Patent US5850189A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5850189A
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Apparatus and method for infrared communication
Assignee: Lenovo PC International Ltd
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Filing: 1996-04-22
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Granted: 1998-12-15
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Expires: 2016-04-22
Abstract
Abstract A transmission mode selector, for changing a transmission mode selector, and a reception mode selector, for changing a reception mode, are added to an infrared communication circuit that conventionally supports an IrDA; and a UART that controls serial communication, is so set in a given condition where communication can be performed with a home electronic appliance remote controller, that a protocol for the home electronic appliances can be emulated by using the infrared communication apparatus of the personal computer.
Inventors
- 👤 Jiro Sakanaka
- 👤 Astushi Watanabe
- 👤 Yoichi Mizukoshi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:50
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/11; H04B10/114; H04B10/1143
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
Apparatus for using a computer IR communication system having a UART to send an IR remote control signal to a home electronic appliance having an IR controller, the IR controller of the home electronic appliance being responsive to a modulated control signal having a predetermined protocol, the modulated control signal having a predetermined modulation period, comprising: means for setting the UART to output a predetermined data value at a predetermined bit frequency during enabled intervals, the predetermined data value and predetermined bit frequency being selected so as to form a periodic signal at the output of the UART during enabled intervals, the periodic signal having a period corresponding to said predetermined modulation period; and means for selectively enabling the UART to output the predetermined data value at the predetermined bit frequency during enabled intervals in accordance with a control signal having the predetermined protocol recognized by the IR controller, whereby an IR remote control signal is produced for a home electronic appliance.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
Apparatus for using a computer IR communication system having a UART to send an IR remote control signal to a home electronic appliance having an IR controller, the IR controller of the home electronic appliance being responsive to a modulated control signal having a predetermined protocol, the modulated control signal having a predetermined modulation period, comprising: means for setting the UART to output a predetermined data value at a predetermined bit frequency during enabled intervals, the predetermined data value and predetermined bit frequency being selected so as to form a periodic signal at the output of the UART during enabled intervals, the periodic signal having a period corresponding to said predetermined modulation period; and means for selectively enabling the UART to output the predetermined data value at the predetermined bit frequency during enabled intervals in accordance with a control signal having the predetermined protocol recognized by the IR controller, whereby an IR remote control signal is produced for a home electronic appliance.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the UART is enabled during each "1" bit of the control signal having the predetermined protocol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the predetermined data value corresponds to alphanumeric value 55.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the predetermined data value corresponds to alphanumeric value 5B.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the output of the UART is converted in accordance with the IrDA standard to produce the IR remote control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the UART may be used in an alternative mode of operation to communicate with another computer or a computer peripheral.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of using a computer IR communication system having a UART to send an IR remote control signal to a home electronic appliance during a remote control mode of operation, the home electronic appliance having an IR controller responsive to a modulated control signal having a predetermined protocol, the modulated control signal having a predetermined modulation period, comprising the steps of: setting the UART to output a predetermined data value at a predetermined bit frequency during intervals in which the UART output is enabled in the remote control mode of operation, the predetermined data value and predetermined bit frequency being selected so as to form a periodic signal at the output of the UART during intervals in which the UART output is enabled in the remote control mode of operation, the periodic signal having a period corresponding to said predetermined modulation period; and selectively enabling the UART to output the predetermined data value at the predetermined bit frequency during intervals in the remote control mode of operation in accordance with a control signal having the predetermined protocol recognized by the IR controller, thereby producing an IR remote control signal for a home electronic appliance in the remote control mode of operation.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of using a computer IR communication system having a UART to send an IR remote control signal to a home electronic appliance during a remote control mode of operation, the home electronic appliance having an IR controller responsive to a modulated control signal having a predetermined protocol, the modulated control signal having a predetermined modulation period, comprising the steps of: setting the UART to output a predetermined data value at a predetermined bit frequency during intervals in which the UART output is enabled in the remote control mode of operation, the predetermined data value and predetermined bit frequency being selected so as to form a periodic signal at the output of the UART during intervals in which the UART output is enabled in the remote control mode of operation, the periodic signal having a period corresponding to said predetermined modulation period; and selectively enabling the UART to output the predetermined data value at the predetermined bit frequency during intervals in the remote control mode of operation in accordance with a control signal having the predetermined protocol recognized by the IR controller, thereby producing an IR remote control signal for a home electronic appliance in the remote control mode of operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein the UART is enabled during each "1" bit of the control signal having the predetermined protocol.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein the predetermined data value corresponds to the alphanumeric value 55.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein the predetermined data value corresponds to the alphanumeric value 5B.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein the UART output is converted in accordance with the IrDA standard to produce the IR remote control signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein the UART has a second mode of operation during which the UART is used to communicate with another computer or a computer peripheral.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-14 | 2002-06-15 | 2002-12-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-14 | 2006-06-15 | 2006-12-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-14 | 2010-06-15 | 2010-12-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |