IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,266,301
Granted Patent B2
US 7,266,301 · App. 10/655,809 · Granted Sep 4, 2007

Interference resistant repeater systems including controller units

Assignee: Speakercraft, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,266,301
App. No.
10/655,809
Filed
Sep 5, 2003
Granted
Sep 4, 2007
Kind
B2
Examiner
LIU, LI
Art Unit
2613
USPC
398/126
Abstract

A repeater unit is provided that includes a receiver module and a controller unit. The receiver module is responsive to an infrared signal. The controller unit is adapted to determine whether a signal based on the infrared signal corresponds to a remote control signal.

Claims (26)

1. A repeater unit comprising:

at least one receiver module responsive to an infrared signal; and

a controller unit adapted to determine whether a signal based on the infrared signal corresponds to one of a plurality of remote control signals,

wherein the at least one receiver module comprises a first receiver module, tuned to a first carrier frequency, that receives the infrared signal and is configured to generate a first signal based on the infrared signal, and a second receiver module, tuned to a second carrier frequency, that receives the infrared signal and is configured to generate a second signal based on the infrared input signal,

wherein the controller unit:

determines if the first signal based on the infrared signal is a valid remote control signal by determining if the first signal corresponds to one of the remote control signals, or

determines if the second signal based on the infrared signal is a valid remote control signal by determining if the second signal corresponds to one of the remote control signals; and

generates a signal that corresponds to one of the remote control signals, if the controller unit determines that either the first signal or the second signal is a valid remote control signal, by adding either a fixed carrier frequency, or a multi frequency signal to either the first signal or the second signal,

wherein the controller unit determines if the first signal corresponds to one of the remote control signals by measuring a pulse width of the first signal, and determining if the pulse width of the first signal is greater or less than a predetermined duration that corresponds to a duration of a carrier of one of the remote control signals,

wherein the controller determines that the second signal corresponds to one of the remote control signals by measuring a pulse width of the second signal, and determining if the pulse width of the second signal is greater or less than a predetermined duration that corresponds to a duration of a carrier of one of the remote control signals, and

wherein the controller unit determines that either the first signal or the second signal corresponds to one of the remote control signals, even though the pulse width of the first output signal or the second signal is less than the predetermined duration, if the first signal and the second signal are simultaneously active.

2. The repeater unit of claim 1 , wherein the infrared signal comprises at least one of a noise input and the remote control signal.

3. The repeater unit of claim 2 , wherein the controller unit is adapted to distinguish between the noise input and the remote control signal.

4. The repeater unit of claim 1 , wherein the first and second receiver modules comprise wideband receiver modules.

5. The repeater unit of claim 1 , wherein the first and second receiver modules comprise narrowband receiver modules.

6. The repeater unit of claim 1 , further comprising an amplifier that amplifies the signal generated by the controller unit.

7. The repeater unit of claim 1 , wherein the infrared signal is from a control device.

8. The repeater unit of claim 7 , wherein the control device is a remote control device.

9. The repeater unit of claim 1 , wherein the first carrier frequency is centered about 38 kHz.

10. The repeater unit of claim 9 , wherein the second carrier frequency is centered about 56 kHz.

11. The repeater unit of claim 1 , further comprising a third receiver module tuned to a third carrier frequency that receives the infrared signal and is configured to generate a third signal based on the infrared input signal.

12. The repeater unit of claim 11 , wherein the third carrier frequency is centered about 455 kHz.

13. An infrared repeater system comprising the repeater unit of claim 1 , and further comprising:

a remote control device that generates the infrared signal;

an amplifier that amplifies the signal generated by the controller unit; and

at least one component responsive to the amplified output signal from the amplifier.

Assignments (16)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2021
From: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: SPEAKERCRAFT; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; NORTEK AIR SOLUTIONS, LLC; NORTEK GLOBAL HVAC LLC; NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GTO, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 056614/0709 →
NOTICE OF RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 10, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; AUBREY MANUFACTURING, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; CES GROUP, INC.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; GTO, INC.; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; J.A.R. INDUSTRIES, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR H.K. LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITETOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE CHINA LLC; NORDYNE INC.; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE INC.; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, INC.; TEMTROL, INC.; WDS LLC; WEBCO, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION; ZEPHYR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041326/0071 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF SECURITY IN PATENTS Recorded Jan 10, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: NORTEK, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; BROAN-MEXICO HOLDINGS, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP; CES GROUP, INC.; CES INTERNATIONAL LTD.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GATES THAT OPEN, LLC; GEFEN, LLC; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH-WEBCO, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE LLC; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE LLC; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD, INC.; PANAMAX LLC; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC; TEMTROL, INC.; XANTECH LLC; ZEPHYR VENTILATION, LLC
Reel/Frame 041327/0089 →
NOTICE OF RELEASE OF SECURITY INTERESTS IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 026276, FRAME 0073 Recorded Jun 3, 2014
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BROAN-NUTONE LLC; BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP; ERGOTRON, INC.; GTO ACCESS SYSTEMS, LLC (F/K/A GATES THAT OPEN, LLC); CES GROUP, LLC (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO HUNTAIR, INC.); LINEAR LLC; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; NORDYNE LLC; ERGOTRON, INC. (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; CORE BRANDS, LLC (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC); CORE BRANDS, LLC (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO THE AVC GROUP, LLC); CORE BRANDS, LLC (F/K/A PANAMAX LLC); LINEAR LLC (SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO SECURE WIRELESS, INC.)
Reel/Frame 033083/0001 →
MERGER Recorded Apr 1, 2013
From: SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC
To: PANAMAX LLC
Reel/Frame 030120/0821 →
MERGER AND CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 1, 2013
From: PANAMAX LLC
To: CORE BRANDS, LLC
Reel/Frame 030121/0198 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 3, 2011
From: BROAN-NUTONE LLC, A DELAWARE LLC; BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; ERGOTRON, INC., A MINNESOTA CORPORATION; GATES THAT OPEN, LLC, A FLORIDA LLC; HUNTAIR, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; LINEAR LLC, A CALIFORNIA LLC; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD., A CONNECTICUT CORPORATION; NORDYNE LLC, A DELAWARE LLC; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC., A ARIZONA CORPORATION; PANAMAX, LLC, A CALIFORNIA LLC; SECURE WIRELESS, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC, A DELAWARE LLC; AVC GROUP, LLC, THE, A DELAWARE LLC
To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 026276/0073 →
PATENT RELEASE Recorded May 3, 2011
From: U.S BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BROAN-NUTONE LLC, A DELAWARE LLC; BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP, A DELAWARE LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; GATES THAT OPEN, LLC, A FLORIDA LLC; HUNTAIR, INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATION; LINEAR LLC, A CALIFORNIA LLC; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD., A CONNECTICUT CORPORATION; NORDYNE LLC, A DELAWARE LLC; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC., A ARIZONA CORPORATION; PANAMAX LLC, A CALIFORNIA LLC; SECURE WIRELESS, INC., A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION; SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC, A DELAWARE LLC; AVC GROUP, LLC, THE, A DELAWARE LLC; VENMAR CES, INC., A CANADIAN CORPORATION; VENMAR VENTILATION INC., CANADIAN CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 026275/0964 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 8, 2010
From: NORTEK, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; BROAN-MEXICO HOLDINGS, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; BROAN-NUTONE STORAGE SOLUTIONS LP; CES GROUP, INC.; CES INTERNATIONAL LTD.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GATES THAT OPEN, LLC; GEFEN, LLC; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH-WEBCO, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE LLC; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE LLC; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD INC.; PANAMAX LLC; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC; TEMTROL, INC.; XANTECH LLC; ZEPHYR VENTILATION, LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 023750/0040 →
CONVERSION Recorded Dec 11, 2009
From: SPEAKERCRAFT, INC.
To: SPEAKERCRAFT, LLC
Reel/Frame 023639/0860 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 31, 2008
From: NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GTO, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR LLC; LITE TOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE INC.; NUTONE INC.; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; RANGAIRE LP; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, INC.; TEMTROL, INC.; WEBCO, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION; ZEPHYR CORPORATION
To: U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 021316/0764 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 29, 2008
From: NORTEK, INC.; ADVANCED BRIDGING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIGIS MECHTRONICS, INC.; ALLSTAR PRO, LLC; AUBREY MANUFACTURING, INC.; BROAN-NUTONE LLC; CES GROUP, INC.; CLEANPAK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; GEFEN, INC.; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; GTO, INC.; HC INSTALLATIONS, INC.; HOMELOGIC LLC; HUNTAIR, INC.; INTERNATIONAL ELECTRONICS, INC.; J.A.R. INDUSTRIES, INC.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR H.K. LLC; LINEAR LLC; LITETOUCH, INC.; MAGENTA RESEARCH LTD.; MAMMOTH, INC.; NILES AUDIO CORPORATION; NORDYNE CHINA LLC; NORDYNE INC.; NORDYNE INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NORTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.; NUTONE INC.; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; OPERATOR SPECIALTY COMPANY, INC.; PACIFIC ZEPHYR RANGE HOOD, INC.; PANAMAX INC.; RANGAIRE GP, INC.; RANGAIRE LP; RANGAIRE LP, INC.; SECURE WIRELESS, INC.; SEAKERCRAFT, INC.; TEMTROL, INC.; WDS LLC; WEBCO, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION; ZEPHYR CORPORATION
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 021301/0927 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY Recorded Jun 19, 2008
From: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS U.S. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: BROAN-NUTONE LLC; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR LLC; MAMMOTH, INC.; MULTIPLEX TECHNOLOGY, INC. (NOW LINEAR LLC); NORDYNE INC.; NUTONE INC.; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION; NORTEK, INC.; NORTEK HOLDINGS, INC.; CES GROUP, INC.; GOVERNAIR CORPORATION; MAMMOTH CHINA LTD.; LINEAR H.K. LLC; WDS LLC
Reel/Frame 021118/0548 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 28, 2004
From: BROAN-NUTONE LLC; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR LLC; MAMMOTH, INC.; MULTIPLEX TECHNOLOGY, INC.; NORDYNE INC.; NUTONE INC.; OMNIMOUNT SYSTEMS, INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION
To: UBS AG, STAMFORD BRANCH, AS U.S. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 015918/0359 →
RELEASE AND REASSIGNMENT Recorded Sep 28, 2004
From: FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION; FLEET CAPITAL CANADA CORPORATION
To: BROAN-NUTONE LLC; ELAN HOME SYSTEMS, L.L.C.; JENSEN INDUSTRIES, INC.; LINEAR LLC; MAMMOTH, INC.; MULTIPLEX TECHNOLOGY, INC.; NORDYNE INC.; NUTONE INC.; SPEAKERCRAFT, INC.; VENNAR VENTILATION, INC.; XANTECH CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 015908/0223 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 5, 2003
From: STANCHFIELD, TODD M.; LEGGETT, ERNEST J.; MANGLER, EDWARD A.
To: SPEAKERCRAFT, INC.
Reel/Frame 014489/0173 →
Continuity (1)
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