EP1295272A2 - Dispositif modulaire de commande a distance - Google Patents

Dispositif modulaire de commande a distance

Info

Publication number
EP1295272A2
EP1295272A2 EP01949340A EP01949340A EP1295272A2 EP 1295272 A2 EP1295272 A2 EP 1295272A2 EP 01949340 A EP01949340 A EP 01949340A EP 01949340 A EP01949340 A EP 01949340A EP 1295272 A2 EP1295272 A2 EP 1295272A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
remote
combination
user
equipment
remote control
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP01949340A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Jan Van Ee
Maurice J. M. Cuijpers
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.)
Koninklijke Philips NV
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
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 Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV filed Critical Koninklijke Philips Electronics NV
Publication of EP1295272A2 publication Critical patent/EP1295272A2/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q9/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
    • 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
    • G08C17/00—Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
    • G08C17/02—Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
    • 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
    • G08C2201/21—Programming remote control devices via third means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
    • G08C2201/30—User interface
    • G08C2201/33—Remote control using macros, scripts
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
    • G08C2201/40—Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
    • G08C2201/90—Additional features
    • G08C2201/92—Universal remote control

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of remote control devices, also known as “remotes", and, in particular, to remotes that comprise a graphical user interface (GUI) with a touch screen.
  • remote control devices also known as “remotes”
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • remote or "remote control device” as used herein refers to a device that enables a user to control another device through wireless communication.
  • a known universal, programmable remote with a touch screen is the PRONTO TM by Philips Electronics, introduced into the market in September of 1998. More information about the PRONTO TM is available at the website http://www.pronto.philips.com.
  • a touch screen and a battery pack make such full-fledged remote rather large and heavy. Channel surfing with such a remote may be experienced as not as convenient as with a more traditional and lean remote. It is an object of the invention to provide an ergonomic solution while retaining the advantages of universal programmable remotes such as the Pronto TM .
  • the invention provides therefore a combination of a first remote control device for enabling a user to directly control the equipment, and a second remote control device for enabling the user to control the equipment via the first remote control device.
  • the second remote may be in the form of a detachable module or detachable keys or buttons for the first remote.
  • the first remote is user programmable. Further objects and advantages will be apparent in the following.
  • FIG. 1 - 3 are diagrams illustrating embodiments of a combination remote according to the invention.
  • like reference numerals indicate similar or corresponding features.
  • Fig. 1 is a diagram of a combination 101 in the invention.
  • Combination 101 comprises a first remote 102 and a second remote 106, here drawn as separate entities for clarification.
  • Combination 101 preferably functions as a universal and programmable remote such as the Pronto TM for control of CE equipment 112 when the user interacts with combination 101.
  • Equipment 112 comprises in this example, consumer electronics equipment, such as a television set, an audio system, a VCR, a home entertainment system, a hard-disk drive (HDD) digital recorder, etc.
  • Other types of equipment e.g., a PC, can be adapted to be remotely controlled by remotes 102 and 106 as well.
  • First remote 102 communicates directly with CE equipment 112 via a wireless connection 104.
  • Wireless connection 104 is of any suitable type, such as RF (radio frequency) or IR (infrared). Since CE equipment typically requires an IR input for remote control, connection 104 is preferably IR, with optional features for an additional RF connection. Optionally, an RF to IR conversion unit (not shown) is used, if connection 104 is only an RF and equipment 112 is IR controllable. Such a unit would preferably include IR shooters wired into place near any IR receivers of devices to be controlled. Alternatively, the conversion unit could use a powerful IR blaster placed somewhere near equipment 112. Second remote 106 enables the user to control equipment 112 indirectly via first remote 102 as is discussed in further detail below. First remote 102 comprises a display 103 with a touch sensitive LCD screen.
  • Display 103 is suitable for graphical display of a menu with control options or other user interface elements according to what is necessary for control of, e.g., equipment 112.
  • First remote 102 is preferably user-programmable, and includes macro-editing capabilities and dedicated data processing components. Connection 104 may be used, in addition to supplying commands to control equipment 112, for receiving information.
  • remote 102 may receive programming information from a processing device (e.g., a PC or modem, not shown) rather than being manually programmed by the user.
  • the programmability of the first remote 102 may, among other things, a) allow combination 101 to deal with more than one type of equipment, including equipment or functionalities not presently known; or b) allow modification of some functioning of combination 101 itself, such as a user interface function.
  • the second remote 106 comprises a number of hard buttons or hard keys, such as buttons 107.
  • the second remote 106 is preferably of a relatively simple sort.
  • Remote 106 has hard keys 107 for providing fixed control signals to be interpreted via processing capabilities local to the first remote 102.
  • the second remote 106 may communicate with the first remote 102 wirelessly at 105, for instance by RF or IR connection.
  • the connection 104 is, e.g., IR while the connection 105 is RF, or both connections 104 and 105 are IR but use functionally different frequency bands.
  • the second remote 106 is preferably detachably mounted to the first remote 102. Communication between remotes 106 and 105 when physically connected can use the wireless connection 105 or a galvanic connection bypassing the wireless part of the signal path of connection 105. The latter is achieved through proper mounting slots and plugs.
  • Remotes 102 and 106 can each be thought of as a separate remote. Functional options for the combination 101 are divided between those displayed on the screen 103 and those specified by the buttons 107. Preferably, the most commonly used functional options are assigned to the hard buttons 107. For instance, for control of a television receiver, the buttons 107 preferably include volume up, volume down, mute, channel up, and channel down. Since the first remote 102 is programmable, keys 107 can be assigned any function by changing the mapping within the unit 102 as the latter functions as a programmable interface between equipment 112 and second remote 106. This function assignment can by dynamic in the sense that changes in remote 102 can change the mapping. For example, changing remote 102 from "TV mode" to "CD mode” can change mapping of the volume up and volume down buttons 107 of remote 106 to either the TV volume up/down or the CD-player's volume up/down codes.
  • Fig. 2 is a diagram of an embodiment of the combination 101 in which the second remote 106 is detachably, physically mounted on top of the first remote 102.
  • a functional connection between remotes 102 and 106 uses wireless connection 105, or, alternatively, yields a galvanic connection between remotes 102 and 106 using, e.g., complementary electrically conductive parts 202 and 204 located in remotes 102 and 106.
  • the mechanical connection triggers remote 102 to change, e.g., the representation of a graphical user interface on screen 103, e.g., to avoid the control options of hard buttons 107 of remote 106 being duplicated by the options graphically represented at touch screen 103.
  • the remotes 102 and 106 can function together in a fashion similar to the known PRONTO's. However, the user can detach part 106 and zap through the TV channels manipulating only remote 106 while leaving remote 102 on the table.
  • Figs.3 and 4 illustrate a specific manner of mechanically coupling remotes 102 and 106.
  • the mechanical connection between remotes 102 and 106 can be obtained in a variety of ways.
  • remote 106 slides into place guides by suitably profiled rails or channels in an upper surface of remote 102, or gets locked in place through an elastic snap fitting and one or more spring-loaded metal balls that fit in a recess at the surface of remote 102.
  • parts 202 and 204 can include the metal balls to establish an electric connection between remotes 102 and 106 when remote 106 is locked and kept in place, thus providing a wired signal path from remote 106 to remote 102 for control of equipment via remote 102. More specifically, Figs.
  • FIG. 3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of combination 101, wherein an upper face 302 of remote 102 accommodates touch screen 103 and has a profiled recess 304.
  • the shape of recess 304 matches the shape of a sliding shoe 306 on the bottom of remote 106.
  • Sliding shoe 306 is longitudinally fixed when a spring-loaded metal ball 308 snaps into a hole 310 in recess 304.
  • the spring-loaded ball cooperate with hole 310 to enable easy disassembly of configuration 101 by pulling remotes 102 and 106 apart.
  • shoe 306 is accommodated on upper surface 302 of remote 102, and recess 304 is formed on the back of remote 106.
  • Shoe 306 and recess 304 preferably have suitable ergonomic shapes, e.g., with rounded corners, to facilitate handling the remotes 102 and 106 in operational use.
  • the remote 102 of the combination 101 in the invention can be equipped with a larger screen than known remotes, because the second remote 106 remains small and can be easily used in a handheld fashion, while leaving the remote 102 with the larger screen on a table, for instance for channel surfing.

Abstract

L'invention concerne la commande de l'équipement électronique d'un consommateur au moyen d'une première et d'une seconde télécommande. La première télécommande peut commander l'équipement de manière directe, la seconde télécommande peut commander l'équipement par l'intermédiaire de la première télécommande. La seconde télécommande se présente sous la forme d'un module que l'on peut séparer de la première télécommande.
EP01949340A 2000-06-09 2001-05-15 Dispositif modulaire de commande a distance Withdrawn EP1295272A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US59055600A 2000-06-09 2000-06-09
US590556 2000-06-09
PCT/EP2001/005576 WO2001095283A2 (fr) 2000-06-09 2001-05-15 Dispositif modulaire de commande a distance

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1295272A2 true EP1295272A2 (fr) 2003-03-26

Family

ID=24362701

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP01949340A Withdrawn EP1295272A2 (fr) 2000-06-09 2001-05-15 Dispositif modulaire de commande a distance

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1295272A2 (fr)
JP (1) JP2003536305A (fr)
KR (1) KR20020019607A (fr)
TW (1) TW508968B (fr)
WO (1) WO2001095283A2 (fr)

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6724339B2 (en) 2001-03-14 2004-04-20 Universal Electronics Inc. System and method for controlling home appliances
KR20040057914A (ko) * 2002-12-23 2004-07-02 한국전자통신연구원 제어 프로토콜 변환 장치 및 그 방법
US8054854B2 (en) * 2004-08-26 2011-11-08 Sony Corporation Network remote control
EP1789939A1 (fr) * 2004-09-01 2007-05-30 Wilfried Beck Dispositif et procede pour utiliser des appareils menagers reglables et regulables au moyen d'une telecommande a plusieurs parties
KR100630103B1 (ko) 2005-05-24 2006-09-27 삼성전자주식회사 통합 리모트컨트롤 시스템
FR2897186B1 (fr) * 2006-02-06 2008-05-09 Somfy Sas Procede de communication par relais entre une telecommande nomade et des equipements domotiques.
JP5151644B2 (ja) * 2008-04-16 2013-02-27 ソニー株式会社 リモートコントロールシステム及びリモートコントロール信号処理方法
DE102011053341B4 (de) * 2011-09-07 2014-05-15 Insta Elektro Gmbh Elektrisches/elektronisches Gerät
KR20130037801A (ko) * 2011-10-07 2013-04-17 삼성전자주식회사 원격제어장치, 원격제어방법 및 디스플레이장치
TWI543119B (zh) 2012-01-06 2016-07-21 晨星半導體股份有限公司 具雙電源供應單元的遙控器
US9741242B2 (en) * 2015-02-18 2017-08-22 Jinrong Yang Handheld terminal with integrated wireless appliance control
CN109219794B (zh) * 2016-06-10 2021-05-28 三菱电机株式会社 操作装置

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JPS6284696A (ja) * 1985-10-09 1987-04-18 Haru Kenkyusho:Kk 複数機器操作用赤外線遠隔制御装置
JPS62109587A (ja) * 1985-11-08 1987-05-20 マツクスデザイン株式会社 積み木の製造方法及び積み木
JPH07110046B2 (ja) * 1986-09-10 1995-11-22 ソニー株式会社 リモ−トコマンダ−
JPH0716268B2 (ja) * 1989-04-07 1995-02-22 松下電器産業株式会社 リモコン装置
US5005084A (en) * 1989-12-19 1991-04-02 North American Philips Corporation Remote control television system using supplementary unit for simplified personalized control
US5281970A (en) * 1990-07-05 1994-01-25 Blaese Herbert R Device for accentuating the range of hand-held remote control transmitters
JP3128141B2 (ja) * 1991-03-19 2001-01-29 パイオニア株式会社 システムコントローラ
JPH066875A (ja) * 1992-06-17 1994-01-14 Canon Inc リモコン送信装置およびリモコン受信装置
JPH09130879A (ja) * 1995-10-31 1997-05-16 Sharp Corp 電子機器のリモコン
US6208384B1 (en) * 1996-07-11 2001-03-27 Douglas G. Brown Methods and systems for providing information to a television using a personal computer
US6130625A (en) * 1997-01-24 2000-10-10 Chambord Technologies, Inc. Universal remote control with incoming signal identification

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO0195283A2 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
TW508968B (en) 2002-11-01
KR20020019607A (ko) 2002-03-12
JP2003536305A (ja) 2003-12-02
WO2001095283A2 (fr) 2001-12-13
WO2001095283A3 (fr) 2002-04-11

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