Repeating radio frequency transmission system for extending the effective operational range of an infrared remote control system
AssigneeX10 Wireless Technology, Inc.
InventorsGeorge Stevenson, Leslie Leech, James Phillips
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims37
A method for transmitting an infrared control signal to a controlled device, the method 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.