Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A system and method for controlling and distributing the entertainment signals from a plurality of electronic entertainment devices to a plurality of remote locations within a building; A host controller combines the respective entertainment signals from a plurality of sources, such as a satellite receiver unit, a video cassette recorder and a rooftop antenna, to provide a mixed output signal at a relatively constant impedance. The mixed output signal is transmitted along a single coaxial cable to a plurality of remote locations distributed along the cable. Each remote location includes an infrared detector for receiving infrared control signals from a remote control transmitter for controlling the corresponding entertainment device. The infrared detector converts the infrared control signals into corresponding electrical control signals and transmits the electrical control signals back to the host controller on a second conductor which is also included within the coaxial cable. The host controller reconverts the electrical control signals to infrared signals for operating the respective entertainment devices. The infrared detectors at each remote location are prowered directly from the host controller, thereby eliminating the need for wall transformers and the like.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim