US4882747A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infrared communication apparatus for remote site applications
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1988-05-12
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Granted: 1989-11-21
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Expires: 2008-05-12
Abstract
Abstract An infrared communication device for simultaneously controlling video display systems at a plurality of locations from a single master site. The system is useful with, for example, a teleconferencing system that includes a conventional infrared remote control unit at each conference site and a video display system under the control of an infrared signal transmitted by the remote control unit. the infrared communication device includes an infrared receiver for receiving an infrared control signal, a microprocessor for digitizing the received signal, and a modem. The device also includes an infrared transmitter for retransmitting an infrared control signal identical to the original infrared control signal to the video display system at the master site. A corresponding digitized signal is provided to the modem which communicates with the off-site location over commercial phone lines. The slave modem receives the incoming digital signal which is decoded and then retransmitted as an infrared control signal at that site. A plurality of such infrared communication devices may be used at a plurality of conferencing locations and used in various master/slave modes. In a broad aspect, the communication device may be adapted for use with any infrared light activated video control system and to control systems other than video display systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerry Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 23:32
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/14; H04N7/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A communication system comprising: a first infrared control unit at a first site; a video display system under control of an infrared signal transmitted by said first control unit; a second infrared control unit at a second site; a second video display system under control of an infrared signal transmitted by said second control unit; and a first infrared communication device at said first site and a second infrared communication device at said second site, each said infrared communication device comprising: an infrared receiver for receiving an infrared control signal from the control unit at its site; a microprocessor for decoding said received control signal to generate digitized control signals; an infrared transmitter for retransmitting a regenerated infrared control signal to the display system at its site; a modem for communicating and receiving digitized control signals over phone communication lines to the other site; and a phone at each site for establishing a phone line communication link for said modem with said other site.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A communication system comprising: a first infrared control unit at a first site; a video display system under control of an infrared signal transmitted by said first control unit; a second infrared control unit at a second site; a second video display system under control of an infrared signal transmitted by said second control unit; and a first infrared communication device at said first site and a second infrared communication device at said second site, each said infrared communication device comprising: an infrared receiver for receiving an infrared control signal from the control unit at its site; a microprocessor for decoding said received control signal to generate digitized control signals; an infrared transmitter for retransmitting a regenerated infrared control signal to the display system at its site; a modem for communicating and receiving digitized control signals over phone communication lines to the other site; and a phone at each site for establishing a phone line communication link for said modem with said other site.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 1 and wherein said first and second communication devices are configured in a master/slave relationship for simultaneously displaying the same video images.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 1 and wherein each of said first and second control unit is a hand-held remote infrared transmitter having a key pad control.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
208 words
A communication system comprising: a first infrared control unit at a first site; a video display system under control of an infrared signal transmitted by said first control unit; a second infrared control unit at a second site; a second video display system under control of an infrared signal transmitted by said second control unit; and a first infrared communication device at said first site and a second infrared communication device at said second site, each of said infrared communication devices comprising: an infrared receiver for receiving an infrared control signal from the control unit at its site; a microprocessor for decoding said received control signal to generate digitized control signals; an infrared transmitter for retransmitting a regenerated infrared control signal to the display system at its site; a modem for communicating and receiving digitized control signals over phone communication lines to the other site; and a phone at each site for establishing a phone line communication link for said modem with said other site, said communication system further comprising a plurality of said first infrared communication devices disposed in series at a master site for simultaneously communicating over phone lines to a plurality of said second infrared communication devices at a corresponding plurality of second slave sites.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
208 words
A communication system comprising: a first infrared control unit at a first site; a video display system under control of an infrared signal transmitted by said first control unit; a second infrared control unit at a second site; a second video display system under control of an infrared signal transmitted by said second control unit; and a first infrared communication device at said first site and a second infrared communication device at said second site, each of said infrared communication devices comprising: an infrared receiver for receiving an infrared control signal from the control unit at its site; a microprocessor for decoding said received control signal to generate digitized control signals; an infrared transmitter for retransmitting a regenerated infrared control signal to the display system at its site; a modem for communicating and receiving digitized control signals over phone communication lines to the other site; and a phone at each site for establishing a phone line communication link for said modem with said other site, said communication system further comprising a plurality of said first infrared communication devices disposed in series at a master site for simultaneously communicating over phone lines to a plurality of said second infrared communication devices at a corresponding plurality of second slave sites.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a video display system having an infrared control device, and a video device controlled by an infrared control signal transmitted by said control device, an infrared communication device comprising: an infrared receiver disposed between said control device and said video device for receiving said infrared control signal; a microprocessor for decoding said received control signal to generate digitized control signals; an infrared transmitter coupled to said microprocessor for repeating transmission of said infrared control signal to said video device; and a modem for communicating said digitized control signal over a phone link to an off-site location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a video display system having an infrared control device, and a video device controlled by an infrared control signal transmitted by said control device, an infrared communication device comprising: an infrared receiver disposed between said control device and said video device for receiving said infrared control signal; a microprocessor for decoding said received control signal to generate digitized control signals; an infrared transmitter coupled to said microprocessor for repeating transmission of said infrared control signal to said video device; and a modem for communicating said digitized control signal over a phone link to an off-site location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
An infrared light activated communication device comprising: an infrared light activated receiver for receiving an infrared light control signal; a microprocessor coupled to said receiver for digitizing said received control signal; a modem coupled to said microprocessor for communicating and receiving digitized control signals over phone communication lines; and an infrared transmitter for repeating transmission of said light control signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
An infrared light activated communication device comprising: an infrared light activated receiver for receiving an infrared light control signal; a microprocessor coupled to said receiver for digitizing said received control signal; a modem coupled to said microprocessor for communicating and receiving digitized control signals over phone communication lines; and an infrared transmitter for repeating transmission of said light control signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 6 further comprising: a plurality of said infrared communication devices disposed in series for simultaneously providing a corresponding plurality of identical output control signals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-20 | 1993-05-22 | 1993-11-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-20 | 1997-05-22 | 1997-11-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-20 | 2001-05-22 | 2001-11-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |