Abstract:
Methods and device for learning electromagnetic signals, saving the signals, and pairing the signals with commands interpreted by a processor. The methods comprise the steps of detecting an electromagnetic signal transmitted from an external device; converting the detected electromagnetic signal into a numerical representation; placing the numerical representation into an array; associating the array with a reference or transforming the array with an algorithm and adding the reference or transformation into a memory table; and associating the reference or transformation with a computer command or combination of computer commands and adding the associated computer command or combination of commands into the memory table.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     An embodiment of the invention relates to a device for reading, storing, and playing back an infrared signal. Other embodiments are also described. 
     Presently, learning remote controls are available in various forms. These remote controls are able to learn infrared signals either using a preset code or reading in an infrared signal and saving it in internal memory. Although these remotes offer one solution for combining several remote controls into one, there is no good solution currently for using a standard remote control with a computer system. There are various solutions available for connecting third party remote controls to a computer that provide for control over computer functions. 
     One available solution exists by connecting a third party remote control with a proprietary infrared receiving unit to a computer. Although this remote control provides for programming and configuration for use with a computer, it requires a proprietary remote control and receiver unit. A solution for using any standard infrared remote control and configuring it for use with a computer is not possible with such a system. Such a solution is desirable with the continued use of computer systems connected to a television screen for use as a “media center” computer. A solution for simple and reliable configuration of existing television or other infrared remote controls to control computer functions is needed. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the invention is directed to a USB (universal serial bus) device that is able to read in an infrared signal, store the signal and interact with software on a computer to play back the recorded signal as a preset computer function. The device can read in a signal, convert the signal to a hash code and store the hash code in memory. This stored signal code can then be triggered when detected by the USB device and send a designated signal to the computer. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a learning method captures infrared timer values based on the signal edge. The values are assembled in an array of values and then a unique hash code is assembled from the values. The hash code is then associated with a command and added to a lookup table. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a learning method captures infrared timer values based on the signal edge. The values are configured in an array called a packet. The packet is then associated with a command and added to a lookup table. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a software program is used for recording an infrared signal. The software determines whether a new edge is detected and captures and appends each new value to an array. Once the software determines the array is complete, it creates a hash and stores it in memory. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, playback of a recorded signal is accomplished by reading in an infrared signal, and storing an associated hash code locally. The infrared signal edges are captured and assembled into an array. A hash code is then created from the values. The hash code is then found in a lookup table and the associated command is sent to the host. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, playback of a recorded signal is accomplished by reading in an infrared signal and sending an associated packet to the host. The infrared signal edges are captured and assembled into an array called a packet. The packet is then found in a lookup table and the associated command is sent to the host. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, a software program is used for playing back a command associated with an infrared signal. The software determines whether a new edge is detected and captures and appends each new value to an array. The software then creates a hash code and searches a lookup table for the hash code and associated command. The command is then sent to a host. 
     The above summary does not include an exhaustive list of all aspects of embodiments of the present invention. It is contemplated that embodiments of the invention include all systems and methods that can be practiced from all suitable combinations of the various aspects summarized above, as well as those disclosed in the Detailed Description below and particularly pointed out in the claims filed with the application. Such combinations have particular advantages not specifically recited in the above summary. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. 
         FIG. 1  depicts one set of steps for learning an infrared signal. 
         FIG. 2  depicts an alternative set of steps for learning an infrared signal. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a software diagram with several steps and decisions for recording an infrared signal. 
         FIG. 4  depicts one set of steps for playing back a previously recorded infrared signal. 
         FIG. 5  depicts an alternative set of steps for playing back a previously recorded infrared signal. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a software diagram with several steps and decisions for playing back a previously recorded infrared signal. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a block diagram of one hardware implementation of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  depicts several alternative embodiments of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  depicts one mechanical implementation of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  depicts a waveform representing an infrared signal, a set of inputs that are transformed into a single output through an algorithm, and a block diagram implementation of such an algorithm. 
         FIG. 11  depicts code implementing the algorithm for storing the information obtained from the processes in the figures above. 
         FIG. 12  depicts a sample memory table for storing a recorded signal and the associated command or set of commands. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is one learning option for reading and capturing a particular infrared signal sent by an external device. The sequence start  102  occurs when the infrared signal is first detected on the first logical edge transition of the signal. The infrared timer values are captured  104  by detecting the edges of the infrared signal. An array of timer values is assembled  106  with the detected values. A unique hash code is assembled from the timer values  108  in the array using an algorithm such as the one described below. The hash code is then associated with a designated computer command  110  such as the up, down, left and right keys or any other computer command or combination of commands. The hash code and associated command or combination of commands is then added to a lookup table  112  with one embodiment of the lookup table shown in  FIG. 8 . Once the hash code and associated command or combination of commands is added to the lookup table, the sequence ends  114 . This process may be repeated until all desired commands or combinations of commands are associated with hash codes and stored in the lookup table. 
       FIG. 2  depicts an alternative learning option for reading and capturing a particular infrared signal sent by an external device. The sequence start  202  occurs when the infrared signal is first detected. The infrared timer values are captured  204  by detecting the edges of the infrared signal. An array of timer values is assembled  206  with the detected values and is called a packet. A computer command or combination of commands is associated with the packet  208 . The packet and associated command or combination of commands  210  is then added to a lookup table. Once the packet and associated command or combination of commands is added to the lookup table, the sequence ends  212 . 
       FIG. 3  is a software flowchart diagram implementing the recording of an infrared signal. The process for reading and capturing a particular infrared signal may also be implemented through firmware or hardware as is known by someone of ordinary skill in the art. The start  302  of the software sequence occurs when the first edge is detected. This event triggers a timer with a top set at a constant static value. If a new edge is detected  304  prior to the time reaching the top, the value is captured  306 . The value is then appended to an array  308  of values. 
     If no more values are detected and the timer reaches the top value, the program decides whether to create a hash code  310  from the values in the array. The hash code can be created  312  using djb2 or other similar algorithm. The algorithm converts the associated array of values to a unique hash code. Alternatively, if the packet method described above is used, the software will not create a hash code. The hash code or packet created from a detected signal is then associated with a computer command or combination of computer commands. The  314  hash code or packet and associated command or combination of commands is then stored in memory. The end  316  of the software sequence occurs once hash code or packet and associated command or combination of commands is stored in memory. 
       FIG. 4  is one method for playing back a signal and associated command stored in a lookup table. The start  402  of the playback sequence occurs when a previously recorded signal is detected. Detected infrared signal edges are captured  404  based on detection of each edge of the signal. The detected timer values are recorded into an array  406 . A hash code is assembled  408  from the array of timer values using a hash code such as the one depicted in  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 10 , and  FIG. 11 . 
     The hash code assembled from the array of timer values is searched for  410  in the previously constructed lookup table. Once the associated hash code is found in the lookup table, the command or combination of commands associated with hash code is sent to the host  412 . The playback sequences ends  414  once the command or combination of commands is sent to the host. 
       FIG. 5  is an alternative method for playback of a previously recorded signal and command or combination of commands. The start  502  of the playback sequence occurs when a previously recorded signal is detected. Timer values of the infrared signal edges are captured  504 . The  506  timer values are placed in an array called a packet. The packet is then searched for  508  in the lookup table to find the associated computer command or combination of commands. Once found, the command or combination of commands is sent  510  to the host. The sequence ends  512  once the command or combination of commands has been sent to the host. 
       FIG. 6  is a software flowchart diagram implementing the playback of a command associated with a particular infrared signal. The software starts  602  when the first edge of an infrared signal is detected. A timer is started with a constant static top value. If a new edge is detected  604  the timer value is captured  606 . The captured timer value is then appended  608  to an array. The program then restarts the timer and waits for another edge to be detected. 
     If the timer reaches the top value before an edge is detected, the software decides  610  whether to create a hash code from the stored values. If a hash code must be created, the  612  djb2 or other similar algorithm is used to convert the associated array to a unique hash value. Whether a hash code is created or the packet system described above is used, the hash code or packet is searched for  614  in the lookup table. Once the hash code or packet is located, the associated command or combination of commands  616  is sent to the host. The sequence ends  618  when the command or combination of commands has been sent to the host. 
       FIG. 7  is a hardware block diagram of an implementation of the device for reading, storing and playing back an infrared signal. The device has an infrared receiver  702  that detects an infrared signal sent from an external device such as an infrared remote control. The infrared receiver  702  is coupled to a microcontroller  704  or other digital processing unit as known in the art. The microcontroller  704  is coupled to a USB (universal serial bus) connector  712  for connecting the device to a computer, handheld computer or other comparable device. 
     One embodiment of the microcontroller includes an ALU (arithmetic logic unit)  706 , memory  708  and a USB stack  710 . The ALU is coupled to the USB stack and the memory. The memory  708  or USB stack  710  may alternatively be located outside of the microcontroller. 
       FIG. 8  shows several alternative implementations of the signal learning and playback method and device. The methods and algorithms described herein may be implemented for detecting and encoding an IR (infrared)  802  signal. Alternatively the methods and algorithms may be used for detecting and encoding radio  804  signals, electrical  806  signals or optical  808  signals. 
     The signals mentioned above may be detected and encoded with the methods and algorithms stated above. The playback signal, command or combination of commands may be sent to the computer, handheld computer or other similar device via a USB (universal serial bus)  810  connection. Alternatively, the signal, command or combination of commands may be sent via a serial connection  812 , RS232 connection  814  or from internal or external stored memory  816 . 
       FIG. 9  is one physical implementation of a signal learning and playback device. The infrared receiver  902  is located so that an external infrared signal may be detected. The infrared receiver is coupled to a microcontroller  904 . The microcontroller reads the signal detected by the infrared receiver. After processing the signal using any of the various methods described herein, the microcontroller sends the appropriate signal command through the USB port  906  to an attached device. 
       FIG. 10  is a sample infrared signal and algorithm diagram. The timer described above measures the time between edges  1002 . The time from one edge to the next is measured by subtracting the time from one edge t 1  until the time the next edge is detected t 2  or restarting the timer when a new edge is detected saving the value before resetting it to zero. This process is repeated for all subsequent signal edges until the final edge with a time of t n . The multiple timer values  1004  are then passed through an algorithm  1006  with a single value hash code output  1008   h   x . 
       FIG. 11  is the DJB2 hash code creating algorithm. Although other similar algorithms may be used to encode the set of timer values, the DJB2 is used in one implementation. Each timer value is passed into the algorithm through the “*str” variable. The algorithm uses a variable “hash” and sets its initial value to  5381 . The hash variable is altered with a while loop through the formula shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 12  is a sample memory table where hash code or packet values are stored. The hash code/packet is stored with its associated command or combination of commands. This table stores hash codes/packets and their associated commands or combination of commands from Hash Code/Packet [1] and its associated Command [1] through Hash Code/Packet [n] and its associated Command [n]. Each command may be recalled from the table and used when the hash code/packet associated with it is located in the table as described above. 
     To conclude, various implementations of methods and devices for learning and playing back infrared and other external signals have been described. These methods and devices allow for any standard infrared remote control to be used to send standard computer commands to a computer. In other embodiments the methods and devices may be adapted for signals other than infrared and for devices other than a computer. 
     Specific embodiments of the invention have been shown in the drawings and described in detail herein to help elucidate the inventive concepts. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not to be limited to the particular forms disclosed; rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the following claims.