CN107408331A - For the system and method for the distant control function for configuring portable set - Google Patents

Abstract

System and method for configuring feature operation of the smart machine with order destination apparatus.Data of the smart machine from the codeset identification of the controllable device retrieval instruction destination apparatus of such as set top box, wherein codeset identification is determined during for configuring conventional universal remote control, with the feature operation of order destination apparatus, and the process for being wherein used to configure conventional universal remote control is performed in unison with controllable device.The remote control application and then the data for the codeset identification retrieved from controllable device using instruction resided on smart machine, also it is used for configuring smart machine, with the feature operation of order destination apparatus.

Description

For the system and method for the distant control function for configuring portable set

Related application data

The application is the part continuation application for the U.S. Application No. 14/269,818 submitted on May 5th, 2014 and requires it Rights and interests, this application are the continuation application for the U.S. Application No. 14/245,195 submitted on April 4th, 2014 and claimed, are somebody's turn to do Application be the U.S. Patent Application No. 14/184,298 submitted for 19th for 2 months in 2014 part continuation application and claimed, This application be the U.S. Patent Application No. 13/198,172 that August in 2011 is submitted on the 4th continuation application and claimed, the Shen Please be the U.S. Patent Application No. 13/198,072 that August in 2011 is submitted on the 4th part continuation application and claimed, the Shen Please be also the U.S. Patent Application No. 13/026,768 submitted for 14th for 2 months in 2011 part continuation application and claimed, This application is the U.S. Patent Application No. 12/768,325 (being United States Patent (USP) 7,969,514 now) submitted on April 27th, 2010 Continuation application, this application is that the U.S. Patent Application No. 11/515,962 that September in 2006 is submitted on the 5th (is United States Patent (USP) now 7,907,222) continuation application.Disclosure in each of these application references is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Background technology

Personal communication, productivity and amusement equipment, such as tablet personal computer, smart phone, portable e-mail device, electricity The philosophical works, handheld device and/or game console, portable electronic device etc. (below referred to as " smart machine ") are knownly Including the graphic user interface for example on color touch screen, wireless Internet ability, support such as calendar, Email, map With the feature of the HELPER APPLICATIONS (sometimes referred to as " app ") of navigation etc..These HELPER APPLICATIONSs can be pre-installed in intelligence In equipment, or it can be downloaded by user.Some such app may include the energy that order is sent to amusement and miscellaneous equipment Power, such as the GUI of feature and function that general remote controller known in the art is provided is combined, shown with reference to TV guide to enable Channel selection etc..Generally, such remote control application program can be equipped with the multiple equipment suitable for control different type and/or manufacture Order data and protocol library (so-called " universal remote control ").Such command library and to equipment send operational order institute it is required Hardware may be incorporated into smart machine in itself or it is can be used for smart machine in itself, or can take and be arranged to lead to smart machine The form (that is, trunking or so-called " blaster (Blaster) ") of the single external equipment of letter.Anyway, first When beginning to install or then changing controlled device, this Universal remote control application program generally has to be configured to each spy to be controlled Determine the device order data and agreement appropriate with one group in storehouse to match.Disclosed herein is for carrying out this configuration process User friendly and convenient method.

The content of the invention

The present invention relates generally to remote control system, more specifically it relates to one kind be easy to establish and configure portable set (such as The smart machine of Universal remote control function can be included) system and method, to order the one or more of one or more types to make Make the operation of the remote-controlled device of business." iPhone " and " iPad " brand that exemplary intelligent device includes but is not limited to apple is set Standby, Google " Android " brand equipment, " WiiU " the brand equipment of Nintendo, " Torch " or " PlayBook " product of blackberry, blueberry Board equipment etc..The device of exemplary types includes but is not limited to television set, digital video disc players (DVD), wired or satellite Set top box (STB), digital video recorder (DVR), audio frequency and video (AV) receiver, thermostat, game machine, illuminator etc. Deng.

In order to quickly and easily configure smart machine application program and associated command library to match device to be controlled, Present invention teach that an illustrative embodiments in, smart machine can be attached temporarily to a device to determine the mark of the device Know, so that it is determined that appropriate order data and agreement for controlling the device.When described device and other remote-controlled devices When communication is to form a part for local amusement and/or environmental system, the marks of these other devices also can by smart machine Lai It is determined that it uses connected device as agency.Present invention teach that the second illustrative embodiments in, smart machine can With previously participating in setting the device of another universal remote control to be communicated, to be received from the device in the setting up procedure phase before Between the configuration that is reached set.

In addition, in some embodiments, the configuration information on the local system can be sent to intelligence by agent apparatus Energy equipment, it is grand for establishment activity；Localization for intelligent application display label and menu etc..For example, Such information may include on which media source device be connected to such as TV Monitor or AV receivers rendering apparatus which The data of individual input port, so as to help to create the smart machine command sequence that is pre-configured with, for start " seeing TV ", Activities such as " listening music "；Start language and menu setting of the one or more devices connected etc..

In an illustrative embodiments, physics and logic interconnection between smart machine and device and between device High definition media interface (HDMI) specification is may conform to, and among other things, device identification may be from can be from according to specification The consumer electronics control (CEC) of equipment retrieval or the data of expanded display recognition data (EDID), and/or from according to consumption The product-derived that Institution of Electronics specification CEA-861 is embedded in source device digital video frequency flow illustrates (SPD) information frame.However, should Understand, when suitable for particular implementation, other interconnecting methods and/or agreement can be used for identical purpose, such as citing to come Say but be not limited to USB, IEE1394 firewire, UPnP, CEbus etc..

To be obtained from features as discussed above the purpose to invention claimed, advantage, feature, property and Relation is best understood from, and these the detailed description and the accompanying drawings elaborate illustrated embodiment, and is illustrated using claimed Invention principle various modes.

Brief description of the drawings

In order to more fully understand the various aspects of described embodiment, accompanying drawing is may be referred to, wherein：

Figure 1A and 1B is shown in which the example system using the smart machine application program configured according to the present invention；

Fig. 2 shows exemplary interconnection, and it can be in one or more intelligence of Fig. 1 according to the first embodiment of the invention It can be used during the configuration of equipment；

Fig. 3 shows the series of steps that can be performed in the setting up procedure for enable HDMI by smart machine；

Fig. 4 shows the exemplary means identification database according to the smart machine application program of the present invention available for configuration Record；

Fig. 5 shows another exemplary system, wherein one of Fig. 1 can be realized second embodiment of the invention Or the configuration of multiple smart machines；

Fig. 6 shows the series of steps that can be performed in the setting up procedure for enable device by smart machine；

Fig. 7 shows another series of steps that can be performed in the setting up procedure for enable HDMI by smart machine；And

Fig. 8 is shown in which the another exemplary system of the configuration of polymerizable non-detection means.

Embodiment

For example, Figure 1A and 1B shows example system 102 and 104, and wherein smart machine 100 may be adapted to for example The controllable device of TV106, set top box (STB) 108, DVD player 110 etc. sends order.Although bag is shown within a context The home entertainment system of TV, STB and DVD player is included, but it is understood that, controllable device may include but be not limited to TV Machine, VCR, DVR, DVD player, wired or satellite converter set top box (" STB "), amplifier, AV receivers, CD Player, Game machine, domestic lighting, valance, fan, HVAC system, thermostat, personal computer etc..In Figure 1A illustrative embodiment In, smart machine 100 may include Universal remote control application program and necessary hardware, so as to which order is transmitted directly into device 106 to 110.Device order can the form of infrared signal 112 or with the control suitable for each specific device as depicted Any other suitable form send, such as RF signals as expected from RF4CE, Zwave, bluetooth etc.；Ultrasonic signal；Visible ray Etc..In Figure 1A embodiment, such as Co-pending U.S. Patent Application 13/043,915 can be used in these command signals Described in technology directly sent by smart machine 102, the full content of the U.S. Patent application is incorporated herein by reference. In alternate embodiments shown in Figure 1B, device order 112 can be sent indirectly via trunking 114, and trunking 114 responds In the radio communication 116 received from the Universal remote control application program resided in smart machine 100, such as U.S. in CO-PENDING State's patent application 13/071, described in 661, entire contents are also by being incorporated herein by reference.

In any case, remote control application program and/or associated trunking must be equipped with each controlled The particular command data and agreement (" code set ") of device response.As known in the art, this can be by the form of pointer or index It is presented on：Locally it is pre-stored in the code set storehouse in the memory of smart machine 100 or trunking 114；In configuration process In download in each code set of these equipment；As needed from the device in PC or such as STB108 or TV106 On be locally stored or each code set commands that the storehouse that is remotely stored on head end or internet accessible services device is downloaded item by item In code；Etc..Anyway, due to can be answered generally in the case where not considering finally to provide the precise mechanism of the code set With knowledge method for distinguishing of the completion to the appropriate codes collection of controlled device is described herein for, therefore it should be understood that retouching below The embodiment stated only be it is exemplary, and the technology proposed plus it is necessary change be applicable to it is any various possible Equipment and code library configuration.

With reference to figure 2, in an illustrative embodiments, it is (or any with control ability to reside in smart machine 100 Miscellaneous equipment, such as STB etc.) on remote control application program can by temporarily by the HDMI ports 206 of smart machine 100 via HDMI compatible cables 208 are connected to device to be controlled (such as illustrative via Radio Link with HDMI abilities etc. TV106 in example) available HDMI ports 210 and with device to be controlled (such as television set 106 and/or cable TV Top box 108 and DVD player 110) match.Once establishing connection, the remote application of smart machine 100, which can be placed in, to be set Pattern is put, in this mode, application program can seek device identification data, such as CEC manufacturers ID and/or EDID from TV106 Manufacturer numbers and product code.In a preferred embodiment, the data so obtained can be via for example to internet 202 WiFi connections 204 upload onto the server 200 from smart machine.Server 200 may include database 216, its cross reference CEC And/or EDID device identification datas are to device command code sets, the database quotability is to determine to be used for control exemplary dress Put 106 appropriate command code set.In an alternative embodiment, wherein device command code sets can be quoted in itself with reference standard Data cross quote database can reside locally on smart machine in itself；Or it can reside in one as WiFi network In the addressable device divided, such as local PC or STB.Anyway, once it is determined that, then required code set can be supplied to The remote control application program of smart machine 100, in the form of entering the pointer or index in local data base；Or with from storage Form of code glomeration of download of code set database 218 on server 200 etc.；This depends on the circumstances.

Turning now to the flow chart shown in Fig. 3, once will be exemplary using such as HDMI cables 208 or HDMI Radio Links Smart machine 100 is positioned to be communicated with device, then for example can configure or set up dish from well known in the art in step 300 Single setting program for starting the part for forming the remote control application program being arranged on the smart machine.In step 302, set Program can be compatible by sending continuous CEC to each possible specific CEC logical device address (LDA)s of type<Polling message>Pass It is defeated and to start (as defined in HDMI specifications and subsidiary CEC supplements).By explanation, CEC agreements can support up to 16 Possible logical address values, each value distribute to specific type of device：For example, television equipment is only with logical address 0 or 14； The playback equipment of such as DVD player can be used only one in logical address 4,8 or 11；Tuner can be used only logically One in location 3,6,7 or 10；Etc..In order to receive the response to poll, according to the starting device of CEC specifications version (being in this embodiment smart machine 100) can always use address 15.Although smart machine 100 is only physically connected to TV106 HDMI ports 210, but CEC agreements allow device to serve as CEC interchangers, i.e. in an illustrative embodiment, CEC is led to Letter is significantly routed to the devices of the other HDMI ports for being connected to it, such as STB108 or DVD player 106, or from the dress Put and significantly route CEC communications.Therefore, in the case where the host apparatus that those smart machines are tied to supports this function, by This can enable setting program inquire downstream unit.

If the equipment for not detecting the polling message for being sent in step 304 responds, continue in step 320 Program is set to allow the user of application program to carry out manual configuration.However, if one or more responses are detected, in step 306 by CEC<Equipment supplier ID is provided>Message is sent to the first response logic address value.According to CEC agreements, the message institute pin To device can use unique 24 supplier ID to respond, it is numbered and is distributed to by IEEE according to the standard and meets CEC's Manufacturer.Once receiving, in step 308, supplier ID numberings (represent device class together with the CEC logical addresses of its origin Type), code set identifier, such as resident Web service on server 200 can be forwarded to by setting program.

Once receiving response from code set identification service, in step 310 and 312, program is set to can determine that the response is The no correct identification for forming the code set for sending order to indicated device, or whether it include by pair of disambiguation The request of extraneous information.If all do not had, assume that identification service fails to identify suitable code set, and program is set in step Rapid 318 continue with determining whether that also extra means have to be identified.If the response received is included to adding disambiguating information Request, then can retrieve such information in step 316, and transfer it to code set identification service further to handle.As Embodiment and it is unrestricted, this disambiguation request of data can be used for being shown by the extension that VESA (VESA) specifies Identification data (EDID), obtained via HDMI from display device, and it can such as system including being specified corresponding to Microsoft Make business ID and/or the data field of product code that manufacturer specifies；For responding<Obtain menu language>(it can for CEC requests Expression is currently installed on field/market of the device)；For responding<OSD titles are provided>Or<Obtain CEC versions>CEC is asked；With In the SPD data for obtaining the input HDMI ports corresponding to host apparatus (i.e. the TV106 of illustrative embodiment), wherein main frame fills Put and support this acquisition；Etc.；Suitable for particular implementation or equipment.Pass through the explanation to SPD data, CEA standards CEA- Periodic source product description information frame is optionally inserted its outputting video streams by 861B regulations digital video source.Should " information Frame " may include the ASCII vendor names of seven bytes, and 16 byte ASCII product descriptions of such as model and a byte two are entered Product type identifier processed (for example, 01h is digital STB, 02h is DVD player, and 05h is digital video camcorder etc.).Such as TV106 rendering apparatus can alternatively be decoded the data and be shown using it come the menu strengthened on screen.

Alternately or in addition to that mentioned above, because the device for needing to meet CEC is for related to the feature do not supported Any message is sent<Feature stops>Response, in some embodiments, code set identification service can ask to start to device Response (or multiple responses) caused by some CEC transmission and report, to allow by verifying its support to some features (or shortage) carrys out accurate identification device.

If, can phase in step 314 in the mark for the response instruction device control routine collection that step 310 determines to receive Answer the remote control application program of ground configuration smart machine 100.As known in the art, this configuration, which can be taken, deposits pointer or index Store up the form in the pre-loaded local library of command code sets, there is provided required code set is as from the generation based on server Data that code collection storehouse 218 is downloaded etc., are suitable for particular implementation.Once configuration is completed, in step 318, program is set to connect down To determine whether still to there is attachment device to identify.If it is, processing returns to step 306, to be recycled and reused for next device Above-mentioned identifying processing.Once identifying processing is had been carried out to all devices that the polling request of step 302 responds, then Continue to set in step 320, wherein when needed extra user can be asked to input.Such user's input may include Such as clear and definite type information and/or code set numbering etc. is provided, to complete any device not responded to CEC polling requests Identification and configuration, these devices can not by automation code set identify service etc. unique identification, after this complete intelligence set The initial configuration of standby 100 remote control application program.Because the various replacement methods for identification device command code sets are in ability It is it is well known that for simplicity, these will be further discussed here in domain.

Referring now to Figure 4, the illustrative embodiments of device identification database 216 may include one group of record 400, Mei Geke One record of the device clearly identified, every record include a series of fields 402 as depicted to 436'.In the reality provided Apply in example, per strip device, record 400 may include basic device mark 440, and it may include data field, such as type of device 402, Brand 404, model 406, sequence number or date range 408,410 (ensure unique mark, such as wherein manufacturer has been when necessary Through changing the device characteristic among model running) and for command device operation device command code sets identifier 412.In some cases, geographical or market area code 414 can also form a part for basic device mark.It is basic including this The information of device identification can be used for the method for various prior arts, for configuring operation of the control device with instruction device, such as Setting code listing, in order test and the specific dress that the brand and model, printing that matching user provides will be issued in handbook Corresponding code set of type and brand (sometimes region) etc. is put, these are all well known in the art.

In addition to above-mentioned basic device mark data, according to the exemplary means identification database of present invention record 400 It may include added field 416 to 436', it includes the second electronic mark 450 for same apparatus.Such electronic mark can Including the list of data items that for example can be electronically asked from device via the HDMI interconnection 208 of illustrated embodiment.The data It may include but be not limited to CEC suppliers ID416, CEC edition 4 18, CEC OSD titles 420, EDID manufacturers ID422, EDID production Product code 424, EDID versions/revisions number 426, SPD vendor names 428 and SPD product descriptions 430.In some embodiments In, geographical area code 414 can also form a part for electronic installation mark, because these can be from CEC<Obtain menu language> Drawn in response.It should also be noted that due to the way in private label, a variety of sources etc., supplier/manufacturer ID and title Field 416,422 and 428 is not necessarily synonym for each other or identical with brand field 404.

It is the unique mark for ensuring device when necessary, additional data field can be one of device identification record 400 Point.These data fields may include the recognizable parameters 432 of for example further EDID to 432', such as support video format With resolution ratio, timing data etc., and/or CEC challenge/responses data field 434,436.Such challenge/response field can wrap Include the tele command or the intended response 436 of inquiry 434 and device return of device to be sent to.It is unrestricted as example, In order to distinguish the similar wired STB different only by the existence or non-existence of DVR options, CEC can be sent<Deck states are provided> Request, it is contemplated that non-DVR STB responses will be CEC<Feature stops>Message.If required to ensure that specific device accurately identifies, then Multiple challenge/response data field 434', 436' can be provided.

In illustrated embodiment, except type of device 402 and code set identifier 412, it is not suitable for or unavailable It may be configured as " sky " in the data field of specific device.For example, sequence number range field 408,410 may not be required, certain A little type of device may not support EDID etc..

In order to uniquely identify device, it is resident on server 200 and/or the illustrative dress associated with server 200 Mark service is put, such as the instruction by being stored in the non-emporary computer-readable medium that can be accessed by server 200 is realized, And with generally setting application program mutual according to the exemplary intelligent device in the past with reference to the logic operation that Fig. 3 flow chart describes Effect, can from smart machine 100 receive initial communication, including CEC suppliers ID and type of device instruction (for example, CEC is patrolled Address is collected, therefrom retrieves the supplier ID).Device identification service can be by these values using being mask, only to select with being asked The database 216 that matches of standard these records 400, i.e., in field 402 with the CEC logical addresses by being obtained from device The type of device matching and matched in field 416 with the CEC suppliers ID obtained from device that value is inferred.It should be appreciated that In various embodiments, the data content of the initial communication may include other values, such as SPD vendor names and product description, Instead of or the above-mentioned value of supplement, in this case, can correspondingly adjust selection mask.If only single matching result, Mark is completed, and the corresponding codeset identification identifier value of the field 412 from the record can return to and reside in smart machine 100 In setting application program.However, if multiple records meet selection standard, device identification service can check these records Content, to determine which of residuary subset data field has maximum diversity.Once determination is made, can will be from device The request for obtaining the data item is forwarded to the setting application program resided in smart machine 100.Asked when application program returns During the data item asked, this can be added to selection mask, repeat selection course.If the project of request is unavailable, such as currently Host apparatus do not support SPD decode and SPD data be requested, then smart machine set application program can negate Mode is responded, and in this case, the project of current request can eliminate from device identification matching process and be alternate data Item sends new request.These steps are repeated, single database records and its code set identifier 412 can pass until retaining It is sent to installation application program；Or no further selection standard is available, i.e. each field 414 to 436' has used Or find to include null value, in this case, failure can transmit smart machine and set application program, it is allowed to which it is initiated user and disappeared Breath, show using the method to set up substituted.

Further as shown in fig. 7, when calling 700, it is initial logical that exemplary intelligent device sets application program to receive 702 Letter, the initial communication include the data for representing multiple devices in home entertainment system, and the home entertainment system includes target Device.As it was previously stated, such data may include the instruction of type of device (for example, obtaining supplier ID CEC logically from it Location or SPD data).Then, if identifying destination apparatus enough, received data 704 can be used in device identification service, with Configure 714 control devices and send order to destination apparatus, such as identification is completed, and the field 412 from the record is corresponding Codeset identification identifier value can return to the setting application program resided in smart machine 100.If however, from device receive For data deficiencies to identify destination apparatus, then which kind of service is not by discrimination objective device is carried out using the type identification data received The device 706 of type.If for example, can be used for the set goal device without SPD data, but the SPD data received is known Blu-ray player and A/V receivers in other home entertainment system, then service using these values as mask to select with being provided The unmatched database 216 of data those records 400, i.e. it will not consider to be only applicable to Blu-ray player and A/V is received The code set of device.If then the elimination process causes single record matching 710, by the phase of the field 412 from the record Codeset identification identifier value is answered to return to the setting application program resided in smart machine 100, it is as described above for configuration 714 Smart machine.If however, still have multiple records, can ask 712 be used for obtain from the more of destination apparatus The request 712 of data item is simultaneously forwarded 716 to the setting application program resided in smart machine 100, as described above.As before It is described, these steps are repeated, until the reservation of single database record and its code set identifier 412 can transmit setting and answer Use program；Or it can be used without further selection standard 718, i.e. each field 414 has used or found to include to 436' Null value, in this case, failure can transmit smart machine and set application program, it is allowed to which it initiates user message, shows to adopt With the method to set up of replacement.

With reference to figure 8, in an illustrative embodiments, the system 800 of configuration can be the illustrative implementation such as Figure 1A A part for system shown in example, wherein smart machine 100 may include Universal remote control application program and necessary hardware, so that Obtain directly can be sent to device 106 to 110 by order.System 800 can reside in such as parlor, bedroom or non-residential room In specific environment, and such device can be excluded, it may be not present in environment or when initially providing system for intelligence The remote control application program of energy equipment 100 is unknown (for example, is not detected by, connects or is not powered on).Be not be initially provided of be System 800 a part 3rd device 802 (for example, IP adapters or enable IP audio-video streamer or game system System, for example, " PlayStation " or " Xbox " brand device) may be adapted to comprising information frame data or or code set data, its It is due to that the one or more devices for communicating with coupling (such as DVD player 806, IP video cameras 812, have video or sound The Jukebox808 in the storehouse of frequency content 810 etc.) and be supplied to it/thus generate.It is expected in user will be related to 3rd device 802 The one or more devices and/or 3rd device of connection gather or provided otherwise the one or more of system 800 In the case of component, for example, user it is expected by IP video cameras 812 from bedroom be repositioned onto parlor with system 800 or Person wishes in the case that new IP video cameras 812 are added into system 800 that 3rd device 802 can pass via our RF agreement Defeated 804 grade provides information frame data or code set data, RF associations to the second device (such as STB108 or TV106) of system 800 Data (or data with its cross reference) can be then sent to smart machine 100 by 804 grades of view transmission.Alternatively, the 3rd dress Information frame data or code set data can be supplied directly to smart machine 100 for its use by putting 802.Then intelligence can be used to set Standby 100 data received configure remote control application program, so as to control the new of IP video cameras 812, DVD player 806 etc. Integrated device.The device for being connected to the exemplary types of 3rd device 802 includes but is not limited to TV, digital video disk Player (DVD), wired or satellite set top box (STB), digital video recorder (DVR), audio frequency and video (AV) receiver, constant temperature Device, game machine, illuminator etc..

According to above-mentioned example, 3rd device 802 information frame data or code set data can be sent to second device (such as STB108 or TV106), and the data received by second device STB108 or TV106 can with included in second device (or the Two devices are addressable) other information cross reference, so as to uniquely identify particular device from the miscellaneous equipment in system.So Action preferably performed by can reside in the software module in STB108 or TV106, and software module can be used for intersect Reference data, for example, CEC suppliers ID, from being embedded in source device digital video frequency flow (according to consumer electronics consortium specification CEA- 861) data of HDMI product-deriveds description (SPD) information frame in, or any other adequate information, it can be provided in information frame The complete code collection of feature operation to more specifically device identification data or available for control device.Similarly, if by this The data of sample are supplied to smart machine 100 (either direct slave unit 802 is still indirectly via device 106 or 108), then by The data that smart machine 100 receives are equally applicable to identify (or smart machine is addressable) the other letters included in smart machine Breath, so as to allow particular device to be uniquely identified from the miscellaneous equipment in system.In this respect, in order to be described in more detail in number Device identification on word media interface, reader interested may want to refer to " the System and of United States Patent (USP) 8,812,629 Method for Configuring the Remote Control Functionality of a Portable Device” And/or pending U.S. Patent application 12/148,444 " Using HDMI-CEC to Identify a Codeset ", they It is co-ownership, and is incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

(either slave unit 802 provides for information frame data, the device identification data of renewal and/or device code set data Or the data in use information frame otherwise position) then can be passed through from second device (such as STB108 or TV106) By internet cloud 816, via wireless protocols 814 (for example, via RF signals, such as expected from RF4CE, Zwave, bluetooth etc.； Ultrasonic signal；Visible ray etc., suitable for the control of each specific device) etc. with predefined time interval or user it is expected Special time send smart machine 100 to.Smart machine 100 receive (or using by second device provide data with Other manner positioning) code set data are subsequently used for configuring remote control application program to control required device, such as IP shootings Machine 812, DVD player 806 etc..In the case where searching server and being used for these any steps, server 818 can be virtual Server, and may include database 820, its cross reference CEC and/or EDID device identifications data or device command code Collection, the database-as mentioned-it can be quoted as needed by the remote control application program or second device of smart machine 100, with It is determined that the appropriate command code sets for controlling exemplary IP video cameras 812.Once it is determined that then required code set can be by taking Business device 818 is sent to smart machine 100, for configuring required device by the remote control application program of smart machine 100.

It should be appreciated that these steps can be performed automatically when system 800 detects the presence of equipment 802 in environment, such as When equipment 802 is coupled to second device, or may be in response to manually boot device discovery procedure and manually start.

Once it is equipped with completely for controlling the command code sets needed for consumer devices, in some embodiments, root Additional customization can be undergone according to the smart machine remote control application program of the present invention, while via exemplary HDMI connections and controlled device Carry out physical communication.In one embodiment, using for CEC<Obtain menu language>The response of request is remotely controlled to adjust The menu of application program, key-label etc., those to be used with controlled device match.On the contrary, according to customer requests, intelligence The language of energy equipment current bay can be via CEC<Menu language is set>Request is sent to controlled device, thus shows device The user preference of device matching smart machine is set.

Foregoing CEC handoff functionalities are adapted for carrying out in such as TV106 device and are provided as supporting the situation of such inquiry Under, the switching device can be asked which (such as 210 to 214) of its physics HDMI ports and which downstream CEC logic indicated Address (for example, STB108, DVD player 110 etc.) is associated.Then it can be utilized by smart machine remote control application program and so obtained It is grand that the data taken carry out configuration activities, such as, but not limited to " viewing TV " or " viewing film " so that when activity starts, incite somebody to action from The dynamic order sent for selecting TV106 appropriate HDMI to input.Such grand configuration can be completely automatic, or may User is needed to input.Such as (for example, DVD player and Vudu in the case of detecting multiple media playing apparatus in configuration Stream video program request box), user can be prompted to select which device (this multiple for example configuring to be used for " viewing film " activity In the case of " viewing film " activity, this is understandable).In order to facilitate the device needed for user's identification, the prompting can Including the use of CEC<Obtain OSD titles>The device of acquisition request provides mark, device brand title and/or code set identification clothes for oneself Model, TV inputs slogan or its appropriate any combinations that business provides.

Referring now to Figure 5, in alternative embodiment, the remote control application program that resides in smart machine 100 is deposited Computer executable instructions on tangible computer-readable recording medium are stored up, can be interacted with such as STB108 device, with from the device Codeset identification is obtained, the conventional universal remote control provided before it in setting together with the device (such as STB108) Determined during 500.Such codeset identification can for example including on order data and be suitable for control TV107 and DVD The information of the agreement of player 110.With reference to figure 6, in the illustrative methods of configuration of smart phone remote control application program are realized, In step 600, the interactive application resided in STB108 can be used initially to configure universal remote control 500 in user, such as In United States Patent (USP) 7,969,514 and U.S. Patent application 13/026, described in 768, the disclosure of which is entirely through quoting simultaneously Enter herein, wherein this document forms its part continuation application.Disclosed according to these teaching complete remote control 500 setting it Afterwards, the mark of code set that remote control 500 uses in the operation of order such as TV106 and DVD player 110 be it is known, And it is storable in STB108.

Then, in step 602, user can obtain and install the remote control application program for smart machine, it is desirable to use should Application program carrys out the operation of the device of the system of command diagram 5.According to the teachings of the present invention, in step 604, such smart machine Application program, which can determine that in the device configuration of user, whether there is compatible STB devices, for example, such as STB108 device is previous Interactive setting has been carried out, stores codeset identification, and smart machine 100 can be transferred them to.It is such It was found that be can be for example with communication via wireless connection 502, WiFi204, bluetooth or any other for particular implementation are used It is convenient agreement.The discovery of one or more compatible apparatus can occur automatically, such as when smart machine is initially called；Can Initial user configuration is carried out in smart machine application program to occur when indicating the operation of compatible apparatus (such as STB108)；Can be by User manually boots；Etc.；Or its appropriate any combinations.If do not detect compatible apparatus, this method in step 604 It can continue in step 614, to use method such as previously described herein or any other suitable device known in the art Order set identification method performs the alternative configuration of smart machine application program.

If however, detecting compatible apparatus, in step 606, smart machine application program can provide a user automatically Application program is configured with the option of the balancing run of order user's set.If user refuses, application program continues step 614 Alternative configuration method.If user receives, in step 610, smart machine can be obtained from compatible apparatus such as STB108 and can answered For the codeset identification of other devices, having been set to order for this universal remote control 500, it is operated.Once these mark quilts Obtain and be loaded into smart machine, in some embodiments, in the step 612 of the list of adding set, intelligence can be shown Appliance applications configuration confirms for user.It should be appreciated that such list may include code set identifier in itself, brand name (it may include in the data obtained from STB108 for title and/or the model associated with these identifiers；It is being locally stored in intelligence In database in energy equipment 100 in the data of cross reference；In the data that can be obtained from remote data base 216,218；Or its Any combinations).Once user has had been acknowledged required configuration, in step 616, smart machine can configure itself to order The operation of selected device, such as previously with reference to as described in Fig. 3 step 314.In addition, in some embodiments, generation For the method for any step 314, one or more device code sets (that is, order data and protocol information) can be directly from STB108 Itself is downloaded.

It will be further understood that the SPD data that slave unit obtains can be used for providing further clothes in home entertainment system Business.For example, the first device (for example, intelligent TV) to be communicated with second device (for example, STB) can be used what is obtained from second device Be loaded in the application program used on the first device related to second device under SPD is automatic, for example, suitable for second device phase The content and service provider of association application program.In this embodiment, application program can provide EPG on the first device Or the application program of EPG class coatings, wherein by the operation automatic synchronization of the data that the first equipment is shown and the second equipment, such as The content shown is automatically updated by making application program using the metadata in the content stream received from the second equipment.

Although each conception of species is described in detail, it will be appreciated, however, by one skilled in the art that can be according in the disclosure The general teachings of appearance develop the various modifications and substitutions to these concepts.For example, although the illustrative device shown in above-mentioned is matched somebody with somebody Put and utilize television set to interconnect focus and for connecting the host apparatus of smart machine or being used to obtain previously using STB as HDMI The remote control of configuration is set, but it is to be understood that in alternative configuration, another equipment of AV receivers, PC, game machine etc. can Also act as host apparatus or retrieval source, smart machine can be connected temporarily with it, or can be communicated using its smart machine for setting Put purpose.In addition, in the case of there is no device to support CEC switch functions in configuration, it is also understood that although such as This, multiple devices can be separately connected to successively according to the smart machine of the present invention, to perform electronics-enable setting.To also Understand, in some embodiments, for the sake of efficiency, multiple device identification data item can be collected and combined be forwarded to device Mark service be used as single affairs, rather than by as described above progressively in a manner of.Such information can transmit to be set using centre The equipment of standby configuration, the intermediate equipment can obtain information needed from destination apparatus and provide it to the equipment being just configured. In addition, though connected using HDMI, CEC agreements and EDID and SPD information frame data value are shown, but it is to be understood that various Other connections and device identification data collection method can be equally applicable to purpose described herein, such as IP data；Standard can It can develop or change to support additional function etc.；Therefore, exemplary device identification database content given herein is only made To illustrate, it is not intended to as the full list of all possible point of identification data or parameter, known by device as described herein Other method, these point of identification data or parameter are or are changed into being available for utilizing.

Although it is described in the context of functional module and is said using block diagram and/or flowchart format It is bright, but it is to be understood that unless otherwise illustrating in contrast to this, otherwise one or more in described function and/or feature It is individual to be integrated in single physical equipment and/or software module, or one or more functions and/or feature can be in single physics Realized in equipment or software module.It will also be understood that the understanding for realizing the present invention, actual implementation for each module it is detailed It is thin to discuss not necessarily.On the contrary, in view of the attribute of the various functions module in system disclosed herein, function and mutually Relation, the actual implementation of this module is by completely within the conventional technical ability of engineer.Therefore, using this area of ordinary skill Technical staff will can put into practice the invention illustrated in claim without excessive experiment.It is also, it is understood that disclosed Specific concept be merely illustrative rather than limit the scope of the present invention, the scope of the present invention by appended claims and its The four corner of any equivalent determines.The full content for all patents quoted in this document is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims (21)

1. a kind of be used to configure smart machine to control the first of the system with smart machine and second device that is added to the dress The method for the feature operation put, including：

, should by first communication channel receive information frame of the second device from 3rd device between second device and 3rd device Information frame has is supplied to the 3rd dress by the second communication channel of the first device between first device and 3rd device before The data put；

The feature operation for being suitable for controlling first device is identified using the data in the information frame received by second device Management Information Base；And

There is provided the command set for the feature operation for being suitable for controlling first device to smart machine, then smart machine will configure To be controlled via one or more orders from command set at least one transmission in first device and second device The feature operation of first device.

2. according to the method for claim 1, wherein the second device using the data in described information frame come from storage Identification is suitable for controlling the feature operation of the first device in command set storehouse in the memory of the second device Command set, and methods described also includes being suitable for controlling the command set of the feature operation of the first device from described the Two devices are sent to the smart machine.

3. according to the method for claim 1, wherein the second device using the data in described information frame with from The Internet Server of associated data repository obtains the order for the feature operation for being suitable for controlling the first device Collect, command set storehouse is stored with data repository, and methods described also includes to be suitable for controlling the first device The command set of feature operation is sent to the smart machine from the second device.

4. according to the method for claim 1, wherein the second device is to the interconnection with associated data repository Network server provides the information frame data of the command set for identifying the feature operation for being suitable for controlling the first device, should Command set storehouse is stored with data repository, and methods described also includes receiving from Internet Server by smart machine fitting Share in the command set for the feature operation for controlling the first device.

5. according to the method for claim 1, wherein the smart machine use is supplied to the intelligence by the second device Data in the information frame of energy equipment, to be suitable for from the command set storehouse identification being stored in the memory of the smart machine Control the command set of the feature operation of the first device.

6. according to the method for claim 1, wherein the smart machine use is supplied to intelligence to set by the second device Data in standby described information frame, it is suitable for controlling to obtain from the Internet Server with associated data repository The command set of the feature operation of the first device is made, command set storehouse is stored with data repository.

7. according to the method for claim 1, including the second device is set to start from the 3rd device acquisition letter Cease frame.

8. according to the method for claim 1, including cause the 3rd device in response to the second device communicatedly coupling Close the 3rd device and automatically provide described information frame to the second device.

9. according to the method for claim 1, wherein being previously supplied to the data of the 3rd device by the first device Including at least one in CEC data, EDID data and SPD data.

10. according to the method for claim 1, wherein second communication channel includes radio communication channel.

11. according to the method for claim 1, wherein the second device includes set top box.

12. according to the method for claim 1, wherein the second device includes television receiver.

13. a kind of non-emporary computer-readable medium with the instruction being stored thereon, for configuring smart machine to control It is being added to the feature operation of the first device of the system with smart machine and second device, the instruction is by described the Two devices perform step when performing, including：

From first communication channel receive information frame of the 3rd device between second device and 3rd device, the information frame has The data of 3rd device are supplied to by the second communication channel of the first device between first device and 3rd device before；

Data in use information frame identify the Management Information Base for the feature operation for being suitable for controlling first device；And

So that being suitable for controlling the command set offer of the feature operation of first device to arrive smart machine, then smart machine will match somebody with somebody It is set to and is controlled via one or more orders from command set at least one transmission in first device and second device The feature operation of first device processed.

14. non-emporary computer-readable medium according to claim 13, wherein the instruction is used in described information frame Data come from the command set storehouse being stored in the memory of the second device identification be suitable for controlling first dress The command set for the feature operation put, and the instruction also to be suitable for controlling the feature operation of the first device Command set is sent to the smart machine from the second device.

15. non-emporary computer-readable medium according to claim 13, wherein the instruction is used in described information frame Data with from associated data repository Internet Server obtain be suitable for controlling the first device The command set of feature operation, command set storehouse is stored with data repository, and the instruction also to be suitable for controlling The command set of the feature operation of the first device is sent to the smart machine from the second device.

16. non-emporary computer-readable medium according to claim 13, wherein the instruction make the second device to Internet Server with associated data repository provides the work(for being suitable for controlling the first device for identification The information frame data of operable command set, command set storehouse is stored with the data repository, and causes Internet Server The command set for the feature operation for being suitable for controlling the first device is provided to smart machine.

17. non-emporary computer-readable medium according to claim 13, wherein the instruction opens the second device It is dynamic to obtain information frame from the 3rd device.

18. non-emporary computer-readable medium according to claim 13, wherein being previously supplied to by the first device The data of the 3rd device include at least one in CEC data, EDID data and SPD data.

19. non-emporary computer-readable medium according to claim 13, wherein second communication channel is included wirelessly Communication channel.

20. non-emporary computer-readable medium according to claim 13, wherein the second device includes set top box.

21. non-emporary computer-readable medium according to claim 13, wherein the second device includes television reception Device.