DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to controlling operations and more particularly, to a system and a method for remotely controlling operations of electronic devices using infrared technology.

BACKGROUND

In our home or even in commercial spaces, there are multiple electronic equipment, which are operated through a remote control. Usually, the remote control is a handheld wireless device used to operate audio, video, and other electronic equipment within a room using light signals in the infrared (IR) range. Such remote control may have the IR transmitter installed which is required to be in vicinity of the electronic equipment and may be pointed directly at the electronic equipment for sending commands. Hence, the operations of the electronic equipment are controlled using the IR remote control but while present in the vicinity of the electronic equipment.
Moreover, a living space may include multiple electronic equipment such as, air conditioner, fan, television, etc. Each electronic equipment may have their own dedicated IR control devices. This may lead to aggregation of multiple remote controls in the living space. Also, if the remote control is rendered non-functional, it may affect the users’ experience of controlling the operations of the electronic equipment. Additionally, non-functional remote control may lead to an increase in electronics waste. Thus, it was required to replace multiple remote controls in the living space with an apparatus that may control multiple electronic equipment within the living space.
The existing technologies provided an infrared blaster to be installed within the vicinity of the electronic equipment within a living space and remotely communicate with the infrared blaster for controlling the operations of multiple electronic equipment. The infrared blaster may receive instructions and control the electronic equipment accordingly.
However, the existing technologies may have various demerits. For instance, a short-range communication protocol like Wi-Fi may be used for communicating with the infrared blaster. Also, the existing technology has failed to integrate the infrared blaster with existing electronic equipment and create symbiotic relationship between the two devices. Thus, it is required that the electronic equipment retains its functional utility, and simultaneously, the infrared blaster may also perform its intended operation.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment of the present invention, a system for controlling operations of a plurality of target devices using an infrared communication protocol. The system includes a user device adapted to remotely control operation of the plurality of target devices. The system includes a controller in communication with the user device and installed in the vicinity of the plurality of target devices, wherein the controller is integrated with an electronic device and is being adapted to control the operation of the plurality of target devices while in communication with the user device. The controller configured to receive instructions from the user device, wherein the instructions indicate an operation to be performed by one of the plurality of target devices and transmit the received instructions to one of the plurality of target devices, wherein one of the plurality of target devices is operated based on the instructions.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a controller of a system for controlling operations of a plurality of target devices using an infrared communication protocol is disclosed. The controller includes a receiving module configured to receive instructions from a user device, wherein the instructions indicate an operation to be performed by one of the plurality of target devices. The controller includes a transmitting module configured to transmit the received instructions to one of the plurality of target devices, wherein one of the plurality of target devices is operated based on the instructions.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method for controlling operations of a plurality of target devices using an infrared communication protocol is disclosed. The method includes establishing communication between a controller installed in the vicinity of the plurality of target devices to control the operation of the plurality of target devices and a user device. The method includes receiving instructions from the user device, wherein the instructions indicate an operation to be performed by one of the plurality of target devices. The method includes transmitting the received instruction to one of the plurality of target devices, wherein one of the plurality of target devices is operated based on the instructions.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates an environment depicting implementation of a system for controlling operations of a target device using an infrared communication protocol, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the system for controlling operations of the target device using the infrared communication protocol, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the system for controlling operations of the target device using the infrared communication protocol, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates another exemplary implementation of the system for controlling operations of the target device using the infrared communication protocol, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method for controlling operations of the target device using the infrared communication protocol, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help to improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict, or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more element is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates an environment depicting implementation of a system 100 for controlling operations of a target device 110 using an infrared communication protocol, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The system 100 may be include a user device 102a and the target device 110. The target device 110 may be an electronic appliance located in a residential or commercial premise, and may include, but is not limited to, a fan, an air conditioner, and a television.

The operations of the target device 110 may be controlled by transmitting instructions indicative of operational commands using the Infrared (IR) communication protocol. In an example, the target device 110 may include a sensor such as an IR receiver, adapted to receive the instructions as an IR signal and decode such IR signal to control the operations of the target device 110. In an embodiment, the target device 110 may include a microprocessor in communication with the sensor and configured to perform the operations based on the instructions received by the sensor.

In an embodiment, the system 100 is adapted to control the operations of the target device 110 based on the instructions received from the user device 102a. The user device 102a may be remotely located from the target device 110. The user device 102a sends the instruction to a controller 108 for controlling the operations of the target device 110. Thus, this provides a user with ease of control for controlling the operations of the target device and provides convenience to the user for remotely operating the controller 108.

Further, the instruction for controlling the operations of the target device 110 may be received as user input through an application 102b. The system 100 may include the user device 102a with the application 102b adapted to be installed in the user device 102a. The user device 102a may include, but is not limited to, a tablet PC, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a smartphone, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a server, a cloud server, a remote server, a communications device, a wireless-telephone, or any other machine controllable through the wireless-network and capable of executing a set of instruction (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. The application 102b may be adapted to receive input from the user for controlling the operations of the target device 110.

In an embodiment, the system 100 includes a gateway device 104, for example, for receiving the instructions from the user device 102a relating to controlling the operations. In an example, the gateway device 104 may be a router providing a network for communicating the instructions or any other data over the network to the controller 108. Further, the instructions may be transmitted or received over the network via the gateway device 104. In the example, the user device 102a may be present remotely away from the target device 110 and intending to control the operations. The user device 102a may send the instructions to the controller 108 over the network via the gateway device 104. Thus, the gateway device 104 maintains an active communication network with the user device 102a and the controller 108.

The network may include wired networks, wireless networks, Ethernet AVB networks, or combinations thereof. The wireless network may be a zig-bee network, a cellular telephone network, an 802.11, 802.16, 802.20, 802.1Q, or WiMax network. Further, the network may be a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to TCP/IP based networking protocols.

In an embodiment, the system 100 includes the controller 108 installed in the vicinity of the target device 110 and adapted to control the operations of the target device 110 while in communication with the user device 102a. In an example, the controller 108 is an infrared blaster configured to transmit the instructions received from the user device 102a using an infrared communication protocol. The controller 108 may include an infrared LED arrays. In an example, the infrared LED arrays may be disposed at various locations around the controller 108 to transmit the instruction via the infrared communication protocol at all directions to the target device 110. The controller 108 may include a display screen adapted to display information of the target device 110 such as, but not limited to, a status of the connection of the controller 108 with the target device 110. The controller 108 may include a power supply unit adapted to supply operating power to the controller 108 for receiving and transmitting signals, respectively.

In an example, the controller 108 may include a zig-bee connectivity transceiver configured to receive instruction from the user device 102a. In the example, the gateway device 104 receives the instructions for controlling the operations from the user device 102a and communicates the instructions to the controller 108 via a zig-bee communication protocol.

In one example, the controller 108 may be integrated with an electronic device such as an electrical plug. In such an example, the electrical plug may include, but is not limited to, an integrated electrical socket and a housing member integrated with the controller 108. The electrical socket may be disposed on a lateral side of the housing member and adapted to connect with another electronic appliance. Further, the electrical plug may be inserted into a wall socket and function as an adapter providing power to the controller 108 and simultaneously providing the integrated electrical socket for connecting any other electronic appliance. Thus, the electrical plug may function as a smart plug.

In another example, the controller 108 may be retrofitted to the electronic device such as a fan, a ceiling fan, a wall-mounted fan, a pedestal fan, a tower fan, and a table fan. The controller 108 may be configured to control the operations of the fan with which it is retrofitted and simultaneously transmit the instructions via the infrared communication protocol to control the operations of the target device 110 i.e., the fan. Thus, functioning as a smart fan.

Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of the system 100 for controlling the operations of the target device 110 using the infrared communication protocol, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 108 may include, but is not limited to, a processor 202, memory 204, modules 206, and data 208. The modules 206 and the memory 204 may be coupled to the processor 202.

The processor 202 can be a single processing unit or several units, all of which could include multiple computing units. The processor 202 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instruction. Among other capabilities, the processor 202 is adapted to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions and data stored in the memory 204.

The memory 204 may include any non-transitory computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes. In an embodiment, the memory 204 is adapted to store a category or a name associated with the target device 110 and associated functionality for controlling the operations.

The modules 206, amongst other things, include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks or implement data types. The modules 206 may also be implemented as, signal processor(s), state machine(s), logic circuitries, and/or any other device or component that manipulate signals based on operational instruction.

Further, the modules 206 can be implemented in hardware, instruction executed by a processing unit, or by a combination thereof. The processing unit can comprise a computer, a processor, such as the processor 202, a state machine, a logic array, or any other suitable devices capable of processing instruction. The processing unit can be a general-purpose processor which executes instruction to cause the general-purpose processor to perform the required tasks or, the processing unit can be dedicated to performing the required functions. In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the modules 206 may be machine-readable instruction (software) which, when executed by a processor/processing unit, performs any of the described functionalities.

In an embodiment, the modules 206 may include a receiving module 210 and a transmitting module 212. The receiving module 210 and the transmitting module 212 may be in communication with each other. The data 208 serves, amongst other things, as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by one or more of the modules 206.

In an embodiment, the receiving module 210 is configured to receive the instructions for controlling the operations of the target device 110. The instructions are indicative of the operations to be performed by the target device 110 such that an associated intended functioning of the target device 110 is executed. In an example, the instruction may be received over the network via the gateway device 104 from the user device 102a. The instructions are a user input transmitted to the controller 108 and received by the receiving module 210 for further processing.

In an example, the receiving module 210 may be configured to receive the instruction as a voice command. In such an example, a human voice-assistant device present in the same network, may be in communication with the controller 108. The user may provide the instruction as user input to the human voice-assistant device which in turn may transmit the instruction to the controller 108. The receiving module 210 is in communication with the transmitting module 212.

In an embodiment, the transmitting module 212 is configured to transmit the received instructions to the target device 110. Thus, the target device 110 is operated based on the instructions. In an example, the transmitting module 212 is configured to transmit the received instructions via an infrared LED array using the infrared communication protocol.

Further in an example, the transmitting module 212 is configured to transmit a status of the operated target device 110 to the user device 102a. The status may be indicative of an operational state of the target device 110 such that the target device 110 is ON/OFF, other feature parameters indicating working of the target device 110.

Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary implementation of the system 100 for controlling the operations of the target device 110 using the infrared communication protocol, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the controller 108 may be integrated with the electrical plug 302. In an example, the electrical plug 302 may include a housing member 302a adapted to be molded and integrated with the controller 108. Further, the electrical plug 302 may include an electrical socket disposed on lateral side of the housing member 302a. The electrical socket may enable any additional electronic appliance to be connected with the electrical plug 302. Simultaneously, the controller 108 may remain integrated with the electrical plug 302. Thus, the electrical plug 302 may then be connected with a wall socket 304 in the vicinity of the target device 110. The connection of the electrical plug 302 and the wall socket 304 may enable the electronic appliance to draw operational power via the electrical plug 302. Simultaneously, the controller 108 integrated with the electrical plug 302 may remain active to transmit the instructions to the target device 110 for controlling its operations using the infrared communication protocol.

Figure 4 illustrates another exemplary implementation of the system 100 for controlling the operations of the target device 110 using the infrared communication protocol, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment, the controller 108 may be retrofitted with the fan 402 such as a wall-mounted fan. In one example, the controller 108 may be installed in a rear extended arm of the fan 402 such that the controller 108 maintains a line of sight with the target device 110 for transmitting the instructions via the infrared communication protocol within the vicinity. Parallelly, the controller 108 may also transmit the instructions to the fan 402 for controlling the operations.

Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method 500 for controlling the operations of the target device 110 using the infrared communication protocol, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 500 may be a computer-implemented method executed, for example, by the controller 108. For the sake of brevity, constructional and operational features of the system 100 that are already explained in the description of Figure 1 and Figure 2, are not explained in detail in the description of Figure 5.

At a step 502, the method 500 may include establishing communication between the controller 108 and the user device 102a. In an example, the controller 108 may be installed in the vicinity of the target device 110 for controlling the operations.

At a step 504, the method 500 may include receiving the instructions from the user device 102a. The instruction may be indicative of the operations to be performed by the target device 110. In an example, the user device 102a receives the instruction as user input and transmits the same to the controller 108. For instance, the user device 102a may use zig-bee communication protocol for sending the instructions to the controller 108. In another example, the controller 108 may also receive the instructions as the voice command from the human voice-assistant device.

At a step 506, the method 500 may include the controller 108 transmitting the received instructions to the target device 110. In an example, the controller 108 transmits the received instruction using the infrared communication protocol to the target device 110. Thus, the target device 110 is operated based on the instructions. In another example, the method 500 may include transmitting the status of the target device 110 to the user device 102a.

The present invention provides following technical advantages:
1. The present invention eliminates use of multiple remote controls for electronic appliances present in a limited living space.
2. The present invention provides ease of remotely controlling operations of electronic appliances.
3. The present invention uses zig-bee communication protocol thus overriding demerits of short communication such as WiFi.
4. The present invention provides dual functionality as the controller with infrared blaster capabilities may be integrated with an electrical plug which may allow other connection with electronic appliances while simultaneously allowing operations of the controller.
5. The present invention provides dual functionality as the controller with infrared blaster being retrofit with fan may enable controlling operations of the other electronic appliances and the fan itself.
6. The present invention reduces electronics waste.
While specific language has been used to describe the present subject matter, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
,CLAIMS:1. A system (100) for controlling operations of a plurality of target devices (110) using an infrared communication protocol, the system (100) comprises:
a user device (102a) adapted to remotely control an operation of the plurality of target devices (110);
a controller (108) in communication with the user device (102a) and installed in the vicinity of the plurality of target devices (110), wherein the controller (108) is integrated with an electronic device and is adapted to control the operation of the plurality of target devices (110) while in communication with the user device (102a), the controller (108) being configured to:
receive instructions from the user device (102a), wherein the instructions indicates an operation to be performed by one of the plurality of target devices (110); and
transmit the received instructions to the one of the plurality of target devices (110), wherein the one of the plurality of target devices (110) is operated based on the instructions.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (108) transmits the received instructions using the infrared communication protocol.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller (108) comprises:
a zig-bee connectivity transceiver configured to receive instructions from the user device (102a);
an infrared LED arrays being disposed at different locations around the controller (108) to transmit the instructions via the infrared communication protocol;
a display screen adapted to display an information of one of the plurality of target devices; and
a power supply unit adapted to supply operating power to the controller (108).

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic device is an electrical plug (302) having:
a housing member (302a) integrated with the controller (108); and
an electric socket disposed on a lateral side of the housing member (302a) and adapted to connect with an electronic appliance.

5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a fan (402) having the controller (108) retrofitted such that the controller (108) transmits the instructions to the fan (402) and the plurality of target devices (110) respectively.

6. The system (100) as claimed in claims 1 to 5, wherein the controller (108) is configured to receive the instructions as a voice command.

7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the controller (108) is configured to:
transmit a status of one of the plurality of target devices (110) to the user device (102a).

8. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of the target devices (110) comprises:
a plurality of sensors configured to receive the instructions from the controller (108); and
a microprocessor in communication with and the plurality of sensors and configured to translate the instructions to perform the operation.
9. A controller (108) of a system (100) for controlling operations of a plurality of target devices (110) using an infrared communication protocol, the controller (108) comprising:
a receiving module (210) configured to receive instructions from a user device (102a), wherein the instructions is indicative of an operation to be performed by one of the plurality of target devices (110); and
a transmitting module (212) configured to transmit the received instructions to one of the plurality of target devices (110), wherein one of the plurality of target devices (110) is operated based on the instructions.
10. The controller (108) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the transmitting module (212) is configured to transmit the received instructions using the infrared communication protocol.

11. The controller (108) as claimed in claim 9, wherein:
the receiving module (210) is configured to receive the instructions from the user device (102a) via a zig-bee connectivity transceiver;
the transmitting module (212) is configured to transmit the received instructions via an infrared LED arrays being disposed at different locations around the controller (108) so as to transmit the instructions at all directions.

12. The controller (108) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the receiving module (210) is configured to receive the instructions as a voice command.

13. The controller (108) as claimed in claim 9, wherein the transmitting module (212) is configured to transmit a status of one of the plurality of target devices (110) to the user device (102a).

14. The controller (108) as claimed in claim 9, wherein one of the plurality of target devices (110) comprises:
a plurality of sensors configured to receive the instructions; and
a microprocessor in communication with and the plurality of sensors and configured to translate the instructions to perform the operation.
15. A method (500) for controlling operations of a plurality of target devices (110) using an infrared communication protocol, the method (500) comprising:
establishing (502) communication between a controller (108) installed in the vicinity of the plurality of target devices (110) to control an operation of the plurality of target devices (110) and a user device (102a);
receiving (504) instructions from the user device (102a), wherein the instructions indicate the operation to be performed by one of the plurality of target devices (110); and
transmitting (506) the instructions to one of the plurality of target devices (110), wherein one of the plurality of target devices (110) is operated based on the instructions.
16. The method (500) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the method comprises transmitting the received instructions using the infrared communication protocol.

17. The method (500) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the method comprises receiving instructions from the user device (102a) using a zig-bee communication protocol.

18. The method (500) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the method comprises receiving the instructions as a voice command.

19. The method (500) as claimed in claim 15, wherein the method comprises transmitting a status of one of the plurality of target devices (110) to the user device (110).