KR20060023184A - Method for a plurality of remote control and device thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for supporting a plurality of remote controls according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with a plurality of remote controls, a software driver for processing a signal received from each of the plurality of remote controls to be implemented in software; A remote controller interface for identifying the remote controller using the signal processed by the software driver to generate an event signal for the remote controller; And an application for performing a predetermined control corresponding to the plurality of remote controllers by using the interface for the remote controller. The API includes a Java-based event class and a function class. A remote controller identifier for identifying each of the plurality of remote controllers is included.

The apparatus for supporting a plurality of remote controllers of the present invention can control signals received from the plurality of remote controllers by using an event class including a remote controller identifier defined to identify the plurality of remote controllers. If you enjoy or watch several channels on one screen, it can be usefully applied.

Multiple Remotes, Events, Java, HAVi, API

Description

Method and device for supporting multiple remote controllers

1 is a view schematically showing an apparatus for supporting a plurality of remote control according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<Name of the code for the main part of the drawing>

1a, 1b, ..., 1n: Remote Controller 4: HAVi Level 2 User Interface

6: Java application

The present invention relates to an apparatus for supporting a remote controller, and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus capable of supporting a plurality of remote controllers.

Recently, as the broadcasting environment changes rapidly from analog broadcasting to digital broadcasting, a set-top box (STB) or a digital broadcasting receiver that supports receiving digital broadcasting on an existing analog television is exponentially spread. It is becoming. As such, the reason why digital broadcasting is in the spotlight is that digital TV broadcasting is basically superior in quality and sound quality to existing analog broadcasting, and can provide multimedia functions such as home shopping, home banking, internet search, telecommuting, and VOD. Because it has a lot of elements.

In general, a remote controller is used as an input means for watching digital broadcasts or requesting necessary information from a digital television. In addition, in order to control a signal input from the remote controller, a Java application program interface (Java API) and a Java application for executing a predetermined control operation in connection with the Java API are required. Here, APIs and applications are built on Java.

If a Java application is an application specific to a specific STB / DTV, an arbitrary Java API can be defined and used for each receiver manufacturer.However, in a general data broadcasting environment, a CP (Contents Provider) for defining a Java application by defining a standard Java API is defined. The standard Java API will be used to support Java applications, and the makers of receivers such as STB / DTV will make products to support the standard Java API.

In general, standard Java APIs related to remote controls are specified in the Home Audio / Video Interoperablity (HAVi) Level 2 User Interface specification. The HAVi (Home Audio / Video Interoperablity) Level 2 User Interface standard is a universal remote control related interface that has been adopted in both the US data broadcasting standard and the European data broadcasting standard.

However, at present, only the API that can support a single remote control is defined in the HAVi Level 2 User Interface specification. That is, the specifications related to the remote control in the current HAVi Level 2 User Interface are defined as follows.

Class org . havi . ui . event . HRcEvent

     public HRcEvent (java.awt.Component source, int id, long when,

                     int modifiers, int keyCode, char keyChar)

Class org . havi . ui . event . HRcCapabilities

protected HRcCapabilities ()

public static HEventRepresentation getRepresentation (int aCode)

           public static boolean getInputDeviceSupported ()

public static boolean isSupported (int keycode)

Looking at the above specification in detail, First Class org . havi . ui . event . HRcEvent represents the class for event configuration, and Class org . havi . ui . event . HRcCapabilities represents a class for checking the capabilities of the remote control.

Class org . havi . ui . event . In HRcEvent , a predetermined event signal may be generated using a signal source (java.awt.Component source), an identifier (id), a time (when), modifiers, a key (keycode, keychar), and the like. Therefore, when the RF signal is input from the remote controller, a signal source, an identifier, a time, a modification, a key, etc. corresponding to the RF signal may be combined to generate an event signal for which operation the remote controller requests.

Class org . havi . ui . event . HRcCapabilities defines APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for verifying remote control functions. For example, protected HRcCapabilities () is an API defined for object creation, public static HEventRepresentation getRepresentation (int aCode) is an API defined to obtain an HEventRepresentation object for a specific key event identifier (aCode), and public static boolean getInputDeviceSupported () is an API defined to check whether the remote is present, and public static boolean isSupported (int keycode) is defined to determine whether the remote raises an event for a given type (keycode). It's Apia.

Thus, Class org . havi . ui . event . You can use the APIs defined in HRcCapabilities to check the functions on the remote control.

* As can be seen from the Home Audio / Video Interoperablity (HAVi) Level 2 User Interface standard, the API is defined so that only one remote controller can be supported.

This is because generally only one remote controller is sufficient to control a given system.

However, when data broadcasting becomes more common in the future, many viewers can enjoy a game with different remote controllers, and when watching multiple broadcasts on a single screen, the viewers watch a plurality of remote controllers individually provided. You can also select the broadcast you want.

Therefore, it is impossible to support a plurality of remote controllers using the HAVi Level 2 User Interface standard defined as in the related art, which causes a problem that the plurality of remote controllers cannot be used.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for controlling a plurality of remote controllers by adding apis capable of supporting a plurality of remote controllers to a previously defined Java API. There is this.

A method for supporting a plurality of remote controls according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is a step of identifying the remote control using a function class including a remote control identifier for identifying a plurality of remote control, which is Java-based ; And confirming a function of the corresponding remote controller by using the AIs defined in the function class.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for supporting a plurality of remote controllers is provided with a plurality of remote controllers, and a software driver for processing a signal received from each of the plurality of remote controllers to be implemented in software; A remote controller interface for identifying the remote controller using the signal processed by the software driver to generate an event signal for the remote controller; And an application for performing a predetermined control corresponding to the plurality of remote controllers by using the interface for the remote controller. The API includes a Java-based event class and a function class, and includes the event class and the function class. Has a remote controller identifier for identifying each of the plurality of remote controllers.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the present invention, an API defined to support a plurality of remote controllers is added to the HAVi Level 2 User Interface standard.

As described above, the HAVi Level 2 User Interface standard including API defined to support multiple remote controllers is described below.

Class org . havi . ui . event . HRcEvent

public HRcEvent (java.awt.Component source, int id, long when,

                          intmodifiers, int keyCode, char keyChar)

          public HRcEvent (java.awt.Component source, int id, long when,

                          int modifiers, int keyCode, char keyChar, int RcID)

          public int getRcID ()

Class org . havi . ui . event . HRcCapabilities

protected HRcCapabilities ()

public static HeventRepresentation getRepresentation (int aCode)

public static boolean getInputDeviceSupported ()

public static boolean isSupported (int keycode)

public static int getRcAmount ()

public static HEventRepresentation getRepresentation (int RcID,

                                                               intaCode)

public static boolean getInputDeviceSupported (int RcID)

public static boolean isSupported (int RcID, int keycode)

Looking at the specification according to the present invention in detail, First Class org.havi.ui.event.HRcEvent represents a class for the event configuration, Class org.havi.ui.event.HRcCapabilities is for checking the capabilities of the remote control Represents a class.

Class org . havi . ui . event . In public HRcEvent defined in HRcEvent to generate event signal according to multiple remote controllers, signal source (java.awt.Component source), identifier (id), when (when), modifiers, key (keycode) In addition to the keychar), a remote controller identifier (RcID) parameter for identifying a remote controller is additionally set. Therefore, when a predetermined RF signal is input from any one of the plurality of remote controllers, the remote controller is identified using a remote controller identifier (RcID), and a key code factor, a keyChar factor, and the like are used to identify which key is pressed on the identified remote controller. Thus, an event signal can be generated accordingly. The signal generated in this way is notified to the Java application to perform a predetermined control.

Meanwhile, the API is defined such that a class for identifying each function of the plurality of remote controllers includes a remote controller identifier for identifying which one of the plurality of remote controllers is included in the class org.havi.ui.event.HRcCapabilities .

For example, in order to obtain an HEventRepresentation object of a specific remote controller among a plurality of remote controllers, the specific remote controller must be identified, and therefore, the getRepresentation function must include a remote controller identifier (RcID) and a specific key event identifier (aCode). Accordingly, the remote controller can be identified by the remote controller identifier, and an HEventRepresentation object for the key event identifier of the identified remote controller can be obtained.

In addition, the public static boolean getInputDeviceSupported (int RcID) which checks whether a plurality of remote controllers is present is defined to include a remote controller identifier so as to know which remote controllers of the plurality of remote controllers exist.

Thus, Class org . havi . ui . event . The functions of the corresponding remote controllers identified among the plurality of remote controllers may be checked by using the apis defined in the HRcCapabilities to include a remote controller identifier (RcID) for identifying a specific remote controller among the plurality of remote controllers. For example, public static int getRcAmount () is an API for checking the number of remote controls, and public static HEventRepresentation getRepresentation (int RcID, int aCode) is defined to get an HEventRepresentation object for a specific key event identifier (aCode). Public static boolean getInputDeviceSupported (RcID) is an AIP defined to check whether the remote control exists. Public static boolean isSupported (int RcID, int keycode) raises an event for the given type (keycode) of the remote control. It's an apia that is defined to see if it In this case, the public static HEventRepresentation getRepresentation (int RcID, int aCode), the public static boolean getInputDeviceSupported (RcID), and the public static boolean isSupported (int RcID, int keycode) include a remote controller identifier (RcID) for identifying a plurality of remote controllers, respectively. .

Meanwhile, at this time, the previously defined AIs may be redefined to be operated for the basic remote controller having the remote controller identifier RcID of “0”. Accordingly, when the remote controller is a default remote controller set as a default, the remote controller signal is controlled by using the previously defined API. On the contrary, when the remote controller is configured in plural, the API is defined using the API. The RF signal of the remote controller can be controlled.

Therefore, in the present invention, the mode may be selectively changed depending on whether one or more remote controllers are used in combination with the newly defined AIPI. In this case, the mode change may be performed using the provided remote controller. In other words, when a user wants to operate the system using a single remote controller, the user can change the mode (ie, change to the existing mode) so that the previously defined APIs can be used. In each case, the mode may be changed (ie, changed to a new mode) so that newly defined apias can be used.

A method and apparatus for supporting a plurality of remote controllers using the HAVi Level 2 User Interface defined as above will be described.

1 is a diagram schematically illustrating an apparatus for supporting a plurality of remote controllers according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, an apparatus for supporting a plurality of remote controllers according to the present invention may include a plurality of remote controllers 1a, 1b, ..., 1n and a plurality of remote controllers 1a, 1b, ..., 1n, respectively. A remote control hardware receiving module (2) for receiving an RF signal generated from the remote control, a remote control software driver (3) for processing the received RF signal to be implemented in software, and defined in the present invention based on the processed RF signal It consists of a HAVi Level 2 User Interface (4) for generating the event signal for the remote control by identifying the remote control by using the APP and the Java application (6) for performing control according to the generated event signal. At this time, the HAVi Level 2 Interface (4) includes an event manager (5) for managing the event generation according to the RF signal of the remote control.

As described above, the HAVi Level 2 User Interface 4 has an event class (Class org.havi.ui.event.HRcEvent ) based on Java to support a plurality of remote controllers 1a, 1b, ..., 1n. ) And a capability class (Class org.havi.ui.event.HRcCapabilities ) are described, and the event class and the capability class are each defined by an API including a remote controller identifier (RcID) for identifying the plurality of remote controllers. Can be. In addition, the HAVi Level 2 User Interface (4) may be additionally defined apii previously defined to be used even when having a single remote control by changing the mode.

When the HAVi Level 2 User Interface 4 receives a predetermined signal from one of the plurality of remote controllers 1a, 1b, ..., 1n, the HAVi Level 2 User Interface 4 receives a remote controller identifier (RcID) included in the event class. To identify the remote control. The HAVi Level 2 User Interface 4 generates an event signal for the remote controller corresponding to the remote controller identifier included in the event class and notifies the application. For example, when an RF signal is received from a first remote controller, the HAVi Level 2 User Interface 4 identifies the first remote controller using a remote control identifier (RcID) of an event class and corresponds to the first remote controller. An event signal RcEvent for RC # 1 may be generated and notified to the Java application 6. Of course, the RF signals generated by the second to nth remote controllers may also be identified in the HAVi Level 2 User Interface 4 to generate corresponding event signals and be notified to the Java application 6.

In addition, the HAVi Level 2 User Interface 4 identifies the remote controller using a remote controller identifier included in the function class. The HAVi Level 2 User Interface 4 checks the function of the remote control corresponding to the remote control identifier included in the function class and notifies the application.

Referring to the operation of the device for supporting the plurality of remote controllers configured as described above, the RF signal generated from one of the remote controllers of the plurality of remote controllers (1a, 1b, ..., 1n) is a remote control hardware receiving module and Via HAVi Level 2 User Interface (4).

When the HAVi Level 2 User Interface 4 receives an RF signal generated from one remote controller, the remote controller corresponding to the RF signal is identified using a remote controller identifier included in an event class, and then any key from the identified remote controller is used. After confirming that is pressed, generates a predetermined event signal corresponding thereto.

The event signal generated in this way is notified to the Java application 6 to perform a predetermined control.

On the other hand, the Java application 6 can identify the functions that can be supported by each remote control through the HAVi Level 2 User Interface (4). In other words, when the Java application 6 requests confirmation of a supportable function for a predetermined remote control, the HAVi Level 2 User Interface 4 requests a function class to identify the remote control requested by the Java application 6. The remote controller is identified by using the remote control identifier (RcID) included in the remote control, and the various functions for the remote controller, such as the number of the remote controller, the existence of the remote controller, The Java application 6 is notified by checking whether or not the event can be supported.

Although the above description has described a method and apparatus for supporting a plurality of remote controllers in a data broadcasting environment, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to any environment using a plurality of remote controllers.

As described above, according to the method and apparatus for supporting the plurality of remote controllers of the present invention, by defining an event class and a function class in advance so as to identify the plurality of remote controllers, the plurality of remote controllers can be identified to perform corresponding control. Can be.

Accordingly, in the related art, only one remote controller can be expanded to support a plurality of remote controllers, thereby improving user convenience.

The method and apparatus for supporting the plurality of remote controllers may be usefully applied when several users play a game or watch several channels on one screen in the future.

Claims (12)

Identifying a corresponding remote control using a function class including a remote control identifier for identifying a plurality of remote controls, which is Java-based; And Confirming a function for the corresponding remote control using the Apis defined in the function class. The method of claim 1, Wherein said identified function is notified to a Java application as a predetermined event and said predetermined control is performed by said Java application. The method of claim 1, A remote control interface in which the function class is described and a Java application for processing an event generated by the remote control interface are provided. In order to perform the control corresponding to the identified function, whether there is a corresponding remote control or whether the corresponding remote control can support an event is notified to the Java application by the remote control interface. How to apply. The method of claim 1, In addition to the functional class, an event class is further described, And the event class includes a remote controller identifier for identifying a plurality of remote controllers. A plurality of remote controls are provided, A software driver for processing a signal received from each of the plurality of remote controllers to be implemented in software; A remote controller interface for identifying the remote controller using the signal processed by the software driver to generate an event signal for the remote controller; And An application for performing a predetermined control corresponding to the plurality of remote controllers using the interface for the remote controller; The apparatus includes a Java-based event class and a function class, and the event class and the function class include a remote controller identifier for identifying each of the plurality of remote controllers. The method of claim 5, wherein The remote control interface includes an event manager for managing event generation according to the RF signal of the remote control. The method of claim 5, wherein The remote control interface, when receiving a predetermined signal from one of the plurality of remote control, the device for supporting a plurality of remote control, characterized in that the search for the remote control using the remote control identifier included in the event class. The method of claim 5, wherein And the remote controller interface generates an event signal for a remote controller corresponding to a remote controller identifier included in the event class and notifies the application to the application. The method of claim 5, wherein The remote control interface is a device for supporting a plurality of remote control, characterized in that for identifying the remote control using a remote control identifier included in the function class. The method of claim 5, wherein And the remote control interface identifies a function of a remote control corresponding to a remote control identifier included in the function class and notifies the application to the application. The method of claim 5, wherein In the interface for the remote controller, an event class and a function class are described based on Java to support a plurality of remote controllers, and the event class and the function class are redefined to identify one remote controller set as a default. Device for supporting a plurality of remote control. The method of claim 5 or 11, The remote control interface is a device for supporting a plurality of remote control, characterized in that the mode is selectively changed by each of the plurality of remote control depending on whether there is one or a plurality of remote control.

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