System using a fiber optic cable to distribute commands for controlling operations of an appliance

• US 7,764,190 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2005
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Mortensen, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown; Vernal U
• Application Number:
  US11/240,159
• Publication Number:
  US 20070206949A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,761 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.22, 340/825.72, 340/825.69, 340/825.52, 340/815.42, 340/825.37, 250/227.21, 250/495.1, 250/494.1, 348/734, 455/419, 341/176, 341/174, 341/180
• US Class Current: 340/12.52
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/06 through light guides, e.g. optical fibres

Abstract

An IR blaster including one or more IR emitting LEDs used to generate IR signals for controlling operations of a plurality of controlled appliance and a plurality of fiber optic cables where one or more of the plurality of fiber optic cables are in light communication with an IR emitting LED. Each fiber optic cable is provided for distributing the IR signals generated by an IR LED to a respective one of the plurality of controlled appliances.

Claims

1. An IR blaster, comprising:

a processor;

a plurality of IR emitting LED used to generate IR signals as directed by the processor, the IR signals being generated to control operations of one or more of a plurality of controlled appliances; and

a plurality of fiber optic cables wherein one or more of the plurality of fiber optic cables are in light communication with each of the plurality of IR emitting LEDs, each fiber optic cable provided for distributing the IR signals generated by its corresponding IR LED to a respective one of the plurality of controlled appliances.

2. The IR blaster as recited in claim 1, comprising one or more light diffusers interposed between the plurality of IR LEDs and the plurality of fiber optic cables.

3. The IR blaster as recited in claim 2, comprising a plurality of plugs positioned for releasably receiving an end of a corresponding one of the plurality of fiber optic cables and for positioning the fiber optic cables in proximity to the one or more light diffusers.

4. The IR blaster as recited in claim 1, comprising a receiver for receiving signals wherein signals received by the receiver are used to trigger generation of IR signals by one or more of the plurality of IR LEDs.

5. The IR blaster as recited in claim 4, wherein the receiver functions to receive signals from a remote control.

6. The IR blaster as recited in claim 4, wherein the receiver functions to receive signals from a network.

7. The IR blaster as recited in claim 4, wherein the IR signals generated by the one or more of the plurality of IR LEDs are a representation of signals received by the receiver.

8. The IR blaster as recited in claim 1, comprising a memory in which is stored sets of commands for controlling operations of a plurality of appliances and wherein the IR signals generated by one or more of the plurality of IR LEDs are generated by using one or more of the sets of commands.

9. The IR blaster as recited in claim 1, wherein the IR signals generated by one or more of the plurality of IR LEDs are learned from a remote control.

10. The IR blaster as recited in claim 1, comprising a timing circuit for generating signals wherein signals generated by the timing circuit are used to trigger generation of IR signals by one or more of the plurality of IR LEDs.

11. The IR blaster as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the fiber optic cables comprises a light reflecting surface.