USB Infrared Receiver Learning Standard Remote Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no effective solution for using a standard infrared remote control with a computer system, as existing solutions require proprietary remote controls and receivers, limiting the ability to simply and reliably configure existing infrared remote controls to control computer functions, especially in media center setups.
Innovation Solution
A USB device that reads, stores, and plays back infrared signals by converting signal edges into hash codes or packets, which are then associated with computer commands and stored in a lookup table, allowing any standard infrared remote control to send designated signals to a computer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a proprietary infrared receiving unit is used to connect remote controls to a computer, then the remote control can be programmed and configured for computer use, but the solution requires a proprietary remote control and receiver unit, limiting versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a USB device as an intermediary that bridges standard infrared remote controls and computer systems. This USB device includes an infrared receiver and a microcontroller that communicates with the computer via USB protocol, eliminating the need for proprietary receiver units while maintaining compatibility with standard remote controls.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB device is designed to work with any standard infrared remote control, making it universally applicable. The device can learn and store infrared signals from various remote controls and translate them into computer commands, providing multi-functionality without requiring device-specific proprietary hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing remote controls are used to control computer functions, then versatility is improved, but reliable configuration and signal translation is difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a learning mode where the USB device captures infrared signals from the remote control and stores them in memory. The device then plays back these stored signals to verify proper translation into computer commands. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable configuration by allowing users to test and verify that the remote control signals are correctly interpreted.
Solution Approach 2:
The USB device creates a copy of the infrared signal pattern captured from the remote control and stores it in memory. This copied signal pattern can then be replayed and translated into computer commands reliably, ensuring consistent and reliable operation without requiring complex real-time translation algorithms.
3Ease of operation
If infrared signals are captured and stored for playback, then the ability to control computer functions is achieved, but the complexity of signal processing and storage is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential timing information from the infrared signal waveform, specifically the durations of high and low states between signal edges. By taking out only these critical timing parameters and discarding the rest of the complex waveform data, the system achieves simple storage and playback while maintaining full functional control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the continuous analog infrared signal into discrete digital parameters (timing durations). This parameter transformation simplifies the signal representation from complex waveforms to simple time-based values that are easy to store in memory and reproduce, reducing processing complexity while maintaining control functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the use of any standard infrared remote control to control computer functions by converting infrared signals into hash codes or packets that can be looked up and sent as commands, providing a simple and reliable configuration for media center systems.
Implementation Method 1
an infrared receiver that detects an infrared signal
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and device for learning electromagnetic signals, saving the signals, and pairing the signals with commands interpreted by a processor. The methods comprise the steps of detecting an electromagnetic signal transmitted from an external device; converting the detected electromagnetic signal into a numerical representation; placing the numerical representation into an array; associating the array with a reference or transforming the array with an algorithm and adding the reference or transformation into a memory table; and associating the reference or transformation with a computer command or combination of computer commands and adding the associated computer command or combination of commands into the memory table.