Multi-function, multi-unit remote control system and method therefor
First Claim
1. A system for remotely controlling a plurality of devices responsive to transmitted multibit digital coded signals, with each device capable of performing a plurality of functions, said system comprising:
- a plurality of user responsive selector means for generating binary digital coded control signals in response to a single user input, said coded control signals including address indicia for addressing a particular device and function indicia for controlling a particular function in said addressed device;
first decoding means coupled to said selector means for receiving said coded control signals, said first decoding means responsive to said address indicia for generating a first signal for accessing only one of said plurality of devices;
second decoding means coupled to said selector means for receiving said coded control signals, said second decoding means responsive to said function indicia for generating a second signal for controlling a particular function in said addressed device;
ternary digital signal processing means coupled to said first and second decoding means and responsive to said first and second signals for generating a multibit coded ternary digital control signal in response thereto, said ternary digital control signal including said address and function indicia and comprised of a plurality of information elements having three possible states;
transmitter means coupled to said signal processing means and responsive to said ternary digital control signal for generating and providing said control signal to said plurality of devices; and
a timer circuit connected to said first and second decoding means, said ternary digital signal processing means and said transmitter means for providing clocking signals thereto in controlling signal flow therebetween.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for remotely controlling several devices in which both the indicia identifying the controlled device as well as the function indicia are generated by means of the selection of a single input control. A keyboard is bi-directionally scanned in detecting the user-selected input control signal. The control signal is then decoded to provide an indication of the function input signal as well as an indication of the particular device being addressed. The thus decoded signals are then used to generate a predetermined output pulse code for remotely controlling one of a plurality of functions in one of the plurality of controlled devices. The output pulse code includes a start bit (or bits) and various numbers and combinations of data bits depending upon the device addressed. The indicia identifying the controlled device are generated either by hard-wiring an address decoder to the user-operated input signal generator, i.e., a keyboard, or by storing address information in a programmable memory and recalling this information in response to the control input selected. The various devices controlled are responsive to unique start bit and data bit combinations in the form of ternary digital signals having three possible states which provide an increased number of available codes. The use of a single input control for generating device addresses as well as control function information eliminates the need for multiple control signal entries, a mode switch for selecting a particular device or for sequentially transmitting address and function control signals.
91 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A system for remotely controlling a plurality of devices responsive to transmitted multibit digital coded signals, with each device capable of performing a plurality of functions, said system comprising:
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a plurality of user responsive selector means for generating binary digital coded control signals in response to a single user input, said coded control signals including address indicia for addressing a particular device and function indicia for controlling a particular function in said addressed device; first decoding means coupled to said selector means for receiving said coded control signals, said first decoding means responsive to said address indicia for generating a first signal for accessing only one of said plurality of devices; second decoding means coupled to said selector means for receiving said coded control signals, said second decoding means responsive to said function indicia for generating a second signal for controlling a particular function in said addressed device; ternary digital signal processing means coupled to said first and second decoding means and responsive to said first and second signals for generating a multibit coded ternary digital control signal in response thereto, said ternary digital control signal including said address and function indicia and comprised of a plurality of information elements having three possible states; transmitter means coupled to said signal processing means and responsive to said ternary digital control signal for generating and providing said control signal to said plurality of devices; and a timer circuit connected to said first and second decoding means, said ternary digital signal processing means and said transmitter means for providing clocking signals thereto in controlling signal flow therebetween. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for selectively controlling various functions in a plurality of devices responsive to remotely generated multibit digitally coded control signals, said method comprising:
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generating a composite coded signal in response to a single user input, said composite coded signal including address and function indicia for selectively accessing one of said devices and for controlling one of said functions in said accessed device, respectively; decoding said composite signal and extracting said address and function indicia therefrom; generating a ternary digital signal in response to said decoded address and function indicia, said ternary digital signal comprised of a plurality of information elements having three possible states and arranged in a plurality of predetermined combinations; and transmitting said ternary digital signal to said plurality of devices with each device responsive to only one of said predetermined combinations of said information elements for selectively controlling one of said functions in one of said devices. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification