Method of Adding Wireless Remote Control to Audio Playback Devices Equipped for Wired Remote Control

• US 20040171346A1
• Filed: 01/05/2004
• Published: 09/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Tena Technology, LLC (Concert Technology Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ten Ventures Inc.
• Inventors: Lin, John
• Application Number:
  US10/752,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20040171346A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/3.05
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure

A method for providing wireless remote control capability to an audio playback device equipped with wired control capability is described. The method includes the steps of receiving a wireless signal in a base station coupled to the audio playback device; decoding the wireless signal; and, generating a command compatible with the audio playback device based on the wireless signal. An apparatus for implementing the method is also described.

Claims

1. A method for providing wireless remote control capability to an audio playback device equipped with wired control capability comprising the steps of:

receiving a wireless signal in a base station coupled to the audio playback device;

decoding the wireless signal; and

,

generating a command compatible with the audio playback device based on the wireless signal.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting the command to the audio playback device.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of determining if the wireless signal is a valid signal.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of advancing a sleep timer if the wireless signal is not a valid signal.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of configuring the base station to plug into the audio playback device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication is accomplished through a mode of transmission selected from a group consisting of infrared and radio frequency.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the radio frequency mode of transmission conforms to a protocol selected from a group consisting of Bluetooth and WiFi.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of connecting the base station to the audio playback device using a wired remote connector.

18. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of connecting the base station to the audio playback device using a docking port.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of connecting the base station to the audio playback device using a connector configured to carry wired remote signals.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting a base station signal from the base station to a remote control unit.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the base station signal is an audio signal.

8. An apparatus for adding wireless remote control to an audio playback device configured to receive a wired controller comprising:

a receiver, the receiver configured to receive a wireless communication;

a processing circuit coupled to the receiver, the processing circuit configured to translate the received wireless communication into a command understood by the audio playback device; and

,

a connector configured to couple the circuit to the audio playback device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising:

a remote control device including;

a transmitter; and

a display.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the display indicates the status of the audio playback device.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the receiver comprises an infrared signal detector.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the receiver comprises a radio frequency receiver.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a base station transmitter.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the base station transmitter transmits an audio signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the base station transmitter transmits a data signal related to the status of the audio playback device.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the base station transmitter transmits a control signal to control the remote control device.

24. The apparatus of claim 9, where the remote control device includes an audio connector.

25. The apparatus of claim 9, where the remote control device includes a headphone connector.

22. The method of claim 22, wherein the base station signal is a data signal.

21. The method of claim 22, wherein the base station signal is a control signal.