US5650831A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable power remote control drive
Assignee: Gateway Inc
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Filing: 1995-07-17
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Granted: 1997-07-22
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Expires: 2015-07-17
Abstract
Abstract An entertainment system has a personal computer as the heart of the system with a large screen VGA quality monitor as the display of choice. The system has digital satellite broadcast reception, decompression and display capability with multiple radio frequency remote control devices which transmit self identifying signals and have power adjustment capabilities. These capabilities are used to provide context sensitive groups of keys which may be defined to affect only selected applications running in a windowing environment. In addition, the remote control devices combine television and VCR controls with standard personal computer keyboard controls. A keyboard remote also integrates a touchpad which is food contamination resistant and may also be used for user verification. Included in the system is the ability to recognize verbal communications in video signals and maintain a database of such text which is searchable to help identify desired programming in real time.
Inventors
- 👤 Randall Farwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 23:22
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/16; H04N7/173; H04N7/17345; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/422; H04N21/42204; H04N21/47; H04N5/00; H04N5/76; H04N5/765; H04N7/14; H04N7/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A remote control device for a personal computer based entertainment system comprising: a plurality of input devices associated with functions to be executed by said personal computer; a radio frequency transmission circuit for transmitting radio frequency signals representative of the input devices selected by a user of the entertainment system; and a power adjustment circuit coupled to the transmission circuit for adjusting the power output of the radio frequency transmission circuit to a level that is adequate for reception by the personal computer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A remote control device for a personal computer based entertainment system comprising: a plurality of input devices associated with functions to be executed by said personal computer; a radio frequency transmission circuit for transmitting radio frequency signals representative of the input devices selected by a user of the entertainment system; and a power adjustment circuit coupled to the transmission circuit for adjusting the power output of the radio frequency transmission circuit to a level that is adequate for reception by the personal computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The remote control device of claim 1 and further comprising a receiver for receiving signals from the personal computer based on receipt of the signals transmitted by the transmission circuit of the remote control input device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The remote control device of claim 2 wherein the power adjustment circuit adjusts power output of the radio frequency transmission circuit based on signals received from the personal computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The remote control device of claim 1 wherein the power adjustment circuit comprises a power amplifier and a potentiometer coupled to said amplifier to control the gain thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The remote control device of claim 4 wherein the potentiometer is coupled to a thumbwheel accessible to a user for adjustment of the gain of the amplifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The remote control device of claim 4 wherein the potentiometer is digitally controllable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
The remote control device of claim 6 and further comprising: a receiver for receiving signals representative of the power level of the signals received from the personal computer based on receipt of the signals transmitted by the transmission circuit of the remote control input device; and a power controller coupled to the receiver and to the potentiometer for providing digital control of the potentiometer based on the signals from the personal computer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
218 words
A home entertainment system having a remote control device, comprising: a personal computer having a processor, a main memory, a secondary storage device, and a bus for connecting the processor, the main memory and the secondary storage device and for receiving multiple circuits; a tuner for receiving a compressed digital video broadcast signal and tuning the signal into discrete channels of digital video; a decompressor coupled to the tuner and to the bus for receiving at least one channel of compressed digital video signal and decompressing the signal into a decompressed digital video signal; a monitor driver coupled to the bus for receiving the decompressed digital video signal and converting the decompressed video signal into monitor compatible signals; a monitor coupled to the monitor driver for displaying video images; a receiver for receiving remote control signals for controlling the personal computer; and a remote control device comprising: a plurality of input devices associated with functions to be executed by said personal computer; a radio frequency transmission circuit for transmitting radio frequency signals representative of the input devices selected by a user of the entertainment system; and a power adjustment circuit coupled to the transmission circuit for adjusting the power output of the radio frequency transmission circuit to a level that is adequate for reception by the personal computer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
218 words
A home entertainment system having a remote control device, comprising: a personal computer having a processor, a main memory, a secondary storage device, and a bus for connecting the processor, the main memory and the secondary storage device and for receiving multiple circuits; a tuner for receiving a compressed digital video broadcast signal and tuning the signal into discrete channels of digital video; a decompressor coupled to the tuner and to the bus for receiving at least one channel of compressed digital video signal and decompressing the signal into a decompressed digital video signal; a monitor driver coupled to the bus for receiving the decompressed digital video signal and converting the decompressed video signal into monitor compatible signals; a monitor coupled to the monitor driver for displaying video images; a receiver for receiving remote control signals for controlling the personal computer; and a remote control device comprising: a plurality of input devices associated with functions to be executed by said personal computer; a radio frequency transmission circuit for transmitting radio frequency signals representative of the input devices selected by a user of the entertainment system; and a power adjustment circuit coupled to the transmission circuit for adjusting the power output of the radio frequency transmission circuit to a level that is adequate for reception by the personal computer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The entertainment system of claim 8, wherein the receiver further comprises: detection circuitry for detecting the power level of the received remote control RF signal level; and RF transmission circuitry for sending a signal back to the remote control device representative of the detected power level.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The entertainment system of claim 9, wherein the power adjustment circuit further comprises a receiver for receiving signals from the RF transmission circuitry of the personal computer based on receipt of the signals transmitted by the transmission circuit of the remote control input device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The entertainment system of claim 10 wherein the power adjustment circuit adjusts the power output of the radio frequency transmission circuit based on signals received from the personal computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The entertainment system of claim 11 wherein the power adjustment circuit comprises a power amplifier and a potentiometer coupled to said amplifier to control the gain thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The entertainment system of claim 12 wherein the potentiometer is coupled to a thumbwheel accessible to a user for adjustment of the gain of the amplifier.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
12 words
The entertainment system of claim 13 wherein the potentiometer is digitally controllable.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
71 words
The entertainment system of claim 9 and further comprising: a receiver for receiving signals representative of the power level of the signals received from the personal computer based on receipt of the signals transmitted by the transmission circuit of the remote control input device; and a power controller coupled to the receiver and to the potentiometer for providing digital control of the potentiometer based on the signals from the personal computer.
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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) | 2000-07-21 | 2001-01-20 | 2001-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-07-21 | 2005-01-20 | 2005-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-07-21 | 2009-01-20 | 2009-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |