GB2275800A - Remote control system for controlling a plurality of devices - Google Patents

Remote control system for controlling a plurality of devices Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2275800A
GB2275800A GB9402929A GB9402929A GB2275800A GB 2275800 A GB2275800 A GB 2275800A GB 9402929 A GB9402929 A GB 9402929A GB 9402929 A GB9402929 A GB 9402929A GB 2275800 A GB2275800 A GB 2275800A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
devices
remote controller
identification data
controller
source
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB9402929A
Other versions
GB2275800B (en
GB9402929D0 (en
Inventor
Hirotsugu Osawa
Hiroshi Shimada
Hideaki Nishikura
Andrew Gilhooley
Shigeru Yamaguchi
Akira Kikuchi
Noboru Nakamaru
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pioneer Corp
Original Assignee
Pioneer Electronic Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pioneer Electronic Corp filed Critical Pioneer Electronic Corp
Publication of GB9402929D0 publication Critical patent/GB9402929D0/en
Publication of GB2275800A publication Critical patent/GB2275800A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2275800B publication Critical patent/GB2275800B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/10—Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable
    • H04N7/106—Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable for domestic distribution
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C19/00—Electric signal transmission systems
    • G08C19/16—Electric signal transmission systems in which transmission is by pulses
    • G08C19/28—Electric signal transmission systems in which transmission is by pulses using pulse code
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
    • H04B1/06—Receivers
    • H04B1/16—Circuits
    • H04B1/20—Circuits for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver
    • H04B1/202—Circuits for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver by remote control
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4117—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices for generating hard copies of the content, e.g. printer, electronic paper
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4126—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
    • H04N21/41265—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H04N21/42208—Display device provided on the remote control
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H04N21/42212—Specific keyboard arrangements
    • H04N21/42213—Specific keyboard arrangements for facilitating data entry
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H04N21/42224—Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H04N21/42226—Reprogrammable remote control devices
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/4227—Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
    • H03J—TUNING RESONANT CIRCUITS; SELECTING RESONANT CIRCUITS
    • H03J2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to tuning resonant circuits and selecting resonant circuits
    • H03J2200/23—Remote control device with display showing data to be transmitted to the controlled apparatus

Description

2275800
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
Remote Control System for Controlling a Plurality of Devices BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a remote control system, and more particularly to a remote control system for controlling a plurality of devices, such as audio/video (A/V) devices, and a remote controller for transmitting and receiving information signal.
In order to remote-control the operation of an A/V system comprised of a plurality of A/V devices, a remote controller for each A/V device is provided.
When a large number of A/V devices is provided, the number of the remote controller must also be increased.
is Accordingly, it becomes troublesome to handle all of the remote controllers when actually operating the devices.
In order to solve such a problem, there has been proposed a remote control system wherein a single remote controller stores control signals for controlling the A/V devices so that the devices are universally remote-controlled. However, even in such a system, if the number of the A/V devices are increased, the operational keys on the remote controller must be increased. Furthermore, the control signals for the additional A/V devices must be stored by operating the 2 remote controller. Hence the user is burdened with a complicated operation.
SUMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a bidirectional remote control system wherein an A/V system can be easily operated without increasing the number of keys and storing control signals for additional A/V devices.
According to the present invention, there is provided a remote control system for a plurality of controlled devices, comprising a master controller connected to the controlled devices, a remote controller for controlling operation of each of the controlled devices, a memory provided in the remote controller and storing a plurality of commands for a plurality of available devices and identification data on the available devices, first transmitting means provided in the remote controller for transmitting an identification data demand signal to the master controller, detector means provided in the master controller and responsive to the identification demand signal for detecting identification data on each of the connected controlled devices, second transmitting means for transmitting the detected identification data to the remote controller, confirmation means provided in 3 the remote controller for confirming that the detected identification data are stored in the memory.
A display is mounted on the remote controller and names of the connected controlled devices are displayed on the display for requiring a user to select at least one of the displayed devices. In response to a selection of the user, operation indication is displayed on the display. In response to a command dependent on the operation of the indication, the command is transmitted to the selected controlled device for operation the controlled device.
Other objects and features of this invention will become understood from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a bidirectional remote control system according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a remote controller of the system of Fig. 1; Figs. 3a and 3b show a flowchart describing the operation of the remote controller; Fig. 4 is a table showing an example of identification codes of source devices provided in the A/V system; 4 Fig. 5 is an illustration showing a format of a remote controller control signal; Fig. 6 is a map of a command memory provided in the system of the present invention; Fig. 7 is an illustration showing a touch-sensitive display panel of the remote controller; Fig. 8 is an illustrating showing the touch-sensitive display panel showing a list of source devices; Fig. 9 is an illustration showing the touch-sensitive display panel when a CD player is selected as a source device; Fig. 10 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the bidirectional remote control system of the present invention; Fig. 11 is a table showing an-example of identification codes of the source devices in the second embodiment; Fig. 12 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the bidirectional remote control system of the present invention; Fig. 13 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present invention, applied to a multiple room A/V system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to Fig. 1, a remote control system having a bidirectional communication system according to the present invention comprises a master controller 1 for controlling the entire system and a plurality of A/V devices such as a video disc player (VDP) 2, compact disc player (CDP) 3, first and second video cassette recorders (VCRs) 4 and 5, and a tuner 6. These A/V devices are connected to the master controller 1 through input source signal lines, input and output control signal lines, and power lines. The master controller 1 has a plurality of terminals, VDP, CDP, VCR1, VCR2, TUN, each of which for VDP 2, CDP 3, each of the VCRs 4 and 5, and the tuner 6 respectively. Terminals CTR1, CTR2, and ADP for connecting cassette players and analog disc player, respectively are further provided. The master controller 1 is further connected to a video monitor 7 and a loudspeaker 8 through corresponding terminals and output source signal lines. A remote controller 9 is further provided to operate the A/V devices through the master controller 1.
The master controller 1 comprises a signal controlling section 10 to which various signal lines and power lines from the A/V devices are connected through the terminals, and a remote controller controlling section 11. The signal controlling section 6 has an input/output interface, a selector for selecting one of various input source signals from the A/V devices 2 to 6, CPU for controlling the selector and to generate a source device control signal in accordance with an input control signal and a command signal from the remote controller controlling section 11, and an controller for amplifying the selected input source signal. Output source signals are fed to the video monitor 7 and the loudspeaker 8 through the respective terminals.
The remote controller control section 11 has a connection detecting circuit 111 to which signal lines and power lines from each input terminals connected to the A/V devices are connected so as to detect whether each A/V devices is connected to the master controller or not. Connection detection signals from the connection detecting circuit 111 are applied to a CPU 112 which generates source identification data indicating which of the AIV devices are connected to the master controller 1, dependent on the detection signals. The source identification data are stored in a source identification data memory 113.
The remote controller control section 11 further has a receiving section 114 for receiving a system operation signal from a remote controller 9, and a transmission section 115 for transmitting a remote 7 controller control signal to the remote controller 9. In response to the system control signal from the receiving section 114, the CPU 112 applies a corresponding command signal to the signal controlling section 10. The CPU 112 further applies the remote controller control signal dependent on the control signal from the signal controlling section 10 and the source identification data retrieved from the source identification data memory 113 to the transmitting section 115.
Referring to Fig. 2, the remote controller 9 according to the present invention has a controller 91 comprising a microcomputer, a receiving section 92 which receives the remote controller control signal from the master controller 1, and a transmitting section 93 which transmits the system operation signal to the master controller, both of which are connected to the controller 91. The controller 91 is further connected to a program memory 94 storing program data, command memory 95A storing a great number of command data of all of available source devices, source device display memory 95B storing the names of the source devices actually connected to the master controller 1, and a command display memory 95c for storing various commands for a source device which the user has selected. The controller 91 is operated to read out 8 and write data from and in these memories 94, 95A, 95B and 95C.
The remote controller 9 further has a touch-sensitive display panel 96 having a plurality of touch sensors 97 on the display surface thereof, and a key operation detecting circuit 98 connected to a power switch 99a and preset key switches 99b which are disposed outside of the display panel 96. The display panel 96 shows various kinds of information for operating the remote controller 9 in accordance with a display control signal from the controller 91. The key operation detecting circuit 98 operates to apply a key operation signal from the touch sensors 97 to the controller 91. In addition the key operation detecting circuit 98 applies a key operation signal to the controller 91 in accordance with the operation of the power switch 99a and the preset key switch 99b.
The operation of the system of the present invention is described hereinafter with reference to Figs. 3a and 3b. When it is determined at a step S1 that the power switch 99a of the remote controller 9 is closed, the controller 91 feeds a system operation signal which includes identification data demand signal and a power-on command for turning on the source of the master controller to the transmitting section 93 at a step S2. The transmitting section 93 accordingly 9 transmits the system operation signal to the receiving section 114 of the remote controller control section 11 provided in the master controller 1. The system operation signal is further fed to the CPU 112, thereby turning on the main source of the master controller 1 and sources of the A/V (source) devices 2 to 6 connected to the master controller 1. The connection detecting circuit 111 then applies the connection detection signal indicating the connected A/V (source) devices to the CPU 112. The CPU 112 accordingly stores the source identification data of the devices in the source identification data memory 113. The source identification data are, for example, source identification codes which are shown in the table of Fig. 4. In the present example wherein the VDP 2, CDP3, VCRs 4 and 5, and tuner 6 are connected, the codes 1 to 5 are stored in the source identification data memory 113.
The source identification data and predetermined data are further fed to the transmitting section 115. The transmitting section 115 transmits a remote controller control signal including the source identification data to the receiving section 92 of the remote controller 9. The control signal has a format shown in Fig. 5. The signal comprises a leader code LC indicating the start of transmission, control code CC, data codes DC, and a stop code SC indicating the end of the transmission. The control code CC shows that the present control signal is for transmitting the source identification data, and the data codes DC are source identification data such codes as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 indicating the source devices.
Referring back to Fig. 3a, when the remote controller control signal is fed to the receiving section 92 of the remote controller 9, and further to the controller 91 at a step S3, the source identification data, namely the codes 1 to 5, are extracted from the control signal. The program then goes from the step S3 to a step S4 where it is confirmed that command data for the source devices identified by the extracted source identification data exist in the command memory 95A.
Referring to Fig. 6, the command memory 95A has a map storing the code of each source device, a plurality of operation command data for each source device, and display data for displaying names of the source devices and commands on the sensors 97 of the display panel 96. The display is represented by characters and marks. As shown in Fig. 7, the touch sensors 97 of the display panel 96 are arranged in a matrix to form five rows and five columns of areas All to A55. For example, when the sensors 97 are energized, corresponding areas are 11 operated, thereby showing the names of the connected source devices on the display panel 96 in accordance with the data stored in the command memory 95A.
After it is thus confirmed that the codes of the connected source devices are stored in the command memory 95A, the program goes to a step S5 where the controller 91 further determines whether there is any code in the extracted source identification data which is not stored in the command memory 95A. When there is a code which is not stored in the memory 95A the program goes to a step S6 where the display control signal is applied to the display panel 96 to indicate an error. Thereafter, at a step S7, the controller 91 stores only the codes of the confirmed source identification data in the source display memory 95B.
When all of the codes, namely source identification data are confirmed as being stored in the command memory 95A at the step S5, the program goes directly to the step S7. At the step S7, the controller 91 causes the source display memory 95B to store the identification data of the existing source devices. The names of the corresponding source devices are displayed on the display panel 96 as shown in Fig.
8 (step S8).
The user confirms the source devices in the list of source devices on the display panel 96, and selects 12 one of the source devices to be operated. More particularly, if the user wishes to select the CD player 3, he touches the area A21 or the area A22 on the panel 97 corresponding to display of CD PAYER shown in Fig. 8. As a result. the key operation detecting circuit 98 generates the key operation signal representing the selected source device, and feeds it to the controller 91. Therefore the program proceeds from a step S9 to a step S10 where the operational command data on the selected source device are stored in the command display memory 95C. In the present example where the CD player is selected, the code 2 of the CD playar as shown in the table of Fig. 4, and the corresponding display data A211, A212... A225 shown in Fig. 6 are derived from the command memory 95A. The display data are stored in the command display memory 95C. The program then proceeds to a step S11 wherein the name of the selected source device and keys each representing an operational command thereof are shown 20 on the display panel 96 based on the display data A211, A212... A225. For, example, the display panel 96 gives an indication as shown in Fig. 9. The user, then selects one of the operational commands, and accordingly touches the corresponding area to operate the CD player.
13 When the user touches the display panel for operation, the key operation detecting circuit 98 applies the key operation signal to the controller 91. When the key operation is detected at a step S12, the program goes to a step S13 where the system operation signal executing the operational command is fed to the main controller 1 from the transmission section 93. The system operation signal is applied through the receiving section 114 to the CPU 112, which in turn applies the source device control signal through the signal controlling section 10 to operate the corresponding source device. Namely, in a CD player operating mode, the area A33 shown in Fig. 7 is touched to start the CD player 3.
When the key operation signal is not fed to the controller 91, the program goes from the step S12 to a step S14 which determines whether a key operation signal for selecting another source device is generated. If another source device is to be selected, the user touches an area A55 shown in Fig. 7 so that the key operation is fed to the controller 91. The program accordingly returns to the step S8, where the list of all of the source devices connected to the master controller 1 is shown on the display panel 96.
If the selection of the source device is not to be changed, the program returns to the step S12 where the 14 controller 91 awaits the key operation by the user for operating the selected source device.
Thus, in accordance with the present invention, when the power switch is turned on, the source identification data on source devices connected to the master controller 1 is transmitted to the remote controller 9, which indicates the data on the display panel thereof. The remote control system can be easily adapted to increase the number of the source devices without complicating the operation by the user.
The presently described embodiment may be modified to apply the source identification data not right after the power switch 99a shown in Fig. 2 is closed, but after the preset switch 99b is closed. In the modification, the present system can be effectively operated even if the connection of the source device to the master controller 1 is changed after the power is turned on.
Furthermore, the source device display memory 95B and command display memory 95C may be obviated, in which case the information to be displayed on the remote controller 9 is stored in the command memory 95A.
The second embodiment shown in Fig. 10 is adapted to an A/V system wherein the manufacturers of the source devices differ from each other. In addition to is the components of the master controller 1 of the first embodiment, a master controller 1A of the second embodiment further has a manufacturer setting circuit 116 comprising rotary dip switches (not shown). The number of the switches corresponds to that of the input terminals of the master controller 1A. Each of the rotary dip switch has a plurality of notches A to I, each corresponding to a manufacturer of the A/V device. When connecting the source devices to the master controller 1A, the rotary dip switches are set to the manufacturer of each source device. A manufacturer setting signal generated by the setting circuit 116 is applied to the CPU 112.
The CPU 112 detects the source devices connected is to the master controller 1A in accordance with the connection detection signal from the connection detecting circuit 111 and the manufacturer setting signal from the setting circuit 116 as shown in a table of Fig. 11. The circle shown in the table indicates each of the source devices connected, and the manufacturer thereof. More particularly, the source identification data memory 113 stores a code such as 1A for a VDP of a manufacturer A, a code 2B for a CDP of a manufacturer B, a code 3D for a VCR of a manufacturer D, and et cetera. In the present embodiment, the command memory 95A must store command data for 16 operating each source device in accordance the manufacturer.
Hence, in accordance with the second embodiment, the source devices produced by any manufacturer can be 5 incorporated into the A/V system.
The setting circuit 116 may be modified to generate the source identification data, thereby obviating the connection detecting circuit 111.
Referring to Fig. 12, a master controller 1B of the third embodiment of the remote control system has not the connection detecting circuit 111 in the previous embodiments. A VDP 2A of the present embodiment comprises a CPU 2A1 connected to the master controller 1B through the corresponding terminal, and a memory 2A2 connected to the CPU 2A1 and storing data indicating the type of the A/V device and the manufacturer thereof. Each of the other source devices 3A to 6A are also provided with a CPU and a memory.
When the power switch or the preset key switch of the remote controller 9 is turned on, the CPU 112 in response to the power-on command, or a preset command, applies a data transfer command signal through the signal controller 10 to the VDP 2A, demanding the transfer of the data stored in the memory 2A2. The CPU 2A1 accordingly reads out the data from the memory 2A2 and transmits the data to the CPU 112 through the 17 signal controller 10. The data on other source devices 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A are transmitted to the CPU 112 through the same operation, thereby producing the source identification data.
Referring to Fig. 13, the fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a multiple-room A/V system wherein the A/V devices are provided in a plurality of rooms. A master controller 1C having the same construction as the master controller 1 of the first embodiment, a plurality of source devices 2 to 6, the video monitor 7, and the loudspeaker 8 connected to the master controller 1C are installed in a main room MR. In a sub-room SR1, a remote controller transmitter/receiver 117, a video monitor 7A, a loudspeaker 8A, and remote controller 9 are provided.
The video monitor 7A and the loudspeaker 8A are connected to the signal controller 10 of the master controller 1C so as to be applied with the source signals.
The remote controller transmitter/receiver 117 has a receiving section 1141 having the same function as the receiving section 114 of the master controller and a transmitting section 115' as the transmitting section 115. The receiving section 114' and the transmitting section 1151 of the remote controller are connected to the receiving section 114 and transmitting section 115 is respectively through signal lines. Hence the transmission between the remote controller 9 and the master controller 1C can be carried out. The video monitors 7A, loudspeakers 8A, and the remote controller transmitter/receivers 117 are also provided in other sub-rooms SR2, SR3, and et cetera.
Hence, when the user is in one of the sub-rooms SR1, SR2, and SR3, the source devices 2 to 6 in the main room MR can still be controlled with the remote controller 9. Moreover, it is possible for the user to recognize which source device can be operated.
The present invention may be further applied to a system having devices other than A/V devices.
From the foregoing it will be understood that the present invention provides a remote control system having a bidirectional communication system wherein the source identification data and command data for operating the devices are shown on the display provided on the remote controller. Thus, the number of the devices in the system can be increased without increasing the number of the operational keys on the remote controller, or operating the remote controller to store the command signals of the newly incorporated devices. Thus, the operability of the remote control system is improved.
19 While the presently preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that these disclosures are for the purpose of illustration and that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims (5)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A remote control system for a plurality of controlled devices, comprising: a master controller connected to the controlled devices; a remote controller for controlling operation of each of the controlled devices; a memory provided in the remote controller and storing a plurality of commands for a plurality of available devices and identification data on the available devices; first transmitting means provided in the remote controller for transmitting an identification data demand signal to the master controller; detector means provided in the master controller and responsive to the identification demand signal for detecting identification data on each of the connected controlled devices; second transmitting means for transmitting the detected identification data to the remote controller; confirmation means provided in the remote controller for confirming that the detected identification data are stored in the memory; a display mounted on the remote controller; first displaying means for displaying names of the connected controlled devices on the display for 21 requiring a user to select at least one of the displayed devices; second displaying means responsive to a selection of the user for displaying operation indication on the display; third transmitting means responsive to a command dependent on operation on the indication for transmitting the command to the selected controlled device for operating the controlled device.
2. A system according to claim 1 further comprising a device memory for storing detected identification data.
3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the display has touch sensors for sensing the selection of the user.
4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the first transmitting means operates to the identification data demand signal in response to closing of a power switch of the remote controller.
5. A remote control system substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.
GB9402929A 1993-03-05 1994-02-16 Remote control system for controlling a plurality of devices Expired - Fee Related GB2275800B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP04533093A JP3193176B2 (en) 1993-03-05 1993-03-05 Two-way remote control system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9402929D0 GB9402929D0 (en) 1994-04-06
GB2275800A true GB2275800A (en) 1994-09-07
GB2275800B GB2275800B (en) 1996-07-10

Family

ID=12716308

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9402929A Expired - Fee Related GB2275800B (en) 1993-03-05 1994-02-16 Remote control system for controlling a plurality of devices

Country Status (3)

Country Link
JP (1) JP3193176B2 (en)
DE (1) DE4407319B4 (en)
GB (1) GB2275800B (en)

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2288044A (en) * 1994-03-30 1995-10-04 Sony Corp Downloading software to terminal apparatus
US5959539A (en) * 1995-12-23 1999-09-28 Deutsche Thomson-Brandt Gmbh Apparatus for the remote control of electronic devices with key allocation
EP1093103A1 (en) 1999-10-14 2001-04-18 Universal Electronics, Inc. Media system and remote control for controlling the media system
WO2001035368A2 (en) * 1999-11-10 2001-05-17 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Universal remote controller
WO2004093484A1 (en) 2003-04-17 2004-10-28 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Terminal apparatus, center apparatus, communication system, terminal apparatus control method, center apparatus control method, terminal apparatus control program, center apparatus control program, and recording media in which those programs have been recorded
US6910085B2 (en) * 2000-04-04 2005-06-21 Sony Corporation Audio visual system having a serial bus for identifying devices connected to the external terminals of an amplifier in the system
EP1868106A1 (en) * 2005-04-07 2007-12-19 Sony Corporation Content distribution system, content distribution method, control device, control method, reproduction device, reproduction method, and program
EP1988708A3 (en) * 1998-07-17 2008-12-10 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive television program guide with remote access
US8243207B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2012-08-14 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for activity based configuration of an entertainment system
US8456314B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2013-06-04 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for reconfiguration of an entertainment system controlling device
US9706245B2 (en) 1998-07-17 2017-07-11 Rovi Guides, Inc. Interactive television program guide system having multiple devices within a household
US9772739B2 (en) * 2000-05-03 2017-09-26 Nokia Technologies Oy Method for controlling a system, especially an electrical and/or electronic system comprising at least one application device
US9826266B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2017-11-21 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for reconfiguration of an entertainment system controlling device
US10027998B2 (en) 1998-07-14 2018-07-17 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for multi-tuner recording
US10034054B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2018-07-24 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for providing remote access to interactive media guidance applications
US10063934B2 (en) 2008-11-25 2018-08-28 Rovi Technologies Corporation Reducing unicast session duration with restart TV
US10271088B2 (en) 1998-07-17 2019-04-23 Rovi Guides, Inc. Interactive television program guide with remote access

Families Citing this family (49)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0688488A1 (en) 1993-03-05 1995-12-27 MANKOVITZ, Roy J. Apparatus and method using compressed codes for television program record scheduling
DE19530638C1 (en) * 1995-08-21 1997-03-06 Gerd Seidenberg Remotely controlled switch using infra-red e.g. for household equipment
EP1020858A1 (en) * 1997-10-03 2000-07-19 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Controller, network device, signal transmitter, signal receiver, and recording medium
US6505348B1 (en) 1998-07-29 2003-01-07 Starsight Telecast, Inc. Multiple interactive electronic program guide system and methods
US8266657B2 (en) 2001-03-15 2012-09-11 Sling Media Inc. Method for effectively implementing a multi-room television system
US6263503B1 (en) 1999-05-26 2001-07-17 Neal Margulis Method for effectively implementing a wireless television system
CA2425479C (en) 2000-10-11 2014-12-23 United Video Properties, Inc. Systems and methods for providing storage of data on servers in an on-demand media delivery system
US7493646B2 (en) 2003-01-30 2009-02-17 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive television systems with digital video recording and adjustable reminders
KR100520118B1 (en) 2003-08-21 2005-10-10 삼성전자주식회사 Integrated control device for multi controled device and integrated control method thereof
AU2004302144B2 (en) 2003-08-07 2007-06-14 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. A/V system available for integrated control and method of controlling the same
BRPI0511858B1 (en) 2004-06-07 2020-12-22 Sling Media, Inc. personal media transmitter and respective transmission system, methods of providing access to the audio / visual source at a remote location of the audio / visual source and media signal streaming to a remote subscriber location
US9998802B2 (en) 2004-06-07 2018-06-12 Sling Media LLC Systems and methods for creating variable length clips from a media stream
US7975062B2 (en) 2004-06-07 2011-07-05 Sling Media, Inc. Capturing and sharing media content
US8346605B2 (en) 2004-06-07 2013-01-01 Sling Media, Inc. Management of shared media content
US8099755B2 (en) 2004-06-07 2012-01-17 Sling Media Pvt. Ltd. Systems and methods for controlling the encoding of a media stream
US7769756B2 (en) 2004-06-07 2010-08-03 Sling Media, Inc. Selection and presentation of context-relevant supplemental content and advertising
US7917932B2 (en) 2005-06-07 2011-03-29 Sling Media, Inc. Personal video recorder functionality for placeshifting systems
US8806533B1 (en) 2004-10-08 2014-08-12 United Video Properties, Inc. System and method for using television information codes
WO2007005790A2 (en) 2005-06-30 2007-01-11 Sling Media, Inc. Firmware update for consumer electronic device
US8418206B2 (en) 2007-03-22 2013-04-09 United Video Properties, Inc. User defined rules for assigning destinations of content
US8327403B1 (en) 2007-09-07 2012-12-04 United Video Properties, Inc. Systems and methods for providing remote program ordering on a user device via a web server
US8477793B2 (en) 2007-09-26 2013-07-02 Sling Media, Inc. Media streaming device with gateway functionality
US8350971B2 (en) 2007-10-23 2013-01-08 Sling Media, Inc. Systems and methods for controlling media devices
US8060609B2 (en) 2008-01-04 2011-11-15 Sling Media Inc. Systems and methods for determining attributes of media items accessed via a personal media broadcaster
US8601526B2 (en) 2008-06-13 2013-12-03 United Video Properties, Inc. Systems and methods for displaying media content and media guidance information
US8667279B2 (en) 2008-07-01 2014-03-04 Sling Media, Inc. Systems and methods for securely place shifting media content
US8381310B2 (en) 2009-08-13 2013-02-19 Sling Media Pvt. Ltd. Systems, methods, and program applications for selectively restricting the placeshifting of copy protected digital media content
US8667163B2 (en) 2008-09-08 2014-03-04 Sling Media Inc. Systems and methods for projecting images from a computer system
US9191610B2 (en) 2008-11-26 2015-11-17 Sling Media Pvt Ltd. Systems and methods for creating logical media streams for media storage and playback
US8438602B2 (en) 2009-01-26 2013-05-07 Sling Media Inc. Systems and methods for linking media content
US8171148B2 (en) 2009-04-17 2012-05-01 Sling Media, Inc. Systems and methods for establishing connections between devices communicating over a network
US8406431B2 (en) 2009-07-23 2013-03-26 Sling Media Pvt. Ltd. Adaptive gain control for digital audio samples in a media stream
US9479737B2 (en) 2009-08-06 2016-10-25 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Systems and methods for event programming via a remote media player
US8532472B2 (en) 2009-08-10 2013-09-10 Sling Media Pvt Ltd Methods and apparatus for fast seeking within a media stream buffer
US8966101B2 (en) 2009-08-10 2015-02-24 Sling Media Pvt Ltd Systems and methods for updating firmware over a network
US9565479B2 (en) 2009-08-10 2017-02-07 Sling Media Pvt Ltd. Methods and apparatus for seeking within a media stream using scene detection
US9525838B2 (en) 2009-08-10 2016-12-20 Sling Media Pvt. Ltd. Systems and methods for virtual remote control of streamed media
US8799408B2 (en) 2009-08-10 2014-08-05 Sling Media Pvt Ltd Localization systems and methods
US9160974B2 (en) 2009-08-26 2015-10-13 Sling Media, Inc. Systems and methods for transcoding and place shifting media content
US8314893B2 (en) 2009-08-28 2012-11-20 Sling Media Pvt. Ltd. Remote control and method for automatically adjusting the volume output of an audio device
US9015225B2 (en) 2009-11-16 2015-04-21 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Systems and methods for delivering messages over a network
US8799485B2 (en) 2009-12-18 2014-08-05 Sling Media, Inc. Methods and apparatus for establishing network connections using an inter-mediating device
US8626879B2 (en) 2009-12-22 2014-01-07 Sling Media, Inc. Systems and methods for establishing network connections using local mediation services
US9178923B2 (en) 2009-12-23 2015-11-03 Echostar Technologies L.L.C. Systems and methods for remotely controlling a media server via a network
US9275054B2 (en) 2009-12-28 2016-03-01 Sling Media, Inc. Systems and methods for searching media content
US8856349B2 (en) 2010-02-05 2014-10-07 Sling Media Inc. Connection priority services for data communication between two devices
US9204193B2 (en) 2010-05-14 2015-12-01 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for media detection and filtering using a parental control logging application
US8805418B2 (en) 2011-12-23 2014-08-12 United Video Properties, Inc. Methods and systems for performing actions based on location-based rules
US9253262B2 (en) 2013-01-24 2016-02-02 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for connecting media devices through web sockets

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE3003425A1 (en) * 1980-01-31 1981-08-06 Braun Ag, 6000 Frankfurt Control for radio and audio replay system - has central control connected to all units via cable
DE3328558A1 (en) * 1983-08-08 1985-02-28 Telefunken Fernseh Und Rundfunk Gmbh, 3000 Hannover REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES, ESPECIALLY THE ENTERTAINMENT ELECTRONICS
JPH0323748Y2 (en) * 1985-01-16 1991-05-23
JPS61202597A (en) * 1985-03-06 1986-09-08 Alps Electric Co Ltd Remote operating device
US4746919A (en) * 1986-03-28 1988-05-24 Rca Licensing Corporation Remote control system with key function display provisions
US4855730A (en) * 1987-05-08 1989-08-08 Rca Licensing Corporation Component audio/video system with timed control of plural peripheral devices
DE3918578A1 (en) * 1988-06-28 1990-01-11 Nokia Unterhaltungselektronik DEVICE SYSTEM FROM AT LEAST TWO WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROLLED DEVICES OF ENTERTAINMENT ELECTRONICS
DE3827050A1 (en) * 1988-08-10 1990-02-15 Thomson Brandt Gmbh TELEVISION RECEIVER
KR950004418B1 (en) * 1989-12-30 1995-04-28 주식회사금성사 Remote transmitting and receiving systems

Cited By (36)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5668591A (en) * 1994-03-30 1997-09-16 Sony Corporation Information terminal apparatus that is remotely programmed by radio waves and that displays input keys of program functions on a display
GB2288044B (en) * 1994-03-30 1998-07-29 Sony Corp Information terminal apparatus
GB2288044A (en) * 1994-03-30 1995-10-04 Sony Corp Downloading software to terminal apparatus
US5959539A (en) * 1995-12-23 1999-09-28 Deutsche Thomson-Brandt Gmbh Apparatus for the remote control of electronic devices with key allocation
US10027998B2 (en) 1998-07-14 2018-07-17 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for multi-tuner recording
US10075746B2 (en) 1998-07-14 2018-09-11 Rovi Guides, Inc. Client-server based interactive television guide with server recording
US10271088B2 (en) 1998-07-17 2019-04-23 Rovi Guides, Inc. Interactive television program guide with remote access
US9706245B2 (en) 1998-07-17 2017-07-11 Rovi Guides, Inc. Interactive television program guide system having multiple devices within a household
EP1988708A3 (en) * 1998-07-17 2008-12-10 United Video Properties, Inc. Interactive television program guide with remote access
WO2001027894A1 (en) * 1999-10-14 2001-04-19 Universal Electronics Inc. Media system and remote controller for controlling the media system
US6690290B2 (en) 1999-10-14 2004-02-10 Universal Electronics Inc. Media system and remote control for the same
US6567011B1 (en) 1999-10-14 2003-05-20 Universal Electronics Inc. Media system and remote control for same
EP1093103A1 (en) 1999-10-14 2001-04-18 Universal Electronics, Inc. Media system and remote control for controlling the media system
WO2001035368A3 (en) * 1999-11-10 2001-12-13 Siemens Ag Universal remote controller
WO2001035368A2 (en) * 1999-11-10 2001-05-17 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Universal remote controller
US6910085B2 (en) * 2000-04-04 2005-06-21 Sony Corporation Audio visual system having a serial bus for identifying devices connected to the external terminals of an amplifier in the system
US7072990B2 (en) 2000-04-04 2006-07-04 Sony Corporation Audio visual system having a serial bus for identifying devices connected to the external terminals of an amplifier in the system
US7072993B2 (en) 2000-04-04 2006-07-04 Sony Corporation Audio visual system having a serial bus for identifying devices connected to the external terminals of an amplifier in the system
US7072991B2 (en) 2000-04-04 2006-07-04 Sony Corporation Audio visual system having a serial bus for identifying devices connected to the external terminals of an amplifier in the system
US7072992B2 (en) 2000-04-04 2006-07-04 Sony Corporation Audio visual system having a serial bus for identifying devices connected to the external terminals of an amplifier in the system
US9772739B2 (en) * 2000-05-03 2017-09-26 Nokia Technologies Oy Method for controlling a system, especially an electrical and/or electronic system comprising at least one application device
CN1774952B (en) * 2003-04-17 2011-09-28 夏普株式会社 Terminal apparatus, center apparatus, communication system, terminal apparatus control method, center apparatus control method
WO2004093484A1 (en) 2003-04-17 2004-10-28 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Terminal apparatus, center apparatus, communication system, terminal apparatus control method, center apparatus control method, terminal apparatus control program, center apparatus control program, and recording media in which those programs have been recorded
EP1868106A1 (en) * 2005-04-07 2007-12-19 Sony Corporation Content distribution system, content distribution method, control device, control method, reproduction device, reproduction method, and program
EP1868106A4 (en) * 2005-04-07 2013-12-25 Sony Corp Content distribution system, content distribution method, control device, control method, reproduction device, reproduction method, and program
US10034054B2 (en) 2007-04-20 2018-07-24 Rovi Guides, Inc. Systems and methods for providing remote access to interactive media guidance applications
US10063934B2 (en) 2008-11-25 2018-08-28 Rovi Technologies Corporation Reducing unicast session duration with restart TV
US9826266B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2017-11-21 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for reconfiguration of an entertainment system controlling device
US9883226B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2018-01-30 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for reconfiguration of an entertainment system controlling device
US8243207B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2012-08-14 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for activity based configuration of an entertainment system
US8456314B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2013-06-04 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for reconfiguration of an entertainment system controlling device
US9326021B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2016-04-26 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for reconfiguration of an entertainment system controlling device
US9451314B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2016-09-20 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for reconfiguration of an entertainment system controlling device
US9338497B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2016-05-10 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for reconfiguration of an entertainment system controlling device
US11533530B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2022-12-20 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for reconfiguration of an entertainment system controlling device
US11825147B2 (en) 2009-09-29 2023-11-21 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for reconfiguration of an entertainment system controlling device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE4407319B4 (en) 2006-07-27
GB2275800B (en) 1996-07-10
JPH06261372A (en) 1994-09-16
DE4407319A1 (en) 1994-09-08
GB9402929D0 (en) 1994-04-06
JP3193176B2 (en) 2001-07-30

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
GB2275800A (en) Remote control system for controlling a plurality of devices
EP1406225B1 (en) Universal-type remote controller
US5646608A (en) Apparatus and method for an electronic device control system
US5631652A (en) Remote control method and system using one remote controller to control more than one apparatus
US6466233B1 (en) Information processing unit for controlling a plurality of electronic devices and method thereof, and provision medium associated therewith
US9396649B2 (en) System and method for using an universal remote control to access extended operational functions of a device
US4746919A (en) Remote control system with key function display provisions
KR100323967B1 (en) Remote commander to select and set preset data
EP1168124B1 (en) Remote control system
US4807052A (en) Remotely controllable electronic apparatus
US7154566B2 (en) Programmable universal remote control unit and method of programming same
US20040125080A1 (en) Extensible type universal remote control and method of operating the same
JP2002345050A (en) Remote controller
EP0289625B1 (en) Remote commander
US5948084A (en) System for remotely controlling a computer having a user interface software communicating with a device driver and driving an application software to perform operation based on a combined key signal
JP3309389B2 (en) Multi-remote control transmission device, video device, and format preset support method for the device
EP0930781A1 (en) Video recorder control
JP4971005B2 (en) Connection information recognition system for external device connected to electronic device and its recognition method
EP0223311B1 (en) Remote control system
JPH06311385A (en) Television receiver
JP2001268663A (en) Transmitter receiver and method for remote control
JPH05236294A (en) Television receiver
JP3380411B2 (en) AV system
JP3606378B2 (en) Video wireless transmission / reception system
JP2519313Y2 (en) Bidirectional remote control device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
746 Register noted 'licences of right' (sect. 46/1977)

Effective date: 19980105

PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20070216