Power-saving infrared-detecting receiving system

• US 6,407,840 B1
• Filed: 04/21/1999
• Issued: 06/18/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chang Hui-Yu, Huang Shien-Te, Hu Yu-Min
• Original Assignee: Chang Hui-Yu, Huang Shien-Te, Hu Yu-Min
• Inventors: Shien-Te, Huang, Yu-Min, Hu, Hui-Yu, Chang
• Primary Examiner(s): Pascal, Leslie
• Assistant Examiner(s): TRAN, DZUNG D
• Application Number:
  US09/296,052
• Time in Patent Office: 1,154 Days
• Field of Search: 359/193, 359/189, 359/142, 348/734
• US Class Current: 398/207
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/6931 Automatic gain control of the preamplifier

Abstract

A power-saving infrared-detecting receiving system composed of a micro-controller serving as a main control unit of the receiving system, an infrared module powered through the micro-controller for receiving a modulated infrared signal emitted by a remote controller used together with the receiving system, and an ultra-low power-consuming and independently powered predetector For detecting a low-frequency infrared front guide signal emitted by the remote controller. The receiving system is normally in a standby state in which only a very low power is consumed by the predetector to detect the infrared front guide signal emitted by the remote control for triggering the micro-controller. When the micro-controller is triggered, the receiving system enters into an operational state and sufficient current is supplied to the infrared module for it to receive a complete modulated infrared signal emitted by the remote controller.

Claims

1. A power-saving infrared-detecting receiving system, comprising a micro-controller serving as a main control unit of said receiving system, an infrared module being powered through said micro-controller, and an ultra-low power-consuming and independently powered predetector;

said infrared module being capable of receiving a modulated infrared signal emitted by a remote controller used together with said receiving system and demodulating said modulated infrared signal into an infrared signal of correct frequency that is then sent to said micro-controller;

said micro-controller determining whether said demodulated infrared signal is a correct signal, and actuating said receiving system to enter into an operational state if said demodulated infrared signal is determined to be a correct signal; and

a motor driving circuit in said receiving system in said operational state being notified to start different controlling movements; and

said ultra-low power-consuming and independently powered predetector being capable of sending a trigger signal to said micro-controller on detecting of a low-frequency infrared front guide signal emitted by said remote controller, said trigger signal enabling said micro-controller to enter into an operational mode and power on said receiving system for said infrared module to detect and receive a complete modulated infrared signal;

whereby said receiving system can be normally in a standby state in which all system units thereof other than said predetector are powered off and only a very small current is needed by said predetector to detect and receive an infrared front guide signal emitted by said remote controller at any time.

2. A power-saving infrared-detecting receiving system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said predetector comprises an infrared diode for receiving said infrared front guide signal emitted by said remote controller, a low-pass filter for eliminating high-frequency noises from said infrared front guide signal, an amplifier for amplifying a resultant signal from said low-pass filter, and a peak detector and a comparator for modifying said amplified signal into a square-wave signal which is then output to said micro-controller.

3. A power-saving infrared-detecting receiving system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said infrared front guide signal and said infrared modulated signal are alternately emitted by said remote controller.

4. A power-saving infrared-detecting receiving system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said infrared front guide signal and said infrared modulated signal are alternately emitted by said remote controller.