What is Remote?
A remote is an electronic device, usually hand-held, hardware device that allows users to control other devices or objects, such as a radio, television, DVD players, stereo systems, or audio/video recording device. For instance, the AC remote can be used to perform many functions of AC, like turn on and off, change the Colling temperature of the AC, and more.
A TV remote is also used to change the channel, volume, color, and turn on/off the TV. In 1956, the first wireless TV remote was invented by Dr. Robert Adler of Zenith. Before introducing the cordless remote, TV remotes had wires attached from the TV to the remote. A remote control is usually used the infrared signals to perform tasks and sometimes uses radio frequency signals.
Most of the remote controls are done by infrared signals using an infrared diode, which generates (a 940-nanometer wavelength LED) an invisible beam of light. To modulate carrier signals and demodulate the received signals, the multichannel remote control is used Sophisticated technology. Also, it separates the signals by using a variety of frequency filters for performing different functions of remote control. However, to operate the device, these infrared signals require to be in a straight line.
Some of the remote controls do not require line of sight to the device being controlled as they are done by radio frequency signals. These types of remote controls can be focused in one direction or multidirectional. There are some applications where radio frequency remote control is widely used, such as burglar alarms, garage door openers, wireless home alarm systems, and automatic barrier control.
Different types of remote
Typically, there are three types of remote control, which are given below:
- Infrared remote control
- Voice control
- Radio remote control
Infrared remote control: It needs a line of sight and uses light to operate the destination device. For example, a television remote is a kind of infrared remote control. To operate this, you are required to carry it to the direction of the receiver. Additionally, it is easy to encode with multi-function remote control and has a lower cost.
Voice control: It is also known as an ultrasonic remote control that is a street lights switch along the staircase corridor. It is a very simple remote control, as it can get input from the sound of users. Even sometimes do not require a specialized remote control, you are only required to speak loudly.
Radio remote control: It is used to operate or control far objects. It controls the devices with the help of a variety of radio signals, which are transmitted by the remote-control device. It is used with garage door openers, car-alarm fobs, automatic barrier systems, radio-controlled toys, and industrial automation systems. Also, this technology is showing up in many other applications. These types of remote control come with the best performance as they have a complex circuit. The cost is very high in these kinds of remote control and has the ability to control the farthest distance devices.
History of Remote Control
As we all know very well, the remote control made our lives very easy. As without leaving your seat, you can change the channel, volume, colors, and turn on or off the TV. Also, with a press of a button, you unlock your car doors.
The First Remote Control
In the 1800s, the remote control was made for the first time. In 1898, the first wireless remote control was invented by Serbian-American inventor, Nikola Tesla. He used it to control the miniature boat through radio waves and gave it name the teleautomaton.
The Wireless Robot
Leonardo Torres invented a robot named Telekino with its own remote control in 1903. The electromagnetic waves technology became a pioneer in the field of a remote control when it was used by Torres to control the robot. Later, he guided a boat wirelessly and demonstrated the Telekino technology. Also, he had plans to control a torpedo with the help of a remote-control device.
The Military Use of Remote Controls
The first remote control plane was flown in around 1930. During the Second World War, the military used remote-control technology, and they worked extensively. Radio manufacturers were also using remote controls, and the Philco Mystery Control became the first consumer electronic device in 1939. It used a low-frequency radio transmitter as it was a wireless remote control.
The development of TV remote
The first TV remote was invented by Zenith Radio Corporation in 1950. To use this remote, you were required to use the TV remote control accurately at the photoelectronic sensors, and sometimes it was unable to work properly. Therefore, its use was difficult. The television had four sensors on each corner, these sensors were responding to the sun, lamps and ceiling lights, and sensitive to light. These functions were often caused to changes in the unexpected channel. But this was beneficial than to go near the TV to change the channel, volume by buttons available on TVs.
Robert Adler, of Zenith, invented the Space Command control in 1956. The Space Command used high-frequency ultrasonic sound to make the remote work, rather than to depend on the light. These remotes were included four buttons, such as ON, OFF, channel up, and channel down. They were not contained the volume control buttons.
In 1970, all-electronic remote control invented by RCA that uses digital signals and a memory MOSFET, which stands for metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor. Instead of motor-driven tuning controls, it was widely followed by color television.
Before using the infrared light signals in remotes, the ultrasonic sound was the standard for TV remotes till 1980. Then the infrared light signals were started to use in remotes, and soon remotes were available everywhere. The average American home had four remotes at the beginning of the year 2000, which were providing a way to the development and completing need of the universal remote.
Using Your Mobile Device as a Remote Control
Nowadays, a smartphone can also be used as a universal remote, which allows you to control your television and more other equipment around your home. As the popularity of smartphones are increasing day by day, people are using it for everything, as well as a remote control. Definitely, our life has been made very easy with remote control systems.