Often, when you want to change the channel or lower the volume on your TV, the remote control is in an awkward or unreachable location, forcing you to get up off of the sofa. Also, sometimes you want to control your TV from a location where the remote signal doesn't reach it. Rather than actually having to "move" myself and expend physical effort, I have devised a novel and unique solution to both problems. I propose a set of multiple remotes that control each other among a chain of command. Furthermore, the remote controls are semi-autonomous, so you don't have to "think". Let me explain.
In my setup there is, as is typical, a remote that controls the TV set directly. This remote can be used normally -- just point it toward the TV, and press buttons. However, the remote itself would be controlled by *another* remote control, identical in appearance. This remote is pointed towards the first remote, and commands are relayed through it to the TV. Likewise, this second remote is controlled by yet another, in the same fashion: this third remote relays commands to the second, which then commands the first, which then commands the TV.
This chain of command can be extended to any number of remotes, each controlling its direct subordinate. Eventually all presses of a button reach the TV itself. The remotes are scattered all around so that, if you can't reach one remote, another is within your grasp, no matter where you are, and you can control the TV through the other remotes in the chain.
"But why not just use several remotes that all control the TV?", you ask. Well, there is another purpose to this setup. Each remote has six jointed legs under it, like an insect. These legs allow the remotes to move and position themselves. Each remote also has a receiver that can be aimed independently from its sender. So, once the remotes are scattered around the house, they will sense each other's location and point their receiver towards the remote that is next farthest from the TV. The senders will point towards the next closest. If the next farthest remote is unreachable, then the remote will crawl to a better location.
In this scenario, the remote chain of command is organized by location; the closest remote to the TV controls the TV, and is controlled by the next farthest. This continues until the farthest remote is at the top of the chain. This way, no matter where you are in your house or apartment, there will be a remote that you can use to send a signal that will eventually be received by the TV itself. You can control the TV from anywhere.-- DrWorm, May 04 2010 IR > RF > IR remote system http://www.smarthom...-Kit-433-MHz/p.aspxOne of many solutions [csea, May 04 2010] Chain of Command http://www.gizmodo....6/12/cuffed_wii.jpgI expected the "Chain of Command" to look something like this. [jurist, May 04 2010] ...Or perhaps like this: http://www.crunchge...cheap-diy-solution/ [jurist, May 04 2010] I'd be concerned with time delays as each transmission is relayed.
An IR > RF > IR system [link], and scattered universal remotes would avoid this.-- csea, May 04 2010 //semi-autonomous, so you don't have to "think"// marked-for-tagline-- pocmloc, May 04 2010 why have the signal daisy chain? If you can reach a remote and are too lazy to move chances are you can already see the TV. why not just point your remote in hand at the TV.-- metarinka, May 06 2010 Just a few well-positioned mirrors could do the trick.-- RayfordSteele, May 06 2010 random, halfbakery