1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a remote control device for video/audio apparatuses; it primarily concerns TV sets so that only this particular application will be referred to, namely both for commercial purposes, for example the so-called "Pay TV Systems", i.e. for the reception of paid programs, in hotels, and for private purposes, i.e. the TV reception of all privately accessible broadcasting stations, for example in private and holiday apartments, hospitals etc.
Especially in the closed circuit systems of hotels, hospitals, holiday apartments etc. which are equipped with a centralised antenna device supplying a large number of TV receivers, this network also provides services. Such services comprise information, additional programs, video text information etc. It has proven profitable to broadcast cinema movies such as drama movies, adventure movies, cartoons or erotic movies via one or several programs of the local antenna networks of hotels.
Since hotel guests are not used to having additional programs provided at home, the relevant information opportunities must be presented in a way which is easy to recognise.
2. Description of the prior art
So far, it was customary to place so-called program display cards for Pay TV or hotel video in the hotel rooms. Since these displays must be sufficiently large in size to attract the attention of the guest on the one hand, but must not take up valuable space in the hotel room on the other, they are usually placed on top of the TV set as the reference point, i.e. 3 to 4 meters from the top of the bed. As a result, the guest cannot read the display or does not notice it among other advertising displays of the hotel. In addition, the information cards were often misplaced by the cleaning staff, knocked over by drafts or made unreadable in another way.
In the private sector, a number of stations accessible to everybody can be received without the additional Pay TV programs. When a TV set is sold to a private household or installed in hospitals or holiday apartments all the stations must be programmed locally. The number can amount to 30 stations or more which are received via cable. For the average viewer it is very difficult or even impossible to remember the channel allocations of the individual stations. In the past, this problem was solved, for example, by sticking a list of stations to the back of the remote control device. Since this device was fully exposed, it became quickly soiled and easily damaged. In hospitals or holiday apartments it is often illegible or is not even noticed, because sufficient space is only provided on the bottom part.
Even though remote controls, telephones etc. are already provided with tiltable or slidable lids to cover operational controls which, not being intended for daily use, are to be kept out of sight of the user, such lids are not suitable to accommodate exchangeable information or lists of stations. They are intentionally placed out of sight, are not meant to be discovered by the occasional user and need not be opened for switching on and using the TV set for its regular purpose.
Furthermore, it is often necessary in hotels, hospitals etc. to draw the attention of the guests to special features, for example breakfast times, animation programs, cosmetic treatments, opening hours of hospital shops and such like. The use of remote control devices is also a good choice here, because these, in connection not only with the TV set, but also with video recorders, CD players and cassette tape decks, are often at the center of interest.
It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a device for the remote control of video/audio apparatuses, especially TV sets, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and uses said device as an information or advertising vehicle.
This object is solved by a remote control device for video/audio apparatuses comprising a casing, operational controls for actuating functions of the video/audio apparatuses, electrical or electronic, respectively, circuits for giving operational signals to the video/audio apparatuses, a tilted lid mounted movably to the casing, which lid covers at least some essential operational controls in one end position and exposes the covered operational controls in the other end position, and at least one assembly formed at the lid to accommodate an exchangeable information carrier.
Suitable embodiments of the device according to the invention are defined by the features set forth in the sub-claims.
The advantages provided by the invention are based on the design of the remote control device as a carrier of information which the TV viewer cannot but notice when switching on the corresponding TV set. This is because, in its normal position, the tiltable lid covers not only insignificant operational controls but also, at least in part, essential operational controls, namely those necessary for switching on and/or adjusting the set (selection of stations, volume), so that, primarily, only the outer face of the lid is visible together with the information provided thereupon, e.g. a direct reference to a Pay TV program or a certain station. Thus, if the user picks up the remote control device to switch on the TV set, he cannot fail to notice the advertising message. When he tilts the lid in order to expose the essential operational controls, additional information, e.g. a sample photograph, a Pay TV program, a list of stations or a weekly program schedule, will appear on the previously invisible inside of the lid, exactly in the visual angle above the operational control keys of the device.
Tests have shown that this double exposure to information, particularly in the case of new stations and Pay TV programs, surprisingly results when the TV set is switched on in the regular manner in much higher viewer or switch-on ratings than could be achieved with the pointers used so far, e.g. display boards.
At the same time, the operational controls of the remote control device, generally keys, are protected against dirt, for example dust, by the tiltable lid.
In addition to information on Pay TV programs, additional information could be provided on the inner or outer surface of the lid, for example advertising for beverages, tobacco products, food and luxury items and such like.
Even though it is possible in principle to attach the relevant information surfaces firmly to the lid, in a preferred embodiment the lid is equipped with a holding device for information cards that can be exchanged easily. This provides an opportunity to refer to new Pay TV programs in continuous, e.g. weekly, succession.
The holding device for the information card may be arranged on the inner and/or the outer surface of the lid. Thus a maximum of two information cards can be accommodated if both the inner and the outer surface of the lid are to be used as information carriers.
A particularly simple and therefore advantageous embodiment is provided if the tiltable lid is made, at least in part, of a transparent material, preferably a transparent synthetic material; in this case, the information card can be mounted on the inside of the lid and provided with information on both sides; the information on the one side will then be visible from the outside through the transparent lid, whereas the information on the other side only becomes visible when the lid is tilted. That way a variety of information can be provided in a simple manner, namely by using only one information card, and easily exchanged whenever necessary.
The easy exchange of the information card becomes especially advantageous if it is guided along slits or rails provided along the edges of the lid.
At the same time, both information surfaces of the information card are largely protected against damage, but also against soiling, namely one of the surfaces at all times by the transparent lid and the other at least when the lid is closed, if the information card is positioned between the lid and the operational panel of the remote control device and is thus covered.
Even though the information card can basically be inserted into the lid or the rails of the lid from every direction, it is preferred to insert the information card into the lid from the side averted from the surface of the remote control while the lid is in the tilted position.
It has turned out to be useful if the lid remains in the opened position, i.e. if it can be moved from this open position only if a certain force is used or if the remote control device is brought into an oblique position. In this locked position, the lid and thus also the information surface on its inside should be at a 60.degree.-200.degree. angle to the operational panel of the casing; this angle ensures good legibility of the information after the lid has been opened and at the same time operability of the operational controls. An angle between 90.degree. C. and 150.degree. between the operational panel of the casing and the lid is especially useful.
By means of a simple mounting mechanism, such a lid can also be mounted onto existing remote control devices at a later point in time, so that they can be "upgraded".
Advantageously, the information carrier is comprised of a sheet element, especially of cardboard, carton, plastic or paper; the material should take print well so that, for example, new information carriers can be printed weekly.
According to a preferred embodiment, the hinged lid can be arranged tiltably on the casing of the remote control device by means of a hinge-like holding device. For this purpose, holes or projecting parts can be provided on opposite sides of the casing which find their counterparts in the hinged lid and interlock under bias or formfittingly, thus providing a firm yet tiltable hold of the hinged lid on the casing of the remote control device.
The sheet-like information carrier is advantageously held by at least two holding devices, preferably at least two projecting parts on the side of the hinged lid facing the casing, sufficient space being provided between the lid and the projecting parts so that the information card can be inserted between the lid and the projecting parts with light pressure.
In order to provide the projecting parts with guiding characteristics, the projecting parts can extend in the longitudinal direction of the lid so that a kind of slit guidance for the card is provided on both sides. An additional projecting support can be positioned at the end of the insert canal. In order to prevent the card from slipping out accidentally, a stop element can be positioned at that end of the lid from which the card is slipped, and helps prevent the card from slipping out accidentally.
In order to prevent the hinged lid from accidentally being lifted off the casing of the remote control device, thus presenting, for example, a surface which can be broken off if a large force is applied, at least one clamp or stop element or such like may be positioned on the lid and/or the casing which holds the lid with slight holding force so that the user does not encounter any significant resistance when wishing to use the remote control device according to the invention, whereas any unintentional tilting of the lid of the remote control device is prevented.