Patent US5798715A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5798715A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for accessing remote control functions
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1996-06-28
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Granted: 1998-08-25
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Expires: 2016-06-28
Abstract
Abstract A remote control includes a cover plate formed of a single piece of rigid material. The cover plate is removably attached to the remote control and is adapted for preventing depression of a first set of buttons while permitting depression of a second set of buttons when attached to the remote. Fasteners such as Velcro are used to removably attach the cover plate to the remote control. Preferably, the cover plate is flat and comprised of metal or plastic so that it can be cost-effectively made and easily adapted for use with a variety of types of remotes.
Inventors
- 👤 Dorothy Luhr Saperstone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 21:06
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/02; H01H9/0214; H01H9/0235; G; G08; G08C; G08C19/00; G08C19/12; H01H2217/00; H01H2217/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A device which is adapted for use in a remote control having a plurality of buttons for accessing remote control functions, said buttons disposed on a front surface having a predetermined shape, said device comprising: a cover having a shape substantially corresponding to said shape of said front surface of said remote control which is adapted to prevent depression of a first set of said buttons and to permit depression of a second set of said buttons different than said first set when said cover is attached to said remote control; and a fastener which removably attaches said cover to said remote control, wherein said fastener is disposed between said front surface of said remote control and said cover and has a thickness corresponding to a height said buttons project from said front surface sufficient to prevent said cover from activating said buttons when cover is attached to said remote control.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A device which is adapted for use in a remote control having a plurality of buttons for accessing remote control functions, said buttons disposed on a front surface having a predetermined shape, said device comprising: a cover having a shape substantially corresponding to said shape of said front surface of said remote control which is adapted to prevent depression of a first set of said buttons and to permit depression of a second set of said buttons different than said first set when said cover is attached to said remote control; and a fastener which removably attaches said cover to said remote control, wherein said fastener is disposed between said front surface of said remote control and said cover and has a thickness corresponding to a height said buttons project from said front surface sufficient to prevent said cover from activating said buttons when cover is attached to said remote control.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said cover is formed of a single piece of rigid material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said fastener is disposed on said front surface of said remote control, said device further comprising a spacer interposed between said fastener and said front surface which further insures a clearance of at least a height said buttons project from said front surface of said remote control between said front surface and said cover when said cover is attached to said remote control.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the outer dimensions of said front surface of said remote control and said cover are the same.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein said rigid material is stainless steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said buttons are arranged in rows and columns and wherein said second set of buttons includes buttons which are not all contained in a single row or column.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said fastener is a pair of mutually engageable hook and loop fabric strips.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said fastener is a pair of mutually engageable hook and loop fabric strips.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said remote control functions control a single electronic appliance, and wherein said second set of said buttons access a basic set of said remote control functions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein said fastener is a pair of mutually engageable hook and loop fabric strips.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein said fastener prevents relative movement between said cover and said remote control so that said first set of buttons remain covered and said second set of buttons remain exposed at all times when said cover is attached to said remote control.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
141 words
A device which is adapted for use in a remote control having a plurality of buttons for accessing remote control functions which control a single electronic appliance, said device comprising: a cover which is adapted to allow depression of a first set of said buttons for accessing a basic set of said remote control functions and to prevent depression of a second set of said buttons different than said first set when said cover is attached to said remote control; and a fastener which removably attaches said cover to said remote control, wherein said fastener is disposed between a front surface of said remote control and said cover and has a thickness corresponding to a height said buttons project from said front surface sufficient to prevent said cover from activating said buttons when said cover is attached to said remote control.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
141 words
A device which is adapted for use in a remote control having a plurality of buttons for accessing remote control functions which control a single electronic appliance, said device comprising: a cover which is adapted to allow depression of a first set of said buttons for accessing a basic set of said remote control functions and to prevent depression of a second set of said buttons different than said first set when said cover is attached to said remote control; and a fastener which removably attaches said cover to said remote control, wherein said fastener is disposed between a front surface of said remote control and said cover and has a thickness corresponding to a height said buttons project from said front surface sufficient to prevent said cover from activating said buttons when said cover is attached to said remote control.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein the outer dimensions of said remote control and said cover are the same.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein said buttons are arranged in rows and columns and wherein said first set of buttons includes buttons which are not all contained in a single row or column.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein said electronic appliance is a television and wherein said basic set of said remote control functions includes a power on/off function, channel up/down functions and volume up/down functions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein said electronic appliance is a stereo and wherein said basic set of said remote control functions includes a power on/off function, program/channel up/down functions and volume up/down functions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein said electronic appliance is a VCR and wherein said basic set of said remote control functions includes a power on/off function, a play function, a stop function, a fast-forward function, and a rewind function.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device according to claim 12, wherein said fastener prevents relative movement between said cover and said remote control so that said first set of buttons remain exposed and said second set of buttons remain covered at all times when said cover is attached to said remote control.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for providing selective access to remote control functions comprising: identifying a remote control having a plurality of buttons for accessing said remote control functions, said buttons disposed on a front surface of said remote control having a predetermined shape; and forming a cover having a shape substantially corresponding to said shape of said front surface remote control and which is adapted to prevent depression of a first set of said buttons and to allow depression of a second set of said buttons different than said first set; and providing a fastener between said front surface of said remote control and said cover which removably attaches said cover to said remote control and which has a thickness corresponding to a height said buttons project from said front surface sufficient to prevent said cover from activating said buttons when said cover is attached to said remote control.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
147 words
A method for providing selective access to remote control functions comprising: identifying a remote control having a plurality of buttons for accessing said remote control functions, said buttons disposed on a front surface of said remote control having a predetermined shape; and forming a cover having a shape substantially corresponding to said shape of said front surface remote control and which is adapted to prevent depression of a first set of said buttons and to allow depression of a second set of said buttons different than said first set; and providing a fastener between said front surface of said remote control and said cover which removably attaches said cover to said remote control and which has a thickness corresponding to a height said buttons project from said front surface sufficient to prevent said cover from activating said buttons when said cover is attached to said remote control.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 19, further comprising a step of removably attaching said cover to said remote control.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein said buttons project a height from said front surface of said remote control and wherein said removably attaching step includes maintaining a clearance of at least said predetermined height of said buttons between said front surface of said remote control and said cover.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein said forming step includes forming said cover such that the outer dimensions of said front surface of said remote control and said cover are the same.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 20, wherein said forming step includes forming said cover such that the outer dimensions of said front surface of said remote control and said cover are the same and wherein said removably attaching step includes aligning edges of said cover with said remote control.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 19, wherein said buttons are arranged in rows and columns and wherein said forming step includes forming exposing portions in said cover which are adapted to expose said second set of buttons including buttons which are not all contained in a single row or column.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
a method according to claim 19, wherein said remote control functions control a single electronic appliance, and wherein said second set of said buttons access a basic set of said remote control functions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method according to claim 19, further comprising a step of providing a fastener which removably attaches said cover to said remote control and which prevents relative movement between said cover and said remote control so that said first set of buttons remain covered and said second set of buttons remain exposed at all times when said cover is attached to said remote control.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 24, wherein said buttons are arranged in rows and columns and wherein said forming step includes forming exposing portions in said cover which are adapted to expose said first set of buttons including buttons which are not all contained in a single row or column.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 27, further comprising a step of removably attaching said cover to said remote control.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein said forming step includes forming said cover such that the outer dimensions of said remote control and said cover are the same and wherein said removably attaching step includes aligning edges of said cover with said remote control.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said buttons are arranged in rows and columns and wherein said forming step includes forming exposing portions in said cover which are adapted to expose said first set of buttons including buttons which are not all contained in a single row or column.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said electronic appliance is a television and wherein said basic set of said remote control functions includes a power on/off function, channel up/down functions and volume up/down functions.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said electronic appliance is a stereo and wherein said basic set of said remote control functions includes a power on/off function, program/channel up/down functions and volume up/down functions.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 27, wherein said electronic appliance is a VCR and wherein said basic set of said remote control functions includes a power on/off function, a play function, a stop function, a fast-forward function, and a rewind function.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
64 words
A method according to claim 27, further comprising a step of providing a fastener which removably attaches said cover to said remote control and which prevents relative movement between said cover and said remote control so that said first set of buttons remain exposed and said second set of buttons remain covered at all times when said cover is attached to said remote control.
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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) | 2001-08-24 | 2002-02-23 | 2002-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-24 | 2006-02-23 | 2006-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-24 | 2010-02-23 | 2010-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |