Final answer:
IR stands for infrared. In remote control devices, infrared signals are used to transmit commands to the device being controlled.
Step-by-step explanation:
In remote control terms, IR stands for infrared. IR is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to the human eye. In remote control devices, infrared signals are used to transmit commands to the device being controlled, such as a television or DVD player.
When you press a button on your remote control, the infrared transmitter in the remote emits bursts of infrared light. These bursts are then received by an infrared detector in the device you are controlling, which interprets the signal and carries out the corresponding action.
IR is commonly used in remote controls because it is relatively inexpensive and easy to implement. However, it does require a clear line of sight between the transmitter and receiver, which is why you may need to point your remote directly at the device you are controlling for it to work properly.