Audio-visual projector control apparatus allowing selection among multiple input devices

Abstract

Abstract A method and apparatus for controlling a remotely located audio-visual projector. In preferred embodiments, the invention enables connection of any selected one of a number of input devices (such as video cassette recorders or computers) to the projector so that a sequence of different input devices can be selected during a single presentation. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus of the invention includes removable rubberized keys for selecting individual ones of the input devices, and pre-printed transparent labels that are backlit to identify each selected input device. In some embodiments, the apparatus of the invention includes a projector power status detection and indication subsystem which performs a calibration operation to determine one or more power threshold values and then uses each determined threshold value to determine the power status of the projector. Preferably, the control panel includes or is coupled to a processor that is operable in a learning mode in which it is coupled to a special-purpose remote controller for use with the projector and learns projector control commands asserted by the special-purpose remote controller, and following the learning mode the control panel is operable in a normal mode in which it controls the projector by emulating the learned projector control commands.

Inventors

• 👤 Paul Anson Brown

Bibliographic Details