Abstract: A system and method for utilizing receiver signal reconstruction characteristics, in combination with a knowledge of code formats being used, to enable a remote control device to learn the coding format of devices operating at high carrier frequencies even though the carrier frequencies cannot be directly measured.

Abstract: An inserted screen type photo illuminator stand, comprising a base seat and a light emitting base plate inserted into the base seat in an inserted screen manner. The base seat includes a bottom plate and a box cover. On the bottom plate are provided a light source, a battery box and AC, DC power sockets and a power switch is mounted on the base seat. The base plate is a light homogenizing plate which is inserted upright into the base seat in an inserted screen manner and which can be pulled out from the base seat if necessary. At the top of the base plate is provided a clip which is used to clip a photo or picture. The bottom side light radiated from the light source in the base seat enter through the bottom side of the base plate, made of transparent plate with back side painted in white, so that the whole base plate is full of homogenized rays of light and as a result the photo or picture covered on the base plate can be fully displayed.

Abstract: The remote control device comprises: A microprocessor including a CPU and a memory; a keypad including a set of keys coupled to the microprocessor; lamp driver circuitry coupled to the microprocessor; circuitry for generating IR signals coupled to the IR lamp driver circuitry; code data for executing command functions for a plurality of devices of different manufacturers stored in the memory; a Key Reassignment table in the memory containing key identity, device ID, mode data and command function data; and a program stored in the memory for reassigning a different function for the same or different device to a key on the keypad upon the inputting of a predetermined keystroke sequence on the keypad.

Abstract: A system for providing wireless pointer control for controlling electronic equipment, including a remote control pointer device capable of generating a signal having multiple signal components with different frequencies and a base station capable of receiving and decoding the signal having multiple signal components. The base station then interprets the multiple signal components to determine the orientation of the remote control pointer device to properly generate a pointer control signal for properly selecting a particular piece of equipment to receive remote commands or data, and where appropriate, properly displaying and positioning a cursor displayed on the electronic equipment.

Abstract: The universal remote control system includes input means, signal output means for supplying a signal to a controlled device and a central processing unit coupled to the input means and the signal output means, no ROM, and a single non-volatile, read-write RAM coupled to said central processing unit.The RAM in the ROM-less microprocessor system is loaded by carryout out the following steps: (a) disabling the central processing unit; (b) connecting a separate microprocessor system to said RAM; (c) transferring instructions and/or data to said RAM; (d) re-enabling the central processing unit to enable the central processing unit to execute the instructions so transferred.

Abstract: The universal remote control system includes input means, signal output means for supplying a signal to a controlled device and a central processing unit coupled to the input means and the signal output means, no ROM, and a single non-volatile, read-write RAM coupled to said central processing unit.The RAM in the ROM-less microprocessor system is loaded by carrying out the following steps: (a) disabling the central processing unit; (b) connecting a separate microprocessor system to said RAM; (c) transferring instructions and/or data to said RAM; (d) re-enabling the central processing unit to enable the central processing unit to execute the instructions so transferred.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided an infrared code generating and transmitting device adapted to be coupled to or incorporated in a microcomputer system, commonly referred to as a personal digital assistant (PDA). The IR code generating and transmitting device comprises a CPU separate or incorporated into the microcomputer system of the PDA; a memory separate or incorporated into the microcomputer system; an LED output; LED driver circuitry coupled between the CPU and the LED output; an interface connector; an interface buffer circuit coupled between the interface connector and the CPU; and an interface data buffer circuit coupled by data lines between the interface connector and the CPU.

Abstract: A remote control for use in connection with a consumer electronics device and a computer. The remote control comprises a central processing unit, a set of buttons linked to the central processing unit, a circuit linked to the central processing unit for use in transmitting an infrared signal to the consumer electronic device in response to activation of at least one of the set of buttons, and a two-way circuit linked to the central processing unit for enabling two-way communication between the remote control and the computer.

Abstract: A system for locating an object. The system includes an electronic device, a wireless transmitter for outputting a transmitted signal, and a receiver wherein one of the receiver or the transmitter is mounted within the electronic device and the other is positioned remote therefrom. The receiver comprises a wake up timer circuit for periodically generating a wake up signal, a wireless signal receiver being activated by the receipt of the wake up signal from the wake up timer circuit for generating a detect signal when the wireless signal receiver circuit receives the transmitted signal from the transmitter; and an audible signal generator circuit for generating an audible signal upon receipt of the detect signal from the wireless signal receiver circuit. The wake up timer circuit and the wireless signal receiver circuit are disabled when the audible signal generator circuit generates the audible signal.

Abstract: A system for locating an object, particularly a remote control, has a transmitter and a receiver, wherein the receiver has circuitry implementing power saving features. The receiver includes circuitry for turning off portions of the circuitry not essential for performing the current task. The receiver additionally only activates the wireless signal receiver portion of the circuitry periodically for short periods of time. The time of activation represents a small fraction of the operational time if the wireless signal receiver portion were to remain activated continuously.

Abstract: A circuit for encoding and decoding key input data from a matrix of switches with a single transmission wire. The circuit for encoding and decoding key input data with a single transmission wire includes a control circuit, a charge storage circuit and a keyboard matrix circuit. The keyboard matrix circuit is composed of a group of resistors connected in series. Each resistor is coupled to ground via a manually actuated switch. When one of the switches is actuated or closed the switch provides an electrical path to ground through the resistors that precede the switch and shorts the resistors that follow the switch. When one of the switches is closed the charge stored on the charge storage circuit dissipates through the electrical path to ground provided by the actuated switch, at a rate related to the sum of the resistance preceding the switch.

Abstract: A method for selecting a command set from a group of command sets stored in the remote control. Each remote control command set includes a set of commands for operating at least one of various remotely controllable devices. A command, whose effect is observable in the remotely controlled device is assigned to one of the user actuated keys. The keys are pressed one by one until the user observes the desired effect on the remotely controlled device. The user then signals the remote control to exit the select procedure with the remote control setting the remote control to transmit future commands from the command set including the last transmitted effects observable command having the observed desired effect.

Abstract: The hand held, battery operated remote control with key lighting for controlling an appliance from a remote location comprises: a housing having openings through an upper wall thereof; a plurality of transparent or translucent push-buttons each extending upwardly through one of the openings; one of the push-buttons being a light actuation button; a plurality of switches each associated with one of the push-buttons; a light emitting circuit located inside the housing and including at least one light emitting element positioned in the housing at a location not under a push button, light dispersing structure for illuminating one or more of the push-buttons with light from the at least one light emitting element, and circuitry for maintaining the light emitting circuit activated for a short period of time after said one of the switches is closed by depression of the light actuation button.

Abstract: The remote control comprises: input circuitry and structure including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands to the remote control; infrared signal output circuitry for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device including IR lamp driver circuitry; a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the input circuitry and structure and to said signal output circuitry means; a memory coupled to the CPU; code data for generating infrared codes stored in the memory; and data coupling circuitry and structure coupled to the CPU for enabling at least one of instruction codes or of infrared code data for generating infrared codes to be supplied from outside the remote control through the data coupling circuitry and structure directly to the CPU for entry into the memory to enable a user of the remote control to operate a selected controlled device upon inputting commands to the remote control by depressing selected keys of the remote control.

Abstract: The remote control comprises a microprocessor including a CPU and memory, a keypad including keys for operating the remote control coupled to the microprocessor, signal outputting circuitry, driver circuitry coupled to the microprocessor for driving the signal outputting circuitry, hardware and software, including the microprocessor, for generating output signal data which is supplied to the driver circuitry, a signal coupling transducer, such as a pick-up coil, in the remote control for picking up electro-magnetic signals from an electro-magnetic signal emitting or transmitting device, such as a telephone handset, coupling circuitry for coupling the signal coupling transducer to the microprocessor and decoding software in the microprocessor for decoding the electro-magnetic signals picked up into bits and/or bytes of output signal data and storing same in the memory.

Abstract: The universal remote control comprises: light emitting circuitry; driver circuitry coupled to the light emitting circuitry; a microprocessor including a CPU coupled to the driver circuitry, structure, such as a keyboard, coupled to the CPU for communicating "code signal generation sequences" including a "code generate command" signal followed by a "code setting" signal to the CPU, a memory for storing information therein coupled to the CPU, program instructions stored in the memory, and, signal determining and function code creating program and circuitry associated with the memory and the CPU for determining when a "code signal generation sequence" has been received and for using the "code setting" signal of the sequence received to create a function code, comprising, a specific IR blink code, defined by a series of infra-red "light on-light off" pulses, defining a code signal for causing a controlled apparatus to execute a specific function, e.g.