System for extending infrared remote control

USRE38208E1Inactive Publication Date: 2003-08-05TERK NEIL D +1

10 Cites 1 Cited by

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.

Viewing Examples

Smart Image

Examples

Experimental program

Comparison scheme

Effect test

Embodiment Construction

As shown in FIG. 1, an audio speaker 8 of a home audio reproduction system includes a speaker housing 10 which contains an electro-acoustic transducer 12 and an infrared sensor 14. Sensor 14 generates an electrical signal in response to an infrared signal 16 emitted by a manually actuated infrared remote control unit 18. Infrared signal 16 is designed to control the operation of an electronic device 20 such as a satellite dish control box, a cable control box, a VCR, a video camera, etc. It is to be understood that electronic device 20 may include some mechanical components, for example, where the electronic device is a CD player or changer. IR signal 16 cannot be used directly to control electronic device 20 because there is no line-of-sight path between remote control unit 18 and an IR sensor 22 on electronic device 20. Electronic device 20 is, for example, located in a different room from remote control unit 18.

The electrical signal produced by sensor 14 encodes instructions whic...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine

Login to View More

PUM

Login to View More

Abstract

An assembly or system for effecting control of an electronic device having an infrared sensor for receiving an infrared control signal from a manually actuated remote control comprises, in accordance with the present invention, an infrared sensor for receiving and converting the infrared control signal from the remote control to an electrical signal, the sensor being attached to an audio speaker assembly of an audio reproduction system. A signal generator also attached to the speaker assembly is operatively connected to the sensor for generating an RF carrier signal modulated by control information encoded in the infrared control signal and the electrical signal. A transmission link is provided for transmitting the modulated RF carrier signal from the speaker assembly to the electronic device. A signal receiver disposed adjacent to the infrared sensor of the electronic device receives the modulated RF carrier signal and converts the modulated RF carrier signal to a secondary infrared signal essentially identical to the infrared control signal.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to a system which utilizes an infrared remote control unit to control an electronic device. This invention more particularly relates to a system in which the range of the infrared remote control device is extended.Electrical systems which employ an infrared remote control unit necessarily require that an unobstructed linear path exists between the remote control and the electronic device being controlled. Accordingly, infrared remote control units are unable to control electronic devices which are disposed around a corner or on a floor different from the location of the remote control. Of course, many situations arise where it is desirable to control a VCR, a television, a satellite dish receiver, a video cable box, a sound reproduction system or other electronic device from a location shielded from the electronic device.One solution to the problem of remotely controlling an electronic device from a location which has no line of sigh...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine

Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline

05 Aug 2003

Publication

USRE38208E1

IPC: G08C23/00; G08C23/04; H04B1/20

CPC: G08C23/04; G08C2201/40; H04B1/202

Inventors: TERK, NEIL D.