Importance

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Abstract

An infrared communication device for simultaneously controlling video display systems at a plurality of locations from a single master site. The system is useful with, for example, a teleconferencing system that includes a conventional infrared remote control unit at each conference site and a video display system under the control of an infrared signal transmitted by the remote control unit. the infrared communication device includes an infrared receiver for receiving an infrared control signal, a microprocessor for digitizing the received signal, and a modem. The device also includes an infrared transmitter for retransmitting an infrared control signal identical to the original infrared control signal to the video display system at the master site. A corresponding digitized signal is provided to the modem which communicates with the off-site location over commercial phone lines. The slave modem receives the incoming digital signal which is decoded and then retransmitted as an infrared control signal at that site. A plurality of such infrared communication devices may be used at a plurality of conferencing locations and used in various master/slave modes. In a broad aspect, the communication device may be adapted for use with any infrared light activated video control system and to control systems other than video display systems.

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First Claim