Methods and apparatus for controlling multiple infrared devices
First Claim
1. A system for transmitting signals to a plurality of optically controlled devices, wherein each of the optically controlled devices respond in a similar fashion to a given optical input signal, comprising:
- a device for generating an electrical signal;
a switching unit, coupled to the device, for selectively transmitting the electrical signal; and
a plurality of light emitting devices, connected to the switching unit in a respective fashion, for generating and transmitting an optical output signal to the optically controlled device in response to the electrical signal received from the switching unit, such that only a subset of the plurality of optically controlled devices receive the optical output signal based on a position of the switching unit, wherein the device further generates a control signal to the switching unit to select a light emitting device from the plurality of light emitting devices to receive the electrical signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for controlling a plurality of infrared devices (ICDs) is provided herein. A remote controller is used to generate an optical signal for controlling a plurality of ICDs. The optical signal generated by the remote controller is converted into an electrical signal by an infrared repeater device. An implementation of such a system includes a rotary mechanical switch to direct the electrical signal generated by the infrared repeater device to a light emitting diode (LED) located near one of the plurality of ICDs. The LED converts the electrical signal into an optical signal and re-transmits the optical signal to the one of the plurality of ICDs. The system allows controlling the plurality of ICDs located in a remote location without having the user commute closer to such ICDs.
17 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A system for transmitting signals to a plurality of optically controlled devices, wherein each of the optically controlled devices respond in a similar fashion to a given optical input signal, comprising:
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a device for generating an electrical signal; a switching unit, coupled to the device, for selectively transmitting the electrical signal; and a plurality of light emitting devices, connected to the switching unit in a respective fashion, for generating and transmitting an optical output signal to the optically controlled device in response to the electrical signal received from the switching unit, such that only a subset of the plurality of optically controlled devices receive the optical output signal based on a position of the switching unit, wherein the device further generates a control signal to the switching unit to select a light emitting device from the plurality of light emitting devices to receive the electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for controlling multiple optically controlled devices comprising:
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a device configured to generate an electrical signal; a switching unit adapted to output the electrical signal to one of a plurality of conductors; a plurality of infrared emitting devices connected to the plurality of conductors in a respective fashion and configured to generate an optical signal in response to the electrical signal; and a plurality of infrared responsive devices in optical communication with the plurality of infrared emitting devices, wherein each of the plurality of infrared responsive devices responds similarly to the optical signal, and only a subset of the plurality of infrared responsive devices receives the optical signal based on a state of the switching unit, and wherein the device further generates a control signal to the switching unit to select a light emitting device from the plurality of light emitting devices to receive the electrical signal. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of selectively transmitting an electrical signal to a plurality of light emitting devices comprising:
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generating the electrical signal by a computer; selecting one of a plurality of conductors by a demultiplexer, wherein selecting one of the plurality of conductors comprises changing a control input signal of the demultiplexer; and transmitting the electrical signal by the selected conductor to one of the plurality of light emitting devices to generate an optical signal from the one of the plurality of light emitting devices, wherein the light emitting device is selected by the selection of one of the plurality of conductors, and wherein changing the control input signal comprises generating the control input signal in the computer and transmitting the control input signal from the computer to the demultiplexer. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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Specification