System and method for provision of infrared signalling in smart phone devices
View Patent ↗A smart phone device is fitted with a dual mode communications interface device having a housing wherein the housing provides access via an exterior of the smart phone device to both an infrared communications pathway and an electrical communications pathway each of which are coupled to one or more processing devices carried within the smart phone device. To this end, the communications interface device may be in the form of an audio jack having a plug receiving opening wherein the plug receiving opening is in communication with the electrical communications pathway and wherein at least a portion of the housing surrounding the plug receiving opening forms a light pipe for the infrared communications pathway.
1. A portable electronic device, comprising:
a device housing having a first opening and a second opening;
a processing device carried within the device housing;
a wired communications module coupled to the processing device, the wired communications module terminating in a wired communications interface that is disposed in the first opening of the device housing;
an infrared communications module coupled to the processing device, the infrared communications module terminating in an infrared emitter; and
a user activatable input element comprised of a switch housing and an electro-mechanical switching element, wherein the switch housing is disposed within the second opening of the device housing, the electro-mechanical switch element is carried by the switch housing so as to be accessible from an the exterior of the device housing, and the infrared emitter of the infrared communications module is coupled to an exterior surface of the switch housing that is interiorly located within the device housing.
2. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the exterior surface of the switch housing has a notch into which is received the infrared emitter.
3. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the electro-mechanical switch element comprises a push-button type switch.
4. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the infrared communications module terminates in an infrared receiver and wherein the infrared receiver of the infrared communications module is coupled to an exterior surface of the switch housing that is interiorly located with the device housing.
5. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 4 , wherein the exterior surface of the switch housing has at least one notch into which is received the infrared emitter and the infrared receiver.
6. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 4 , wherein a single infrared diode functions as the infrared emitter and the infrared receiver.
7. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 6 , wherein the exterior surface of the switch housing has a notch into which is received the single infrared diode.
8. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the portable electronic device comprises a smart phone.
9. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1 , wherein one or more interiorly disposed surfaces of the switch housing are rendered reflective.
10. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises one or more surfaces that form a light pipe and wherein the light pipe couples the infrared emitter to a surface of the switch housing that is accessible from the exterior of the device housing.