Patent ID: 12261238

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

By way of example,FIG.1shows an exemplary system, including controllable appliances, such as a set top box (“STB”)104, a VCR106, an audio amplifier/receiver108and a television102, as well as a controlling device100. The controlling device100includes one or more energy harvesting features as described below and is capable of transmitting commands to the appliances, using any convenient IR, RF, Point-to-Point, or networked protocol, to cause the appliances to perform operational functions, such as to turn on/off, to tune to a media content, to change volume levels, etc. While illustrated in the context of a STB104with a VCR106, audio system108, and television102, it is to be understood that controllable appliances can include, but are not limited to, televisions, VCRs, DVRs, DVD players, cable or satellite converter set-top boxes (STBs), amplifiers, CD players, game consoles, home lighting, drapery controls, fans, HVAC systems, thermostats, personal computers, etc. As such, the instant example disclosures are not intended to be limiting as to type or quantity of controllable appliances or equipment.

For use in commanding the functional operations of one or more appliances, the controlling devices100may include, as needed for a particular application, a processor300coupled to a ROM memory304, a key matrix340(e.g., soft keys344such as a touch sensitive surface placed over an underlying surface on which key icons are printed or etched alone or combined with hard keys342, a touch sensitive surface placed over a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an electroluminescent display (EL), etc.), transmission circuit(s)310, receiver circuit(s)308and/or transceiver circuit(s) (e.g., IR and/or RF), a non-volatile read/write memory306, a means302to provide feedback to the user (e.g., LED, display, speaker, and/or the like), a means315(such as a microphone, etc.) for receiving additional non-keypress input from the user, and means for providing visual and/or audio cues to the user, as illustrated inFIG.2. The various devices may be powered by a battery power source360, e.g., two AA batteries, as is conventional. As described further below, the battery power source360can alternatively or additionally include a power store, such as a capacitor, that is provided with/charged using harvested energy.

The means for providing visual and/or audio cues to the user so as to disseminate information to the user may be embodied as key illumination means, a device face illumination means, a sound or voice synthesizer circuit and/or a digital recording and playback circuit (for example to allow a user to playback sound or voice tags input via a microphone or otherwise downloaded into the controlling device). The key illumination means may be in the form of separate elements, such as LEDs320,322, and324, either directly associated with a hard key matrix or used for indirect general illumination of an area such as in the case of an internally illuminated translucent display panel, i.e., a face panel that allows all or some incident light to pass completely through it, or may be integrated as part of the key matrix, for example in the case where the key matrix is implemented using a touch screen display overlaid on an LCD, EL or ink screen printed display panel. In the case where the controlling device100includes hard keys, an exemplary molded-in key332is shown as operative with key matrix circuit330,331.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the ROM memory304may include executable instructions that are intended to be executed by the processor300to control the operation of the remote control100. In this manner, the processor300may be programmed to control the various electronic components within the remote control100, e.g., to monitor/control the power supply360, to cause the transmission of signals, control the key illumination means320,322, and324, sound circuits, device face illumination means, etc. The non-volatile read/write memory306, for example an EEPROM, battery-backed up RAM, Smart Card, memory stick, or the like, may be provided to store setup data and parameters as necessary. While the memory304is illustrated and described as a ROM memory, memory304can also be comprised of any type of readable media, such as ROM, RAM, SRAM, FLASH, EEPROM, or the like. Preferably, the memory304is non-volatile or battery-backed such that data is not required to be reloaded after battery changes. In addition, the memories304and306may take the form of a chip, a hard disk, a magnetic disk, and/or an optical disk.

To cause the controlling device100to perform an action, the controlling device100is adapted to be responsive to events, such as a sensed user interaction with the key matrix340, receipt of a transmission via receiver308, etc. In response to an event, appropriate instructions within the memory304may be executed. For example, when a function command key is activated on the controlling device100, the controlling device100may retrieve a command code corresponding to the activated function command key from memory304and transmit the command code to an intended target appliance, e.g., STB104, in a format recognizable by that appliance. It will be appreciated that the instructions within the memory304can be used not only to cause the transmission of command codes and/or data to the appliances, but also to perform local operations. While not limiting, local operations that may be performed by the controlling device100may include displaying information/data, favorite channel setup, macro key setup, function key relocation, user programming of favorite channel selections, etc. A further, local operation is the ability to “lock” function keys across device operational modes as described in U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2003/0025840. Examples of still further local operations can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,481,256, 5,959,751, and 6,014,092.

For creating a correspondence between a command code and a function command key, data may be entered into the controlling device100that functions to identify an intended target appliance by its type and make (and sometimes model). Such data allows the controlling device100to transmit recognizable command codes in the format appropriate for such identified appliances. Typically, intended target appliances are identified for each operational mode of the controlling device100. Since methods for setting up a controlling device to command the operation of specific home appliances are well-known, such methods need not be described in greater detail herein. Nevertheless, for additional information pertaining to setup procedures, the reader may turn to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,959,810, 5,614,906, and 6,225,938. It will also be appreciated that a controlling device100may be set up to command an appliance102by being taught the command codes needed to command such appliance as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,623,887. Still further, it will be understood that command codes may be pre-stored in the controlling device100or the controlling device100may be upgradeable, for example via use of receiver308.

Turning toFIGS.3A and3B, an example light-based energy harvesting feature500which is intended to be seamlessly incorporated into the controlling device100is shown. In the example, at least the electronic components necessary to collect, store, and use the light energy are preferably included on printed circuit board (PCB)404and the PCB404is preferably maintained within a housing which, in this example, comprises a housing lower section402that is adjoined to a housing upper section406. The lower and/or the upper housing sections could be integral to the casing of the remote control100as shown inFIG.4or the housing components402could be seamlessly attached to the casing of the remote control100as desired. In either case, the upper housing portion406is intended to support a photovoltaic (PV) lens. The PV lens in this example is comprised of a clear lens408that is associated with a mask410.

As further seen inFIG.3A, the top casing portion406includes an opening412, e.g., a square or rectangular opening, under which is positioned a PV active area414of a PV supporting substrate416. As will be appreciated, the PV active area414is coupled to the energy management components of the PCB404. While not required, a foam support418may be positioned under the PV substrate416to support the PV substrate416within the housing and to maintain the PV active area414of the PV substrate416in alignment with the opening412. While not illustrated inFIG.3A, it will be appreciated that components of the seamless light or solar lens, when installed within the controlling device100, will be coupled to the remaining components of the remote control100, such as the processor, as needed.

With respect to the mask410, the mask410is intended to cooperate with the lens408such that the lens408and, accordingly, the entirety of the seamless solar assemblage, will blend into the controlling device casing. In other words, the mask410is intended to conceal or hide the fact that the controlling device100includes a light-based energy harvesting feature while still allowing for light to access the PV active area414. To this end, the mask410may comprise a halftone dotted mask430printed on the top surface of the lens408so as to visually blur the opening412in the top case frame406. The halftone dotted mask will thus function to make the energy harvesting feature look more seamless while still allowing enough light to pass therethrough to maintain good light performance. The halftone dotted mask can partially overlie the opening414, such as by being positioned over top of the side edges of the opening412as illustrated inFIG.3A, or can be positioned to completely overlie the opening412. The portions of the lens408not overlying the PV active area414can be completely masked so as to completely blend into the overall appearance of the controlling device100. The mask410can be applied using in-mold decoration (IMD).

In further examples, the mask410can be printed on a substrate with the substrate being placed upon the lens408. Similarly, the mask410need not be provided by the use of printed ink but can be provided by use of other surface finishes such a one-way mirror, tint, etc. Accordingly, the concept is not to be limited to “printing” but can be more generally considered as being a “finishing” the is provided directly or indirectly to the surface of the lens408for the purpose of blending the PV area into the overall controlling device design.

As noted above, the PV assembly is desired to provide a light panel lens with special patterns and textures to maximize PV cell performance while visually disguised the PV panel under the lens. As further shown inFIG.4, the surface patterns and textures provided to the lens408are preferably selected to increase refractive light while reducing reflection, therefore maximizing energy generation. To this end, one or more of the following surface patterns may be utilized: reverse pyramids varying in size, depth, and pattern (as shown inFIG.4); reverse cones varying in size, depth, and pattern; frosted surfaces; and tinted surfaces in different colors allowing different spectrums of light through. Such a light panel will be understood to have a higher energy density that can effectively generate power under normal indoor lighting conditions.

In addition to the use of a light-based energy harvesting feature, it is also contemplated that the controlling device100can use the additional or alternative energy harvesting features. For example, one or more of the hard keys332, if utilized, may be associated with a piezoelectric capture module and a power supply management module (which module may be included as a component part of the processing device300). In this manner, when the hard key332is activated by a user, the piezoelectric capture module will function to convert the mechanical energy associated with the pressing movement of the key332into electrical energy and the resulting electrical energy will be managed, e.g., stored and used, as dictated by the instructions of which the power supply management module is comprised. A non-limiting example of such an energy harvesting key may be found CN112631444A the disclosure of which is incorporated hereby by reference in its entirety. It will also be appreciated that a piezoelectric device can be utilized to harvest energy in response to general movements of the controlling device100itself. Still further, it will be appreciated that RF harvesting can be used to generate power from ambient RF signals as a supplemental energy source.

While various concepts have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those concepts could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Additionally, while the embodiments presented above are described in the context of universal remote controls (i.e. controlling devices capable of commanding the operation of multiple classes of appliances devices from multiple manufacturers) as being most broadly representative of controlling devices in general, it will be appreciated that the teachings of this disclosure may be equally well applied to other controlling devices of narrower capability without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. As such, the particular concepts disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.

All documents cited within this application for patent are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.