A remote control unit for electronic apparatus

The present invention relates to remote control unit for electronic apparatus. Such a remote control unit according to the preamble of claim 1 is known for example from US-A-4878055.

As is known, many domestic appliances (such as televisions, hi-fi units, video recorders, satellite systems, CD-ROM players, DVDs, etc.) and some machinery for industrial use may be controlled from a distance using suitable remote control units or, more simply, remote controls.

These normally consist of a box-shaped body containing all of the circuitry required to generate the signals to be sent to a receiver which converts the signals into commands. To allow a user to send different commands to the receiver device, the box-shaped body has a plurality of keys which are connected to the internal circuit. Therefore, by pressing different keys (even in particular sequences), the operator can obtain the desired function from the receiver.

The continuous and rapid development of apparatus models (in particular televisions) for each brand has led to an increase in the number of remote control models available on the market. The remote controls are more and more high-tech and provide an increasingly wide range of functions.

However, this situation has highlighted difficulties if the user needs to substitute his/her remote control, because it is faulty or is not operating, with a new remote control, similar to the previous one.

To overcome this problem, remote control manufacturers have adopted two different approaches: the first is to produce "dedicated" remote controls, that is to say, substantially similar to the original models with keys arranged in a similar way, which have the same icons and functions. The second approach is production of so-called "universal" models, that is to say, remote controls with standardised electronic circuitry and keys, which, thanks to a microprocessor unit suitably programmed with a plurality of control sequences per key for the models on the market, may be set by the end user according to the type and brand of the apparatus used.

The former solution, on the one hand is simpler and preferable for the end user, who need only purchase the product, whilst on the other hand, over time it proves extremely expensive and impractical both for manufacturers, given the large number of models, and for shops, which cannot always keep such large stock in the stores.

The latter solution is more widely used, thanks to the improved memory capacity of the microprocessors and the increasingly limited dimensions of both the microprocessors and the auxiliary electronic circuits.

At present, universal remote controls are substantially divided into two groups: pre-programmed or programmable remote controls and so-called "self-teaching" remote controls.

In pre-programmed or programmable remote controls there is a first solution (see US patent 4,841,368) in which the new remote control may be programmed with the aid of recognition and activation signals from the television, allowing the microprocessor in the new remote control to save equivalent frequencies.

A second, more developed, solution, described in European patent EP - 907.156, involves the use of a "Smart Card" which can be loaded with a given amount of data by the manufacturer (for example, the functions of a model of an apparatus of a given brand, or a range of models with the same brand), which can be attached, by means of a special slot, to a universal remote control with a CPU for reading/writing data saved in the Smart Card.

However, this type of universal remote control has several disadvantages caused, firstly, by the fact that the user must perform the final programming, with a set of operations and working through a set of steps in front of the apparatus, normally explained in the instructions manual, allowing the microprocessor to identify the apparatus model and brand and so set itself. The results of this are not always precise, given the user's dubious skills in this type of operation.

In terms of self-teaching remote controls, there are solutions, see in particular US patent 4.626.848, in which the remote control is designed to store, save and repeat data or commands and functions from another remote unit (modem, PC or other) equipped with a suitable transmitter, for example of the infrared type.

Such solutions have disadvantages due to the fact that the user must own a remote unit with a transmitter which covers the bands emitted by the remote control, and due to the fact that the microprocessor cannot always delete old settings and allow the entry of new data from outside.

Moreover, all of these solutions originate from the fact that there has been a considerable increase in the number of functions on the latest generation of apparatus, with a consequent increase in the number of controls for adjustments. This initially led to an increase in the number of keys on the remote control until there was no more room on the remote control. This was followed by the assignment of two or more functions to each key, for example, in a given group of secondary keys, operated by a preset key for selection of the function levels of the secondary keys.

Given that there is normally a text or icon representing the key function next to each key, the above-mentioned solution requires that each key appears alongside two or three different symbols, which the user often finds difficult to identify. Often, some functions can only be identified by reading the instructions manual.

In an attempt to overcome this disadvantage, a remote control was made, see patent IT - 1.258.345, with a symbol display device connected, directly, to the multiple function key selected at that moment. There is also a control and switching unit which, by varying the remote control function settings according to the type or model of apparatus with which it is used, allows the display device to vary the type of symbol associated with the function key.

However, this solution basically has the limitation indicated above in terms of pre-programmed remote controls and the presentation and display of command icons is limited by the size of the display device.

The aim of the present invention is, therefore, to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages by providing a remote control unit for electronic apparatus whose positive characteristics resemble those of a unit dedicated to the apparatus, but which also retains the particular features of a universal remote control unit.

This aim is achieved by means of a remote control unit for electronic apparatus which comprises: a plurality of main function control keys for the apparatus, with function symbols; a second plurality of control keys, for apparatus auxiliary or accessory functions; a microprocessor unit acting upon the first and second pluralities of keys and equipped with a plurality of memory banks for corresponding settings at least for the auxiliary or accessory controls, relating to different electronic apparatus. There also being means for selection of the settings which act upon the microprocessor unit, whilst at least part of the second plurality of auxiliary keys is grouped on a circumscribed portion of a surface of the unit. The latter also has a plurality of covers with function symbols referring to each key, which may be attached individually and in such a way that they are removable, using relative means, to the circumscribed portion when the apparatus to be controlled by the microprocessor is selected using the selection means.

The technical features of the present invention, in accordance with the above aims, are apparent in the claims herein, and the advantages are more clearly described in the detailed description below, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, without limiting the scope of its application, and in which:

• Figure 1 is a top plan view of a remote control unit for electronic apparatus, made in accordance with the present invention;
• Figure 2 illustrates part of the remote control unit and the relative selection pattern possible for a microprocessor which is part of the remote control unit;
• Figure 3 is a schematic front view of part of the remote control unit, with some parts cut away to better illustrate others.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, and in particular Figure 1, the remote control unit disclosed is used to control electronic apparatus from a distance, in particular televisions or other domestic appliances.

This unit, labelled 100 as a whole, comprises: a basic body 2, on which there is a continuous surface 1 from which a first plurality of main function control keys 3 for the apparatus project, each key having a function symbol 4.

This first plurality of keys 3 may comprise the channel selection keys 3a, main function increase or reduce keys 3b (volume, previous or next channel), apparatus on - off key 3c, etc.

On the surface 1 there is also a second plurality of control keys 5, for apparatus auxiliary or accessory functions.

In Figure 2, the numeral 6 is used to label a microprocessor unit located inside the basic body 2 and operating upon the first and second pluralities of keys 3 and 5. This unit 6 has a plurality of memory banks 7, 7a, 7b, 7c, ... 7n for corresponding settings, at least for the auxiliary or accessory controls, for different electronic apparatus or, for example, apparatus grouped according to types of products from the same manufacturer.

The unit 100 also has means 8 for selecting the above-mentioned settings, acting directly upon the microprocessor unit 6.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the unit 100 comprises at least part of the second plurality of auxiliary keys 5, grouped on a circumscribed portion 9 of the surface 1 and a plurality of covers 11 with function symbols 12, referring to each key 5, which may be attached individually and in such a way that they can be removed, using relative means 10, to the circumscribed portion 9, following selection of the apparatus to be controlled by the microprocessor 6 using the selection means 8.

Use of the covers 11 preferably means that the second plurality of auxiliary keys 5 does not originally have any of the function symbols printed directly on the circumscribed portion 9. However, in special cases, there may be basic symbols for a preset and pre-selected model.

In the embodiment illustrated, and by way of example only, the selection means 8 may comprise alphanumeric codes CA which can be entered using the main keys 3, according to a preset sequence, each corresponding to a setting in a memory bank 7 which is activated by the code CA and refers to a specific electronic apparatus.

Obviously, each cover 11 in the unit 100 kit may be associated with a relative alphanumeric code CA. As illustrated in Figure 2, each cover 11 has the corresponding alphanumeric code CA on one of its surfaces 11b.

At a structural level, the above-mentioned circumscribed portion 9 of the surface 1 consists of a depression 9a in the surface 1, in which part of the second plurality of auxiliary keys 5 is evenly arranged.

Each of the covers 11 in turn consists of a thin element, covering the perimeter of the circumscribed portion 9 and having a plurality of holes 13, each designed to allow the passage of an auxiliary key 5 which is part of the second plurality of keys 5.

At each hole 13 (see Figure 2), there is a symbol 12, or several symbols, corresponding to the function which may be activated or has been activated with the key 5.

As illustrated in Figure 3, each element 11 is equipped with the above-mentioned removable connecting means 10, which consist of an adhesive surface 11a of the element 11, designed to make contact with the circumscribed portion 9.

Therefore, this remote 100 control unit can be quickly and easily prepared to control the relative apparatus.

Firstly, the user must find the alphanumeric code CA relating to the apparatus, then enter the code to enable the unit 100 to control said apparatus.

When sent by the keys 3 (see the arrow F), this code CA allows the microprocessor unit 6 to enable the memory bank 7 for the main and auxiliary or accessory functions of the corresponding keys 3 and 5 on the unit 100.

At this point, the user simply selects the cover 11 which matches the code CA just selected 3 and applies the cover 11 to the portion 9 of the unit 100. The resulting function symbols 12 are the same as on the user's original remote control unit.

Therefore, this remote control unit achieves the preset aims using extremely simple and rational components, providing both manufacturer and end user with a remote control unit which is highly adaptable to various requirements, but at the same time covers almost all characteristics and controls on the unit to be substituted.

This final result can be achieved by the user by simply entering the code and applying the cover to the new unit.