Patent ID: 12206269

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments of the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to practice the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

Detailed reference will now be made to one or more potential embodiments of the disclosure, which are illustrated inFIGS.1through6.

The rechargeable television remote100(hereinafter invention) is an electric device. The invention100is configured for use with an audio-visual display. The invention100remotely controls the operation of the audio visual display103. The invention100comprises a base station101and a remote station102. The base station101is an electric device. The remote station102is an electric device. The remote station102forms a physical electric connection with the base station101. The base station101provides electric energy to the remote station102through the physical electric connection. The base station101and the remote station102further communicate with each other using a wireless communication link133. The base station101transmits operating commands to the remote station102through the wireless communication link133. The remote station102remotely controls the operation of the audio visual display103.

The audio visual display103is an electric circuit. The audio visual display103presents information in a visual format. The audio visual display103presents information in an audible format. The operation of the audio visual display103is remotely controlled by the remote station102.

The base station101is an electric circuit. The base station101forms a physical electric connection with the remote station102. The base station101provides electric energy to the remote station102over the physical electric connection. The base station101forms a wireless communication link133with the remote station102. The base station101transmits operating instructions to the remote station102through the wireless communication link133.

The base station101sends a first transmission that initiates the remote station102to announce an audible sound used to identify the physical location of the remote station102. The base station101monitors the vicinity surrounding the base station101for audible sounds. The base station101process all captured audible sounds to determine if an operating instruction has been announced. If the base station101determines that an operating instruction has been announced, the base station101sends a second transmission to the remote station102. The second transmission initiates the remote station102to take the appropriate action.

The base station101comprises a first control circuit111and a first power circuit112. The first control circuit111and the first power circuit112are electrically interconnected.

The first control circuit111is an electric circuit. The first control circuit111controls the operation of the base station101. The first control circuit111forms the wireless communication link133with the remote station102. The first control circuit111transmits operating instructions to the remote station102through the wireless communication link133.

The first control circuit111sends a first transmission that initiates the remote station102to announce an audible sound used to identify the physical location of the remote station102. The first control circuit111monitors the vicinity surrounding the first control circuit111for audible sounds. The first control circuit111process all captured audible sounds to determine if an operating instruction has been announced. If the first control circuit111determines that an operating instruction has been announced, then the first control circuit111sends a second transmission to the remote station102. The second transmission is encoded with the operating instruction. The first control circuit111comprises a first logic module131and a first communication module132. The first logic module131and the first communication module132are electrically interconnected. The first communication module132further comprises a wireless communication link133. The wireless communication link133forms a communication link between the base station101and the remote station102.

The first logic module131is a programmable electronic device that is used to manage, regulate, and operate the first control circuit111. The first communication module132is a wireless electronic communication device that allows the first logic module131to wirelessly communicate with the remote station102. Specifically, the first communication module132establishes a wireless communication link133between the first control circuit111and the remote station102. The first communication module132supports a communication protocol selected from the group consisting of a WiFi™ protocol or a Bluetooth™ protocol.

The first communication module132receives the first transmission from the first logic module131. The first communication module132subsequently retransmits the first transmission to the remote station102for further processing. The first communication module132receives the second transmission from the first logic module131. The first communication module132subsequently retransmits the first transmission to the remote station102for further processing.

The first logic module131further comprises a speech recognition module171, a microphone172, and a page switch173. The first logic module131comprises a speech recognition module171, a microphone172, and a page switch173. The first logic module131electrically connects to the microphone172. The first logic module131electrically connects to the page switch173. The first logic module131operates the speech recognition module171

The speech recognition module171is a module operated by the first logic module131. The speech recognition module171receives a digital representation of sound that is captured by the microphone172from the first logic module131. The speech recognition module171analyzes the received digital representation of the sound to determine if an announcement of actionable information was received. The speech recognition module171transmits any identified actionable information back to the first logic module131. The first logic module131encodes the received actionable information into the second transmission.

The microphone172is a transducer. The microphone172captures audible sounds that are within range of the base station101. The microphone172converts acoustic energy into an electric signal that is transmitted to the first logic module131. The first logic module131converts the received electric signal into a digital representation of the audible sounds that are further processed by the speech recognition module171.

The page switch173is a momentary switch. The page switch173electrically connects to the first logic module131. The first logic module131monitors the page switch173. The actuation of the page switch173initiates the first logic module131to transmit the first transmission to the remote station102.

The first power circuit112is an electric circuit. The first power circuit112powers the operation of the first control circuit111. The first power circuit112forms the physical electric connection with the remote station102. The first power circuit112provides electric energy to the remote station102over the physical electric connection. The first power circuit112further comprises an ac/dc converter141, a charging port142, an LED143, and a plurality of USB ports145. The ac/dc converter141, the charging port142, and the LED143are electrically interconnected. The ac/dc converter141further comprises a national electric grid144. The national electric grid144electrically connects to the ac/dc converter141.

The ac/dc converter141is an electric circuit. The ac/dc converter141receives ac electric energy from an externally provided source and converts the received ac electric energy into dc electric energy. The dc electric energy generated by the ac/dc converter141provides the dc electric energy necessary to operate the plurality of USB ports145. The dc electric energy generated by the ac/dc converter141provides the dc electric energy necessary to operate the first control circuit111. The dc electric energy generated by the ac/dc converter141provides the dc electric energy necessary to operate the remote station102. The dc electric energy generated by the ac/dc converter141is presented to the charging port142as a dc voltage. The national electric grid144is an externally provided source of ac electric energy. The national electric grid144is defined elsewhere in this disclosure.

The charging port142is an electric plug. The charging port142forms an electric connection with the ac/dc converter141. The charging port142further forms an electric connection with the second power circuit122of the remote station102. The charging port142transmits the dc electric energy received from the ac/dc converter141to the second power circuit122.

The LED143is a light emitting diode. The LED143forms a series electrical connection between the ac/dc converter141and the charging port142. The LED143limits the flow of electric energy to a single direction. The LED143further generates an illumination when an electric current flows through the LED143. The LED143is used to illuminate a visible signal when dc electric energy is flowing from the charging port142into the second power circuit122. The LED143is used to prevent the back flow of electric energy from the second power circuit122into the ac/dc converter141.

Each port selected from the plurality of USB ports145electrically connects to the ac/dc converter141. Each port selected from the plurality of USB ports145draws dc electric energy from the ac/dc converter141. Each port selected from the plurality of USB ports145presents a dc voltage that can be used to provide dc electric energy to an externally provided electric device. Each port selected from the plurality of USB ports145presents a plug that is compatible with the Universal Serial Bus standard. The plurality of USB ports145presents a dc voltage that is compatible with the Universal Serial Bus standard.

The remote station102is an electric circuit. The remote station102remotely controls the operation of the audio visual display103. The remote station102forms a physical electric connection with the base station101. The remote station102draws electric energy from the base station101over the physical electric connection. The remote station102receives the first transmission from the base station101. On receiving the first transmission, the remote station102initiates an audible announcement. The remote station102receives the second transmission from the base station101. On receiving the second transmission, the remote station102implements the operating instruction contained in the second transmission. The remote station102comprises a second control circuit121and a second power circuit122. The second control circuit121and the second power circuit122are electrically interconnected.

The second control circuit121is an electric circuit. The second control circuit121controls the operation of the remote station102. The second control circuit121remotely controls the operation of the audio visual display103. The second control circuit121receives the first transmission from the base station101. On receiving the first transmission, the second control circuit121initiates an audible announcement. The second control circuit121receives the second transmission from the base station101. On receiving the second transmission, the second control circuit121implements the operating instruction contained in the second transmission. The second control circuit121comprises a second logic module151, a second communication module152, and a speaker153. The second logic module151, the second communication module152, and the speaker153are electrically interconnected. The second communication module152establishes the wireless communication link133with the first communication module132.

The second logic module151is a programmable electronic device that is used to manage, regulate, and operate the second control circuit121. The second communication module152is a wireless electronic communication device that allows the second logic module151to wirelessly communicate with the first communication module132of the base station101. Specifically, the second communication module152establishes the wireless communication link133between the second control circuit121and the first communication module132of the base station101. The second communication module152supports the same communication protocol as the first communication module132.

The second communication module152receives the first transmission from the first communication module132of the base station101. The second communication module152subsequently retransmits the received first transmission to the second logic module151. to the remote station102. The second communication module152receives the second transmission from the first communication module132of the base station101. The second communication module152subsequently retransmits the received second transmission to the second logic module151.

The speaker153is a transducer. The speaker153receives an electric signal from the second control circuit121. The speaker153converts the received electric signal into an audible sound that is announced by the speaker153. The sound announced by the speaker153is a paging beacon used to identify the location of the remote station102.

The second power circuit122is an electric circuit. The second power circuit122powers the operation of the second control circuit121. The second power circuit122forms the physical electric connection with the first power circuit112of the base station101. The second power circuit122draws13electric energy from the first power circuit112of the base station101over the physical electric connection. The second power circuit122comprises a battery161and a charging plug162. The charging plug162electrically connects the battery161to the first control circuit111of the base station101.

The battery161is a commercially available rechargeable battery161. The chemical energy stored within the rechargeable battery161is renewed and restored through use of the charging plug162. The AC/DC Converter141receives AC electric energy from a national electric grid144and converts the received AC electric energy into DC electric energy. The charging plug162is an electrical circuit that reverses the polarity of the rechargeable battery161and provides the energy necessary to reverse the chemical processes that the rechargeable battery161initially used to generate the electrical energy. This reversal of the chemical process creates a chemical potential energy that will later be used by the rechargeable battery161to generate electricity.

The charging plug162electrically connects to the charging port142. The charging plug162forms an electrical connection to the charging port142. The charging plug162forms a detachable electrical connection with the charging port142. The charging plug162receives electrical energy from the ac/dc converter141through the charging port142.

The following definitions were used in this disclosure:

AC: As used in this disclosure, AC is an acronym for alternating current.

AC/DC Converter: As used in this disclosure, an AC/DC converter is an electrical device that converts an AC voltage into a regulated DC voltage by rectifying and regulating the AC voltage. Method to design and build AC/DC converters are well known in the electrical arts. The AC/DC converter is further defined with a positive terminal, a negative terminal and a power input.

Announce: As used in this disclosure, to announce means to generate audible sounds over a transducer.

Audio-Visual Display: As used in this disclosure, an audio-visual display is a display device that further comprises a speaker such that the audio-visual display simultaneously presents visual and audible information in a coordinated manner.

Battery: As used in this disclosure, a battery is a chemical device consisting of one or more cells, in which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a source of power. Batteries are commonly defined with a positive terminal and a negative terminal.

Bluetooth™: As used in this disclosure, Bluetooth™ is a standardized communication protocol that is used to wirelessly interconnect electronic devices.

Control Circuit: As used in this disclosure, a control circuit is an electrical circuit that manages and regulates the behavior or operation of a device.

Communication Link: As used in this disclosure, a communication link refers to the structured exchange of data between two objects.

DC: As used in this disclosure, DC is an acronym for direct current.

Diode: As used in this disclosure, a diode is a two terminal semiconductor device that allows current flow in only one direction. The two terminals are called the anode and the cathode. Electric current is allowed to pass from the anode to the cathode.

Display: As used in this disclosure, a display is a surface upon which is presented an image, potentially including, but not limited to, graphic images and text, that is interpretable by an individual viewing the projected image in a meaningful manner. A display device refers to an electrical device used to present these images.

External Power Source: As used in this disclosure, an external power source is a source of the energy that is externally provided to enable the operation of the present disclosure. Examples of external power sources include, but are not limited to, electrical power sources and compressed air sources.

Logic Module: As used in this disclosure, a logic module is a readily and commercially available electrical device that accepts digital and analog inputs, processes the digital and analog inputs according to previously specified logical processes and provides the results of these previously specified logical processes as digital or analog outputs. The disclosure allows, but does not assume, that the logic module is programmable.

Maintained Switch: As used in this disclosure, a maintained switch is a switch that maintains the position that was set in the most recent switch actuation. A maintained switch works in an opposite manner to a momentary switch.

Microphone: As used in this disclosure, a microphone is a transducer that converts the energy from vibration into electrical energy. The sources of vibrations include, but are not limited to, acoustic energy.

Momentary Switch: As used in this disclosure, a momentary switch is a biased switch in the sense that the momentary switch has a baseline position that only changes when the momentary switch is actuated (for example when a pushbutton switch is pushed or a relay coil is energized). The momentary switch then returns to the baseline position once the actuation is completed. This baseline position is called the “normal” position. For example, a “normally open” momentary switch interrupts (open) the electric circuit in the baseline position and completes (closes) the circuit when the momentary switch is activated. Similarly, a “normally closed” momentary switch will complete (close) an electric circuit in the baseline position and interrupt (open) the circuit when the momentary switch is activated.

National Electric Grid: As used in this disclosure, the national electric grid is a synchronized and highly interconnected electrical network that distributes energy in the form of electric power from a plurality of generating stations to consumers of electricity. The national electric grid is a commercially available source of AC electrical power. The national electric grid is regulated by an appropriate authority. The national electric grid comprises one or more utilities that sell electrical power for use by an electrical load. The national electric grid invoices for electrical power based on the total energy consumed by the electrical load. The national electric grid measures the energy consumption of an electrical load with an electrical meter. The national electric grid provides power through electrical connections known as a hot lead and a neutral lead.

Plug: As used in this disclosure, a plug is an electrical termination that electrically connects a first electrical circuit to a second electrical circuit or a source of electricity. As used in this disclosure, a plug will have two or three metal pins.

Port: As used in this disclosure, a port is an electrical termination that is used to connect a first electrical circuit to a second external electrical circuit. In this disclosure, the port is designed to receive a plug.

Remote Control: As used in this disclosure, remote control means the establishment of control of a device from a distance. Remote control is generally accomplished through the use of an electrical device that generates electrically based control signals that are transmitted via radio frequencies or other means to the device.

Speaker: As used in this disclosure, a speaker is an electrical transducer that converts an electrical signal into an audible sound.

Speech Recognition: As used in this disclosure, speech recognition refers to a collection of commercially available algorithms that capture process a digital representation of an audible sound in a manner that allows an electronically operated device, such as a computer, to extract data from the digital representation of an audible sound and take a subsequent action based on the data extracted from the audible sound.

Switch: As used in this disclosure, a switch is an electrical device that starts and stops the flow of electricity through an electric circuit by completing or interrupting an electric circuit. The act of completing or breaking the electrical circuit is called actuation. Completing or interrupting an electric circuit with a switch is often referred to as closing or opening a switch respectively. Completing or interrupting an electric circuit is also often referred to as making or breaking the circuit respectively.

Transducer: As used in this disclosure, a transducer is a device that converts a physical quantity, such as pressure or brightness into an electrical signal or a device that converts an electrical signal into a physical quantity.

USB: As used in this disclosure, USB is an acronym for Universal Serial Bus which is an industry standard that defines the cables, the connectors, the communication protocols and the distribution of power required for interconnections between electronic devices. The USB standard defines several connectors including, but not limited to, USB-A, USB-B, mini-USB, and micro USB connectors. A USB cable refers to a cable that: 1) is terminated with USB connectors; and, 2) that meets the data transmission standards of the USB standard.

WiFi™: As used in this disclosure, WiFi™ refers to the physical implementation of a collection of wireless electronic communication standards commonly referred to as IEEE 802.11x.

Wireless: As used in this disclosure, wireless is an adjective that is used to describe a communication link between two devices that does not require the use of physical cabling.

Wireless Communication Establishment Technology: As used in this disclosure, a wireless communication establishment technology refers to technology that establishes a wireless communication link between a first logical device and a second logical device. Usually, the operation of a wireless communication establishment technology is initiated by the push of a button. An example of such a technology is the WiFi™ protected setup technology (WPS™).

With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationship for the various components of the invention described above and inFIGS.1through6include 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 invention.

It shall be noted that those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous adaptations and modifications which can be made to the various embodiments of the present invention which will result in an improved invention, yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and their equivalents.