Optical: systems and elements – Deflection using a moving element – Using a periodically moving element
Reexamination Certificate
1997-11-19
2001-04-17
Negash, Kinfe-Michael (Department: 2733)
Optical: systems and elements
Deflection using a moving element
Using a periodically moving element
C359S199200, C348S734000, C340S870030
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219164
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for interfacing between a user and an apparatus which can be remotely controlled by infrared radiation, furnished with a box comprising data storage means, means for remote control of the apparatus which are configured to transmit infrared signals on the basis of the stored data, and means of communicating with a unit for programming said means of remote control.
It also relates to a method of communication between a user and an apparatus which can be remotely controlled by infrared radiation via a programmable interfacing device.
The invention finds a particularly important although not exclusive application in the field of interactive outlets communicating by infrared radiation, or in the field of home automation, that is to say the field of the use of computerization applied to office or private accommodation.
It also relates to the field of games and interactive toys.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Devices or methods making it possible to render apparatuses or systems interactive by infrared radiation are already known.
The latter have drawbacks. In fact, when such devices drive self-contained interactive apparatuses such as videodisc or CD-I players, CD-photos, CD-video, etc. they generally employ expensive and complex means such as for example a microcomputer whose function consists in gathering the signals, processing them via a computer program and then driving the apparatuses. This results, in particular, in great rigidity of utilization.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims to provide a device and a method of communication which improve upon those previously known in meeting the requirements of practice, especially in that it offers greater flexibility of utilization and in that it employs inexpensive means which are easy to use for a non-specialist operator.
For this purpose, the invention proposes particularly a device for interfacing between a user and an apparatus which can be remotely controlled by infrared radiation, including a box of small size comprising:
data storage means,
means for remote control of the apparatus including means for transmitting infrared signals arranged to control the apparatus on the basis of the stored data, and
means of communicating with an external unit for programming said means of remote control, characterized
in that said means of communicating comprise infrared signal reception means and at least one serial link,
in that said means of remote control comprise processing means for the infrared signals corresponding to the programmable apparatus which are capable of coding into ASCII and then of storing said infrared signals in a read/write memory and of processing said signals thus coded and/or the stored data in order to carry out a specified application with said apparatus,
and in that the device comprises at least one individual sensor actuatable by the user and capable of triggering the transmission of the infrared signals for remote control of the apparatus from said processing means, so that said specified application is at least partly carried out.
Advantageously, the device comprises means of visual and/or sound interfacing with the user and means of controlling said interfacing means on the basis of external signals.
In an advantageous embodiment, the external signals are infrared signals transmitted by a second device according to the invention configured so as to send to the first device furnished with the means of visual and/or sound interfacing at least part of the specified application stored in said remotely controllable apparatus.
Advantageously, the invention also proposes a device which includes several connection inputs and several individual sensors located some distance from the box, respectively connected in a removable manner by cabled link to said connection inputs, said sensors being actuatable by the user and capable of triggering the transmission of the infrared signals for remote control of the apparatus from said processing means, so that said specified application is carried out.
Advantageous embodiments moreover resort to one and/or the other of the following provisions:
the sensors are capacitive elements, for example capacitive keys;
at least two sensors are connected in parallel to the same connection input;
the sensors and the processing means are moreover configured to control the transmission of ASCII signals via the serial link;
the means for storing data corresponding to the infrared signals to be transmitted and the sensors are configured so as to be programmed in the form of character strings, so that the totality of instructions for remote control of the apparatus by the device is stored in a single read/write memory;
at least one sensor is configured so as to trigger different transmissions of infrared signals depending on the previous action of the user on said sensor, and/or on one or more other sensors.
This amounts to bestowing several functions upon one and the same sensor.
For example, if six different sensors relate respectively to a video recorder, a videodisc player and a CD player, as well as to the play, rewind and forward functions, previous pressing of the sensor of the apparatus which it is wished to control makes it possible, on contacting the function sensors, to dispatch the infrared signal for controlling the specific apparatus thus previously selected.
at least one infrared signal can be triggered automatically, without any action being exerted on the sensors, in repetitive fashion in accordance with a specified interval.
The invention also proposes an interactive system of communication comprising at least two devices of the type described above which are configured to interact with one another.
The invention further proposes an interactive system for communication by infrared radiation between a user and a remotely controllable apparatus so as to carry out a specified application, comprising a first device furnished with means of visual and/or sound interfacing with the user and with at least one sensor actuatable by the user and capable of triggering the transmission of infrared signals for remote control of the apparatus so as to carry out said specified application, a second device for transmitting and receiving infrared signals, connected to the remotely controllable apparatus, and said remotely controllable apparatus in which at least in part said specified application is stored. More precisely, in the embodiment of this system:
the first device includes processing means configured so as to code and/or store the infrared signals corresponding to the control instructions for the remotely controllable apparatus,
the first device comprises means for transmitting such infrared signals corresponding to the control instructions on the basis of the actuation of the sensor or sensors, and means for receiving and processing infrared signals transmitted by the second device, which are capable of controlling the means of visual and/or sound interfacing of said first device,
the processing means of the second device are configured so as to fetch the data and/or instructions corresponding to the controls, stored in the remotely controllable apparatus, for the means of visual and/or sound interfacing as a function of the infrared signals corresponding to the instructions for controlling the remotely controllable apparatus and to transmit the infrared signals corresponding to the data and/or instructions configured so as to associate, with the signals received, the data and/or instructions for controlling the means of visual and/or sound interfacing of the first device, as a function of said specified application.
Advantageously at least one same sensor is connected to two different devices.
The invention further proposes a method of communication between a user and an apparatus which can be remotely controlled by infrared radiation via a programmable interfacing device, characterized in that
the device being furnished with a box associated with several individual sensors located some distance f
Larson & Taylor PLC
Metalogic
Negash Kinfe-Michael
LandOfFree
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