Cutting the mouse tail [Infrared Data Association]

The Infrared Data Association (IrDA) is a direct outgrowth of the desire to cut the apron strings between Personal Computer (PC) devices and the user. There are times when we are as securely attached to the PC as the peripherals we use. Infrared data links allow us to move around and establish links without always plugging something in. Printing while visiting another office, sharing files and other applications are only natural, especially in an age of Handheld PCs and other smarter, useful portable information tools. IrDA members started to look at other needs in the IR application space. A common question was how to get rid of other cables, when it clearly made sense to do so. Also, how about getting rid of the multiple remote controls on the coffee table and developing a single intelligent tool to manage the tasks currently handled by multiple remote controls? There are multifunction remotes on the market, but isn't it possible to combine these with a PDA or Handheld PC and do more? A lot of questions to answer. The net result was a series of meetings to address whether there was sufficient interest to tackle the problem. There was, and after two years of work, a new proposal was forwarded through the IrDA committees for approval. This new proposal is known as IrDA Control, as this technology directly addresses control inputs from peripherals. The current IrDA data specifications are data transfer oriented, such as printing, sending a file, sharing file data and so forth.