Protocol for avoiding interference between transmission device

A method of preventing signal jamming within a consumer electronics system, the consumer electronics system comprising a remote control, an interpreting device, and an audio/video device, the method comprising:

• continuously operating a remote function key on the remote control;
• wirelessly transmitting a plurality of primary messages from the remote control in response to the continuous operation of the remote function key, wherein each of one or more quiescent periods are located between adjacent messages within the plurality of primary messages;
• receiving the plurality of primary messages at the interpreting device;
• interpreting the received plurality of primary messages;
• generating one or more secondary messages in response to the interpreted plurality of primary messages;
• wirelessly transmitting the one or more secondary messages from the interpreting device to the audio/video device entirely during the one or more quiescent periods, wherein each quiescent period is at least equal to the sum of the period of silence needed for the audio/video device to detect one of the one or more secondary messages, the duration of one of the one or more secondary messages, and the period of silence needed for the interpreting device to detect one of the plurality of primary messages.

An interpreting device for use in a consumer electronics system, comprising:

• a receiver for receiving a wirelessly transmitted primary signal, the primary signal comprising first and second messages with a predetermined quiescent period therebetween;
• processing circuitry coupled to the receiver for interpreting the first message and generating a third message in response thereto;
• and
• a transmitter coupled to the processing circuitry for wirelessly transmitting the third message within a secondary signal, wherein the entirety of the third message is transmitted during the quiescent period, wherein the quiescent period is at least equal to the sum of the period of silence needed for the audio/video device to detect the third message, the duration of the third message, and the period of silence needed for the interpreting device to detect one of the first or second messages.

A consumer electronics system, comprising:

• a remote control comprising:
• a function key for effecting a corresponding operation of the consumer electronics system;
• a first processing circuit coupled to a function key, and configured for generating a plurality of primary messages in response to a continuous operation of the function key, wherein each of one or more quiescent periods are located between adjacent messages within the plurality of primary messages;
• and
• a first transmitter coupled to the first processing circuit for wirelessly transmitting the plurality of primary messages;
• and
• an interpreting device comprising:
• a first receiver for receiving the wirelessly transmitted plurality of primary messages;
• a second processing circuit coupled to the receiver for interpreting the received plurality of primary messages and generating one or more secondary messages in response thereto;
• and
• a second transmitter coupled to the second processing circuit for wirelessly transmitting the one or more secondary messages entirely in the one or more quiescent periods, wherein each quiescent period is at least equal to the sum of the period of silence needed for the audio/video device to detect one of the one or more secondary messages, the duration of one of the one or more secondary messages, and the period of silence needed for the interpreting device to detect one of the plurality of primary messages.