WO1999008249A1 - Remote control system and apparatus - Google Patents

Remote control system and apparatus Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999008249A1
WO1999008249A1 PCT/GB1998/002353 GB9802353W WO9908249A1 WO 1999008249 A1 WO1999008249 A1 WO 1999008249A1 GB 9802353 W GB9802353 W GB 9802353W WO 9908249 A1 WO9908249 A1 WO 9908249A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
signal
remote control
electrical apparatus
control device
electrical
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1998/002353
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Roger Lambert
Original Assignee
Pace Micro Technology Plc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pace Micro Technology Plc filed Critical Pace Micro Technology Plc
Priority to AU86392/98A priority Critical patent/AU8639298A/en
Publication of WO1999008249A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999008249A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03J—TUNING RESONANT CIRCUITS; SELECTING RESONANT CIRCUITS
    • H03J9/00—Remote-control of tuned circuits; Combined remote-control of tuning and other functions, e.g. brightness, amplification
    • H03J9/06—Remote-control of tuned circuits; Combined remote-control of tuning and other functions, e.g. brightness, amplification using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. light
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C23/00—Non-electrical signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
    • G08C2201/40—Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways

Definitions

  • the invention which is the subject of this application relates to a remote control system and apparatus which can be used to allow the control of electrical apparatus such as televisions, television broadcast signal receivers and the like, not only from a position remote from the apparatus but also, if required, at a location out of range of the receiver provided in the apparatus to be controlled due, for example, to the apparatus being located in a different room in a building.
  • remote control devices which utilise a light or audio emitter device to send control signals to apparatus which contains a signal receiver
  • the light signal can be infra red and the remote control device typically comprises a series of buttons and associated circuitry which causes a specified light signal to be transmitted upon the depression of a specific button.
  • the specified light signal when received at the apparatus is transferred into an electrical signal which causes the condition of operation of the apparatus to be altered accordingly.
  • the problem with this type of remote control apparatus is that the remote control device is required to be positioned in the vicinity of the apparatus such that the light signal emitted is in range or "viewable” and hence receivable by the light receiver in the apparatus. This therefore restricts the use of the remote control device typically to the room where the apparatus is held, however, increasingly there is a desire to be able to alter the condition of the apparatus from a location where the light signal is not "viewable” .
  • Such requirements can be, for example, if a television monitor is provided in a bedroom and connected to the apparatus located in the lounge of a house and the programme viewed on the monitor is required to be changed by the person in the bedroom from the bedroom, or, for example, if the premises are provided with a stereo sound system, and a person wishes to change the volume or the material being played from a position in a premises where speakers are provided but where the stereo unit is located elsewhere.
  • this known system comprises a remote control device with a light signal emitter which is provided to be used in conjunction with a light signal receiver mounted in the same area.
  • the light signal receiver is connected to a light emitter by a cable, such as a television cable, to allow the light signal to be transferred in an electrical signal form.
  • a light emitter is also connected to the cable and is located in another area and in the same area where the apparatus to be controlled is located so that the light emitter reconverts the electrical signal into a light signal and sends the light signal so that it can be received by a light receiver in the apparatus to be controlled and hence cause the change in condition of the apparatus as required.
  • the light signal is transmitted, received and converted to an electrical signal, transmitted, then transferred back to a light signal, transmitted, received and then transferred once more to an electrical signal in the apparatus to be controlled.
  • This requirement for transfer of signal types can be. problematic inasmuch that if there is interference or the signal conversions are not correctly performed so the subsequent light signal received by the apparatus to be controlled can not be read and so the change of the apparatus cannot take place.
  • the requirement for the various light emitters, receivers and transfer circuitry means that this known system is relatively expensive and has not, to the applicant's knowledge, been commercially put into practice to any significant extent.
  • the aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a remote control system which allows the operation of the remote control to be performed in an area other than that in which the apparatus to be controlled is located and to provide the system in as simple and efficient a form as possible thereby ensuring the reliable operation of the same and making the system economically viable.
  • a system for allowing the remote control of electrical apparatus including a remote control device including a means for generating a signal representative of a control function for the electrical apparatus, said electrical apparatus including processing means to cause change in the operation of the apparatus upon receiving the signal and characterised in that the system further comprises a remote control device signal receiver removed from the electrical apparatus, for receiving the control signal from the remote control device, a converter for converting the signal into an electrical signal and a cable connected to said, electrical apparatus for carrying said signal to the electrical apparatus.
  • the signal generated by the remote control device is any of a light or audio signal and signal is typically not detectable directly by the electrical apparatus as the remote control device and the electrical apparatus are physically remote and out of range.
  • the invention is of particular use in the control of any or any combination of a video recorder, stereo apparatus, internet transmission receiver, or television broadcast signal receiver to receive any or any combination of a terrestrial broadcast signal receiver, satellite transmission receiver, cable transmission receiver or digital transmission receiver and reference hereon to any one specific receiver or apparatus should be interpreted as being equally applicable to any type of electrical apparatus which can be controlled in the manner described.
  • the cable used for carrying said electrical signal can in one embodiment be an RF cable.
  • the RF cable can therefore be in use to connect a display screen, television set or monitor positioned at the location of the remote control device with the electrical apparatus to be controlled by the remote control device.
  • the apparatus to be controlled can be a video or television broadcast signal receiver which is located in a first room and the person with the remote control device is located in a second room viewing a television screen connected to the video or satellite receiver and is connected thereto by RF signal carrying cable and this cable is also used to carry the electrical signal which is representative of the remote control device signal to the apparatus.
  • a system for allowing remote control of electrical apparatus comprising, in a first area, a remote control device capable of emitting a control signal and a means for receiving said signal and converting same into an electrical representation of said signal, and in a second area the electrical apparatus to be controlled, said signal receiving and converting means in the first area connected to the apparatus in the second area by a cable along which the electrical signal passes to the electrical apparatus to cause the required control of the apparatus.
  • further electrical apparatus is located in the first area, said apparatus connected to the electrical apparatus in the second area and the control of the electrical apparatus in the second area via the remote control device causes a change in condition in the apparatus in the first area.
  • the electrical apparatus in the first and second areas is connected by the cable used to carry the electrical signal to effect the control of the apparatus in the second area.
  • the remote control signal receiving and/or converting means are provided as integral components of the electrical apparatus in the first area and so the electrical signal is generated in this apparatus and sent along the cable to the electrical apparatus in the second area which is to be controlled.
  • the electrical apparatus in the second area typically includes a means for receiving broadcast signals of at least one form and the electrical apparatus in the first area includes a screen for the display of said broadcast signals.
  • the apparatus in the second area can also include a screen for the display of said broadcast signals so that in one embodiment the apparatus in the second area includes means for receiving a number of different forms of broadcast signals and the remote control device can be used to cause the display screen in the first area to be selected to display one type of received broadcast signal or channel different to that displayed on the screen in the second area.
  • a method for changing an operating condition of a television broadcast signal receiver by using a remote control device at a location where the device is out of range of the receiver comprising the steps of providing within range of the remote control device a remote control signal receiver for receiving the signal from the remote control device, a converter for converting the signal into an electrical signal and connecting means which allows the passage of the signal therealong to the television broadcast signal receiver.
  • a display screen is provided at the location of operation of the remote control device and when the television broadcast signal receiver condition is changed the receiver sends an appropriate signal to the display screen to change condition such as any of, to change the viewed channel or broadcast signal, to switch the same on or off, or change any of the volume, colour or contrast.
  • the cable connecting the display screen to the television broadcast signal receiver is used as the connecting means along which the signal from the remote control device to the receiver is carried.
  • the electrical apparatus whose condition is to be changed typically includes a frequency splitter unit to allow the electrical signal received from the cable to be split from the other data and interpreted.
  • the remote control device signal receiver typically includes a light or audio sensor and transducer unit and the converting means includes a frequency adder to allow the converted signal to be added as a data stream to the cable for transmission to the electrical apparatus.
  • a carrier signal is provided so that once the remote control signal is converted into an electrical signal, the carrier signal is added to form a combined signal sent along the cable to the electrical apparatus to be controlled.
  • the carrier signal can be provided to modulate a higher frequency signal to allow the received signal to be interpreted and pass through the interpretation circuitry of the electrical apparatus to be controlled.
  • the present system apparatus and method requires the conversion of a light or audio signal into an electrical signal but does not require any additional conversions of the signal.
  • the current system allows the remote control device to be operated in an area where it is out of range and hence not “viewable" by the apparatus to be controlled.
  • the system can be used with a conventional remote device which can therefor be used directly with the electrical apparatus when in range or with the system of this invention when out of range.
  • FIG 1 illustrates in schematic fashion the system according to the invention
  • Figure 2 illustrates the electric circuitry related to the light signal receiver and converter
  • Figure 3 illustrates the electric circuitry provided in the electrical apparatus which receives the signal.
  • FIG. 1 there is illustrated a system according to the invention wherein said system includes a remote control device 2 incorporating, in this embodiment, a light signal emitter (not shown).
  • the device 2 is operated in a first area 4 such as a room in a house and indicated by the broken lines in the diagram.
  • a light signal receiving means 6 incorporating a signal converter 11 and a television monitor with a display screen 8 connected via cable 10.
  • the cable also connects the receiver and converter 6,11 to apparatus in a second, separate area 12 in which is located the electrical apparatus 14 which is to be controlled and, in this embodiment a primary television display screen 16, although this is not required for operation of the system.
  • the apparatus 14 to be controlled is connected to the cable 10 and hence the light signal converter 11, light signal receiver 6 and television monitor 8.
  • the remote control device 2 Normally the presence of the remote control device 2 in a different room to the apparatus 14 to be controlled would mean that the remote control could not be used as it is out of range and this would mean that a person watching the screen of monitor 8 would have to leave that room and go into area 12 to operate the apparatus 14 to change channels and the like and this is obviously inconvenient.
  • the present invention however allows the remote control device 2 to be operated in the area 4 by detecting, receiving and converting the signal in that room via units 6 and 11 into an electrical signal and then transferring the signal to the apparatus 14 in area 12 via cable 10 by adding the converted signal by telemetry to the cable.
  • the condition of the apparatus 14 can be changed accordingly and a new or revised signal sent along the cable 10 to the television monitor 8 accordingly.
  • the electric circuitry associated with the remote control signal receiver and converter is shown in Figure 2 and comprises a transducer unit 20 which includes a light sensor and connected thereto the converter unit which includes a frequency adder unit 22 to allow the converted signal to be added as an auxiliary data channel of IR telemetry to the cable 10 as a distinct frequency component on the cable.
  • Figure 3 illustrates the electric circuitry 23 provided in the apparatus 14 to be controlled and this includes a frequency splitter unit 24 which allows the telemetry data channel to be split and extracted from the output 26 of the cable 10.
  • the system allows remote viewing and control of electrical apparatus such as broadcast signal receiving apparatus on a display screen of for example a television monitor via a cable, typically coaxial RF cable, which connects the monitor with the electrical apparatus for the receipt of the signals to be displayed and which monitor may therefore be provided, viewed and controlled in a separate remote location to the electrical apparatus.
  • a cable typically coaxial RF cable
  • the signals received from the remote control device are converted into telemetry in the form of unmodulated pulses so as to mimic the type of pulse which would normally be received from a light signal receiver conventionally integrally fitted to the front of the electrical apparatus to be controlled and which may receiver can still be used when the remote control device is used in range.
  • the pulses received via the cable are passed to a controller within the electrical apparatus on a separate pin connection to those received from the integral light signal receiver and the change in condition generated accordingly and allocated, and sent to the appropriate television monitor via the cable 10.
  • the present invention allows a significant improvement in the provision of remote control systems in relation to the conventional systems and additionally allows a simple and economical system to be used and which, due to the lack of the requirement to regenerate the light signal as in the conventional system, is easier and cheaper to implement and install and is believed to be more reliable.

Abstract

The invention relates to the ability to use a remote control device which emits audio, such as ultrasonic, or light, such as infrared, signals to change the condition of electrical apparatus such as a television broadcast signal receiver when the remote control device is itself out of range of the apparatus and in one embodiment by using existing connecting means between the apparatus and another piece of apparatus, typically in the vicinity of the remote control device, to carry the remote control signal or a signal representing the same, to the electrical apparatus whose condition is to be changed.

Description

Remote Control System and Apparatus
The invention which is the subject of this application relates to a remote control system and apparatus which can be used to allow the control of electrical apparatus such as televisions, television broadcast signal receivers and the like, not only from a position remote from the apparatus but also, if required, at a location out of range of the receiver provided in the apparatus to be controlled due, for example, to the apparatus being located in a different room in a building.
The use of remote control devices which utilise a light or audio emitter device to send control signals to apparatus which contains a signal receiver is well known. The light signal can be infra red and the remote control device typically comprises a series of buttons and associated circuitry which causes a specified light signal to be transmitted upon the depression of a specific button. The specified light signal, when received at the apparatus is transferred into an electrical signal which causes the condition of operation of the apparatus to be altered accordingly.
The problem with this type of remote control apparatus is that the remote control device is required to be positioned in the vicinity of the apparatus such that the light signal emitted is in range or "viewable" and hence receivable by the light receiver in the apparatus. This therefore restricts the use of the remote control device typically to the room where the apparatus is held, however, increasingly there is a desire to be able to alter the condition of the apparatus from a location where the light signal is not "viewable" . Such requirements can be, for example, if a television monitor is provided in a bedroom and connected to the apparatus located in the lounge of a house and the programme viewed on the monitor is required to be changed by the person in the bedroom from the bedroom, or, for example, if the premises are provided with a stereo sound system, and a person wishes to change the volume or the material being played from a position in a premises where speakers are provided but where the stereo unit is located elsewhere.
There is one known system which allows the use of a remote control device in another area to that in which the apparatus to be controlled is located and this known system comprises a remote control device with a light signal emitter which is provided to be used in conjunction with a light signal receiver mounted in the same area. The light signal receiver is connected to a light emitter by a cable, such as a television cable, to allow the light signal to be transferred in an electrical signal form. A light emitter is also connected to the cable and is located in another area and in the same area where the apparatus to be controlled is located so that the light emitter reconverts the electrical signal into a light signal and sends the light signal so that it can be received by a light receiver in the apparatus to be controlled and hence cause the change in condition of the apparatus as required. Thus, in this system, the light signal is transmitted, received and converted to an electrical signal, transmitted, then transferred back to a light signal, transmitted, received and then transferred once more to an electrical signal in the apparatus to be controlled. This requirement for transfer of signal types can be. problematic inasmuch that if there is interference or the signal conversions are not correctly performed so the subsequent light signal received by the apparatus to be controlled can not be read and so the change of the apparatus cannot take place. Furthermore the requirement for the various light emitters, receivers and transfer circuitry means that this known system is relatively expensive and has not, to the applicant's knowledge, been commercially put into practice to any significant extent.
The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a remote control system which allows the operation of the remote control to be performed in an area other than that in which the apparatus to be controlled is located and to provide the system in as simple and efficient a form as possible thereby ensuring the reliable operation of the same and making the system economically viable.
In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system for allowing the remote control of electrical apparatus, said system including a remote control device including a means for generating a signal representative of a control function for the electrical apparatus, said electrical apparatus including processing means to cause change in the operation of the apparatus upon receiving the signal and characterised in that the system further comprises a remote control device signal receiver removed from the electrical apparatus, for receiving the control signal from the remote control device, a converter for converting the signal into an electrical signal and a cable connected to said, electrical apparatus for carrying said signal to the electrical apparatus.
In one embodiment the signal generated by the remote control device is any of a light or audio signal and signal is typically not detectable directly by the electrical apparatus as the remote control device and the electrical apparatus are physically remote and out of range.
Typically the invention is of particular use in the control of any or any combination of a video recorder, stereo apparatus, internet transmission receiver, or television broadcast signal receiver to receive any or any combination of a terrestrial broadcast signal receiver, satellite transmission receiver, cable transmission receiver or digital transmission receiver and reference hereon to any one specific receiver or apparatus should be interpreted as being equally applicable to any type of electrical apparatus which can be controlled in the manner described.
The cable used for carrying said electrical signal can in one embodiment be an RF cable. The RF cable can therefore be in use to connect a display screen, television set or monitor positioned at the location of the remote control device with the electrical apparatus to be controlled by the remote control device.
In one embodiment the apparatus to be controlled can be a video or television broadcast signal receiver which is located in a first room and the person with the remote control device is located in a second room viewing a television screen connected to the video or satellite receiver and is connected thereto by RF signal carrying cable and this cable is also used to carry the electrical signal which is representative of the remote control device signal to the apparatus.
Ina further aspect of the invention there is provided a system for allowing remote control of electrical apparatus, said system comprising, in a first area, a remote control device capable of emitting a control signal and a means for receiving said signal and converting same into an electrical representation of said signal, and in a second area the electrical apparatus to be controlled, said signal receiving and converting means in the first area connected to the apparatus in the second area by a cable along which the electrical signal passes to the electrical apparatus to cause the required control of the apparatus.
In one embodiment further electrical apparatus is located in the first area, said apparatus connected to the electrical apparatus in the second area and the control of the electrical apparatus in the second area via the remote control device causes a change in condition in the apparatus in the first area. Typically the electrical apparatus in the first and second areas is connected by the cable used to carry the electrical signal to effect the control of the apparatus in the second area.
In one embodiment the remote control signal receiving and/or converting means are provided as integral components of the electrical apparatus in the first area and so the electrical signal is generated in this apparatus and sent along the cable to the electrical apparatus in the second area which is to be controlled..
The electrical apparatus in the second area typically includes a means for receiving broadcast signals of at least one form and the electrical apparatus in the first area includes a screen for the display of said broadcast signals. The apparatus in the second area can also include a screen for the display of said broadcast signals so that in one embodiment the apparatus in the second area includes means for receiving a number of different forms of broadcast signals and the remote control device can be used to cause the display screen in the first area to be selected to display one type of received broadcast signal or channel different to that displayed on the screen in the second area.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for changing an operating condition of a television broadcast signal receiver by using a remote control device at a location where the device is out of range of the receiver, said method comprising the steps of providing within range of the remote control device a remote control signal receiver for receiving the signal from the remote control device, a converter for converting the signal into an electrical signal and connecting means which allows the passage of the signal therealong to the television broadcast signal receiver.
In one embodiment a display screen is provided at the location of operation of the remote control device and when the television broadcast signal receiver condition is changed the receiver sends an appropriate signal to the display screen to change condition such as any of, to change the viewed channel or broadcast signal, to switch the same on or off, or change any of the volume, colour or contrast. In this embodiment the cable connecting the display screen to the television broadcast signal receiver is used as the connecting means along which the signal from the remote control device to the receiver is carried.
In whichever embodiment the electrical apparatus whose condition is to be changed typically includes a frequency splitter unit to allow the electrical signal received from the cable to be split from the other data and interpreted. The remote control device signal receiver typically includes a light or audio sensor and transducer unit and the converting means includes a frequency adder to allow the converted signal to be added as a data stream to the cable for transmission to the electrical apparatus.
In one embodiment a carrier signal is provided so that once the remote control signal is converted into an electrical signal, the carrier signal is added to form a combined signal sent along the cable to the electrical apparatus to be controlled. The carrier signal can be provided to modulate a higher frequency signal to allow the received signal to be interpreted and pass through the interpretation circuitry of the electrical apparatus to be controlled.
Thus it will be appreciated that the present system apparatus and method requires the conversion of a light or audio signal into an electrical signal but does not require any additional conversions of the signal. However the current system allows the remote control device to be operated in an area where it is out of range and hence not "viewable" by the apparatus to be controlled. Furthermore the system can be used with a conventional remote device which can therefor be used directly with the electrical apparatus when in range or with the system of this invention when out of range.
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;
Figure 1 illustrates in schematic fashion the system according to the invention;
Figure 2 illustrates the electric circuitry related to the light signal receiver and converter; and
Figure 3 illustrates the electric circuitry provided in the electrical apparatus which receives the signal.
Referring firstly to Figure 1 there is illustrated a system according to the invention wherein said system includes a remote control device 2 incorporating, in this embodiment, a light signal emitter (not shown). The device 2 is operated in a first area 4 such as a room in a house and indicated by the broken lines in the diagram. Also provided in the area are a light signal receiving means 6 incorporating a signal converter 11 and a television monitor with a display screen 8 connected via cable 10. The cable also connects the receiver and converter 6,11 to apparatus in a second, separate area 12 in which is located the electrical apparatus 14 which is to be controlled and, in this embodiment a primary television display screen 16, although this is not required for operation of the system.
The apparatus 14 to be controlled is connected to the cable 10 and hence the light signal converter 11, light signal receiver 6 and television monitor 8. Normally the presence of the remote control device 2 in a different room to the apparatus 14 to be controlled would mean that the remote control could not be used as it is out of range and this would mean that a person watching the screen of monitor 8 would have to leave that room and go into area 12 to operate the apparatus 14 to change channels and the like and this is obviously inconvenient. The present invention however allows the remote control device 2 to be operated in the area 4 by detecting, receiving and converting the signal in that room via units 6 and 11 into an electrical signal and then transferring the signal to the apparatus 14 in area 12 via cable 10 by adding the converted signal by telemetry to the cable. Thus the condition of the apparatus 14 can be changed accordingly and a new or revised signal sent along the cable 10 to the television monitor 8 accordingly.
Furthermore, and again unlike the known prior art, there is no need for additional signal converter units to be provided in the area 12 as the electrical signal is transferred directly to the electrical apparatus.
The electric circuitry associated with the remote control signal receiver and converter is shown in Figure 2 and comprises a transducer unit 20 which includes a light sensor and connected thereto the converter unit which includes a frequency adder unit 22 to allow the converted signal to be added as an auxiliary data channel of IR telemetry to the cable 10 as a distinct frequency component on the cable.
Figure 3 illustrates the electric circuitry 23 provided in the apparatus 14 to be controlled and this includes a frequency splitter unit 24 which allows the telemetry data channel to be split and extracted from the output 26 of the cable 10.
Thus the system allows remote viewing and control of electrical apparatus such as broadcast signal receiving apparatus on a display screen of for example a television monitor via a cable, typically coaxial RF cable, which connects the monitor with the electrical apparatus for the receipt of the signals to be displayed and which monitor may therefore be provided, viewed and controlled in a separate remote location to the electrical apparatus. The provision of the remote receiver unit 6 and converter 11, connected to the RF signal path carried by the connecting cable, and which can in one embodiment be provided as integral parts of the television monitor 8, allows UHF PAL modulated TV signals to pass through the remote monitor aerial connection. The signals received from the remote control device are converted into telemetry in the form of unmodulated pulses so as to mimic the type of pulse which would normally be received from a light signal receiver conventionally integrally fitted to the front of the electrical apparatus to be controlled and which may receiver can still be used when the remote control device is used in range. The pulses received via the cable are passed to a controller within the electrical apparatus on a separate pin connection to those received from the integral light signal receiver and the change in condition generated accordingly and allocated, and sent to the appropriate television monitor via the cable 10. Indeed it is envisaged that by adopting the principles of this invention it will be possible to provide for the selective control of different television monitors via adapted controlled electrical apparatus thus allowing different programmes to be viewed on different monitors connected to common electrical apparatus such as a broadcast signal receiver apparatus so that, for example, a remote control device could be used by a first person in conjunction with a light signal receiver provided integral with the apparatus in area 12 to allow control of viewing of the television 16 in the area 12 and a second remote control device used by a second person in area 4 in accordance with the system of this invention to control the receiver in the area 12 to control the viewing of the television monitor 8 independently.
Thus the present invention allows a significant improvement in the provision of remote control systems in relation to the conventional systems and additionally allows a simple and economical system to be used and which, due to the lack of the requirement to regenerate the light signal as in the conventional system, is easier and cheaper to implement and install and is believed to be more reliable.

Claims

Claims
1. A system for allowing the remote control of electrical apparatus, said system including a remote control device including a means for generating a signal representative of a control function for the electrical apparatus, said electrical apparatus including processing means to cause change in the operation of the apparatus upon receiving the signal and characterised in that the system further comprises a remote control device signal receiver removed from the electrical apparatus, for receiving the control signal from the remote control device, a converter for converting the signal into an electrical signal and a cable connected to said electrical apparatus for carrying said signal to the electrical apparatus.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the signal generated by the remote control device is any of a light or audio signal.
3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the signal is not detectable directly by the electrical apparatus as the same are physically remote and out of range.
4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the electrical apparatus which is controlled is any or any combination of a video recorder, internet transmission receiver or television broadcast signal receiver to receive any or any combination of a terrestrial broadcast signal receiver, satellite transmission receiver, cable transmission receiver or digital transmission receiver.
5. A system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the cable used for carrying said electrical signal is an RF cable.
6. A system according to claim 5 wherein the RF cable is in use to connect a display screen, television set or monitor positioned at the location of the remote control device with the electrical apparatus to be controlled by the remote control device.
7. A system for allowing remote control of electrical apparatus, said system comprising, in a first area, a remote control device capable of emitting a control signal and a means for receiving said signal and converting same into an electrical representation of said signal, and in a second area the electrical apparatus to be controlled, said signal receiving and converting means in the first area connected to the apparatus in the second area by a cable along which the electrical signal passes to the electrical apparatus to cause the required control of the apparatus.
8. A system according to claim 7 wherein further electrical apparatus is located in the first area, said apparatus connected to the electrical apparatus in the second area and the control of the electrical apparatus in the second area via the remote control device causes a change in condition in the apparatus in the first area.
9. A system according to claim 8 wherein the electrical apparatus in the first and second areas is connected by the cable used to carry the electrical signal to effect the control of the apparatus in the second area.
10. A system according to claim 8 wherein the remote control signal receiving and/or converting means are provided as integral components of the electrical apparatus in the first area.
11. A system according to any of claims 8-10 wherein the electrical apparatus in the second area includes a means for receiving broadcast signals of at least one form and the electrical apparatus in the first area includes a screen for the display of said broadcast signals.
12. A system according to claim 11 wherein the apparatus in the second area includes a screen for the display of said broadcast signals.
13. A system according to claim 12 wherein the apparatus in the second area includes means for receiving a number of different forms of broadcast signals and the remote control device can be used to cause the display screen in the first area to be selected to display one type of received broadcast signal or channel different to that displayed on the screen in the second area.
14. A method for changing an operating condition of a television broadcast signal receiver by using a remote control device at a location where the device is out of range of the receiver, said method comprising the steps of providing within range of the remote control device a remote control signal receiver for receiving the signal from the remote control device, a converter for converting the signal into an electrical signal and connecting means which allows the passage of the signal therealong to the television broadcast signal receiver.
15. A method according to claim 14 wherein a display screen is provided at the location of operation of the remote control device and when the television broadcast signal receiver condition is changed the receiver sends an appropriate signal to the display screen to change condition such as any of, to change the viewed channel or broadcast signal, to switch the same on or off, or change any of the volume, colour or contrast.
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the cable connecting the display screen to the television broadcast signal receiver is used as the connecting means along which the signal from the remote control device to the receiver is carried.
17. A system or method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the electrical apparatus whose condition is to be changed includes a frequency splitter unit to allow the electrical signal received to be interpreted.
18. A system or method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the remote control device signal receiver includes a light or audio sensor and transducer unit and the converting means includes a frequency adder.
19 A system or method according to any of the preceding claims wherein there is provided a carrier signal so that the remote control signal is converted into an electrical signal, after which the carrier signal is added to the remote control signal to form a combined signal sent along the cable to the electrical apparatus to be controlled.
20. A system or method according to claim 19 wherein the carrier signal is provided to modulate a higher frequency signal to allow the received signal to be interpreted and pass through the interpretation circuitry of the electrical apparatus to be controlled.
PCT/GB1998/002353 1997-08-05 1998-08-05 Remote control system and apparatus WO1999008249A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU86392/98A AU8639298A (en) 1997-08-05 1998-08-05 Remote control system and apparatus

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9716416.4A GB9716416D0 (en) 1997-08-05 1997-08-05 Remote control apparatus
GB9716416.4 1997-08-05

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999008249A1 true WO1999008249A1 (en) 1999-02-18

Family

ID=10816913

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1998/002353 WO1999008249A1 (en) 1997-08-05 1998-08-05 Remote control system and apparatus

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU8639298A (en)
GB (1) GB9716416D0 (en)
WO (1) WO1999008249A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6486082B1 (en) 2001-06-18 2002-11-26 Applied Materials, Inc. CVD plasma assisted lower dielectric constant sicoh film
CN100361515C (en) * 2004-10-28 2008-01-09 南京Lg同创彩色显示系统有限责任公司 Remote control equipment

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0024618A1 (en) * 1979-08-24 1981-03-11 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Wide-band telecommunication system
JPS57206175A (en) * 1981-06-15 1982-12-17 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Two-way double television device
GB2140182A (en) * 1983-05-16 1984-11-21 Xantech Corp Infrared extension system
GB2166328A (en) * 1984-10-27 1986-04-30 Int Standard Electric Corp In-house distribution facility for a broadband communication system
JPS6267975A (en) * 1985-09-19 1987-03-27 Victor Co Of Japan Ltd Control signal transmission system for television camera
JPS62233995A (en) * 1986-04-03 1987-10-14 Alpine Electron Inc Remote control system
US4897883A (en) * 1987-12-18 1990-01-30 Modcom Corporation Infrared remote control apparatus
US5142397A (en) * 1990-01-04 1992-08-25 Dockery Devan T System for extending the effective operational range of an infrared remote control system

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0024618A1 (en) * 1979-08-24 1981-03-11 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Wide-band telecommunication system
JPS57206175A (en) * 1981-06-15 1982-12-17 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Two-way double television device
GB2140182A (en) * 1983-05-16 1984-11-21 Xantech Corp Infrared extension system
GB2166328A (en) * 1984-10-27 1986-04-30 Int Standard Electric Corp In-house distribution facility for a broadband communication system
JPS6267975A (en) * 1985-09-19 1987-03-27 Victor Co Of Japan Ltd Control signal transmission system for television camera
JPS62233995A (en) * 1986-04-03 1987-10-14 Alpine Electron Inc Remote control system
US4897883A (en) * 1987-12-18 1990-01-30 Modcom Corporation Infrared remote control apparatus
US5142397A (en) * 1990-01-04 1992-08-25 Dockery Devan T System for extending the effective operational range of an infrared remote control system

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 007, no. 058 (E - 163) 10 March 1983 (1983-03-10) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 011, no. 257 (E - 534) 20 August 1987 (1987-08-20) *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 012, no. 106 (E - 596) 6 April 1988 (1988-04-06) *

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6486082B1 (en) 2001-06-18 2002-11-26 Applied Materials, Inc. CVD plasma assisted lower dielectric constant sicoh film
US6943127B2 (en) 2001-06-18 2005-09-13 Applied Materials Inc. CVD plasma assisted lower dielectric constant SICOH film
US7153787B2 (en) 2001-06-18 2006-12-26 Applied Materials, Inc. CVD plasma assisted lower dielectric constant SICOH film
CN100361515C (en) * 2004-10-28 2008-01-09 南京Lg同创彩色显示系统有限责任公司 Remote control equipment

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU8639298A (en) 1999-03-01
GB9716416D0 (en) 1997-10-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US5420647A (en) T.V. viewing and recording system
US4866515A (en) Passenger service and entertainment system for supplying frequency-multiplexed video, audio, and television game software signals to passenger seat terminals
US6005490A (en) Bidirectional remote control apparatus
US5056138A (en) Television selection system
US6288749B1 (en) Computer system with remote television display
CA2250189A1 (en) Computer controlled home entertainment system
EP0967797A3 (en) An image display and remote control system capable of displaying two distinct images
EP1227673B1 (en) Home entertainment system
US6034737A (en) TV set and a combination apparatus of a TV set and an AV amplifier
US6040874A (en) Peripheral unit connection status display device of composite video apparatus and methods thereof
US20050289633A1 (en) Cable to wireless conversion system for in-home video distribution
WO1999008249A1 (en) Remote control system and apparatus
JP2000134502A (en) Audio video distributor
GB2251970A (en) Remotely controlled information transmission system
KR100886745B1 (en) Multimedia modulator
US4427995A (en) Fail-safe CATV system center facility
KR20040099346A (en) Video apparatus
CA2153888C (en) T.v. viewing and recording system
JPH0310596A (en) Home bus information display system
JPH05219503A (en) Message display device for catv system
JP3516087B2 (en) Terminal control device for CATV system
GB2342801A (en) Baby monitoring apparatus
KR0158317B1 (en) Television receiver with blackboard function
JPH01255389A (en) Community receiving system for television transmitting audio visual signal for satellite broadcasting or the like
JPH04227196A (en) Catv system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG US UZ VN YU ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW SD SZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: KR

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: CA