Repeating radio frequency transmission system for extending the effective operational range of an infrared remote control system
AssigneeX10 Wireless Technology, Inc.
InventorsGeorge E. Stevenson, Leslie Alan Leech, James R.W. Phillips
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Inventive systems and methods for remotely controlling infrared controlled devices by using addressed radio frequency control signals. Radio frequency signals propagate through most obstructions to infrared control signals. Augmenting each control signal with an address allows for great selectivity in an environment with several transmitters and receivers.
Claims73
A repeating radio frequency transmission system comprising:
- (a) a transmitter capable of being placed in signal communication with an infrared remote control, the transmitter comprising:
- (1) a detector configured to receive a first infrared control signal from the infrared remote control and generate a first electrical signal according to the first infrared control signal;
- (2) a buffer coupled with the detector to store at least a portion of the first electrical signal;
- (3) a first code register for storing a first identification signal;
- (4) a multiplexor for combining the first electrical signal and the first identification signal into a first augmented electrical signal;
- and
- (5) a radio frequency transmitter responsive to the first augmented electrical signal for transmitting a radio signal representative of the first augmented electrical signal;
- and
- (b) a receiver capable of being placed in infrared control signal communication with a controlled device, the receiver comprising:
- (1) a radio frequency receiver configured to receive the transmitted radio signal and for generating a second augmented electrical signal according to the received radio signal;
- (2) a second code register for storing a second identification signal;
- (3) a code detector for detecting the presence of the second identification signal within the second augmented electrical signal;
- (4) a second multiplexor in communication with the code detector for removing the second identification signal from the second augmented signal, leaving a second electronic signal;
- (5) an infrared emitter responsive to the second electronic signal for transmitting a second infrared control signal to the controlled device.
A repeating radio frequency transmission system comprising:
- (a) a transmitter capable of being placed in signal communication with an infrared remote control, the transmitter comprising:
- (1) a detector configured to receive a first infrared control signal from the infrared remote control and generate a first electrical signal according to the first infrared control signal;
- (2) a buffer coupled with the detector to store at least a portion of the first electrical signal;
- (3) a first code register storing a first identification signal;
- (4) a modulator to convert the first electrical signal to a first radio signal;
- (5) a multiplexor for combining the first radio signal and the first identification signal into an augmented radio signal;
- and
- (6) a first antenna responsive to the augmented radio signal for transmitting the augmented radio signal;
- and
- (b) one or more receivers capable of being placed in infrared control signal communication with a controlled device, the receiver comprising:
- (1) a second antenna to receive the augmented radio signal;
- (2) a second code register for storing a second identification signal;
- (3) a code detector for detecting the presence of the second identification signal within the augmented radio signal;
- (4) a second multiplexor in communication with the code detector for removing the second identification signal from the augmented radio signal, leaving a second radio signal;
- (5) a demodulator to convert the second radio signal to a second electronic signal;
- and
- (6) an infrared emitter responsive to the second electronic signal for transmitting a second infrared control signal to the controlled device.
The repeating radio frequency transmission system of claim 34, wherein a plurality of the first electrical signals are stored in association with a plurality of controlled devices.
The repeating radio frequency transmission system of claim 35, wherein each transmitter comprises a plurality of user-controlled switches for designating one of the plurality of controlled devices.
A method for transmitting an infrared control signal to a controlled device, comprising:
- (a) receiving an infrared control signal;
- (b) augmenting the IR signal by adding an identifying signal resulting in an augmented electronic signal;
- (c) converting the augmented electronic signal to a radio frequency signal;
- (d) transmitting the radio frequency signal;
- and,
- (e) receiving the radio frequency signal.
A method for transmitting an infrared control signal to a controlled device, comprising:
- (a) receiving an infrared control signal;
- (b) converting the received infrared control signal to a radio frequency signal;
- (c) augmenting the radio frequency signal by adding an identifying signal resulting in an augmented radio frequency signal;
- (d) transmitting the augmented radio frequency signal;
- (e) receiving the augmented radio frequency signal;
- (f) removing the identifying signal from the augmented signal;
- (g) generating an infrared control signal according;
- and
- (h) transmitting the infrared control signal to the controlled device.
A method for transmitting an infrared control signal to a controlled device comprising:
- a) Providing a memory containing a database of control signals associated with controlled devices;
- b) Designating a desired function of the controlled device;
- c) Retrieving the appropriate control signal from the database;
- d) augmenting the IR signal by adding an identifying signal resulting in an augmented electronic signal;
- e) generating a radio frequency signal according to the first augmented electronic signal;
- f) converting the augmented electronic signal to a radio frequency signal;
- g) transmitting the radio frequency signal;
- h) receiving the radio frequency signal;
- and,
- i) detecting the presence of the identifying signal in the augmented signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.