Remote controls for DVD players, hi-fis and TV sets needn’t run on batteries, says Korean company Domotion. The firm’s new remote control generates its own power using piezoelectric crystals that generate a short spark when pressed, just like the ones used in many gas cigarette lighters (patent application WO 2004/34730).
The remote can either use one piezo crystal, mechanically connected to all the buttons, or each function button can have its own crystal. When you press a button, a small transformer in the remote steps the high voltage down to 3 volts to power the remote and the infrared…
