Auto-finder and distance warning method and apparatus for a remote control input device

摘要

A method and apparatus for preventing the loss of a remote control input device used with a stationary device provides the stationary device with a transmitter and a signal generator that generates signals transmitted by the transmitter. The remote control input device communicates wirelessly with the stationary device, and has a wireless signal receiver that receives the signals from the signal generator, and a distance warning circuit. A distance warning output signal is produced by the distance warning circuit when the input device is beyond a specified distance from the stationary device, as a function of the signals received by the wireless signal receiver. The remote control input device also has an indicator that produces a human-perceptible distance warning signal in response to the production of the distance warning output signal by the distance warning circuit. This alerts a person carrying the remote control input device beyond a specified distance from the stationary device that the remote control input device is being moved out of range of the stationary device, and thereby helps to prevent the permanent loss of the remote control input device.