Telephone VCR control

• US 4,841,562 A
• Filed: 07/24/1987
• Issued: 06/20/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Steven Lem
• Original Assignee: Steven Lem
• Inventors: Lem, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Jin F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chan, Wing Fu
• Application Number:
  US07/077,439
• Time in Patent Office: 697 Days
• Field of Search: 379/102, 379/104, 379/105, 379/74, 379/66, 358/194.1, 360/79, 455/603, 455/607
• US Class Current: 379/102.03
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/007 with remote control systems remote control in general G08C

Abstract

The invention is an add-on device which allows programming of an existing VCR (video cassette recorder) via standard phone lines. With it attached to a VCR, the user is able to call home and advance program the invention to turn on the VCR at a certain time, change to a desired channel, and start and stop recording at a certain time. These commands would be transferred and entered through the use of standard telephone "Touch Tone" signals. A voice-synthesized response from the invention would return through the phone lines to verify correct instructions. No electrical connection is made directly to the VCR. In addition, no permanent physical or visual alterations of the VCR are made. Thus, the invention is designed to remain mounted to the rear of the VCR indefinitely, since it will not hinder the normal functioning of the VCR, nor its remote control. It also may be removed without damage and installed on another VCR, if desired.

Claims

1. A processor based controller for a video cassette recorder, comprising:

a transceiver means to electrically connect to a telephone line to transmit or receive signals,

a converter means to convert Touch Tone signals to digital words,

an amplifying means to increase said processor'"'"'s signal to

an infrared light emitting device.

an infrared light emitting device coupled to a first fiber optic assembly which transfers said diode'"'"'s light output to the VCR'"'"'s remote sensor,

a light detecting and quantifying means to receive light transferred by a second fiber optic assembly from the VCR'"'"'s channel display, and to convert its intensity into a digital word, and a memory unit for storing programmed functions of the controller,

a data entry means for entering codes to modify the processor'"'"'s operations to suit different types of VCR.

2. A claim as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a voice synthesizer which creates a human speech pattern electronically to provide voice feedback to the user over the telephone line.

3. A claim as claimed in claim 1, further including:

a first circuit module which connects to the controller of claim 1, with means to modulate and demodulate signals onto/from house power line, to a second circuit module,

a jack provided on said contorller of claim 1 to connect said first circuit module to controller,

said second circuit module connected to telephone line and house power line, with means to modulate and demodulate signals onto/from house power line, to said first circuit module

a transceiver means to electrically connect to a telephone line included in said second circuit module to transmit or receive signals.

4. A claim as claimed in claim 3, further including:

a voice synthesizer which creates a human speech pattern electronically to provide voice feedback to the user over the telephone line, and is physically mounted in said second circuit module.