Relaying key code signals through a remote control device
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method comprising:
- (a) receiving a keystroke indicator signal from a remote control device, wherein the keystroke indicator signal indicates a key on said remote control device that a user has selected;
(b) generating a key code within a key code generator device using the keystroke indicator signal, wherein said key code is part of a codeset that controls an electronic consumer device;
(c) modulating said key code onto a carrier signal, thereby generating a key code signal;
(d) transmitting said key code signal from said key code generator device; and
(e) identifying said codeset by detecting electromagnetic interference on a power cord of said key code generator device.
4 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
Upon receiving a keystroke indicator signal from a remote control device, a key code generator device identifies a codeset usable to communicate with a selected consumer device. The keystroke indicator signal contains an indication of a pressed key, which corresponds to a function of the selected consumer device. Using the identified codeset and the key indication, the key code generator device generates a key code and modulates that key code onto a radio frequency carrier signal, thereby generating a first key code signal. The remote control device receives the first key code signal from the key code generator device and modulates the key code onto an infrared frequency carrier signal, thereby generating a second key code signal. The remote control device relays the key code to the selected consumer device in the second key code signal. The key code causes the selected consumer device to perform the desired function.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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(a) receiving a keystroke indicator signal from a remote control device, wherein the keystroke indicator signal indicates a key on said remote control device that a user has selected; (b) generating a key code within a key code generator device using the keystroke indicator signal, wherein said key code is part of a codeset that controls an electronic consumer device; (c) modulating said key code onto a carrier signal, thereby generating a key code signal; (d) transmitting said key code signal from said key code generator device; and (e) identifying said codeset by detecting electromagnetic interference on a power cord of said key code generator device.
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2. A method comprising:
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(a) receiving a keystroke indicator signal from a remote control device, wherein the keystroke indicator signal indicates a key on said remote control device that a user has selected; (b) generating a key code within a key code generator device using the keystroke indicator signal, wherein said key code is part of a codeset that controls an electronic consumer device; (c) modulating said key code onto a carrier signal, thereby generating a key code signal; (d) transmitting said key code signal from said key code generator device; and (e) identifying said codeset using input from a user of said remote control device, wherein said codeset is identified when said user stops pressing a key on said remote control device. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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4. A remote control device comprising:
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a receiver that receives a first key code signal, wherein said first key code signal is generated by modulating a key code onto a first carrier signal, said first carrier signal falling within a radio frequency band; a transmitter that transmits a second key code signal, wherein said second key code signal is generated by modulating said key code onto a second carrier signal, said second carrier signal falling within an infrared frequency band; and a keypad that includes a key that corresponds to said key code, wherein said key code corresponds to a function of an electronic consumer device, and wherein said remote control device is contained within a single structure. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A remote control device, comprising:
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a keypad; an RF receiver; an IR transmitter; and means for receiving a key code from said RF receiver and for sending said key code to said IR transmitter such that said key code is modulated onto an IR carrier signal, said IR carrier signal with said key code modulated thereon being transmitted from said remote control device by said IR transmitter, wherein said remote control device is contained within a single structure. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification