Patent ID: 7376351
Filing Date: 2008-05-20
Classification: G06Q,G07F,G08C,H04B

Abstract:
1. A system for facilitating communication between fixed and handheld devices using infrared communication, said handheld device adapted to be operated by a user, said system comprising: a first infrared transmitter and a first infrared receiver, said first infrared transmitter and said first infrared receiver being located in said fixed device, said fixed device having a normal mode in which said first infrared transmitter transmits ranging pulses and said first infrared receiver detects those of said ranging pulses transmitted from said first infrared transmitter which are reflected by an object located in a predetermined area, said fixed device also having a communication mode, allowing bidirectional communication between said handheld device and said fixed device and a Broadcast mode initiated by the fixed device responsive to detection of an error relating to an operating condition of said fixed device, allowing said first infrared transmitter to transmit a Broadcast signal indicating the error; a second infrared transmitter and a second infrared receiver, said second infrared transmitter and said second infrared receiver being located in said handheld device; second control logic located in said handheld device, said second control logic configured to cause an Attention Signal to be emitted from said second infrared transmitter in response to an initiation command provided by a user, said Attention Signal being received by said first infrared receiver if said second infrared transmitter in said handheld device is located within detection range of said first infrared receiver; and first control logic located in said fixed device which is configured to discontinue transmission of ranging pulses of said first infrared transmitter upon detection of said Attention Signal, whereupon said fixed device changes from said normal mode to said communication mode, thereby allowing an optical communication link to be initiated between said first infrared transmitter and said second infrared receiver and between said second infrared transmitter and said first infrared receiver, and said first control logic causes first infrared transmitter to transmit signals representing device-specific data of said fixed device to said second infrared receiver of said handheld device over said optical communication link, and said second control logic operating in a scanning mode in response to a further user-initiated command to initiate a scanning function to search for and detect Broadcast signals being transmitted by said first infrared transmitter.