SHIELDING OF AN IR DETECTOR
First Claim
1. A power saving device for reducing power consumption of an external electrical device controlled by infrared radiation from a remote control device, the power saving device including:
- a. an input connectable to an external power supply;
b. an output connectable to the external electrical device for selectively providing operating power thereto;
c. an infrared detection module including;
(1) an infrared sensor configured to monitor the output of the remote control device,(2) a shield constructed of a material at least substantially impervious to infrared radiation, the shield being configured to at least partially shield the infrared sensor from infrared radiation which does not emanate from the remote control device;
d. a processor;
(3) configured to control the power supplied to the external electrical device via the output at least substantially only when the external electrical device is in active use by a user present in the vicinity of the external electrical device,(4) coupled to the infrared detection module, wherein the processor is configured to supply power to the external electrical device based at least in part upon input from the infrared sensor.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In an electrical device controlled by infrared signals from a remote control, a power saving device has an infrared detection module and a processor. The infrared detection module includes an infrared sensor configured to monitor the output of the remote control device, and a shield which is at least substantially impervious to infrared radiation, and which at least partially shields the infrared sensor from infrared radiation which does not emanate from the remote control device. The processor is coupled to the infrared detection module, and supplies power to the electrical device at least substantially only when the electrical device is in active use by a nearby user, and based at least in part upon input from the infrared sensor.
9 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A power saving device for reducing power consumption of an external electrical device controlled by infrared radiation from a remote control device, the power saving device including:
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a. an input connectable to an external power supply; b. an output connectable to the external electrical device for selectively providing operating power thereto; c. an infrared detection module including; (1) an infrared sensor configured to monitor the output of the remote control device, (2) a shield constructed of a material at least substantially impervious to infrared radiation, the shield being configured to at least partially shield the infrared sensor from infrared radiation which does not emanate from the remote control device; d. a processor; (3) configured to control the power supplied to the external electrical device via the output at least substantially only when the external electrical device is in active use by a user present in the vicinity of the external electrical device, (4) coupled to the infrared detection module, wherein the processor is configured to supply power to the external electrical device based at least in part upon input from the infrared sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An infrared detection module for a power saving device for reducing power consumption of an external electrical device controlled by infrared radiation from a remote control device adapted to be used by a user to control the external electrical device, the power saving device including a processor configured to supply power to the external electrical device at least substantially only when the electrical device is in active use by a user present in the vicinity of the electrical device, the infrared detection module including:
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a. an infrared sensor configured to monitor the output of the remote control device, b. a shield constructed of a material at least substantially impervious to infrared radiation, the shield being configured to at least partially shield the infrared sensor from infrared radiation which does not emanate from the remote control device.
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- 10. A shield for an infrared sensor configured to detect activity of an infrared remote control device used to control an electrical device, wherein the shield prevents at least some infrared radiation from sources other than the remote control device from reaching the infrared sensor, while allowing substantially all infrared signals from the remote control device which would be effective in controlling the electrical device to reach the infrared sensor.
Specification