PDA having a separate infrared generating device connected to its printer port for controlling home appliances
AssigneeUniversal Electronics Inc.
InventorPaul Vernon Darbee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
According to the present invention there is provided an infrared code generating and transmitting device adapted to be coupled to or incorporated in a microcomputer system, commonly referred to as a personal digital assistant (PDA). The IR code generating and transmitting device comprises a CPU separate or incorporated into the microcomputer system of the PDA; a memory separate or incorporated into the microcomputer system; an LED output; LED driver circuitry coupled between the CPU and the LED output; an interface connector; an interface buffer circuit coupled between the interface connector and the CPU; and an interface data buffer circuit coupled by data lines between the interface connector and the CPU.
Claims3
A microcomputer system of a personal digital assistant (PDA) type comprising:
- a portable and hand held unit having a standard printer port;
- an infrared device comprising a separate unit which can be mechanically and physically attached to said PDA as an integral part of said system, said infrared device having a communication port which can be electrically connected to said printer port;
- wherein said infrared device being operable for generating a plurality of infrared control signals suitable for control of video, home entertainment and home automation systems based upon stored program information;
- and
- wherein said infrared device includes signal generating and transmitting circuitry for selectively providing:
- a) a one-byte command signal dependant on the particular device to be controlled;
- and
- b) a second type of command signal for providing control function comprising more than said one byte signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.