WO2010002064A1

WO2010002064A1 - Infrared ray data transmitting device having id

Info

Publication number: WO2010002064A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/004923
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sung Sub Lee
Original assignee: Seoby Electronics Co., Ltd
Priority date: 2008-07-02
Filing date: 2008-08-22
Publication date: 2010-01-07
Also published as: ZA200807297B; KR20100003755A; CN102077220A; KR100983880B1

Abstract

Disclosed is an IR data transmitting device having an ID that converts a RF signal received from a remote controller into an IR signal and transmits it to a device to be controlled. The IR data transmitting device having an ID includes a remote controller provided with an IR transmitter for transmitting an IR signal and a RF transmitter for adding a distinguishment ID allocated to the remote controller to a RF signal and transmitting the RF signal added with the ID; and a relay for receiving the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID from the RF transmitter of the remote controller to check the distinguishment ID, removing the distinguishment ID from the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID according to whether the distinguishment ID is identical to a previously stored set ID or not, and then converting the RF signal from which the distinguishment ID is removed into an IR signal to output the IR signal to a device.

Description

Description INFRARED RAY DATA TRANSMITTING DEVICE HAVING ID

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to an infrared ray (IR) data transmitting device, and more particularly, to an IR data transmitting device having an identification (ID) that converts a radio frequency (RF) signal received from a remote controller into an IR signal and transmits it to a device to be controlled. Background Art

[2] In general, IR data transmitting is used in data transmitting between various devices such as a personal computer and a mobile device. However, the data transmitting using the IR has a characteristic that a transmitting distance is limited to less than 5m due to its essential properties in the field of application and a limitation that a visual field and a distance should be ensured between an IR transmitting unit provided in a signal output means and an IR receiving unit of a device to be controlled.

[3] Therefore, it is required to control function of a device placed where the visual field and distance are not ensured through an IR data output unit in an arbitrary place.

[4] Therefore, a device for converting an IR signal into a RF signal to transmit the RF signal and receiving the RF signal to restore the IR signal from the RF signal has been developed. As the result, it is possible to solve the limitation to the distance or a wall that does not allow the IR signal to pass therethrough.

[5] The foregoing description is only for understanding of background of the present invention and does not mean the conventional technology well known in the art. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[6] The conventional data transmitting device that extending its operation range using

RF has solved the limitation to the distance or the wall that does not allow the IR signal to pass therethrough. However, it still has a problem that interference between devices placed different places may occur upon transmitting and receiving the same RF signal.

[7] For example, when two neighboring households use same kinds of cable TVs, a device in one household may be operated by a remote controller signal, i.e. RF signal from the other household.

[8] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an IR transmitting device having an ID, in which an ID for distinguishing a remote controller is added on and transmitted together with a RF signal, and a relay determines whether the ID is identical to a previously stored set ID and transmits an IR signal to a device according to the result. Technical Solution

[9] In one embodiment, an IR data transmitting device having an ID includes: a remote controller provided with an IR transmitter for transmitting an IR signal and a RF transmitter for adding a distinguishment ID allocated to the remote controller to a RF signal and transmitting the RF signal added with the ID; and a relay for receiving the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID from the RF transmitter of the remote controller to check the distinguishment ID, removing the distinguishment ID from the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID according to whether the distinguishment ID is identical to a previously stored set ID or not, and then converting the RF signal from which the distinguishment ID is removed into an IR signal to output the IR signal to a device.

[10] The RF transmitter may include a RF battery provided with a transmitting module for detecting transmitting data through a carrier signal detected from a power line in the basis of a power line modem method, and adding the distinguishment ID to a RF control data corresponding to the transmitting data to transmit the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID, and a battery for supplying power to the transmitting module; and a general battery having an end connected to the RF battery and the other end connected to the RF battery with a load being interposed between the other end thereof and the RF battery through the power line.

[11] The transmitting module may include a switching unit for allowing setting of the distinguishment ID; a RF transmitting unit for extracting the carrier signal from the power line to detect the transmitting data and adding the distinguishment ID to the RF control data corresponding to the transmitting data, thereby converting the RF control data added with the distinguishment ID into a RF signal added with the distinguishment ID and transmitting the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID; and a RF control unit for inputting the distinguishment ID set by the switching unit into the RF transmitting unit and controlling so as to transmit the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID through the RF transmitting unit.

[12] The relay may include a RF signal detection unit for receiving the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID; an ID signal removing unit for removing the distinguishment ID from the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID which is inputted from the RF signal detection unit; a memory unit for storing the set ID; and a control unit for determining whether the distinguishment ID and the set ID are identical by comparing the two when the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID is detected through the RF signal detection unit, and controlling according to the determination result so as to selectively remove the distinguishment ID through the ID signal removing unit to output the IR signal.

[13] The distinguishment ID may be added to a header of the RF signal.

[14] The set ID may be changeable.

Advantageous Effects

[15] In accordance with the present invention as described above, since an ID for distinguishing a remote controller is added on and transmitted together with a RF signal, and a relay determines whether the ID is identical to a previously stored set ID and transmits an IR signal to a device according to the result, it is possible to prevent interference between neighboring devices. Brief Description of the Drawings

[16] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an IR data transmitting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[17] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a RF transmitter of a remote controller in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[18] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a transmitting module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[19] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a RF transmitting unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[20] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a relay in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[21] Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the remote controller in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[22] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the relay in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[23] Fig. 8 is flowchart illustrating ID setting process of the relay in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[24] Hereinafter, an IR data transmitting device having an ID in accordance with the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[25] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an IR data transmitting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a RF transmitter of a remote controller in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing a transmitting module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a RF transmitting unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a relay in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[26] An IR data transmitting device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is, as shown in Fig. 1, provided with a remote controller 10 for transmitting various control commands according to user key operation using IR transmitting and RF transmitting, and a relay 40 for converting the RF signal received from the remote controller 10 into an IR signal and transmitting the IR signal to the adjacently placed device 50.

[27] The remote controller 10 is for outputting the control command according to the user key operation not only through an IR signal but also through a RF signal to the relay to control operation of the device 50, and is provided with an IR transmitter 20 and a RF transmitter 30 for outputting the IR signal and the RF signal respectively.

[28] For reference, the device 50 is a device to be controlled and includes a TV, a DVD player, an audio device, a PC and a VCR. Also, the device 50 is provided with an IR receiving unit (not shown) for receiving the IR signal therein and is operated according to the IR signal when the IR signal is outputted from the relay 40.

[29] Meanwhile, the IR transmitter 20 provided in the remote controller 10 outputs an IR signal for controlling the adjacently placed device 50 according to space limitation and distance limitation of the IR transmitting. Then, the device 50 receives the IR signal and controls the corresponding operation and detailed description thereof will be omitted herein since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[30] The RF transmitter 30 is for transmitting a RF signal to the relay 40 as shown in Fig.

2, and controls the remotely placed device 50 without limitation of obstacles such a wall or a distance by transmitting the RF signal to the relay 40.

[31] This RF transmitter 30 is provided with a RF battery 34 having a transmitting module

35 connected with a power line 32 disposed in a PCB panel 31, which produces a transmitting data through a carrier signal detected from the power line 32 on the basis of a power line modem method, adds a distinguishment ID to a RF control data corresponding to the transmitting data, converts the RF control data added with the distinguishment ID into a RF signal and then transmits the RF signal, and a RF battery 34 for supplying power for the operation of the transmitting module 35; and a general battery 33 having (+) terminal connected to (-) terminal of the RF battery 34 and (-) terminal connected to (+) terminal of the RF battery 34 with a load being interposed between the (-) terminal and the RF battery 34 through the power line 32.

[32] Particularly, as shown in Fig. 3, the transmitting module 35 is provided with a RF transmitting unit 352 that extracts the carrier signal from the power line 32 on the basis of the power line modem method to detect the transmitting data and adds the distinguishment ID to the RF control data corresponding to the transmitting data, thereby converting the RF control data into a RF signal added with the distinguishment ID and transmitting the RF signal, a switching unit 353 for setting on/off mode of the RF transmitting unit 352 and the distinguishment ID for distinguishing the remote controller 10, and a RF control unit 351 for controlling so as to add the distinguishment ID stored in an internal memory (not shown) to the RF signal outputted through the RF transmitting unit 352 by adding the distinguishment ID for distinguishing the remote controller 10 set by the switching unit 353 to the RF control data.

[33] Herein, the RF transmitting unit 352 is provided with a waveform detection unit 361 connected to the power line 32 to detect the carrier signal from the power line 32, a filter 362 for extracting the pure carrier signal by filtering the carrier signal detected from the waveform detection unit 361 and thus removing noises included the carrier signal, an amplification unit 363 for amplifying the RF signal to a predetermined level according to a control signal of the RF control unit 351 and a RF output unit 364 for outputting the RF signal amplified in the amplification unit 363 to the relay 40.

[34] Particularly, the RF control unit 351 converts the pure carrier signal extracted by the filter 362 into a digital signal to produce a transmitting data corresponding to the pure carrier signal, and converts the RF control signal corresponding to the transmitting data into an analog RF signal to output it to the amplification unit 363.

[35] Also, the RF control unit 351 controls the switching unit 353 to add the ID allocated to the remote controller 10 to the transmitting data, thereby allowing distinguishment of the remote controller 10 that transmitted the RF signal through the relay 40.

[36] In the RF signal outputted through the RF output unit 364 in Fig. 4, it is shown that the distinguishment ID is inputted in the portion A marked by the dotted ellipse. Herein, the RF signal has a header with a predetermined length and the distinguishment ID is added in the header to allow the distinguishment.

[37] As such, when the RF signal is transmitted from the remote controller 10, the relay

40 receives the RF signal and converts it into an IR signal, then outputs the IR signal to the device 50. At this time, the relay 40 determines whether the distinguishment ID added to the received RF signal is identical to previously stored set ID, and removes the distinguishment ID from the RF signal to output the IR signal from which the distinguishment ID is removed to the device 50 according to the determination result.

[38] This relay 40 is, as shown in Fig. 5, provided with a RF signal detection unit 42 for receiving the RF signal, an ID signal removing unit 43 for removing the distinguishment ID from the RF signal inputted from the RF signal detection unit 42, a control unit 41 for determining whether the distinguishment ID added to the RF signal and the previously stored set ID are identical by comparing the two and controlling so as to output the IR signal produced by removing the distinguishment ID from the RF signal according to the determination result, a memory unit 45 for storing the set ID, an IR transmitting unit 44 for outputting the IR signal from which the distinguishment ID is removed to the device 50 according to the control signal of the control unit 41 and an indicating unit 46 for indicating whether the set ID is effective when the set ID is set.

[39] The RF signal detection unit 42 amplifies and filters the RF signal received from the remote controller 10 to remove the noise from the RF signal and converts this RF signal into a digital signal.

[40] The ID signal removing unit 43 removes the distinguishment ID at the given position from the RF signal which is converted into the digital signal by the RF signal detection unit 42.

[41] The control unit 41 checks the distinguishment ID from the RF signal and determines whether the distinguishment ID added to the RF signal is identical to the set ID stored in the memory unit 45 when the RF signal is detected by the RF signal detection unit 42. At this time, if the set ID stored in the memory unit 45 and the distinguishment ID added to the RF signal are not identical, the control unit 41 controls the IR transmitting unit 44 to stop the transmitting of the IR signal. On the contrary, if the set ID stored in the memory unit 45 and the distinguishment ID added to the RF signal are identical, the control unit 41 removes the distinguishment ID from the RF signal through the ID signal removing unit 43 and then outputs the IR signal through the IR transmitting unit 44.

[42] Hereinafter, an operation of the IR transmitting device having an ID in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 6 to 8.

[43] Fig. 6 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the remote controller in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operation of the relay in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[44] The IR data transmitting device having an ID in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention determines whether the carrier signal is detected (S 120) in a standby mode (Sl 10) for waiting for an operation of a key input unit (not shown) provided in the remote controller 10. At this time, it is confirmed whether the carrier signal according to user operation of the key provided in the remote controller 10 is detected.

[45] According to the user key operation, the waveform detection unit 361 detects the carrier signal from the power line 32, and the filter 362 filters the carrier signal detected from the waveform detection unit 361 to remove the noises included in the carrier signal, thereby extracting the pure carrier signal.

[46] The RF control unit 351 converts the pure carrier signal extracted by the filter 362 into the digital signal to produce the transmitting data corresponding to this pure carrier signal and converts the RF control signal corresponding to this transmitting data into the analog RF signal to output it to the amplification unit 363.

[47] Also, the RF control unit 351 reads out the distinguishment ID stored in the internal memory (not shown) (S 130) and adds the distinguishment ID to the RF control data to output the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID through the amplification unit 363 (S140).

[48] The RF control unit 351 confirms whether the RF signal is outputted according to the user key operation, for example, at an interval of 200ms (S 150), and enters into the standby mode unless the RF signal is outputted at an interval of 200ms.

[49] As such, when the RF signal is transmitted from the remote controller 10, the relay

40 receives this RF signal and determines whether the distinguishment ID added to the RF signal is identical to the preciously stored set ID, and then selectively outputs the IR signal from which the distinguishment ID is removed according to the determination result.

[50] In other words, as shown in Fig. 7, the RF signal detection unit 42 checks whether the RF signal is detected (S210), and checks the distinguishment ID added to the RF signal if the RF signal is detected (S220).

[51] After that, the control unit 41 reads out the preciously stored set ID from the memory unit 45 and confirms whether this set ID and the distinguishment ID added to the RF signal are identical (S230).

[52] At this time, if the set ID stored in the memory unit 45 and the distinguishment ID added to the RF signal are not identical, the IR transmitting unit 44 is controlled to turn off the output of the IR signal (S260). On the contrary, if the set ID stored in the memory unit 45 and the distinguishment ID added to the RF signal are identical, the distinguishment ID is removed from the RF signal through the ID signal removing unit 43 and the IR signal is restored and outputted through the IR transmitting unit 44 (S240).

[53] After that, the control unit 41 confirms whether the same RF signal is continuously received (S250). If the RF signal is continuously received, the IR signal is continuously outputted (S240), and if the RF signal is not received, the standby mode (S210) for confirming whether the RF signal is detected is performed.

[54] Fig. 8 is flowchart illustrating ID setting process of the relay in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[55] Herein, the relay 40 allows arbitrarily setting of the set ID according to user choice, and the distinguishment ID can be set when a changed distinguishment ID and the set ID stored in the relay 40 are different from each other in the case that the distinguishment ID of the remote controller 10 is changed as the device 50 or the remote controller 10 is changed according to replacement of the device 50 and so on.

[56] The method of setting the set ID of the remote controller to the relay 40 in ac- cordance with an embodiment of the present invention is as follows. Whether a user operates the key input unit provided in the remote controller 10 to input a distin- guishment ID input button for setting the set ID is confirmed in the standby mode (S320). Herein, to confirm the input of the distinguishment ID input button is to confirm whether the RF signal inputted from the relay 40 is the RF signal by operation of the ID input button.

[57] At this time, the control unit 41 confirms whether the inputted ID is an effective ID

(S330). The control unit 41 controls the indicating unit 46 to indicate that the ID is ineffective ID when the inputted ID is not an effect ID (S360) and the control unit stores this ID into the memory unit 45 and indicates that the ID is an effective ID through the indicating unit 46 when the inputted ID is an effect ID (S370).

[58] At this time, the effective ID means not an ID identical to that of another remote controller 10 but an ID distinguishable from that of another remote controller 10.

[59] In other words, the user can arbitrarily store the set ID corresponding to the distinguishment ID of the remote controller 10 into the relay 40. Therefore, it is possible to relay various remote controllers 10 and devices 50 through the relay 40.

[60] While the present invention has been described with respect to the specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

[1] An infrared ray (IR) data transmitting device having an ID, comprising: a remote controller provided with an IR transmitter for transmitting an IR signal and a RF transmitter for adding a distinguishment ID allocated to the remote controller to a RF signal and transmitting the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID; and a relay for receiving the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID from the RF transmitter of the remote controller and checking the distinguishment ID, removing the distinguishment ID from the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID according to whether the distinguishment ID is identical to a previously stored set ID or not, and then converting the RF signal from which the distinguishment ID is removed into an IR signal to output the IR signal to a device.

[2] The IR data transmitting device having an ID of claim 1, wherein the RF transmitter includes a RF battery provided with a transmitting module for detecting transmitting data through a carrier signal detected from a power line in the basis of a power line modem method, and adding the distinguishment ID to a RF control data corresponding to the transmitting data to transmit the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID, and a battery for supplying power to the transmitting module; and a general battery having an end connected to the RF battery and the other end connected to the RF battery with a load being interposed between the other end thereof and the RF battery through the power line.

[3] The IR data transmitting device having an ID of claim 2, wherein the transmitting module includes a switching unit for allowing setting of the distinguishment ID; a RF transmitting unit for extracting the carrier signal from the power line to detect the transmitting data and adding the distinguishment ID to the RF control data corresponding to the transmitting data, thereby converting the RF control data added with the distinguishment ID into a RF signal added with the distinguishment ID and transmitting the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID; and a RF control unit for inputting the distinguishment ID set by the switching unit into the RF transmitting unit and controlling so as to transmit the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID through the RF transmitting unit.

[4] The IR data transmitting device having an ID of claim 1, wherein the relay includes a RF signal detection unit for receiving the RF signal added with the distin- guishment ID; an ID signal removing unit for removing the distinguishment ID from the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID which is inputted from the RF signal detection unit; a memory unit for storing the set ID; and a control unit for determining whether the distinguishment ID and the set ID are identical by comparing the two when the RF signal added with the distinguishment ID is detected through the RF signal detection unit, and controlling according to the determination result so as to selectively remove the distinguishment ID through the ID signal removing unit to output the IR signal.

[5] The IR data transmitting device having an ID of claim 1, wherein the distinguishment ID is added to a header of the RF signal.

[6] The IR data transmitting device having an ID of claim 1, wherein the set ID is changeable.