Abstract:
In a remote control signal repeater, which transmits remote control signals from a remote controller to a main device, having a bandpass filter and a level slicer, the bandpass filter is constructed of a parallel LC resonant circuit and a serial LC resonant circuit connected to each other. The resonant frequencies of the respective resonant circuits are set to the substantially same frequency. A resultant resonant characteristic having two peaks on sides of the original resonant frequency of the parallel LC resonant circuit is obtained and resonance of the serial LC resonant circuit is produced between the two peaks, thereby flattening the portion between the two peaks. The level slicer connected to the bandpass filter includes a class-C amplifier which level-slices output of the bandpass filter, a smoothing circuit which smoothes output of the class-C amplifier and a bias control circuit which variably controls the degree of class-C bias in accordance with a smoothed output of the smoothing circuit. When an undesirable continuous noise is received by a light receiving element, the class-C bias increases to cut off the received continuous noise and when a remote control signal is received, the class-C bias decreases to output the received remote control signal.
Abstract:
Systems, methods and devices are provided for remotely transmitting a control command to a device having a light sensor for receiving the control command in the form of a light energy signal. A radio frequency remote control signal is produced within an enclosure of a remote control unit (such as a hand-held remote control unit) and is radiated therefrom to a radio frequency receiver. The receiver converts the received signal to a light energy signal which it applies to the light sensor of the device to provide the command thereto.
Abstract:
A hierarchical control system including a central receiver; a first communications medium operably connecting the central receiver to at least one controller; and a controller operably connected to the central receiver by the first communications medium. The system also includes a sensor for sensing conditions; a second communication medium; and a transmitter for transmitting the sensed conditions from the sensor to the central receiver via the second communications medium. The central receiver also includes receiver for receiving transmissions on the second communications medium and a transmitter for retransmitting the transmissions on the first communications medium.
Abstract:
Probes (18A,18B,18C) can be interchangably mounted in the spindle (12) of a machine tool. Each probe has an optical signal transmission system, in which an optical signal from a light emitting diode (26) is transmitted to a receiver module 28. Such an arrangement requires a battery in the probe. To conserve battery power, the probe is normally in a stand-by mode, but can be switched on by an optical signal transmitted from the module 28 to a receiving photodiode 32 on the probe. This switch-on signal is modulated at a different frequency for each probe. Each probe contains a filter for the signal received by the photodiode 32, responsive only to the frequency of modulation of its own switch-on signal. Probes which are not intended to be switched on therefore do not react to the switch-on signal of another probe, thus conserving battery power further.
Abstract:
A method for remotely monitoring conditions such as carbon monoxide or methane gas concentration, longwall roof support pressure, machine parameters or uncut coal, trona or potash layer thickness in a natural resource mining system such as a longwall or continuous mine system. The method utilizes a plurality of sensors connected to low magnetic moment transmitters, e.g. 0.1 ATM.sup.2, or high magnetic moment transmitters, e.g. 2.5 ATM.sup.2, that transmit collected data during multiple short burst transmission periods. Prior to transmission, the data is converted to a digital word format. An algorithm in the transmitter microcomputer ensures that random time intervals exist between data transmission bursts thus preventing a data transmission clash at the central receiver. A microcomputer algorithm in the central receiver protects against data contention caused by simultaneous transmission from several sensors. The data is transmitted to the central receiver either through a natural waveguide pathway or through a utility conductor that is magnetically coupled to the transmitter and central receiver by properly oriented electrically short magnetic dipole antennas. The method can be used, for example, to automatically control the positioning of a plurality of longwall roof supports or to transmit data from a longwall drillhead, along the drill rod, to the central receiver. Data can be communicated between a remote location and a surface area by utilizing a system of repeaters inductively coupled to a utility conductor. Use of the repeater system permits operation of mining machines from a surface computer.
Abstract:
In response to a detected presence of an intended target appliance within a logical topography of controllable appliances identity information associated with the intended target appliance is used to automatically add to a graphical user interface of a controlling device an icon representative of the intended target appliance and to create at a Universal Control Engine a listing of communication methods for use in controlling corresponding functional operations of the intended target appliance. When the icon is later activated, the controlling device is placed into an operating state appropriate for controlling functional operations of the intended target appliance while the Universal Control Engine uses at least one of the communication methods to transmit at least one command to place the intended target appliance into a predetermined operating state.
Abstract:
Apparatus, system and method for using a controlling device for receiving voice input to control the operation of voice controlled smart appliances and, more particularly, to a controlling device for recognizing voice commands and for use in routing a signal, based on voice commands from the user, to two or more voice controlled smart appliances from different consumer brand names.
Abstract:
Device, system, and method of dynamically configuring a Sub-1 Gigahertz reception module via a Wi-Fi communication link. For example, a ceiling fan includes rotatable blades, an electric motor to rotate them, and a fan controller to control activation and deactivation and rotation speed of the electric motor. The ceiling fan further includes a non-Wi-Fi wireless receiver unit, such as a Sub-1 Gigahertz wireless receiver unit, to receive incoming non-Wi-Fi signals indicating control commands to the ceiling fan which is associated with an existing Fan Address Code. The ceiling fan also includes a Wi-Fi wireless receiver unit, to receive an incoming Wi-Fi message indicating a replacement Fan Address Code. The ceiling fan includes a Fan Address Code Modification Unit, to replace (i) the existing Fan Access Code of the ceiling fan, with (ii) a replacement Fan Access Code that was received via the incoming Wi-Fi message.
Abstract:
A system for use in controlling operating functions of a controllable device includes a hand-held device and an intermediate device in communication with the hand-held device and the controllable device. The hand-held device is adapted to receive a gesture based input and to transmit a signal having data representative of the gesture based input. The intermediate device has programming for translating the data representative of the gesture based input in a signal received from the hand-held device into a command signal to be communicated to the controllable device wherein the command signal has a format appropriate for controlling an operating function of the controllable device that is associated with the gesture based input.
Abstract:
We disclose a concierge device that can be configured to register, control and support a consumer device. It can alternatively or redundantly connect to a home management bridge and/or cloud-based management servers. It can accept menus that allow a single concierge device to provide a wide range of functions for various consumer devices. The concierge device allows the user in a single action to initiate a support session, automatically identifying the consumer device. The concierge device can be configured for voice or video support calls. The concierge device in conjunction with a home management bridge or gateway can manage on boarding of components of an automated home, such as switches and lamps. Implementations of the concierge device that include a display can show supplemental information, such as advertising, optionally in coordination with media being played on a consumer device coupled in communication with the concierge device.