FR2858734A1 - Home automation equipment for restoring information e.g. audio, has management unit with user interface management set to retransmit commands such that they are converted into user command set specific to loudspeaker and TV set - Google Patents

Abstract

The equipment has a management unit (1) with a user interface management set (3) for selecting one of a set of emulators (7, 8) under the control of a human machine interface set (10). The set (3) retransmits commands from a combined control set available at the set (10) to a central unit (2) such that the commands are converted into a user command set specific to a selected loud speaker (29) and a television set (39).

Description

The present invention relates to restitution

  various information, for example audio, video or computer, in a home automation.

  A house generally contains various information retrieval devices, for example a television set associated with a video recorder, an audio or video optical disk player, a personal computer, each of these types of devices possibly existing in several exemplary brands. different.

  The user must therefore memorize a large number of instructions for use. In practice, it only memorizes the main functions, and is therefore unable to fully exploit these devices.

  The present invention aims at providing a solution to this problem.

  For this purpose, the invention relates to a home automation device comprising a plurality of various means for restoring information arranged to operate under the control of the same plurality of various respective control means by a user each having a set of user commands. characterized in that it comprises a central manager comprising user interface management means arranged for, under the control of unified user interface means, selecting one of a plurality of means for emulating respectively the plurality of control means by a user, and retransmitting commands from a unified set of commands available at the unified user interface means, so that they are converted into a said game of user commands specific to said selected information retrieval means.

  Thus, the user always uses the unified set of commands, regardless of the means of retrieval of information that he selects and whose operation he controls, since the task of adapting the user to the selected rendering means is reported on the emulator means.

  Each rendering means may be a completely specialized apparatus, for example a television set, or a more general function apparatus comprising software adapted to the type of reproduction desired, for example a personal computer equipped with an audio and / or video card and the desired software. As a result, some of the various "information retrieval means" may differ mutually only by their specific software.

  The equipment may also include at least one information sensor means associated with a said specific emulation means.

  A camera or any other monitoring system can be controlled or even remotely controlled.

  In a preferred embodiment, the central manager is arranged to, under the control of the unified user interface means, select in read a selected file, in a file library of said information, read file format attributes for selecting a said compatible rendering means, controlling the transmission of the file by means of the selected playback, and activating the emulation means which is associated with the selected rendering means.

  The user can thus control the activation of an information retrieval means without having to explicitly designate it, since it implicitly designates it through the selected file whose attributes are significant.

  The local network, wired or not, thus makes it possible to implement various information retrieval devices in various premises or rooms and possibly to control them remotely.

  The unified user interface means are advantageously mobile and / or duplicated.

  The user can move while maintaining control of all means of restitution.

  In addition, parents can leave their children available user interface means but have other such user interface means 15 to censor if necessary the choices of their children.

  Conveniently, the unified user interface means includes a control unit of a screen for displaying the image of a cursor on the image of a keyboard arranged to generate the commands of the unified set of controls. .

  It is thus possible to use an information reproduction television as a human relations interface.

  For simplicity of operation, the central manager may be arranged to select by default the information to be rendered according to a stored profile of the user's preferences.

  The central manager can then in particular be arranged to favor one of several preference profiles, depending on the current time.

  The user can for example automatically choose a recorded music program or a music channel, depending on the time of day or the day of the week.

  The central manager may also be arranged to compare an information identifier to be rendered, selected by the user, with a rights profile of the user, to lock the restitution in case of discrepancy.

  The central manager advantageously includes means for querying a server, local or remote, for providing context information associated with respective files of said information.

  This is for example information indicating the names of the artists, the publisher and the year of release of a piece of music.

  The central manager can, if necessary, be connected via a computer network to the information retrieval means and / or the unified user interface means.

  The central manager can then, in particular, belong to a common site to several facilities, that is to say constitute a service accessible through the computer network.

  Preferably, the central manager includes, or is connected to, a link gateway with a public computer network.

  It can thus access various servers, for example through the Internet.

  It is also interesting that the central manager is arranged to receive, via the network, updates from a management server.

  The equipment can thus receive, by downloading, new software to update the means of retrieval of information, or even add new such means. Updates may for example relate to new information file formats or new "titles" of music or other information, with the names of the performers and other related information.

  The invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description of an embodiment of the equipment of the invention, with reference to the single figure which represents it very schematically.

  The reference 1 designates a management unit comprising a central unit 2 managing a plurality of information reproduction devices, the plurality represented here, for the sake of clarity, by only a speaker 29 and a television set 39. In general The restitution could include television and radio, reading and burning of optical discs, video, audio, digital photography and others.

  The management set 1 operates under the control of a set of human machine interface (RHM) circuitry 10, i.e. control input circuits and display circuitry. information, such as a menu that takes place to present the result of a command and the commands then possible in the current context.

  The set of RHM 10 thus comprises an order entry keypad and a display screen. This may be, inter alia, a personal computer, or a TV associated with a portable wireless remote control handset, for example infrared link. The TV 30 39 can for example be used for this purpose, with a display control provided by the central unit 2 through a direct access socket, for example that called scart socket. In such a case, the image of a virtual keyboard 38 can be displayed on the television screen 39 and a portable remote control box 37 includes a set of four keys or a ball or lever on a ball-and-socket for move the image of a cursor to that of the keyboard 38, with furthermore a button for validating a choice of control, ie for activating one of the keys of the virtual keyboard 38. variant, it can be provided a display screen sensitive.

  The set of RHM 10 has a single, or unified, set of user controls for all devices 29, 39 of the plurality. The entire RHM 10 can be duplicated so that various users can control the equipment independently of one another or with control of some users by others.

  The management unit 1 comprises a user interface management assembly 3, that is to say circuits associated with control input / output data exchange and interpretation software. display, for managing the operation of the set of RHM 10. The user interface management set 3 retransmits to the central unit 2 the orders from the set of RHM 10.

  These commands of the unified set of commands make it possible to select a set of information data, for example a file stored locally or remotely, and to return them to one of the plurality of devices 29, 39.

  The management unit 1 comprises for this purpose a library 4, connected to the central unit 2, containing various information files, for example digitized music in MP3 or other format, or video files, for example. example in MPEG 2 packet format.

  The management unit 1 further comprises a plurality of emulator means 7, 8 each corresponding to 5 respectively one of the plurality of devices 29, 39.

  Each emulator 7, 8 corresponds to hardware circuits associated with emulation software, designed to generate the various command set commands respectively specific to each device 29, 39.

  The specific game commands are transmitted to reproduction sets 20, 30, each comprising a specific function management block 21, 31, also called a "player", managing playback control circuits, or attack, 22, 32 attacker respectively 15 the speaker 29 and the TV 39. In fact, each set of playback 20, 30 has several drivers 22, 32 to process a variety of encodings files, for example MPB or DiVX for video digital.

  For example, the management block 21, 31 interprets "stronger", "weaker", "forward", "backward", "off" and other commands and controls the respective driving circuit 22, 32 accordingly.

  The reproduction unit 20 is thus a stereo system, designed to be controlled by buttons in front of a box. However, here, these buttons are unused and their commands are replaced by identical commands, that is to say, those conforming to those specific to the set of restitution 20, from the emulator 7. It is the same for the 30 rendering assembly 30, controlled by the emulator 8.

  It will be noted that the plurality of reproduction devices 29, 39 may be supplemented or replaced by one or more information capture devices, for example an alarm system with sensors and cameras. Indeed, it is here to control these devices according to the desired set of commands, but the specific function of each device, and in particular the direction of transmission of its information, does not intervene. Each device must only belong to a family of devices that can be managed from the unified command set. Each information sensor apparatus can thus be associated with a specific emulator.

  The central unit 2 constitutes a context manager arranged for, under the control of the set of RHM select reading a selected file, in the library 4 files information to be restored, for example following the activation of a "video" virtual key on the television screen 39 also serving as RHM 10, the selection being able to be made according to a series of choice criteria provided by the user or to intervene after scanning the library 4 and displaying a list of video files, reading file format attributes to select a compatible rendering apparatus 29, 39, if the initial command of the user is not sufficiently explicit, controlling the transmission of the file to the selected rendering apparatus 29, 39, and activating the emulator 7, 8 which is associated with the playback apparatus 29, 39 selected, some of these steps being executable in a different order rent of it.

  The associated management block 21, 31, whose control software is stored in hard disk, is also activated, that is to say loaded in RAM. The associated emulator 7, 8 transmits its commands through a programming interface, API, management block 21, 31 considered.

  The format attributes, defining a context for processing the user's requests, include two-level indications. The first, upper level generally indicates the file type, ie audio, video, or other. It is used to select the appropriate emulator 7, 8. The second level indicates precisely the type of coding used, which allows the management block 21, 31 to choose the appropriate driver 22, 32.

  Once so selected and activated by the central unit 2, the emulator 7 or 8 receives the unified game commands from the RHM set 10 through the user interface management set 3 and the CPU 2. A conversion table then allows each time to establish the corresponding command of the specific game. In the absence of a bijective correspondence between a command of the unified game and a command of the specific game, the emulator 7, 8 temporarily stores a sequence of commands of the unified game to transform it, by unfolding a conversion algorithm, into a command or sequence of commands of the specific game.

  As an example of operation, the RHM application above is automatically loaded at the start of the equipment, followed by the display of a main menu, proposing the restitution of various files or instantaneous information streams received. such as radio or television, this for various applications, such as television, video, audio, photo and others. The user O10 having for example chosen the option of audio reproduction, this entails the loading, in RAM, data describing the authors and other various audio recordings and their display in RHM 10. The user 5 then selects a title by the virtual keyboard 38 and controls the reading of the corresponding file. The central unit 2 controls the transmission of the desired file to the management block 20, possibly through the emulator 7.

  The transmission command consists in transmitting the file, after having read it by read address of the library 4, or in transmitting only its name, for a delayed retrieval, executed directly by the retrieval unit 20 or the emulator 7.

  The emulator 7 is then selected and activated to adapt the playback control from the user to a playback control specific to the specific game of the management block 20. The emulator 7 or the management block 20 reads in the library 4 the desired file if it has only received the name. Playback can be done completely before playback, if the file is of limited size, or over water. An error handling module is then activated in the management block 20, to indicate to the RHM 10, if any, that the file type is unknown, that the file is corrupt, that there is no decoder 25 available, and other.

  These operations avoid the user having to make a selection sort in a CD optical disk stack, dispose the selected disk in a disk drive and turn it on, select a title in the selected disk, and to press a key to restore the player. The user's subsequent commands, such as stopping playback, fast-forwarding or rewinding with or without playback, selecting another file or program being broadcast, and the same emulator 7 to be adapted.

  A user managing the equipment can store in the central unit 2 a profile of the user of another set of RHM 10, or of any set of RHM 10 and possibly unique accessible by a password of personal identification. In such a case, at each selection of a library information file 4, the CPU 2 compares attributes or attributes associated with the file against the profile under consideration to verify their compatibility. If not, the restitution is refused 15 and a corresponding message is displayed by the set of RHM 10.

  Similarly, each user can himself establish, and store in the central unit 2, a profile file of personal choice, so that the central unit 2 selects by default the restitution of a pre-established list of files. information. A plurality of such lists can be stored for each user, each of which is a priority, for the user concerned, during a predetermined time period, for example a time slot each day, with different priorities or a different list during the days of rest. .

  The CPU 2 includes, in this example, polling circuits of a context information providing server 60 associated with respective files of the retrievable information. In this example, the context server 60 is remote and accessible through a computer network 50, by a gateway 6 of the management unit 1, connected to the link circuits 5. The computer network 50 may be a local network. However here it is a public network, namely the Internet.

  As a variant of the diagram shown, the central unit 2 could be connected to the information reproduction devices 29, 39 and / or the set of RHM 10 by such a computer network, local or national.

  The central unit 2 is furthermore arranged to receive, via the computer network 50, updates from a management server 70. The updates may relate to the library 4, in order to store new files therein. information to be rendered, or the emulators 7, 8, to create new emulators or add for example 15 new software decoding information.

  Through the network 50, the management unit 1 may be common to several such devices, that is to say constitute an information retrieval management service server. Each piece of equipment is then reduced to one or more sets of RHM 10 and the restitution sets 20, 30.

Claims (15)

claims   A home automation apparatus comprising a plurality of various information retrieval means (29, 39) arranged to operate under the control of a same plurality of various respective control means by a user each having a specific user command set, characterized in that it comprises a central manager (1) comprising user interface management means (3), arranged for, under the control of unified user interface means (10), selecting one, optionally, from among a plurality of emulation means (7, 8) respectively the plurality of control means by a user, and retransmit 15 commands from a unified set of commands available at the user interface means unified (10), so that they are converted into a said set of user commands specific to said selected information retrieval means (29, 39).   2. Equipment according to claim 1, comprising at least one information sensor means associated with a said specific emulation means (7, 8).   3. Equipment according to one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the central manager (1) is arranged for, under the control of the unified user interface means (10), select in reading a selected file, in a library (4) files of said information, read file format attributes to select a said rendering means (29, 39) compatible, control the transmission of the file by means of playback (29, 39) selected, and activate the emulation means (7, 8) which is associated with the selected reproduction means (29, 39).   Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the unified user interface means (10) is movable.   Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the unified user interface means (10) is duplicated.   6. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the unified user interface means (10) comprises a housing (37) for controlling a display screen of the image of a cursor on the screen. an image of a keyboard (38) arranged to generate the commands of the unified command set.   7. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the central manager (1) is arranged to select by default the information to be restored 20 according to a stored profile of preferences of the user.   8. Equipment according to claim 7, wherein the central manager (1) is arranged to favor one of several preference profiles, depending on the current time.   9. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the central manager (1) is arranged to compare an information identifier to be restored selected by the user with a rights profile of the user, to lock the restitution in case of discrepancy.   10. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the central manager comprises means (5) for querying a server (60) for providing context information associated with respective files of said information.   11. Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the central manager (1) is connected to the information retrieval means (29, 39) by a computer network (50).   Equipment according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the central manager (1) is connected to the unified user interface means (10) by a computer network (50).   13. Equipment according to one of claims 11 and 12, wherein the central manager (1) comprises a gateway (6) for connection with a public computer network (50).   14. Equipment according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the central manager (1) is arranged to receive, through the network (50), updates from a management server (70).   15. Equipment according to one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the central manager (1) is common to several such equipment.