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US 9,316,535 B2Granted
Remote control systems that can distinguish stray light sources
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsSteven Porter Hotelling, Nicholas Vincent King, Duncan Robert Kerr, Wing Kong Low
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Remote control systems that can distinguish predetermined light sources from stray light sources, e.g., environmental light sources and/or reflections are provided. The predetermined light sources can be disposed in asymmetric substantially linear or two-dimensional patterns. The predetermined light sources also can output waveforms modulated in accordance with one or more signature modulation characteristics. The predetermined light sources also can output light at different signature wavelengths.
Claims27
A method comprising:
- detecting detectable light with a remote control, wherein the detectable light comprises:
- at least a portion of predetermined light, wherein the predetermined light is generated by a plurality of predetermined light sources, wherein the light sources of the plurality of predetermined light sources are disposed in a target pattern, and wherein at least a first predetermined light source of the plurality of predetermined light sources emits a first portion of the predetermined light in accordance with a first signature modulation characteristic;
- and
- at least a portion of stray light, wherein the stray light is provided by at least one unknown light source;
- and
- processing the detected detectable light using the first signature modulation characteristic and the target pattern to distinguish the at least a portion of the predetermined light from the at least a portion of the stray light.
3 more elements
A system comprising:
- a module that detects detectable light, wherein the detectable light comprises:
- at least a portion of predetermined light, wherein the predetermined light is generated by a plurality of predetermined light sources;
- and
- at least a portion of stray light, wherein the stray light is provided by at least one unknown light source;
- and
- a controller that processes the detected detectable light, using at least one characteristic of the plurality of predetermined light sources that is known to the controller, to distinguish the at least a portion of the predetermined light from the at least a portion of the stray light.
3 more elements
A method comprising:
- detecting detectable light with a remote control, wherein the detectable light comprises:
- at least a portion of predetermined light, wherein the predetermined light is generated by a plurality of predetermined light sources;
- and
- at least a portion of stray light, wherein the stray light is provided by at least one unknown light source;
- and
- processing the detected detectable light, using at least one characteristic of the plurality of predetermined light sources that is determined prior to the detecting, to distinguish the at least a portion of the predetermined light from the at least a portion of the stray light.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.