RF remotes: Consumer electronics' next big thing

摘要

During the short history of television remote controls, engineers have attempted several different technical schemes to make the remote more user-friendly. Early examples from the 1950s used wires, or a beam of light, or ultrasonic sound to change channels and control thernvolume, with obvious limitations. The photoelectric cells in the light beam, for example, could not tell the difference between a flashlight, an ordinary table lamp, or even sunlight, leading to some chaotic television viewing.