IR Dongle with Speaker for Electronic Device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electronic device, and in particular, to the input and output of data from the electronic device. An object is connected to the electronic device and configured to convert a portion of the audio signal output by the electronic device into an audible output. The object also converts a portion of the audio signal output by the electronic device into an infrared signal that is emitted to a toy vehicle. With the object connected to the electronic device, the electronic device is able to remotely control the toy vehicle while the object outputs sound effects and other audible sounds.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for controlling a remote object, the system comprising:
 an electronic device having a headphone jack;   an electronic toy vehicle including an infrared signal receiver; and   a module comprising:
 a plug configured to connect to the headphone jack of the electronic device and to receive data signals from the electronic device, 
 an infrared emitter configured to send infrared signals to the electronic toy vehicle, 
 a speaker configured to output audible sounds, and 
 a control unit that processes the received data signal into two individual signals, wherein the control unit sends an emitter control signal to the infrared emitter and sends a speaker control signal to the speaker. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the module further comprises a microphone input path. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the microphone input path further comprises an infrared receiver for receiving infrared signals to be processed by the electronic device. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the infrared emitter includes a light-emitting diode for transmission of an infrared signal to the remote object. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the module further comprises a casing for housing the infrared emitter, the speaker, the control unit, and the microphone input path. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device further comprises a touch screen. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic toy vehicle further comprises an infrared emitter. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the module further comprises a switch configured to turn the module on and off. 
     
     
         9 . A system for controlling a remote object, the system comprising:
 a first electronic device having a port;   a second electronic device including an infrared signal receiver; and   a module operably coupled to the first electronic device via the port, the module comprising:
 a control unit configured to process a signal received from the first electronic device, 
 an infrared emitter connected to the control unit and configured to send control signals to the infrared signal receiver of the second electronic device, and 
 an output device connected to the control unit and configured to generate audible outputs. 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the signal received from the electronic device is a stereo audio signal having a first data signal and a second data signal. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first data signal is converted by the control unit into infrared control signals and transmitted to the infrared emitter via a first audio channel, and wherein the second data signal is a mono sound audio signal that is transmitted to the output device via a second audio channel. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the infrared emitter is a light-emitting diode. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the module is powered by drawing power from the first electronic device. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the second electronic device is an electronic toy vehicle. 
     
     
         15 . A system for controlling a remote object, the system comprising:
 a first electronic device having a port;   a second electronic device including an infrared signal transceiver; and   a module operably coupled to the first electronic device via the port, the module comprising:
 a control unit configured to process a signal received from the electronic device, 
 an infrared receiver connected to the control unit and configured to receive infrared signals from the second electronic device, 
 an infrared emitter connected to the control unit and configured to send control signals to the infrared signal receiver of the second electronic device, and 
 an output device connected to the control unit and configured to generate audible outputs. 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the signal received from the electronic device is a stereo audio signal having a first data signal and a second data signal, the control unit transmitting the first data signal to the infrared emitter via a first audio channel and a transmitting the second data signal to the output device via a second audio channel. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the module further includes a microphone input path connecting the infrared receiver to the control unit. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the module further includes a microphone input path connected to the first audio channel. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first electronic device include a touch screen displaying a user interface configured to receive user inputs, the first electronic device converting the received user inputs into the signal transmitted to the module. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the module includes a secondary port.