RF based display control system
First Claim
1. A system to centrally control a plurality of network devices, the system comprising:
- a. an RF distribution system;
b. a plurality of receiver devices coupled to the RF distribution system;
c. one or more of a plurality of network devices coupled to each receiver device; and
d. a central control point coupled to the RF distribution network to provide one-directional signaling from the central control point through the RF distribution network and the plurality of receivers to the plurality of network devices, wherein the central control point transmits control signals to a select one or more of the plurality of network devices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A radio frequency (RF) based control system includes a master transmitter and a control device that utilize an RF distribution system, such as a master antenna television (MATV) system, to send remote control commands to remotely connected network devices. Each control command is addressed by group to reach several network devices at the same time or is addressed by a single device. The control system is configured to provide signaling in one direction, from the control device to the network devices. Status feed back is not provided by a network device to the control device. Each network device is a display device, such as a television. Alternatively, each network device is any device capable of being controlled be an external means.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A system to centrally control a plurality of network devices, the system comprising:
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a. an RF distribution system;
b. a plurality of receiver devices coupled to the RF distribution system;
c. one or more of a plurality of network devices coupled to each receiver device; and
d. a central control point coupled to the RF distribution network to provide one-directional signaling from the central control point through the RF distribution network and the plurality of receivers to the plurality of network devices, wherein the central control point transmits control signals to a select one or more of the plurality of network devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of centrally controlling a plurality of network devices, the method comprising:
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a. coupling a central control point to an RF distribution system;
b. coupling a plurality of receiver devices to the RF distribution system;
c. coupling one or more of a plurality of network devices to each receiver device;
d. configuring a unidirectional signaling path from the central control point through the RF distribution network and the plurality of receivers to each of the plurality of network devices;
e. generating control signals at the central control point; and
e. transmitting the control signals via the unidirectional signaling path to a select one or more of the plurality of network devices. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A central control point to control one or more network devices, the central control point comprising:
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a. a network interface; and
b. a controller coupled to the network interface to provide one-directional signaling through an RF distribution network to one or more network devices, wherein the controller transmits control signals to a select one or more of the one or more network devices. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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- 26. A receiver device coupled to an RF distribution system and to one or more network devices, wherein the receiver device is configured to provide a one-directional signaling path from the RF distribution system through the receiver device to the one or more network devices, further wherein the receiver device receives control signals originating from a central control point via the RF distribution system, converts the control signals to control commands, and transmits the control commands to the one or more network devices.
Specification