Patent Application
20140072309
The present invention relates to remote control devices for electronic devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to infra-red (IR) and radio frequency (RF) remote control devices for consumer electrical devices. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to remote control devices using IR and/or RF communication with remotely controllable consumer electronic devices which are connected with electrical power conditioning devices.
It is common in the field of consumer electronics to provide IR and RF communication links between an electronic device and a remote controller (Remote) for controlling the device: applying power, removing power, adjusting parameters, etc. To accomplish this, each electronic device is assigned a unique code, either by the manufacturer or consumer, or automatically by the device, so that the device will respond only to a similarly configured Remote. Such items as televisions, music systems, lighting systems, air conditioning/heating (HVAC) systems, camera systems, power control systems, door latches, motion detectors and other similar devices, are frequently configured to respond to a Remote or a remote control device like, but not limited to, a cell phone. IR signals are direct, line of sight communication links, requiring a transmitter to have an unimpeded pathway to a receiver; with RF signals a direct line of sight is not required.
It is further common to insert a power conditioning or protective device between a source of electrical power and an electronic device in order to protect sensitive electronic components from anomalous power parameters. The power conditioning device is frequently located behind or within the cabinetry of the system to enhance the system's appearance.
When a user assembles an electronic system such as a home theater, flat screen television, stereo music system, computerized network, and the like, it is not unusual to combine several electronic devices into the system, each device having its own unique IR or RF code. This results in the user facing the requirement to have either multiple Remotes or a single Remote with multiple code functions. As users become more inventive in assembling systems, the number of electronic devices combined into the system may increase, complicating both the interconnectivity between the components and the design of remote controls. Each device further requires a connection to an electrical power source, frequently through the power conditioning device. This further adds to the number of components and complexity of the system.
As the number of components increases, the connections between the components becomes more complicated. Further, miniaturization of the electronic devices leads to multifunction devices requiring a variety of connectors to properly integrate the system. Should one or more connections be improperly made, the system may suffer damage and will most certainly not function as desired. This requires the user to troubleshoot the system, an activity that may be quite time consuming and can lead to further damage to one or more components. What is needed is a method and apparatus to minimize or eliminate interconnectivity errors and enhance a system's operation.
Accordingly, the present invention is a combined electrical power conditioner and IR or RF controller that provides a single point for communications with a Remote and reliably connects with the various components of a video or audio system which are configured to respond to IR signals. The apparatus provides a connection with an alternating current (AC) power source, receives and routes IR signals, and connects either serially or in parallel with the system components through IR capable cables (i.e., optical cables coupled with an IR receiver and/or transmitter as indicated in
The electrical power conditioner portion of the apparatus provides protection for the electronic components of the system. Anomalous AC power conditions such as over or under voltage, over or under current, phase or frequency shifting, noise, radio frequency interference, etc. are detected and mitigated before electrical power is provided to the other components of the user's system.
The IR controller portion of the apparatus includes a microprocessor and provides a receiver for receiving IR commands from a Remote and a transmitter for retransmitting the commands on to individual components of the user's system. The controller may retransmit IR commands either serially or in parallel, depending on the user's preference and/or individual component capabilities. In the preferred embodiment, the IR controller is placed within a cabinet behind a door or other covering, and connected via an IR capable cable with an IR sensor in such a way to provide a line of sight pathway for communications with a Remote. Alternatively, the apparatus may be provided as a visible component of a user's system, and the IR sensor incorporated into the IR controller, the combination enclosed within a suitable housing. The IR controller can be equipped with an IR remote receiver only or RF to IR, and may be equipped with both IR and RF as the controlling instrument.
The RF controller portion of the apparatus, if so configured, cooperates with an RF sensor to receive RF commands from a Remote, then translates the RF commands into IR for retransmission over an IR capable cable to the appropriate device. The controller may retransmit IR commands either serially or in parallel, depending on the user's preference and/or individual component capabilities.
In summary, the present invention uniquely provides the capability for:
a) Set up of control sets and control devices attached to the power conditioner;
b) Set up of control sets for devices within the system;
c) Networking of a portable computer or the handheld remote set up of devices in the system;
d) Transcoding RF to IR device specific codes sets;
e) Use of generic remotes with generic control code sets;
f) Transcoding generic code sets to device specific control code sets; and
g) Wideband IR repeating capability.
Thus allowing a user to use the Remote that comes with an electronic device when the device is in a cabinet, without the need to use the special remote that is part of the smart system.
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the below referenced accompanying Drawing. Reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the Drawing.
The present invention is a combined power conditioning unit and IR or RF controller (IR repeater 110) that provides a single point for line of sight communications with an IR Remote 105 and reliably connects with the various electronic devices (120, 121, 122) of a video or audio system which are configured to respond to IR signals. The apparatus provides a connection with a power source, receives and routes IR signals, and connects with the system components through IR capable cables. The IR repeater 110 cooperates with an IR sensor 112 for receiving IR commands from a Remote 105 and retransmits the commands on to individual components of the user's system. IR repeater 110 may retransmit IR commands either serially or in parallel, depending on the user's preference and/or individual component capabilities. In the preferred embodiment, the IR Repeater 110 is connected via an IR capable cable with an IR sensor 112 which is mounted on the user's system, such as in a cabinet, in such a way to provide IR sensor 112 a line of sight pathway for communications with Remote 105. Alternatively, IR sensor 112 may be provided as a component of a user's system, in which case the IR sensor 112 is mounted with or in IR repeater 110 which is placed in a position to provide a line of sight pathway with remote 105.
Referring now to
IR repeater 110 receives control commands from IR sensor 112 and retransmits the command over IR capable cables to the desired electronic device 120, 121, or 122. Electronic devices 120, 121, 122 may be any number of electronic devices such as audio or visual devices, computational devices, and the like. For example, first device 120, represented here for illustration only and not intended to be limiting, may be a television and is connected with IR repeater 110 via IR capable cable 109.
IR repeater 110 preferably contains alternating current (AC) power conditioning components (not shown) suitable for the power consumption load of all connected electronic devices. The power conditioning portion of the apparatus provides protection for the electronic components of the system. The power conditioning components ameliorate or eliminate anomalous or unwanted power conditions such as over or under voltage, over current, phase shifts, frequency shifts, radio frequency interference, power spikes, noise filtering, etc. IR repeater 110 is provided with a plurality of power outlets to receive the power cords of individual system components. Anomalous power conditions are detected and mitigated before electrical power is provided to the other components of the user's system.
Referring now to
Connector socket 125 represents a plurality of sockets, one each for each electronic device to be controlled by IR repeater 110 and one for IR sensor 112. Each connector socket 125 is specific for each component and is identified by identifier 126. Identifier 126 may be a label containing markings such as text, numerals, colors and/or symbols to identify the type of device associated with that connector socket to facilitate assembly of the system. Each connector socket 125 is configured to accept a standard connector plug for an IR capable cable 109 to connect electronic devices with IR Repeater 110
Cable 109 may be either unmarked or preferably be uniquely marked or labeled with text, numerals, colors and/or symbols to identify the type of device for which it is intended. Alternatively, each of connector sockets 125 may be physically uniquely formed to be connectable only with a cable which is similarly physically formed. IR capable cables 109 are preferably single conductors but may be bundled into multiconductor cables for convenience in some applications.
Referring now to
Also in
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented by
Referring to
Micro processor 11 takes in information from items 19 and 13, and outputs information to items 10 and 12. The micro processor item 11 passes information back and forth to item 19, which is the control path of the power center. This is a two-way communication between the microprocessor 11 and various functions within the power center. Some of these functions are, but not limited to, current sensing of the output receptacles, turning on and off the output receptacles, pass information along the control chain, both IR and other methods to control devices within the system, and allowing control devices and control systems to know the status of devices connected to the power center. Item 10 provides current to drive IR emitters 7. Microprocessor 11 allows the power center to receive IR and transmit IR on the same plane without interference by knowing the presence of input IR signals by Item 14 and Item 13. This communication is very reliable and allows for interoperability because this information is coupled between Item 13, 14 and 11 optically. There is no electrical connection between Item 13 and Item 14.
As shown in
Information as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the above-described object of the invention, the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is, thus, representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. The scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and is to be limited, accordingly, by nothing other than the appended claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.”
All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment and additional embodiments that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are hereby expressly incorporated by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. However, it should be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications in form, apparatus material, and fabrication material detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Moreover, no requirement exists for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be resolved by the present invention, for such to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims. No claim herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”
The present invention applies industrially to electronic device control networks. More particularly, the present invention applies to remotely controlled electronic device control networks. The present invention may be assembled by a knowledgeable practitioner using readily available components.
This application claims priority to provisional patent application 60/969,853, filed Sep. 4, 2007.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20090060514 A1 | Mar 2009 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60969853 | Sep 2007 | US | |
| 60755563 | Dec 2005 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11969870 | Jan 2008 | US |
| Child | 12201691 | US | |
| Parent | PCT/US06/62761 | Dec 2006 | US |
| Child | 11969870 | US |
