Remote control device

Abstract

A remote control device and a method of assembly are provided. The remote control device may include a control unit and a holder. The holder may define a cavity that opens through a surface of the holder. The control unit may be seated in the cavity through the opening in the surface of the holder and recessed relative to the surface of the holder.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A remote control device programmable to control an architectural-structure covering, said remote control device comprising:
 a control unit including a plurality of interactive features, each of said plurality of interactive features being arranged and configured to control an operation of the architectural-structure covering, said control unit including:
 a body; and 
 a user interface including:
 a centrally-located interactive feature; 
 an intermediate ring of interactive features positioned concentrically around said centrally-located interactive feature; and 
 an outer ring of interactive features positioned concentrically around said intermediate ring of interactive features. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The remote control device of  claim 1 , wherein said centrally-located interactive feature includes a single interactive feature for controlling an operation of the architectural-structure covering. 
     
     
         3 . The remote control device of  claim 2 , wherein said intermediate ring of interactive features includes a plurality of interactive features for controlling a plurality of operations of the architectural-structure covering. 
     
     
         4 . The remote control device of  claim 2 , wherein said intermediate ring of interactive features includes four selectable positions for controlling the architectural-structure covering. 
     
     
         5 . The remote control device of  claim 3 , wherein said outer ring of interactive features includes a plurality interactive features for controlling a plurality of operations of the architectural-structure covering. 
     
     
         6 . The remote control device of  claim 5 , wherein said plurality interactive features of said outer ring of interactive features includes a plurality of separate and distinct buttons. 
     
     
         7 . The remote control device of  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of separate and distinct buttons includes eight separate and distinct buttons. 
     
     
         8 . The remote control device of  claim 6 , wherein said outer ring of interactive features further includes an engagement feature positioned between two of said plurality of buttons. 
     
     
         9 . The remote control device of  claim 9 , wherein said engagement feature is arranged and configured as a curved segment including a radius similar to a radius of said outer ring of interactive features. 
     
     
         10 . The remote control device of  claim 9 , wherein said engagement feature is inoperable to control the architectural-structure covering and is not associated with any electronic circuitry housed within said control unit. 
     
     
         11 . The remote control device of  claim 9 , wherein said engagement feature is a non-functional button. 
     
     
         12 . The remote control device of  claim 1 , wherein said outer ring of interactive features is arranged and configured as a curved segment of interactive features. 
     
     
         13 . The remote control device of  claim 13 , wherein said curved segment of interactive features is arranged along an outer peripheral portion of said user interface. 
     
     
         14 . The remote control device of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of interactive features are selected from one of buttons, touch screen surfaces, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The remote control device of  claim 1 , wherein said body houses a power supply and circuitry for controlling and communicating with the architectural-structure covering. 
     
     
         16 . The remote control device of  claim 16 , wherein said body further comprises a removable cover selectively couplable to said body for accessing said power supply and circuitry. 
     
     
         17 . The remote control device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said remote control device is arranged and configured to be mounted to a wall; and   said remote control device including a wall mount for mounting said remote control unit to the wall.   
     
     
         18 . The remote control device of  claim 1 , wherein said control unit is cylindrically-shaped. 
     
     
         19 . The remote control device of  claim 1 , further comprising a holder, said holder including a cavity, said control unit being positionable within said cavity of said holder. 
     
     
         20 . A remote control device programmable to control an architectural-structure covering, the remote control device comprising:
 a control unit including a plurality of interactive features, each of said plurality of interactive features being arranged and configured to control an operation of the architectural-structure covering, said control unit including:
 a body housing circuitry for controlling and communicating with the architectural-structure covering; and 
 a user interface including:
 a centrally-located interactive feature including one interactive feature arranged and configured to control one operation of the architectural-structure covering; 
 an intermediate ring of interactive features positioned concentrically around said centrally-located interactive feature, said intermediate ring of interactive features arranged and configured to control four operations of the architectural-structure covering; and 
 an outer ring of interactive features positioned concentrically around said intermediate ring of interactive features, said outer ring of interactive features including a plurality of buttons for controlling a plurality of operations of the architectural-structure covering. 
 
   
     
     
         21 . The remote control device of  claim 21 , wherein said plurality of buttons are arranged and configured so that movement of one of said plurality of buttons toward said body causes said control unit to generate a control signal and transmit said control signal from said control unit to the architectural-structure covering. 
     
     
         22 . The remote control device of  claim 21 , wherein said plurality of buttons includes eight separate and distinct buttons.