.15.4-2006 standard for wireless personal area networks (WPANs), such as wireless headphones connecting with cell phones via short-range radio. The technology is intended to be simpler and less expensive than other WPANs. ZigBee is targeted at radio-frequency (RF) applications that require a low data rate, long battery life, and secure networking. 
         [0007]    RFID (radio-frequency identification) is an automatic identification method, relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or transponders. The technology requires cooperation of an RFID reader and an RFID tag. An RFID tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into a product, animal, or person for the purpose of identification and tracking using radio waves. Some tags can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader. Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. One is an integrated circuit for storing and processing information, modulating and demodulating an RF signal, and other specialized functions. The second is an antenna for receiving and transmitting the signal. A type of RFID tag called passive RFID tag even does not need a battery in operation. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,116,229 discloses device and method for programming a remote control device using RFID technology. Thus, the need for improvement still exists. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a remote control having a passive RFID tag so as to be powered by its own rechargeable battery in operating a consumer electronic device, and a Zigbee arrangement so as to be aligned with future trend with respect to wireless transmission. 
         [0010]    It is another object of the invention to provide a remote control having both a passive RFID tag and a solar cell so as to be powered by its own rechargeable battery in operating a consumer electronic device, and a Zigbee arrangement so as to be aligned with future trend with respect to wireless transmission. 
         [0011]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram according to the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the main processor in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the main processor in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of the base. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , a remote control  1  of the invention and a main processor  2  thereof in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention are illustrated. 
         [0017]    In addition to the main processor  2  the remote control  1  further comprises a releasable base  3  adapted to secure to the main processor  2 . The main processor  2  comprises a control section, an input section, an output section, a data transmission section, and a power supply. The base  3  comprises a control section, a data transmission section, and a power supply. 
         [0018]    The control section of the main processor  2  comprises a microcontroller  211 . The input section of the main processor  2  comprises a touch screen unit  221 . The output section of the main processor  2  comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) unit  231  and a voice unit  232 . The data transmission section of the main processor  2  comprises an IR transmission assembly  241  and a Zigbee transmission assembly  242 . The power supply of the main processor  2  comprises a battery assembly including a rechargeable battery  2511  and a current sensor (CS)  2512 ; and an RFID assembly  253 . 
         [0019]    The microcontroller  211 , the touch screen unit  221 , the LED unit  231 , the voice unit  232 , the IR transmission assembly  241 , the Zigbee transmission assembly  242 , the battery  2511 , the CS  2512 , and the RFID assembly  253  are electrically connected together so that not only control signals and data can be communicated among them but also electric power can be supplied from the battery  2511  to other components. 
         [0020]    The control section of the base  3  comprises a microcontroller  311 . The data transmission section of the base  3  comprises an RFID assembly  321 . The power supply of the base  3  comprises a power supply  331 . The RFID assembly  321  and the power supply  331  are electrically connected together so that not only control signals and data can be communicated among them but also electric power can be supplied from the power supply  331  to other components. 
         [0021]    The RFID signal transmission unit  2531  and the RFID signal transmission unit  3211  are adapted to communicate in RF signals in a wireless manner. Also, electric power (e.g., alternating current (AC)) is generated during the communication. The electric power is then converted into direct current (DC) and is supplied to the rechargeable battery  2511  for storage. Hence, the main processor  2  may be powered by the battery  2511  in operation. 
         [0022]    The IR transmission assembly  241  and the Zigbee transmission assembly  242  are adapted to communicate each other in the form of IR signal. This means that the main processor  2  has more than one mode of wireless communication. Hence, the remote control  1  of the invention, similar to a universal remote control, is capable of controlling a variety of consumer electronic devices. Moreover, the remote control  1  of the invention can operate by its own power similar to a solar powered calculator. 
         [0023]    The touch screen unit  221  has a data output port which is connected to a data input port of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, typed data can be sent from the data output port of the touch screen unit  221  to the data input port of the microcontroller  211 . The microcontroller  211  may then control a respective consumer electronic device as instructed by the input data. The LED unit  231  is connected to data output port of the microcontroller  211  so that control data sent from the microcontroller  211  can be received by the LED unit  231 . The LED unit  231  may light, dim, or flash to indicate the status of the main processor  2 . 
         [0024]    The data input port of the voice unit  232  is connected to the data output port of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, voice data can be sent from the microcontroller  211  to the voice unit  232 . The voice unit  232  may inform or alert user audibly as a response. 
         [0025]    The data output port of the IR transmission assembly  241  is connected to data input port of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, the microcontroller  211  may send data or control signals from the IR transmission assembly  241  to a remote device having an IR transmission assembly  241 . The data input port of the IR transmission assembly  241  is connected to data output port of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, the microcontroller  211  may receive data or control signals from a remote device having an IR transmission assembly  241 . As stated in the background section, most typical remote controls communicate to their respective devices via IR signals. For the reason of compatibility, the main processor  2  is also provided with the IR transmission assembly  241 . Hence, the remote control of the invention is still capable of controlling a corresponding consumer electronic device of such type. 
         [0026]    The data output port of the Zigbee transmission assembly  242  of the main processor  2  is connected to the data input port of the microcontroller  211 . The data input port of the Zigbee transmission assembly  242  is connected to data output port of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, a bi-directional data communication between the Zigbee transmission assembly  242  and the microcontroller  211  is made possible. With the provision of the Zigbee transmission assembly  242 , the main processor  2  is capable of controlling a corresponding consumer electronic device having a Zigbee arrangement. 
         [0027]    Power output of the RFID assembly  253  of the main processor  2  is connected to power input of the battery  2511 . The power output of the battery  2511  is connected to power input of the CS  2512 . The signal output of the CS  2512  is connected to signal input of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, the CS  2512  is aware of the amount of remaining electric power of the battery  2511  by sending inquiry signals to power input of the battery  2511 . The result is then sent to the microcontroller  211 . Next, the microcontroller  211  may activate either the LED unit  231  to visually alert user by flashing or lighting the LED unit  231  or activate the voice unit  232  to audibly alert the user. Therefore, the user may know the remaining electric power of the main processor  2 . 
         [0028]    The power output of the battery  2511  of the main processor  2  is connected to the microcontroller  211 , the touch screen unit  221 , the LED unit  231 , the voice unit  232 , the IR transmission assembly  241 , the Zigbee transmission assembly  242 , the CS  2512 , and the power input of the RFID assembly  253  for supplying DC power thereto. 
         [0029]    The power input of the power supply  331  of the base  3  is connected to a wall outlet  4  for obtaining external electric power therefrom. The power output of the power supply  331  is connected to both power input of the microcontroller  311  and power input of the RFID assembly  321  for supplying AC power thereto. 
         [0030]    The Zigbee transmission assembly  242  of the main processor  2  further comprises a Zigbee transmission unit  2421  and a communication range detection unit  2422 . The data output port of the Zigbee transmission unit  2421  is connected to data output port of the Zigbee transmission assembly  242 . Hence, the microcontroller  211  is capable of receiving data or control signals sent from a remote device having the Zigbee transmission unit  2421  via the Zigbee transmission unit  2421 . The data input port of the Zigbee transmission unit  2421  is connected to data input port of the Zigbee transmission assembly  242 . Hence, the microcontroller  211  is capable of transmitting data or control signals to a remote device having the Zigbee transmission unit  2421  via the Zigbee transmission unit  2421 . The signal output of the communication range detection unit  2422  is connected to the signal output of the Zigbee transmission unit  2421  which is in turn connected to signal input of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, the communication range detection unit  2422  is capable of determining whether a remote device having the Zigbee transmission unit  2421  is within the effective communication range of the Zigbee transmission unit  2421 . Further, the communication range detection unit  2422  may send control signals to the microcontroller  211 . Thus, the microcontroller  211  may activate either the LED unit  231  to visually alert user by flashing or lighting the LED unit  231  or activate the voice unit  232  to audibly alert the user. Therefore, the user may know whether the main processor  2  is within the effective communication range of the Zigbee transmission assembly  242 . 
         [0031]    The RFID assembly  253  of the main processor  2  further comprises an RFID signal transmission unit  2531  and a transformer  2532 . The RFID assembly  321  of the base  3  further comprises an RFID signal transmission unit  3211 . The output port of the RFID signal transmission unit  2531  of the RFID assembly  253  is connected to output port of the transformer  2532 . The output port of the transformer  2532  is connected to power output of the RFID assembly  253 . The RFID signal transmission unit  2531  and the RFID signal transmission unit  3211  are adapted to communicate in RF signals in a wireless manner. Also, AC electric power is generated during the communication. The transformer  2532  of the RFID assembly  253  is adapted to convert AC into DC for consumption of the main processor  2  or battery storage. 
         [0032]    The input section of the main processor  2  further comprises a finger print recognition unit  222 . The output section of the main processor  2  further comprises an LCD (liquid crystal display)  233 . The data output port of the finger print recognition unit  222  is connected to data input port of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, a user may put his/her palm on the finger print recognition unit  222  which may then activate to scan the palm to get finger print data. The finger print data is again sent to the microcontroller  211  for comparing with a plurality of finger print records stored therein. If the comparison result is that the finger print data is the same as one of the finger print records. Then the user may use the remote control  1 . This feature aims at limiting the remote control  1  or some important functions thereof to be used by only authorized person(s). 
         [0033]    The data input port of the display  233  is connected to the data output port of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, the microcontroller  211  is capable of sending alphanumeric data, pictures, etc. to the display  233  for display. Power inputs of both the finger print recognition unit  222  and the display  233  are connected to the power output of the battery  2511 . Hence, the battery  2511  may supply DC power to both the finger print recognition unit  222  and the display  233  for maintaining its normal operations. 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3  and  4 , a remote control  1  of the invention and a main processor  2  thereof in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention are illustrated. The characteristics of the second preferred embodiment are detailed unit below. 
         [0035]    In addition to the main processor  2  the remote control  1  further comprises a releasable base  3  adapted to secure to the main processor  2 . The main processor  2  comprises a control section, an input section, an output section, a data transmission section, and a power supply. The base  3  comprises a control section, a data transmission section, and a power supply. 
         [0036]    The control section of the main processor  2  comprises a microcontroller  211 . The input section of the main processor  2  comprises a touch screen unit  221 . The output section of the main processor  2  comprises a light-emitting diode (LED) unit  231  and a voice unit  232 . The data transmission section of the main processor  2  comprises an IR transmission assembly  241  and a Zigbee transmission assembly  242 . The power supply of the main processor  2  comprises a battery assembly including a rechargeable battery  2511  and a current sensor (CS)  2512 ; an RFID assembly  253 ; a solar power assembly  254  having a solar panel  2541  and a solar cell  2542 ; and a switch  252 . 
         [0037]    The microcontroller  211 , the touch screen unit  221 , the LED unit  231 , the voice unit  232 , the IR transmission assembly  241 , the Zigbee transmission assembly  242 , the battery  2511 , the CS  2512 , and the RFID assembly  253  are electrically connected together so that not only control signals and data can be communicated among them but also electric power can be supplied from the battery  2511  to other components. 
         [0038]    The control section of the base  3  comprises a microcontroller  311 . The data transmission section of the base  3  comprises an RFID assembly  321 . The power supply of the base  3  comprises a power supply  331 . The RFID assembly  321  and the power supply  331  are electrically connected together so that not only control signals and data can be communicated among them but also electric power can be supplied from the power supply  331  to other components. 
         [0039]    The RFID signal transmission unit  2531  and the RFID signal transmission unit  3211  are adapted to communicate in RF signals in a wireless manner. Also, electric power (alternating current (AC)) is generated during the communication. The electric power is then converted into (direct current) DC and is supplied to the rechargeable battery  2511  for storage. Hence, the main processor  2  may be powered by the battery  2511  in operation. 
         [0040]    The IR transmission assembly  241  and the Zigbee transmission assembly  242  are adapted to communicate each other in the form of IR signal. This means that the main processor  2  has more than one mode of wireless communication. Hence, the remote control  1  of the invention, similar to a universal remote control, is capable of controlling a variety of consumer electronic devices. Moreover, the remote control  1  of the invention can operate by its own power similar to a solar powered calculator. 
         [0041]    The touch screen unit  221  has a data output port which is connected to a data input port of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, typed data can be sent from the data output port of the touch screen unit  221  to the data input port of the microcontroller  211 . The microcontroller  211  may then control a respective consumer electronic device as instructed by the input data. The LED unit  231  is connected to data output port of the microcontroller  211  so that control data sent from the microcontroller  211  can be received by the LED unit  231 . The LED unit  231  may light, dim, or flash to indicate the status of the main processor  2 . 
         [0042]    The data input port of the voice unit  232  is connected to the data output port of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, voice data can be sent from the microcontroller  211  to the voice unit  232 . The voice unit  232  may inform or alert user audibly as a response. 
         [0043]    The data output port of the IR transmission assembly  241  is connected to data input port of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, the microcontroller  211  may send data or control signals from the IR transmission assembly  241  to a remote device having an IR transmission assembly  241 . The data input port of the IR transmission assembly  241  is connected to data output port of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, the microcontroller  211  may receive data or control signals from a remote device having an IR transmission assembly  241 . As stated in the background section, most typical remote controls communicate to their respective devices via IR signals. For the reason of compatibility, the main processor  2  is also provided with the IR transmission assembly  241 . Hence, the remote control of the invention is still capable of controlling a corresponding consumer electronic device of such type. 
         [0044]    The data output port of the Zigbee transmission assembly  242  of the main processor  2  is connected to the data input port of the microcontroller  211 . The data input port of the Zigbee transmission assembly  242  is connected to data output port of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, a bi-directional data communication between the Zigbee transmission assembly  242  and the microcontroller  211  is made possible. With the provision of the Zigbee transmission assembly  242 , the main processor  2  is capable of controlling a corresponding consumer electronic device having a Zigbee arrangement. 
         [0045]    Power output of the RFID assembly  253  of the main processor  2  is connected to power input of the battery  2511 . The power output of the battery  2511  is connected to power input of the CS  2512 . The signal output of the CS  2512  is connected to signal input of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, the CS  2512  is aware of the amount of remaining electric power of the battery  2511  by sending inquiry signals to power input of the battery  2511 . The result is then sent to the microcontroller  211 . Next, the microcontroller  211  may activate either the LED unit  231  to visually alert user by flashing or lighting the LED unit  231  or activate the voice unit  232  to audibly alert the user. Therefore, the user may know the remaining electric power of the main processor  2 . 
         [0046]    The power output of the battery  2511  of the main processor  2  is connected to the microcontroller  211 , the touch screen unit  221 , the LED unit  231 , the voice unit  232 , the IR transmission assembly  241 , the Zigbee transmission assembly  242 , the CS  2512 , and the power input of the RFID assembly  253  for supplying DC power thereto. 
         [0047]    The power input of the power supply  331  of the base  3  is connected to a wall outlet  4  for obtaining external electric power therefrom. The power output of the power supply  331  is connected to both power input of the microcontroller  311  and power input of the RFID assembly  321  for supplying AC power thereto. 
         [0048]    The Zigbee transmission assembly  242  of the main processor  2  further comprises a Zigbee transmission unit  2421  and a communication range detection unit  2422 . The data output port of the Zigbee transmission unit  2421  is connected to data output port of the Zigbee transmission assembly  242 . Hence, the microcontroller  211  is capable of receiving data or control signals sent from a remote device having the Zigbee transmission unit  2421  via the Zigbee transmission unit  2421 . The data input port of the Zigbee transmission unit  2421  is connected to data input port of the Zigbee transmission assembly  242 . Hence, the microcontroller  211  is capable of transmitting data or control signals to a remote device having the Zigbee transmission unit  2421  via the Zigbee transmission unit  2421 . The signal output of the communication range detection unit  2422  is connected to the signal output of the Zigbee transmission unit  2421  which is in turn connected to signal input of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, the communication range detection unit  2422  is capable of determining whether a remote device having the Zigbee transmission unit  2421  is within the effective communication range of the Zigbee transmission unit  2421 . Further, the communication range detection unit  2422  may send control signals to the microcontroller  211 . Thus, the microcontroller  211  may activate either the LED unit  231  to visually alert user by flashing or lighting the LED unit  231  or activate the voice unit  232  to audibly alert the user. Therefore, the user may know whether the main processor  2  is within the effective communication range of the Zigbee transmission assembly  242 . 
         [0049]    The RFID assembly  253  of the main processor  2  further comprises an RFID signal transmission unit  2531  and a transformer  2532 . The RFID assembly  321  of the base  3  further comprises an RFID signal transmission unit  3211 . The output port of the RFID signal transmission unit  2531  of the RFID assembly  253  is connected to output port of the transformer  2532 . The output port of the transformer  2532  is connected to power output of the RFID assembly  253 . The RFID signal transmission unit  2531  and the RFID signal transmission unit  3211  are adapted to communicate in RF signals in a wireless manner. Also, AC electric power is generated during the communication. The transformer  2532  of the RFID assembly  253  is adapted to convert AC into DC for consumption of the main processor  2  or battery storage. 
         [0050]    The input section of the main processor  2  further comprises a finger print recognition unit  222 . The output section of the main processor  2  further comprises an LCD (liquid crystal display)  233 . The data output port of the finger print recognition unit  222  is connected to data input port of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, a user may put his/her palm on the finger print recognition unit  222  which may then activate to scan the palm to get finger print data. The finger print data is again sent to the microcontroller  211  for comparing with a plurality of finger print records stored therein. If the comparison result is that the finger print data is the same as one of the finger print records. Then the user may use the remote control  1 . This feature aims at limiting the remote control  1  or some important functions thereof to be used by only authorized person(s). 
         [0051]    The data input port of the display  233  is connected to the data output port of the microcontroller  211 . Hence, the microcontroller  211  is capable of sending alphanumeric data, pictures, etc. to the display  233  for display. Power inputs of both the finger print recognition unit  222  and the display  233  are connected to the power output of the battery  2511 . Hence, the battery  2511  may supply DC power to both the finger print recognition unit  222  and the display  233  for maintaining its normal operations. 
         [0052]    The solar panel  2541  may convert solar energy from the sun or the lamp into DC power which is in turn stored in the solar cell  2542 . The switch  252  is controlled by the microcontroller  211 . Each of the RFID assembly  253  and the solar power assembly  254  is connected to the switch  252  which is in turn connected to the battery  2511 . The battery  2511  of the main processor  2  may be low if the main processor  2  is detached from the base  3  for a prolonged period of time. For avoiding this, a user may slide the switch  252  to cause the microcontroller  211  to interconnect the solar power assembly  254  and the battery  2511 . Immediately, the battery  2511  is charged by the solar cell  2542 . This feature makes the invention to be one powered by an uninterruptible power supply. 
         [0053]    While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.