US5435573A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wireless remote control and position detecting system
Assignee: Visioneering International Inc
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Filing: 1993-04-13
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Granted: 1995-07-25
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Expires: 2013-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A wireless remote control system is provided. The remote control system includes a remote unit and a receiver unit, and may be utilized in connection with a video game system or other controllable system. The receiver unit includes a plurality of detectors for detecting a signal transmitted by a remote unit. An angle-limiting device is coupled to each detector for limiting the signal which may be received by the particular detector to that signal which is transmitted from a particular location. In one embodiment, the angle-limiting device may limit the signal received by the detector to that signal transmitted from within a specified angular range relative to the detector. In a preferred embodiment, the angle-limiting devices coupled to the plurality of detectors may be arranged so that each angle-limiting device allows a signal to be received by the respective detector from a unique angular region. In another embodiment, the angular regions may be overlapping. In operation, a signal transmitted from the remote unit is received by one or more of the detectors, and based upon the strength of the signal received by each detector, the angular location of the remote unit relative to the receiver unit may be determined.
Inventors
- 👤 Howerd Oakford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:07
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/0304; G06F3/0308; A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/20; A63F13/23; A63F13/235; A63F13/40; A63F13/42; A63F13/428; A63F13/21; A63F13/213; A63F13/22; A63F13/90; A63F13/95; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/10; A63F2300/1018; A63F2300/1025; A63F2300/1031; A63F2300/1087; A63F2300/20; A63F2300/206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A remote control system receiver, adapted to receive a signal transmitted from a remote unit and to transmit an associated control signal to a controllable device, comprising: (a) a first receiver means for receiving said signal transmitted from said remote unit if said remote unit is located in a first angular region, whereby if said remote unit is not located within said first angular region, said signal transmitted from said remote unit will not be received by said first receiver means, (b) a second receiver means for receiving said signal transmitted from said remote unit if said remote unit is located in a second angular region, whereby if said remote unit is not located within said second angular region said signal transmitted by said remote unit will not be received by said second receiving means, and (c) processing means for determining the angular position of said remote unit responsive to said signal received by at least one of said first receiver means and said second receiver means, wherein said processing means transmits at least said angular position to said controllable device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A remote control system receiver, adapted to receive a signal transmitted from a remote unit and to transmit an associated control signal to a controllable device, comprising: (a) a first receiver means for receiving said signal transmitted from said remote unit if said remote unit is located in a first angular region, whereby if said remote unit is not located within said first angular region, said signal transmitted from said remote unit will not be received by said first receiver means, (b) a second receiver means for receiving said signal transmitted from said remote unit if said remote unit is located in a second angular region, whereby if said remote unit is not located within said second angular region said signal transmitted by said remote unit will not be received by said second receiving means, and (c) processing means for determining the angular position of said remote unit responsive to said signal received by at least one of said first receiver means and said second receiver means, wherein said processing means transmits at least said angular position to said controllable device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 1, wherein said first angular region corresponds to a region on the left side of said remote control system receiver, and wherein said second angular region corresponds to a region on the right side of said remote control system receiver.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 1, further comprising: (d) a third receiver means for receiving said signal transmitted from said remote unit if said remote unit is located in a third angular region, whereby if said remote unit is not located within said third angular region said signal transmitted by said remote unit will not be received by said third receiving means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 3, wherein said first angular region corresponds to a region on the left side of said remote control system receiver, wherein said second angular region corresponds to a region on the right side of said remote control system receiver, and wherein said third angular region corresponds to a region on the top side of said remote control system receiver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 1, wherein said first receiver means comprises: (i) a detector means for receiving said signal transmitted from said remote unit, and (ii) an angle-limiting means extending from said detector means for limiting said signal received by said detector to said first angular region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 5, wherein said remote unit further comprises transmitting means and said signal transmitted by said remote transmitting means comprises an infra-red signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 6, wherein said transmitting means of said remote unit includes a light-emitting diode, and wherein said infra-red signal is transmitted from said light-emitting diode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 6, wherein said detector means includes an infra-red detector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 5, wherein said angle-limiting means comprises a truncated pyramid, wherein said detector means is located at the apex of said truncated pyramid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 1, wherein said second receiver means comprises: (i) a detector means for receiving said signal transmitted from said remote unit, and (ii) an angle-limiting means extending from said detector means for limiting said signal received by said detector to said second angular region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 1, wherein said processing means includes a microprocessor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 1, wherein said processing means includes a PIC16C54 microprocessor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 1, wherein said processing means includes a microprocessor from the following group: 87C51 or 80C31.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 1, wherein said controllable device is a video game.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 1, wherein said controllable device is a Nintendo Entertainment System.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
184 words
A remote control system adapted to control a controllable device, said remote control system comprising: (a) a remote transmitting means for transmitting a signal, (b) a first receiver means for receiving said signal transmitted from said remote transmitting means if said remote unit is located in a first angular region, whereby if said remote transmitting means is not located in a said first angular region, said signal transmitted from said remote transmitting means is not received by said first receiver means, (c) a second receiver means for receiving said signal transmitted from said remote unit if said remote transmitting means is located in a second angular region, whereby if said remote transmitting means is not located within said second angular region, said signal transmitted by said remote transmitting means is not received by said second receiving means, and (d) processing means for determining the angular position of said remote transmitting means responsive to said signal received by at least one of said first receiver means and said second receiver means, wherein said processing means transmits at least said angular position to said controllable device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
184 words
A remote control system adapted to control a controllable device, said remote control system comprising: (a) a remote transmitting means for transmitting a signal, (b) a first receiver means for receiving said signal transmitted from said remote transmitting means if said remote unit is located in a first angular region, whereby if said remote transmitting means is not located in a said first angular region, said signal transmitted from said remote transmitting means is not received by said first receiver means, (c) a second receiver means for receiving said signal transmitted from said remote unit if said remote transmitting means is located in a second angular region, whereby if said remote transmitting means is not located within said second angular region, said signal transmitted by said remote transmitting means is not received by said second receiving means, and (d) processing means for determining the angular position of said remote transmitting means responsive to said signal received by at least one of said first receiver means and said second receiver means, wherein said processing means transmits at least said angular position to said controllable device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 16, wherein said first angular region corresponds to a region on the left side of said remote control system receiver, and wherein said second angular region corresponds to a region on the right side of said remote control system receiver.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 16, further comprising: (e) a third receiver means for receiving said signal transmitted from said remote transmitting means if said remote unit is located in a third angular region, whereby if said remote unit is not located within said third angular region, said signal transmitted by said remote transmitting means is not received by said third receiving means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
67 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 18, wherein said first angular region corresponds to a region on the left side of said remote control system receiver, wherein said second angular region corresponds to a region on the right side of said remote control system receiver, and wherein said third angular region corresponds to a region on the top side of said remote control system receiver.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
The remote control system according to claim 16, wherein said first receiver means comprises: (i) a detector means for receiving said signal transmitted from said remote transmitting means, and (ii) an angle-limiting means extending from said detector means for limiting said signal received by said detector to said first angular region.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The remote control system according to claim 20, wherein said angle-limiting means comprises a truncated pyramid, wherein said detector means is located at the apex of said truncated pyramid.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The remote control system according to claim 20, wherein said signal comprises an infra-red signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
27 words
The remote control system according to claim 22, wherein said remote transmitting means includes a light-emitting diode, wherein said infra-red signal is transmitted from said light-emitting diode.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The remote control system according to claim 22, wherein said detector means includes an infra-red detector.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
50 words
The remote control system according to claim 16 wherein said second receiver means comprises: (i) a detector means for receiving said signal transmitted from said remote transmitting means, and (ii) an angle-limiting means extending from said detector means for limiting said signal received by said detector to second angular region.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The remote control system according to claim 16, wherein said processing means includes a microprocessor.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 16, wherein said controllable device is a video game.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The remote control system receiver according to claim 16, wherein said controllable device is a Nintendo Entertainment System.
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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) | 1998-07-24 | 1999-01-23 | 1999-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-24 | 2003-01-23 | 2003-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-24 | 2007-01-23 | 2007-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |