Infrared Signal Generator Protocol Circuitry for Universal Remote Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing infrared remote control systems are limited by the need for compatibility with specific proprietary protocols, leading to inefficiencies and inconvenience in controlling multiple consumer electronic devices, as they require heavy workload from microcontrollers, resulting in high power consumption and limited universality.
Innovation Solution
An infrared signal generator that includes protocol generation circuitry to create bitstreams comprising data and protocol words, allowing for the generation of digital messages and commands that can be universally transmitted across different infrared protocols, reducing the microcontroller's workload and enhancing power efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a microcontroller actively controls the encoding and modulation of carrier signal according to desired protocol, then protocol compatibility and universality are improved, but power consumption increases due to heavy workload
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protocol generation task into separate dedicated circuits (first circuit for data words, second circuit for protocol words) rather than using a general-purpose microcontroller. This segmentation allows each circuit to be optimized for its specific function, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining protocol compatibility across multiple infrared communication standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/computational approach of using a microcontroller to actively encode and modulate signals with an electrical circuit-based approach. The dedicated circuits generate protocol words and data words directly as electrical signals, eliminating the need for complex software processing and reducing power consumption significantly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple proprietary infrared protocols are supported, then universality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by designing a system where the same basic circuit architecture can generate multiple types of infrared protocol words (header, gap, tail, data) through configuration. The first and second circuits can be programmed or configured to support different infrared communication protocols, allowing a single device to control multiple types of consumer electronic devices without requiring separate dedicated circuits for each protocol.
3Use of energy by moving object
If protocol words and data words are generated separately, then power efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protocol word generation and data word generation into a unified signal generation system that outputs a combined bitstream. The first circuit generates protocol words and the second circuit generates data words, which are then combined and sent to the infrared transmitter. This merging approach reduces the overall system complexity compared to having separate independent systems while maintaining the power efficiency benefits of dedicated generation circuits.
Data Source
AI summary
An infrared signal generator with an interface for receiving an encoded infrared command; and protocol generation circuitry for generating a bitstream that comprises one or more data words that comprise data to be transmitted and one or more protocol words that describe symbols of an infrared protocol is presented. Optionally, the protocol generation circuitry comprises a first circuit for generating a data word and a second circuit for generating a protocol word. Optionally, the infrared signal generator comprises a carrier frequency generator which is selectively combined with the output of either the first circuit or the second circuit to provide a drive signal for an infrared transmitter.