Optically switchable infrared detector
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsPaul J. Zyskowski, Chris D. Lucero
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims12
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.
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.
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.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.