Zilog, Inc.

T Allan Hamilton

Michael R Watson

Alan Grace

An Improved Circuit Design and Optics System for infrared Signal Transceivers is disclosed. The preferred system includes an IR transceiver assembly that is easily grasped by assemblers. Furthermore, the primary and secondary lenses associated with the transceiver system are easier to manufacture than are current lens designs. Also, the heretofore critical lens separation between the infrared emitting and infrared detection devices and the primary lens is rendered a flexible dimension, dependent only upon the particular appliance in which the system is installed. The present invention permits the stand for infrared emitting and infrared detection devices to be eliminated as a result of exchanging a non-imaging transceiver system with the current imaging transceiver system. The present invention further comprises assembling or otherwise combining infrared emitting and infrared detection devices into a single infrared emitting/infrared detection device stack. Finally, the present invention provides an infrared transceiver assembly that has a smaller footprint by backside mounting and/or stacking the discrete devices.

Circuit design and optics system for infrared signal transceivers

A System and Method for Providing an Improved Standby Mode for Infrared Data Transceivers is disclosed. Standby Mode for Infrared Data Transceivers. The device and system of the present invention includes a discovery signal receiver and power actuator module that consumes a fraction of the power of a conventional Ir transceiver system. The preferred device and system may be integral to a conventional Ir transceiver, or it may be a stand-alone system or device. Furthermore, the device and system are configured to activate full power to the Ir transceiver system upon recognition of an Ir discovery signal, and this power-up signal might also be user-initiated in some preferred embodiments. The preferred switch means for providing full power to the Ir transceiver system is in an open position while the Ir-enabled appliance is in a standby or sleep mode. The preferred device and system recognize a 9600 baud Ir discovery signal.

System and method for providing an improved standby mode for infrared data transceivers

An Improved Signal Receiver Having Wide Band Amplification Capability is disclosed. Also disclosed is a receiver that is able to receive and reliably amplify infrared and/or other wireless signals having frequency bandwidths in excess of 40 MHz. The receiver of the present invention reduces the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal to &#x2155;of the prior systems. The preferred receiver eliminates both the shunting resistor and the feedback resistor on the input end by amplifing the signal in current form. Furthermore, the receiver includes transconductance amplification means for amplifying the current signal without the need for Cascode stages. Finally, the receiver includes staged amplification to amplify the current signal in stages prior to converting the signal into a voltage output.

Signal receiver having wide band amplification capability

An Improved Circuit Design and Optics System for Infrared Signal Transceivers is disclosed. The preferred system includes an IR transceiver assembly that is easily grasped by assemblers. Furthermore, the primary and secondary lenses associated with the transceiver system are easier to manufacture than current lens designs. Also, the heretofore critical lens separation between the infrared emitting and infrared detection devices and the primary lens is rendered a flexible dimension, dependent only upon the particular appliance in which the system is installed. The present invention permits the stand for infrared emitting and infrared detection devices to be eliminated as a result of exchanging a non-imaging transceiver system with the current imaging transceiver system. The present invention further comprises assembling or otherwise combining infrared emitting and infrared detection devices into a single infrared emitting/infrared detection device stack. Finally, the present invention provides a Ir transceiver assembly that has a smaller footprint by backside mounting and/or stacking the discrete devices.

An Improved Infrared Signal Communication System and Method Including Transmission Means Having Automatic Gain Control is disclosed. Also disclosed is system and method that adjusts signal transmission power in response to incident signal power amplitude. The preferred system includes a control signal loop within the signal receiving system, and the system further includes a signal transmitting system that is responsive to the control signal loop. The preferred system includes manual, semi-automatic and automatic modes of operation. Still further, the preferred method includes at least two Ir-enabled appliances 'stepping' each other 'down' in transmit power in response to directives issued by the other Ir-enabled appliance.

Infrared signal communication system and method including transmission means having automatic gain control

An Improved Signal Receiver Having Wide Band Amplification Capability is disclosed. Also disclosed is a receiver that is able to receive and reliably amplify infrared and/or other wireless signals having frequency bandwidths in excess of 40 MHz. The receiver of the present invention reduces the signal-to-noise ratio of the received signal to &#x2155;th of the prior systems. The preferred receiver eliminates both the shunting resistor and the feedback resistor on the input end by amplifying the signal in current form. Furthermore, the receiver includes transconductance amplification means for amplifying the current signal without the need for Cascode stages. Finally, the receiver includes staged amplification to amplify the current signal in stages prior to converting the signal into a voltage output.

An Improved Infrared Signal Communication System and Method Including Transmission Means Having Automatic Gain Control is disclosed. Also disclosed is system and method that adjusts signal transmission power in response to incident signal power amplitude. The preferred system includes a control signal loop within the signal receiving system, and the system further includes a signal transmitting system that is responsive to the control signal loop. The preferred system includes manual, semi-automatic and automatic modes of operation. Still further, the preferred method includes at least two Ir-enabled appliances &ldquo;stepping&rdquo; each other &ldquo;down&rdquo; in transmit power in response to directives issued by the other Ir-enabled appliance.

A Method and System for Enabling Wireless Data Communications with Electronic Devices having Disparate Operating Systems is disclosed. Also disclosed is a system that compares the Infrared or RF communications configuration of an electronic appliance to a target profile, and then uploads the target configuration profile to the appliance, if necessary. The preferred device and system perform a functional testing on the wireless communications system of the electronic appliance, including the transceiver hardware and all device drivers and software stacks. Furthermore, the device of the present invention is able to adopt the target configuration from an electronic appliance by downloading it from one or more appliances. Still further, the device of the present invention is able to communicate with two or more electronic appliances simultaneously. The device and system of the present invention are operable independent of the BIOS of the electronic appliance(s) to be configured. Finally, the method of the present invention includes steps for comparing the wireless communications configuration of an electronic appliance to a target configuration and then uploading the target system and testing the electronic appliance for operability with the new configuration.

Method and system for enabling wireless data communications with electronic devices having disparate operating systems

A Method and System for Preventing Bum-out of Infrared Transmitter Diodes is disclosed. The preferred method and system detects when the Ir transmitter(s) are approaching or have achieved an overtemperature condition. Once an overtemperature condition is detected, the preferred system will interrupt electrical transmit power to the transmitter until such time as the overtemperature condition is dissipated. Furthermore, the system and method will send a standby signal to the Central Processing Unit or communications controller when an overtemperature condition is detected. Finally, it is yet another feature that the system emit status signals perceptible to the human senses when normal and abnormal temperature conditions are detected in the transmitter.

Method and system for preventing burn-out of infrared transmitter diodes

An Improved Optics System for Infrared Signal Transceivers is disclosed. Transceivers. The preferred system includes an IR transceiver assembly that is easily grasped by assemblers. Furthermore, the primary and secondary lenses associated with the transceiver system are easier to manufacture than current lens designs. Also, the heretofore critical lens separation between the emitter/detector devices and the primary lens is rendered a flexible dimension, dependent only upon the particular appliance in which the system is installed. The present invention permits the stand for emitter/detector devices to be eliminated as a result of exchanging a non-imaging transceiver system with the current imaging transceiver system. Finally, the present invention comprises assembling or otherwise combining emitter/detector devices into a single emitter/detector device stack.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

T Allan Hamilton