Control signal repeater system
First Claim
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1. A control signal repeater system for receiving infrared (IR) control signals at a first location and for causing duplicate control signals to be output at a second location to an IR-controlled device at a third location which includes an IR detector with connecting wires, without directing a duplicate IR control signal into the IR-controlled device, comprising:
- a) receiver means at the first location for receiving the IR control signals and for outputting a first signal containing control information from the IR control signals;
b) signal receiver means at the second location for receiving said first signal from said receiver means and for outputting a second signal containing said control information from the IR control signals;
c) signal transmitter means at the second location for receiving said second signal and for transmitting a non-light energy signal directly into said connecting wires of the IR-controlled device to induce voltage signals therein containing said control information from the IR control signals whereby said IR detector is bypassed; and
wherein,d) the IR-controlled device at the third location has said connecting wires connecting said IR detector to a control logic which responds to electrical control signals in said connecting wires.
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Abstract
This is a method and associated apparatus for operating a control signal repeater system to receive infrared (IR) control signals at a first location and cause duplicate control signals to be input at a second location to an IR-controlled device containing an IR detector with connecting wires without creating a duplicate IR signal at the location of the controlled device. This is accomplished by directing voltage-inducing energy into the wires of the IR detector in the controlled device so that the signals are induced directly into the wiring to be amplified and used without the need for first generating an IR beam into the IR detector.
29 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A control signal repeater system for receiving infrared (IR) control signals at a first location and for causing duplicate control signals to be output at a second location to an IR-controlled device at a third location which includes an IR detector with connecting wires, without directing a duplicate IR control signal into the IR-controlled device, comprising:
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a) receiver means at the first location for receiving the IR control signals and for outputting a first signal containing control information from the IR control signals; b) signal receiver means at the second location for receiving said first signal from said receiver means and for outputting a second signal containing said control information from the IR control signals; c) signal transmitter means at the second location for receiving said second signal and for transmitting a non-light energy signal directly into said connecting wires of the IR-controlled device to induce voltage signals therein containing said control information from the IR control signals whereby said IR detector is bypassed; and
wherein,d) the IR-controlled device at the third location has said connecting wires connecting said IR detector to a control logic which responds to electrical control signals in said connecting wires. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a control signal repeater system for receiving infrared (IR) control signals by a receiver at a first location and for outputting a first signal containing control information from the IR control signals to a second location where duplicate control signals are output to an IR-controlled device at a third location containing an IR detector with connecting wires connecting the IR detector to a control logic which responds to electrical signals in said connecting wires where said electrical control signals are typically output by said IR detector in response to IR signals entering the IR detector, a signal repeater for controlling the IR-controlled device without directing a duplicate IR control signal into the IR-controlled device, comprising:
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a) signal receiver means at the second location for receiving said first signal from said receiver and for outputting a second signal containing said control information from the IR control signals; and
,b) signal transmitter means at the second location for receiving said second signal and for transmitting a non-light energy signal directly into said connecting wires of the IR-controlled device at the third location to induce voltage signals therein containing said control information from the IR signal repeater whereby said IR detector is bypassed. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of operating a control signal repeater system to receive infrared (IR) control signals at a first location and cause duplicate control signals to be output at a second location to an IR-controlled device at a third location containing an IR detector with connecting wires connecting the IR detector to a control logic which responds to electrical signals in said connecting wires where said electrical control signals are typically output by said IR detector in response to IR signals entering the IR detector without directing a duplicate IR control signal into the IR-controlled device, comprising the steps of:
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a) at the first location, a1) receiving the IR control signals, and a2) outputting a first signal containing control information from the IR control signals; and
,b) at the second location, b1) receiving the first signal, b2) outputting a second signal containing said control information from the IR control signals, and b3) transmitting a non-light energy signal corresponding to the second signal directly into said connecting wires of the IR-controlled device at the third location to induce voltage signals therein containing said control information from the IR control signals whereby said IR detector is bypassed. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeSensory Science Corporation (SONICblue Incorporated)
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Original AssigneeGO-Video Incorporated (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
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InventorsBerkheimer, John R., VanZeeland, Anthony J.
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Primary Examiner(s)Bacares, Raphael
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Application NumberUS07/989,941Time in Patent Office502 DaysField of Search359/142, 359/145, 359/146, 359/147, 359/148, 359/176, 455/128, 455/129, 455/351, 455/352, 340/825.69, 340/825.71US Class Current398/126CPC Class CodesG08C 2201/40 Remote control systems usin...H04B 1/205 with control bus for exchan...
