Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system – Display peripheral interface input device – Cursor mark position control device
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-15
2001-08-28
Saras, Steven (Department: 2675)
Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system
Display peripheral interface input device
Cursor mark position control device
C359S107000, C710S073000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06281880
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to the field of consumer electronics. In particular, the present invention pertains to an integrated circuit that receives signals from infra-red peripheral (remote) devices.
BACKGROUND ART
An infra-red remote device is used to transmit commands and other signals to a remote electronic device. An infra-red remote unit functions by transmitting infra-red light from the transmitter unit to a receiver in the target device such as a set-top-box. The infra-red light is varied in a predetermined code in response to the operator's command or as a function of the information being transmitted. For example, a keyboard that is attached to a computer system by a cable communicates to the computer system by translating the keyboard entries into electrical signals that are transmitted through the cable. The electric signals are transformed into a data signal that is understood and implemented by the computer system. An infra-red remote keyboard performs in an analogous manner, but instead translates the keyboard entries into infra-red electromagnetic energy that is transmitted to a set-top-box. The set-top-box then transforms the infra-red signal into a data signal that is understood and implemented by the computer system.
The use of infra-red remote units to transmit commands from the operator to an electronic device includes familiar applications such as television remote controls, and cable television and satellite television control boxes. In addition, the use of infra-red remotes is expanding to include many new applications. Computer peripherals, such as computer keyboards (as discussed above), cursor directing devices (e.g., a mouse device), and infra-red printers, are increasingly using infra-red to communicate with computer systems in lieu of a cable connection. Also, hand-held devices, such as those commonly referred to as “palm-tops,” rely on infra-red signals to download quantities of information into computer systems. Infra-red remote units are thereby advantageous because they eliminate the cables between devices that would otherwise be needed. Infra-red units are also advantageous because they facilitate greater freedom of movement by the user. Thus, the use of infra-red remote units provides a convenient and user-friendly method of communicating with electronic systems, especially as the complexity of both the receiving unit (e.g., a computer system) and the transmitting unit (e.g., a palm-top) increases.
The growing number of applications of infra-red remote units and peripheral devices consequently increases the number of different remote units and peripherals utilized by the operator (e.g., a consumer). For example, a typical consumer may have an infra-red remote unit for transmitting commands to a television, another remote unit for a cable or satellite set-top-box, and another remote unit for a multi-media system such as a video-cassette recorder (VCR), as well as a remote infra-red mouse, keyboard, and printer. Each of the target devices, such as the television, VCR and computer system, typically incorporates its own separate infra-red receiver circuit. With the addition of other devices such as a computer system or a palm-top, more infra-red remote units and infra-red receiving units will be added. Thus, a drawback to the prior art is that a consumer typically finds it necessary to use more than one receiver circuit to receive and process the different infra-red signals.
With reference to Prior Art
FIG. 1
, one prior art approach to address this drawback is illustrated. One set-top box
100
contains two infra-red receiver circuits,
120
and
130
, which are located behind one transparent infra-red receiver window
110
. Infra-red receiver circuit
120
receives infra-red signals from remote control device
105
, and infra-red receiver circuit
130
receives infra-red signals from remote mouse
106
and remote keyboard
107
. The remote control signal from infra-red receiver circuit
120
is transmitted through input/output (I/O) bus
125
to integrated circuit
150
. The I/O bus
125
is connected to integrated circuit
150
using pin
144
.
With reference still to Prior Art
FIG. 1
, the mouse signal from infrared receiver circuit
130
is digitized and transmitted through line
131
to PS/
2
converter circuit
133
, which converts the mouse signal into a signal conforming to the PS/
2
communications standard. The mouse signal is then transmitted through I/O bus
135
to integrated circuit
150
. Similarly, the keyboard signal is digitized and transmitted from infra-red receiver circuit
130
through line
132
to PS/
2
converter circuit
133
, where the keyboard signal is converted to the PS/
2
communications standard. The keyboard signal is then transmitted through I/O bus
136
to integrated circuit
150
. The I/O bus
136
is connected to integrated circuit
150
by two pins
140
and
141
, and I/O bus
135
is similarly connected to integrated circuit
150
by two pins
142
and
143
. Integrated circuit
150
decodes the remote control, mouse and keyboard signals so that the signals can be processed by a controller, such as a microprocessor (not shown).
The prior art approach illustrated by Prior Art
FIG. 1
thus combines two infra-red receiver circuits into one set-top-box. However, a disadvantage to this prior art approach is that the set-top-box contains duplicate hardware. For example, there are two infra-red receivers, three I/O buses, and five pins. The duplicate hardware increases the cost of production and materials as well as the size of the integrated circuits within the set-top-box. As a result, the prior art approach described above is also at a disadvantage from the perspective of consumer preferences for lower prices and miniaturization.
With reference now to Prior Art
FIG. 2
, another prior art approach to address the drawbacks identified above is illustrated. This prior art approach is similar to the one described above in conjunction with Prior Art
FIG. 1
, but instead employs one infra-red receiver circuit
220
inside set-top-box
200
instead of two infra-red receiver circuits. The infra-red receiver circuit contains a filter that is capable of identifying the type of signal that is received from the infra-red remote unit. Depending on the type of signal, it then takes a different path through set-top-box
200
.
With reference still to Prior Art
FIG. 2
, the remote control signal from infra-red receiver circuit
220
is transmitted through I/O bus
225
to integrated circuit
250
. The I/O bus
225
is connected to integrated circuit
250
using pin
244
. The mouse signal from infra-red receiver circuit
220
is transmitted through line
231
to PS/
2
converter circuit
233
, which converts the mouse signal into a signal conforming to the PS/
2
communications standard. The mouse signal is then transmitted through I/O bus
235
to integrated circuit
250
. Similarly, the keyboard signal is transmitted from infra-red receiver circuit
220
through line
232
to PS/
2
converter circuit
233
, where the keyboard signal is converted to the PS/
2
communications standard. The keyboard signal is then transmitted through I/O bus
236
to integrated circuit
250
. The I/O bus
235
is connected to integrated circuit
250
by two pins
242
and
243
, and I/O bus
236
is connected to integrated circuit
250
by two pins
240
and
241
. As with the first prior art technique, integrated circuit
250
decodes the remote control, mouse and keyboard signals so that the signals can be processed by a controller, such as a microprocessor (not shown).
Thus, the prior art approach described by Prior Art
FIG. 2
eliminates one duplicate piece of hardware, i.e., one of the infra-red receivers, but still requires duplicates of some of the other hardware. Specifically, there are still three I/O buses and five pins on integrated circuit
250
. Thus, as with the approach discussed above in conjunction with Prior Art
FIG. 1
, the duplicate hardware increases material and production costs and take
Jaramillo Kenneth A.
Rose Jerry Michael
Anyaso Uchendu O.
Saras Steven
VLSI Technology Inc.
Wagner , Murabito & Hao LLP
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