Signal Forwarding Node for Remote Control Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote control systems face challenges in delivering IR signals through obstacles like walls or doors, limiting their range and intuitiveness, while wireless communication methods lack intuitive control as they don't require direct pointing.
Innovation Solution
A signal forwarding node system that uses a laser light receiver, IR light receiver, and wireless communication module to detect and forward remote control signals, converting IR signals to RF for better penetration and reproducing them back to IR for delivery to appliances in shadow areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If IR signal is used for remote control, then intuitive control is achieved by directly pointing at the appliance, but the signal cannot be delivered when blocked by walls or doors
Solution Approach 1:
A signal forwarding node is introduced as an intermediary device that receives IR signals from the remote controller and forwards them to the target appliance. This mediator enables the signal to reach appliances in shadow areas that are not directly visible to the remote controller, while the user maintains intuitive pointing control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a spatial dimension by placing signal forwarding nodes at different locations throughout the room. These nodes create alternative signal paths, effectively adding a third dimension to the typically line-of-sight IR control, allowing signals to reach appliances around corners or through obstacles.
2Reliability
If wireless communication is used for long-ranged control, then control can be performed outdoors via walls or doors, but the control cannot be intuitively performed by directly pointing at the appliance
Solution Approach 1:
The signal forwarding node acts as a mediator that receives intuitive pointing commands from the remote controller and uses wireless communication to forward them to appliances behind obstacles. This preserves the intuitive pointing gesture while overcoming physical barriers through the intermediary's wireless transmission capability.
3Reliability
If signal forwarding node is deployed to reach shadow areas, then control of appliances in blocked areas is enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The remote control system is segmented into multiple independent signal forwarding nodes distributed throughout the space. Each node operates autonomously to forward signals in its local area, eliminating the need for a single complex centralized system and allowing incremental deployment based on coverage needs.
Solution Approach 2:
Each signal forwarding node is designed as a self-contained unit with integrated IR reception, processing, and transmission capabilities. The nodes autonomously handle signal forwarding without requiring complex external control systems, reducing overall system complexity while enabling coverage of shadow areas.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables intuitive control of appliances in shadow areas by converting IR signals to RF for better transmission and back to IR for delivery, overcoming range limitations and obstacles, allowing for effective control of appliances across rooms.
Implementation Method 1
a laser light receiver configured to detect laser light
Implementation Method 2
an Infra Red (IR) light receiver configured to receive a remote control signal
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method for forwarding a remote control signal and a signal forwarding node (200-1) using the same are disclosed. Herein, the signal forwarding node (200-1) includes a laser light receiver (402-2) configured to detect laser light, an Infra Red (IR) light receiver (402-1) configured to receive a remote control signal, a wireless communication module (404) configured to transmit and receive data to and from an external signal forwarding node (200-2), and a controller (405) configured to control the wireless communication module (404), when laser light is detected through the laser light receiver (402-2), and when the remote control signal is received, so as to forward control information included in the received remote control signal to the external signal forwarding node (200-2).