DUAL-MODE ENCODER, SYSTEM INCLUDING SAME, AND METHOD FOR GENERATING INFRA-RED SIGNALS

• US 20110231196A1
• Filed: 03/22/2011
• Published: 09/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptiv Technologies AG (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Unwired Technology, LLC (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: Randlett, Steven, Voto, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 9,167,057 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 704/500
• CPC Class Codes: G10H 1/0083 using wireless transmission, e.g. radio, light, infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/173 Transcoding, i.e. converting between two coded representations avoiding cascaded coding-decoding
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/18 Vocoders using multiple modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/082 to be used in vehicles H04B1/086 takes precedence; holding or mounting accessories B60R11/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04S 1/005 For headphones

Abstract

A dual-mode encoder. The encoder includes a logic device. The logic device includes a first input terminal for receiving a signal associated with an audio source, a second input terminal for receiving a mode instruction signal, and an output terminal for outputting an encoded signal. The logic device is configured to operate in a first mode by encoding the received associated signal according to a first protocol, and to operate in a second mode by encoding the received associated signal according to a second protocol.

Claims

1. A dual-mode encoder, comprising:

a logic device, wherein the logic device comprises;

a first input terminal for receiving a signal associated with an audio source;

a second input terminal for receiving a mode instruction signal; and

an output terminal for outputting an encoded signal,

and wherein the logic device is configured to;

operate in a first mode by encoding the received associated signal according to a first protocol; and

operate in a second mode by encoding the received associated signal according to a second protocol.

2. The encoder of claim 1, wherein the logic device comprises one of the following:

an application specific integrated circuit;

a complex programmable logic device;

a digital signal processor; and

a field-programmable gate array.

3. The encoder of claim 1, wherein the logic device further comprises a plurality of input terminals, wherein different input terminals are for receiving different signals associated with different audio sources.

4. The encoder of claim 1, wherein the logic device further comprises a plurality of output terminals, wherein different output terminals are for outputting different encoded signals.

5. The encoder of claim 1, wherein:

an infra-red signal associated with the encoded signal is decodable by an analog headphone if the encoded signal was encoded according to the first protocol; and

an infra-red signal associated with the encoded signal is decodable by a digital headphone if the encoded signal was encoded according to the second protocol

6. A system, comprising:

a dual-mode encoder; and

an infra-red emitter connected to the dual mode encoder.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the dual-mode encoder comprises a logic device.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the logic device comprises:

a first input terminal for receiving a signal associated with an audio source;

a second input terminal for receiving a mode instruction signal; and

an output terminal for outputting an encoded signal,

and wherein the logic device is configured to;

operate in a first mode by encoding the received associated signal according to a first protocol; and

operate in a second mode by encoding the received associated signal according to a second protocol.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the logic device comprises one of the following:

an application specific integrated circuit;

a complex programmable logic device;

a digital signal processor; and

a field-programmable gate array.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the infra-red emitter is configured to generate an infra-red signal based on the encoded signal output by the dual-mode encoder.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the generated infra-red signal is decodable by an analog headphone if the encoded signal was encoded according to the first protocol.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the generated infra-red signal is decodable by a digital headphone if the encoded signal was encoded according to the second protocol.

13. A method for generating an infra-red signal, the method comprising:

operating an encoder in a first mode of operation;

operating the encoder in a second mode of operation if a mode instruction signal is received at the encoder; and

generating an infra-red signal with an IR emitter based on an encoded signal received from the encoder, wherein the generated infra-red signal is decodable by;

an analog headphone if the encoded signal was encoded while the encoder was operating in the first mode; and

a digital headphone if the encoded signal was encoded while the encoder was operating in the second mode.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein operating the encoder in the first mode comprises encoding first signals according to a first protocol.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein operating the encoder in the second mode comprises encoding second signals according to a second protocol.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising receiving the mode instruction signal at the encoder.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving the mode instruction signal comprises receiving a mode instruction signal generated by a remote control transmitter.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein receiving the mode instruction signal generated by the remote control transmitter comprises receiving the mode instruction signal via a remote control receiver.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein receiving the mode instruction signal comprises receiving a mode instruction signal generated by an audio source.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein receiving the mode instruction signal generated by the audio source comprises receiving the mode instruction signal via an audio interface.