Benjamin M Evans

US Patent:

48252000, Apr 25, 1989

Filed:

Jun 25, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/066853

Inventors:

Benjamin F. Evans - Weatherford TX
Peter H. Haagen - Arlington TX
Paul J. Pempsell - Bedford TX

Assignee:

Tandy Corporation - Fort Worth TX

International Classification:

H04B 900
H04N 544

US Classification:

341 23

Abstract:

A reconfigurable remote control transmitter can be used with a plurality of remotely controlled products, each of which is normally controlled with one or more signals from an associated remote control transmitter. The reconfigurable transmitter has a plurality of input keys and operates either in a Learn mode in which it may store indications of signals generated by the remote control transmitter from one or more of the products or a Run mode in which it selectively transmits stored signals in response to one or more keyed inputs. During the Learn mode a selected sequence of operations to be performed by one or more of the products in response to a first selected key sequence may be stored and during the Run mode stored signals are transmitted in a predetermined order in response to the performance of the selected key sequence to cause the selected sequence of operations to be performed. The transmitter may also include one or more timers settable to a selected data and time, which may be utilized to control the transmitting of stored signals or signal sequences. Finally, a means may be provided which is operative during the Learn mode for indicating that the signal being received by the transmitter from a remote transmitter is of proper strength to permit an indication thereof to be correctly stored.

US Patent:

54123771, May 2, 1995

Filed:

Feb 18, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/198690

Inventors:

Benjamin F. Evans - Weatherford TX
Jerry J. Heep - Weatherford TX

International Classification:

G05B 1902

US Classification:

34082522

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for scheduling operating sessions to be performed by a group of remotely controlled devices. A remote controller is used to operate the remotely controlled devices at selected times scheduled by the user. The operating sessions may be programmed to be performed on a daily or weekly basis without continued reprogramming by the user.

US Patent:

51874695, Feb 16, 1993

Filed:

Nov 26, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/799913

Inventors:

Benjamin F. Evans - Weatherford TX
Jerry J. Heep - Weatherford TX
Peter H. Haagen - Arlington TX

Assignee:

Tandy Corporation - Ft. Worth TX

International Classification:

H04Q 100

US Classification:

340825220

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for causing a remote controller to execute a sequence of instructions at a preprogrammed time. A remote controller includes a timer and may be used to turn on the various components of an electronic entertainment system including a recording device and to transmit a starting sequence which causes the recording device to record. After the selected duration of time expires the remote controller stops and recording device from recording and turns off the components of the system or causes other instructions to be performed.