Abstract:
Remote control signal detection systems and methods are operable to compensate detected infrared energy to identify an infrared energy communication signal emitted by a remote control. An exemplary embodiment detects first infrared energy, wherein the infrared energy communication signal is absent in the first infrared energy; determines compensation based on the first infrared energy; detects second infrared energy, wherein the infrared energy communication signal is present in the second infrared energy; and compensates the second infrared energy based on the determined compensation.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Media devices, such as a set top box, a stereo, a television, a computer system, a game system, or the like, are often configured to receive operating instructions from a user via a remote control. The remote control communicates user instructions to the media device using an infrared signal. Other electronic devices also use infrared for communications. Such electronic devices may receive communications from the remote control, or may receive infrared communications for other electronic devices. 
         [0002]    However, display devices in proximity to the media device may emit infrared energy as a byproduct of the process of generating visible light when images are presented on the display to the user. For example, plasma televisions are know to emit infrared energy. 
         [0003]    Further, some display devices are configured to use backlighting to improve the visual quality of displayed images. The level of backlighting is automatically adjustable based on sensed ambient lighting conditions. Such backlighting may also result in emitted infrared energy that may further interfere with the infrared energy communication signals emitted by the remote control. Since such backlighting is adjustable, the level of interfering emitted infrared energy associated with backlighting is subject to changes based on ambient lighting conditions. 
         [0004]    Infrared energy emitted by a display device can, in some environments, interfere with infrared energy communication signals emitted by the remote control. Further, other devices can emit interfering infrared energy. If the infrared energy interference levels are substantial, the media device may not receive the infrared energy communication signals emitted by the remote control, or may not be able to properly decode the received infrared energy communication signals. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need in the arts to mitigate the effect of infrared energy emitted by display devices that may interfere with reception of infrared energy communication signals emitted by the remote control. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Systems and methods of compensating detected infrared energy to identify an infrared energy communication signal emitted by a remote control are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment detects first infrared energy, wherein the infrared energy communication signal is absent in the first infrared energy; determines compensation based on the first infrared energy; detects second infrared energy, wherein the infrared energy communication signal is present in the second infrared energy; and compensates the second infrared energy based on the determined compensation. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    Preferred and alternative embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of an infrared energy compensation system implemented in an exemplary media-based infrared (IR) communication device; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an alternative embodiment of the infrared energy compensation system implemented in the IR communication device; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of another alternative embodiment of an infrared energy compensation system implemented in an exemplary IR communication device; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an embodiment of an infrared energy compensation system implemented in an exemplary IR communication device with a backchannel that supports communications between the IR communication device and a remote device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of an infrared energy compensation system  100  implemented in an infrared communications receiving media device, referred to hereinafter as an infrared (IR) device  102 . The exemplary media-based IR communication device  102  may be, but is not limited to, a set top box (STB). Embodiments of the infrared energy compensation system  100  may be implemented in other media devices, such as, but not limited to, stereos, radios, televisions (TVs), digital video disc (DVD) players, digital video recorders (DVRs), game playing devices, or personal computers (PCs) that are configured to receive communications from a remote control  104 . 
         [0013]    Other electronic devices also use infrared signaling for communications. Such IR electronic devices may receive communications from the remote control  104 , from another type of remote control, or from other electronic devices. These other types of electronic devices include alternative embodiments of the infrared energy compensation system  100 . Non-limiting examples of such IR electronic devices include a Sling device that receives IR communications for other IR communication-based devices, a personal computer (PC) that receives communications from an IR mouse and/or an IR keyboard, and electronic devices such as lamps, automatic blinds or shades, or security systems that receive instructions from a remote via an IR communications signal. 
         [0014]    Embodiments of the infrared energy compensation system  100  monitor ambient levels of infrared energy  106  attributable to natural light and/or attributable to infrared energy  108  emitted from a media presentation device  110 . In an exemplary embodiment, levels of the ambient infrared energy  106  are detected on a real time basis or a near real time basis. The infrared energy communication signal  112  is absent in the detected ambient infrared energy  106 . 
         [0015]    In an exemplary embodiment, an ambient infrared energy signature is determined from the detected ambient infrared energy  106  (when the infrared energy communication signal  112  transmitted from the remote control  104  is absent). Compensation is then determined based on the ambient infrared energy signature. 
         [0016]    Further, characteristics of an infrared energy communication signal  112 , referred to as a remote control (RC) infrared energy signature, may be known, or may be determinable at the IR communication device  102 , based on a received infrared energy communication signal  112  transmitted from the remote control  104 . Compensation may be alternatively, or additionally, determined based on the RC infrared energy signature 
         [0017]    Accordingly, when the infrared energy communication signal  112  transmitted from the remote control  104  is received, the detected infrared energy received at an infrared signal detector  114  can be compensated based on the determined compensation. Accordingly, the infrared energy communication signal  112  transmitted from the remote control  104  can be reliably decoded by the IR communication device  102 . 
         [0018]    The non-limiting exemplary media-based IR communication device  102  comprises the infrared signal detector  114 , a program content stream interface  116 , a processor system  118 , a memory  120 , a program buffer  122 , an optional digital video recorder (DVR)  124 , and a presentation device interface  126 . The memory  120  comprises portions for storing the infrared noise discrimination logic  128 , the infrared noise compensation logic  130 , the remote control (RC) infrared signal signature  132 , and an optional notification message  134 . In some embodiments, the infrared noise discrimination logic  128  and the infrared noise compensation logic  130  may be integrated together, and/or may be integrated with other logic. Other media devices may include some, or may omit some, of the above-described media processing components. Further, additional components not described herein may be included in alternative embodiments. 
         [0019]    As noted above, a viewer (not shown) may provide instructions via the remote control  104 . The viewer generates instructions by operation of a plurality of actuators  136 , such as the exemplary buttons, residing on the remote control  104 . Upon receipt of the infrared energy communication signal  112  transmitted from the remote control  104 , the IR communication device  102  can then control itself and the various media devices that it is communicatively coupled to, such as the media presentation device  110 , in accordance with the generated viewer instructions. 
         [0020]    The functionality of the IR communication device  102 , here a set top box, is now broadly described. A program provider provides program content that is received in one or more program content streams  138 . A program content stream  138  typically comprises a plurality of programs multiplexed together. The one or more program content streams  138  are communicated to the IR communication device  102  from a media system sourced from a remote head end facility (not shown) operated by a media provider. Non-limiting examples of such media systems include satellite systems, cable systems, and the Internet. For example, if the program provider provides programming via a satellite-based communication system, the IR communication device  102  is configured to receive one or more broadcasted satellite signals detected by an antenna (not shown) that is communicatively coupled to the IR communication device  102 . Alternatively, or additionally, the program content stream  138  can be received from one or more different sources, such as, but not limited to, a cable system, a radio frequency (RF) communication system, or the Internet 
         [0021]    The one or more program content streams  138  are received by the program content stream interface  116 . One or more tuners  116   a  in the program content stream interface  116  selectively tune to one of the program content streams  138  in accordance with instructions received from the processor system  118 . The processor system  118 , based upon a request for a program of interest specified by the viewer, parses out program content associated with the program of interest. The program of interest is then assembled into a stream of video and/or audio information which may be stored by the program buffer  122  such that the program content can be streamed out to the media presentation device  110 , via the presentation device interface  126 . Alternatively, or additionally, the parsed out program content may be saved into the DVR  124  for later presentation. In alternative embodiments, the program content streams  138  may be stored for later decompression, processing and/or decryption. 
         [0022]    In this simplified embodiment, the presentation device interface  126  is illustrated as coupled to a single exemplary media presentation device  110 , such as a television. The video portion of the streamed program content is displayed on the display  140  and the audio portion of the streamed program content is reproduced as sounds by the speakers  142 . Alternatively, or additionally, the IR communication device  102  may be communicatively coupled to other types of media presentation devices. Typically, the media presentation devices  110  are controllable by the IR communication device  102 . Accordingly, the viewer may selectively control the IR communication device  102  and a variety of media presentation devices  110  using the remote control  104 . 
         [0023]    In an exemplary embodiment, characteristics of the infrared energy communication signal  112  emitted by the remote control  104  (in the absence of, or substantially in the absence of, ambient levels of infrared energy  106  and/or interfering emitted infrared energy  108 ) is stored in the RC infrared signal signature  132  portion of the memory  120 . Such characteristics of the RC infrared signal signature may include the range of infrared energy frequencies of the infrared energy communication signal  112  and/or the magnitude of the infrared energy communication signal  112 . Further, characteristics of the carrier signal of the infrared energy communication signal  112 , which is used to communicate information corresponding to viewer instructions, may be included as part of the RC infrared signal signature. 
         [0024]    The information stored in the RC infrared signal signature  132  can be predefined. For example, test data of the remote control  104 , or a like remote control, may be stored prior to delivery of the IR communication device  102  to the viewer. Further, a plurality of RC infrared signal signatures for a variety of remote controls that are anticipated to be encountered by the IR communication device  102  may be stored in the RC infrared signal signature  132  portion of memory  120 . 
         [0025]    Alternatively, the signature of the RC energy communication signal  112  can be determined by sensing known commands received in a infrared energy communication signal  112  emitted by the remote control  104 . For example, a test signal or the like may be emitted by the remote control  104 , thereby accounting for ambient light conditions and the position and orientation of the remote control  104  with respect to the IR communication device  102 . The determined RC infrared signal signature can then be stored in the RC infrared signal signature  132  portion of the memory  120 . 
         [0026]    In an exemplary embodiment, the RC infrared signal signature can be determined when the IR communication device  102  is initially activated. Alternatively, or additionally, the RC infrared signal signature can be determined periodically at times when there is no, or or relatively little amounts of, ambient levels of infrared energy  106  (and presumably, no or little infrared energy  108  emitted from a media presentation device  110 ). 
         [0027]    Based upon the determined RC infrared signal signature, the IR communication device  102  can calibrate itself to the particular remote control  104 , or even a plurality of remote controls  104 , for the particular environment that the system is being operated in. For example, the position and/or orientation of the remote control  104  relative to the IR communication device  102  may change from time to time. Periodic calibration allows compensation based on the current position and/or orientation of the remote control  104 . 
         [0028]    In the various embodiments, the infrared signal detector  114  monitors the ambient levels of infrared energy  106 . Such monitoring may be performed continuously on a real time basis, may be monitored periodically on a near real time basis, or may be monitored after a predefined duration of time. The ambient levels of infrared energy  106 , which may include the infrared energy  108  emitted from the media presentation device  110 , is detected by the infrared signal detector  114  at times when the infrared energy communication signal  112  is not being transmitted from the remote control  104 . The processor system  118 , executing the infrared noise discrimination logic  128 , determines characteristics of the current ambient infrared energy  106 , referred to as the ambient infrared energy signature. The determined characteristics of the ambient infrared energy signature may include magnitude of infrared energy at various frequencies of infrared energy. The determined ambient infrared energy signature may be stored in the memory  120  or in another suitable medium for comparison to the RC infrared signal signature. 
         [0029]    Since the ambient levels of infrared energy  106  may change over time, and since the infrared energy  108  emitted from a media presentation device  110  changes in response to changes in ambient lighting, the ambient infrared energy signature is determined on a real time, or near real time basis, in an exemplary embodiment. Accordingly, when the infrared energy  108  emitted from a media presentation device  110  changes by an amount greater that a predefined threshold, a current ambient infrared energy signature is determined and the compensation is changed to a new value based on the newly determined current ambient infrared energy signature. 
         [0030]    The infrared signal detector  114  is configured to detect infrared energy regardless of the source of the detected infrared energy. Accordingly, when the infrared energy communication signal  112  is transmitted from the remote control  104 , the infrared signal detector  114  detects the ambient levels of infrared energy  106 , any infrared energy  108  emitted from the display  140  of the media presentation device  110 , and the emitted infrared energy communication signal  112 . 
         [0031]    Processor system  118 , executing the infrared noise compensation logic  130 , compares the currently detected infrared energy (which includes the infrared energy communication signal  112  emitted from the remote control  104 ) with the most currently available ambient infrared energy signature. Additionally, or alternatively, the currently detected infrared energy may be compared with the RC infrared signal signature. Based upon a difference between the currently detected infrared energy and the ambient infrared energy signature, and/or the RC infrared signal signature, signal compensation is determined. 
         [0032]    The currently detected infrared energy is then compensated based upon the determined compensation to determine a compensated infrared energy communication signal. Accordingly, infrared energy associated with the background lighting emitted by the display  140  of the media presentation device  110  is compensated. After compensation, the compensated infrared energy communication signal corresponds substantially to the infrared energy communication signal  112  emitted from the remote control  104 . 
         [0033]    In the various embodiments, any suitable signal processing technique may be used to analyze the detected ambient infrared energy  106  (which also includes any infrared energy  108  emitted from the display  140  of the media presentation device  110 ). The ambient infrared energy signature can be determined based upon frequency domain analysis and/or time domain analysis of the detected ambient infrared energy  106 . An exemplary embodiment employs a Fourier transform signal analysis technique to determine the ambient infrared energy signature. 
         [0034]    In some situations, the ambient infrared energy  106  (which also includes any infrared energy  108  emitted from the display  140  of the media presentation device  110 ) may be so high that the detected infrared energy cannot be sufficiently compensated for. That is, even with compensation, the infrared energy communication signal  112  is not readily discernable by the IR communication device  102 . In such situations, an alternative embodiment is configured to retrieve the notification message  134  from memory  120 , and cause the notification message  134  to be presented on the display  140  of the media presentation device  110 . Accordingly, the viewer will be notified that the remote control  104  may not be operational due to interfering infrared energy. 
         [0035]    Any suitable message may be used for the notification message  134 . The message may include suggested actions that could be performed by the viewer to mitigate the effect of the interfering infrared energy. For example, the viewer may be advised to change the location and/or to re-orient the direction of the remote control  104  relative to the IR communication device  102 . Alternatively, or additionally, the viewer may be advised to move the location of the IR communication device  102  relative to potential sources of interfering infrared energy, such as the infrared energy emitted by the display  140  of the media presentation device  110 . Alternatively, or additionally, the viewer may be advised to close blinds or drapes so as to darken the environment. Darkening the environment might, in some situations, reduce the amount of ambient infrared energy originating from sunlight. Further, darkening the environment may alter the backlighting level of the display  140  (thereby reducing the interfering infrared energy emitted by the display  140  of the media presentation device  110 ). 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, an audible sound, such as a tone or verbal message, may be emitted to notify the viewer that the remote control  104  may not be operational. Alternatively, or additionally, an indicator light, such as a flashing light emitting diode disposed on a visible surface of the IR communication device  102 , may be illuminated to notify the viewer. 
         [0037]    In some embodiments, the notification to the user may change as a function of a decrease, or an increase, in the infrared interference. In some embodiments, the pulse frequency, the pulse duration, and/or an intensity of a flashing light or an audible tone may indicate the increase/decrease in the infrared interference. For example, the intensity of a flashing light or audible tone may decrease as the user takes an action that reduces the infrared interference. Conversely, if the user&#39;s actions increase the infrared interference, the the intensity of a flashing light or audible tone may be increased. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a firmware-based infrared energy compensation system  100  implemented in the IR communication device  102 . This embodiment includes an infrared noise compensation system  202  implemented as firmware, or as a combination of firmware and software. In some embodiments, filters and other electronic devices may reside in the infrared noise compensation system  202  for conditioning the detected infrared energy to determine the infrared energy communication signal  112  emitted from the remote control  104 . 
         [0039]    In an exemplary embodiment, as part of the initialization of the IR communication device  102 , the amount of compensation is determined and compensation information is provided to the infrared noise compensation system  202 . The infrared energy detected by the infrared signal detector  114  is then compensated by the infrared noise compensation system  202 . In some embodiments, a predefined amount of compensation may be used when the IR communication device  102  is initialized (turned on). Or, the last amount of determined compensation may be used. 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, the compensated infrared energy signal is periodically analyzed by the processor system  118  to identify changes in the ambient infrared energy  106  (which also includes any infrared energy  108  emitted from the media presentation device  110 ). The compensation performed by the infrared noise compensation system  202  is bypassed, or discontinued, on the periodic basis so that the infrared energy detected by the infrared signal detector  114  can be analyzed without any compensation. The processor system  118  determines the suitable amount of compensation, and then adjusts the infrared noise compensation logic  130  accordingly. Then, when the remote control  104  emits the infrared energy communication signal  112 , the information encoded in the infrared energy communication signal  112  is readily discernable by the IR communication device  102 . 
         [0041]    In an alternative embodiment, infrared energy may be additionally, or alternatively, detected by a supplemental infrared signal detector  204 . For example, a satellite signal receiver may be configured to also detect infrared energy. In such embodiments, the degree of compensation can be alternatively, or additionally, based on information provided by the supplemental infrared signal detector  204 . The supplemental infrared signal detector  204  may be external to the IR communication device  102  and/or may be internal to the IR communication device  102 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram of another alternative embodiment of an infrared energy compensation system  100  implemented in an exemplary IR communication device  102  that employs a distributed processing architecture approach to evaluating the infrared interference. Using the distributed processing architecture approach, the infrared noise compensation system  302  has its own processor system  304  and an optional memory  306 . Thus, operational tasks associated with the operation of the IR communication device  102  can be managed by the processor system  118 , and processes relating to the infrared interference can be managed by the processor system  304 . The processor system  304  may be any suitable processor or device. The processing system  304  may be a commercially available processor, a microprocessor, or a specially designed and fabricated processor. 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, information pertaining to infrared interference, as determined by the infrared noise compensation system  302 , is communicated to the processor system  118 . The received infrared interference information may be save in the infrared noise results  308  portion of memory  120 , or may be stored in another suitable memory, for later retrieval. 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an embodiment of an infrared energy compensation system  100  implemented in an exemplary IR communication device  102  with a backchannel  402  that supports communications between a backchannel interface  404  in the IR communication device  102  and a remote device  406 . The exemplary backchannel  402  is a two-way communication system that communicatively couples the IR communication device  102  and the remote device  406  via a communication network  408 . The backchannel interface  404  may be any suitable communication device or system operable to communicate over the communication network  408 . 
         [0045]    The features of the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4  may be incorporated with other embodiments. Further, this embodiment includes an optional IR history  410  residing in the memory  120  that is configures to store information pertaining to previously monitored levels of infrared interference. 
         [0046]    Communication over the backchannel  402  is established over a physical path and/or a logical path, referred to herein as a link. Once the backchannel  402  is established between the IR communication device  102  and the remote device  406 , information pertaining to the infrared interference, and optionally information pertaining to remedial actions that might be taken to reduce the infrared interference, can be communicated between the IR communication device  102  and the remote device  406 . 
         [0047]    The communication network  408  is illustrated as a generic communication system. In one embodiment, the communication network  408  comprises the Internet. Accordingly, the backchannel interface  404  is a modem or other type of Internet communication device. Alternatively, the communication network  408  may be a telephony system, a radio frequency (RF) wireless system, a microwave communication system, a fiber optics system, an intranet system, a local access network (LAN) system, an Ethernet system, a cable system, a radio frequency system, a cellular system, an infrared system, a satellite system, or a hybrid system comprised of multiple types of communication media. In such embodiments, the backchannel interface  404  is configured to establish a communication link or the like with the communication network  408  on an as-needed basis, and is configured to communicate over the particular type of communication network  408  that it is coupled to. 
         [0048]    In an exemplary embodiment, the remote device  406  resides at a service facility or customer facility, and is operated by a service representative or the like. In response to receiving a telephone call or e-mail query from the user relating to problems of that they are apparently having with their remote  104  communicating with the IR communication device  102 , the service representative can receive information pertaining to the infrared interference directly from the IR communication device  102 . Thus, the service representative can determine if infrared interference is causing problems to the remote control  104 , and if so, can determine the extent of the infrared interference. 
         [0049]    The service representative may access the store information pertaining to previously monitored levels of infrared interference from the IR history  410 . The history may indicate changes in infrared interference or other information that may be useful to the service representative in diagnosing possible sources of infrared interference and in identifying potential remedial actions. 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, the service representative may provide instructions directly to the IR communication device  102  such that one or more suitable remedial actions are automatically implemented by the IR communication device  102  to reduce the infrared interference. Alternatively, or additionally, the service representative can interact with the user and provide instructions to have the user implement the remedial actions. For example, the service representative may instruct the user to close blinds so that a plasma TV generating the infrared interference adjusts its backlighting, thereby reducing the amount of infrared interference. 
         [0051]    Further, changes in the the infrared interference can be communicated back to the remote device  406 . For example, the service representative can determine if the remedial actions are reducing the infrared interference, and/or interact with the user to determine if the remote control  104  is properly operating after implementation of the remedial actions. 
         [0052]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the infrared energy compensation system  100  are merely possible examples of implementations of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.