Remote control signal transmitter capable of setting custom codes individually alloted to a plurality of controlled instruments

• US 4,412,218 A
• Filed: 02/17/1981
• Issued: 10/25/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nippon Electric Company Limited (NEC Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nippon Electric Company Limited (NEC Corporation)
• Inventors: Niitsu, Shigeo
• Primary Examiner(s): YUSKO, DONALD
• Application Number:
  US06/234,507
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• Field of Search: 340/168 B, 340/168 S, 340/365 S, 340/825.52, 340/825.56, 340/825.72, 340/825.83, 340/825.44, 340/825.76
• US Class Current: 340/12.22
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code

Abstract

A remote control signal transmitter generates a scan signal. A plurality of scan signal output terminals convey the scan signals to a key matrix circuit having a plurality of column lines and a plurality of row lines connected to the respective scan signal output terminals. Key input terminals are connected to the respective column lines. A custom code selection terminal is selectively connected to the scan signal output terminals in accordance with a custom code corresponding to an instrument to be controlled. The transmitter makes use of scan signals to provide the custom code of the instrument to be controlled. Therefore, only the instrument having this custom code can be activated by the transmitter, and the operating condition of the activated instrument is controlled by the subsequently transmitted key data.

Claims

1. A transmitter comprising generating means for generating cyclically recurring scan signals, scan signal output terminals through which said respective scan signals are output, a key matrix circuit means having a plurality of column lines and a plurality of row lines connected to said respective scan signal output terminals, key input terminals connected to said respective column lines, a custom code selection terminal, custom code designation means for selectively connecting said scan signal output terminals to said custom code selection terminal in accordance with a custom code corresponding to an identity of an instrument to be controlled, and output means for outputting a custom code derived from said custom code selection terminal and key data derived from said key matrix circuit.

2. A transmitter as claimed in claim 1, in which said custom code designation means comprises at least one diode which selectively connects said scan signal output terminals to said custom code selection terminal.

3. A transmitter for generating a signal for controlling an operation of an instrument in response to at least one pushed key switch, said transmitter including means comprising at least one output terminal for outputting cyclically recurring scan signals for detecting the condition of said key switch, at least one input terminal for receiving a detection signal indicating the key switch condition, custom code means including one custom code terminal for deriving a custom code alloted to identify said instrument to be controlled, and at least one unidirectional element for connecting said output terminal to said custom code terminal.

4. A transmitter comprising a keyboard section means having a plurality of key switches and row and column lines, a signal output circuit means for outputting scan signals to respective row lines of said keyboard section, a signal input circuit means supplied with signals from column lines of said keyboard section means, a custom code selection line means electrically connected to at least one of said row lines, a first counter circuit means in said signal output circuit means for generating said scan signals, a second counter circuit means in said signal input circuit means for encoding said signals from said column lines, a first register means for registering information obtained through said custom code selection line means, a second register means for registering data in said first and second counter circuit means, and output means for outputting data of said first and second register means.

5. A transmitter as claimed in claim 4, in which said output means outputs said data of said first and second register means after converting them into infrared ray signals.