(12) United States Patent
`NOmoto
`
`USOO6636O26B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,636,026 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Oct. 21, 2003
`
`(54) ELECTRIC APPLIANCE CAPABLE OF
`SAVING POWER CONSUMPTION
`(75) Inventor: Tetsushi Nomoto, Yokohama (JP)
`(73) Assignee: Nikon Corporation, Tokyo (JP)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 499 days.
`
`existence of a person (Sep. 1, 1999).(with English transla
`tion) http://nmc.nikkeibp.co.jp/news4/n9822.html.
`Keizo Sakurai; Sanyo Electric saves 15% of the power
`consumption of a refrigerator by Saving operation utilizing
`a light sensor (Oct. 19, 1999).(with English translation)
`http://biztech.nikkeibp.co.jp/wcs/leaf2 CID=onair/biztech/
`mech/85050.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/709,720
`(22) Filed:
`Nov. 13, 2000
`
`e Las
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(30)
`Nov. 15, 1999
`(JP) ........................................... 11-324098
`
`(51) Int. CI.7.
`- - - - - G05B 24/02; H01H 35/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................ 323/318; 307/126
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 323/266,307,
`323/318, 352; 307/112, 116, 125, 126,
`134, 135, 140, 141
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,675,503 A * 10/1997 Moe et al. .................. 364/492
`6,493,643 B1 12/2002 Aisa ............................ 702/60
`6,509,658 B1 * 1/2003 Kim ...
`... 307/117
`6,525,666 B1
`2/2003 Shimoda ..................... 340/636
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`
`11-190982
`
`7/1999
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Keizo Sakurai; Sanyo Electric releases “full-auto” living
`room air conditioner utilizing Sensors that detects the
`
`Primary Examiner Matthew V. Nguyen
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Oliff & Berridge, PLC
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric
`appliance that can Save the Standby power consumption, in
`particular, to provide an electric appliance that can Save the
`Standby power consumption without Sacrificing the conve
`nience of a remote controller and the effect of the warm-up.
`An electric appliance capable of Saving power consumption,
`the electric appliance having its original function, comprises
`a first unit having an active State for performing the original
`function and a rest State, a first power consumption occur
`ring in the active State, a Second unit having an effective State
`capable of causing the first unit to change from the rest state
`to the active State and an ineffective State incapable of
`causing the change in the first unit, a Second power con
`Sumption less than the first power consumption occurring in
`the effective state and a third unit that changes the Second
`unit from the ineffective state to the effective state when a
`first predetermined condition is Satisfied, whereby the Sec
`ond power consumption is Saved until the first predeter
`mined condition is Satisfied.
`
`32 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`1 OO
`
`- 2 O
`
`MAIN BODY
`
`MANUAL
`SWITCH
`
`
`
`
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`
`
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`
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`|
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`FIRST
`Sigal
`SEN
`
`--- 5 O
`TIME DISPLAY |-|--
`
`52
`5
`CLOCK
`1ST TIMER - 53
`2ND TIMER
`54
`
`CONTROLLER
`
`2O O
`
`OPERATION
`CONTROL
`
`REMOTE-CONTROL
`GPERATION REGE
`CONTROL
`PEuly 5,
`
`POWER SUPLLY SECTION
`
`REMOTE
`OPERATION CONTROLLER
`
`PRESET
`is
`
`---3 O
`
`7 O
`
`1 O --
`
`-
`
`1 1 ---
`
`
`
`4 O ---
`
`
`
`VIZIO, Inc. Exhibit 1014
`VIZIO, Inc. v. Maxell, LTD, IPR2022-01459
`Page 1 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 6,636,026 B1
`
`
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`VIZIO, Inc. Exhibit 1014
`VIZIO, Inc. v. Maxell, LTD, IPR2022-01459
`Page 2 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 6,636,026 B1
`
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`VIZIO,Inc. Exhibit 1014
`VIZIO,Inc. v. Maxell, LTD, IPR2022-01459
`Page 3 of 13
`
`VIZIO, Inc. Exhibit 1014
`VIZIO, Inc. v. Maxell, LTD, IPR2022-01459
`Page 3 of 13
`
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 6,636,026 B1
`
`24 O
`
`
`
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`2 1 O
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`27 O
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`1 7 O
`
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`
`1 1 O
`
`1 1
`
`-----
`
`
`
`| FUNCTION
`UNIT
`
`CONT-
`ROLLER
`
`REMOTE- -
`CONTROL
`SIGNAL
`RECEIVER
`
`l
`
`MAIN BODY
`20 OO
`
`CLOCK
`SECTION
`
`21 OO 1 1 OO
`
`REMOTE
`CONT
`ROLLER
`
`N
`4 O O
`2 5 4
`253
`251
`2 5 2
`
`- 25 O
`
`CLOCK
`SECTION
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`- 15 O
`
`
`
`REMOTE
`CONTROL
`SIGNAL
`RECEIVER
`
`REMOTE
`CONT
`ROLLER
`
`1 3 O
`
`Fig. 3
`
`VIZIO, Inc. Exhibit 1014
`VIZIO, Inc. v. Maxell, LTD, IPR2022-01459
`Page 4 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 6,636,026 B1
`
`24 O
`s
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`21 O
`
`---
`
`POWER SUPLLY SECTION
`
`23 O
`
`
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`-
`
`FUNCTION
`UNIT
`
`
`
`
`
`MANUAL
`SWITCH
`
`CONTROL
`SIGNAL
`RECEIVER
`
`REMOTE
`CONT
`ROLLER
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`14 O
`
`FUNCTION
`UNIT
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`
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`153
`154
`
`3O
`
`CLOCK
`SECTION
`
`REMOTE
`CONTROL
`SIGNAL
`RECEIVER
`
`
`
`VIZIO, Inc. Exhibit 1014
`VIZIO, Inc. v. Maxell, LTD, IPR2022-01459
`Page 5 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 21, 2003
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 6,636,026 B1
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`VIZIO,Inc. Exhibit 1014
`VIZIO,Inc. v. Maxell, LTD, IPR2022-01459
`Page 6 of 13
`
`VIZIO, Inc. Exhibit 1014
`VIZIO, Inc. v. Maxell, LTD, IPR2022-01459
`Page 6 of 13
`
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`

`

`1
`ELECTRIC APPLIANCE CAPABLE OF
`SAVING POWER CONSUMPTION
`
`US 6,636,026 B1
`
`2
`Even though the Standby power consumption of each
`electric appliance is Small, as the number of electric appli
`ance used are quite large, as a whole, the Standby power
`consumption is quite large. The problem is the power
`consumption (WH) that is a result of the standby power (W)
`multiplied by the standby time (H). Even though the standby
`power consumption is Small, the power consumption of an
`electric appliance becomes quite large if the Standby time is
`long. Therefore, it is required to reduce the Standby power
`consumption of electric appliances much more.
`An electric appliance has a manually operated main
`Switch that cuts the power Supply to all parts of the electric
`appliance. If the main Switch is turned off, the power Supply
`to the remote-control Signal receiver is also terminated and
`power is not consumed, but it is required to turn the main
`Switch on to make the remote controller uSable again. This
`remarkably lessens the convenience of the remote controller
`of operating the electric appliance at the remote place from
`that.
`If Said main Switch is turned off, the power Supply to the
`warm-up circuit is also terminated and power is not
`consumed, but in Some cases, it takes time until the electric
`appliance Starts its functions after the user operated it, and
`there is a problem that especially the operability of audio
`Visual equipment becomes worse.
`And that, if the main Switch is turned off, the power
`Supply to a built-in clock Section is also terminated and the
`time is not displayed. When the main Switch is turned on
`again, there is a possibility that the displayed time is not
`COrrect.
`In addition, Some of the newest electric appliances lack
`the main Switch and do not allow this kind of operation.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is an object of the present invention to provide an
`electric appliance that can reduce the power consumption, in
`particular, to provide an electric appliance that can reduce
`the power consumption without Sacrificing the convenience
`of the remote controller and the effect of the warm-up.
`In order to achieve the above objects, the present inven
`tion provides an electric appliance capable of Saving power
`consumption, the electric appliance having its original
`function, comprising a first unit having an active State for
`performing the original function, and a rest State, a Second
`unit having an effective State capable of causing the first unit
`to change from the rest State to the active State and an
`ineffective State incapable of causing the change in the first
`unit, and a third unit that changes the Second unit from the
`ineffective state to the effective state when a first predeter
`mined condition is Satisfied. A first power consumption
`occurs in the active State of the first unit. A Second power
`consumption also occurs in the effective State of the Second
`unit although it is less than the first power consumption. The
`third unit according to the present invention Saves the
`Second power consumption until the first predetermined
`condition is Satisfied. The Second unit may not cause the first
`unit to change from the rest State to the active State when the
`third unit changes the State of the Second unit.
`Alternatively pursuant to present invention, the third unit
`changes the Second unit from the effective State to the
`ineffective State when a Second predetermined condition is
`Satisfied. Also in this case the Second power consumption is
`Saved after the Second predetermined condition is Satisfied.
`Pursuant to another aspect of the present invention, the
`third unit includes a clock Section that outputs a signal at a
`preset time for changing the State of the Second unit. In this
`
`15
`
`40
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`45
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to an electric appliance, and
`more particularly to an electric appliance capable of Saving
`power consumption.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`Recently, many electric appliances, especially home
`appliances have a remote controller that remote-controls the
`operation of them. Namely, the electric appliances have a
`remote-control Signal receiver that receives the command
`Signal Such as infrared or ultraSonic output by the remote
`controller when the remote controller is operated in addition
`to its function unit that performs its original function. Said
`remote-control Signal receiver is always in a Standby State So
`that it may receive the action command Signal from the
`remote controller.
`Furthermore, Some of the electric appliances apply an
`electric current to a part of the electric circuit (warm-up
`circuit) and make it to be in a warm-up State all the time. AS
`a typical example, the audio-Visual equipment Such as TV
`25
`set or video deck can be cited, but it is possible with other
`electric appliances, not limited to these. And, many of the
`electric appliances display the time when they are not in use.
`Electric appliances that have each of Said functions consume
`the Standby power.
`Recently, the big standby power consumption of electric
`appliances, especially home appliances has become a prob
`lem. According to the data of Tokyo Electric Power
`Company, for instance, the maximum power consumption in
`use and standby power consumption are: 220 W and 2.2 W
`35
`for 32 in. wide-screen TV set; 19 W and 13.3 W for video
`deck; 26.7 W and 14.4 W for portable stereo equipment,
`respectively. It is said that 10% of entire power consumption
`of a household is the Standby power consumption. It is
`estimated about 8,000 yen per annum on the basis of the
`power consumption of a standard household (power con
`Sumption; 280 KW-H/month). As the remote-control signal
`receiver is always in a Standby State, it always consumes
`power. Said warm-up circuit is always applied with electric
`current and consumes power, as well. The power consumed
`by these parts is the Standby power consumption of that
`electric appliance. Although power to operate a built-in
`clock is included in the Standby power consumption in
`addition to that of Said parts, the most part is occupied by
`that of Said parts.
`Recently, the reduction of the Standby power consumption
`of various electric appliances has advanced and it is getting
`smaller. For example, some of the newest TV sets and video
`decks can Stop the power Supply to BS antenna that is a part
`of the warm-up circuit, or can Stop the time display when
`they are not in use. As a result, Some of TV Sets and Video
`decks consume the standby power of less than 1 W.
`However, since the TV sets and video decks require the
`mode Setting for that purpose or an operation of turning off
`the power Switch of the main body of the appliances instead
`of the operation of the remote controller, it is Somewhat
`troublesome. Therefore, it is feared that quite a few of users
`of the electric appliances do not use Said function, and the
`effect is not quite Sure. And, there is a possibility that a
`warm-up circuit includes functions that lower the operability
`of the electric appliances if it is not Supplied with power at
`the Start of use of the electric appliance.
`
`50
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`55
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`60
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`65
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`VIZIO, Inc. Exhibit 1014
`VIZIO, Inc. v. Maxell, LTD, IPR2022-01459
`Page 7 of 13
`
`

`

`3
`case, the predetermined condition corresponds to the outputs
`of the Signal from clock Section. In other words, the State of
`the Second unit is changed at the preset time. According to
`this feature for example, the Second unit is kept in the
`ineffective State in the night for Saving the power consump
`tion during the user is sleeping.
`Pursuant to a further aspect of the present invention, the
`electric appliance comprises a remote controller that outputs
`a control Signal. Consequently the Second unit includes a
`Signal receiver that receives the control Signal from the
`remote controller to change the first unit from rest State to
`the active State. Thus, the Second unit is made possible to
`receive the Signal from the remote controller when the
`predetermined condition is Satisfied. Accordingly, the Sec
`ond power consumption is Saved with the convenience of the
`remote controller is not Sacrificed.
`The present invention according to another aspect pro
`vides an electric appliance capable of Saving power con
`Sumption comprising a first unit having an active State and
`a rest State, a Second unit having a preparatory State and a
`rest State, and a third unit that changes the State of the Second
`unit in response to a condition of the room where the electric
`appliance is installed. A first power consumption occurs in
`the active State of the first unit. A Second power consumption
`also occurs in the preparatory State of the Second unit
`although it is less than the first power consumption. The
`third unit according to the present invention Saves the
`Second power consumption while the condition of the room
`is in a predetermined condition. The Second unit may not
`cause the first unit to change from the rest State to the
`preparatory State when the third unit changes the State of the
`Second unit.
`The Second unit in the preparatory State is enabled to
`change the State of the first unit or facilitates a function of
`the first unit in the active State.
`The third unit may include a Sensor that Senses a bright
`neSS of the room to change the State of the Second unit in
`response to the brightness of the room.
`Alternatively, the third unit may include a Sensor that
`Senses a presence of a perSon in the room to change the State
`of the Second unit in response to the presence of the perSon
`in the room.
`In the above cases, the predetermined condition corre
`sponds to a brightness of the room less than a given value or
`a presence of no perSon. According to this feature, the
`Second unit is kept in the rest State in the night or in absence
`of people in the room for Saving the Second power con
`Sumption.
`The present invention also provides a first electric appli
`ance capable of Saving power consumption comprising a
`first unit having an active State and a rest State, a Second unit
`having a preparatory State and a rest State, and a third unit
`that controls the change in the Second unit between the rest
`State and preparatory State. The electric appliance further
`comprises a communicator that transmits a Signal indicative
`of the State of the Second unit to an external electric
`appliance. A first power consumption occurs in the active
`State of the first unit. A Second power consumption also
`occurs in the preparatory State of the Second unit although it
`is less than the first power consumption.
`On the other hand, the present invention provides a
`Second electric appliance capable of Saving power consump
`tion comprising a first unit having an active State and a rest
`State, a Second unit having a preparatory State and a rest
`State, a third unit that controls the change in the Second unit
`between the rest State and preparatory State, and a commu
`
`35
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`US 6,636,026 B1
`
`15
`
`25
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`4
`nicator that receives a signal from an external appliance,
`wherein the third unit changes the State of the Second unit in
`response to the Signal received by the communicator. A first
`power consumption occurs in the active State of the first unit.
`A Second power consumption also occurs in the preparatory
`State of the Second unit although it is less than the first power
`consumption.
`The first electric appliance outputs the Signal indicative of
`the State of its Second unit and the Second electric appliance
`receives it. Accordingly, the third unit of the Second electric
`appliance changes the State of its Second unit in response to
`the state of the third unit of the first electric appliance. In
`other words, the Second power consumption of both the
`electric appliances are achieved at the same time.
`The third unit of the first electric appliance may include
`a clock Section that outputs a Signal to change the State of the
`Second unit at a preset time, and the communicator transmits
`the Signal from the first electric appliance to the Second
`electric appliance at the preset time. Accordingly, the Second
`electric appliance does not need any clock Section.
`Alternatively, the third unit of the Second electric appli
`ance may further include clock Section that outputs a signal
`to change the State of the Second unit at a preset time. And
`communicator of the Second electric appliance receives the
`preset time to be set in the clock Section from the first
`electric appliance. Further, the current time information for
`adjusting the clock Section may be transmitted from the first
`electric appliance to the Second electric appliance together
`with the Signal. According to this feature, even if a user Sets
`the preset time in the first electric appliance alone, the
`Second power consumption of Second electric appliance is
`also saved. Similarly, even if a user adjusts the clock Section
`of the first electric appliance only, the clock Section of the
`Second electric appliance can also keep the correct time.
`Further, the present invention provides an electric appli
`ance capable of Saving power consumption comprising a
`clock Section having a time keeping State and a rest State, a
`control Section that controls the change in the clock Section
`between the time keeping State and the rest State, a memory
`capable of Storing a preset time for a coming function of the
`electric appliance, and a Switch that turns off the electric
`appliance. A power consumption occurs in the time keeping
`State. The clock Section adjusts its time for ensuring the
`function at the preset time when the Switch turns off the
`electric appliance with a preset time Stored in the memory.
`Pursuant to another aspect of the present invention, the
`control Section changes the clock Section from the rest State
`to the time keeping State when the Switch turns off the
`electric appliance. According to this feature, the clock
`Section is kept in the rest State for Saving the power con
`Sumption if the preset time is not stored in the memory.
`The present invention also provides an electric appliance
`capable of Saving power consumption comprising a clock
`Section having a time keeping State and an rest State, a
`control Section that controls the change in the clock Section
`between the time keeping State and the rest State, the clock
`section being to be refreshed with the time information on
`the change from the rest State to the time keeping State,
`memory capable of Storing a preset time for a coming
`function of the electric appliance, and an inhibitor that
`inhibits the clock Section from changing from the time
`keeping State to the rest State with the preset time Stored in
`the memory for ensuring the function at the preset time. If
`any preset time is not stored in the memory, on the contrary,
`the clock Section is allowed to change into the rest State for
`a power consumption occurring in the time keeping State.
`
`VIZIO, Inc. Exhibit 1014
`VIZIO, Inc. v. Maxell, LTD, IPR2022-01459
`Page 8 of 13
`
`

`

`US 6,636,026 B1
`
`S
`According to the above features and advantages of the
`present invention, an electric appliance capable of Saving
`power consumption Saves the Second power consumption
`without Sacrificing the convenience of a remote controller
`and operability of the electric appliance Since the Second
`unit keep a rest State only in the time-Zone when an electric
`appliance is not in use. In other word, the power Supply to
`the Second unit, for instance, a remote-control Signal
`receiver and a warm-up circuit is automatically terminated
`only in the time-Zone when an electric appliance is not in
`Sc.
`Furthermore, Since the power Supply to each part of the
`clock Section is stopped So far as the reservation function of
`the electric appliance is not interfered and the time adjust
`ment is automatically made whenever it is required, the
`Second power consumption is saved without Sacrificing the
`function and operability of an electric appliance.
`Other feature and advantages according to the invention
`will be readily understood from the detailed description of
`the preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accom
`panying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an
`appliance of an embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an
`appliance of another embodiment of the present invention.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an
`appliance of Still another embodiment of the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the variation of the
`configuration of FIG. 3.
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an
`appliance of yet another embodiment of the present inven
`tion.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an
`electric appliance of an embodiment of the present inven
`tion.
`An electric appliance comprises main body 100 and
`remote controller 200 that remote-controls the operation of
`main body 100. Main body 100 includes function unit 10
`that performs the original function of the electric appliance,
`controller 20 that controls the operation of function unit 10,
`remote-control Signal receiver 30 that receives signals from
`remote controller 200, power supply section 40 that supplies
`electric power to each part of the electric appliance, clock
`Section 50 that computes time all the time, outputs a signal
`at the preset time and displays the current time, and manu
`ally operated main Switch (manual switch)70. When manual
`Switch 70 is turned on, controller 20 outputs a power-supply
`control Signal to power Supply Section 40 and makes it to
`Start the power Supply to the each part of the appliance.
`Controller 20 consists of a micro processor that includes a
`CPU, etc.
`Said electric appliance includes every kind of home
`appliance that has a remote controller and a clock including
`Such audio-visual equipment as TV Set, radio, video deck,
`CD player, tape recorder, DAT and DVD, and such other
`home appliance as air conditioner, electric fan and So on, but
`not limited to the home appliance.
`Function unit 10 (which corresponds to first unit in the
`claim) is a unit that performs the original function of Said
`
`6
`each electric appliance in an active State, for example, if the
`electric appliance is a TV Set, the unit is consisting of a TV
`broadcast wave receiver, a tuner, a CRT, a speaker, etc. In the
`example mentioned below, a TV set will be explained as an
`example of Said electric appliance. Function unit 10 per
`forms its function under the control of controller 20. Some
`of Said electric appliances make a certain part of a circuit of
`function unit 10 (warm-up circuit 11 of FIG. 1), for instance,
`CRT drive circuit of a TV set or BS antenna of a video deck,
`to be in a warm-up State all the time So that they may be
`Started immediately when they are operated by their users.
`Furthermore, many of Said electric appliances display time
`when they are not in use. In the present example of
`embodiment, Said time display is also included in Said
`warmup for reasons of convenience.
`Said remote-control Signal receiver 30 and warm-up cir
`cuit 11 are included in a standby Section (which corresponds
`to the Second unit in the claim) of the present invention.
`Remote controller 200 is similar to the publicly known
`remote controller that accompanies to the electric
`appliances, and outputs a control Signal that controls the
`operation of the electric appliance as a wireleSS Signal. For
`instance, a remote controller of a TV set has power ON/OFF
`button, channel Select button, Volume control button, image
`control button, etc. and when one of these buttons is pressed
`down, it emits infrared rays including a corresponding
`Signal.
`Remote-control Signal receiver 30 receives an operation
`control signal from remote controller 200, and transmits its
`contents to controller 20. Controller 20 controls the opera
`tion of function unit 10 based on the contents of the
`operation control Signal, for example, performs turning
`on/off of power Supply Section of TV Set, channel change,
`Volume control and So on.
`Power Supply section 40 supplies electric power to
`standby section 10 that includes warm-up circuit 11 and
`remote-control signal receiver 30. They become a effective
`State or a preparatory State. In addition, though not shown in
`FIG. 1 it also supplies the electric power to controller 20 and
`clock section 50. Clock section 50 has clock 51 and time
`display 52 that displays the time computed by clock 51 in a
`time keeping State. Clock Section 50 also has a timer and
`outputs a Signal to controller 20 at the preset time. Said timer
`has four time setters A-D in which a fixed time is set in
`advance and outputs Signal A-D at Said fixed time A-D set
`in time Setters A-D. Hereinafter, Simply mentioned signal
`Stands for Signal A-D. Said fixed time is set by operation of
`remote controller 200 in the time setter via remote-control
`signal receiver 30.
`Times A and B set in time setters A and B are used as
`preset time for first timer 53. First timer 53 is a preset timer
`for a coming function of main body 100, controller 20 makes
`function unit 10 to start the operation based on preset time
`A and to Stop the operation based on preset time B. In case
`of a TV set, TV broadcast receiving starts at time A and
`terminates at time B.
`Times C and D set in time setters C and D are used as
`preset time for second timer 54. Second timer 54 as a
`Standby power Saving timer and makes the remote controller
`usable in fixed time-zone alone. Namely, controller 20
`makes power Supply Section 40 to start the power Supply to
`remote-control Signal receiver 30 based on signal C (a first
`Signal) and to stop it based on signal D (a second signal).
`Therefore, remote-control signal receiver 30 does not con
`Sume the electric power during this time Zone. The electric
`power consumed by remote-control Signal receiver 30
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`VIZIO, Inc. Exhibit 1014
`VIZIO, Inc. v. Maxell, LTD, IPR2022-01459
`Page 9 of 13
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`

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`7
`includes the electric power consumed by power Supply
`Section in order to Supply the electric power to remote
`control signal receiver 30. While the power supply is
`Stopped, the remote-control Signal from remote controller
`200 is neglected and is invalid.
`When controller 20 makes power supply section to start
`the power Supply to remote-control Signal receiver 30 based
`on Signal C, it does not make power Supply Section to Start
`the power Supply to function unit 10, but it makes power
`Supply Section to start the power Supply to function unit 10
`by the Subsequent operation of turning the power Switch of
`main body 100 on by the remote controller. Of course, it may
`be arranged that the power Supply to function unit 10 is
`Started at the same time as the Start of the power Supply to
`remote-control signal receiver 30.
`And, remote controller 200 is supplied with the necessary
`electric power by a built-in dry Sell, but it does not require
`power except when it is operated. If Said preset time C is Set
`at 6 a.m. and Said preset time D is Set at 10 p.m., the Standby
`power consumption for utilizing the function of remote
`controller is Saved for eight hours from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
`everyday. Thus, the remote-control function is stopped only
`during the night time when the electric appliance is not used,
`therefore, the remote controller is not operated, and next
`morning, remote-control Signal receiver 30 is made Standby
`State, it is possible to Save the electric power without
`Sacrificing the convenience of the remote controller.
`There are users whose living time-Zone is changeable and
`especially whose bedtime varies. As a countermeasure,
`controller 20 is made to Stop the power Supply to remote
`control Signal receiver 30 by the remote-control Signal
`receiver off signal from remote controller 200 either. In this
`case, preset time D is set at the later time. The remote
`control Signal receiver off Signal may be made, for example,
`to turn off the power supply to function unit 10 by pressing
`down the power Switch button equipped with remote con
`troller 200 that turns on/off the power supply to function unit
`10 and to be output by further pressing it more than two
`Seconds.
`When turning off the electric appliance at the time of
`going to bed, by pressing down the power Switch button for
`more than two Seconds, the power Supply both to function
`unit 10 and remote-control signal receiver 30 is cut off. Even
`in case it is forgotten to turn off the electric appliance by Said
`operation, or the operation to turn off the power Supply is
`failed as the time of pressing down the button is too short,
`the power Supply is terminated by preset time D that comes
`later. Of course, an exclusive Switch may be prepared to turn
`off the power supply to both function unit 10 and remote
`control signal receiver 30.
`As mentioned before, preset time C and D can be freely
`Set. Furthermore, two times for each may also be set.
`Therefore, the time-Zone for Stopping the power Supply to
`remote-control Signal receiver 30 may be set at the daytime
`or two time-Zones both at night and in the daytime.
`An electric appliance Such as a Video deck or a tape
`recorder that has the function of recording Sometimes
`records the TV or radio broadcast at night when the power
`supply to remote-control signal receiver 30 is cut off, with
`starting function unit 10 by said first timer 53. Even in that
`case, recording is performed without hindrance, as the cut
`off of power Supply from power supply section 40 is limited
`only to remote-control signal receiver 30.
`And, Said electric appliance has manual Switch 70 that
`Starts the power Supply to remote-control Signal receiver 30
`by manual operation. The signal from manual Switch 70 is
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`US 6,636,026 B1
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`8
`prior to the signal from clock section 50. Namely, controller
`20 makes power Supply Section 40 to start the power Supply
`to remote-control signal receiver 30 in response to the Signal
`from manual Switch 70 even in the state that the power
`Supply to remote-control Signal receiver 30 is cut by Signal
`D of second timer 54. Therefore, with pressing manual
`Switch 70, the power Supply to remote-control Signal
`receiver 30 is started and the operation of the electric
`appliance is made possible even a