Infrared repeater system, method, and adjustable brightness emitter therefor

• US 7,228,074 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2003
• Issued: 06/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Audioplex Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Audioplex Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Sands, George G., Devine, William T. III
• Primary Examiner(s): SINGH, DALZID E
• Application Number:
  US10/629,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20050025495A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,407 Days
• Field of Search: 398/115, 398/106, 398/112, 398/136, 398/114, 398/138
• US Class Current: 398/106
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/114 Indoor or close-range type systems

Abstract

An IR emitter for use in an IR repeater system includes an IR light source and a manually adjustable brightness control for adjusting the brightness to a level appropriate for an IR detector of electronic equipment to be controlled. In a preferred aspect, the emitter includes a plug-type connector having a variable resistor mounted therein. Also provided is an IR repeater system and method employing an IR emitter having a manually adjustable brightness control.

Claims

1. An IR repeater system comprising:

an IR detector for detecting an IR light signal and generating an electrical signal in response thereto;

a transmitter coupled to the IR detector for generating an output IR signal;

a IR emitter electrically coupled to the transmitter for emitting an IR light signal, said IR emitter comprising an IR light source and a manually adjustable brightness control;

said IR emitter further including a connector plug for removably connecting the IR emitter to said transmitter, said connector plug having a housing; and

said manually adjustable brightness control including a variable resistor electrically coupled to the IR light source and received within said housing, the variable resistor having a rotatable shaft for adjusting the resistance of said variable resistor extending at least partially through an aperture in said housing.

2. The IR repeater system of claim 1, wherein said IR light signal represents a coded signal modulated by a modulating signal and further comprising a receiver for receiving said coded signal.

3. The IR repeater system of claim 1 wherein said IR light source is an LED.

4. The IR repeater system of claim 1, wherein said IR detector is located remotely with respect to said IR emitter.

5. The IR repeater system of claim 1, wherein the connector plug comprises a ⅛

-inch monaural plug.

6. The IR repeater system of claim 1, wherein the variable resistor and the IR light source are connected in series.

7. The IR repeater system of claim 1, wherein the IR light source comprises an LED mounted in a housing adapted to be attached directly over an IR detector of a device to be controlled.

8. An IR repeater system comprising:

an IR detector for detecting an IR light signal and generating an electrical signal in response thereto;

a transmitter coupled to the IR detector for generating an output IR signal;

a IR emitter electrically coupled to the transmitter for emitting an IR light signal, said IR emitter comprising a housing, an IR source, and a manually adjustable brightness control;

said manually adjustable brightness control including a variable resistor electrically coupled to the IR light source and contained within said housing; and

said variable resistor having a rotatable shaft for adjusting the resistance of the variable resistor extending at least partially through an aperture in said housing.

9. The IR repeater system of claim 8, wherein the IR emitter comprises a pair of wire leads.

10. The IR repeater system of claim 8, wherein the said IR light source is an LED.

11. The IR repeater system of claim 8, wherein the housing is adapted to be attached directly over an IR detector of a device to be controlled.

12. In an IR repeater system of a type comprising an infrared receiver for receiving an incoming IR signal and an infrared transmitter for transmitting a substantial replica of the incoming IR signal, an IR emitter comprising:

an IR light source and a manually adjustable brightness control including a housing and a variable resistor electrically coupled to the IR light source and received within said housing, the variable resistor having a rotatable shaft for adjusting the resistance of said variable resistor extending at least partially through an aperture in said housing.