KR20120099422A - Remote control methods and devices using a upnp service - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of remotely controlling a controlled device using a command processing module, the method comprising: after detecting at least one interaction between a user and a user interface associated with the application, performing at least one action of a command receiving service. Implementing on the control device a remote control application that calls through a network; A controlled device receiving a command receiving service that executes actions invoked by a remote control application through a network and sends command codes to the command processing module indicating interactions between a user and a user interface associated with the remote control application. Implementing the steps.

Description

REMOTE CONTROL METHODS AND DEVICES USING A UPnP SERVICE}

An object of the present invention is to provide a remote control method and apparatus by UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) service. The invention particularly applies to replacing commands sent in infrared with UPnP services.

The technical field of the present invention relates to remote control of audio visual services, in particular devices which can be remotely controlled using UPnP commands.

In the digital consumer industry, there has been widespread popularization of electronic devices that enable the use of Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) and UPnP, such as digital TV decoders, audio devices, video and game devices.

The "UPnP Audio & Video" architecture incorporates three entities within the home network to handle audio, video and photo content:

"Media Server", or "MS": "slave" object that shares its media (audio, video or image, etc.) with UPnP customers on the network;

"Control Point", or "CP": can detect UPnP devices or entities (collectively referred to as "devices" in the UPnP standard) and their services, and event of those UPnP entities. UPNP customer, a “master” entity of the network, capable of receiving) and sending UPnP actions to the device or entities to order them; And

"Media Renderer", or "MR": A "slave" object (eg television monitor, hi-fi) responsible for rendering or displaying the content.

In general, a device called a "media renderer" is also a "media player", or "mp", and a "media controller" capable of rendering content from a media server on the device itself. , Or incorporate "MC".

Note that instead of the terms "MS", "MR", and "MC", the terms "DMS", "DMR", and "DMC" with the addition of "D" meaning digital, respectively, are used.

Each of those entities implements services specified by UPnP. In particular, the "digital media renderer" should include the "ConnectionManager" service and the "RenderingControl" service, and generally should include the "AVTransport" service. do.

The control point software, in conjunction with the human-machine interface (or "IHM"), allows the user to select the content (eg, video, audio, or image) provided by the "media server" and select the "media renderer" he selected. To send it on the For example, the mobile Nokia N95® allows you to browse the contents of a UPnP media server and to push towards UPnP "media renderers" (such as UPnP hi-fi or UPnP photo frames). "Digital Media Controller".

Within UPnP, it is anticipated that certain developments will enrich the standard. Indeed, a provider can define its own UPnP entity and associated services, for example by extending existing services or adding "actions" according to a standard standardized by UPnP, the extensions of which It is named "vendor-specific".

Once the control point or digital media controller finds a UPnP entity in the network, it uses the URL contained in the found message to get a description of that entity (collectively referred to as "device description"). Thereafter, for each service implemented by the entity, from the URL contained within that description of that entity, a description comprising a list of UPnP instructions or a list of invokeable actions, and for each of its actions. Get the parameters in some cases. The description of a service also includes a list of state variables that describe the current state of the service when the service is run.

However, there is no UPnP service that enables full control of the equipment.

The prior art for remote control of a decoder consists in sending an infrared code to the decoder. The technique leaves the problem of "direction" or "line of sight", i.e. there needs to be no shield between the receiver of the decoder associated with the user aiming the remote controller.

In addition, conventional remote controllers are generally powered by batteries that must be replaced, unlike mobile type terminals having a series of rechargeable batteries and a charger associated therewith.

In the case of a conventional remote controller, communication is unidirectional from the remote controller towards the decoder.

The remote controller otherwise has no function of displaying or providing information derived from the decoder.

The remote controller is provided with only one product for one decoder. When it is damaged or lost, the remote control becomes impossible and a new remote controller compatible with the existing one must be obtained. Similarly, when two people want to remotely control the same device continuously, they must deliver the remote controller by hand.

Further, in addition to the so-called "universal" remote controllers, conventional remote controllers are used to control only one device and its associated contents. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a remote controller as many as the number of remote controlled devices, which causes a waste of space, a large amount of battery, a risk of losing the remote controller, or unwanted commands to other devices when confused with different devices. There is a risk of transmission.

Finally, there are applications that allow for control of UPnP devices of the DMS or DMR type, for example Nokia N95, while the basic functions (such as changing the receiving channel) are only accessible by the infrared remote controller, while the applications They only allow the coordination of the functions defined in UPnP / DLNA.

The present invention seeks to address such shortcomings.

To that end, the present invention, according to a first aspect, aims at a method of remotely controlling a controlled device using a command processing module, the method comprising implementing a remote control application on the controlled device. And after the application detects at least one interaction between a user and a user interface associated with the application, the at least one command codes implemented in the controlled device and representing the interactions to the command processing module. Calling at least one action of the command receiving service to transmit over the network.

Note that the term "service" herein refers to a UPnP standard or equivalent or derived standard. More generally, as a series of functions of an entity, the execution can be initiated by another entity in the network and relates to a series of functions that the entity declares. In UPnP, UPnP entities declare functions associated with the services they implement to conform to the entity's discovery mechanism and the interrogation mechanism of the discovered entity.

By implementing the present invention, the controlled device has a new remote control path for passing the user interface associated with the application and the command receiving service from the user to the command processing module of the device.

According to an embodiment in which a command input hardware interface can be used for a command of a controlled device, the command processing module is designed to receive the same command code originating from the command input hardware interface. The command receiving service thus provides a new command mode that complements the command mode using a hardware interface. The command receiving service makes it possible to actually receive the command code originating from the control device and send it to the command processing module, the command codes being the same as the codes originating from the hardware interface.

This thus combines the instruction receiving service with the instruction processing module, where the same instruction processing module originates from the remote control device simultaneously with the processing of the instruction code originating from the hardware interface and the processing of the same instruction codes. When triggered following a call to a command service action, it is combined in a way that can be used.

According to one embodiment, the command codes sent to the processing module indicate an action that can be operated on a hardware interface for command input of the controlled device.

With the implementation of the present invention, the implementation of a new remote control mechanism is possible by replacing the infrared code with the syntax of the UPnP command.

In general, the present invention provides a hardware interface for command entry (infrared remote controller, keyboard, butten, wheel or other drive devices on the equipment case) that can be used for control of a controlled device. Allows replacement with a software interface for the generation of command codes indicating actions that can be run on the hardware interface.

This not only allows the user to control UPnP DMR (Digital Media Renderer) objects within equipment (decoder or "set-top box" type, television, hi-fi, etc.) connected to the UPnP network, Equivalent to the buttons located on the remote control or the buttons on the remote controller means that the new service for remote control is taken from all the control applications suitable for invoking the new command receiving service, in particular via UPnP.

To fully control the decoder at the UPnP level, the new UPnP service was defined and implemented simultaneously on the UPnP control point side for the calling part of the actions and on the controlled device side for executing the receiving service of commands.

The present invention therefore provides a means to replace the local control of the device (keyboard of the controlled device) or remote control, in particular the conventional remote controller (infrared and infrared code), by implementing a new command receiving service.

According to the unique feature, in the middle of the implementation phase, the control application obtains a file that defines one or more actions to call and / or parameters of the action in some cases depending on the interaction between the user and the user interface.

It should be noted that the present invention is adapted to be identified by a remote control application, and is not limited to key codes of infrared remote controllers, but extends to all command codes indicating actions that can be operated on the command input hardware interface. .

According to an inherent characteristic, the method for which the present invention is briefly conformed to a configuration file defining graphical elements obtained by the application and displaying command input elements of the command input hardware interface of the controlled device, as specified above. Configuring the user interface to configure the user interface.

According to a unique embodiment, the configuration file is unique to the controlled device.

According to its unique characteristics, the configuration file specifies each element of the user interface with which the user can interact and the type of interaction with the user, and the called actions and / or parameters according to the cases in which the actions are detected It depends on the type of action.

According to a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a remote control method of a controlled device executing a command processing module, which method executes actions called through the network by a remote control application on the controlled device. And implementing a command receiving service for transmitting command code indicating a user interface associated with the remote control application and interaction with a user to the command processing module.

Inherently unique, the application is integrated within a UPnP entity and the command receiving service is a UPnP service.

According to the unique features, the method aimed at by the present invention is, as briefly stated above, by a remote control application to implement a remote command receiving service to discover a device in a network, and at least two or more such devices If found, presenting the discovered device and one of the discovered devices is selected by the user and the call is directed to the selected device.

The remote control for the purpose of the present invention can be used to coordinate a series of equipment of an infrared remote control scheme, more generally a series of equipment having a command input hardware interface. The present invention aims, in particular, to provide a command receiving service designed to send command codes to a command processing module to network entities to which the equipment is connected, the module receiving the same command codes of the command input hardware interface. It is designed and / or adapted to the following.

According to a unique characteristic, command codes indicate actions that can be operated on the command input hardware interface of the controlled device.

According to a unique feature, the command codes indicate simple, dual or long-term interaction with the user as a touch key of the command input hardware interface of the controlled device.

According to a unique characteristic, at least one called action displays a string entered into the user interface.

The present invention thus enables new functionality, such as remote searching a file or a work by its title, author, performer or any other reference, for example using a string.

According to a unique characteristic, the command codes indicate the press and release of a touch key of the command input hardware interface of the controlled device.

Thus, typically, the touch-by-touch functional control type includes the press and release of user interface elements and other functional control types do not include them. The presses and releases allow the remote command receiving service to consider the time of interaction and distinguish between long presses and short presses.

According to a third aspect, the present invention is directed to a control device and a controlled device.

An apparatus for remotely controlling a controlled device using a command processing module, the apparatus comprising means for executing a remote control application, the means comprising at least one interaction between a user and a user interface associated with the application. And then detect, via the network, at least one action of the command receiving service executed in the controlled device, the at least one command code indicating the interaction to the command processing module. It is done.

The command processing module, using the command processing module, is adapted to execute actions called by a remote command control application over a network, the command code being command code indicating an interaction between a user and a user interface associated with the remote control application. Means for implementing a command receiving service adapted to transmit to the processing module.

The advantages, objects and characteristics of the devices are similar to those of the method to which the present invention aims as described briefly above and thus are not mentioned here.

Other advantages, objects and features of the present invention will become apparent by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

1 schematically depicts a particular embodiment of a system for which the present invention is intended to replace infrared remote control.
2 illustrates a request made by a simplified embodiment of a method and system for which the present invention is directed.
3 shows the steps implemented in a particular embodiment of the method for which the present invention is directed, in the form of a flowchart.

In the following description, the terms “touch key,” “key,” or “icon” will be used interchangeably to refer to control elements, hardware, or software that a user can interact with, and the elements may be used, for example, of a controlled device. Present on a keyboard or command entry hardware interface.

1 shows only one control device and only one controlled device. However, the present invention also applies to remote control of multiple controlled devices by only one controlling device.

 In FIG. 1, a remote controlled device 105, a conventional infrared remote controller 110, and a remote control device 150 are shown.

The controlled device 105 integrates UPnP entities, executes UPnP services (e.g., UPnP media servers, UPnP media renderers, or digital media printers ("DMPr"), etc.) defined in the UPnP standard, and otherwise the present invention. This is true for any device running a command-receiving service as defined in.

The controlled device 105 is controlled by, for example, a local keyboard, optical or electronic signal, powerline, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth®, such as a decoder, hi-fi, conventional computer, radio, television or set-top box. It is a device that can. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the controlled device can be controlled by a command input hardware interface, eg, an infrared remote controller 110. To that end, the remote controller 110 is provided by an encoder 117 and its encoder 117 which provide a key code for each press of a key 115 of the keyboard, one of the keys 115 of the keyboard. It has an infrared signal generator 120 that modules the infrared signal indicative of the generated key code. On the controlled device 105 side, the infrared signal receiver 125 demodulates the signals before receiving and transmitting them to the command processing module 130. The command processing module 130 activates one or more functions 135 of the device 105 after interpreting the received key code.

According to the present invention, the remote control means implemented at the same time are added to the control device 150 and the at least one controlled device 105. The control device 150 here is a portable device, for example a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant or PDA, or a pocket or portable computer.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the control device 150 is:

A graphic monitor (155),

A user interface that invokes actions of the application 160 implementing the user interface on the graphic monitor and the service 170 detecting the interaction between the user interface and the user and receiving and interpreting commands from the controlled device 105. Controller, and

A telecommunications module 165.

The telecommunication module 165 communicates with the telecommunication module 167 of the controlled device 105 through a local network (not shown). The command receiving and resolving service 170 receives, via module 167, a call request for a UPnP action, interprets the commands and their corresponding parameters, and processes the command codes resulting from the interpretation. Send to module

The service 170, hereinafter referred to as the "RemoteControl" service, can thus make the command mode implemented by the command processing module 130 and the functions 135 accessible to UPnP objects in the local network. Used as an interface.

The command processing module 130 uses the infrared signal from the remote controller 120 to UPnP commands propagated through the local network by the call of the emitted key codes and the UPnP actions suggested by the “RemoteControl” service 170. Command codes derived from can be received and processed simultaneously.

The controlled device 105 also executes the "ConnectionManager" and "RenderingControl" services in accordance with the UPnP standard, and generally includes a DMR (Audio-Video Transport) service. Implement UPnP object 175 of type digital media renderer). All of the standard services are shown in FIG. 1 by reference numeral 171. Action call requests for those services are also sent via the telecommunications module 165, the local network and the telecommunications module 167.

The "RemoteControl" service 170 is preferably implemented as a UPnP service of the UPnP object / device. In the embodiment specified herein as an example, the “RemoteControl” service 170 is implemented by the UPnP entity 175 (or DMR device in accordance with UPnP terminology).

In this way, using the command application 160 and the user interface associated with the application, the user can fully control the functions of the controlled device 105, ie on the one hand, which is typically initiated by infrared control. The basic functions, on the other hand, can command the rendering functions of the proposed DMR through the "ConnectionManager", "renderingControl" and "AVTransport" services.

The controlled device 105 may also be one piece of equipment incorporating a UPnP entity that executes the UPnP command receiving service as defined herein as the only service.

2 illustrates the exchange of messages for changing channels on decoder 105. Assuming that application 160 enabling remote control operates on mobile phone 150, and through its user interface, respectively, list the identified channels with the number of the channel and a number from "0" to "9". Assume that the display to the user by the graphical elements representing the keys of the digital keyboard having a.

Depending on the interaction detected on that user interface, the command application invokes actions of the "RemoteControl" service 170.

For example, if the user selects channel "12" by successively selecting the "1" and "2" keys in the user interface portion of the DMC that displays the digital keyboard, the DMC invokes the following actions:

"SendKeyPressEvent ()" action with parameters with KeyCode = "D1" and Presstype = "SINGLEPRESS"; And

"SendKeyPressEvent ()" action with parameters with KeyCode = "D2" and Presstype = "SINGLEPRESS";

The "KeyCode" parameter here identifies the pressed key and the "Presstype" parameter identifies the type of interaction, in this case the press type of the key.

The DMC application is responsible for all the user interface elements that enable user interaction, with each action that should be called (eg one action or set of actions initiated by "macros" in some cases), parameters You know what key codes you want to use ("key codes") and what type of interaction you want to detect.

In accordance with the same invocation principle of actions, one action may be invoked for multiple detected interactions. DMC application 160 may be used to send an alphanumeric string that the user would have entered, for example, by multiple interactions with a portion of the user interface displaying an alphanumeric keyboard. In that case, the string is transmitted as a parameter of the "SendKeyCodeSequence" action designed for that purpose, for example.

Call requests of actions, including case-specific information about the key code and key press type, are sent by the application 160, sent to the "RemoteControl" service 170 and detected according to the discovery protocol defined in UPnP. Upon receiving the request for invoking the action by the " RemoteControl " service 170 and the parameters accordingly, the service translates the request into a command code and then sends the command codes to the processing module 130.

Hereinafter, an implementation of the present invention for a generic and configurable application regardless of the type of the application 160, i.e., the controlled device 105, which enables remote control of the plurality of controlled devices 105 is described. I will specify. The application 160, for example, is a collection of UPnP actions,

On the one hand, includes UPnP actions defined in the UPnP standard for DMR UPnP rendering services,

On the other hand, includes UPnP actions defined according to the invention for the "RemoteControl" service 170,

It is integrated within the UPnP DMC in such a way that it is implemented within only one same application 160. In this regard, the application 160 is also referred to as a "DMC application."

Thus, DMC application 160 refers to an application that allows a user to control UPnP devices in a home network that implements a "RemoteControl" service. The DMC application 160 consists of a UPnP DMC module augmented by the ability to detect and invoke actions of the user interface (“User Interface”, or “UI”) and “RemoteControl” service 170.

Due to compatibility with the "RemoteControl" service 170, the application 160 may present to the user a UPnP device that implements the "RemoteControl" service 170 in a particular manner on the monitor 155. For example, when the application 160 displays a list of UPnP devices in the home network, each device running the "RemoteControl" service 170 is identified by a remote control icon. By selecting the icon, the user enters the " remote control " mode of the device 105 contemplated, and the remote control specific screens are displayed on the monitor 155 by the user interface.

In order to give priority to the generic DMC application 160, preferably, buttons and other interacting graphical elements define the screens of the user interface on which they can be configured. Indeed, a list of buttons and other interacting graphical elements, their placement and associated key codes are described in an XML configuration file that is obtained when the DMC control device application 160 is initialized. The file is pre-stored by the DMC application in a repertoire of predefined files, or sent to the DMC application by the "RemoteControl" service 170 when receiving a request defined for that purpose, or the "RemoteControl" service. Obtained using the URL provided by 170.

It is assumed that each interaction at the level of one of the buttons of the user interface or at the level of the other interacting graphical element causes one or more key code transmissions using a call request of the UPnP action. The configuration file defines for this purpose one or a number of actions to be called and / or action parameters in accordance with the user interface and the user interaction associated with the control application.

The "SendKeyStrokeEvent" action signals the stroke of the key to the "RemoteControl" service 170. It contains the following parameters:

Argument Direction Associated State Variable

KeyCode IN A_ARGTYE_KeyCode

StrokeType IN A_ARGTYE_StrokeType

Error Code Error Description Description

801 Invalid Key Code Code is invalid

802 Invalid Stroke Type The stroke type is invalid.

The "SendKeyPressEvent" action signals the press of the key to the "RemoteControl" service 170. It contains the following parameters:

Argument Direction Associated State Variable

KeyCode IN A_ARGTYE_KeyCode

StrokeType IN A_ARGTYE_PressType

Error Code Error Description Description

801 Invalid Key Code Code is invalid

802 Invalid Press Type The stroke type is invalid

Depending on the equipment to be adjusted, different types of detection of user interaction on the user interface of application 160 may be required:

-Press or release the simulated key by clicking on the graphic element representing the key being considered, or

The duration of the press of the key simulated by clicking the mouse on the graphical element representing the key under consideration.

"RemoteControl" service 170 is actually a press duration of different keys ("SINGLE" is a single short press, "DOUBLE" is two short presses, and "LONG" is a long press) and lower level events (keys Allows you to operate a press or release type). Thus, the configuration file is particularly useful if the user interface, the UI module, has to execute the operation of PUSH / RELEASE (push / release or press / release) for the button, and in that case the lower level "PUSH" (press) and "RELEASE". If "(release) events should be sent via" SecondKeyStrokeEvent () ", it specifies the type of interaction that should be detected for each graphic element representing the button.

Regarding "SendKeyCodeSequence ()", the action sends a sequence of key codes to "RemoteControl" service 170.

Argument Direction Associated State Variable

KeySequence IN A_ARGTYE_KeyCodeList

With regard to the transmission of texts, new remote control services can provide improved use, for example, a user can enter a title, author, performer or any other information using a single string to enter the VOD. You can provide video files for searching within the catalog. The functionality can be readily provided by executing a rich application ("rich media application") based on the DMC that is compatible with the "RemoteControl" service 170.

For that purpose, two implementation options are considered:

Use the "SendKeySequence ()" action to send the character. To avoid conflicts with key codes for remote control, characters can be isolated (for example, using a backslash followed by the character to be sent), or an ASCII or UTF8 code (for example, "a" characters). "ASC48") can be specified.

Create a specific action to send "UTF-8" characters (eg "SendCharacters ()" containing a string to send, such as the argument "IN").

The name of the configuration file of the monitor can be selected according to the characteristics specified in the description of the UPnP entity. The "modelName" property of the UPnP object is used to find the name of the configuration file of the monitor, for example. For example, if the modelName of the STB decoder is "TV decoder", the configuration file is "decoder_tvremoteConfig.xml".

In the following, an embodiment of an XML file for configuration is specified:

<? xml version = "1.0" encoding = "UTF-8">

<remoteconfig>

<button position = "1" text = "Menu" icon = "menu.png">

<key code = "MENU" type = "SINGLEPRESS">

</ button>

<button position = "2" text = "UP" icon = "up.png" keystroke = "UP">

</ remoteCofig>

This embodiment defines two buttons:

-"MENU" button corresponding to "MENU" key on the remote controller. Its selection within the interface should result in the transfer of the "MENU" keycode ("KeyCode") as a variable of the press type ("pressType") corresponding to "SINGLEPRESS" (single press). And,

-"UP" button corresponding to the "UP" arrow. The "keyStroke" attribute allows the UI module to specify that the UI module should run a press / release at a lower level for that button.

The "position" attribute allows you to clarify the position of the button within the screen. For example, the screen represents buttons in the form of a grid and each grid square is numbered and associated with one button.

In parallel with the detailed description of the steps shown in FIG. 3, the basis of the UPnP standard is hereinafter recalled.

UPnP allows the definition, discovery and control of UPnP entities (“network devices”) that exist on a network.

In step 305, implement a user interface implemented on a remote device or on a remote device that communicates with the control device, detects the user interface interaction with the user and corresponds to the "RemoteControl" service corresponding to the interaction. The application 160 calling the action of 170 is initialized on the control device 150.

In step 310, on the at least one controlled device 105, receive action call requests originating from the application 160, convert the requests into command codes, and then convert the command codes into the command processing module 130. Initialize the "RemoteControl" service 170 to transmit to.

In the addressing step 315, each device 105, 150 is connected to a UPnP network and automatically obtains a single address that objects in that network can use to communicate with the device.

In the description 320, each device 105, 150 summarizes its services and capacities in a standard format. In particular, the controlled device 105 indicates that it has a "RemoteControl" service 170. In the description phase, the UPnP entity provides a list of services that it provides in a document based on XML. The description of the UPnP entity has a URL that makes it accessible to the description of each service provided by that entity. The description of the service provides detailed information about the service, the actions that the service provides, the parameters of the service and its return value.

In the discovery step 325, the device 105 detects by UPnP Control Points, in particular by the device 150, which recognizes the capacity of the device 105 by obtaining its description. do.

The discovery phase defines how a UPnP entity announces its existence and how UPnP control points discover it by implementing the Simple Service Discovery Protocol (SSDP) protocol. The SSDP protocol extends the HTTP protocol header to provide a simple discovery protocol based on multicast broadcasts.

Once a UPnP entity receives an IP address, the UPnP entity periodically signals on the network. In the discovery phase the periodic communications and responses have the URL of the document of the XML description. The URL provides the UPnP control point with the information it needs to retrieve the description of the UPnP entity and its services. The documents of the description are retrieved by the UPnP control points and scrutinized or parsed to recognize the UPnP entity well. The provider ("vendor") can add extensions beyond the base functionality and include them in the description document. The extension mechanism allows the UPnP control point to prefer an optional interface or "vendor-specific interface" over the standard interface.

In a control step 330, the device 105 processes the requests that arrive at the device 105, in particular from the UPnP control point of the device 150. In the control phase, the UPnP control point invokes actions of the service of the UPnP entity. When a service receives a control message, the service acts on that message. UPnP is based on the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) protocol for control of UPnP objects. The protocol integrates XML and http to provide a web-based message and remote calling process mechanism: XML represents the content of the message and HTTP sends the messages to their destination. The SOAP protocol is specified as a set of conventions governing format and SOAP message processing rules.

In an event processing ("eventing") step 335, the device 105 notifies the control points subscribed to be notified of each change in its internal state.

In the presentation step 340, the device 105 provides an administration interface based on HTML code to enable direct manipulation and monitoring of the device 105. Each UPnP level is associated with a protocol. Note that device 105 may provide the URL of a presentation page within the device's description.

In step 345, the user interacts with the user interface. In step 350, the user interface detects each interaction between the user interface and the user. In step 355, the application 160 includes parameters in some cases and invokes actions representing the interactions. At step 360, the call request is sent to the device 105.

In step 365, the "RemoteControl" service step 170 receives an action call request, that is, a UPnP command.

In step 370, the "RemoteControl" service 170 interprets the command to generate one or more command codes that it sends to the command processing module 130.

In step 375, the instruction processing module interprets one or multiple received instruction codes to activate one or multiple functions 135 corresponding to the instruction codes.

Note that each UPnP entity can provide multiple services, each with its own unique service type. In this way, the service defines the actual functionality of the entity.

The control point is the entity of the network that calls the function of the UPnP entity. For the customer / server, the control point is the customer and the UPnP entity is the server. Control points invoke actions on the service by providing all input parameters requested and receiving all output parameters and, optionally, return values. The control point finds the UPnP entity, invokes an action on the service of the UPnP entity and subscribes for notification of the event. UPnP entities, on their side, respond to invocations of actions, send events when state variables change, and support web pages ("presentation page") for administrative control.

A number of advantages of the invention are specified below:

The present invention allows for easier interaction with more possibilities in terms of display (touch screen, metadata display ...);

The present invention enables optimized interaction in the programming of program tasks and the like. For example, if you want to program to record a broadcast of channel 2, but do not want to watch channel 5 and disturb the channel on television, it is not possible with current recording by EPG and conventional remote controllers. not. Therefore I program the recording of channel 2 with my application on the mobile device;

The present invention enables simple alphabet writing by means of a keyboard of a mobile device or a keyboard on a mobile terminal, for example in retrieving a video in a video catalog on request.

UPnP remote controllers offer the possibility to devise and develop new command mechanisms that replace infrared code, enriching the UPnP interfaces they already own. The UPnP standard has been maintained here because it is one of the best candidates for development compatibility, interoperability and simplicity. However, the principles of the present invention are also applicable to all other standards that enable remote control of equipment.

Thanks to the invention, not only can the users control the DMR service of their decoder, but also the decoder which can be fully adjusted by any DMC control point which proposes corresponding to the buttons of the remote controller and implements the application for remote control. You will also have a user interface that suggests access to advanced features.

The remote control application can be implemented in any type of terminal with which the controlled device can communicate over a connected network.

Thus, the end-user can use any other device that communicates to control a set of services available on a mobile phone or controlled device, thereby evolving beyond a conventional infrared remote controller.

In order to benefit from the advantages of the present invention, the controlled device needs to implement its new "RemoteControl" UPnP service 170.

The present invention provides a complete decoder that includes basic functions, such as access to menus and information for changing channels, starting playback ("play"), stopping playback, switching playback intervals, changing colors, moving back and forth, etc. via UPnP. Enable the implementation of a remote controller.

Thanks to the present invention, an application that implements a configured UPnP "control point" to also include an UPnP remote control application 160 can control the decoder through its graphical interface associated with that application.

The present invention also provides new functions, in particular the possibility that the user can adjust a number of devices each integrating the "RemoteControl" service 170 from the same user interface: for example for content recording Simultaneous adjustment of a recorder ("DVR" or "Digital Video Recorder") for programming and a television receiver, or simultaneous adjustment of two different television receivers that can broadcast the same audio visual program, for example. Thus, the present invention is suitable for complex applications for the processing of multimedia streams that need to coordinate a large number of independent equipment. The remote control application 160 is adjustable by infrared light and can be used, for example, to adjust a series of equipment that incorporates a UPnP entity of the "Digital Media Renderer" type.

It should be noted that, by the present invention, the user's experience may go beyond the capabilities allowed at the decoder level by the UPnP entity (Digital Media Renderer) integrated into the decoder. By default, according to the UPnP standard, the decoder's UPnP entity allows it to be remote controlled. The present invention aims to define a new service in UPnP to enable all control of the decoder using a single remote control application, i.e. the functions of existing UPnP entities, and to date only the buttons of a remote controller or decoder. It aims to simultaneously activate basic functions that could only be activated using. Thus, users have their mobile phones incorporating the coordination application and have full control over all audio and video services on television receivers and music services on hi-fi devices coming out of the decoder by some modifications that accompany the new service. Could be.

Claims (16)

A method of remotely controlling a controlled device using a command processing module,
Implementing a remote control application on the control device, the application being implemented on the control device and detecting the interaction after detecting at least one interaction between a user and a user interface associated with the application; Invoking over the network at least one action of a command receiving service to transmit at least one command code representative to the command processing module. The method of claim 1, wherein the command input hardware interface is usable for control of the controlled device, and the command processing module is designed to receive one of the command codes originating from the command input hardware interface. The remote control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one command code indicates at least one action that can be operated on a command input hardware interface of the controlled device. The remote control of claim 1, wherein in an implementation step, a command application obtains a file defining one or a plurality of actions and / or in some cases action parameters to be called according to the interaction between the user interface and the user. Way. The user interface as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method is defined in accordance with a configuration file defining graphical elements obtained by the application and representing command input elements of a command input hardware interface of the controlled device. Remote control method comprising the step of configuring. The method of claim 5, wherein the configuration file is unique to the controlled device. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the configuration file specifies the type of interaction of the user by each element of the user interface with which the user can interact, and in the case of the called actions and / or the actions thereof. The parameters according to the remote control method according to the type of interaction detected. A method of remotely controlling a controlled device using a command processing module, the method comprising: executing actions called over a network by a remote controlling application on the controlled device, and interacting with a user interface associated with the remote controlling application and a user; And implementing a command receiving service for transmitting a command code indicating a command to the command processing module. The remote control method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the application is integrated in a UPnP entity and the command receiving service is a UPnP service. The method of claim 1, wherein the method comprises discovering, by a remote control application, a device in a network that implements a remote command reception service, wherein at least two or more such devices are found. If presenting a device found and one of the devices found by the user, wherein the call is sent to the selected device. The remote control method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the command codes indicate actions that can be operated on a command input hardware interface of the controlled device. 12. The remote control device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the command codes represent a simple interaction, a dual interaction or a long-term interaction between a user and a key of a command input hardware interface of the controlled device. 13. The remote control method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one called action is a string entered into the user interface. The remote control method according to claim 1, wherein the command codes represent a press or release of a command input hardware interface key of the controlled device. A device for remotely controlling a controlled device using a command processing module, comprising: means for implementing a remote command application, the means comprising at least one interaction between a user and a user interface associated with the application And after detecting, via the network, transmit the at least one command code indicating the interaction to the command processing module and invoke at least one action of the command receiving service implemented in the controlled device. . A controlled device that implements a command processing module, the control device being adapted to execute actions called by a remote control application over a network, the command processing module displaying an interaction between a user and a user interface associated with the remote control application. Means for implementing a command receiving service adapted to transmit command codes.

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