CA2260249A1 - Alternative method of automatic cable box set - Google Patents
Alternative method of automatic cable box set Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2260249A1 CA2260249A1 CA002260249A CA2260249A CA2260249A1 CA 2260249 A1 CA2260249 A1 CA 2260249A1 CA 002260249 A CA002260249 A CA 002260249A CA 2260249 A CA2260249 A CA 2260249A CA 2260249 A1 CA2260249 A1 CA 2260249A1
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- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- channel
- tuner
- tuned
- detecting
- television
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/44—Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards
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- 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
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- 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
- H04N21/42225—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details characterized by types of remote control, e.g. universal remote control
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N5/00—Details of television systems
- H04N5/76—Television signal recording
- H04N5/78—Television signal recording using magnetic recording
- H04N5/782—Television signal recording using magnetic recording on tape
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03J—TUNING RESONANT CIRCUITS; SELECTING RESONANT CIRCUITS
- H03J9/00—Remote-control of tuned circuits; Combined remote-control of tuning and other functions, e.g. brightness, amplification
- H03J9/06—Remote-control of tuned circuits; Combined remote-control of tuning and other functions, e.g. brightness, amplification using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. light
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
- Details Of Television Systems (AREA)
- Testing, Inspecting, Measuring Of Stereoscopic Televisions And Televisions (AREA)
Abstract
A television tuner (10) controller has a memory (22) with a number of sets of remote control codes for use in controlling a television tuner (10), such as a cable box. The television tuner changes the channel it is tuning to a specific channel when it receives a set channel remote control command identifying the specific channel. The tuner (10) controller can detect the channel tuned by the television tuner (10) whenever the predetermined base channel is tuned by the television receiver (14).
Description
ALTERNATIVE ~IETHOD OF AUTOMATIC CABLE BOX SET
- The present invention relates to the ~lol~.l;c progr~mming of a control device to enable the control device to remotely control another device through infrared signals.
As televisions, video cassette rec.)rd~ , and other household devices have become more and more common, the number which can be controlled remotely has also increased. Many of 10 these devices use an infrared signal emitter (in combination with a receiver cnnn~ctecl to the device itself) as the "remote control." Typically, the m~nnf~rturers of the device have included such a remote control with the device. Naturally, the m~nuf~cturer's remote control has been capable of controlling its associated device. However, because dirr~,lellt m~nllf~ctllrers use dirr~ infrared code sets, one manufacturer's remote control typically cannot control another 15 m~n-lf~ctllrer's device. As the number of remotely controllable devices in a user's household has i.~cl~,ased, so has the number of remote controls. Many users have found this to be objectionable and sometim~ confusing.
One solution offered to this problem has been the "universal remote." A universal remote is a device capable of remotely controlling multiple devices by using multiple hlrlal~d code sets.
20 One common example is a remote control which can remotely control a television as well as a video c~c~ette recorder. Universal remotes achieve this functionality by being programmable.
The user can input various number codes to select which infrared code sets the remote control will use in controlling the devices.
Pro~ .. ~ g universal remotes is often confusing and many users have found this to be 25 a .lifficlllt task. A simpler and more ~lltom~tic method of delel~ lg the correct infrared code set would be an improvement in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention is a method for pro~A~ p a control device30 for selection, from a plurality of infrared (IR) code sets, an IR code set for subsequent control of IR signal communication with a video device such as a video cassette recorder (VCR). In the case where the video device is a VCR, each IR code set is for co~ unicating with a dirr~lel~l co..~onding VCR. To this end, each such VCR has a tuner, which, when tuned to an actual ~.h~nn.o.l of broadcast video signals, provides video signals derived from the actual channel to a 35 video output thereo~ A pred~ .d series of signals is provided to the VCR using a selected IR code set, which is selected from one of the provided IR code sets. The video output of the VCR is monitored for predet.onnin~cl signal conditions. An IR code set is then selected for subsequent signal communication with the VCR. The IR code set which is selected is the one W O 98/01993 PCTnUS97/12261 which results in the pre~ cl signal c~n~lition.c~ With this ~.A~-g~.f .1 it is possible to "~ lly ~lcl~ e the proper IR code set for col1",1unication b~ a remote controller S and any of a n-lmh~r of VCRs automAtic~lly with virtually no user intervention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the1 0 invention;
FIG. 3 is a truth table ill~ ; . .g the logical analysis employed by an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention describes a system for autom~ticAlly selçctin~ one IR code set which is apl.1op1;ate for remotely controlling a particular video device, such as a cable box, from a plurality of IR code sets stored in, for example, a VCR. The system sends a series of co.~ AI~rls to the particular video device usin~ a selected test IR code set and mol~ilu~ the results of those comm~n~c by G'C~ the video signal coming from the video device. These results are 20 analyzed to detl~ iç if the test IR code set succçc~fully controls the video device. If the test IR
code set does not s.~cc.,i~r..lly control the video device, then the system cycles through all of the stored IR code sets as the test IR code set until an IR code set which s~lccçssfillly controls the video device is found.
FIG. l depicts one embodiment of the present invention where a tuner 10 receives25 television signals from an outside source and outputs a video signal derived from the television signals on the channel to which the tuner l0 is set. The tuner 10 can be set either mAnTl~lly by the user via input 12 or remotely via a receiver 14. The video signal goes to a television display 16 and also to a XDS decoder l 8.
XDS signals are transmitted by the bro~lc~ting source in the vertical blanking interval 30 (VBI) portion of the video signal and contain digital info11l1ation, including information about the video signal in which they are contAinçd The XDS decoder 18 filters the video signal from the tuner 10 so that an XDS signal is isolated, if present. By analyzing the XDS signal, the XDS
decoder l 8 can derive various h~111,ation about the video signal such as the ~h~nn~l number or other ch~nn~l id~ntifi~o.r for the channel to which the tuner 10 is set. In ~ ;ve embo~
35 VBI ~leco~l~.rs ~at look at a di~1e11l portions of the VBI for data signals other than XDS signals are used. In any case, the VBI decoder is set to decode a portion of the video signal from which the channel number or ch~nnel identifier for the channel to which the tuner 10 is set can be derived. Other embo~ ; may be employed that do not use a VBI decoder, as long the W O 98/01993 PCTrUS97/12261 controller 20 is able to receive i~ n ide~ yillg the channel to which the tuner 10 is tuned at a particular time.
The XDS decoder 18 sends the XDS signal i~ro~ ;on to a controller 20. The controller 20 is CQ~ lt'd to memory 22 in which it can store XDS signal i~ lion, co~ ;eol~ results, or any other informAtion. The controller 20 is also connected to storage 24 from which it can access previously stored IR code sets. Storage 24 can be any data storage device, but preferably is a ROM or other non-volatile memory. Using an IR code set from the storage 24, the controller can cause an emitter 26 to send al)plopliate IR signals to the receiver 14 in order to remotely control the tuner 10. Using a process described below, the controller 20 sends several commAn~
to the tuner 10 and stores the results in the memory 22. After storing various XDS signals and comparison results in the memory 22, the controller analyzes this information to determine whether the current IR code set is the IR code set which is the correct set to remotely control the tuner 10. This allows the controller to automAtic~lly select the correct IR code set for remotely controlling the tuner 10.
In an embodiment such as the one described above and in FIG. 1, the system can det~rmine the correct IR code set for remotè control of the video device using a series of opçrAtione such as those described below and shown in FIG. 2.
First, in block 100, the user mAmlAlly inputs a predc~ d channel into the tuner 10 via the input 12. This chAnn~l is the "Base Channel." The Base Channel must be a channel which is idPntifiAhle by the controller, such as one which co~ i.ls an XDS signal in the VBI. The channel for the Public Broadcast Station (PBS) in the user's area is a p,ere.,~d choice for the Base Channel because PBS stations ,~les~ y broadcast an XDS signal in the VBI throughout the co~u.l.y.
In block 110, the controller then retrieves the first test IR code set to test from the storage 24. Using the XDS decoder 18, in block 105, the controller 20 then detçrmines the XDS signal h~f("lnation of the current video signal, which is the Base Channel, and stores the info.."~ion in the memory 22. This is the "Base Signal." The controller then sends, in block 11 5, via the 30 emitter 26, to the receiver 14, an IR signal which is a~,~io~,.iate to the current test IR code set to set the chAnn~l of the tuner 10 to some predet~rmined channel. This predet~rmined channel is the "Test Channel."
Also in block 1 15, using the XDS decoder 18, the controller 20 det~rminçs the XDS signal i~r~.".AI;onofthecurrentchannelandstoresthisinthememory22. Thisresultis"Testl." The 35 controller 20 co...l)~es Testl to the Base Signal. If they are different, m~Aning the channel of the tuner 10 was succçeefully changed, then the current IR code set is the correct set. If Testl and the Base Signal are the same as is ~liecu~sed in more detail below, the analysis must continue.
The result of the co.~l,~;son of Testl to the Base Signal is stored in the memory 22.
-W O 98101993 PCTrUS97/12261 The controller 20, in block 120, then sends via the emitter 26 to the receiver 14 an IR
signal a~ro~ le to the current IR code set to illcrelll~lll the channel of the tuner 10. Using the 5 XDS decoder 18, the controller 20 d~ s the XDS signal i~ ;on of the current channel and stores the info~n~tion in the memory 22. This result is "Test2." The controller 20 then colllpales Test2 to the Base Signal and stores the result ofthis c~...p~ on in the memory 22.
This result is "Result2." Similar to Resultl and as ~ cn~sed below, Result2 is not ~ e of whether the current test IR code set is the correct code set, either.
Next, in block 125, the controller 20 then sends via the emitter 26 to the receiver 14 an IR signal a~ ~l;ate to the current IR code set to again set the channel of the tuner 10 to the Test Ch~nn~l . Using the XDS decoder 18, the controller 20 tletprminps the XDS signal il~l l~ n ofthe current ch~nnPI and stores this in the memory 22. This result is "Test3." The controller 20 then COIl~ ;S Test3 to the Base Signal and stores the result in the memory 22. This result is "Result3." Now, the combination of Resultl, Result2 and Result3, as explained below, is determin~tive of whether the current test IR code set is the correct code set.
In block 130, the controller analyzes the results of the three comparisons, between Testl and the Base Signal (Resultl), Test2 and the Base Signal (Result2), and Test3 and the Base Signal (Result3). As described below and shown in the FIG.3, if Testl is di~lell~ from the Base Signal, the current IR code set is the correct set and the analysis is con~lete. In this case, the Yes path from block 135 is taken and the process is complete in block 140. If Testl and the Base Signal are the sarne, the analysis must contin~o. If Test2 and the Base Signal are different and Test3 and the Base Signal are the same, then the current IR code set is the correct set and the process is complete. Again, in this case, the Yes path from block 135 is taken and the process is complete in block 140. Any other combination of results indicates that the current IR code set is not the correct IR code set.
After completing this analysis, if the current IR code set is not correct, the No path from block 135 is taken. But first, the controller 20 will reset the tuner 10 to the Base Channel if nPcecs~ry. If the tuner 10 was succes~fully incrPm~nte~l but the IR code set was not correct (CASE 3 or CASE 6 in FIG. 3), then the tuner 10 is set to some channel other than the Base Ch~nn~.l . To set the tuner 10 to the Base Channel the controller 20 sends via the emitter 26 to the receiver 14 an IR signal which will de~ llcllL the channel to which the tuner 10 is set. This will return the tuner 10 to the Base Channel.
The No path from block 135 is then taken and the controller 20 will return to block 110 and select the next IR code set from the storage 24. The controller 20 will then begin the process again by using the XDS decoder 18 to det~rmine the XDS of the current t~h~nnel, now the Base Channel once again, and store this in the m~ nl.ll y 22 as the Base Signal. The process con~ ues W O 98/01993 PCTrUS97/12261 from that point as before, storing Testl, Test2, Test3, Resultl, Result2, and Result3 to ~l~t~ P
if the new IR code set is the correct IR code set.
FIG. 3 depicts a Truth Table showing the logical analysis used in the present invention.
In order to det~Prrnine whether the current IR code set is the correct IR code set, all three co.. lAIule (SET CHANNEL - CHANNEL UP - SET CHANNEL) are nPcece~,y. One c~
is in.ellfficiPnt because there are several unknown variables. In particular, some television tuners will respond correctly to the same rh~nn~l up cnmmAn-le, but will not respond to the same set 10 rh~nnPI co""nAI~le When the user sets the channel ofthe tuner 10 to the Base Channel, the local rh~nnPl number for the Base Ch~nnel may be the same as the pre~letennin~d Test Channel. If the result of a single cc,- ~ --- IA~ to set the channel of the tuner 10 to the Test Channel were relied upon, the incorrect IR code set might be selecte.l The channel input by the user, the Base C'h~nnPl might be the same as the Test Ch~nn.ol, giving the illusion that the command to set the 15 çh~nnel ofthe tuner 10 was succçeefill.
In addition, even if the current IR code set is not the correct IR code set, there may be some overlap b~IWGGI1 this hlco.l~.,l IR code set and the video device's correct IR code set. This is because some IR code sets use the same IR code to indicate the signal for "channel up" (the cn.. ~ which il~clel"G-,l~ the rh~nnPI to which the tuner is set by one) and also for "channel 20 down," even though other codes do not co..~olld. As a result, sPn-ling the a "channel up"
signal to the tuner may not be col-cl~ e. The IR code set may not be the correct IR code set for the VCR, but the "channel up" signal may be the same and the channel will be incrPm~nted By using both co.. ~ le, the "set channel" co~ and and the "channel up" co.,.. ~ , a unique and ~leterrnin~1ive result can be achieved.
In the complete logical analysis, there are six possible situations, as shown in FIG. 3.
CASE 1 is where the B~e Channel and the Test Channel are the same and the IR code set is the correct IR code set. CASE 2 is where the B~e Channel and the Test Channel are the same, but the IR code set is illCOIle~il for the video device and none ofthe cc .I....~n~le are filnrtion~l CASE
3 is where the B~e (~h~nnPl and the Test Ch~nnel are the same, the IR code set is inco..~ l, but the "ch~nnPl up" co.. lal-d is still functional. CASE 4 is where the Base Channel and the Test Ch~nnel are ~lirr~l~l.l and the IR code set is the correct IR code set. CASE 5 is where the B~e Ch~nnel and the Test Ch~nnPI are dirr~.el,l, the IR code set is incorrect for the video device and none of the co"...,~ le are functional. CASE 6 is where the B~e Channel and the Test Channel are dirr~l~l.l, the IR code set is incorrect, but the "channel up" command is still functional. By 35 using a series of co~ le the two cases where the IR code set is correct for this video device (CASE 1 and CASE 4) can be deterrninPd After sending the signal to set the tuner 10 to the Test Channel and dete...,i"i.,g the channel of the tuner 10 did not change, it is unknown if the channel did not change because the W O 98/01993 PCTrUS97/12261 IR code set is incorrect or bec~o~e, though the IR code set is correct, the Test Ch~nn~l and the Base Ch~nn~l are the same. If the channel did change after sen~ing the signal to set the channel 5 to the Test Channel, then the analysis is conlplete. The only possibility is that this is CASE 4, where the Base Ch~nnel and the Test Channel are diLr~.e,ll and the IR code set is correct. Now five pos~ibilities remain, CASE 1, CASE 2, CASE 3, CASE 5 and CASE 6. After s~on-ling the "rh~nnP1 up" signal and co...~, ;ng the XDS signal h~rn....~lion to the Base Signal, if the channel was s~-ccçs~fi-lly ch~nged, CASE 2 and CASE 5 are eli.ni~ e~l However, there is no ~ tin~tion 10 between CASE 1, CASE 3 and CASE 6. The final step is to send the signal to set the channel to the Test Ch~nnPI again. If the channel of the tuner 10 is ~uccç~!irlllly set to the Test Channel and the ~h~nn~l of the tuner 10 was previously succe~rully incr~m~ntç~l that is Test2 and the Base Signal were dirr.,.~ .ll and Test3 and the Base Signal were the same, then the current IR code set is the correct set for this video device.
The results of each of these comparisons, Testl to Base Signal, Test2 to Base Signal, Test3 to Base Signal (also stored as Resultl, Result2, Result3), are n~ces~ry, except in CASE
4. In CASE 2 and CASE 5, the çh~nn~l of the tuner 10 will never change because the IR code set is completely il~c~n~ ;ble with the video device. As a result, the co. . ~ , ;son of Testl to the Base Signal will indicate that they are the same and the colll~;son of Test3 to the Base Signal 20 will indicated that they are the same. To distinguish CASE 2 and CASE 5 from CASE 1, the co.~.l.~.. ;~on of Test2 to the Base Signal is nPce~,.. y. In CASE 1, Test2 and the Base Signal are dirr~ le.l-, while in CASE 2 and CASE 5, Test2 and the Base Signal are the same. Similarly, CASE 1, CASE 3, and CASE 6 have the same results from the first two tests (Testl and the Base Signal are the same, Test2 and Base Signal are different). To distinguish CASE 1, a final "set 25 ch~nnel" comm~n~ is necess~y. In CASE 1, the channel will be successfully returned to the Base Channel (Test3 is the same as Base Signal), while in CASE 3 and CASE 6, the channel will not change (so Test3 remains dirr~ t from Base Signal) because the "set rh~nnel" coll~ d does not work. These comr~ ons allow the identification of the correct IR code set.
The embodiment and process described are only one example of how the logical analysis 30 described can be used to determine the correct IR code set. Variations on this embodiment are possible so long as they utilize the same logical analysis of a combination of col . ", .~n~ to isolate the correct IR code set.
- The present invention relates to the ~lol~.l;c progr~mming of a control device to enable the control device to remotely control another device through infrared signals.
As televisions, video cassette rec.)rd~ , and other household devices have become more and more common, the number which can be controlled remotely has also increased. Many of 10 these devices use an infrared signal emitter (in combination with a receiver cnnn~ctecl to the device itself) as the "remote control." Typically, the m~nnf~rturers of the device have included such a remote control with the device. Naturally, the m~nuf~cturer's remote control has been capable of controlling its associated device. However, because dirr~,lellt m~nllf~ctllrers use dirr~ infrared code sets, one manufacturer's remote control typically cannot control another 15 m~n-lf~ctllrer's device. As the number of remotely controllable devices in a user's household has i.~cl~,ased, so has the number of remote controls. Many users have found this to be objectionable and sometim~ confusing.
One solution offered to this problem has been the "universal remote." A universal remote is a device capable of remotely controlling multiple devices by using multiple hlrlal~d code sets.
20 One common example is a remote control which can remotely control a television as well as a video c~c~ette recorder. Universal remotes achieve this functionality by being programmable.
The user can input various number codes to select which infrared code sets the remote control will use in controlling the devices.
Pro~ .. ~ g universal remotes is often confusing and many users have found this to be 25 a .lifficlllt task. A simpler and more ~lltom~tic method of delel~ lg the correct infrared code set would be an improvement in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention is a method for pro~A~ p a control device30 for selection, from a plurality of infrared (IR) code sets, an IR code set for subsequent control of IR signal communication with a video device such as a video cassette recorder (VCR). In the case where the video device is a VCR, each IR code set is for co~ unicating with a dirr~lel~l co..~onding VCR. To this end, each such VCR has a tuner, which, when tuned to an actual ~.h~nn.o.l of broadcast video signals, provides video signals derived from the actual channel to a 35 video output thereo~ A pred~ .d series of signals is provided to the VCR using a selected IR code set, which is selected from one of the provided IR code sets. The video output of the VCR is monitored for predet.onnin~cl signal conditions. An IR code set is then selected for subsequent signal communication with the VCR. The IR code set which is selected is the one W O 98/01993 PCTnUS97/12261 which results in the pre~ cl signal c~n~lition.c~ With this ~.A~-g~.f .1 it is possible to "~ lly ~lcl~ e the proper IR code set for col1",1unication b~ a remote controller S and any of a n-lmh~r of VCRs automAtic~lly with virtually no user intervention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the1 0 invention;
FIG. 3 is a truth table ill~ ; . .g the logical analysis employed by an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention describes a system for autom~ticAlly selçctin~ one IR code set which is apl.1op1;ate for remotely controlling a particular video device, such as a cable box, from a plurality of IR code sets stored in, for example, a VCR. The system sends a series of co.~ AI~rls to the particular video device usin~ a selected test IR code set and mol~ilu~ the results of those comm~n~c by G'C~ the video signal coming from the video device. These results are 20 analyzed to detl~ iç if the test IR code set succçc~fully controls the video device. If the test IR
code set does not s.~cc.,i~r..lly control the video device, then the system cycles through all of the stored IR code sets as the test IR code set until an IR code set which s~lccçssfillly controls the video device is found.
FIG. l depicts one embodiment of the present invention where a tuner 10 receives25 television signals from an outside source and outputs a video signal derived from the television signals on the channel to which the tuner l0 is set. The tuner 10 can be set either mAnTl~lly by the user via input 12 or remotely via a receiver 14. The video signal goes to a television display 16 and also to a XDS decoder l 8.
XDS signals are transmitted by the bro~lc~ting source in the vertical blanking interval 30 (VBI) portion of the video signal and contain digital info11l1ation, including information about the video signal in which they are contAinçd The XDS decoder 18 filters the video signal from the tuner 10 so that an XDS signal is isolated, if present. By analyzing the XDS signal, the XDS
decoder l 8 can derive various h~111,ation about the video signal such as the ~h~nn~l number or other ch~nn~l id~ntifi~o.r for the channel to which the tuner 10 is set. In ~ ;ve embo~
35 VBI ~leco~l~.rs ~at look at a di~1e11l portions of the VBI for data signals other than XDS signals are used. In any case, the VBI decoder is set to decode a portion of the video signal from which the channel number or ch~nnel identifier for the channel to which the tuner 10 is set can be derived. Other embo~ ; may be employed that do not use a VBI decoder, as long the W O 98/01993 PCTrUS97/12261 controller 20 is able to receive i~ n ide~ yillg the channel to which the tuner 10 is tuned at a particular time.
The XDS decoder 18 sends the XDS signal i~ro~ ;on to a controller 20. The controller 20 is CQ~ lt'd to memory 22 in which it can store XDS signal i~ lion, co~ ;eol~ results, or any other informAtion. The controller 20 is also connected to storage 24 from which it can access previously stored IR code sets. Storage 24 can be any data storage device, but preferably is a ROM or other non-volatile memory. Using an IR code set from the storage 24, the controller can cause an emitter 26 to send al)plopliate IR signals to the receiver 14 in order to remotely control the tuner 10. Using a process described below, the controller 20 sends several commAn~
to the tuner 10 and stores the results in the memory 22. After storing various XDS signals and comparison results in the memory 22, the controller analyzes this information to determine whether the current IR code set is the IR code set which is the correct set to remotely control the tuner 10. This allows the controller to automAtic~lly select the correct IR code set for remotely controlling the tuner 10.
In an embodiment such as the one described above and in FIG. 1, the system can det~rmine the correct IR code set for remotè control of the video device using a series of opçrAtione such as those described below and shown in FIG. 2.
First, in block 100, the user mAmlAlly inputs a predc~ d channel into the tuner 10 via the input 12. This chAnn~l is the "Base Channel." The Base Channel must be a channel which is idPntifiAhle by the controller, such as one which co~ i.ls an XDS signal in the VBI. The channel for the Public Broadcast Station (PBS) in the user's area is a p,ere.,~d choice for the Base Channel because PBS stations ,~les~ y broadcast an XDS signal in the VBI throughout the co~u.l.y.
In block 110, the controller then retrieves the first test IR code set to test from the storage 24. Using the XDS decoder 18, in block 105, the controller 20 then detçrmines the XDS signal h~f("lnation of the current video signal, which is the Base Channel, and stores the info.."~ion in the memory 22. This is the "Base Signal." The controller then sends, in block 11 5, via the 30 emitter 26, to the receiver 14, an IR signal which is a~,~io~,.iate to the current test IR code set to set the chAnn~l of the tuner 10 to some predet~rmined channel. This predet~rmined channel is the "Test Channel."
Also in block 1 15, using the XDS decoder 18, the controller 20 det~rminçs the XDS signal i~r~.".AI;onofthecurrentchannelandstoresthisinthememory22. Thisresultis"Testl." The 35 controller 20 co...l)~es Testl to the Base Signal. If they are different, m~Aning the channel of the tuner 10 was succçeefully changed, then the current IR code set is the correct set. If Testl and the Base Signal are the same as is ~liecu~sed in more detail below, the analysis must continue.
The result of the co.~l,~;son of Testl to the Base Signal is stored in the memory 22.
-W O 98101993 PCTrUS97/12261 The controller 20, in block 120, then sends via the emitter 26 to the receiver 14 an IR
signal a~ro~ le to the current IR code set to illcrelll~lll the channel of the tuner 10. Using the 5 XDS decoder 18, the controller 20 d~ s the XDS signal i~ ;on of the current channel and stores the info~n~tion in the memory 22. This result is "Test2." The controller 20 then colllpales Test2 to the Base Signal and stores the result ofthis c~...p~ on in the memory 22.
This result is "Result2." Similar to Resultl and as ~ cn~sed below, Result2 is not ~ e of whether the current test IR code set is the correct code set, either.
Next, in block 125, the controller 20 then sends via the emitter 26 to the receiver 14 an IR signal a~ ~l;ate to the current IR code set to again set the channel of the tuner 10 to the Test Ch~nn~l . Using the XDS decoder 18, the controller 20 tletprminps the XDS signal il~l l~ n ofthe current ch~nnPI and stores this in the memory 22. This result is "Test3." The controller 20 then COIl~ ;S Test3 to the Base Signal and stores the result in the memory 22. This result is "Result3." Now, the combination of Resultl, Result2 and Result3, as explained below, is determin~tive of whether the current test IR code set is the correct code set.
In block 130, the controller analyzes the results of the three comparisons, between Testl and the Base Signal (Resultl), Test2 and the Base Signal (Result2), and Test3 and the Base Signal (Result3). As described below and shown in the FIG.3, if Testl is di~lell~ from the Base Signal, the current IR code set is the correct set and the analysis is con~lete. In this case, the Yes path from block 135 is taken and the process is complete in block 140. If Testl and the Base Signal are the sarne, the analysis must contin~o. If Test2 and the Base Signal are different and Test3 and the Base Signal are the same, then the current IR code set is the correct set and the process is complete. Again, in this case, the Yes path from block 135 is taken and the process is complete in block 140. Any other combination of results indicates that the current IR code set is not the correct IR code set.
After completing this analysis, if the current IR code set is not correct, the No path from block 135 is taken. But first, the controller 20 will reset the tuner 10 to the Base Channel if nPcecs~ry. If the tuner 10 was succes~fully incrPm~nte~l but the IR code set was not correct (CASE 3 or CASE 6 in FIG. 3), then the tuner 10 is set to some channel other than the Base Ch~nn~.l . To set the tuner 10 to the Base Channel the controller 20 sends via the emitter 26 to the receiver 14 an IR signal which will de~ llcllL the channel to which the tuner 10 is set. This will return the tuner 10 to the Base Channel.
The No path from block 135 is then taken and the controller 20 will return to block 110 and select the next IR code set from the storage 24. The controller 20 will then begin the process again by using the XDS decoder 18 to det~rmine the XDS of the current t~h~nnel, now the Base Channel once again, and store this in the m~ nl.ll y 22 as the Base Signal. The process con~ ues W O 98/01993 PCTrUS97/12261 from that point as before, storing Testl, Test2, Test3, Resultl, Result2, and Result3 to ~l~t~ P
if the new IR code set is the correct IR code set.
FIG. 3 depicts a Truth Table showing the logical analysis used in the present invention.
In order to det~Prrnine whether the current IR code set is the correct IR code set, all three co.. lAIule (SET CHANNEL - CHANNEL UP - SET CHANNEL) are nPcece~,y. One c~
is in.ellfficiPnt because there are several unknown variables. In particular, some television tuners will respond correctly to the same rh~nn~l up cnmmAn-le, but will not respond to the same set 10 rh~nnPI co""nAI~le When the user sets the channel ofthe tuner 10 to the Base Channel, the local rh~nnPl number for the Base Ch~nnel may be the same as the pre~letennin~d Test Channel. If the result of a single cc,- ~ --- IA~ to set the channel of the tuner 10 to the Test Channel were relied upon, the incorrect IR code set might be selecte.l The channel input by the user, the Base C'h~nnPl might be the same as the Test Ch~nn.ol, giving the illusion that the command to set the 15 çh~nnel ofthe tuner 10 was succçeefill.
In addition, even if the current IR code set is not the correct IR code set, there may be some overlap b~IWGGI1 this hlco.l~.,l IR code set and the video device's correct IR code set. This is because some IR code sets use the same IR code to indicate the signal for "channel up" (the cn.. ~ which il~clel"G-,l~ the rh~nnPI to which the tuner is set by one) and also for "channel 20 down," even though other codes do not co..~olld. As a result, sPn-ling the a "channel up"
signal to the tuner may not be col-cl~ e. The IR code set may not be the correct IR code set for the VCR, but the "channel up" signal may be the same and the channel will be incrPm~nted By using both co.. ~ le, the "set channel" co~ and and the "channel up" co.,.. ~ , a unique and ~leterrnin~1ive result can be achieved.
In the complete logical analysis, there are six possible situations, as shown in FIG. 3.
CASE 1 is where the B~e Channel and the Test Channel are the same and the IR code set is the correct IR code set. CASE 2 is where the B~e Channel and the Test Channel are the same, but the IR code set is illCOIle~il for the video device and none ofthe cc .I....~n~le are filnrtion~l CASE
3 is where the B~e (~h~nnPl and the Test Ch~nnel are the same, the IR code set is inco..~ l, but the "ch~nnPl up" co.. lal-d is still functional. CASE 4 is where the Base Channel and the Test Ch~nnel are ~lirr~l~l.l and the IR code set is the correct IR code set. CASE 5 is where the B~e Ch~nnel and the Test Ch~nnPI are dirr~.el,l, the IR code set is incorrect for the video device and none of the co"...,~ le are functional. CASE 6 is where the B~e Channel and the Test Channel are dirr~l~l.l, the IR code set is incorrect, but the "channel up" command is still functional. By 35 using a series of co~ le the two cases where the IR code set is correct for this video device (CASE 1 and CASE 4) can be deterrninPd After sending the signal to set the tuner 10 to the Test Channel and dete...,i"i.,g the channel of the tuner 10 did not change, it is unknown if the channel did not change because the W O 98/01993 PCTrUS97/12261 IR code set is incorrect or bec~o~e, though the IR code set is correct, the Test Ch~nn~l and the Base Ch~nn~l are the same. If the channel did change after sen~ing the signal to set the channel 5 to the Test Channel, then the analysis is conlplete. The only possibility is that this is CASE 4, where the Base Ch~nnel and the Test Channel are diLr~.e,ll and the IR code set is correct. Now five pos~ibilities remain, CASE 1, CASE 2, CASE 3, CASE 5 and CASE 6. After s~on-ling the "rh~nnP1 up" signal and co...~, ;ng the XDS signal h~rn....~lion to the Base Signal, if the channel was s~-ccçs~fi-lly ch~nged, CASE 2 and CASE 5 are eli.ni~ e~l However, there is no ~ tin~tion 10 between CASE 1, CASE 3 and CASE 6. The final step is to send the signal to set the channel to the Test Ch~nnPI again. If the channel of the tuner 10 is ~uccç~!irlllly set to the Test Channel and the ~h~nn~l of the tuner 10 was previously succe~rully incr~m~ntç~l that is Test2 and the Base Signal were dirr.,.~ .ll and Test3 and the Base Signal were the same, then the current IR code set is the correct set for this video device.
The results of each of these comparisons, Testl to Base Signal, Test2 to Base Signal, Test3 to Base Signal (also stored as Resultl, Result2, Result3), are n~ces~ry, except in CASE
4. In CASE 2 and CASE 5, the çh~nn~l of the tuner 10 will never change because the IR code set is completely il~c~n~ ;ble with the video device. As a result, the co. . ~ , ;son of Testl to the Base Signal will indicate that they are the same and the colll~;son of Test3 to the Base Signal 20 will indicated that they are the same. To distinguish CASE 2 and CASE 5 from CASE 1, the co.~.l.~.. ;~on of Test2 to the Base Signal is nPce~,.. y. In CASE 1, Test2 and the Base Signal are dirr~ le.l-, while in CASE 2 and CASE 5, Test2 and the Base Signal are the same. Similarly, CASE 1, CASE 3, and CASE 6 have the same results from the first two tests (Testl and the Base Signal are the same, Test2 and Base Signal are different). To distinguish CASE 1, a final "set 25 ch~nnel" comm~n~ is necess~y. In CASE 1, the channel will be successfully returned to the Base Channel (Test3 is the same as Base Signal), while in CASE 3 and CASE 6, the channel will not change (so Test3 remains dirr~ t from Base Signal) because the "set rh~nnel" coll~ d does not work. These comr~ ons allow the identification of the correct IR code set.
The embodiment and process described are only one example of how the logical analysis 30 described can be used to determine the correct IR code set. Variations on this embodiment are possible so long as they utilize the same logical analysis of a combination of col . ", .~n~ to isolate the correct IR code set.
Claims (16)
1. A system comprising:
a television tuner for tuning one channel from an input of a plurality of channels comprising a remote control receiver responsive to a set channel command for changing the channel tuned by the tuner to a channel specified in the set channel command and a channel increment command for changing the channel tuned by the tuner to a next channel in order from the channel tuned by the tuner when the channel increment command is received by the remote control receiver; and a tuner controller comprising:
means for detecting the channel tuned by the television tuner when at least a predetermined base channel is tuned by the television tuner;
a remote control transmitter for transmitting set channel commands and channel increment commands to the television tuner; and automated code testing means comprising:
automated transmission means for automatically executing functions in sequence, the functions comprising: (1) transmitting a set channel command for a predetermined channel to the tuner, (2) first function of detecting whether the channel tuned by the television receiver is the base channel, (3) transmitting a channel increment command to the tuner, (4) second function of detecting whether the channel tuned by the television receiver is the base channel, (5) retransmitting the set channel command for the predetermined channel to the tuner, and (6) third function of detecting whether the channel tuned by the television receiver is the base channel.
a television tuner for tuning one channel from an input of a plurality of channels comprising a remote control receiver responsive to a set channel command for changing the channel tuned by the tuner to a channel specified in the set channel command and a channel increment command for changing the channel tuned by the tuner to a next channel in order from the channel tuned by the tuner when the channel increment command is received by the remote control receiver; and a tuner controller comprising:
means for detecting the channel tuned by the television tuner when at least a predetermined base channel is tuned by the television tuner;
a remote control transmitter for transmitting set channel commands and channel increment commands to the television tuner; and automated code testing means comprising:
automated transmission means for automatically executing functions in sequence, the functions comprising: (1) transmitting a set channel command for a predetermined channel to the tuner, (2) first function of detecting whether the channel tuned by the television receiver is the base channel, (3) transmitting a channel increment command to the tuner, (4) second function of detecting whether the channel tuned by the television receiver is the base channel, (5) retransmitting the set channel command for the predetermined channel to the tuner, and (6) third function of detecting whether the channel tuned by the television receiver is the base channel.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the tuner controller further comprises a memory storing a plurality of sets of remote control codes for controlling television tuners and the automated code testing means comprises means for operating the automated transmission means repeatedly for each of a plurality of the plurality of sets of remote control codes stored in the memory,
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the automated code testing means further comprises:
analyzing means comprising:
detecting means for detecting the occurrence of a first condition wherein the first function of detecting does not detect that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner and a second condition wherein the first function of detecting detects that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner, the second function of detecting does not detect that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner and the third function of detecting detects that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner; and halt testing means for ceasing the operation of the automated transmission means when the detecting means detects the occurrence of either the first condition or the second condition.
analyzing means comprising:
detecting means for detecting the occurrence of a first condition wherein the first function of detecting does not detect that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner and a second condition wherein the first function of detecting detects that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner, the second function of detecting does not detect that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner and the third function of detecting detects that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner; and halt testing means for ceasing the operation of the automated transmission means when the detecting means detects the occurrence of either the first condition or the second condition.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the tuner controller further comprises means for storing in the memory an identification of the set of remote control codes used by the automatic transmission means when the halt testing means ceases the operation of the automated transmission means.
5. The system of claims 1-4 wherein the television tuner is comprised in one of the group of:
a cable box, a satellite receiver, a wireless cable box, a television receiver and a video recorder.
a cable box, a satellite receiver, a wireless cable box, a television receiver and a video recorder.
6. The system of claim 1-4 wherein the tuner controller is comprised in one of the group of:
a cable box, a satellite receiver, a wireless cable box, a television receiver, a video recorder and a hand held remote control..
a cable box, a satellite receiver, a wireless cable box, a television receiver, a video recorder and a hand held remote control..
7. The system of claims 1-6 wherein the means for detecting the channel tuned comprises a vertical blanking interval (VBI) decoder.
8. The system of claims 1-6 wherein the means for detecting the channel tuned comprises an Extended Data Service (XDS) decoder.
9. In a system comprising a television tuner for tuning one channel from an input of a plurality of channels comprising a remote control receiver responsive to a set channel command for changing the channel tuned by the tuner to a channel specified in the set channel command and a channel increment command for changing the channel tuned by the tuner to a next channel in order from the channel tuned by the tuner when the channel increment command is received by the remote control receiver; and a tuner controller comprising means for detecting the channel tuned by the television tuner when at least a predetermined base channel is tuned by the television tuner; and a remote control transmitter for transmitting set channel commands and channel increment commands to the television tuner the method comprising the step of:
(a) automatically executing, in sequence, the steps of:
(a1) transmitting a set channel command for a predetermined channel to the tuner, (a2) detecting whether the channel tuned by the television receiver is the base channel, (a3) transmitting a channel increment command to the tuner, (a4) detecting whether the channel tuned by the television receiver is the base channel, (a5) retransmitting the set channel command for the predetermined channel to the tuner, and (a6) detecting whether the channel tuned by the television receiver is the base channel.
(a) automatically executing, in sequence, the steps of:
(a1) transmitting a set channel command for a predetermined channel to the tuner, (a2) detecting whether the channel tuned by the television receiver is the base channel, (a3) transmitting a channel increment command to the tuner, (a4) detecting whether the channel tuned by the television receiver is the base channel, (a5) retransmitting the set channel command for the predetermined channel to the tuner, and (a6) detecting whether the channel tuned by the television receiver is the base channel.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the tuner controller of the system further comprises a memory storing a plurality of sets of remote control codes for controlling television tuners and the method further comprises the step of:
(b) performing the step of automatically executing (a) repeatedly for each of a plurality of the plurality of sets of remote control codes stored in the memory,
(b) performing the step of automatically executing (a) repeatedly for each of a plurality of the plurality of sets of remote control codes stored in the memory,
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of automatically executing further comprises, after the third step (a6) of detecting, the steps of:
(a7) detecting the occurrence of a first condition wherein the first step of detecting (a2) does not detect that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner and a second condition wherein the first step of detecting (a2) detects that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner, the second step of detecting (a4) does not detect that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner and the third step of detecting (a6) detects that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner; and (a8) ceasing the performing of step (b) when the occurrence of either the first condition or the second condition is detected in step (a7).
(a7) detecting the occurrence of a first condition wherein the first step of detecting (a2) does not detect that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner and a second condition wherein the first step of detecting (a2) detects that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner, the second step of detecting (a4) does not detect that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner and the third step of detecting (a6) detects that the base channel is tuned by the television tuner; and (a8) ceasing the performing of step (b) when the occurrence of either the first condition or the second condition is detected in step (a7).
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of storing, in the memory, an identification of the set of remote control codes used in step (a) when the performance of step (b) is ceased.
13. The method of claims 9-12 wherein the television tuner is comprised in one of the group of: a cable box, a satellite receiver, a wireless cable box, a television receiver and a video recorder.
14. The system of claim 9-12 wherein the tuner controller is comprised in one of the group of: a cable box, a satellite receiver, a wireless cable box, a television receiver, a video recorder and a handheld remote control..
15. The system of claims 9-14 wherein the means for detecting the channel tuned comprises a vertical blanking interval (VBI) decoder.
16. The system of claims 9-14 wherein the means for detecting the channel tuned comprises an Extended Data Service (XDS) decoder.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US2271996P | 1996-07-09 | 1996-07-09 | |
| US60/022,719 | 1996-07-09 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2260249A1 true CA2260249A1 (en) | 1998-01-15 |
Family
ID=21811083
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002260249A Abandoned CA2260249A1 (en) | 1996-07-09 | 1997-07-09 | Alternative method of automatic cable box set |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0910919A4 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN1123213C (en) |
| AU (1) | AU3727497A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2260249A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998001993A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19829022A1 (en) * | 1998-06-30 | 2000-01-05 | Thomson Brandt Gmbh | Method for driving a satellite receiver |
| JP3515079B2 (en) * | 2001-03-06 | 2004-04-05 | 松下電器産業株式会社 | Communication terminal accommodation device |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5373330A (en) * | 1993-01-19 | 1994-12-13 | Smart Vcr Limited Partnership | Remote-controlled VCR using an associated TV for audible feedback |
| US5365282A (en) * | 1993-01-19 | 1994-11-15 | Smart Vcr Limited Partnership | Television system module with remote control code determination |
| US5734786A (en) * | 1993-10-20 | 1998-03-31 | E Guide, Inc. | Apparatus and methods for deriving a television guide from audio signals |
| JP3965462B2 (en) * | 1995-06-07 | 2007-08-29 | スターサイト・テレキャスト・インコーポレーテッド | Television system with downloadable software update information |
-
1997
- 1997-07-09 WO PCT/US1997/012261 patent/WO1998001993A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-07-09 CN CN97197189A patent/CN1123213C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-07-09 EP EP97934149A patent/EP0910919A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-07-09 AU AU37274/97A patent/AU3727497A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-07-09 CA CA002260249A patent/CA2260249A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CN1123213C (en) | 2003-10-01 |
| WO1998001993A1 (en) | 1998-01-15 |
| CN1227692A (en) | 1999-09-01 |
| EP0910919A1 (en) | 1999-04-28 |
| AU3727497A (en) | 1998-02-02 |
| EP0910919A4 (en) | 1999-06-23 |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
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Effective date: 20050711 |