The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 25, 1992
Filed:
Mar. 26, 1990
August A Divjak, Waukesha, WI (US);
David W Christenson, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Richard J Huhn, Franklin, WI (US);
Paul G Kucharski, South Milwaukee, WI (US);
Daniel E Schuster, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Johnson Service Company, Milwaukee, WI (US);
Abstract
An improved control system utilizing infrared communication channels for remote station control is provided. A central base controller communicates with one or more channels of sub-networks through one or more field interface controllers. Each field interface controller utilizes a dedicated base infrared transceiver for transmitting envelopes of definable duration at a preselected infrared oscillation frequency. At least one remote station receives said transmitted infrared signals at an infrared transceiver tuned to said oscillation frequency. Associated devices at the remote station decode the information from said infrared transmission or issue instructions and information to an associated input/output device. Communication over the infrared channel between the base and the remote stations utilizes a unique pulse position protocol. An initiating clear pulse begins all communications. The remote station responds to the time-location of ensuing pulses following the initiating pulse. The time of occurrence of the pulse indicates the appropriate response necessary from the remote station, which station correspondingly sends back infrared pulses in predetermined time slots and requires acknowledgement signals from the base station for resetting for further processing. Associated hardware is provided for providing decoding of the unique communication protocol.