FR3120468A1 - Method for managing the configuration of a remote control. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for configuring a remote control comprising several functions and able to memorize several key codes for the same function, the key codes being able to be sent to a first terminal (STB) and to a second terminal (TV) respectively, through a first communication link (LI1) and a second communication link (LI2), respectively, the terminals being interconnected via a communication link, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: A step for obtaining an identifier associated with the second terminal; A step of searching, in a database, for the existence of the identifier of the second terminal, if so, a step of obtaining a key code and data representative of the associated function; A step of transmission to the remote control of the key code obtained and of the data representative of the function associated with the key code. Figure 1.

Description

Method for managing the configuration of a remote control.

The invention relates to a method for managing the configuration of a remote control.

The invention relates to systems including several terminals controlled by a control device. In the example which will serve to illustrate the invention, the terminals will be a reading terminal and a restitution terminal linked together by a communication link.

A reading terminal is aimed, for example, at a digital television decoder, a game console, etc.

A rendering terminal targets terminals capable of rendering audio and/or video content. A restitution terminal is for example a television.

The reading terminal and the restitution terminal are capable of being controlled by the same control device. In our example, this control device is a remote control. A remote control can be a physical and/or software resource.

The communication link referred to above is arbitrary. This link can be wired or non-wired. It will be seen below that, in the example embodiment, the link chosen to illustrate the invention is a wired link of the HDMI type.

State of the art

Most playback terminals are connected to the television via a communication link, the most used of which today is the HDMI link (Anglo-Saxon acronym for “High-Definition Multimedia Interface”). The reading terminal generally uses this HDMI link, more particularly the HDMI CEC protocol (Anglo-Saxon acronym for "Consumer Electronics Control") known to those skilled in the art to control the TV playback device (standby, volume management , …). This HDMI CEC protocol is conveyed by one of the pins of the HDMI connector and allows, when several devices connected to each other are compatible with this protocol, to implement communication between them. Thus, by pressing a button on the remote control, for example the 'ON' button, this can trigger the switching on of the reading terminal and the transmission of an ignition command by the reading terminal to the playback device via the HDMI connection.

A problem is that the use of this protocol requires compatibility but also configuration / activation of the HDMI CEC function on both the playback terminal and the restitution terminal.

There is another solution for controlling two terminals with the same remote control. Indeed, some remote controls are equipped with several communication modules, namely, for example, a Bluetooth module to control a first terminal and an Infrared mode to control a second terminal via an infrared link. This hybrid mode of operation is very efficient because it makes it possible, with a single remote control, to be compatible not only with playback terminals equipped with the HDMI CEC function but also with all the infrared terminals that are very widespread today. The big problem with this type of remote control is that the user must manually configure his remote control to make it compatible in infrared with his television. For example, configuring a sleep command requires trying all possible infrared sleep key codes; this configuration operation must be carried out for each infrared command to be configured, for example the volume management command.

The Invention

To this end, the invention relates to a method for configuring a remote control comprising several functions and able to memorize several key codes for the same function, the key codes being able to be transmitted to a first terminal and a second terminal respectively, through a first communication link and a second communication link, respectively, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

A step of obtaining an identifier associated with the second terminal;

A step of searching, in a database, for the existence of the identifier of the second terminal, if so, a step of obtaining a key code and data representative of the associated function;

A step of transmission to the remote control of the key code obtained and of the data representative of the function associated with the key code.

The management entity, ideally placed in the first terminal as will be seen later in the description, retrieves the identifier of the second terminal to which the first terminal is connected and obtains at least one key code relating to the second terminal. Once recovered, the management entity requires the transmission of the key code and data representative of the function associated with the remote control. The key code can therefore be received and memorized by the remote control. Pressing the relevant key on the remote control then causes the key code to be transmitted to the second terminal.

The method of the invention operates independently of the type of connection between the remote control and the second terminal; the connection can be unidirectional or bidirectional.

According to a first particular mode of implementation of the invention, the key code obtained is received by the first terminal and transmitted to the remote control, during the transmission step, via a communication link established between the first terminal and the remote. This first mode is advantageous because it takes advantage of a communication link already established with the remote control to transmit key codes to the remote control; the link established allows the key code to be transmitted without delay. Ideally, this established communication link corresponds to the first communication link referred to above. As a variant, the target link is a communication link distinct from the first communication link dedicated to the transmission of commands from the remote control to the first terminal.

It should be noted here that a communication link established is a communication link ready to transmit information.

According to a second particular embodiment of the invention, which may be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the previous one, the database and the remote control are able to communicate with each other. In this configuration, during the transmission step, the key code is transmitted from the database to the remote control.

According to a third embodiment of the invention, which may be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the previous ones, when the search step is unsuccessful, a key code configured in the remote control is followed by a transmission of the key code to destination of the database to be stored there in association with the identifier of the second terminal. This third mode is advantageous because it makes it possible to update the database over time with new correspondences between the key code and the function associated in association with the second terminal. This database being accessible by other management modules, the update will benefit these other management modules for the configuration of key codes on other terminals.

According to a fourth embodiment of the invention, which may be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the previous ones, the search step is performed upon receipt of a new identifier associated with a new second terminal. This fourth mode allows adaptability of the configuration of the remote control as soon as a new second terminal connects to the first terminal in addition to or replacing the second terminal.

According to a hardware aspect, the invention relates to an entity for managing the configuration of a remote control comprising several functions and able to memorize several key codes for the same function, the key codes being able to be sent to a first terminal and a second terminal respectively, through a first communication link and a second communication link, respectively, characterized in that it comprises:

A module for obtaining capable of obtaining an identifier associated with the second terminal;

A search module capable of searching, in a database, for the existence of the identifier of the second terminal, if so, a step for obtaining a key code and data representative of the associated function;

A transmission module capable of transmitting, to the remote control, the key code obtained and the data representative of the function associated with the key code.

According to another material aspect, the invention relates to a computer program capable of being implemented in a management entity as defined above, said program comprising code instructions which, when the program is executed, performs the step defined in the process defined above.

According to another material aspect, the invention relates to a recording medium readable by a data processor on which is recorded a program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method defined above.

Details here that the data carrier can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the medium may comprise a storage means, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a microelectronic circuit ROM, or even a magnetic recording means, or a hard disk. On the other hand, the information medium can be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, which can be conveyed via an electrical or optical cable, by radio or by other means. The program according to the invention can in particular be downloaded from an Internet-type network. Alternatively, the information carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is incorporated, the circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the method in question.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given by way of example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

represents a computer system on which is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of the invention in which the first terminal is a digital television encoder and the second terminal is a playback terminal.

is a schematic view of the circuits present in the first terminal.

is a schematic view of the circuits present in the second terminal.

is an algorithm illustrating a sequence of steps implemented according to a possible embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of an embodiment illustrating the invention:

There represents a system SYS comprising a control device, for example a remote control TCD1 capable of controlling two terminals, a first terminal STB and a second terminal TV.

In our example, the first terminal and an STB decoder and the second terminal and a TV reproduction device.

The decoder STB and the TV playback device are capable of being controlled by the same remote control TCD via two respective communication links COM11 and COM12.

The decoder STB communicates with the remote control TCD via a first communication link LI1. In our example, this first communication link is a bidirectional link allowing the STB decoder to transmit messages intended for the remote control and the remote control to transmit commands to the STB decoder to be executed there. The commands referred to include familiar commands found on most remote controls. These commands are, for example, a playback volume increase/decrease command, a standby command for the STB decoder, etc.

The first communication link LI1 is either unidirectional or bidirectional. In our example, the first communication link LI1 is a bidirectional link allowing the decoder STB to transmit messages intended for the remote control and the remote control to transmit commands to the decoder STB to be executed there. The commands referred to include familiar commands found on most remote controls. Alternatively, two separate communications links may be provided, namely an LI1 link for sending commands from the remote control to the STB decoder and a separate communication link from LI1 for message transmission from the STB decoder to the remote control.

In our example, the reading terminal STB is connected via a third communication link LI3 to the TV reproduction device in order to reproduce digital content there. In our example, the rendering device is a TV set, but could very well be a simple screen, a speaker, etc.

The remote control TCD conventionally includes a processor CPU1, a storage module MEM1 for storing data and at least one command element such as command keys (also called key codes) for example located on one side of the remote control; the storage module MEM1 included in the remote control also stores a management entity MNG1 whose function will be described below.

The remote control further comprises a first communication module COM11 and a second communication module COM12 to send commands to the decoder STB and the playback device TV playback device, respectively via a first communication LI1 and a second communication link LI2, respectively.

In our example, the first communication module COM11 is a Bluetooth communication module and the second communication module COM12 is an infrared communication module; the first communication link LI1 is a Bluetooth connection, and the second communication link LI2 is an infrared link.
The infrared module comprises one or more light-emitting diodes for emitting infrared rays intended for the TV reproduction device.

The various components of the remote control, namely the processor, the storage module MEM1, the communication modules COM11/COM12, etc., are interconnected via a data bus (not shown). Remember that a bus has the function of ensuring the transfer of digital data between the various circuits of a computer. In our example, the bus in question includes a data bus and a control bus.

The TCD remote control offers several commands associated with functions known to those skilled in the art such as a sound increase/decrease command, a television channel change command, a standby command, etc. Commands are command codes. Most often, command codes are selectable using physical keys or tactile keys.

The commands are referred to in this text as “key codes”. The key codes can also be accessed via a voice interface; in this configuration, a user transmits information vocally, for example, “increase the sound”; a module present in the remote control interprets the message received and identifies an associated command. The remote control issues the command and the receiving terminal decoder executes the command.

Our example will be based on a remote control with physical buttons.

The TCD remote control referred to here is a remote control capable of controlling several devices. In our example, the remote control is capable of controlling the STB decoder and the TV reproduction device. To do this, in our example, some remote control keys are associated with several key codes. In our example, for the purpose of simplifying the description of the invention, the number of key codes for the same function is two; a single key of the remote control is associated with two key codes CT1 and CT2 associated with the decoder STB and with the rendering device TV rendering device, respectively.

The function associated with this control key, implied by the two key codes associated with the key, is in our example a standby function. In other words, pressing the relevant key causes the key codes CT1 and CT2 to be transmitted to the decoder STB and to the rendering device rendering device rendering device TV to be executed there, respectively.

It should be noted here that we call "key code" any information

• exploitable by a processor, that is to say executable by the processor which executes this code for the realization of the requested function;
• or interpretable by a dedicated entity (not shown in the figures) and transformable, by this entity, into a command usable by a processor.

In our example, the key code used for infrared is a binary code. For example, to put the TV restitution device on standby, the code is “001 0010”. When a user presses a key on the remote control, the LED lights up when the number 1 is selected and does not light up when it is zero. The code reads: off, off, on, off, off, on, off.

More generally, after selecting a key on the remote control, a key code is sent to the device to which the command is directed to be executed there.

The standby command comprising two key codes, the recipient is here formed by the STB decoder and the TV restitution device.

There is a schematic view of part of the electronic components of an STB decoder.

The STB decoder comprises a processor CPU2, a memory MEM2 and communication modules COM21/COM22/COM23. The communication module COM21 allows communication via the first link LI1. The COM22 module allows communication with a network RES to access a server SRV described below. The COM23 module allows communication via the third link LI3.

The decoder STB stores a management entity MNG2 which will be described in more detail below.

In general, the TCD remote control is sold with a terminal, for example an STB decoder. The remote control is preconfigured with the key codes associated with the STB decoder. In other words, the key code(s) stored in the remote control, in particular the CT1 key code, are operational and usable to control the STB decoder without having to configure the remote control. Conversely, the remote control is not configured in conjunction with the third-party device connected to the STB decoder. In our example, the remote control is not configured to control the playback device TV playback device via the second communication link LI2. In our example, a configuration of the TCD remote control requires storing the key code CT2 in the TCD remote control; a memory space is provided in the TCD remote control to store this key code CT2 just like the key code CT1.

With reference to the , the method of the invention consists for the STB decoder in obtaining the IDTV identifier of the TV reproduction device. For this, the restitution device TV restitution device, or another device having knowledge of the IDTV identifier, transmits the IDTV identifier for example following the connection of the decoder STB with the TV restitution device.

Following reception, the STB decoder interrogates a BDD database to recover, if possible, one or more key codes associated with the IDTV identifier.

If the IDTV identifier is stored in the database BDD, the key codes associated with the IDTV identifier are transmitted by the SRV server. According to one embodiment, which will be described below, the server SRV transmits the key codes to the decoder STB. Following receipt of the key codes by the decoder STB, the latter transmits them to the remote control TCD via the first link LI1 established between the decoder STB and the remote control TCD. A manager entity MNG1 of the remote control TCD stores the key code(s) received in association with the respective functions. In our example, the relevant key code CT2 is stored in the remote control in association with the remote control key dedicated to standby.

Note that the location of the BDD database in the SYS system is irrelevant. In our example, the database is stored in a server SRV connected to a communication network RES such as the Internet network.

There is an embodiment illustrating an example of configuration of a key code CT2 relating to the remote control TCD according to an embodiment of the method of the invention. This mode includes several steps described below.

During a step ET1, following the connection of the TV playback device with the STB decoder via the LI3 link, an HDMI link in our example, the management entity MNG2 present in the STB decoder obtains an IDTV identifier associated with the playback device. TV playback. The IDTV identifier is data that identifies, for example, the brand, type, etc., of the TV playback device.

During a step ET2, after obtaining the IDTV identifier, the management entity MNG2 checks whether the IDTV identifier obtained during the first step is stored in a database BDD.

In our example, the database BDD comprises one or even several identifiers IDTV1…IDTVn (“n” is an integer) of playback devices associated with key codes and associated functions, respectively.

At this stage, two cases C1/C2 arise:

A first case C1 in which the IDTV identifier is recorded in the BDD database.

In our example, if the IDTV identifier is recorded in the database BDD, the server SRV transmits, during a step ET3-1, the key code CT2 to the decoder STB.

During a step ET4-1, the decoder STB then receives the key code CT2.

Following receipt of the key code CT2, the management entity MNG2 requests the transmission, during a step ET5-1, of the key code CT2 to the remote control TCD.

During a step ET6-1, the TCD remote control then receives the key code CT2; the management entity MNG1 stored in the remote control TCD requires storage in the memory area of the storage module MEM1 provided for this purpose.

A second case in which the IDTV identifier is not registered in the BDD database.

If the IDTV identifier is not registered in the BDD database, the search for the key code can be done by another method than the one described above. For example, during a step ET3-2, a user has access to the key code thanks to a user guide. The user himself enters the key code CT2. The code entered CT2 is then stored in the TCD remote control in the memory space provided for this purpose.

Once stored, the key code CT2 is transmitted, during a step ET4-2, by the remote control TCD to the database BDD as well as the IDTV identifier of the TV reproduction device and, where appropriate, representative data the function associated with the key code CT2, namely standby in our example.

During a subsequent step ET5-2, the identifier, the key code CT2 and the data representative of the function associated with the key code CT2 are stored in the database BDD. The resulting association between these three parameters becomes accessible by other remote controls requiring a key code configuration according to case 1 described above.

In the two cases C1 and C2 described above, once the key code CT2 has been stored, pressing the standby key results in the transmission of two standby commands; a first CT1 intended for the decoder STB via the first link LI1 and a second CT2 intended for the TV restitution device via the second line LI2. The decoder STB and the TV rendering device execute the received key codes CT1 and CT2, respectively, and both enter a standby state.

In summary, the embodiment example consists of using a database and configuring a remote control using a communication channel already established between the TCD remote control and the STB decoder to transmit one or more key codes to the TCD remote control.

We have seen in the above example that the key code CT2 obtained is received by the first terminal STB and transmitted to the remote control via the first communication link LI1. According to a variant, assuming that the database and the remote control are able to communicate with each other, the key code is transmitted from the database to the remote control.

The database BDD stores identifiers ID1-IDn of rendering devices TV rendering device and for each IDTV identifier, the database BDD provides at least one key code and the associated function.

It should also be specified here that the number of key codes associated with the same key is not limited to two key codes for the same function (implying the same key) but can of course be greater than two. The principle described above applies in the same way for each key code to be configured in the remote control.

Finally, let us point out here that, in this text, the term "module" can correspond either to a software component or to a hardware component or a set of hardware and software components, a software component itself corresponding to one or more programs or computer sub-programs or more generally to any element of a program capable of implementing a function or a set of functions as described for the modules concerned. In the same way, a hardware component corresponds to any element of a hardware (or hardware) assembly capable of implementing a function or a set of functions for the module concerned (integrated circuit, smart card, memory card, etc. .).

Claims (10)

Method for configuring a remote control (TCT) comprising several functions and able to memorize several key codes for the same function, the key codes being able to be sent to a first terminal (STB) and a second terminal ( TV) respectively, through a first communication link (LI1) and a second communication link (LI2), respectively, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
A step of obtaining an identifier (IDTV) associated with the second terminal (TV);
A step of searching, in a database, for the existence of the identifier (IDTV) of the second terminal, if so, a step of obtaining a key code (CT2) and representative data the associated function (VL);
A step of transmission to the remote control of the key code (CT2) obtained and of the data representative of the function associated (VL) with the key code (CT2). Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that the key code obtained is received by the first terminal (STB) and transmitted to the remote control, during the transmission step, via a communication link established between the first terminal and the remote control. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication link established corresponds to the first communication link (LI1) Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that the database and the remote control are able to communicate with each other, and in that, during the transmission step, the key code is transmitted from the database to destination of the remote control. Management method according to claim 1, characterized in that, when the search step is unsuccessful, a key code configured in the remote control is followed by a transmission of the key code to the database to be stored there in association with the identifier (IDTV) of the second TV terminal. Management method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the search step is performed upon receipt of a new identifier associated with a new second terminal. Management entity (MNG1) of the configuration of a remote control comprising several functions and able to memorize several key codes for the same function, the key codes being able to be transmitted to a first terminal (STB) and to a second terminal (TV) respectively, through a first communication link (LI1) and a second communication link (LI2), respectively, characterized in that it comprises:
A module for obtaining capable of obtaining an identifier associated with the second terminal;
A search module capable of searching, in a database, for the existence of the identifier of the second terminal, if so, a step for obtaining a key code and data representative of the associated function;
A transmission module capable of transmitting, to the remote control, the key code obtained and the data representative of the function associated with the key code. Terminal (STB) characterized in that it comprises a management entity (MNG1) as defined in claim 7. A computer program suitable for implementation in a management entity as defined in claim 7, said program comprising code instructions which, when the program is executed, performs the step defined in claim 1. Recording medium readable by a data processor on which is recorded a program comprising program code instructions for the execution of the steps of the method defined in one of Claims 1 to 6.