US5963624A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Digital cordless telephone with remote control feature
Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc
•
Filing: 1997-12-05
•
Granted: 1999-10-05
•
Expires: 2017-12-05
Abstract
Abstract Storing a variety of appliance control codes in a cordless digital telephone handset has the advantage that the cordless digital telephone handset can be used as a universal remote for a variety of electrical appliances. The cordless digital telephone handset need not be in the direct "line-of-sight" of the appliances in order to work. The appliance control data can be sent along with voice data in a method such as digital spread spectrum communications.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven M. Pope
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/007; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; H04M1/72403; H04M1/72409; H04M1/72415
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 75
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A system comprising a cordless digital telephone handset adapted to receive and transmit digital data, the handset further comprising a memory to store a variety of appliance control codes, the handset having an input device allowing the selection of one of the appliance control codes such that the one of the appliance control codes is transmitted to a base unit, wherein the base unit translates the one of the appliance control codes to produce an infrared control code to send to an appliance, and wherein the digital data is transmitted from the handset to the base unit in frames of bits, the frames including an overhead portion and a data portion, wherein the handset is adapted to send the one of the appliance control codes to the base unit within the overhead portion of one of the frames.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A system comprising a cordless digital telephone handset adapted to receive and transmit digital data, the handset further comprising a memory to store a variety of appliance control codes, the handset having an input device allowing the selection of one of the appliance control codes such that the one of the appliance control codes is transmitted to a base unit, wherein the base unit translates the one of the appliance control codes to produce an infrared control code to send to an appliance, and wherein the digital data is transmitted from the handset to the base unit in frames of bits, the frames including an overhead portion and a data portion, wherein the handset is adapted to send the one of the appliance control codes to the base unit within the overhead portion of one of the frames.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the handset includes a device to read infrared control codes from an infrared controller to memorize the infrared control codes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit has an antenna for receiving and transmitting the digital data and wherein an infrared bulb is positioned on the antenna.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the appliance control codes correspond to infrared instruction codes to send to an appliance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit includes a memory storing multiple infrared control codes including the infrared control code and wherein the one of the appliance control codes is a pointer to the infrared control code stored in the memory.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, wherein digital data is transmitted from the handset to the base unit by digital spread spectrum communication.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit includes an infrared transmitter to send the infrared control code to the appliance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the appliance comprises a compact disc player.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 1, the appliance comprises a television.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is adapted to translate the one of the appliance control codes into a signal placed on an alternating current power signal of a power line to control the appliance.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the base unit is adapted to translate the one of the appliance control codes into an infrared signal transmitted to a converter that converts the infrared signal to a signal placed on an alternating current power signal of a power line to control the appliance.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the handset includes a display.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
133 words
A system comprising the steps of: providing a cordless digital telephone handset having a variety of appliance control codes stored in a memory; receiving digital data in the telephone handset from a base unit; transmitting digital data to the base unit, the digital data including voice data and one of the appliance control codes, wherein the digital data is transmitted from the handset to the base unit in frames of bits, the frames including an overhead portion and a data portion, wherein the handset sends the one of the appliance control codes to the base unit within the overhead portion of one of the frames; and controlling the operation of an appliance by transmitting control information from the base unit to the appliance as indicated by the one of the appliance control codes.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
133 words
A system comprising the steps of: providing a cordless digital telephone handset having a variety of appliance control codes stored in a memory; receiving digital data in the telephone handset from a base unit; transmitting digital data to the base unit, the digital data including voice data and one of the appliance control codes, wherein the digital data is transmitted from the handset to the base unit in frames of bits, the frames including an overhead portion and a data portion, wherein the handset sends the one of the appliance control codes to the base unit within the overhead portion of one of the frames; and controlling the operation of an appliance by transmitting control information from the base unit to the appliance as indicated by the one of the appliance control codes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising the step of selecting the one of the appliance control codes.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the controlling step comprises translating the one of the appliance control codes to produce an infrared control code and transmitting the infrared control code to the appliance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the controlling step comprises translating the one of the appliance control codes into a signal placed on an alternating current power signal of a power line to control the appliance.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 13, wherein the translating step comprises translating the one of the appliance control codes to produce an infrared control code and transmitting the infrared control code to a device that converts the infrared control code into a signal placed on an alternating current power signal of a power line to control the appliance.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
161 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing a cordless digital telephone handset having a variety of appliance control codes stored in a memory; receiving digital data in the telephone handset from a base unit; transmitting digital data to the base unit, the digital data including voice data and one of the appliance control codes, wherein the digital data is transmitted from the handset to the base unit in frames of bits, the frames including an overhead portion and a data portion, wherein the handset sends the one of the appliance control codes to the base unit within the overhead portion of one of the frames; and controlling the operation of an appliance by transmitting control information from the base unit to the appliance as indicated by the one of the appliance control codes, wherein the controlling step translates the one of the appliance control codes to produce an infrared control code and thereby sends the infrared control code to the appliance.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
161 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing a cordless digital telephone handset having a variety of appliance control codes stored in a memory; receiving digital data in the telephone handset from a base unit; transmitting digital data to the base unit, the digital data including voice data and one of the appliance control codes, wherein the digital data is transmitted from the handset to the base unit in frames of bits, the frames including an overhead portion and a data portion, wherein the handset sends the one of the appliance control codes to the base unit within the overhead portion of one of the frames; and controlling the operation of an appliance by transmitting control information from the base unit to the appliance as indicated by the one of the appliance control codes, wherein the controlling step translates the one of the appliance control codes to produce an infrared control code and thereby sends the infrared control code to the appliance.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the translating step comprises translating the one of the appliance control codes to produce an infrared control code and transmitting the infrared control code to a device that converts the infrared control code into a signal placed on an alternating current power signal of a power line to control the appliance.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 18, further comprising the step of selecting the one of the appliance control codes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the controlling step comprises translating the one of the appliance control codes into a signal placed on an alternating current power signal of a power line to control the appliance.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 18, wherein the transmitting step transmits the digital data to the base unit by digital spread spectrum communication.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
139 words
A telecommunication system comprising: a base unit having a base memory for storing infrared control signals, and a cordless digital telephone handset having a handset memory for storing appliance control codes, wherein the handset transmits digital data, including voice data and one of the appliance control codes, in frames of bits to the base unit, the frames having an overhead control portion and a data portion, the one of the appliance control codes located within the overhead control portion of one of the frames, wherein the base unit translates the one of the appliance control codes to produce one of the infrared control signals when the base unit receives the one of the appliance control codes, and wherein the base unit as a result sends the one of the infrared control signals to an appliance to control the appliance.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
139 words
A telecommunication system comprising: a base unit having a base memory for storing infrared control signals, and a cordless digital telephone handset having a handset memory for storing appliance control codes, wherein the handset transmits digital data, including voice data and one of the appliance control codes, in frames of bits to the base unit, the frames having an overhead control portion and a data portion, the one of the appliance control codes located within the overhead control portion of one of the frames, wherein the base unit translates the one of the appliance control codes to produce one of the infrared control signals when the base unit receives the one of the appliance control codes, and wherein the base unit as a result sends the one of the infrared control signals to an appliance to control the appliance.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The telecommunication system of claim 23, wherein the digital data is transmitted from the handset to the base unit by digital spread spectrum communication.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The telecommunication system of claim 23, wherein the base unit includes an infrared transmitter to send the one of the infrared control signals to the appliance.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The telecommunication system of claim 23, wherein the appliance is a compact disc player.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The telecommunication system of claim 23, wherein the appliance is a television.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
The telecommunication system of claim 23, wherein the base unit translates the one of the appliance control codes into a control signal placed on an alternating current power signal of a power line to control the appliance.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
49 words
The telecommunication system of claim 23, wherein the base unit transmits the one of the infrared control signals to a converter that converts the one of the infrared control signals to a control signal placed on an alternating current power signal of a power line to control the appliance.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
12 words
The telecommunication system of claim 23, wherein the handset includes a display.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
57 words
The telecommunication system of claim 23, wherein the handset further has a device for receiving an infrared control signal from an infrared controller and for sending the infrared control signal to a processor, the processor thereby assigns an appliance control code corresponding to the infrared control signal and stores the appliance control code in the handset memory.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
28 words
The telecommunication system of claim 23, wherein the base unit has an antenna for receiving and transmitting the digital data, the antenna has an infrared bulb positioning thereon.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The telecommunication system of claim 31, wherein the infrared controller is a television remote control.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The telecommunication system of claim 23, wherein the appliance control codes correspond to power line control signals to send to the appliance.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
23 words
The telecommunication system of claim 23, wherein the handset further has an input device for selecting the one of the appliance control codes.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
The telecommunication system of claim 23, wherein the one of the appliance control codes is a pointer to the one of the infrared control signal stored in the base memory.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
17 words
The telecommunication system of claim 23, wherein the appliance control codes correspond to the infrared control signals.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
83 words
A system comprising a cordless digital telephone handset adapted to receive and transmit digital data, the handset further comprising a memory to store a variety of appliance control codes, the handset having an input device allowing the selection of one of the appliance control codes such that the one of the appliance control codes is transmitted to a base unit, wherein the base unit translates the one of the appliance control codes to produce an infrared control code to send to an appliance.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
83 words
A system comprising a cordless digital telephone handset adapted to receive and transmit digital data, the handset further comprising a memory to store a variety of appliance control codes, the handset having an input device allowing the selection of one of the appliance control codes such that the one of the appliance control codes is transmitted to a base unit, wherein the base unit translates the one of the appliance control codes to produce an infrared control code to send to an appliance.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
59 words
The system of claim 38, wherein the digital data is transmitted from the handset to the base unit in frames of bits, the frames including an overhead portion and a data portion, wherein the handset is adapted to send the one of the appliance control codes to the base unit within the overhead portion of one of the frames.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 38, wherein the digital data is transmitted from the handset to the base unit by digital spread spectrum communication.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 38, wherein the base unit includes an infrared transmitter to send the infrared control code to the appliance.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 38, wherein the appliance comprises a compact disc player.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 38, the appliance comprises a television.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 38, wherein the base unit is adapted to translate the one of the appliance control codes into a signal placed on an alternating current power signal of a power line to control the appliance.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 38, wherein the base unit is adapted to translate the one of the appliance control codes into an infrared signal transmitted to a converter that converts the infrared signal to a signal placed on an alternating current power signal of a power line to control the appliance.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 38, wherein the handset includes a display.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 38, wherein the handset includes a device to read infrared control codes from an infrared controller to memorize the infrared control codes.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 38, wherein the base unit has an antenna for receiving and transmitting the digital data and wherein an infrared bulb is positioned on the antenna.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 38, wherein the base unit includes a memory storing multiple infrared control codes including the infrared control code and wherein the one of the appliance control codes is a pointer to the infrared control code stored in the memory.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 38, wherein the appliance control codes correspond to infrared instruction codes to send to the appliance.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
114 words
A system comprising a cordless digital telephone handset adapted to receive and transmit digital data, the handset further comprising a memory to store a variety of appliance control codes, the handset having an input device allowing the selection of one of the appliance control codes such that the one of the appliance control codes is transmitted to a base unit, wherein the digital data is transmitted from the handset to the base unit in frames of bits, the frames including an overhead portion and a data portion, wherein the handset is adapted to send the one of the appliance control codes to the base unit within the overhead portion of one of the frames.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
114 words
A system comprising a cordless digital telephone handset adapted to receive and transmit digital data, the handset further comprising a memory to store a variety of appliance control codes, the handset having an input device allowing the selection of one of the appliance control codes such that the one of the appliance control codes is transmitted to a base unit, wherein the digital data is transmitted from the handset to the base unit in frames of bits, the frames including an overhead portion and a data portion, wherein the handset is adapted to send the one of the appliance control codes to the base unit within the overhead portion of one of the frames.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 51, wherein the digital data is transmitted from the handset to the base unit by digital spread spectrum communication.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 51, wherein the base unit includes an infrared transmitter to send the infrared control code to the appliance.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 51, the appliance comprises a compact disc player.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
10 words
The system of claim 51, the appliance comprises a television.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 51, wherein the base unit is adapted to translate the one of the appliance control codes into a signal placed on an alternating current power signal of a power line to control the appliance.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 51, wherein the base unit is adapted to translate the one of the appliance control codes into an infrared signal transmitted to a converter that converts the infrared signal to a signal placed on an alternating current power signal of a power line to control the appliance.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 51, wherein the handset includes a display.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 51, wherein the handset includes a device to read infrared control codes from an infrared controller to memorize the infrared control codes.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 51, wherein the base unit has an antenna for receiving and transmitting the digital data and wherein an infrared bulb is positioned on the antenna.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 51, wherein the base unit translates the one of the appliance control codes to produce an infrared control code to send to an appliance.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 61, wherein the base unit includes a memory storing multiple infrared control codes including the infrared control code and wherein the one of the appliance control codes is a pointer to the infrared control code stored in the memory.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 51, wherein the appliance control codes correspond to infrared instruction codes to send to the appliance.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
110 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing a cordless digital telephone handset having a variety of appliance control codes stored in a memory; receiving digital data in the telephone handset from a base unit; transmitting digital data to the base unit, the digital data including voice data and one of the appliance control codes; and controlling the operation of an appliance by transmitting control information from the base unit to the appliance as indicated by the one of the appliance control codes, wherein the controlling step translates the one of the appliance control codes to produce an infrared control code and thereby sends the infrared control code to the appliance.
Claim 71
Independent Claim
110 words
A method comprising the steps of: providing a cordless digital telephone handset having a variety of appliance control codes stored in a memory; receiving digital data in the telephone handset from a base unit; transmitting digital data to the base unit, the digital data including voice data and one of the appliance control codes; and controlling the operation of an appliance by transmitting control information from the base unit to the appliance as indicated by the one of the appliance control codes, wherein the controlling step translates the one of the appliance control codes to produce an infrared control code and thereby sends the infrared control code to the appliance.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 64, further comprising the step of selecting the one of the appliance control codes.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 64, wherein the controlling step comprises translating the one of the appliance control codes into a signal placed on an alternating current power signal of a power line to control the appliance.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 64, wherein the translating step comprises translating the one of the appliance control codes to produce an infrared control code and transmitting the infrared control code to a device that converts the infrared control code into a signal placed on an alternating current power signal of a power line to control the appliance.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 64, wherein the transmitting step is such that the digital data is transmitted from the handset to the base unit in frames of bits, the frames including an overhead portion and a data portion, wherein the handset sends the one of the appliance control codes to the base unit within the overhead portion of one of the frames.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4508935A
Cited
US4771283A
Cited
US4995053A
Cited
US5128987A
Cited
US5014125A
Cited
US5570415A
Cited
US5542102A
Cited
US5671267A
Cited
US5802467A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-10-04 | 2003-04-05 | 2003-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-04 | 2007-04-05 | 2007-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-04 | 2011-04-05 | 2011-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |