RU2182349C1 - Method and device for carrying out remote control - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: computer engineering. SUBSTANCE: method involves including command set data and/or command transmission protocol data into remote control data set in preparing data carrier. The data are inputted into remote control device to enable one to form command code or to convert command code into impulse series, respectively. The data are saved in remote control device memory unit. The unit has an additional memory area for command transmission protocol to be saved. The control unit has a write data option for saving command system data and command transmission protocol data. Data input medium surface has at least one field containing N characters of machine-read code with data describing device under remote control. EFFECT: wide range of functional features. 17 cl, 28 dwg, 2tbl

Description

 The invention relates to the field of electronics, in particular to methods and devices for remote control, and can be used in the design of universal programmable remote control devices for household electronic equipment.

 A known method of remote control, in accordance with which act on the remote control device to generate a command code, which is converted into a sequence of pulses transmitted to a remotely controlled device (PCT Application WO98 / 00933, 1998, MKI7 N 04 V 10/10).

 The known method allows you to control several different remotely controlled devices (televisions, video recorders, etc.), the command systems of which are previously recorded in the memory of the remote control device.

 A disadvantage of the known method is its limited functionality, since it does not allow you to program a remote control device to work with various remotely controlled devices, entering data about these devices or their command systems and / or command transfer protocols from the storage medium.

 By technical nature, the closest to the claimed methods is a remote control method, in accordance with which prepare a storage medium containing data for remote control, which is entered into the remote control device, which when exposed to it, generates a command code, which is converted into a sequence of pulses transmitted to remotely controlled device (US Patent 5552837, 1996, MKI7 H 04 N 5/00).

 The known method allows you to enter in the remote control device for the TV data on the date, time and channel number selected for viewing a television program. As a result, only selected programs are allowed to view.

 A disadvantage of the known method of remote control is limited functionality, since it allows you to control only one remotely controlled device and does not make it possible to control other remotely controlled devices by entering data about these devices or their command systems and / or protocols for transmitting commands from the storage medium .

 A remote control device is known comprising a user action receiving unit, a command transmission unit and a memory unit connected to a control unit configured to generate a command code and convert the command code into a pulse sequence (PCT Application WO98 / 00933, 1998, MKI7 N 04 V 10 /10).

 The known device allows you to control several different remotely controlled devices (televisions, video recorders, etc.), whose command systems are pre-recorded in the memory unit.

 A disadvantage of the known remote control device is limited functionality, since it cannot be programmed to work with other remotely controlled devices by entering data about these devices or their command systems and / or command transfer protocols from the storage medium.

 By technical nature, the closest to the claimed device is a remote control device comprising a user actions receiving unit, a command transmission unit, a data input unit from an information medium and a memory unit connected to a control unit configured to generate a command code and convert the command code into a sequence pulses and with the possibility of receiving data from the data input unit from the storage medium (US Patent 5552837, 1996, MKI7 H 04 N 5/00).

 The known device is designed for remote control of the TV and allows you to enter data from an external information carrier on the date, time and channel number of the selected to watch a television program, and then send this data to a managed TV. As a result, only selected programs are allowed to view.

 A disadvantage of the known device is its limited functionality, since it can only be used to control one type of TV and cannot be programmed to work with various remotely controlled devices by entering data about these devices or about their command systems and / or command transfer protocols with information carrier.

 A known information medium containing a surface on which are symbols of a machine-readable code (RF Patent 2115167, 1992, MKI7 G 06 K 19/06).

 A known storage medium is a product label that can be recognized by machine vision equipment.

 A disadvantage of the known storage medium is its limited functionality, since it cannot be used to program a remote control device.

 By technical nature, the closest to the claimed information medium is an information medium containing at least one surface on which are machine-readable code symbols representing data for remote control (US Patent 5552837.1996, MK7 H04N5 / 00).

 A well-known storage medium is designed to program a remotely controlled television by entering into the remote control device data on the date, time and channel number of the channel selected for viewing a television program, and then transferring these data to a controlled television. As a result, only selected programs are allowed to view.

 A disadvantage of the known information carrier is its limited functionality, since it does not allow you to program the remote control device to work with various remotely controlled devices by entering data on remotely controlled devices or their command systems and / or command transfer protocols.

 The technical result of the present inventions is the creation of remote control methods and devices for their implementation, providing enhanced functionality by programming the remote control device to work with various remotely controlled devices by entering data on remotely controlled devices or their command systems and / or command transfer protocols from the storage medium.

 To solve the technical problem in the remote control method according to the first embodiment of the invention, in accordance with which prepare a storage medium containing data for remote control, which is entered into the remote control device, which when exposed to it, generates a command code, which is converted into a sequence of pulses transmitted to a remotely controlled device, in addition, when preparing the information carrier, data on the remote control include data on the command system and / or data on the command transmission protocol, in accordance with which the command code is generated and / or the command code is converted into a sequence of pulses, respectively, wherein the above command system data and / or data on the command transmission protocol after the session is completed are stored in the memory unit of the remote control at least until the next session.

 In addition, during at least one of the following work sessions, stored data on the command system and / or data on the command transmission protocol are read from the memory block of the remote control device, in accordance with which the command code is generated and / or the command code is converted to a sequence pulses respectively.

 In addition, another storage medium is prepared containing data on the remote-controlled device, which is inserted into the remote control device during at least one of the following work sessions and, in accordance with them, the stored data about the command system and / or command transfer protocol data.

 In addition, when preparing the storage medium, the text for the remote control includes text messages that are reproduced during the work session, and after its completion, they are stored in the memory block of the remote control device at least until the next work session.

 In addition, to solve the technical problem in the remote control method according to the second embodiment of the invention, in accordance with which prepare a storage medium containing data for remote control, which is entered from the storage medium into the remote control device, which when exposed to it, the command code, which converted into a sequence of pulses transmitted to a remotely controlled device, additionally when preparing the information carrier in the data for the remote control include data on the remotely controlled device, and data on the command system and / or data on the protocol for transmitting commands, which are read from the memory block of the remote control device in accordance with the above data on the remote control during the operation session, are pre-recorded in the memory block of the remote control device controlled device, and in accordance with them, the formation of the command code and / or the conversion of the command code into a sequence of pulses, respectively, is performed, moreover, those indicated data on remotely controlled device is stored in the remote control device memory unit at least until the next session.

 In addition, to solve the technical problem in a remote control device containing a unit for receiving user actions, a command transmission unit, a data input unit from an information medium, and a memory unit connected to a control unit configured to generate a command code and convert the command code into a sequence pulses and with the possibility of receiving data from the data input unit from the storage medium, the memory unit is equipped with an additional memory area for command systems and an additional area memory for command transfer protocols, and the control unit is configured to record data on command systems in an additional memory area for command systems and data on command transfer protocols in an additional memory area for command transfer protocols and with the possibility of generating a command code in accordance with data on systems commands and converting the command code into a sequence of pulses in accordance with the data on the protocols for transmitting commands.

 In addition, the memory unit is provided with an additional memory area for data on remotely controlled devices, and the control unit is configured to write data on the remotely controlled device to the above additional memory area and with the possibility of reading data about command systems from the additional memory area in accordance with them command systems and command transfer protocol data from an additional memory area for command transfer protocols.

 In addition, the remote control device is equipped with a display, the memory unit is equipped with an additional area for messages, and the control unit is configured to record messages in an additional area for messages and with the possibility of outputting messages from there to the display.

 In addition, the data input unit from the storage medium is configured to enter machine-readable code.

 In addition, machine-readable code is represented as barcode characters.

 In addition, to solve the technical problem in the information carrier containing at least one surface on which are symbols of a machine-readable code representing data for remote control, the above surface is provided with at least one field with M characters of machine-readable code ( where M is an integer) representing data on a remotely controlled device, and / or data on a command system of a remotely controlled device, and / or data on a command transfer protocol.

 In addition, the aforementioned at least one field with M characters of a machine-readable code comprises a group of characters of a machine-readable code representing data on a remotely controlled device, a group of characters of a machine-readable code representing data on a command system of a remotely controlled device, and a group of characters machine-readable code representing command transfer protocol data.

 In addition, every two groups of the above groups of machine-readable code characters are separated by at least one machine-readable code character and / or surface area without machine-readable code characters.

 In addition, machine-readable code characters are in the form of barcode characters.

 In addition, the above surface is made as part of the surface of the housing of a remotely controlled device.

 In addition, the above surface is made as part of the surface of the packaging of a remotely controlled device.

 In addition, the above surface is made in the form of a part of the surface of at least one sheet of instructions for the user of a remotely controlled device.

 The essence of the invention lies in the fact that preparing a storage medium containing data about the command system and / or about the protocol for transmitting commands for a remotely controlled device or data about a remotely controlled device. These data are entered into the remote control device and used when generating command codes and converting them into a sequence of pulses transmitted to a remotely controlled device. Due to this, the remote control device acquires the ability to control this remotely controlled device. The entered data is stored in the corresponding areas in the memory block of the remote control device and in the following sessions can be read from there and used when generating command codes and converting them into a sequence of pulses transmitted to remotely controlled devices.

 As a result, it is possible to control various remotely controlled devices using one remote control device, expanding and / or changing the set of such devices as necessary. Thereby, an extension of functionality is achieved.

 A comparison of the claimed inventions with the prototype allows us to claim compliance with the criterion of "novelty", and the absence of distinctive features of the claimed inventions in known analogues indicates compliance with the criterion of "inventive step". Preliminary tests make it possible to judge the possibility of industrial use.

 In FIG. 1 is an illustration of the main idea of the claimed invention; in FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of a remote control device according to the first and second variants of the invention; in FIG. 3 is an external view of a remote control device according to the first and second embodiments of the invention; in FIG. 4 - data structure in one sector of the first additional memory area; in FIG. 5 is a data structure in a third additional memory area; in FIG. 6 is a data structure for remote control, which contains a storage medium related to a remotely controlled device with a standard command transmission protocol; in FIG. 7 is an example of recording data about a command system; in FIG. 8 is an example of recording messages; in FIG. 9 is an example of a barcode; in FIG. 10 is a data structure for remote control, which contains a storage medium related to a remotely controlled device with a non-standard protocol for transmitting commands; in FIG. 11 is a data structure of a command transfer protocol in this case; in FIG. 12 - examples of recording data about the command transfer protocol; in FIG. 13-18 - examples of the implementation of storage media with data for remote control; in FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a program executed in a remote control device; in FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a data input routine for remote control from an information medium; in FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a routine for generating and transmitting a command; in FIG. 22 is a block diagram of the formation and transmission of the start of the team; in FIG. 23 is a block diagram of the formation and transmission of the main part of the team; in FIG. 24 is a block diagram of the formation and transmission of the tail of the team; in FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a pulse shaping routine; in FIG. 26-28 is a block diagram of a user action algorithm.

 The main idea of the claimed inventions is (Fig. 1) that the remote control device 1 can be programmed to control various remotely controlled devices 2 using pre-prepared information carriers 3 containing data for remote control 4, which include data on remotely controlled devices 2 or data on their command systems and / or command transfer protocols.

 Data 4 for remote control is entered from the storage medium 3 using the block 5 input data from the storage medium and stored in block 6 of the memory. In the process of controlling any controlled device 2 to perform the required remote control function, the user acts on the block 7 receiving user actions, for example, by pressing the desired button. In the remote control device 1, in accordance with the selected command system, a command code is generated that is converted in accordance with the selected command transmission protocol into a pulse sequence, which is transmitted using the command transmission unit 8 to the selected remote-controlled device 2, for example, using infrared rays.

 As the remotely controlled devices 2 can be television sets, video recorders, video disc players, music centers, microwave ovens, air conditioners, door locks, light switches, children's toys, etc. Each remotely controlled device 2 contains a control unit 9 connected to the unit 10 for receiving commands, sensors 11 and actuating units 12. For example, in a VCR, sensors 11 are video tape position and magnetic tape tension sensors, control buttons, etc., and actuating nodes are means of setting motors, electromagnets, a tracking adjustment and the like. d. In some remotely controlled devices 2 sensor 11 may be omitted.

 The pulse sequence transmitted from the remote control device 1 is received in the remote-controlled device 2 using the command receiving unit 10 and is converted into a command code, which is transmitted to the control unit 9. The latter in accordance with the received command code and signals of the sensors 11 performs the necessary operations, for example, includes rewinding a magnetic tape or playing a video.

 According to a first variant of the remote control method, in preparing the information carrier 3, data on the command system and / or data on the command transmission protocol are included in the data 4 for the remote control, according to which a command code is generated and / or a command code is converted into a pulse sequence, respectively . Entered into the device 1 of the remote control data about the command system and / or data about the protocol for transmitting commands after the session is stored in the memory unit 6 at least until the next session.

 During at least one of the following work sessions, the stored command system data and / or command transfer protocol data is read from the memory unit 6 and, in accordance with these data, the command code is generated and / or the command code is converted to a pulse train, respectively.

 In addition, another storage medium 3 may be prepared containing data on the remotely controlled device 2, for example, in the form of a code identifying it. These data are input into the remote control device 1 during at least one of the following work sessions and, in accordance with them, the stored data on the command system and / or data on the command transmission protocol for this remotely controlled device 2 are read from the memory unit 6. data is used when generating the command code and / or converting the command code into a train of pulses.

 In addition, when preparing the information carrier, text messages can be included in the data structure for remote control, which are reproduced during a work session, and after its completion, they are stored in the memory unit 6 at least until the next work session. Text messages may contain instructions and tips to facilitate operation with the remote control device 1.

 In accordance with the second variant of the method, when preparing the information carrier 3, data on the remote control device 2 is included in the data 4 for remote control, for example, in the form of an identifying code. Data on the command system and / or data on the command transmission protocol for various remotely controlled devices 2 are preliminarily recorded in memory block 6. During a work session, in accordance with the entered data on remote controlled device 2, data on the command system and / or data on the command transmission protocol for this remotely controlled device 2 and, in accordance with them, generate a command code and / or convert the command code into a pulse train, respectively. The above data on the remote-controlled device 2 is stored in the memory unit 6 at least until the next session.

 Details of the remote control method options are disclosed through the description of the device that implements them.

 The remote control device 1 (Fig. 2) contains a control unit 13 connected to a data input unit 5 from an information medium, a memory unit 6, consisting of a random access memory (RAM) 14 and a programmable read-only memory device (RPRZU) 15, a receiving unit 7 actions of the user, block 8 transmission of commands. The remote control device 1 may also include a display 16, a sound reproduction unit 17, and a time sensor 18 connected to the control unit 13. The connection of the above blocks is carried out by the system bus 19. The remote control device 1 also contains a voltage source 20, the connections of which with the remaining blocks in FIG. 2 are not shown.

 The memory unit 6 contains a first additional memory area 21 for command systems, a second additional memory area 22 for command transfer protocols, and may also contain a third additional memory area 23 for instrument data and a fourth additional message memory area 24. The listed additional memory areas are part of RPPZU 15, which allows you to record information, electrically erase unnecessary information and save the recorded information when the power supply is turned off.

 The control unit 13 can be made in the form of a microcontroller containing a processor and a memory in which executable programs are recorded that provide the ability to read data from the data input unit 5 from the storage medium and the user action reception unit 7, write data to the memory unit 6, and read data from him, the formation of the command code, converting the command code into a sequence of pulses and perform other functions.

 The control unit 13 and the memory unit 6 can be implemented as a single LSI microcontroller, for example mPD78F4216GC manufactured by NEC Electronics Inc. The volumes of RAM 14 and RPPZU 15 in this case are “8 KB” and “128 KB”, respectively. The program memory of the control unit 13 in this case is physically integrated with the RPPZU 15. It is possible to use separate integrated circuits of the RAM 14 and the RPPZU 15.

 As a block 5 for inputting data from a storage medium, a laser scanner or a CCD scanner can be used to read data 4 for remote control printed in the form of a bar code on the surface of the storage medium 3. Examples of such scanners are described in U.S. Pat. No.5126544, 1992, U.S. Pat. No.5914477, 1999 and many other publications.

 Block 7 receiving user actions may be a set of buttons similar to those used in well-known remote controls for household electronic equipment.

 Unit 8 transmitting commands is similar to the corresponding blocks of known remote controls and may contain an infrared LED and an electronic circuit that converts the voltage pulses from the control unit 13 into current pulses through the specified LED.

 For transmitting remote control commands to remotely controlled devices 2, visible light, radio waves, sound, including ultrasound, electric inductive coupling, etc. can also be used.

 The display 16 may be made of a liquid crystal matrix display, for example, type HDM128GS12Y manufactured by Hantronix, Inc.

 As the display 16 can also be used matrix LEDs, miniature cathode ray tubes, plasma screens, etc.

 The sound reproducing unit 17 comprises a miniature loudspeaker and necessary electronic elements.

 The time sensor 18 can be performed, for example, on an integrated circuit of a real-time clock DS1305 manufactured by Dallas Semiconductor Corp., Allowing the installation and reading of the current time and date. When using a microcontroller with a built-in 18 time sensor, the need for a separate chip is eliminated.

 The system bus 19 contains unidirectional and bidirectional communication lines connecting the input / output ports of the microcontroller in the control unit 13 with the terminals of the remaining units.

 The voltage source 20 may comprise two series-connected AA batteries. If necessary, it may also contain a voltage converter, made, for example, on a chip type MAX856CSA manufactured by Maxim Integrated Circuits, Inc.

 An external view of the remote control device 1 (Fig. 3) shows a housing 25, in the upper end of which there is a window 26 through which light rays pass in both directions. Outside the window 26, inside the housing 25, there is a data input unit 5 from the storage medium. Nearby is the output window 27 of the block 8 of the transmission of commands. The display 16 and the loudspeaker 28, which is part of the block 17 sound reproduction, built into the upper surface of the housing 25.

 Block 7 receiving user actions contains buttons installed in the housing 25. These buttons include a button 29 to turn on / off the power of the remote-controlled device 2, a button 30 "Fn" to turn on the mode for performing special functions, button 31 "Prog" to turn on the mode program selection, button 32 "Mute" to turn off the sound in the remote control device 2, two groups of 33 and 34 function buttons, the functions of which are determined when programming the device 1 remote control, a group of 35 buttons for selecting the distance of the fully controlled device 2, group of 36 buttons for entering numbers, for example, TV channel numbers, group of 37 buttons for making smooth settings and adjustments and for making selections in lists and menus, group of 38 buttons for controlling various recording and reproducing devices (tape recorders , players, etc.).

 The first additional memory area 21 consists of sectors, in each of which a system of remote control commands for one remote-controlled device 2 is recorded. Data in some of these sectors is filled in when the remote control device 1 is manufactured, and in other sectors when entering 4 data for remote control control from storage media 3 information during operation. Each sector of the first additional area 21 of the memory (Fig. 4) contains a table, in each row of which is recorded information about one command executed by the remote control device 1. In the column “Mode”, the number of the mode in which this command is executed is recorded, the value “0” corresponds to the main mode, and other values correspond to additional modes, the transition to which from the main is carried out by pressing certain buttons.

 In the column "Button" is recorded the number of the button, pressing which causes the execution of this command. The order of the button numbers can be arbitrary. For example, button 29 (Fig. 3) receives the number "01", button 30 - the number "02", etc. to the number "44", which is assigned to the button for switching to the last record in the group of 38 buttons. The list of buttons also includes “virtual” buttons, which correspond to combinations of real buttons pressed simultaneously and which receive numbers starting with “45”. The maximum possible button number in the described embodiment of the device is "99".

 The mnemonic code column contains the command mnemonic, which is optional. In the described execution, the instruction mnemonic codes can contain two or three characters, and the letter must always be the first character. Some buttons are associated with mnemonic codes of the "default" commands. So buttons from the group of 35 buttons correspond to mnemonic codes "TV", "VCR", TUN, etc. Buttons from a group of 36 buttons correspond to mnemonic codes of the commands "Chl" ... "Ch9". Buttons from a group of 37 buttons correspond to mnemonic codes "Up" "(up arrow)," Dn "(down arrow)," VUp "(increase volume)," VDn "(decrease volume)," OK ". The buttons from the group of 38 buttons correspond to mnemonic codes" PAS "," STP ", etc. .d. Buttons from groups of 33 and 34 buttons do not correspond to any "default" mnemonic codes. Mnemonic codes are the same for the same command for different controlled devices 2. For example, the command to turn on the 1st channel The TV always has a “Chl” mnemonic code, although the numerical code of this command sent to the TV may be different for different TV models.

 In the column "Code" is written the numerical code of the command, which is transmitted to the controlled device 2 in the form of a sequence of pulses in accordance with the transmission protocol adopted for this device.

 In addition, the table in each sector of the first additional memory area 21 may contain a column in which are recorded the numbers of messages displayed on the display 16 when the corresponding button is pressed (not shown in FIG. 4). The message number indicates its position in the message set for this command system, recorded in the fourth additional area 24 of the memory.

 In the second additional area 22 of the memory data is recorded about the transmission protocols, which determine the rules for converting the numerical code of the remote control command into a pulse train. Transmission protocols are divided into standard and non-standard. Standard transmission protocols, such as ITT transmission protocol, RC-5 transmission protocol, Siemens and Thomson transmission protocol are used in many remotely controlled devices 2 manufactured by many companies. Each non-standard transmission protocol is used in one or more types of remotely controlled devices 2, manufactured by one or more companies.

 Each transmission protocol, standard or non-standard, is recorded in the second additional memory area 22 in a format that will be described later. Standard and maybe some non-standard protocols are recorded at the production stage of the remote control device 1. Other non-standard protocols are recorded by entering data 4 for remote control from information carriers 3. The recording of each command transmission protocol begins with a specific address, which can be recorded in the third additional memory area 23, as will be shown later, and ends with a "#" sign.

 In the third additional memory area 23, information is recorded on the remotely controlled devices 2, data on command systems and transmission protocols of which are recorded in the first and second additional memory areas 21, 22, respectively, and, therefore, which the remote control device 1 can currently control. The data structure in the third additional memory area 23 is presented in the form of a table (Fig. 5), in each row of which data is recorded about one controlled device 2. Data in the third additional memory area 23 is usually recorded when data 4 is input for remote control from storage media 3 information, but may be partially recorded in the manufacture of the remote control device 1.

 In the column "Manufacturer" the name of the manufacturer is recorded, and in the column "Model" - the name of the model of the controlled device 2.

 In the column "Type of device" is written the type designation of the controlled device 2 in the form of a two-digit number DT. Table 1 shows the DT values for various types of remotely controlled devices, including combination devices (video doubles, music centers, etc.), as well as for non-standard devices, such as remotely controlled door locks, lighting control devices, remotely controlled toys, etc. The combined device occupies as many lines in the third additional memory area 23 as there are individual devices included in it. For example, the SONY IICD-881 music center, which includes a compact disc player (CD), a tape recorder (Tare), and a radio tuner (Tuner), takes up three lines, although it has one DT device type value of "23".

 The “UPC” column records the Universal Producte Code (UPC) that most industry products are supplied with.

 The column “Selection button” indicates the mnemonic codes of the buttons with which the remote control device 1 switches to the control mode of one of the remotely controlled devices 2. These buttons are assigned in the editing mode of the list of devices, which will be described later. In the described embodiment, the device contains eight selection buttons in a group of 35 buttons. Therefore, from all the remotely controlled devices 2, the data of which are recorded in the third additional memory area 23, up to eight devices can be selected, the transition to the management of each of which is carried out with one click of a button indicated in the column "Selection button". If this button of the remote control device 2 is not associated with any of the buttons in the group of 35 buttons, then in the third additional area 23 of the memory in the corresponding row in the column "Select button" entry is missing. For a combined device, in each of the rows occupied by it in the third additional memory area 23 in the column “Selection button” is indicated the mnemonic code of the button with which the remote control device 1 switches to the control mode of the corresponding part of the combined device.

 In the column "Protocol" in each row is given the address starting from which data on the protocol for transmitting commands to the remotely controlled device 2 is recorded in the second additional memory area 22, data about which is recorded in this row. For a combination device, an address in a second additional memory area 22 for each part thereof can be given.

 In the “Commands” column, each line contains an address starting from which data on the command system of the remote-controlled device 2 are recorded in the first additional memory area 21, data on which is recorded in this line. For a combined instrument, starting addresses for each part are given.

 In the column "Messages" in each row is given the address in the fourth additional area 24 of the memory (see below), starting with which recorded text messages displayed on the display 16 in the process of controlling the corresponding remotely controlled device 2.

 In the absence of a third additional memory area 23, the possibility of choosing from several remotely controlled devices 2 is excluded, whose command systems and command transmission protocols are recorded in the first and second additional memory areas 21 and 22.

 The fourth additional area 24 of the memory consists of sectors, each of which contains a set of text messages for one remote-controlled device 2. Some of these sectors are filled in the production of the device 1 remote control, and in other sectors text messages are recorded when entering data from the storage medium 3 . The format for recording text messages will be described in detail later. Text messages in each sector are separated by "%". Each sector in the fourth additional area 24 of the memory ends with a sign of the end of the sector, for example, the sign "#". In the absence of a fourth additional memory area 24, the possibility of storing and displaying 16 text messages is excluded.

 The information carrier 3 used in the implementation of the method according to the first embodiment (FIGS. 6 and 10) contains at least one surface on which are machine-readable code symbols representing data 4 for remote control and can be made in the form of a sheet of paper or other suitable material. As symbols of machine-readable code in the present embodiment of the invention, bar code symbols are used, for example, of the type “Code 128”, with which all ASCII characters can be encoded. You can use other types of machine-readable codes.

 Data 4 for remote control of a remotely controlled device 2 with any standard command transmission protocol (Fig. 6) is recorded in the form of bars 39. ..42 bar codes, the number of which is four, given as an example and can be as large as and less, depending on the amount of recorded information.

 Before each of the bars 39 ... 42 of the barcode is its number 43, which is printed in the form of a normal number. Each bar code bar 39 ... 42 begins with a start field 44, which includes spaces and special start characters, as well as the number of this bar, in accordance with the Code 128 bar code rules, and ends with a back field 45, into which includes a control character designed to control the correct reading of the barcode, a special stop symbol showing the end of the barcode recording and spaces.

 The first barcode bar 39 contains a field 46 in which the full number of barcode bands used to record the remote control data 4 (in this case, the number “04”) is recorded as a two-digit number. Hereinafter, the field refers to a group of machine-readable code symbols located on the surface of the information medium 3 so that they can be entered into the remote control device 1 one after another, and representing a certain part of the data 4 for remote control.

 This is followed by field 47, in which the type of instrument DT is recorded in the form of a two-digit number (see table 1).

 Next is field 48, which contains the 11-digit universal product code (UPC) of the remotely controlled device 2, which includes data 4 for remote control. Then the fields 49 and 50 are located, in which the name of the manufacturer and the name of the model of the device are respectively recorded. Since the number of characters in these fields is not known in advance, an additional character is inserted between them as a separator, for example, "%".

 The second barcode strip 40 begins with field 51, in which the type of command transmission protocol is recorded as a two-digit number, hereinafter referred to as ProtType (table 2). ProtType values from “01” to “80” correspond to remotely controlled devices 2 with standard command transfer protocols, for which data on the command transfer protocol are completely contained in field 51. Variants of standard command transfer protocols that differ from each other by parameter values are recorded in separate rows of table 2 and get individual ProtType values in the range from "01" to "80".

 The value of ProtType "81" corresponds to remotely controlled devices 2 with non-standard command transfer protocols, for which the format for recording data about the command transfer protocol will be described later. ProtType values from "82" to "99" are reserved.

 Field 52 contains data on the command system in the form of a table of command codes sent to the remotely controlled device 2 by pressing certain buttons included in the user actions receiving unit 7. In the described example (Fig. 6), the field 52 occupies two bars 40 and 41 of the barcode, but if necessary, it can occupy a larger number of bars of the barcode. This also applies to field 53 containing messages.

 Field 52 (Fig. 7) consists of entries for individual buttons, between which there are separators 54 - symbols "%", and ends with the symbol 55 of the end of the field (symbol "#"). Field 52 contains entries only for those buttons that are used to control this remotely controlled device 2, and the order of entries for them can be arbitrary.

 Recording for each button starts with a two-digit number showing the button number (information on the numbering of the buttons was given earlier). For the first (in the order of description) button this number is 56, for the second it is number 57 and for the last it is number 58. If the button has a unique number, then it is written with a leading zero, for example, “04”.

 Further in the record for each button are mnemonic codes of commands and codes of commands executed by pressing this button in different operating modes. Switching the remote control device 1 from one operating mode to another is done by pressing certain buttons, which will be described later. A separator 59 (″ | ″ character) is placed between the command mnemonic and the command code. The mnemonic code of the command and the separator 59 are optional elements, and their absence indicates that the command has a mnemonic code that corresponds to this button by default, and the absence of a mnemonic code of the command with a separator 59 indicates that this command does not have a mnemonic code at all.

 If for this remote-controlled device 2 a standard command system is used, previously recorded in the first additional area 21 of the memory in the remote control device 1, then the field 52 is empty and contains only the end sign of the field "#".

 In the example of writing data about the command system in field 52 (Fig. 7) for the button with the number represented by 56, in the main mode of operation, the command mnemonic and separator 59 are absent, and immediately after the number 56 there is a command code 60 containing two decimal digits and written as a decimal number without leading zeros. This type of recording shows that in the main mode, pressing this button causes the command to be executed with the mnemonic code corresponding to this "default" button.

 This is followed by a separator 61 (symbol "/"), after which data about the command executed by pressing the button with the number represented by 56 in the second mode of operation are recorded. The command mnemonic is missing, but the separator 59 is present, and after it the command code 62 is written containing three decimal digits. This recording option shows that in the second mode of operation, the command called by this button does not have a command code at all, but only the command code.

 This is followed by a separator 54 (symbol "%"), after which the next button number is represented, represented by the number 57. The command executed by pressing this button has a mnemonic code 63 of the "BUp" command, corresponding to the brightness increase command, after which the command code 64 is written and delimiter 54.

 For the last button in order, having a number represented by the number 58, the command executed in the main mode has a mnemonic code for the command corresponding to this button "by default" and code 65 of the command. In the second mode, this button calls a command without a mnemonic code and with a command code 66.

 For each button, the number of the message displayed on the display 16 when it is pressed can also be indicated (not shown in the example in Fig. 7).

 Field 53 (Fig. 8) contains records of messages displayed on the display 16 of the remote control device 1, between which there are separators 67 (characters "%"). Field 53 may occupy not one barcode bar 42, but several. Since field 53 is the last, a special field end symbol after it is not required. If text messages in the data 4 for remote control are not provided, then field 53 is absent. In this example, messages 68.. .71 show the user the assignment of programmable buttons from groups of 33 and 34 buttons (Fig. 3).

 If the remotely controlled device 2 is combined, for example, a TV and a VCR in one housing, then the field 52 consists of several parts, each of which contains command codes for one of the parts of the combined device, for example, for a television or for a VCR. In this case, special separators are recorded between the parts of field 52, for example, the characters "\". Similarly, field 53 consists of several parts containing text messages related to the corresponding parts of the combined instrument and separated by "\" characters.

 An example of the barcode "Code 128" (Fig. 9), containing the inscription "Barcode Store", is given on an enlarged scale.

 Data 4 for remote control of a remotely controlled device 2 with a non-standard protocol for transmitting commands (Fig. 10) is recorded in the form of bands 72.. . 76 barcodes, the structure of which is basically similar to the case of the standard command transfer protocol.

 After field 51, in which the number "81" is written, indicating that the command transfer protocol is non-standard, field 77 (Fig. 11) follows with the data about the command transfer protocol, consisting of subfields between which there are delimiters 78 (symbol "%") , and ending with the symbol 79 of the end of the field (symbol "#"). Information elements inside subfields are separated from each other by delimiters 80 (symbol "/") and 81 (symbol ",").

 The first subfield contains a record 82 containing the value of the repetition period of the transmission of the command code in milliseconds, a record 83 containing the value of the carrier pulse period in microseconds, and a record 84 containing the value of the carrier pulse duration in microseconds. The last two numbers are necessary if carrier modulation is used for transmission. Otherwise, entries 83 and 84 contain values equal to zero.

 In the second subfield, the pulse widths of the transmitted command code are recorded in microseconds. If pulses of only one duration are used in this remote control protocol, then in the second subfield there will be only one record 85 containing the value of the duration, which is indicated by the letter "A". If pulses of two different durations are used, then in the second subfield there will be two records 85 and 86, and the duration values contained in them are indicated by the letters "A" and "B", respectively. If pulses with three different durations are used, then in the second subfield there will be three entries, and the values of the durations contained in them are indicated by the letters "A", "B" and "C", respectively, etc. In the second subfield, up to ten different pulse durations can be written, for which letters from "A" to "J" can be used.

 In the third subfield, the durations of the intervals between pulses of the transmitted command code are recorded in microseconds. If in this remote control protocol intervals between pulses of only one duration are used, then in the third subfield there will be only one record 87 containing the value of the interval, which is indicated by the letter "K". If the intervals between pulses of two different durations are used, then in the third subfield there will be two records 87 and 88 containing the values of the durations of the intervals indicated by the letters "K" and "L", respectively, etc. In the third subfield, up to ten different durations of intervals between pulses can be recorded, for which letters from "K" to "T" can be used.

 The ability to set ten different arbitrary values of the pulse durations, ten different arbitrary values of the durations of the intervals between pulses and arbitrary values of the period and the duration of the carrier pulses provides the implementation of any protocol used in practice for transmitting remote control commands.

 In the fourth subfield, there is one entry 89, which contains a number indicating the number of bits in the remote control command code, including the control bit, if any.

 In the fifth subfield, the starting part of sending a remote control command is described in a sequence of 90 letters. In sequence 90, letters are alternating showing pulse durations of a signal, that is, letters A, B, etc., and letters showing durations of intervals between pulses, that is, letters K, L, etc. . If the start part of the package is not required in the command transfer protocol, then the sequence 90 contains only the "%" sign.

 In the sixth subfield, the duration of the pulses and the intervals between pulses are recorded when transmitting the command code and the control bit. The durations of the pulses are represented by the letters "A", "B", ... "J", and the durations of the intervals between pulses are represented by the letters "K", "L", ... "T". If all bits of the command code are converted into pulse and pause durations in the same way, then the sixth subfield contains two pairs of letters 91 and 92 with a separator 80 between them. The first pair of letters 91 shows the duration of the pulse and the interval between pulses, if the value of the transmitted bit is equal to "0". The second pair of letters 92 shows the duration of the pulse and the interval between pulses, if the value of the transmitted bit is equal to "1". If in this pair of letters, one of the letters "A" is the first. .. "J", and then one of the letters "K" ... "T" stands, then first a pulse is formed, that is, an interval of a high signal level, and then an interval between pulses. Otherwise, the order of pulse formation and the interval between pulses is the reverse.

 If the odd and even bits of the command code are converted into pulse durations and intervals between pulses according to different rules, then after pairs of letters 91 and 92 there is a separator 81 (the symbol ","), after which there are two more pairs of letters 93 and 94. Pairs of letters 91 , 92 determine the duration of pulses and intervals for the odd bits of the command code, and the pairs of letters 93, 94 for even bits. The rules for writing pairs of letters are the same as described previously.

 If all bits of the command code are converted into pulse and interval durations according to different rules, then the sixth subfield will contain as many records consisting of two pairs of letters and separated by commas 81, how many bits are in the command code.

 The last seventh subfield contains a sequence of 95 letters that describes the tail of the package. The rules for generating sequence 95 are the same as for sequence 90.

 An example of recording data on the command transmission protocol (Fig. 12, above) corresponds to the RC-5 command transmission protocol used, for example, in remote control systems based on SAA3010 integrated circuits manufactured by Philips. The sending period is "114 ms", the pulse period of the carrier frequency is "28 μs", the pulse width of the carrier frequency is "14 μs", the duration of the signal pulses and the intervals between them at "889 μs" (letters "A" and "K", respectively), number the bit in the command code is "12". The starting part of the package consists of two pulses with an interval between them. A bit with a value of "0" is transmitted as a sequence of high and low signal levels (pulse and interval). A bit with a value of "1" is transmitted as a sequence of low and high signal levels (interval and pulse). The tail of the package is not required.

 Another example of recording data on a command transmission protocol (FIG. 12, bottom) corresponds to a command transmission protocol used in remote control systems based on integrated circuits M709L manufactured by SGS-Thomson Microelectronics. The sending period is “121 ms”, the carrier frequency modulation is not applied (“Flash” mode), the pulse duration of the signal is “10 μs” (letter “A”), the intervals between pulses can have durations of “100 μs”, “200 μs”, “ 300 μs "and" 400 μs "(letters" K "," L "," M "and" N "respectively), the number of bits in the command code is" 11 ". The starting part of the package consists of three pulses with intervals of "400 μs" and "100 μs" between them. For odd bits, the value "0" is transmitted as the interval "100 μs" and the pulse, the value "1" is transmitted as the interval "200 μs" and the pulse. For even bits, the value "0" is transmitted as the interval "100 μs" and the pulse, the value "1" is transmitted as the interval "300 μs" and the pulse. The tail of the package contains the interval "400 μs" and the pulse.

 Similarly, data can be recorded on the protocols for transmitting commands for other remotely controlled devices 2, both known and not yet developed.

 The above rules for describing the command transfer protocol were given as an example. You can use any other suitable way of representing the command transfer protocol, for example using Java bytecode. Different types of barcodes, including two-dimensional barcodes, can be used to record remote control data 4. In addition, data input 4 for remote control into the remote control device 1 can be carried out not only by reading the barcode, but also through a wired or wireless computer interface, using infrared rays, through a microphone, etc.

 The storage medium 3 used in the implementation of the second variant of the method can be performed similarly, but contain only the first strip 39 of the barcode with fields 46 ... 50, which contain data on the remotely controlled device 2.

 The first example of the implementation of the information carrier 3 (Fig. 13) is a page for use in the operating instructions of the TV, on which the image 96 of the TV and the name of the model 97 are placed, by which the user can determine that this page refers to his TV, text 98, informing that this page contains the TV command system, and data 4 for remote control in the form of several barcode bars.

 The second example of the implementation of the information carrier 3 (Fig. 14) is a portion of the rear wall of the television 99, on which are located the text 100, indicating the model of the television, and data 4 for remote control. In addition, on the back of the television 99 there is a barcode 101 containing the UPC of the television and used to identify the product at the point of sale.

 A third exemplary embodiment of the information medium 3 (FIG. 15) containing data 4 for remote control shows a page of a book 102 containing photocopied, faxed or downloaded from a computer network and printed information materials related to various remotely controlled devices 2. Book 102 can be located at the point of sale or maintenance point and is a folder that allows you to accumulate information carriers 3 as new remotely controlled appliances 2.

 A fourth example of information medium 3 (FIG. 16) is a page of a periodical 103, for example a magazine, on which explanatory text 104 and data 4 for remote control are printed.

 A fifth example of information medium 3 (FIG. 17) is the cover of a description enclosed in a box 105 with a CD 106 containing a training course in Italian geography. A UPC 107 is applied to the box 105 and the CD 106. The information carrier 3 contains data 4 for remote control of the CD player using the CD 106. Other pages of the description may contain instructions for using the training course.

 A sixth example of the information carrier 3 (FIG. 18) is the walls of the package 108 from a remotely controlled toy, on which remote control data 4 is printed, allowing this toy to be controlled using the remote control device 1. On the other wall is the UPC 109 of this product.

 The block diagram of the program executed in the remote control device (Fig. 19) contains a program block 110, a polling subroutine 111 for a user action receiving unit, program blocks 112 and 113, a data input subprogram 114, a program block 115, a device selection subprogram 116, a block 117 programs, a command execution routine 118, a program block 119, an instrument list editing routine 120, and utility functions routine 121. The block diagram of the data input routine for remote control from the storage medium (Fig. 20) contains blocks 122 ... 134 of the program. The block diagram of the subroutine for generating and transmitting the command (Fig. 21) contains program blocks 135, 136, 137, the subroutine 138 for generating and sending the starting part of the command, the subroutine 139 for generating and sending the main part of the command, the subroutine 140 for generating and sending the tail of the command, blocks 141 and 142 programs. The block diagram of the subroutine for generating and sending the start part of the command (Fig. 22) contains program blocks 143 ... 148, pulse shaping subroutine 149, program blocks 150 and 151. The block diagram of the subroutine for generating and sending the main part of the command (Fig. 23) contains program blocks 152 ... 160, pulse shaping subroutine 161, program blocks 162 and 163, pulse shaping subroutine 164, program blocks 165, 166 and 167. The block diagram of the subroutine for the formation and sending of the tail of the command (Fig. 24) contains blocks 168 ... 173 programs, the subroutine 174 pulse formation, blocks 175 and 176 programs. The block diagram of the pulse shaping routine (FIG. 25) contains program blocks 177 ... 189. The block diagram of the algorithm of user actions (Fig. 26-28) contains blocks 190 ... 211 of the algorithm.

Device operation
Using the remote control device I, the user can control several remotely controlled devices 2, which can have different command systems and command transmission protocols. As noted earlier, data on standard command transfer protocols are pre-recorded in the second additional memory area 22. Also, data on command systems of some remotely controlled devices 2 can be recorded in advance in the first additional memory area 21, the data of which are recorded in the third additional memory area 23.

 In order to control any remotely controlled device 2, the data on the command system and the command transfer protocol of which are recorded in the memory unit 6, the user selects this remote controlled device 2 in the list of devices displayed on the display 16, which is formed by data on the remotely controlled devices recorded in the third additional area 23 of the memory. The operations of the control unit 13 will be described later. Next, the user can control the selected remotely controlled device 2 by pressing the corresponding buttons of the unit 7 for receiving user actions. Each time the button is pressed, a command code is generated in accordance with the command system of the selected remote-controlled device 2. Then, in accordance with the command transmission protocol of the selected remote-controlled device 2, this command code is converted into a pulse sequence, which is transmitted using the infrared ray transmission unit 8 to a remotely controlled device 2.

 In order to be able to control any remotely controlled device 2, the command transfer protocol and / or the command system of which has not yet been recorded in the corresponding additional memory areas, the user first receives a data carrier 3 with data 4 for remote control of this remotely controlled device 2 ( Fig. 6 or 10). The user actions to obtain the media 3 information will be described later. Then, data 4 is inputted using the data input unit 5 from the storage medium into RAM 14. For this, the user presses the corresponding buttons of the user input receiving unit 7 and holds the input window 26 of the data input unit 5 from the storage medium through the stripes of bar code on the storage medium 3 . After the end of data input 4, they are analyzed and recorded in the corresponding additional memory areas. Remote-controlled device 2 is recorded in the list of devices in the third additional area 23 of the memory.

 After the data 4 for remote control is recorded in the corresponding additional memory areas, the user can select this remote-controlled device 2 in the list of devices and manage it. Thus, the remote control method of the first embodiment is implemented.

 If data on the command system and on the command transmission protocol of any remotely controlled device 2 are already recorded in the memory unit 6, then the selection of this device can be carried out using the information carrier 3 with data 4 for remote control containing data on the remote controlled device 2. The user enters the specified data 4 for remote control, as described above. Then, in accordance with the entered data 4 for remote control from the first and second additional areas 21, 22 of the memory reads the data about the system of commands and data about the protocol for transmitting commands, respectively. After that, the user can control this remotely controlled device 2. Thus, the remote control method of the second embodiment is implemented.

 The operation of the device 1 remote control that implements both versions of the method of remote control using storage media 3 is disclosed through a description of the programs executed by the control unit 13.

 The execution of the program (Fig. 19) begins after turning on the power of the remote control device 1 and continues cyclically until the power is turned off. Turning the power on and off can be accomplished, for example, by inserting and removing batteries. After the start (block 110), the polling subroutine 111 of the user actions receiving unit is executed, the result of which is the number of the pressed button. The description of subroutine 111 is not given, since it may be similar to keyboard polling programs for known remote control devices.

 Next, it checks the received number of the pressed button (block 112). If no button is pressed or two (or more) buttons are pressed at the same time, forming an invalid combination, then routine 111 returns the number of the pressed button, which is zero. In this case, it returns to subroutine 111. If the number of the pressed button is not equal to zero, then the execution of the actions determined by the pressed button begins.

 The control unit 13 checks whether the button initiating data entry is pressed (block 113), or one of the buttons of the group of 35 buttons for selecting the device (block 115), or one of the buttons for issuing the command to be executed (block 117), or the button that initiates editing a list of devices (block 119). Receiving a positive response in one of the blocks 113, 115, 117 and 119 leads to the execution of the data input subroutine 114, the device selection subroutine 116, the command execution subroutine 118 and the device list editing subroutine 120, after each of which returns to the subroutine 111.

 If a negative answer is received in each of the program blocks 113, 115, 117, 119, then the control unit 13 proceeds to the subroutine 121 for performing service functions, which include deleting unnecessary entries in the programmer 15, setting the current date and time values and some other auxiliary operations .

 After entering the data input routine 114 (block 122, FIG. 20), the control unit 13 scans the first bar code strip and stores the read information in RAM 14 (block 123). At this time, the display 16 may display text messages prompting the user with a sequence of actions. Scanning and decoding of a barcode are performed similarly to these operations in well-known scanners.

 Next, the control unit 13 compares the UPC read from the remote control data field 4 48 (FIGS. 6 and 10) with all UPCs recorded in the third additional memory area 23 (block 124). If the entered UPC value already exists, then the user receives a message about this in the form of text on the display 16 and / or an audio signal through the sound reproducing unit 17. Further, the user may be offered a choice: refuse to continue entering data 4 or continue scanning and as a result update the data in the corresponding additional memory areas related to the remotely controlled device 2 with the read UPC value (not shown in Fig. 20). The case when the user refuses to continue entering data corresponds to the implementation of the method according to the second embodiment in the same way as the case when the storage medium 3 contains only the first strip 39 with data about the remotely controlled device 2.

 Then, the control unit 13 stores in the NBars variable in the RAM 14 the number of bars of the data bar code 4 for remote control obtained from field 46 (block 125), after which the remaining bar code bars are scanned one after the other, and the control unit 13 checks that whether the stripes have been read, and displays 16 messages that prompt the user whether to scan another strip, or the scan is completed (blocks 126 and 127). The scanning process also checks the correctness of the scanning order of the strips by the numbers in the fields 44 at the beginning of each barcode bar and checks the correctness of the scan by the control code in the field 45 at the end of each bar. If you violate the correct scan order or if an error is detected in the entered data, the user receives a text or sound error message (not shown in Fig. 20).

 After all the bars of the barcode are scanned and the data is written to RAM 14, the ProtType variable is assigned a value of the type of command transmission protocol obtained from field 51 (block 128), after which data on the remotely controlled device from fields 47, 48, 49, 50 are stored in the third additional memory area 23 (block 129). Then the value of ProtType is checked (block 130). If it corresponds to a non-standard command transfer protocol, that is, “81”, then the command transfer protocol data from field 77 is stored in the second additional memory area 22, starting from the address that is stored in the “Protocol” column in the third additional memory area 23. Otherwise, program block 131 is skipped. After that, data about the command system from field 52 is stored in the first additional memory area 21 (block 132), starting with the address that is stored in the "Commands" column in the third additional memory area 23. Then, messages from field 53 are stored in the fourth additional memory area 24 (block 133), starting from the address that is stored in the Messages column in the third additional memory area 23. After that, the execution of subroutine 114 is completed (block 134).

 If field 52 does not contain data, then in block 132 of the program in the column "Commands" in the third additional area 23 of the memory is recorded zero. Similarly, if field 53 does not contain data, then in block 133 of the program, zero is written to the "Messages" column.

 The block diagram of the instrument selection subroutine 116 is not provided, since the meaning of the operations performed therein is clear from the description below. The control unit 13 finds in the third additional area 23 of the memory a line in which the button matching the pressed button from the group of 35 buttons is indicated in the column “Selection button” and stores in the corresponding variables in RAM 14 the address of the data on the protocol for transmitting commands from the column “Protocol ", the address of the data about the system of commands from the column" Commands "and the address of messages from the column" Messages ". If the address of the data about the command system is zero, then the address of the standard command system for devices of the selected type is stored in the corresponding variable. Similarly, if the message address is zero, then the address of the standard message set for devices of the selected type is stored in the corresponding variable.

 Then, the control unit 13 determines from the data on the protocol for transmitting commands and stores in RAM 14 the values of the variables, which will then be used in subroutines that generate and transmit commands to the remotely controlled device 2. Next, the notation of the variables used in the flowcharts and descriptions of subroutines, and also explains how the values of these variables are associated with the data on the protocol for transmitting commands in field 77 (Fig. 11).

 Code [NB] - command code, represented as an array of NB bits. The NB value is obtained from entry 89.

 TT - the period of sending the command, measured by an integer number of milliseconds and obtained from the record 82.

 TS - carrier period, measured in microseconds and obtained from record 83. If carrier modulation is not used in this command transmission protocol, then TS = 0.

 TCI - carrier pulse duration, measured in microseconds and obtained from record 84. If carrier modulation is not used in this command transmission protocol, then TCI = 0.

 TP - an array of pulse duration values for a given transmission protocol. The number of elements in this array, denoted by NTP, is equal to the number of possible pulse durations in a given transmission protocol, that is, the number of entries in the second subfield of field 77. The values TP [k], k = 1 ... NTP, are obtained from individual entries in the second subfield fields 77, i.e. records 85, 86, etc.

 TI - an array of values of the durations of intervals between pulses for a given transmission protocol. The number of elements in this array, denoted by NTI, is equal to the number of possible durations of intervals between pulses in a given transmission protocol, that is, the number of entries in the third subfield of field 77. The values TI [k], k = 1 ... NTI, are obtained from individual entries in the second subfield of field 77, i.e., records 87, 88, etc.

 NS - the total number of pulses and intervals between pulses in the starting part of the package when transmitting a command equal to the total number of characters in the sequence 90.

 SS - an array of NS bits that describes the sequence of pulses and the intervals between pulses in the starting part of the package. The array element SS [k], k = 1. ..NS, gets the value "1" if the k-th letter in the sequence 90 corresponds to the pulse duration (letter A ... J), or gets the value "0" if k the th letter in the sequence 90 corresponds to the duration of the intervals between pulses (letter K ... T).

 TS is an array of NS numbers that describes a sequence of values of pulse durations or intervals between pulses in the starting part of a package. The value of the array element TS [k], k = 1 ... NS is determined based on which letter is at the kth position in the sequence 90. If it is a letter A or K, then TS [k] = 1; if it is a letter B or L, then TS [k] = 2, etc.

 NM is the number of entries separated by commas in the sixth subfield of field 77. The value of NM can be defined as the number of commas in the specified subfield plus one.

 SM is a two-dimensional array of NMx2 bits that describes the transmission order of pulses and the intervals between pulses in the main part of the package. The array element SM [i] [1], where i = 1 ... NM, gets the value "0" if in the i-th record in the sixth subfield of field 77 in the first pair of letters one of the letters K ... T first goes and then one of the letters A ... J, that is, in sending a bit having the value "0", the interval between pulses first goes, and then the pulse. Otherwise, this array element gets the value "1", and the pulse first goes in the package, and then the interval between pulses.

 Similarly, an array element SM [i] [2], where i = 1 ... NM, gets the value "0" if in the i-th record in the sixth subfield of field 77 in the second pair of letters one of the letters K ... T, and then one of the letters A..J, that is, in sending a bit having the value "1", the interval between pulses first goes, and then the pulse. Otherwise, this array element gets the value "1", and the pulse first goes in the package, and then the interval between pulses.

 MR - a two-dimensional array of 2xNM numbers, which determines the pulse duration for all bits in the package. The value of the array element MP [i] [1], where i = 1 ... NM, is determined based on which of the letters A..J is present in the first pair of letters in the i-th entry in the sixth subfield of field 77. If this the letter A, then MP [i] [1] = 1; if it is the letter B, then MP [i] [1] = 2, etc. This determines the duration of the pulse generated if the transmitted bit of the command code is zero. Similarly, the value of the array element MP [i] [2], where i = 1 ... NM, is determined based on which of the letters A..J is present in the second pair of letters in the i-th entry in the sixth subfield of field 77. If this is the letter A, then MP [i] [2] = 1; if it is the letter B, then MP [i] [2] = 2, etc. This determines the duration of the pulse generated if the transmitted bit of the command code is equal to one.

 MI is a two-dimensional array of 2xNM numbers that determines the duration of the intervals between the day pulses of each bit defined in the sixth subfield of field 77. The value of the array element MI [i] [1], where i = 1 ... NM, is determined based on which of the letters K ... T is present in the first pair of letters in the i-th entry in the sixth subfield of field 77. If it is the letter K, then MI [i] [1] = 1; if it is the letter L, then MI [i] [1] = 2, etc. This determines the duration of the interval between pulses, formed if the transmitted bit of the command code is zero. Similarly, the value of the array element MI [i] [2], where i = 1 ... NM, is determined based on which of the letters K ... T is present in the second pair of letters in the i-th record in the sixth subfield of field 77. If this is the letter K, then MI [i] [2] = 1; if it is the letter L, then MI [i] [2] = 2, etc. This determines the duration of the interval between pulses formed if the transmitted bit of the command code is equal to one.

 NF - the total number of pulses and intervals between pulses in the tail of the package. NF equals the total number of characters in a sequence of 95.

 SF - an array of NF bits that describes the sequence of pulses and the intervals between pulses in the tail of the package. The array element SF [k], k = 1 ... NF, gets the value "1" if the k-th letter in sequence 95 corresponds to the pulse duration (letter A ... J), or gets the value "0" if k the i-th letter in the sequence 95 corresponds to the duration of the intervals between pulses (the letter K ... T).

 TF - an array of NF numbers that describes a sequence of values of pulse durations or intervals between pulses in the tail of the package. The value of the array element TF [k], k = 1 ... NF is determined based on which letter is at the kth position in subfield 95. If it is a letter A or K, then TF [k] = 1; if it is the letter B or L, then TF [k] = 2, etc.

 After determining and saving in RAM 14 of the listed variables, the execution of subroutine 116 ends.

 After entering the command execution routine 118 (block 135, Fig. 21), the control unit 13 searches in the first additional memory area 21 in the sector corresponding to the selected remote-controlled device 2, data for a button with a number matching the number of the pressed button (block 136) . If the data for the button with the desired number is not found, then a text or sound error message is generated (block 141) and the subroutine is completed (block 142). If the data for the button with the desired number is found, then the control unit 13 reads the command code from the "Code" column (Fig. 4) and stores it in the Code variable (block 137). In the same block, a message corresponding to the pressed button can be displayed on the display 16.

 After that, the command is transmitted to the remotely controlled device 2. For the convenience of the subsequent presentation, this operation in FIG. 21 is represented as a sequence of three subprograms: subroutines 138 for generating and transmitting the start of the team, subroutines 139 for generating and transmitting the main part of the team, and subroutines 140 for generating and transmitting the tail of the team. Then, routine 118 ends (block 142).

 In the flowcharts of the subprograms 138, 139, 140 described below, in addition to the variables whose designations were introduced in the description of subprogram 116, auxiliary integer variables k, j, m, n are used, which are used as counters and indices.

 After entering the subroutine 138 of the formation and transmission of the start part of the command (block 143 in Fig. 22), the variable k receives the value "1" (block 144). Then, NS times, a cycle of blocks 145 ... 150 of the program is executed, after which the execution of subroutine 138 is completed (block 151).

 In each pass of the indicated cycle, the variable m is assigned the number of the pulse duration or the duration of the interval between pulses read from the TS array (block 146). Then the next element of the SS array is checked (block 147). If SS [k] = 0, then a delay is performed with a duration equal to TI [m] (block 148), that is, an interval between pulses with a specified duration is formed. If SS [k] = 1, then the pulse shaping subroutine 149 is executed with a duration TP [m], which will be described later. Then the value of the counting variable k is increased by one (block 150).

 After entering the subroutine 139 of the formation and transmission of the main part of the command (block 152 in Fig. 23), the variables k and n get the values "1" (block 153). Then NB, a cycle of blocks 154 ... 165 of the program is executed once, in each pass of which one bit from the command code is transmitted. The counting variable in this cycle is the variable k, the value of which shows the number of the transmitted bit. After that, the execution of subroutine 139 is completed (block 167).

 Inside the loop with the variable k, the loop with the variable n is executed, the value of which shows the record number in the sixth subfield of the field 77. The number of passes of this loop is equal to NM. The end of the loop with the variable n is determined in block 155. As a rule, NM <NB, therefore, during the loop with the variable k, the loop with the variable n is executed several times. After each execution of the loop on the variable n, this variable again gets the value "1" in block 166.

 Next, consider the process of transmitting the kth bit of the command code. In block 156 of the program, the value of this bit equal to Code [k] is checked. If Code [k] = 0, then the variable m is assigned the value MP [k] [1], and the variable j is assigned the value MI [k] [1] (block 157). If Code [k] = 1, then the variable m is assigned the value MP [k] [2], and the variable j is assigned the value MI [k] [2] (block 159). In both cases, the variable m contains the number of the pulse duration, and the variable j contains the number of the duration of the interval between pulses. These numbers may be different in the case of transmission of bits equal to "0" or "1".

 Next, in block 158 of the program or in block 160 of the program, the value of the bit SM [k] [1] or SM [k] [2] is checked, respectively. As explained earlier, these bits indicate what should be transmitted earlier - the pulse or the interval between pulses. If the checked bit is “1”, then a pulse of duration TP [m] (subroutine 161) is transmitted first, and then the interval between pulses is transmitted by generating a delay for the time TI [j] (block 162). Otherwise, the interval between pulses is first transmitted by generating a delay for the time TI [j] (block 163), and then a pulse transmission routine 164 of duration TP [m] is executed.

 After sending the Code [k] bit, the values of the counting variables k and n increase by one (block 165), and the program returns to the beginning of the cycle to block 154 of the program.

 After entering the subroutine 140 of the formation and transmission of the tail of the command (block 168, Fig. 24), the variable k receives the value "1" (block 169). Then, NF times, a cycle is executed from blocks 170 ... 175 of the subroutine, after which the execution of subroutine 140 is completed (block 176).

 In each pass of the cycle, the variable m is assigned the number of the pulse duration or the duration of the interval between pulses, read from the TF array (block 171). Then the next element of the SF array is checked (block 172). If SF [k] = 0, then a delay is performed with a duration equal to TI [m] (block 173), that is, an interval between pulses with a specified duration is formed. If SF [k] = 1, then the pulse shaping subroutine 174 is executed with a duration equal to TP [m]. Then the value of the counting variable k is increased by one (block 175).

 In the block diagram and in the description of the pulse transmission subroutine 149 of a given duration (Fig. 25), the previously introduced notation is used: TT — period of sending a command to a remotely controlled device 2, TC — carrier period, TCI — carrier pulse duration. In addition, new notations are used: T is the specified pulse duration, NC is the number of carrier pulses that must be transmitted during the time T, TR is the remainder of the pulse duration T after the transmission of NC carrier periods, n is the counting variable, Trunc (x) is a mathematical function that returns the integer part of a positive number x, SH (T) is a subprogram of generating a positive impulse of duration T. Subprograms 161, 164 and 174 are actually the same subprogram 149, but called from other points.

 After entering the subroutine 149 (block 177), a check is made to see if carrier modulation is used in the established transmission protocol (block 178). As explained above, if modulation is not used, then the value of the period of the carrier TC = 0. In this case, a pulse of duration T is generated (block 179), and the execution of the subroutine 149 is completed (block 189).

 If modulation is used, then TC> 0, and the transition to block 180 of the program is performed, in which the NC value is calculated equal to an integer number of carrier periods for a given pulse duration T. Then the value TR = T-NCxTC (block 181) is calculated, the variable n receives value "0" (block 182), and the execution of the cycle from blocks 183, 184, 185, 186 of the program begins. In each pass of this cycle, one pulse is transmitted with a TCI-bearing carrier (block 184), after which an interval between pulses of a TC-TCI-bearing carrier is formed (block 185). After completion of the specified cycle, the comparison of the remaining time TR with the pulse width of the TCI carrier is performed (block 187). If it turns out that TR is greater than or equal to TCI, then another pulse is generated with a carrier duration of TCI (block 188). Otherwise, program block 188 is not executed and subroutine 149 ends immediately (block 189).

 When executing the subroutine 120 editing the list of devices on the display 16 displays the contents of the third additional area 23 of the memory (Fig. 5). The user is given the opportunity to assign each of the remotely controlled devices 2, the data of which is recorded in the third additional area 23 of the memory, a selection button from a group of 35 buttons, replace the device assigned to any selection button with another device, or make any selection buttons free. The subroutine 120 editing the list of devices contains the operations of outputting information to the display 1 b, entering data from the block 7 receiving user actions, recording and erasing data in RPPZU 15.

 The user action algorithm (Fig. 26-28) shows the sequence of actions that must be performed to obtain the storage medium 3. The user is faced with such a need when he purchases a remote control device 1 of the present invention to replace a lost or inoperative remote control device from a user’s remote-controlled device 2, or when he purchases a new remote-controlled device 2 and wants to control it using his existing one device 1 remote control.

 The user searches on the remote-controlled device 2 or in the UPC documents of this device attached to it (block 191). If the search succeeds (block 192, “Yes”), then the UPC scan (block 193) is performed using the remote control device 1. A comparison is then made with the scanned UPC with the values recorded in the third additional memory area 23 in the “UPC” column (block 194). If as a result a previously recorded UPC matching the scanned one is found, then the remote control device 1 reports this with an audio and / or visual signal, and the operation ends (block 195), since the data about the command system and the data about the command transmission protocol are remotely controlled device 2 were written to the corresponding additional memory areas earlier and can be read from there and used. Thus, the method according to the second embodiment is realized.

 If the UPC that matches the scanned one is not found, then the remote control device 1 reports this with the appropriate sound and / or visual alarm and the user tries to find the data 4 for remote control in the description or on the packaging of this device as a barcode code (block 196). If the desired data is found (block 197, “Yes”), the user proceeds to block 208 (Fig. 28), in which he scans this data 4, after which the operation ends (block 209). Thereby, the method according to the first embodiment of the present invention is realized.

 If the user does not find the data 4 for the remote control (block 197, "No"), then the transition to block 198 of the algorithm. If the user has access to the Internet (block 198, “Yes”), he finds a WEB-site (block 199) containing data 4 for remote control of various devices in accordance with the present invention. The WEB-site address can be given in the manual for the remote control device 1 or printed on the device 1. Then the user finds the type of their remote-controlled device 2 on the WEB-site, downloads data 4 for remote control from the Internet and prints to the printer, receiving the most necessary storage medium 3 information. After that, the user scans the data 4 (block 208).

 If the user does not have access to the Internet (block 198, "No"), but has a fax (block 200, "Yes"), then the user calls the service and asks to send data 4 for remote control by fax (block 201), receives faxing the requested data (block 202) and proceeds to block 208 of the algorithm.

 If the user does not have a fax (block 200, “No”), but mail works in the area where he lives (block 203, “Yes”), then depending on whether the user has a telephone (block 204), the user either by telephone (block 205) or by mail (block 206), he requests from the service department a data carrier 3 with data 4 for remote control for his remote-controlled device 2. Having received the requested information carrier 3 by mail (block 207), the user goes to block 208 of the algorithm.

 If the user is located in an area where the postal service cannot provide him with the necessary service (block 203, “No”), then he must go to the service point (block 210), where he will be helped to find and copy the information carrier 3 with the necessary data 4 for remote control (block 211), after which the user proceeds to block 208 of the algorithm.

 Thus, in the claimed invention, the required technical result is achieved. The functionality is expanded due to the fact that the remote control device can be programmed to work with various remotely controlled devices using pre-prepared storage media containing data on command systems and data on command transmission protocols for these devices or data on them.

 Using the present invention, the user is able to control with a single remote control device, many remotely controlled devices. To program a remote control device to work with a new remotely controlled device, it is enough to enter data on the command system and on the command transfer protocol for this device into the specified device. The necessary data can be delivered to the user in various ways, including together with a remotely controlled device, through periodic printing, via the Internet, by mail, etc.

 The remote control device of the present invention, in combination with information carriers containing relevant data, can also be used in place of various devices lost or exited from the remote controls.

 Remote control devices in accordance with the present invention can find wide application and should be in great demand. The versatility and programmability of remote control devices, the variety of possible types of storage media with data for remote control and their delivery methods create significant advantages for consumers who will benefit from the results of the present invention.

Claims (17)

 1. The remote control method, in accordance with which prepare a storage medium containing data for remote control, which is entered into the remote control device, which when exposed to it, generates a command code, which is converted into a sequence of pulses transmitted to a remotely controlled device, characterized in that when preparing the information carrier, data on the command system and / or data on the protocol for transmitting commands are included in the data for remote control, in accordance with which the command code is generated and / or the command code is converted into a sequence of pulses, respectively, wherein the above command system data and / or command transfer protocol data is stored in the memory unit of the remote control device at least until the start of the command transmission session to the remotely controlled device.  2. The remote control method according to claim 1, characterized in that during at least one of the following sessions, the stored data on the command system and / or data on the command transmission protocol are read from the memory unit of the remote control, in accordance with which generating a command code and / or converting the command code into a pulse train, respectively.  3. The remote control method according to claim 2, characterized in that they prepare another storage medium containing data on a remotely controlled device that is inserted into the remote control device during at least one of the following work sessions and is read from the unit in accordance with them the memory of the remote control device stored data about the command system and / or data about the protocol for transmitting commands.  4. The remote control method according to claim 1, characterized in that when preparing the storage medium, the data for the remote control include text messages that are reproduced during the session, and after it is stored in the memory unit of the remote control at least next work session.  5. A remote control method, in accordance with which a storage medium is prepared containing data for remote control, which is input from the storage medium into a remote control device, which, when exposed to it, generates a command code, which is converted into a sequence of pulses transmitted to a remotely controlled device, characterized in that when preparing the information carrier, data on the remote-controlled device is included in the data for remote control, and in the memory unit the remote control device previously before entering data from the storage medium write data about the command system and / or data about the protocol for transmitting commands, which during a work session are read from the memory block of the remote control device in accordance with the above data on the remotely controlled device, and are performed in accordance with them the formation of the command code and / or the conversion of the command code into a sequence of pulses, respectively, with the above data on remotely controlled after input, the device is stored in the memory unit of the remote control device at least until the next session.  6. A remote control device comprising a user action receiving unit, an instruction transmitting unit, a data input unit from an information medium and a memory unit connected to a control unit configured to generate a command code and convert the command code into a pulse train and with the ability to receive data from block data input from the storage medium, characterized in that the memory block is equipped with an additional memory area for command systems and an additional memory area for transmission protocols mand, and the control unit is configured to record data about command systems in an additional memory area for command systems and data on command transfer protocols to an additional memory area for command transfer protocols and with the possibility of generating a command code in accordance with data on command systems and code conversion commands in a sequence of pulses in accordance with the data on the protocols for transmitting commands.  7. The remote control device according to claim 6, characterized in that the memory unit is provided with an additional memory area for data on remotely controlled devices, and the control unit is configured to write data on the remotely controlled device to the above additional memory area and can be read in accordance with with them data on command systems from an additional memory area for command systems and data on command transmission protocols from an additional memory area for command transmission protocols.  8. The remote control device according to claim 6, characterized in that it is equipped with a display, the memory unit is provided with an additional area of memory for messages, and the control unit is configured to record messages in an additional area of memory for messages and with the possibility of outputting messages from there to the display.  9. The remote control device according to claim 6, characterized in that the data input unit from the storage medium is configured to enter a machine-readable code.  10. The remote control device according to p. 9, characterized in that the machine-readable code is presented in the form of barcode characters.  11. A storage medium containing at least one surface on which are characters of a machine-readable code representing data for remote control, characterized in that the above surface is provided with at least one field with M characters of a machine-readable code (where M is integer) representing data on the remotely controlled device, and / or data on the command system of the remotely controlled device, and / or data on the protocol for transmitting commands.  12. The storage medium according to p. 11, characterized in that the at least one field with M characters of machine-readable code contains a group of characters of machine-readable code representing data on a remotely controlled device, a group of characters of machine-readable code representing data about the command system of a remotely controlled device, and a group of machine-readable code characters representing data on the command transfer protocol.  13. The storage medium according to p. 12, characterized in that every two groups of the above groups of characters of a machine-readable code are separated by at least one character of a machine-readable code and / or a surface area without characters of a machine-readable code.  14. The storage medium according to claim 11, characterized in that the characters of a machine-readable code are made in the form of barcode characters.  15. The storage medium according to claim 11, characterized in that the above surface is made in the form of a part of the surface of the housing of a remotely controlled device.  16. The storage medium according to p. 11, characterized in that the above surface is made as part of the surface of the packaging of a remotely controlled device.  17. The storage medium according to p. 11, characterized in that the above surface is made as part of the surface of at least one sheet of instructions for the user of a remotely controlled device.

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