Patent ID: 6256129
Filing Date: 2001-07-03
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
In a portable computer having a liquid crystal display (LCD) module and an infrared communication device (IRCD) for wireless communication between the portable computer, a peripheral device, and other computers over an infrared communication link, said IRCD located on the LCD module and comprising:an input/output controller having means for outputting infrared signal transmission data according to an input command, for receiving infrared signal reception data, and for outputting an infrared refraction control signal according to whether the infrared signal reception data is received;an infrared signal transmitter having means for transmitting an infrared transmission signal according to the infrared signal transmission data to the peripheral device over said infrared communication link;an infrared signal receiver having means for receiving an infrared reception signal from the peripheral device and for outputting the infrared signal reception data; andan infrared signal direction controller having means for controlling the direction of the infrared transmission signal to the peripheral device, and the direction of the infrared reception signal according to said infrared refraction control signal;the improvement comprising: an IRCD-controlling means for automatically controlling the direction of the infrared transmission signal to the peripheral device and the direction of the infrared reception signal to maximize signal transmission and reception efficiency without human intervention, wherein said IRCD-controlling means comprises:a prism for refracting the infrared transmission signal and the infrared reception signal; anda prism driver means for automatically changing the direction of the prism according to the infrared refraction control signal.