Non-obtrusive programming monitor
US5235414A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | May 21, 1990 |
| Grant date | Aug 10, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 21, 2010 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04H60/66
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A meter for unobtrusively monitoring the tuning of a home entertainment center. The device is able to work with remote controls of components of the center. The present invention receives signals from the remote control(s), decides to which component the signal was intended, sends an infrared signal to the proper component, and stores tuning information regarding the center. The stored information may be retrieved at a later time and used to make programming decisions. The present invention includes infrared sensors which receive the signals from the remote(s), a microprocessor, and a transmission device to transmit the signal to the intended device. Alternately, the control signal may be generated by a touch panel array placed over digital keypads of the center's components. When a key is pushed, the control signal is generated. The touch panel array(s) can serve solely or in combination with the remote control(s) to generate control signals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.