Infrared communication apparatus for remote site applications

• US 4,882,747 A
• Filed: 05/12/1988
• Issued: 11/21/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jerry A. Williams
• Original Assignee: Jerry A. Williams
• Inventors: Williams, Jerry
• Primary Examiner(s): Ng, Jin F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Application Number:
  US07/193,016
• Time in Patent Office: 558 Days
• Field of Search: 358/194.1, 455/603, 379/105, 379/104, 379/102, 379/96
• US Class Current: 379/102.03
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/15 Conference systems

Abstract

An infrared communication device for simultaneously controlling video display systems at a plurality of locations from a single master site. The system is useful with, for example, a teleconferencing system that includes a conventional infrared remote control unit at each conference site and a video display system under the control of an infrared signal transmitted by the remote control unit. the infrared communication device includes an infrared receiver for receiving an infrared control signal, a microprocessor for digitizing the received signal, and a modem. The device also includes an infrared transmitter for retransmitting an infrared control signal identical to the original infrared control signal to the video display system at the master site. A corresponding digitized signal is provided to the modem which communicates with the off-site location over commercial phone lines. The slave modem receives the incoming digital signal which is decoded and then retransmitted as an infrared control signal at that site. A plurality of such infrared communication devices may be used at a plurality of conferencing locations and used in various master/slave modes. In a broad aspect, the communication device may be adapted for use with any infrared light activated video control system and to control systems other than video display systems.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising:

a first infrared control unit at a first site;

a video display system under control of an infrared signal transmitted by said first control unit;

a second infrared control unit at a second site;

a second video display system under control of an infrared signal transmitted by said second control unit; and

a first infrared communication device at said first site and a second infrared communication device at said second site, each said infrared communication device comprising;

an infrared receiver for receiving an infrared control signal from the control unit at its site;

a microprocessor for decoding said received control signal to generate digitized control signals;

an infrared transmitter for retransmitting a regenerated infrared control signal to the display system at its site;

a modem for communicating and receiving digitized control signals over phone communication lines to the other site; and

a phone at each site for establishing a phone line communication link for said modem with said other site.

2. The invention of claim 1 and wherein said first and second communication devices are configured in a master/slave relationship for simultaneously displaying the same video images.

3. The invention of claim 1 and wherein each of said first and second control unit is a hand-held remote infrared transmitter having a key pad control.

4. A communication system comprising:

a first infrared control unit at a first site;

a video display system under control of an infrared signal transmitted by said first control unit;

a second infrared control unit at a second site;

a second video display system under control of an infrared signal transmitted by said second control unit; and

a first infrared communication device at said first site and a second infrared communication device at said second site, each of said infrared communication devices comprising;

an infrared receiver for receiving an infrared control signal from the control unit at its site;

a microprocessor for decoding said received control signal to generate digitized control signals;

an infrared transmitter for retransmitting a regenerated infrared control signal to the display system at its site;

a modem for communicating and receiving digitized control signals over phone communication lines to the other site; and

a phone at each site for establishing a phone line communication link for said modem with said other site,

said communication system further comprising a plurality of said first infrared communication devices disposed in series at a master site for simultaneously communicating over phone lines to a plurality of said second infrared communication devices at a corresponding plurality of second slave sites.

5. In a video display system having an infrared control device, and a video device controlled by an infrared control signal transmitted by said control device, an infrared communication device comprising:

an infrared receiver disposed between said control device and said video device for receiving said infrared control signal;

a microprocessor for decoding said received control signal to generate digitized control signals;

an infrared transmitter coupled to said microprocessor for repeating transmission of said infrared control signal to said video device; and

a modem for communicating said digitized control signal over a phone link to an off-site location.

6. An infrared light activated communication device comprising:

an infrared light activated receiver for receiving an infrared light control signal;

a microprocessor coupled to said receiver for digitizing said received control signal;

a modem coupled to said microprocessor for communicating and receiving digitized control signals over phone communication lines; and

an infrared transmitter for repeating transmission of said light control signal.

7. The invention of claim 6 further comprising:

a plurality of said infrared communication devices disposed in series for simultaneously providing a corresponding plurality of identical output control signals.