MXPA05011871A - Method and apparatus for controlling an external device using auto-play/auto-pause functions - Google Patents

Abstract

An external device such as a digital recording/reproduction device may be controlled via a digital data bus using auto-play and/or auto-pause functions. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method (300/400/500) for controlling an external device includes detecting initiation of one of a disconnection from the external device and a connection to the external device (310/410), providing a pause command signal to the external device via a digital data bus if the initiation of the disconnection from the external device is detected (330), and providing a play command signal to the external device via the digital data bus if the initiation of the connection to the external device is detected (440).

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AN EXTERNAL DEVICE THROUGH THE USE OF AUTO-REPRODUCTION / SELF-PAUSE FUNCTIONS Cross Reference with Related Request This application claims priority and all benefits relating to the provisional application filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on May 5, 2003, and assigned to serial number 60 / 467,995.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to a technique for controlling an external device and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for controlling an external device such as a digital recording / reproducing device, through of a digital data bus through the use of auto-play and / or auto-pause functions. Background Information A digital data bus can be used for the transmission of digital data in a network between digital devices, such as television signal receivers, personal computers (PCs), display devices, digital video tape recorders (DVCRs). , digital versatile disc players (DVD), audio / video hard drives (AVHDDs), direct transmission satellite receivers (DBS), home control devices (eg, security systems, temperature control devices, etc.) and / or other devices. A digital data bus typically complies with a particular standard or specification. An example of a wired digital bus standard includes the standard of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394, which is well known in the field. Digital, wireless data bus standards, such as Hiperlan 2, are also known in the art. In a digital bus network certain problems can occur when a device, such as a television signal receiver, is disconnected from an external device in the network, such as an AVHDD, and subsequently re-establishes the connection with the external device. Such disconnection and connection in a digital bus network may involve a specific signal protocol (eg, disconnect request - disconnect response, connection request - connection response, etc.) and may occur when a user originates a device in a network, change from one entry to another entry. For example, problems can occur since when the connection to the external device is re-established, the external device can restart the playback of the track that was running at the moment of disconnection from the beginning. Similarly, it is problematic that the external device continues to run after the disconnection is made. In particular, both of these situations are generally undesirable since users are unable to continue running a track from their current point at the time of disconnection, and must either advance and / or return within the track to find the exact point where they remained. This process can be inaccurate, inconvenient, time consuming and frustrating for users. One approach to addressing the above problems is for the devices to store and maintain a list of all other networked devices that indicates the last state in which such networked devices are found at the time of disconnection. However, this approach is not optimal because it can be rather complex to implement and also consumes valuable memory capacity of a device. Another approach to addressing the above problems is to maintain a connection to a network device when you disconnect from that device. Likewise, this approach is not optimal since maintaining a connection with a device in a digital bus network can lead to that device falsely creating a route to communicate with the other connected devices. Other problems can also occur in a digital bus network as a result of a power interruption (for example, device shutdown, device disconnection, etc.). For example, if a device connects to another device on the network at the time of power interruption, when the power is restored to the device, the device can automatically connect to an input that is not connected to a network (for example, antenna input) and away from the network device. This may be inconvenient since it requires users to connect back manually to the network device again. The present invention addresses the above problems and / or others by proportion of a method and apparatus for controlling an external device, such as a digital recording / reproducing device, through a digital data bus by using functions of self-reproduction and / or self-pause.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method for controlling an external device is disclosed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises the steps of detecting the start of a disconnection of the external device and a connection to the external device, providing a first command signal to interrupt the operation of the external device through a bus of data if the start of disconnection of the external device is detected, and provide a second command signal to terminate the operation of the external device through the data bus if the start of the connection to the external device is detected. According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus is exposed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises input / output means for connecting the apparatus to an external device through a data bus. The processing means detect the start of one of a disconnection of the external device and a connection to the external device. The input / output means issues a first command signal to interrupt the operation of the external device through the data bus if the processing means detects the start of the disconnection of the external device, and emits a second command signal to terminate the operation of the external device through the data bus if the processing means detects the start of the connection to the external device. According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a television signal receiver is exposed. According to an exemplary embodiment, the television signal receiver comprises an input / output terminal operative to connect the television signal receiver to an external device via a data bus. A processor is operative to detect the start of one of a disconnection of the external device and a connection to the external device. The input / output terminal issues a first command signal to interrupt the operation of the external device via the data bus if the processor detects the start of disconnection of the external device, and issues a second command signal to terminate the operation of the device. external device through the data bus if the processor detects the start of the connection to the external device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention and the manner of obtaining them will become apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. , wherein: FIG. 1 is an exemplary environment, suitable for implementing the present invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram that provides additional details of the apparatus of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps in accordance with an aspect of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps in accordance with another aspect of the present invention; and FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps in accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention. The exemplifications set forth herein illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, an exemplary environment suitable for implementing the present invention is shown. As indicated in FIG. 1, the environment 100 comprises user input means such as the user input device 10, control means such as the apparatus 20, digital bus means such as the digital data bus 30, and controlled means such as the device 40. The user input device 10 is operative to receive user inputs that control the operation of the apparatus 20 and / or the external device 40. According to an exemplary embodiment, the user input device 10 comprises a plurality of keys and transmits command signals such as wireless and / or radio frequency (RF) infrared (IR) frequency signals, in accordance with a predetermined control protocol to the device. that responds to the depression of its keys by the user. The user input device 10 may be incorporated, for example, as a portable remote control device, wired and / or wireless keyboard, or other user input device. The apparatus 20 is operative to receive signals that include audio, video and / or data signals in analog and / or digital format from one or more signal sources, such as terrestrial, cable, satellite, Internet and / or other sources of signal. The apparatus 20 is also operative to process received signals in order to generate digital signals and to provide such digital signals, as well as digital command signals, to one or more devices that include the external device 40 through the digital data bus 30. The apparatus 20 can be controlled by a user responding to inputs through the user input device 1 0 and such inputs can also be used to control the external device 40. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 20 can be incorporated as a television signal receiver or other device that complies with the bus standard (e.g., IEEE-1394, Hiperlan 2, etc.) of the digital data bus 30. As will be described hereinafter, the apparatus 20 provides functions of auto-playback and auto-pause that control the external device 40. The digital data bus 30 is operative to transmit digital signals is between devices that include the apparatus 20 and the external device 40. According to an exemplary embodiment, the digital data bus 30 can be incorporated as a cable-connected and / or wireless digital bus that complies with a given bus standard or specification . For example, the digital data bus 30 can be incorporated as a cable-connected digital bus, such as an IEEE-1394 bus and / or wireless digital bus, such as a Hiperlan bus 2. The external device 40 is operative to receive signals that they include audio, video, data and / or command signals from the apparatus 20 and also provide signals to apparatus 20 through the digital data bus 30. According to an exemplary embodiment, the external device 40 can be incorporated as any device that complies with the bus standard (for example, IEEE-1394, Hiperlan 2, etc.) of the digital data bus 30, which accepts a playback order and / or pause order. For example, external device 40 may be incorporated as a digital recording / reproducing device, such as an AVHDD, DVCR or other device. Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram is shown that provides additional details of the apparatus 20 of FIG. 1, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 20 of FIG. 2 comprises front panel means, such as front panel assembly (FPA) 1 1, amplifying means such as amplifier 12, and input / output (l / O) means such as block I / O 13, processing means such as the processor 14 and memory means such as the memory 15. Some of the above elements of FIG. 2 can be incorporated through the use of integrated circuits (ICs), and some elements can be included, for example, in one or more ICs. For clarity of the description, they may not be shown in FIG. 2 certain conventional elements associated with the apparatus 20, such as certain control signals, energy signals and / or other elements. The FPA 1 1 is operative to receive user inputs from the user input device 10 and to output signals corresponding to the user inputs to the amplifier 12. According to an exemplary embodiment, the FPA 1 1 receives wireless signals, such as IR and / or RF signals, from the remote control device 10 and generates corresponding signals that are output to the amplifier 12. The amplifier 12 is operative to amplify the signals provided from of FPA 1 1 to be output to processor 14. Block I / O 13 is operative to perform I / O functions of apparatus 20. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, block I / O 13 is operative to receive signals including audio, video and / or data signals in analog and / or digital format, coming from one or more signal sources, such as terrestrial, cable, satellite, Internet and / or other signal sources. The L / O block 13 is also operative to output data signals and receive digital signals from one or more different devices, including the external device 40 through the digital data bus 30. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the block of I / O 13 includes a plurality of input and / or output terminals that include at least one bi-directional terminal, such as that connected to the digital data bus 30. As referred to herein, an input terminal and / or The output of the I / O block 13 can simply be referred to as an "input" of the apparatus 20. As will be described hereinafter, a user input through the user input device 10 can cause the apparatus 20 to change an input to another input through the I / O block 13. The processor 14 is operative to perform various signal processing and control functions of the apparatus 20. According to an exemplary embodiment, the processor 1 4 processes signals provided from the I / O 13 block by performing functions that include tuning, demodulation, forward error correction, and transport processing to thereby generate the digital signals. The digital signals produced from such processing functions can be provided for further processing (e.g., MPEG decoding, etc.) and display and / or can be provided to one or more other devices that include the external device 40 through the bus of digital data 30. The processor 14 is also operative to detect the user inputs provided through the user input device 10, including inputs, which initiate a disconnection from, and connection to, devices on the data bus digital 30, such as an external device 40. The processor 14 can emit one or more control signals, which cause the apparatus 20 to switch from one input to another through the I / O block 13. The processor 14 also allows the generation and emission of various digital order signals, such as playback order and pause signals, towards the external device 40 through of the digital data bus 30. According to an exemplary embodiment, such command signals may be audio / video (AV / C) protocol signals as defined by the 1394 Trade Association, Grapevine, Texas, USA, or signals from another protocol. As will be described hereinafter, the playback and pause order signals can be used to control the external device 40 in accordance with the self-reproducing and self-pausing functions of the apparatus 20.

The memory 15 is operative to carry out data storage functions of the apparatus 20. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory 15 stores data such as software codes, order data and user parameter data, which allow the processor 14 carries out one or more processing and / or control functions. Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a flow chart 300 illustrating exemplary steps in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. In particular, the steps of FIG. 3 illustrate the manner in which the self-reproducing function can be used to control the device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of example and explanation, the steps of FIG. 3 will be described in relation to the elements shown in the environment 100 of FIG. 1. The stages of FIG. 3 are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the present invention in any way. In step 310, the apparatus 20 detects the start of a disconnection process of the external device 40. According to an exemplary embodiment, the processor 14 detects the start of the disconnection process of the external device 40 in step 310, which responds to a user input through the user input device 10 that changes the current input of the apparatus 20 away from the external device 40. For example, a user may provide an input, which causes the device 20 to change its input to a device that it is not connected to the digital data bus 30. In step 320, the apparatus 20 determines whether the external device 40 is in the playback mode. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 20 provides a digital command signal to the external device 40 through the digital data bus 30 under the control of the processor 14 in step 320, which allows the apparatus 20 to read data from operating mode indicating the current operating mode of the external device 40 and thus determining whether the external device 40 is in the playback mode. For example, with the AV / C protocol, an order signal to READ info. The BLOCK can be provided to the external device 40 to read such data from the operating mode. If the determination in step 320 is positive, the process flow advances to step 330 where the apparatus 20 provides a pause command signal to interrupt the operation of the external device 40 through the digital data bus 30 under the control of the processor 14. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the pause order signal provided in step 330 can be implemented by using a PLAY command of the AV / C protocol with a speed variation, although a signal protocol could also be used different. From step 330 and also when the determination in step 320 is negative, the process flow proceeds to step 340 where the apparatus 20 is disconnected from the external device 40 under the control of the processor 14. According to an exemplary embodiment , the disconnection of the external device 40 in step 340 may involve a specific signal protocol (e.g., disconnection request-disconnection response, etc.) associated with the digital data bus 30. For example, disconnection of the external device 40 in step 340 can be carried out in accordance with the asynchronous and isochronous characteristics prescribed by the IEEE-1394 standard. From step 340, the process flow proceeds to step 350 where the apparatus 20 continues with normal operation. Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a flow chart 400 illustrating exemplary steps in accordance with another aspect of the present invention. In particular, the steps of FIG. 4 illustrate how the auto-pause function can be used to control the device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For example purposes and explanation, the stages of FIG. 4 will also be described in relation to the elements shown in the environment 100 of FIG. 1 . The stages of FIG. 4 are merely exemplary and do not attempt to limit the present invention in any way. In step 410, the apparatus 20 detects the start of a connection process to the external device 40. According to an exemplary embodiment, the processor 14 detects the start of the connection process to the external device 40 in step 410, which responds to a user input through the user input device 1 0, which changes the current input of the device 20 to the external device 40. For example, a user may provide an input, which causes the device 20 to change its input to the device 40 and away from a device that is not connected to the digital data bus 30. In step 420, the device 20 is connected to the external device 40 under the control of the processor 14. According to an exemplary embodiment, the connection to the device 40 in the step 420 may involve a specific signal protocol (e.g., connection request-connection response, etc.) associated with the digital data bus 30. For example, the connection The external device 40 in step 420 can be carried out in accordance with the asynchronous and isochronous characteristics prescribed by the IEEE-1394 standard. In step 430, the apparatus 20 determines whether the external device 40 is in the pause mode. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 20 provides a digital command signal to the external device 40 via the digital data bus 30 under the control of the processor 14 in step 430, which allows the apparatus 20 to read data in a manner which indicates the current operating mode of the external device 40 and thus determines whether the external device 40 is in the pause mode. For example, with AV / C protocol, an order signal of READING INFO BLOCK can be provided to external device 40 to read such data in an operational manner. If the determination in step 430 is negative, the process flow proceeds to step 450 where the apparatus 20 continues with normal operation. Alternatively, if the determination in step 430 is positive, the process flow proceeds to step 440 where the apparatus 20 provides a playback order signal to terminate the operation of the external device 40 through the digital data bus 30. under the control of the processor 14. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the reproduction order signal provided in step 440 may be a PLAY protocol order signal of the AV / C protocol although a different signal protocol could also be used. From step 440, the process flow proceeds to step 450 where the apparatus 20 continues normal operation. Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a flow chart 500 illustrating exemplary steps according to yet another aspect of the present invention. In particular, the steps of FIG. 5 illustrate the manner in which the self-reproducing function can be used to control the device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of example and explanation, the steps of FIG. 5 will also be described in relation to the elements shown in the environment 100 of FIG. 1 . The stages of FIG. 5 are merely exemplary and do not attempt to limit the present invention in any way. In step 510, the apparatus 20 detects a power interruption. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the processor 14 detects the power interruption in step 510 responding to a user input through the user input device 10 that switches the apparatus 20 from an on state to an off state /on hold. During the off / standby state, certain elements of the apparatus 20 can still receive power, and the apparatus 20 can be switched back to the on state in response to another user input through the user input device 1 0. According to with another exemplary modality, the processor 14 detects the power interruption in step 510, which responds to a complete withdrawal of power from the apparatus 20. This type of power interruption can occur, for example, if the device 20 is unplugged from its power source ( for example, wall outlet), or a power shortage occurs as a result of conditions such as adverse weather conditions, utility company problems, etc. In step 520, the apparatus 20 detects an energy restoration. According to an exemplary embodiment, the processor 14 detects the restoration of power in step 520, which responds to a user input through the user input device 10 which switches the apparatus 20 from the off / standby state to the state of ignition. According to another exemplary embodiment, the processor 14 detects the restoration of energy in step 520, which responds to the apparatus 20 that is plugged back into its power source, or when an emission of energy attributable to conditions such as conditions is corrected. adverse weather conditions, problems of the utility company, etc.

In step 530, the apparatus 20 determines whether the external device 40 is selected as its initial input. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 20 includes an initial input selection parameter as part of its user parameter processing, which allows users to select a particular input from the apparatus 20 that is automatically connected whenever it is applied energy to the apparatus 20. Accordingly, in step 530, the processor 14 checks the current user parameter data in the memory 15 in order to determine whether the user has selected the device 40 as its initial input. If the determination in step 530 is negative, the process flow proceeds to step 540 where the apparatus 20 is connected to its default input (eg, an antenna input, etc.) under the control of the processor 14. step 540, the process flow proceeds to step 570 where the apparatus 20 continues with normal operation. Alternatively, if the determination in step 530 is positive, the process flow proceeds to step 550 where the apparatus 20 performs an initialization process in order to allow communication with the external device 40 via the bus. digital data 30. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the processor 14 executes software code (e.g., IEEE-1394 software code, etc.) to carry out the initiation process in step 550 and thus receives notification when the external device 40 is detected on the digital data bus 30. Next, in step 560, the apparatus 20 provides a playback order signal to initiate the operation of the external device 40 through the digital data bus 30 under the control of the processor 14, which causes the external device 40 to start functioning. According to an exemplary embodiment, the reproduction order signal provided in step 560 may be an AV / C protocol PLAY command signal although a different signal protocol could also be used. From step 560, the process flow proceeds to step 570 where the apparatus 20 continues normal operation. It should also be appreciated that the principles of the present invention set forth herein may be combined in any suitable manner. For example, any aspect of the present invention depicted in the flow diagrams of FIGS. 3 to 5, can be combined according to the design options. As described herein, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a device through a digital data bus through the use of auto-playback and / or auto-pause functions. The present invention can be applicable to various apparatuses, either with or without a deployment device. According to the foregoing, the phrase "television signal receiver", as used herein, may refer to systems or apparatus that include, but are not limited to, television sets, computers or monitors that include a display device and systems or devices such as the upper parameter box, video tape player (VCRs), digital versatile disc players (DVD), video game boxes, personal video recorders (PVRs), computers or other devices that may not include a device deployment. Although this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any variation, use or adaptation of the invention by use of its general principles. In addition, this application attempts to cover such sections of the present disclosure as they fall within the known or customary practice in the matter to which this invention pertains and which falls within the limits of the appended claims.

Claims (17)

1. CLAIMS 1. A method for controlling an external device, characterized in that it comprises: detecting the start of one of a disconnection of said external device and a connection to said external device; providing a first order signal in order to interrupt the operation of said external device through a data bus if said start of said disconnection of said external device is detected; and providing a second command signal to terminate the operation of said external device through said data bus if said start of said connection to said external device is detected. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: detecting an energy interruption; detect a restoration of said energy; determining if said external device is selected as an initial input that responds to said restoration of said energy; and providing said second command signal to said external device through said data bus if said external device is selected as said initial input. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that said data bus includes an IEEE-1394 bus. 4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that said first order signal and said second command signal are AV / C protocol signals. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: said disconnection of said external device is detected as responding to a first user input; and said connection to said external device is detected as responding to a second user input. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that said external device is a digital recording / reproducing device. 7. An apparatus, characterized in that it comprises: input / output means for connecting said apparatus to an external device through a data bus; processing means for detecting the start of a disconnection of said external device and a connection to said external device; and wherein said input / output means emits a first command signal to interrupt the operation of said external device through said data bus if said processing means detects said start of said disconnection of said external device, and emits a second command signal to terminate the operation of said external device through said data bus if said processing means detects said start of said connection to said external device. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that: said processing means determines whether said external device is selected as an initial input of said apparatus that responds to an interruption and the restoration of energy to said apparatus; and said input / output means emits said second command signal to said external device through said data bus if said external device is selected as said initial input of said apparatus. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said data bus includes an IEEE-1394 bus. The apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that said first order signal and said second command signal are AV / C protocol signals. eleven . The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that said processing means detects said start of said disconnection of said external device that responds to a first user input to said apparatus, and detects said start of said connection to said external device that responds to a second user input to said device. The apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that said external device is a digital recording / reproducing device. 13. A television signal receiver, characterized in that it comprises: an operational input / output terminal for connecting said television signal receiver to an external device through a data bus; an operating processor for detecting the start of one of a disconnection of said external device and a connection to said external device; and wherein said input / output terminal emits a first command signal to interrupt the operation of said external device through said data bus if said processor detects said start of said disconnection of said external device, and emits a second signal of order to terminate the operation of said external device through said data bus if said processor detects said start of said connection to said external device. The television signal receiver according to claim 13, characterized in that: said processor determines whether said external device is selected as an initial input of said television signal receiver that responds to an interruption and restoration of power to said signal receiver of TV; and said input / output terminal emits said second command signal to said external device through said data bus if said external device is selected as said initial input of said television signal receiver. The television signal receiver according to claim 14, characterized in that said data bus includes a 1EEE-1394 bus. 16. The television signal receiver according to claim 14, characterized in that said first order signal and said second command signal are AV / C protocol signals. The television signal receiver according to claim 13, characterized in that said processor detects said start of said disconnection of said external device that responds to a first user input to said television signal receiver, and detects said beginning of said connection to said external device responding to a second user input to said television signal receiver. The television signal receiver according to claim 13, characterized in that said external device is a digital recording / reproducing device.