System for extending the effective operational range of an infrared remote control system
First Claim
1. In combination with an infrared remote control system, an extender system for extending the effective operational range of said remote control system, said remote control system having a remote control unit with an infrared transmitter and a controlled device having an infrared receiver remote from the infrared transmitter, the remote control unit having a housing with an interior component compartment and a first infrared emitter at least partially contained within said compartment, said extender system comprising:
- (a) a first repeater contained within said compartment physically adjacent said first infrared emitter, said repeater having(1) means for receiving a first infrared signal from said first infrared emitter and for generating a first electrical signal representative thereof,(2) means responsive to said first electrical signal for transmitting a first radio signal representative of said first electrical signal, and(b) a second repeater physically adjacent the controlled device having(1) means for receiving said first radio signal and for generating a second electrical signal representative thereof, and(2) means responsive to said second electrical signal for transmitting a second infrared signal representative thereof toward the controlled device;
wherein said means for receiving said first infrared signal comprises an infrared photodetector;
wherein said means for transmitting said second infrared signal comprises a second infrared emitter; and
wherein a signal electrical power source electrically powers both the remote control unit and the repeater contained within said remote control unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is disclosed for extending the effective operational range of an infrared remote control system. The infrared remote control system is of the type having a remote control unit with a housing defining an interior component compartment. An infrared transmitter is at least partially contained within the component compartment while the controlled device includes an infrared receiver. The extender system includes a first repeater which is contained within the component compartment closely adjacent the infrared transmitter. An infrared receiver is contained within the first repeater and generates an output signal representative of the infrared signal received from the remote control unit. A radio transmitter at the first repeater then transmits a radio signal to a radio receiver at a second repeater which is physically adjacent the controlled device or devices. The radio receiver generates a second electrical signal representative of the received radio signal and this second electrical signal activates an infrared transmitter which transmits an infrared signal to the controlled device.
69 Citations
1 Claim
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1. In combination with an infrared remote control system, an extender system for extending the effective operational range of said remote control system, said remote control system having a remote control unit with an infrared transmitter and a controlled device having an infrared receiver remote from the infrared transmitter, the remote control unit having a housing with an interior component compartment and a first infrared emitter at least partially contained within said compartment, said extender system comprising:
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(a) a first repeater contained within said compartment physically adjacent said first infrared emitter, said repeater having (1) means for receiving a first infrared signal from said first infrared emitter and for generating a first electrical signal representative thereof, (2) means responsive to said first electrical signal for transmitting a first radio signal representative of said first electrical signal, and (b) a second repeater physically adjacent the controlled device having (1) means for receiving said first radio signal and for generating a second electrical signal representative thereof, and (2) means responsive to said second electrical signal for transmitting a second infrared signal representative thereof toward the controlled device; wherein said means for receiving said first infrared signal comprises an infrared photodetector; wherein said means for transmitting said second infrared signal comprises a second infrared emitter; and wherein a signal electrical power source electrically powers both the remote control unit and the repeater contained within said remote control unit.
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Specification