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US4626847A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Remote control transmitter system

Assignee: Zenith Electronics LLC
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Filing: 1983-12-27
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Granted: 1986-12-02
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Expires: 2003-12-27
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Abstract

Abstract A hand-held remote control transmitter for controlling a plurality of functions in a number of different devices includes a matrix keyboard comprising keys operating two independent switches with a single depression, with the first switches selecting a memory page in an IC and the second switches selecting a function code on the page by the X-Y key closure. A multi-position device switch accesses the memory page associated with the selected device. The first switches of each of a group of redefinable keys that perform the same functions in each of the different devices are connected to the multi-position device switch. The independent switches are formed by overlying two conventional membrane switches with the lower one providing tactile sensation.

Inventors

  • 👤 Thomas J. Zato

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 10:54
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H13/00; H01H13/70; H01H13/78; H01H13/807; H01H13/702; H04; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/06; H04B1/16; H04B1/20; H04B1/202; H01H2225/00; H01H2225/002; H01H2225/03; H01H2231/00; H01H2231/032; H01H2239/00; H01H2239/05; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/0214; H01H9/0235

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim 203 words
A transmitter, including an integrated circuit, for transmitting coded digital control signals by operation of individual keys on a keyboard having an X-Y matrix of contacts scanned for closures by scan signals from the integrated circuit for supplying X-Y contact closure information to an integrated circuit code signal generator including a memory having different pages devoted to different devices comprising: first membrane switch means connected to contacts in said X-Y matrix of contacts for conveying memory page selection information to said integrated circuit, said first membrane switch means each including one contact directly connected to said integrated circuit; second membrane switch means underlying corresponding ones of said first membrane switch means and operated therewith by corresponding key closures for providing functional information to said integrated circuit such that a single key closure results in both memory page and functional information being conveyed to said integrated circuit; a multi-position device switch, having a switchable terminal which is coupled to said integrated circuit, for selecting among different memory pages in said memory; and means for coupling the other of the contacts of certain of said first membrane switch means, corresponding to a select group of redefinable keys, to said switchable terminal of said multi-position switch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 203 words
A transmitter, including an integrated circuit, for transmitting coded digital control signals by operation of individual keys on a keyboard having an X-Y matrix of contacts scanned for closures by scan signals from the integrated circuit for supplying X-Y contact closure information to an integrated circuit code signal generator including a memory having different pages devoted to different devices comprising: first membrane switch means connected to contacts in said X-Y matrix of contacts for conveying memory page selection information to said integrated circuit, said first membrane switch means each including one contact directly connected to said integrated circuit; second membrane switch means underlying corresponding ones of said first membrane switch means and operated therewith by corresponding key closures for providing functional information to said integrated circuit such that a single key closure results in both memory page and functional information being conveyed to said integrated circuit; a multi-position device switch, having a switchable terminal which is coupled to said integrated circuit, for selecting among different memory pages in said memory; and means for coupling the other of the contacts of certain of said first membrane switch means, corresponding to a select group of redefinable keys, to said switchable terminal of said multi-position switch.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4099246A Cited
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US4412218A Cited
US4341197A Cited
US4362911A Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1989-12-01 1990-06-02 1990-12-02 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1993-12-01 1994-06-02 1994-12-02 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1997-12-01 1998-06-02 1998-12-02 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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