Other

Intel Corporation

Chambord Technologies, Inc.

Michael Lee Harvey

Christopher D Williams

Gregory D Buscheck

Peter P Gombrich

A process for minimizing the software component and maximizing the hardware component of an infrared code includes separating the software component from the hardware component. The software component may be stored in memory, on a disk, accessed through a remote server, stored on the hard drive of a microprocessor, or the like. The hardware component may be implemented as a simple peripheral device, an outboard integrated circuit or imbedded within a processor or on a PC motherboard. The variable IR data, such as the bit modulation technique, the function data, and the protocol data, are stored in the software component. The software component configures and controls each IR transmission. The hardware component, which transmits the IR light for sending the infrared code, includes a pair of carrier cycle registers, a pair of bit modulation registers, and buffers to enable synchronous loading of frequency, duty cycle, cycle data, and wait time sent from the software component.

Process and apparatus for maximizing a software component and minimizing a hardware component of an infrared code

A method and apparatus for controlling the operation of electronic entertainment devices in an entertainment system is described herein. A hardware system is coupled to a plurality of electronic entertainment devices to receive and transmit audio-video signals Transmit logic is coupled through a digital computer interface, preferably a SCSI interface, to the hardware system. The transmit logic has a plurality of ports and a memory associated with each port for storing control data sequences for each respective port. Each portis independently addressable by the hardware system A plurality of transmitters, each coupled to a respective one of the transmit logic ports transmits the respective store; control data sequences to respective ones of the electronic devices. In a preferred embodiment, the hardware system has a microprocessor, user interface and system memory and the transmitters are infrared light transmitters, one of which is a blaster transmitter for transmitting control data sequences simultaneously in multiple directions.

Method and apparatus for controlling the operation of electronic entertainment devices in an entertainment system

A remote control for consolidating several native remote controls of consumer electronic devices identifies, stores and re-transmits signals of the other remote controls for operating several of the electronic devices with one remote control unit. The remote control includes a receiver, a microprocessor, memory, and a transmitter. The remote control identifies a Protocol or transmission technique of each native remote control by comparing a transmitted signal from the native remote control to a preprogrammed data base of Protocols of the universal remote control. During the identification process, frequency and cycle count are detected to determine a Protocol carrier family. Pause and bit modulation information of the transmitted signal are detected for further refining the selection of the Protocol from the preprogrammed data base of Protocols. Finally, a second signal is examined to make the final selection of the correct Protocol. By knowing the bit modulation technique or how the bit is being sent, the universal remote control detects the code pattern of the transmitted signal and stores the code pattern and identified Protocol for later re-transmission to remotely control the electronic device.

Universal remote control with incoming signal identification

A heart beat rate monitor is provided with memory means for storing upper and lower limits of a range of heart beat rates. The limits are transmitted to and stored in the memory from an external source. The monitor wearer's heart beat is sensed and whenever the sensed beat rate is outside the range defined by the limits an out-of-range indication is provided to the wearer. The memory means are powered so as not to be affected by the depletion of the main battery which is the primary source of power for the monitor circuitry. In some embodiments, the limits received from the external unit are transmitted thereto for verification purposes. In some embodiments the actual sensed heart beat rate and/or the stored limits are displayable to the wearer upon request.

Growing community of inventors

Danville, CA, United States of America

Michael Lee Harvey