EP1209642A1 - Videorecorder und Verfahren zu seiner Steuerung - Google Patents

Videorecorder und Verfahren zu seiner Steuerung Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1209642A1
EP1209642A1 EP02001728A EP02001728A EP1209642A1 EP 1209642 A1 EP1209642 A1 EP 1209642A1 EP 02001728 A EP02001728 A EP 02001728A EP 02001728 A EP02001728 A EP 02001728A EP 1209642 A1 EP1209642 A1 EP 1209642A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
signal
data
video recorder
remote control
incoming
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
EP02001728A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP1209642B1 (de
Inventor
Chiew Mun David Chang
Chee Yang Lim
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.)
Technicolor SA
Original Assignee
Thomson Multimedia SA
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 Thomson Multimedia SA filed Critical Thomson Multimedia SA
Publication of EP1209642A1 publication Critical patent/EP1209642A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1209642B1 publication Critical patent/EP1209642B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C23/00—Non-electrical signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems
    • G08C23/04—Non-electrical signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems using light waves, e.g. infrared
    • 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
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
    • G08C2201/20—Binding and programming of remote control devices

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a video recorder and to a process for its control.
  • a remote controller can be realised as learning remote control device, having a learning capability in which a remote-controlled signal can be stored in a memory after such remote-controlled signal has been received and analysed and can be reproduced for transmission on the basis of data stored in the memory.
  • VCR video cassette recorders
  • IR infrared
  • the VCR has to store a vast number of infrared (IR) timing data codes for each individual satellite/cable box. This will take up a lot of memory space on the microcontroller of the VCR. As normally only a particular type of satellite/cable box is used, the remaining unused code results in a waste of memory space. Thus a more efficient way to store just the particular set of IR data for a satellite/cable box is desired. This necessitates a built-in learning remote feature on the VCR.
  • IR infrared
  • the conventional portable learning remote control device on the market normally consists of complicated circuitry to capture the incoming IR signal. As costs play an important role in the profitability of a consumer good, a low-cost design of the built-in learning remote on the VCR is required.
  • German patent application DE 43 08 441 A1 shows a method and a device for remote control, comprising an IR receiver, a microprocessor, a keyboard, a memory, a display, an oscillator and a transmission photo diode.
  • This known learning remote control device is able to learn toggle bits with different frequency ranges. The toggle bits are detected by comparing two sets of data at different times for the same key or command. The meaning of toggle bits is well described in DE 43 08 441 A1. That is why a detailed description in the present application is made just as it is necessary for the understanding of the present invention.
  • the European patent application EP 0 380 371 A2 shows a memory remote control device which comprises a wave shaping circuit for shaping a received remote-controlled signal and for outputting a pulse signal and an envelope signal in the microcomputer capable of converting the remote-controlled signal into data for storage in a memory and of reproducing the remote-controlled signal on the basis of the data stored in the memory.
  • This microcomputer comprises an input port for receiving the received remote-controlled signal, a determining circuit for determining whether or not the received remote-controlled signal is a remote-controlled signal of particular format on the basis of the pulse signal and the envelope signal, a memory capable of converting the remote-controlled signal into data and storing the data in the memory on the basis of the remote-controlled signal input to the input port in the event that the received remote-controlled signal has been the remote-controlled signal of particular format, and a reproducing circuit for reproducing the remote control signal of particular format on the basis of the data stored memory.
  • a learning remote control device comprises a controlling means, a memory means connected to the controlling means, an IR transmission means, and an IR receiving means connected to the controlling means, wherein the learning remote control device further comprises a second IR receiving means.
  • the second IR receiving means is formed by a photo diode circuitry and the first IR receiving means is formed by an IR module.
  • the learning remote control device further comprises a switching means interconnected between the controlling means and the first and second IR receiving means, so that the switching means switches between the first and second IR receiving means with the result that only one IR receiving means is input to the controlling means.
  • the controlling means is formed by a microcontroller.
  • the learning remote control device can be part of television unit, a videocassette recorder (VCR), a GEMSTAR unit or a remote control unit.
  • VCR videocassette recorder
  • GEMSTAR GEMSTAR unit
  • remote control unit a remote control unit
  • the method for learning an IR code according to the invention comprises the following steps:
  • the method starts with step a and ends at step e, wherein the order of the steps b, c and d is changeable.
  • the photo diode circuitry is activated with an appropriate setting of the switching means, so that first the pulse width or carrier period is determined.
  • the switching means is set to the photo diode circuitry when the incoming IR signal is identified as a pulse type and is set to the IR module, when the incoming IR signal is identified as carrier type.
  • the data to be stored in memory are compressed, which saves memory space.
  • timing sets consisting of high and low timing are grouped so that only one set of data will be stored together with a corresponding IR timing data pointer.
  • identical code sets timing sets
  • the invention comprises a user interface for implementing the method according to the invention, wherein the stages of the learning procedure, i.e. steps a - e are depicted on the TV screen.
  • the learning remote control device which could be built-in on a VCR consists of a photo diode circuitry 1, an IR module 2, which is preferably an existing part of the VCR, an IR transmission circuit 3, a microcontroller 4 and a memory 5 like an EEPROM, which is also an existing part of the VCR. Further a remote control unit 7 is shown which sends the coded IR signals.
  • Fig. 2 shows a modification of the first embodiment which further comprises a switching circuity 6, which is interconnected between the microcontroller 4 on the one side and the photo diode circuitry 1 and the IR module 2 on the other side.
  • the switching circuitry 6 switches between the two IR receiving units 1, 2, so that only one of them is input to the microcontroller 4.
  • Fig. 3 shows a method for capturing the carrier frequency of the incoming IR signal.
  • the photo diode circuitry 1 is first activated. If a switching circuit 6 exists, it is set to allow only the signal from the photo diode circuitry 1 to convey the microcontroller 4.
  • the software of the learning remote would determine whether the IR signal is of a pulse or carrier type.
  • the pulse width (if pulse type) or the carrier period (if carrier type) is determined by the software.
  • the method for determining the carrier period is illustrated in Fig. 3.
  • a timer is started, which counts down 250 ⁇ s.
  • a register for example REG W, is incremented in a loop every 8 ⁇ s for a low signal, and another register, say REG A, is incremented every 8 ⁇ s for a high signal.
  • REG B and A are cleared while another register, say REG C, is incremented.
  • REG C is incremented.
  • a timer interrupt is generated.
  • the software probing the high and low signals would determine the length of the pulse width.
  • the software would set the switching circuitry 6 to allow only the IR signal captured by the photo diode circuitry 1 to pass. In the first embodiment this operation is performed by the microcontroller 4 itself.
  • the IR signal codes timings are then stored in the same way as for the carrier type data.
  • a standard remote control IR signal normally consists of mark, space, synonym, followed by 32 bits of data. However, there are remote control codes which have different numbers of data bits. At the moment the longest data stream consists of 44 bits. In order to cater for this long type of data stream, 48 bits of the signal from the remote control unit of the satellite receiver are captured. If this amount of bits is not enough the amount of data can expanded to 64 bits or more. Therefore at the moment altogether 48 sets of high and low signals are captured. This is enough to cover IR signals with an IR code of less than 46 bits. A one second window is used to detect the IR signal which has less than 46 bits and sends data once only.
  • the wait time for the IR signal captured is determined by assuming that the wait time is the longest high timing. The wait time would then be marked as the end of the IR signal set. Data after the wait time would be discarded. The data are then compressed to minimize the memory space used to store the IR codes in the EEPROM 5. Same timing sets, which consist of high and low timing would be grouped so that only one set of data is stored together with a pointer for each set.
  • IR timing data pointer for key "1" has to be stored: 00 01 01 01 00 02, where 00, 01, 02 are pointers pointing to the addresses of the timing data set SET0, SET1 and SET2, respectively. With these pointers and the compressed data sets it is possible to restore the original data stream.
  • the above data are then stored into the EEPROM 5.
  • the user can press another key on his remote control unit 7 for the learning remote to learn. The whole procedure will be repeated.
  • toggle bit the user is required to press a specific key for three times. The three sets of compressed pointer data would then be compared. If data toggle at a particular location throughout the three set of data has occurred, then the toggle bits can be detected. After all the key on the user remote control unit has been learnt, the stored IR codes could be retrieved from the EEPROM and be sent out through the transmission circuitry.
  • the major advantage of this design is that it is low in cost, because it makes use of the already existing IR module on the VCR, which saves a lot of costs if an external circuitry for the same function has to be built.
  • the Figs. 4a to 4e show the user interface for built-in learning remote on a VCR, for example.
  • the built-in learning remote on the VCR provides an on-screen user interface, i.e. the TV screen is used.
  • This is a different concept from the conventional portable learning remotes, wherein only LEDs or LCD displays are used, which is a hassle for the user.
  • the suggested stages of the learning procedure are given as follows:
  • the digit "1" on the television screen would flash, prompting the user to press the digit "1" key on his remote controller 7.
  • the digit "1” would stop flashing and a wording "Decoding " appear at the bottom of the screen as shown in Fig. 3b.
  • the software would determine the carriers' period (if carrier type) or pulse width (if pulse type).
  • This stage requires the user to press digit "1" on his remote controller 7 three times or more.
  • the first set of digit "1" data is compared with the second set of digit "1" data to check whether any bit toggled. If more than two bits were different, the data acquired was assumed to be erroneous, thus would be discarded. The first and second set of data would then be recaptured. If the two sets of data are two bits or less different then the third set would be used to confirm the toggle bits location and timing data. If any error found in the third set (e.g. toggle bit location does not tally) then the whole procedure of stage two is repeated.
  • the screen display for capturing digit "1" signal is same as stage 1.
  • IR signals have special format, some of which are listed below:
  • Stage 4 is used to learn the special format. Each key would flash on the screen to prompt the user to press the key. If that particular key does not exist on the user RCU, the user could skip by pressing the digit "1" on the RCU. After a key code is captured or skipped, that particular key would stop flashing on the screen. The next subsequent key starts to flash and capturing of code for the key started.
  • This stage allows user to test whether the codes were learnt correctly.
  • the user would select two digits of which he would like to test using the VCR RCU.
  • the software would then retrieve the data codes stored and transmit them through the transmission circuitry 7 (Fig. 1).

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
EP02001728A 1995-09-15 1996-08-27 Verfahren zur Steuerung eines Videorecorders Expired - Lifetime EP1209642B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9518966 1995-09-15
GB9518966A GB2305276A (en) 1995-09-15 1995-09-15 Learning remote control IR codes
EP96401833A EP0763806A1 (de) 1995-09-15 1996-08-27 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Lernen eines Infrarotkodes

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96401833A Division EP0763806A1 (de) 1995-09-15 1996-08-27 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Lernen eines Infrarotkodes

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1209642A1 true EP1209642A1 (de) 2002-05-29
EP1209642B1 EP1209642B1 (de) 2004-07-14

Family

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Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96401833A Ceased EP0763806A1 (de) 1995-09-15 1996-08-27 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Lernen eines Infrarotkodes
EP02001728A Expired - Lifetime EP1209642B1 (de) 1995-09-15 1996-08-27 Verfahren zur Steuerung eines Videorecorders

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96401833A Ceased EP0763806A1 (de) 1995-09-15 1996-08-27 Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Lernen eines Infrarotkodes

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (2) EP0763806A1 (de)
JP (1) JPH09139987A (de)
DE (1) DE69632930T2 (de)
GB (1) GB2305276A (de)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004045689A1 (de) * 2004-09-21 2006-03-30 Hans Seitz Fernbedienung

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6137421A (en) * 1997-11-12 2000-10-24 Prince Corporation Method and apparatus for storing a data encoded signal
US7579961B2 (en) * 2003-09-26 2009-08-25 Openpeak Inc. Device control system, method, and apparatus
KR100631523B1 (ko) * 2005-03-30 2006-10-04 야무솔루션스(주) 통합 리모트 콘트롤러의 데이터 처리장치 및 이를 이용한리모트 콘트롤러 데이터 처리 방법
DE102005024204A1 (de) * 2005-05-25 2006-11-30 Vishay Semiconductor Gmbh Infrarotfernsteuersignal-Verarbeitungsschaltung
CN101452643B (zh) * 2007-11-30 2010-12-08 无锡华润矽科微电子有限公司 一种学习型红外遥控器
CN103761860B (zh) * 2014-02-20 2016-06-08 广州物联家信息科技股份有限公司 一种基于Home-IOT的红外自适应学习的方法及系统
CN104318755A (zh) * 2014-10-17 2015-01-28 深圳市同洲电子股份有限公司 一种自动化测试装置及方法
CN104574931A (zh) * 2015-01-04 2015-04-29 中兴通讯股份有限公司 红外遥控电路、方法和终端
CN109410558B (zh) * 2018-06-20 2023-12-12 深圳市宏芯达科技有限公司 一种红外码智能压缩芯片

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0320067A2 (de) * 1987-12-09 1989-06-14 Philips Electronics North America Corporation Rekonfigurierbare Fernsteuervorrichtung
EP0380371A2 (de) * 1989-01-27 1990-08-01 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Fernsteuervorrichtung mit Speicher
DE4308441A1 (de) * 1993-03-17 1994-09-22 Thomson Brandt Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Fernbedienung
US5365282A (en) * 1993-01-19 1994-11-15 Smart Vcr Limited Partnership Television system module with remote control code determination
US5438325A (en) * 1993-07-09 1995-08-01 Sony Corporation Remote controller apparatus and an audio-video combination system using the same

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4626848A (en) * 1984-05-15 1986-12-02 General Electric Company Programmable functions for reconfigurable remote control
US5142398A (en) * 1989-07-11 1992-08-25 Tandy Corporation Timer system for learning and replaying of infrared signals

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0320067A2 (de) * 1987-12-09 1989-06-14 Philips Electronics North America Corporation Rekonfigurierbare Fernsteuervorrichtung
EP0380371A2 (de) * 1989-01-27 1990-08-01 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Fernsteuervorrichtung mit Speicher
US5365282A (en) * 1993-01-19 1994-11-15 Smart Vcr Limited Partnership Television system module with remote control code determination
DE4308441A1 (de) * 1993-03-17 1994-09-22 Thomson Brandt Gmbh Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Fernbedienung
US5438325A (en) * 1993-07-09 1995-08-01 Sony Corporation Remote controller apparatus and an audio-video combination system using the same

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004045689A1 (de) * 2004-09-21 2006-03-30 Hans Seitz Fernbedienung

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE69632930T2 (de) 2005-01-05
DE69632930D1 (de) 2004-08-19
EP1209642B1 (de) 2004-07-14
JPH09139987A (ja) 1997-05-27
EP0763806A1 (de) 1997-03-19
GB9518966D0 (en) 1995-11-15
GB2305276A (en) 1997-04-02

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