Showing papers on "Remote control published in 2000"

Hands-free, voice-operated remote control transmitter

Abstract: A wireless, programmable, sound-activated and voice-operated remote control transmitter can be used to add hands-free speech control operation to a plurality of remotely controlled appliances manufactured by various manufacturers, each of which is normally controlled with one or more signals from an associated remote control transmitter. The present invention may be pre-programmed with a universal library of codes for controlling various appliance categories and appliances produced by various manufacturers within each category. The present invention may also be programmed using the controlled appliances' remote control transmitters and one or more operators' spoken commands. Once programming is complete, there is no need for the operator to manually operate the present invention, allowing true hands-free voice control of the remotely controlled products. The programmable transmitter structure includes means for independently aligning the output signal transmitter and voice input microphone with the remotely controlled appliance and the operator, respectively. Voice commands are organized into a plurality of linked recognition vocabulary sets, each representing a subset of the complete voice command vocabulary available. These subsets are structured in a fashion that is intuitive to the user because the structure is consistent with controlled appliance operation. The invention discloses a scheme by which a user can easily navigate via voice commands between recognition sets to attain access to the intended voice commands.

Electrically controlled automated devices to operate, slow, guide, stop and secure, equipment and machinery for the purpose of controlling their unsafe, unattended, unauthorized, unlawful hazardous and/or legal use, with remote control and accountability worldwide

Abstract: This application describes completely in many unique ways and detail all the devices to reduce a vehicle's speed and/or reduce a machines RPM's and/or stop any piece of equipment's as well as guide it if mobile through automated controls First to slow it down, and guide it and/or control it if necessary (ie, other pieces of equipment) Secondly it discusses how to stop any piece of equipment completely And thirdly, the invention secures it in a safe stationary position either entirely or any number of specific moving parts Many of these systems are initially here described to slow, reduce speed, steer, stop and/or secure equipment functions However, they also can be used to increase a piece of equipment's functions In other words their variations are completely capable to serve any remote or automated controls on a vehicle in the future to provide full robotics systems, eg, for automated transportation systems, automated manufacturing, etc, either through individually isolated remote control systems and/or interfaced with other off-board systems through communication links, gateway computers, computer networks and the world wide web for inexpensive long distance monitoring and remote control The invention focuses on the automobile industry but as has always been maintained throughout all these applications these devices and systems are designed to control every piece of equipment The invention includes various accountable protocols and commercial developments to control speed, brake and steering for an automobile shut down to be performed through automation to a safe controlled secured deactivated state to be considered as a basis for a standard in aggressive vehicle remote control and/or to control and guide a vehicle and/or piece of equipment through many different automated systems

Wireless voice-activated remote control device

Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireless, voice-activated remote control device for controlling an electronic device having voice control circuitry. A short-range wireless data and voice communication link, for example using Bluetooth technology, is established between the remote control device and the electronic device. To activate voice control circuitry in the electronic device, a user supplies an input to the remote control device. In response to the user input, wireless link circuitry within the remote control device sends a control signal, for example an AT command, to the electronic device. The electronic device receives the control signal and transmits a control signal indicating the status of the electronic device. Once the voice control circuitry is activated, the user provides a voice command to the remote control device. The remote control device transmits the voice signal to the electronic device over the wireless communication link. The electronic device processes the voice signal in the voice control circuitry and generates instructions in response to the voice signal if recognized. The voice control circuitry is advantageously located within the electronic device and not within the remote control device to simplify the remote control device and to minimize the amount of power dissipated in the remote control device.

Wireless control of a field device in an industrial process

Abstract: A mobile terminal is arranged to communicate over a cellular communication system with a control system connected to a plurality of field devices in an industrial process, in order to remote control, configure or monitor the field devices. The mobile terminal accesses through a dedicated data connection established over the cellular communication system an interactive user interface associated with the control system and arranged to utilize the configuration, control and management data of the control system. In the preferred embodiment, the interactive user interface is provided by a World Wide Web server.

Electrically controlled automated devices to control equipment and machinery with remote control and accountability worldwide

Abstract: This application describes completely in many unique ways and detail all the devices to reduce a vehicle's speed and/or reduce a machines RPMs and/or stop any piece of equipment's as well as guide it if mobile through automated controls. First to slow it down, and guide it and/or control it if necessary (i.e., other pieces of equipment). Secondly it discusses how to stop any piece of equipment completely. And thirdly, the invention secures it in a safe stationary position either entirely or any number of specific moving parts. Many of these systems are initially here described to slow, reduce speed, steer, stop and/or secure equipment functions. However, they also can be used to increase a piece of equipment's functions. In other words their variations are completely capable to serve any remote or automated controls on a vehicle in the future to provide full robotics systems, e.g., for automated transportation systems, automated manufacturing, etc., either through individually isolated remote control systems and/or interfaced with other off-board systems through communication links, gateway computers, computer networks and the world wide web for inexpensive long distance monitoring and remote control. The invention focuses on the automobile industry but as has always been maintained throughout all these applications these devices and systems are designed to control every piece of equipment. The invention includes various accountable protocols and commercial developments to control speed, brake and steering for an automobile shut down to be performed through automation to a safe controlled secured deactivated state to be considered as a basis for a standard in aggressive vehicle remote control and/or to control and guide a vehicle and/or piece of equipment through many different automated systems.

Motor vehicle diagnostic system using hand-held remote control

Abstract: A vehicle has a memory which stores operational data regarding the vehicle's performance. When the vehicle malfunctions the operational data can be transmitted from a control circuit in the vehicle by a radio frequency signal using the Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications protocol. That radio frequency signal is received at a telephone and the operational recovered. The telephone transfers the operational data via a telephone network to diagnostic computer system which analyzes the operational data to diagnose the cause of the malfunction. The results of the diagnose can be transmitted back to the vehicle.

Telephone set, communication adaptor, home appliance control method, and program recording medium

Abstract: The invention relates to a telephone set comprises a connection apparatus to execute a connecting process for enabling transmission and reception of an information signal to and from a home appliance such as a general audio device remote-controllable by radio communication; a control apparatus for generating, upon arrival of an incoming call, a remote control signal such as a pause command to the home appliance; and a radio communication apparatus for sending the remote control signal to the home appliance by radio communication. Thus, upon arrival of an incoming call at the telephone set, the remote control signal is sent to the audio device or the like either directly from the telephone set or via a communication adaptor installed therein, hence pausing or muting the output of the audio device under remote control. Such control action enables a user to perceive the incoming call with facility.

Universal remote TV mouse

Abstract: Componentry is added to a conventional universal remote device to enable it to cooperate with a set to beacon to position a cursor or arrow on a television or other display screen and to allow the remote control to perform the functions of a conventional personal computer “mouse” in connection with the cursor, such as, for example, “clicking” on icons on the screen. A wide angle sensor and a stepped beacon pulse are used to increase range of the device, and the beacon pulse sent to the infrared sensor is automatically disabled upon detection of activity on the universal remote section.

Method and system for upgrading a universal remote control

Abstract: A method of and a system for upgrading a universal remote control with a command code of an electronic appliance are provided. The command code is downloaded from an internet server into a personal computer or set-top box, which is coupled to an infrared transmitter. The universal remote control is placed in front of the infrared transmitter and the command code is transferred to the universal remote control, for example in response to the user indicating a key, shown in a displayed picture of a control panel of the electronic appliance and associated with said command code.

Voice command remote control system

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for controlling electronic devices from a remote location. The method and apparatus utilizes a remote control device which receives and transmits voice commands as electrical signals to at least one controlled device having a recognition processor which converts received electrical signals to pattern data and compares that pattern data with data stored in the processor. The invention may incorporate the use of a recorder for recording electrical signals in the remote or controlled device and may further include a teaching circuit for retrieving and reproducing voice commands as visual or audio prompts as needed. The invention may be adapted to control multiple controlled devices in coordination so that each coordinated device is made to perform the same or a different function in response to a single voice command is disclosed.

Remote control thermostat

Abstract: This invention is a remote control device to control a thermostat. The remote control works using RF transceivers in base a wall mounted base unit and a portable remote control unit, or optionally, using infrared signals much like a television remote control. The remote control has a keypad on it to allow one to select the desired temperature, or to select a temperature from one of several buttons on it corresponding to a specific temperature. This enables the user to set the temperature of a room without having to get up and manually change it.

Remote control unit with previewing device for an image-capturing device

Abstract: A previewing system has a remote control that is detachably fixed to an image-capturing device. The remote control comprises a display panel and a control panel. A user can detach the remote control from the image-capturing device and use the control panel of the remote control to remotely control functionality of the image-capturing device. Furthermore, with the display panel, the user can preview an image that the image-capturing device will capture.

Remote Diagnosis Server

Abstract: Modern systems such as fly-by-wire aircraft, nuclear power plants, manufacturing facilities, battlefields, etc. are all examples of highly connected network enabled systems. Many of these systems are also mission critical, and need to be monitored round the clock. Such systems typically consist of embedded sensors in networked subsystems that can transmit data to central (or remote) monitoring stations. Moreover, many legacy systems were originally not designed for real-time onboard diagnosis, but are safety critical, and would benefit from such a solution. Embedding additional software or hardware in such systems is often considered too intrusive, and introduces flight safety and validation concerns. Such systems can be equipped to transmit the sensor data to a remote-processing center for continuous health monitoring. At Qualtech Systems, we are developing a Remote Diagnosis Server (RDS) that can support multiple simultaneous diagnostic sessions from a variety of remote systems. The RDS server is built on a three-tier architecture with a "Broker" application in the middle layer, and multiple TEAMS-RT and TEAMATE based reasoners at the backend. The client layer consists of sensor agents that collect test results and transmit them over a message-passing network. The resultant solution is remarkably efficient. Even an old 50 MHz Sparc20 can support tens of concurrent sessions involving hundreds of tests. The solution scales easily to hundreds of sessions in any modern workstation or server. Inspired by the significant interest from the aerospace community, we are enhancing the scalability of our RDS solution to solve huge and complex systems such as system-wide health monitoring of the International Space station or a fleet of commercial jetliners. We also recently won an STTR from NASA to make RDS accessible to automobiles and appliances over standard wireless telephone networks.

Systems and methods for remote video and audio capture and communication

Abstract: A remote control for an interactive television system includes an integrated camera, a specifically-designated button for activating the camera, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting video information captured by the camera to the interactive television system. The remote control also includes an activity indicator for visually indicating when the camera is active. A set top box for the interactive television system includes a wireless receiver for receiving the video information and a converter for transforming the video information into a network-compatible video stream for transmission to a network.

Protocol for a remote control device to enable control of network attached devices

Abstract: The present invention addresses the difficulties of controlling new devices which have been added to a network. A network protocol, the NetCTL protocol, enables a remote control device to dynamically learn the command codes of a newly network attached device if the new device is executing the protocol. The intervention of a system administrator is not necessary since the dynamic teaming process happens automatically when the new device is attached to the network. Because the protocol allows the remote control device to learn the codes dynamically, there is no need to consult previously written tables of commands which can omit the codes for newly invented devices. A user of the remote control device which has “learned” the codes (i.e. acquired the codes) for a network attached device is able to control that device, regardless of the device's physical location, by selecting and sending the network attached device a command code to perform an operation.

RC car device

Abstract: A transmitter together with appropriate software are configured in the shape and form of a remote control unit for use with a handheld game player device. The transmitter may use a conventional radio frequency link to transmit commands to a radio controlled device such as a toy car. The remote control unit, consisting of the transmitter and a game cartridge, is inserted into the game device so that the game player device provides control input and display functionalities to and for the remote control unit. The game player may support synthesis, simulation and testing of a route to be traversed by the radio controlled device.

Mobile remote-control video gaming system

Abstract: In one embodiment, a gaming system includes a mobile remote control vehicle. The mobile remote control vehicle communicates wirelessly with a control unit, and may be operated outside a line-of-sight (LOS) of the control unit.

Remotely controllable electrical switching apparatus

Abstract: A control apparatus for a light includes a control unit and a plurality of remote control devices. The control unit changes the state of the light, either when a conventional wall switch is actuated or when a control signal is received from one of the remote control devices, which allows the light to be controlled from a further point without the need to run additional wires down a wall to an additional switch. Each remote control device can transmit a signal to put the control unit into an ERASE mode, upon which the address codes of all remote control devices are erased from its memory, with the exception of the address code of the control device which gave the command to enter the “erase” mode. In this manner, the control unit can be re-configured remotely to respond solely to the control device which gave-the command to the control unit.

Kitchen appliance with video display

Abstract: A kitchen appliance such as a cooking or cleaning apparatus includes video or other electronic image display built within the door of the appliance or a side or other surface of an appliance. Controls for the display and the video or still-frame generating apparatus associated therewith are either built directly within the appliance and/or are associated via remote control, including an infrared receiving port. The display could be fed from a television tuner, microprocessor or any other video or still frame generating apparatus.

Method of displaying manufacturer/model code and programmable universal remote control employing same

Abstract: A programmable, universal remote control for controlling many different of remote controlled devices, such as televisions, videocassette recorders, and cable boxes is provided. The remote control can be programmed with a code corresponding to a particular manufacturer and model of the remote controlled device to be controlled. The remote control can also display this code on the remote controlled device using preexisting circuitry in the remote control. If the user does not know the particular manufacturer/model code corresponding to the remote controlled device to be controlled, he may sequence through the available manufacturer/model codes in the remote control until an appropriate code is found. Methods are also provided for programming, displaying, and searching for the appropriate manufacturer/model code in the remote control.

Programming a universal remote control device

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for allowing a user to program a universal remote control transmitter device by presenting interactive display menus or voice prompts within a first synchronized remote controllable appliance such as a television, whereby a user can easily program the remote control device to control desired types, brands, and models of additional, different appliances.

Remote power management system of information processing apparatus or the like

Abstract: The remote power management system of information processing apparatus or the like solves problems as to occurrence of uncontrollability of power supply due to malfunction of an uninterruptible power supply device that is incapable of trying restart and recovery of information processing apparatus of the certain type merely through start or termination of power supply or alternatively as to unwanted interruption of power supply to information processing apparatus constituting a network. The system comprises a remote power switch for change over between turn-on and turn-off of a power supply line, information processing apparatus or network equipment for receiving electrical power form the power supply line via the power switch, and a remote control device for controlling changeover of the remote power switch from a remote location wherein these are connected together over a network. The remote control device is operable based on a specific command from the remote location for outputting a control signal for turn-on or turn-off of power supply via the network to the remote power switch. The information processing apparatus has interface means for letting the information processing apparatus get restarted in response to the turn-on control signal as output from the remote control device.

Remote operation support system and method

Abstract: According to a remote operation support system, a physician present in a remote place can view endoscopic images displayed in an operating room over a communication line, and change an image area or a viewing direction represented by endoscopic images in a desired manner by performing manipulations. The physician present in the remote place can thus support an operator present in the operating room. An endoscope system installed in the operating room and a remote control system installed in a control room located in the remote place are linked using a public communication line. The endoscope system has a signal transmission apparatus installed in the operating room. The signal transmission apparatus in the operating room converts a video signal and a control signal or patient data, which are produced by a CCU and a system controller respectively, and outputs resultant signals over the public line. The remote control system has a signal transmission apparatus installed in the control room. The signal transmission apparatus in the control room is connected on the public line and converts the transmitted signals into the original signals. A second monitor and a remote controller are connected to the transmission apparatus.

Dedicated wireless digital video disc (DVD) controller for video game consoles

Abstract: A wireless interface and dedicated digital video disc (DVD) controller for video game consoles capable of playing DVDs. An adapter is inserted into one of the game controller ports of the game console and provides a wireless communication receiver for receiving and inputting control commands into the game console. A dedicated DVD remote control device includes a wireless transmitter for wirelessly transmitting DVD player control functions to the game console via the adapter and thereby enables wireless control of the DVD functions of the game console. The control buttons on the dedicated DVD remote control correspond in function to the wired game controller buttons that would otherwise control the DVD functions of the game console, but have an appearance to the user that corresponds to a standard DVD player remote control. Thus, the user need not navigate through menus or otherwise determine the DVD player functions of the wired game controller buttons with symbol designations used for various functions of game play.

Wireless remote control for alternate current (A.C.) electrical lighting and appliances with learn function

Abstract: A wireless remote and infrared receivers for controlling AC appliances connected to the receivers, capable of leaning codes from other infrared remotes. The system can control light intensity, has a 24-hour programmable daily timer, a selectable sleep timer, and switching for appliances connected to the receivers. The system has an energy saving interval timer for heating and fan ventilation, and a transmitter capable of learning and unifying remotes for other home equipment into one master remote. As a safety measure the receiver has a mechanical bypass switch. The receiver may decode an activation/deactivation sequence on the power line from the main switch connected to the receiver to self bypass. When bypassed, the main switch regains direct control of the appliances. Simultaneously, besides bypassing the receiver, within five seconds the user may have the receiver memorize any key from any other remote to take over control of the appliances.

Remote controller and remote control service system, and recording medium for recording program for them

Abstract: PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a remote control service system that allows a user to freely and remotely control a driver installed at a special place and allows many users desiring the remote control to easily and remotely control the driver within a contract time by allowing the many users to have only to make an operational reservation of the time contract without the occupancy of remote control of the driver by part of the users. SOLUTION: When a center server 1 receives an application of reservation of use of remotely controlling a Surface Explorer robot 4 or a deep sea exploration robot 7 from a user, the center server 1 makes a time contract where a time zone optionally designated by its user terminal 8 is designated for a remotely controllable time and registers the result of the time contract to a robot dependent reservation state database. Then the center server 1 references the contract time, permits the remote control by the user within the contract time and remotely controls the drive of the robot after receiving an operation instruction from the user. COPYRIGHT: (C)2002,JPO

Multi-vehicle compatible control system for reading from a data bus and associated methods

Abstract: A control system includes a transmitter, a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitter, and a multi-vehicle compatible controller cooperating with the transmitter and receiver. The multi-vehicle compatible controller is for storing a set of device codes for a given vehicle device for a plurality of different vehicles, for reading a device code from a data communications bus, and for determining a match between a read device code and the stored device codes to thereby provide compatibility with a plurality of different vehicles. Such an arrangement provides for a relatively simple and straightforward approach to interface with a vehicle having a data communications bus. The multi-vehicle compatible controller may include a memory for the stored device codes, and a processor cooperating with the memory for determining the match between the read device code and the stored device codes. The approach is useful for a number of vehicle remote control functions including vehicle security, remote keyless entry and remote starting. The multi-vehicle compatibility concept is also extended to an adaptor device which can be used in combination with a conventional remote function controller.

Tele-remote telephone and remote control device

Abstract: A teleremote device includes a cordless or cellular telephone in combination with a remote controller for a television, VCR, satellite receiver, DVD device, and/or video game controller. The telephone and remote control device are provided in a single rechargeable unit. The device includes a telephone keypad on one side of the device, and a remote control keypad on the other side. To avoid accidental or inadvertent actuation of keys on one side of the device while intending use of the other side, a switch control element is provided to permit selective actuation of the telephone keypad or the remote control keypad. An off switch is provided to conserve battery power when the teleremote device is not in use. Indicator lights may also be provided to show which side of the device is actuated.