KR20030004445A - Method and apparatus for remote control transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

The remote controller is operative to transmit a remote control signal consisting of the first portion and the second portion. The first and second portions are typically pulses and spaces. The pulse has a pulse width that is a given duration within the pulse width interval, while the space has a space width that is a given duration within the space width interval. When the space portion requires a larger space width than the space width interval, the interrupt signal provided to indicate the end of the remote control signal transmission is disabled. The interrupt signal informing the end of the remote control transmission is then disabled for a predetermined time period in which additional space generally corresponds to the length of time over which the space width is exceeded. During a predetermined time period, the remote controller thus transmits space. The interrupt signal is then re-enabled after the predetermined time period ends to allow another remote control transmission.

Description

Remote control transmission method and apparatus {METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE CONTROL TRANSMISSION}

In modern consumer devices, such as television receivers, set-top boxes (eg, cable boxes, satellite receivers, stereos, etc.) (collectively, consumer electronic devices), many functions and / or characteristics are accessed through remote control devices. And / or controlled. The remote control device may be operated by the user as in the case of a hand-held remote controller or may be operated by the device as in the case of a "relay" type remote controller. In both cases, the remote controller generates and transmits (remotely) a remote control signal, which is received by the receiving electronic device. The control signal is encoded / coded in a manner appropriate to the receiving device. The receiving device receives the encoded / coded control signal and performs the requested command.

The remote controller will use various wireless transmission media to transmit, ie, transmit the generated control signal from the remote controller to the receiving electronic device. Some types of remote controllers use infrared (IR) light or radiation bursts as a medium / vehicle for transmission of encoded signals, which signals are received by an appropriate receiving device associated with the consumer electronics device. . The consumer electronic device may include a microprocessor for performing many receiver functions in addition to decoding the received IR coded command signal and generating an appropriate control signal in response thereto. An IR-encoded command signal generally consists of a binary data stream of a given word length, where it is represented by binary one if there is an infrared energy burst and binary zero if there is no infrared energy.

IR transmission from a remote controller typically consists of a series of pulses (high voltage / binary 1) and space (low voltage / binary 0) that are of variable length. Different combinations of pulses and spaces are used to generate unique IR codes. Each unique IR code represents a different key on the remote control. The consumer electronics device may or may not use the same code for the same or similar characteristics. Thus, a remote controller for one electronic device does not necessarily have to work with another electronic device.

Typical remote controllers include an integrated circuit (IC) and more particularly a transmitter circuit that may be part of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). For typical transmissions using IR circuits, the pulse length and space length are specified separately in separate registers. When a key on the remote controller is activated, the register is loaded with a pulse / space combination. When an IR sequence is being transmitted, an interrupt is generated at the end of each pulse-space combination. On interrupt, the next pulse-space sequence, or combination, is loaded from the user's register into the transmit register. It is then safe for the remote control to reload the user pulse and space registers, so that these registers are set up for the next pulse-space combination, which combination is loaded at the next interrupt.

The problem with a typical remote control circuit operating in the above manner is that the IR transmitter only has a minimum of 10 microseconds and a maximum of 10 milliseconds in 10 microsecond increments for each pulse and space. It has a range of seconds (10 ms). However, some IR formats require more space and pulse time than 10 milliseconds. Since the minimum space or pulse time is 10 microseconds instead of just zero, the space or pulse need not be concatenated to obtain a space or pulse greater than 10 milliseconds, respectively.

It was determined that pulses larger than 10 milliseconds without causing problems for the receiving device could be provided by two pulses with one 10 microsecond space in between. In particular, as an example, a drop of 10 microseconds in a 10 millisecond pulse is less than one period (for a 56 KHz carrier, the period is 17 Hz). However, it has been determined that providing only 10 microsecond pulses between the two spaces causes identification problems for the remote control transmitting receiver.

Accordingly, it is desirable to have a remote controller that operates to provide pulse and / or space remote control transmissions that exceed the maximum pulse and / or space duration.

Thus, it is also desirable to have a method of transmitting a remote control signal when a pulse and / or space exceeds a maximum pulse and / or space duration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to remote control for electronic devices, and more particularly to remote control transmission.

1 illustrates an exemplary system implementing the present invention.

2 is a simplified functional block diagram of the system of FIG.

3 illustrates another exemplary system implementing the present invention.

4 is a simplified functional block diagram of the system of FIG.

5 is an exemplary remote control signal format graph.

6A to 6 are timing diagrams for various remote control signals in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

7 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the invention.

8 is a block diagram of a particular embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a flow chart showing a brief overview of the manner of operation of the invention.

10 is a flow diagram illustrating an operation scheme illustrating in more detail an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention is a remote controller and associated method for providing remote control transmission. In particular, the present invention is a remote controller and associated method for providing extended remote control transmission. More specifically, the present invention is a remote controller and associated method for extending the operating range of pulse / space combination type remote control transmission.

In one form, the invention is a remote controller that includes a first circuit and a timer circuit. The first circuit operates to generate a transmission that includes the first and second portions. The first portion has a duration within the first time interval. The second portion is of duration in the second time interval. Further, the first circuit operates to generate a signal indicative of the end of the first and second partial transmissions. The timer circuit is in communication with the first circuit and is operative to cause the first circuit signal to be inactive when the time length of the second portion exceeds the second time interval. The timer circuit further operates to generate a replacement signal for the first circuit signal after the time length of the second portion ends.

In another aspect, the present invention is a method for generating a remote control transmission. The method includes (a) generating a remote control transmission comprising a first portion having a duration within a first time interval and a second portion having a duration within a second time interval; (b) generating a signal indicative of the end of the first and second partial transmissions; (c) inactivating the signal indicative of the end of the transmission when the time length of the second portion exceeds the second time interval; Generating a replacement signal for the signal indicative of the end of the transmission after the length of time of the second portion ends.

In another aspect, the invention is a method of extending a remote control transmission exceeding a space width section of a remote controller, the remote controller having an integrated circuit operative to generate a remote control transmission comprising pulses and spaces, The pulse has a pulse width in a pulse width section, the space has a space width in a space width section, and the integrated circuit further operates to generate a signal indicative of the end of the transmission. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing an integrated circuit to the integrated circuit after transmitting the remote control transmission, the interrupt signal operative to temporarily disable the generation of another remote control transmission; (b) providing a time interval equal to the amount of time the space exceeds a space width interval, the time interval corresponding to one space; (c) enabling generation of another remote control transmission after the time interval expires.

By referring to the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the foregoing and other features and advantages of the present invention and ways of obtaining them will become more apparent and the present invention will be better understood.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The examples presented herein illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, an exemplary electronic system, generally designated 10, is shown where the present invention may be implemented. Electronic system 10 includes electronic device 12 and remote controller 14. Electronic device 12 represents any type of electronic device and more particularly any type of consumer electronic device. The consumer electronic device may be a television, a television signal receiving device, a VCR, a DVD, or the like. The remote controller 14 is a typical hand-held that operates to generate and transmit a transmission or control signal indicative of the action that the electronic device 12 performs in response to the operation of the button or key 16 of the remote controller 14. Represents a remote controller.

Transmission of the remote control signal is preferably accomplished wirelessly and may take any form such as radio frequency signals, infrared (IR) light emission, and the like. The remote control signal may take any form, but is preferably a coded signal in a predefined or predetermined format. The electronic device 12 is operative to receive and decode remote control signals. Once decoded, the electronic device 12 is operative to perform specific instructions for the remote control signal.

The remote controller 14 includes a plurality of buttons or keys 16 that allow a user to control at least some of the functions / features of the electronic device 12. Activate or press button 16 to cause remote controller 14 to generate and transmit a transmission corresponding to the pressed button. The button is associated with and initiates the function / characteristic of the electronic device 12. Each button is associated with a unique signal received and interpreted by the electronic device 12. When the electronic device 12 receives a unique signal, the unique signal is correlated with the proper characteristic / function and / or operation.

2, a simplified functional block diagram of the electronic system 10 is shown. The electronic device 12 includes processing units, circuits and / or logic 18, a remote control signal receiver 20 and various various circuits / logics / components 22. The processing unit 18 provides the main processing for the electronic device 12. Receiver 20 provides for receiving remote control signals from remote controller 14. Decoding of the remote control signal may be accomplished by the receiver 20 and / or the processing unit 18. The other circuits / logics / components 22 represent the various circuits, logic and / or other components of the particular electronic device 12.

Remote controller 14 includes button / key circuitry / logic 24 that operates to receive button / key signals from button / key 16 of remote controller 14. The button / key circuit / logic 24 interprets the button / key 16 of the remote controller 14 that was selected by the user. The remote controller 14 is operable to receive the button / key signal from the button / key circuit / logic 24 to generate or generate an appropriate remote control signal (ie, a coded remote control signal for the particular button / key selected). It further comprises a transmission generator 26. Transmitter 28 receives the coded remote control signal from transmission generator 26 and transmits the coded remote control signal to electronic device 12.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown another exemplary system, generally designated 40, in which the present invention is implemented. The electronic system 40 includes a television signal receiver 42 which is an electronic device (typically a television later), a remote controller 44 for the television 42, an auxiliary electronic device 48, and an auxiliary remote controller. And 50. The secondary electronic device 48 may be a set-top box (ie, cable box, satellite receiver, etc.), DVD, VCR, or any other electronic device that uses and / or processes a television signal. Thus, the secondary electronic device 48 communicates with the television 42. In addition, the electronic system 40 includes an auxiliary remote controller 50 in communication with the television 42.

The remote controller 44 includes a plurality of buttons / keys 46 and functions similarly to the remote controller 14 of the FIG. 1 electronic system 10. The remote controller 44 operates to provide a control signal to the television 42 in a predefined or predetermined format. The television 42 operates to receive and interpret the remote control signal to perform the request command, provided by the remote control signal.

The secondary electronic device 48 also operates to receive and interpret remote control signals. Although not shown, the secondary electronic device 48 typically has an associated remote control device. However, the secondary electronic device 48 uses a remote control signal that is in a predefined or predetermined format that is different from the predefined / predetermined format of the remote controller 44. Rather than using two remote controllers, the secondary remote controller 50 operates to convert and transmit any remote control signal from the remote controller 44 for use by the secondary electronic device 48.

More specifically, when it is necessary and / or appropriate for the auxiliary electronic device 48 to receive / use a particular remote control signal that was generated by the remote controller 44, the television 42 is received from the remote controller 44. The remote control signal is provided to the auxiliary remote controller 50. The secondary remote controller 50 then provides an auxiliary remote control signal to the secondary electronic device 48 (preferably wirelessly). The secondary remote controller 50 will need to convert or reformat the remote control signal received from the television 42 for the particular format scheme of the secondary electronic device.

4, a simplified functional block diagram of the electronic system 40 is shown. Remote controller 44 includes a button / key circuit / logic 60, a transmit generator 62, and a transmitter 64. The button / key circuit / logic 60 is operative to receive a button / key signal from the selected / pressed button / key 46. The transmission generator 62 is operative to generate / generate a coded remote control signal for the particular button / key selected. Transmitter 64 operates to transmit the coded remote control signal (preferably wirelessly, such as via IR). Television 42 includes display 52, processing unit 54, remote control signal receiver 56, and other circuitry / logic / components 58. The remote control receiver 56 is operative to receive a remote control signal from the remote controller 44. Along with other circuits / logics / components, processing unit 54 processes the remote control signal appropriately.

The auxiliary remote controller 50 includes a processing circuit / logic 66, a transmission generator 68 and a transmitter 70. The processing circuit / logic 66 operates to receive a remote control signal from the television 42 that received the remote control signal from the remote controller 44. The transmission generator 68 is operative to provide a coded auxiliary remote control signal for the format of the auxiliary electronic device 48. The transmitter 70 is operative to transmit an auxiliary remote control signal to the auxiliary electronic device 48.

The secondary electronic device 48 includes a processing unit 74, a remote control receiver 72 and other circuit / logic / component 76. The remote control receiver 72 is operative to receive an auxiliary remote control signal from an auxiliary remote controller formatted for the auxiliary electronic device 48.

Referring to FIG. 5, a graphic of an exemplary remote control signal, generally designated Remote Control Signal (RCS), generated and / or generated by any one of the remote control devices 14, 44 and / or 50. The representation is shown. The RCS is composed of a first part P and a second part S. FIG. The first part P is the pulse part of the remote control signal while the second part S is the space part of the remote control signal. The first portion P is defined within a first or pulse time interval, duration or pulse width specified between t ₁ and t ₂ , while the second portion S is a second or space time designated between t ₂ and t _3. Confined to an interval, duration, or space width. Each time interval has a nonzero duration, that is, a minimum duration and a maximum duration. Typically, the pulse time interval is between approximately 10 microseconds (10 ms) and 10 milliseconds (10 ms), while the space time interval is between approximately 10 microseconds (10 ms) and 10 milliseconds (10 ms). Thus, each button / key of the remote controller has a unique pulse-space combination (a predetermined time interval pulse + a predetermined time interval space) that is generated and transmitted.

Referring to FIG. 8, a simplified block diagram of an auxiliary remote controller, generally designated 80 and known as an IR Blaster, is shown. The IR blaster is manufactured by Thomson Consumer Electronics of Indianapolis, Indiana. IR blaster 80 is typically an “IR blaster” device in which an incoming signal (here a remote control signal) is amplified and / or retransmitted in IR format to control another electronic device (see FIGS. 3 and 4). In this embodiment, the IR blaster 80 is used to receive, amplify and retransmit incoming IR remote control signals. The retransmitted IR remote control signal is in an IR / remote control format compatible with the secondary electronic device. IR blaster 80 has an IR receiver circuit / logic 82, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 86, and other circuit / logic 84. ASIC 86 is operative to generate / generate and output / transmit the IR remote control signal.

ASIC 86 specifically includes circuit / logic 98, clock cell 88, IR transmitter block / cell 90, output comparison block / cell 92, IR transmitter control register 94 and output comparison control register ( 96). For IR transmissions that do not need to be changed, the ASIC may use a pulse and space combination before the IR remote control signal (pulse and space combination signal) is transmitted by the IR transmitter cell 90 (ie, a "normal" IR transmission). To the IR transmitter control register 94. Due to various design considerations, ASIC 86 is typically limited to providing pulse and space combinations within the pulse and space durations described above. When a pulse exceeds the maximum pulse width, the ASIC provides a space that is the minimum space width after the pulse that is the maximum pulse width and before another pulse that is the remaining pulse time width. The receiving electronic device is typically not affected by the minimum width space in the extended pulse. However, when the space exceeds the maximum space width as shown in Fig. 6A, adding a pulse which is the minimum pulse width will generally not be accepted by the receiving electronic device. As shown in b of FIG. 6, the normal IR output (IR_OUTA UNMODIFIED) from the ASIC produces an unwanted “glitch” pulse at the end of the maximum space width.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, when the ASIC needs to generate and transmit an IR remote control signal having a space greater than the maximum space width, the ASIC is disabled to generate an extended space. Specifically, ASIC IR transmitter cell 90 is disabled while extended space is being generated / generated. Generation / generation of the extended space remote control IR signal is provided through "hardware" implementation / implementation and / or "software" implementation / implementation.

In accordance with the software implementation of the present invention, when the ASIC 86 generates a space with a duration greater than the minimum space width, the output comparison timer cell 92 acts as an internal software timer while the associated output pin of the ASIC is not used. Used. IR transmitter cell 90 is used to generate a pulse, while output compare timer cell 92 creates / provides space. More specifically, when the current pulse-space sequence ends, the IR transmitter cell 90 is deactivated by not reloading the pulse and space register 94 for the next sequence. While the IR transmitter cell 90 is inactive, a (logic) low (0V) is output on the associated IR_OUT pin of the ASIC 86. The output comparison cell 92 is then set up to end (ie, generate an interrupt) at the end of the desired space expansion duration (see e of FIG. 6). Once the desired extended space duration ends, an output compare timer interrupt is generated. The output compare timer interrupt activates the IR transmitter cell 90, where a pulse and space sequence is loaded into the IR transmitter control register 94 to transmit the next pulse-space combination.

In accordance with the hardware implementation / implementation of the present invention and with further reference to FIG. 7, when the ASIC 86 generates a space with a duration greater than the minimum space width, the IR transmitter cell 90 is preferably " software. "Will be disabled in the same way as the implementation. However, the output / output pin of the output comparison timer is set up to drive the desired space (or unmodulated pulse) on the associated output pin. When driven, the output of the output compare timer cell 92 will ignore the IR transmitter output based on the resistance value selected for the associated signal described below via the output compare control register 96. Thus, the output comparison is set up with an "open drain" that grounds the IR_OUT signal to the (logic) low state without any effect on the (logic) high state. The output compare timer 92 may trigger or start on either the rising or falling edge of the IR pulse. When the falling edge is used, output compare timer cell 92 is used to keep IR_OUT low until a timeout is reached, at which time an interrupt is generated. The interrupt then disables output compare timer cell 92 for the next pulse and enables IR_OUT. This is illustrated graphically by the timing diagrams of c, d and e of FIG. 6.

7 illustrates, in block diagram form, the use of an output compare block / cell 92 to provide space to buffer 100 to provide a modified IR_OUT signal. Output compare register 96 provides an output compare enable signal to output compare block 92 to cause output compare block 92 to provide an expanded space width. The various blocks of the output comparison cell 92 provide the buffer 100 with timing and output of the extended space width. The signal from the output comparing cell 92 ignores any output from the IR transmitter block 90 by the register R2. The value of register R2 is selected at a ratio of 10: 1 to ensure that the IR_OUT signal can be overdriven by output comparison.

Referring to FIG. 9, generally designated 120, a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary general mode of operation of the present invention is shown. Initially, in step 122, the remote controller determines the space length of the remote control signal RCS to be transmitted. Once the space length of the RCS is determined, it is determined in step 124 whether this space length exceeds the maximum space width. If the RCS does not exceed the maximum space width, then at step 126 the remote controller continues to send the RCS normally by the IR transmitter. However, if it is determined that the RCS needs to exceed the maximum space width, the operation of the IR transmitter generating the RCS for a predetermined time generally corresponding to the time length of the extended portion of the space in step 128 is discouraged. Is enabled. This process occurs whether the present invention is implemented in hardware or software.

Referring to FIG. 10, a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary manner of operation of the present invention for an embodiment implemented generally at 130 and implemented in hardware of the present invention is shown. In step 132, the space structure (ie, space length) is determined. In step 134, if the space structure is not greater than the maximum space width, then in step 136 the normal transmission scheme is used by the IR transmitter. Otherwise, if it is determined in step 134 that the space structure is greater than the maximum space width, then in step 138 the IR transmit pin of the ASIC is set to a general purpose port. In step 140, the general purpose pin is set to make space. In step 142, the output compare timer of the output compare cell is set to time the length of the desired extended space. In step 144 any other software is executed until the output compare timer generates an interrupt. Thereafter, in step 146, the IR transmit pin is set to use the IR transmit cell. Similarly, the IR transmitter is then set up to set up the pulse-space sequence.

Although the invention has been described as having a preferred design, the invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Therefore, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its principles. Furthermore, this application is intended to cover such departures from this disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the prior art to which the invention pertains and which is within the scope of the appended claims.

As mentioned above, the present invention is used in a remote controller and related method for providing remote control transmission.

Claims (19)

A signal generating a transmission comprising a first portion having a duration within a first time range and a second portion having a duration within a second time interval, the signal representing a transmission end of the first and second portions A first circuit operative to produce; In communication with the first circuit, causing the first circuit signal representing the end of the transmission to become inactive when the time length of the first and second portions exceeds a predetermined time, and the time length of the second portion A timer circuit operable to generate a replacement signal for the first circuit signal indicating the end of the transmission after the termination has occurred. Remote controller included. The remote controller of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a pulse and the second portion comprises a space. The remote controller of claim 1 wherein the first circuit and the timer circuit are incorporated into an integrated circuit. 4. The remote controller of claim 3 wherein the integrated circuit is an application specific integrated circuit. The remote controller of claim 1 wherein the first circuit operates to generate a transmission using infrared radiation. The remote controller of claim 1, wherein the first time interval is 10 microseconds to 10 milliseconds and the second time interval is 10 microseconds to 10 milliseconds. 2. The remote controller of claim 1, wherein the signal indicative of the end of transmission of the first and second portions comprises an interrupt. The remote controller of claim 1 wherein the first circuit comprises a transmitter cell and the timer circuit comprises an output compare timer cell. A method of generating a remote control transmission, Generating a remote control transmission comprising a first portion having a duration within a first time interval and a second portion having a duration within a second time interval; Generating a signal indicative of the end of the first and second partial transmissions; When the time length of the second portion exceeds a predetermined time, deactivating the signal representing the end of the transmission; After the length of time of the second portion ends, generating an alternative signal for the signal representing the end of the transmission; Remote control transmission generation method comprising. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein generating a remote control transmission comprising first and second portions comprises generating a remote control transmission comprising the first portion comprising a pulse and the second portion comprising a space. And remote control transmission generation. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein deactivating the signal indicative of the end of the first and second partial transmissions comprises deactivating the signal indicative of the first and second partial transmission ends via software. , Remote control transmission generation method. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein deactivating the signal representing the end of the first and second partial transmissions comprises deactivating the signal representing the end of the first and second partial transmissions via hardware. , Remote control transmission generation method. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first time interval is 10 microseconds to 10 milliseconds and the second time interval is 10 microseconds to 10 milliseconds. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein generating a remote control transmission comprises generating an infrared radiation remote control transmission. 10. The method of claim 9 wherein the step of generating a remote control transmission and generating a signal indicative of the end of the transmission is performed by a transmitter cell, wherein the step of inactivating the signal and generating a replacement signal is performed by an output compare timer cell. Performed, the method of generating a remote control transmission. And an integrated circuit operative to generate a remote controlled transmission comprising a pulse having a pulse width in a pulse width section and a space having a space width in a space width section, wherein the integrated circuit also generates a signal indicative of the end of the transmission. At a remote controller, extending the transmission beyond the space width interval, the method comprising: Providing an interrupt signal to the integrated circuit after transmitting the remote control transmission, the interrupt signal operative to temporarily disable generation of another remote control transmission; Providing a timing interval equal to the amount of time that the space exceeds the space width interval, wherein the timing interval is equivalent to one space; Enabling generation of another remote control transmission after the timing interval ends. A transmission extension method. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein providing an interrupt signal comprises providing an interrupt signal via software. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein providing an interrupt signal comprises providing an interrupt signal via hardware. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein providing a timing interval comprises providing a timing interval via an output compare timer cell.