Optically switchable infrared detector

• US 6,724,442 B1
• Filed: 03/26/1999
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Lucero, Chris D., Zyskowski, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): NATNAEL, PAULOS M
• Application Number:
  US09/277,637
• Time in Patent Office: 1,852 Days
• Field of Search: 348/734, 348/552, 348/836, 348/842, 348/832, 728/37, 728/139, 728/181, 728/100, 728/68, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.25, 398/106, 398/39
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42221 Transmission circuitry, e.g. infrared [IR] or radio frequency [RF]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications

Abstract

A system includes a shutter which selectively allows access to an infrared detector, when accessed directly by a processor-based system, such as a set-top computer system. In this way, infrared commands may be blasted from a set-top computer system to an appliance, e.g., a television receiver, without interference from other remote control units. When the controlling device is not sending signals to the television receiver, the shutter may allow other remote control units to control the appliance. The shutter may be a voltage controlled liquid crystal shutter, whose transmissivity is a function of the applied voltage.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

an infrared detector;

a cover arranged to be mounted over said detector, said cover including a port that includes a liquid crystal shutter;

an infrared emitter inside said cover; and

an element to determine whether a control signal has been transmitted to said infrared emitter and if so, selectively, electrically altering the transmissivity of said cover to make said cover substantially opaque to infrared radiation.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said cover is adapted to be adhesively secured to said detector.

3. The device of claim 1 further including an infrared emitter located inside said cover.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said emitter is coupled to a cable, said cable including a first line for conducting signals to said infrared emitter and a second line adapted to conduct control signals to an infrared port.

5. A processor based system adapted to control a television receiver comprising:

a processor;

memory coupled to said processor;

a device coupled to said processor, said device adapted to generate control signals for said television receiver, said device including a cable for conducting electrical signals generated by said device, said device further including an infrared emitter coupled to said cable and adapted to convert electrical signals transmitted along said cable into infrared signals for controlling said television receiver;

a cover arrangement to be mounted over said television receiver; and

an infrared port formed in said cover, the infrared transmissivity of said port being selectively, electrically alterable.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said port includes a liquid crystal shutter.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein said cover is adapted to be adhesively secured to said receiver.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein said infrared emitter is located inside said cover.

9. A device comprising:

an infrared detector;

a cover arranged to be mounted over said detector;

an infrared emitter mounted inside said cover;

an element to determine whether a control signal has been transmitted to said infrared emitter and if so, selectively, electrically altering the transmissivity of said cover to make said cover substantially opaque to infrared radiation; and

wherein said emitter is coupled to a cable, said cable including a first line for conducting electrical signals to said infrared emitter and a second line adapted to conduct control signals to an infrared port.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said cover includes a liquid crystal shutter.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein said cover is adapted to be adhesively secured to said detector.

12. The device of claim 9 further including an infrared emitter located inside said cover.