GB2380038A

GB2380038A - Optical data receiver

Info

Publication number: GB2380038A
Application number: GB0122334A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Alan Edgar
Original assignee: DENOVO DESIGN Ltd
Current assignee: DENOVO DESIGN Ltd
Priority date: 2001-09-15
Filing date: 2001-09-15
Publication date: 2003-03-26
Also published as: GB0122334D0

Abstract

An optical data receiver has a built in suction device 5 which enables the receiver, which is housed in a two-part plastic moulded case, to be attached to any computer monitor or television screen 4 for the purposes of receiving optical data. Having decoded the optical data, the device then manually, automatically, or by interactive means from any remote computer, controls any hardware device. In addition, a means 3 of fine-tuning the device to receive encrypted or non-encrypted optical data is included. An indicator light 3 provides verification of incoming data and a power saving device is incorporated to preserve the power source.

Description

OPTICAL DATA RECEIVER This invention relates to an electronic solid-state optical receiver, it is housed in an attractive 2 part plastic moulding and has been designed complete with it's own internal power supply. When placed upon the monitor screen of any computer monitor or television screen by way of a releasable suction pad or pads, it converts encoded optical data, the likes of which are generated by a computer software program (this being subject to a similar patent application) in to electrical signals which then control any type of hardware device (with it's own power source) either manually or automatically and/or by"interactive"means with respect to any remote computer, the output of the device is via a"hardwire" or wireless telemetry system. The device is designed to operate and be controlled "on screen" by means of a"mouse","roller ball"or any other similar screen control device from any Internet site, television or other medium which transmits the unique encoded optical data by way of an encrypted or none encrypted data source.

This device unlike other "plug and play" devices does not require any extra software, hardware or an external power source to operate, in particular ; CD ROM disks or downloaded programs, furthermore, does not require complex and expensive cables and connectors, the likes of which are generally limited if multiple devices are required, subsequently any number of devices can be attached to the monitor screen and operated independently or simultaneously.

The object of this invention is to easily and simply control any hardware device, (with it's own power source) either manually or automatically from any Internet site, television, video or DVD medium which transmits the unique optical date source, the likes of which is generated by a computer software program (this being subject to a similar patent application) thus, for Internet site owners, this invention creates a large commercial opportunity of "on line" advertising in addition to other commercial opportunities within the visual video and DVD markets.

The device is ergonomically designed for ease of use and is packaged in a 2part plastic injection moulded case that is both light and pleasing in appearance, the device is attached by way of a clear acrylic suction pad or pads which facilitates the placing and removing of the device anywhere on the monitor or television screen, when placed upon the monitor or television screen, an automatic switching device is then activated and the device begins to receive data, a simple control mounted on the side of the device then provides a means of "fine tuning" the optical data being received in respect of various light levels.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIGURE 1 shows a front view and general arrangement of the optical data receiver.

FIGURE 2 shows a side view and general arrangement of the optical data receiver, in particular shows the typical attachment to a computer monitor or television screen.

As shown in figure 1, the 2 part injection moulded case [1] has a small indicator (low power light emitting diode) [2] which provides confirmation that the device is receiving data. The thumbwheel control [3] is mounted on the side of the device and provides fine-tuning for different light levels.

As shown in Figure 2, the device is attached by way of a clear plastic suction pad or pads [5] this also houses the opt-electronic sensor or sensors which then read the transmitted encoded light source, the device is shown attached to a typical computer monitor or television screen [4] The output which drives any type of hardware device (with it's own power source) is shown by either a "hardwire"cable or antenna, this enables the use of wireless telemetry [6].

Claims

1. An optical data receiver comprising of one or more opto-electronic sensors which when placed in close proximity to a suitable software driven encrypted or none encrypted optical data source, (this being subject to a similar patent application) permits the manual or automatic control of any hardware device (with it's own power source).

2. An optical data receiver as claimed in Claim 1 has the capability to receive and process optical data from any Internet site, television signal or program as well as videotape and DVD and MINI disks and any other medium.

3. An optical data receiver as claimed in Claim 1 and Claim 2 is easily and quickly attached and detached to any computer monitor or television screen by way of a suction pad or pads, thus eliminating the need for permanent fixing devices and thus alleviating any damage.

4. An optical data receiver as claimed in Claim 1 to Claim 3 permits the manual or automatic control of any hardware device (with it's own power source) by way of "on screen" facilities, in particular ;"computer mouse", "roller ball" or any other device, including"interactive"means from a remote computer.

5. An optical data receiver as claimed in Claim 1 to Claim 4 preserves the life of the internal power source by way of an automatic manual switch with reference to orientation of the device and/or an electronic switch that prevents unnecessary power consumption whilst the device is not in use.

6. An optical data receiver as claimed in Claim 1 to Claim 5 has the means of accurately "fine tuning" the optical input receiving efficiency by way of a built in thumbwheel control device.

7. An optical data receiver as claimed in Claim 1 to Claim 6 has the means of monitoring and displaying the optical data being received by way of a light emitting diode of any colour, intensity or size.

8. An optical data receiver as claimed in Claim 1 to Claim 7 has the output capabilities of driving any hardware device (with it's own power source) either manually or automatically via a"hardwire"or by wireless telemetry.

9. An optical data receiver as claimed in any preceding claim is manufactured from any type of plastic material, the likes of which is moulded utilising any moulding technique.

10. An optical data receiver substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.