Wireless output system for audio/video equipment

• US 20060150221A1
• Filed: 01/06/2005
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IDT Sonicvision Limited
• Original Assignee: IDT Sonicvision Limited
• Inventors: Chan, Raymond
• Application Number:
  US11/029,337
• Publication Number:
  US 20060150221A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/81
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/436 Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/028 Structural combinations of loudspeakers with built-in power amplifiers, e.g. in the same acoustic enclosure H04R2499/10 takes precedence; Single (sub)woofer with two or more satellite loudspeakers for mid- and high-frequency band reproduction driven via the (sub)woofer H04R2205/026
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/04 Circuit arrangements, e.g. for selective connection of amplifier inputs/outputs to loudspeakers, for loudspeaker detection, or for adaptation of settings to personal preferences or hearing impairments combinations of amplifiers H03F3/68; stereophonic systems H04S

Abstract

A wireless output system for AV (audio and/or video) equipment, comprises a base unit for use with the equipment and an output unit for use elsewhere, the two units being communicable with each other via a wireless link. The base unit transmits a wireless AV signal corresponding to an AV signal received from the equipment for reception by the output unit, receives a wireless control signal from the output unit, and transmits a wireless control signal based on the one received for reception by the equipment. The output unit receives the wireless AV signal from the base unit and reproduces sound/image based on the received signal, receives a wireless control signal from a remote controller for the equipment, and transmits a wireless control signal corresponding to the one received for reception by the base unit.

Claims

1. A wireless output system for use with audio and/or video equipment with an associated remote controller, which system comprises:

a base unit for use with the equipment and an output unit for use at a remote location, the base and output units communicating with each other via a wireless link, wherein

the base unit comprises

an input for connection to the equipment for receiving an audio and/or video signal from the equipment;

a first transmitter for transmitting a wireless audio and/or video signal corresponding to the audio and/or video signal received at the input, for reception by the output unit;

a receiver for receiving a first wireless control signal from the output unit; and

a second transmitter for transmitting a second wireless control signal, based on the first wireless control signal received by the receiver, for reception by the equipment;

the output unit comprises

a first receiver for receiving the wireless audio and/or video signal from the base unit;

an output device for reproducing sound and/or an image based on the wireless audio and/or video signal received by the first receiver;

a second receiver for receiving a third wireless control signal from the remote controller; and

a transmitter for transmitting a fourth wireless control signal, corresponding to the third wireless control signal received by the second receiver, for reception by the base unit.

2. The wireless output system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless link for communication between the base unit and the output unit comprises a radio frequency link.

3. The wireless output system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless link for communication between the base unit and the output unit comprises a digital radio frequency link.

4. The wireless output system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wireless link for communication between the base unit and the output unit comprises a full duplex radio frequency link.

5. The wireless output system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wireless link is based on a frequency of substantially 5.8 GHz.

6. The wireless output system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second receiver of the output unit comprises an infrared receiver for receiving an infrared control signal from the remote controller, and the second transmitter of the base unit comprises an infrared transmitter for transmitting substantially the infrared control signal to the equipment.

7. The wireless output system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second transmitter of the base unit comprises a plurality of infrared light emitting diodes arranged to emit infrared light in substantially all angular directions.

8. The wireless output system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output unit includes a speaker and a volume control circuit associated with the speaker to control volume of the sound produced by the speakers based on the wireless audio signal received by the first receiver, according to the third wireless control signal received by the second receiver.

9. The wireless output system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the wireless audio signal for the operation of the volume control circuit comprises volume up, volume down, and mute signals.

10. The wireless output system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the output unit includes a learning circuit associated with the second receiver for learning and recognizing the third wireless control signal for operation of the volume control circuit, and a memory for saving data of the third wireless control signal learned.

11. The wireless output system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output device comprises a display screen with a speaker for reproducing images and sound originating from the equipment.

12. The wireless output system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the audio signal from the equipment includes at least one of text data and image data, and the output unit processes and displays the at least one of text data and image data on the display screen.