WO2003007291A2 - Systeme et procede pour l'utilisation d'un dispositif portatif affichant des informations - Google Patents

Systeme et procede pour l'utilisation d'un dispositif portatif affichant des informations Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2003007291A2
WO2003007291A2 PCT/US2002/004101 US0204101W WO03007291A2 WO 2003007291 A2 WO2003007291 A2 WO 2003007291A2 US 0204101 W US0204101 W US 0204101W WO 03007291 A2 WO03007291 A2 WO 03007291A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
hand
held device
ofthe
display
recited
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2002/004101
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2003007291A3 (fr
Inventor
Patrick H. Hayes
Steve Lanping Huang
Joyce M. Presseau
Original Assignee
Universal Electronics Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/905,423 external-priority patent/US20020140571A1/en
Priority claimed from US09/905,432 external-priority patent/US7102688B2/en
Application filed by Universal Electronics Inc. filed Critical Universal Electronics Inc.
Priority to MXPA04000286A priority Critical patent/MXPA04000286A/es
Priority to CA002453713A priority patent/CA2453713A1/fr
Priority to BR0211129-2A priority patent/BR0211129A/pt
Priority to EP02707772A priority patent/EP1410359A2/fr
Publication of WO2003007291A2 publication Critical patent/WO2003007291A2/fr
Publication of WO2003007291A3 publication Critical patent/WO2003007291A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
    • H04N21/4126—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
    • H04N21/41265—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C17/00—Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
    • G08C17/02—Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C23/00—Non-electrical signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems
    • G08C23/04—Non-electrical signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems using light waves, e.g. infrared
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/02—Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/02—Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
    • H04L67/025—Protocols based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP] for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
    • H04L67/01—Protocols
    • H04L67/04—Protocols specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H04N21/42208—Display device provided on the remote control
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
    • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
    • H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
    • H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
    • H04N21/42224—Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/443—OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
    • H04N21/4431—OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB characterized by the use of Application Program Interface [API] libraries
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/443—OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
    • H04N21/4438—Window management, e.g. event handling following interaction with the user interface
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/45—Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies, resolving scheduling conflicts
    • H04N21/462—Content or additional data management, e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end, controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
    • H04N21/4622—Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/488—Data services, e.g. news ticker
    • H04N21/4882—Data services, e.g. news ticker for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/488—Data services, e.g. news ticker
    • H04N21/4884—Data services, e.g. news ticker for displaying subtitles
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
    • G08C2201/20—Binding and programming of remote control devices
    • G08C2201/21—Programming remote control devices via third means
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
    • G08C2201/90—Additional features
    • G08C2201/92—Universal remote control
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L69/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services independent of the application payload and not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
    • H04L69/30—Definitions, standards or architectural aspects of layered protocol stacks
    • H04L69/32—Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level
    • H04L69/322—Intralayer communication protocols among peer entities or protocol data unit [PDU] definitions
    • H04L69/329—Intralayer communication protocols among peer entities or protocol data unit [PDU] definitions in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to hand held devices and, more particularly, relates to a hand held device on which information relevant to the operation of a consumer appliance can be displayed.
  • the first consumer electronic devices radios and, later, televisions, had no remote controls.
  • the controls of these first consumer electronic devices were simple - a combination power switch and volume control and a tuning control.
  • the remote control new capabilities to control were added to consumer electronic devices - one ofthe first being the volume "Mute" feature.
  • New, and eventually popular, consumer electronic devices were later introduced, including the VCR, CD player and more recently, the DVD player and PVR (personal video recorder). While the VCR was initially introduced without a remote control, remote controls were quickly added to the product offering.
  • VCR remote controls simply controlled the power and the transport mechanism ("Play,” “Stop,” “Pause,” “Rewind,” “Fast Forward” and “Record”).
  • VCR remote controls have far more controls, for example, to control the adjustment of tape tracking, the selection of programs for future recording, direct channel access, frame-by-frame program viewing and the ability to set the VCR's clock.
  • the VCR remote control has grown from seven or eight keys to twenty or more.
  • the CD player when first introduced, came with a remote control.
  • the first CD players held a single disk and were easy to control.
  • This CD "jukebox" permits the consumer to painstakingly enter the title of each disk by remote control and control which disk and track of that disk will play next.
  • This remote control has also grown from ten keys or so to over thirty with many keys performing two or more functions.
  • remote controls can be used in connection with personal computers, game consoles, etc. Remote controls can also be used to control the lighting, window fixtures, thermostats, home alarm system, etc. within the home.
  • Universal remote controls available today perform a valuable function, consolidating three, four, five, and more remote controls into one device.
  • the universal remote control simplifies operation by reducing the number of keys and, therefore, the number of features available to the consumer.
  • the universal remote control can operate the basic functions of several home appliances.
  • home appliances continue their march toward even greater complexity.
  • a new form of easy-to-use remote control will be required to meet the needs of consumers.
  • this new form of remote control must also be inexpensive.
  • this new form of remote control must possess new features and include the ability to stay flexible.
  • the subject invention is directed to a system and method for using a hand held device having a display to display information related to a consumer appliance such as, for example, a user manual.
  • the system generally includes the consumer appliance which has a memory in which is stored an electronic document including instructions relevant to the operation ofthe consumer appliance.
  • the consumer appliance is adapted to communicate with the hand- held device. In this manner, the consumer appliance can transmit signals indicative ofthe electronic document to the hand-held device and the hand-held device can display in the display a representation ofthe electronic document.
  • the system generally includes the consumer appliance, the hand-held device, and a Web site.
  • the hand-held device has a memory in which is stored a representation of a make ofthe consumer appliance.
  • the Web site has instructions relevant to the operation ofthe make of the consumer appliance.
  • the hand- held device is adapted to communicate with the Web site to retrieve the instructions for display in the display.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a pictorial drawing of a universal remote control in which the principles ofthe subject invention may be embodied
  • Figure 2 illustrates an exploded assembly drawing ofthe universal remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
  • Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of exemplary hardware for use in connection with the universal remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
  • Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary operating system and hardware hierarchy for use in the universal remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
  • Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary remote control application program hierarchy for use in the universal remote control illustrated in Fig. 1
  • Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary sub-application program hierarchy for use in setting up the universal remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
  • Figure 7 illustrates an exemplary sub-application program hierarchy for use in personalizing the universal remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
  • Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary sub-application program hierarchy for use in establishing the overall system behavior ofthe universal remote control illustrated in Fig.
  • Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary process for initializing a browser application resident on the universal remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
  • Figure 10 illustrates an exemplary operational sequence ofthe browser application resident on the universal remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
  • Figure 11 illustrates an exemplary browser screen layout capable of being displayed on the universal remote control of Fig. 1
  • Figure 12 illustrates an exemplary browser-based home control screen displayed on the universal remote control of Fig. 1 and the HTML source for use in displaying the control screen;
  • Figure 13 illustrates an exemplary browser-based TV guide screen displayed on the universal remote control of Fig. 1 and the HTML source for use in displaying the TV guide screen;
  • Figure 14 illustrates a two-way communication system including a computer, a computer network, and the universal remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
  • Figure 15 illustrates an exemplary Server Application Flow Chart for use in connection with the two-way communication system illustrated in Fig. 14;
  • Figure 16 illustrates an exemplary display of Web-based data using the browser of the universal remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
  • Figure 17 illustrates the universal remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 docked to an optional keyboard
  • Figures 18a and 18b illustrate an exemplary method by which the remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 can be used to retrieve information regarding an appliance and the resulting display of an exemplary retrieved user's manual;
  • Figures 19a and 19b illustrate a further exemplary method by which the remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 can be used to retrieve information regarding an appliance and the resulting display of an exemplary retrieved user's manual;
  • Figure 20 illustrates an exemplary menu page for use in retrieving information regarding an appliance displayed on the remote control illustrated in Fig.l;
  • Figure 21 illustrates an exemplary error message displayed on the remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 displayed due to an error in communication
  • Figure 22 illustrates a two-way communication system including an appliance and the universal remote control illustrated in Fig. 1;
  • Figure 23 illustrates an alternative two-way communication system including an appliance and the universal remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
  • Figure 24 illustrates an exemplary display of screens used to display song lyrics using the remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
  • Figure 25 illustrates an exemplary system for use in displaying closed captioning information using the remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
  • Figure 26 illustrates an exemplary method for use in displaying closed captioning information using the system illustrated in Fig. 25.
  • Figure 27 illustrates an exemplary display of screens used to display TV guide information and to set and display reminders to watch certain shows using the remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 ;
  • Figure 28 illustrates an exemplary method by which the remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 can generate reminder displays ofthe type illustrated in Fig. 27;
  • Figure 29 illustrates an exemplary display of screens used to provide additional information about a product whose UPC bar code has been entered using a bar code reader attached to the remote control illustrated in Fig. 1 ; and Figure 30 illustrates an exemplary display of screens used to display TV guide information ordered according to individual preference.
  • the remote control 10 comprises a housing 11 itself comprising two parts, namely, an upper housing 12 and a lower housing 13. Included in the lower housing 12 is a battery cover 14, a stylus repository, and a slot 16 through which a liquid crystal display (LCD) contrast control switch 42 may be accessed. Stylus 19 may be located in the stylus repository.
  • LCD liquid crystal display
  • the upper housing 12 has openings through which keys 20, red light emitting diode (LED) 22 and a LCD 24 with a translucent touch sensitive overlay can be accessed.
  • the keys 20 are illustrated as being arranged in a vertical line to the right ofthe LCD 24 and may comprise (from top to bottom) a "Backlight” key 30, "Volume Up” and “Volume Down” keys 32 and 34, “Mute” key 36, and "Channel Up” and “Channel Down” keys 38 and 40, respectively.
  • the contrast control switch 42 can be located on the right side of the remote control 10 below the "Volume Up” and “Volume Down” keys, 38 and 40.
  • the upper housing 12 may also include an opening for voice access to a microphone.
  • the forward facing LEDs 50 may also perform as an infrared light detector according to the teachings of co- pending U.S. Patent application 09/080,125 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • the opening in which the LEDs 50 and 51 are carried may be covered by an infrared-transparent lens 17.
  • the forward end ofthe remote control 10 may also include an opening for an RF antenna 52.
  • On the underneath portion ofthe remote control 10 are located openings for a battery compartment 58 and, optionally, a speaker, and/or battery charging contacts.
  • a magnetic modem coupler 71 as described in US Patent 5,537,463 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, can be included to permit transfer of data into the unit via a telephone handset or other source of magnetically encoded signal such as television or P.C. loudspeakers.
  • FIG 3 there is illustrated a block diagram of exemplary operating circuitry 100 of the remote control 10.
  • the operating circuitry 100 may be powered directly by a battery or indirectly from another electrical source (i.e., by way of the battery charging contacts or other dc power source).
  • the power supply is regulated and monitored by a power conditioning and status circuit 106.
  • the operating circuitry 100 preferably includes a memory bank 110 comprising RAM 111 and flash memory 112, main processor 101 (e.g., a Sharp LU77790A), a display module 180 comprising a liquid crystal display glass 182, touch panel overlay 184, electroluminescent backlight 186 and drivers 188.
  • main processor 101 e.g., a Sharp LU77790A
  • display module 180 comprising a liquid crystal display glass 182, touch panel overlay 184, electroluminescent backlight 186 and drivers 188.
  • a general purpose serial I/O circuit 108 an infrared controller 140 (e.g, comprising a Samsung KS88C01424 Microcontroller), an infrared transmitter circuit 150, an infrared receiver circuit 160, a Analog-to-Digital converter (ADC) and touch decoder circuit 170 (e.g., comprising a PIC16LC715 Microcontroller or other touch screen controller/decoder chip), a speaker or buzzer 102, a key pad 190 (the electrical diagram equivalent ofthe elastomeric keyboard 20 shown in Figure 2), a magnetic modem 71 , and an RF module 152 comprising an RF controller 120 (e.g., a PIC16F84 Microcontroller) and an RF transceiver 130 (e.g.
  • RF controller 120 e.g., a PIC16F84 Microcontroller
  • RF transceiver 130 e.g.
  • the RF module 125 may comprise an "off-the-shelf RF transceiver unit with an integral baseband processor such as the "900 MHz Microhopper” available from World Wireless Communications Inc. (part number 011-1882). It will be appreciated that RF modules of other manufacture and or other technologies (Bluetooth, IEE802.11, etc.) are equally suitable.
  • the RF circuitry is connected to the RF antenna 52 while the IR circuitry is connected to the IR LEDs 50 and 51.
  • the main processor may be based on a 32-bit, ARM RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) core.
  • the main processor would comprise the ARM processor core 300, LCD controller 310, general purpose I/O ports 320, and multiple serial UART ports 330.
  • the main processor is provided to manage the entire process of interacting with the user through the backlit, graphical, touchscreen, LCD module 180, the speaker or buzzer 102, the key pad 190, the microphone and/or the red LED 235 (LED 22 of Figs. 1 and 2) and to provide two-way infrared and RF communications through the infrared controller 140 and the RF controller 120.
  • connection 200 interconnecting the memory module 110 with the main processor 101
  • connections 210 and 220 interconnecting the LCD 180 with the main processor 101
  • connections 230, 240, 250, 260, and 270 interconnecting the main processor 101 with the key pad 190, buzzer 102, the general purpose serial I/O circuit 108 and the RF controller 120, infrared controller 140, and ADC and touch decoder circuit 170, respectively.
  • Other connections include the connection 252 between the RF controller 120 and the RF transceiver 130 and connection 262 interconnecting the infrared controller 140 with the infrared transmitter 150 and also connecting the infrared controller 140 with the infrared receiver 160.
  • the electronic configuration illustrated in block diagram 100 comprises a general purpose, multi-processor system.
  • the operation ofthe multi-processor system is controlled by internal control software.
  • the control software may include routines, programs, objects, components, and/or data structures that perform particular tasks that can be viewed as an operating system together with one or more applications.
  • the operating system provides an underlying set of management and control functions which are utilized by the applications to offer user functions such as control of consumer appliances, access to Internet data, display of home automation controls, display of TV guide information, and the like. It should be understood that, while the term "remote control" is used herein to designate the physical unit, in terms ofthe internal software architecture the conventional "clicker" remote control user interface is but one of several possible applications which may co-exist within the unit.
  • Events are occurrences which initiate an action. More specifically, an Event is an occurrence that requires a response from the remote control 10. Events include user- initiated activities such as pressing a physical key on the keypad 20, activating the touch screen LCD 24, speaking into a microphone, etc. Events can also be generated by the main processor 101, for example by an internal timer register. In addition, Events can be generated by external means such as, for example, a communication transmission.
  • the remote control will typically access one or more of its Resources.
  • a Resource is, in its broadest definition, a block of data. The data is often of a specific (i.e., defined) type.
  • each memory data block is preferably identified by its "Resource ID" or by another indication where the Resource is located in the memory structure.
  • Examples of Resources are bitmaps, strings, and control and display definitions.
  • Resources are used to configure the remote control 10 to be responsive to the needs ofthe user. Many Resources are loaded into the memory 110 ofthe remote control 10 by the manufacturer when the remote control 10 is built. Other Resources may be created or modified by the user and still other Resources can be remotely loaded into the memory 110 by a service center, via the Internet, etc. Resources allow the behavior, look and feel ofthe remote control 10 to be altered, even after it has been sold and is in the hands ofthe user thus permitting the user to personalize the remote control 10 to his or her own tastes.
  • Resources may be instantiated within the remote control 10 by use of a Resource Compiler running on a PC or equivalent.
  • the Resource may be instantiated within the remote control 10 by use of a Resource Compiler running on a PC or equivalent.
  • Compiler accepts a text description of graphic and control elements and compiles them into memory data structures suitable for use within the remote control 10.
  • a PC based Resource Compiler may provide the most efficient method for rapid development of Resources needed for a particular remote control application.
  • commands which are available in an exemplary Resource Compiler for use in generating the memory data structures for the remote control include:
  • the BITMAP command generates a black and white bitmap Resource.
  • "BifMapName” is the bitmap Resource ID while the "Width” and “Height” size the bitmap.
  • "BitsPerPixel” is set to ' 1 ' and “Radix” is set to '2' in the first generation ofthe remote control product.
  • FONT generates a Resource Table that associates numeric values with bitmaps. This approach permits the use of an unordered set of bitmaps to be used as alphabetic characters or font.
  • "FontName” is a SYMBOL. Its assigned value is the Resoure ID of the font.
  • StarttAsciilndex is the index value associated with the first bitmap ID.
  • EndAsciilndex is the index value associated with the last bitmap ID.
  • bitmap IDs are typically expressions in the form of SYMBOL names.
  • STRING generates a String Resource.
  • StringName is a SYMBOL. Its assigned value is the String Resource ID.
  • StringCharacters comprise the text in the string.
  • DATA (DataName. rPataSpecifier.rExprll.DataEnd) DATA generates a Data Resource. "DataName” is a SYMBOL. Its assigned value is the Data Resource ID. "DataSpecifier” indicates the size ofthe expressions
  • BITMAPBUTTONCONTROL generates a bitmap push button control.
  • ControlName is a SYMBOL. Its assigned value is the Resource ID for the control.
  • ControlCode is the value generated when the control on the touchscreen display is pressed or released.
  • UpBitMapID is the Resource ID ofthe bitmap that is drawn on the display when the control is active but not pressed.
  • DownBitMapID is the Resource ID of the bitmap that is drawn on the display when the control is active and pressed by the user.
  • InactiveBitMapID is the Resource ID ofthe bitmap that is drawn on the display when the control is inactive.
  • SelectionBitMapID is the Resource ID ofthe bitmap that is drawn on the display when the control is active and visually highlighted.
  • STRTNGBITMAPCONTROL ControlName. ControlCode, StringlD. FontlD. UpBitMapID.
  • DownBitMapID STRINGBITMAPCONTROL generates a bitmap push button control on the display with a string drawn over it.
  • ControlName is a SYMBOL. Its assigned value is the Resource ID for the control.
  • ControlCode is the value generated when the control on the touchscreen is pressed or released.
  • StringlD is the Resource ID ofthe string that is drawn when the control is pressed or unpressed.
  • FrontlD is the Resource ID ofthe font with which the string is drawn.
  • UpBitMapID is the ResourcelD ofthe bitmap that is drawn on the display when the control is active but not pressed.
  • DownBitMapID is the Resource ID ofthe bitmap that is drawn on the display when the control is active and pressed by the user.
  • COMPOSITECONTROL (ControlName. TopX. TopY. ControlCode. Parameters fbelowl. End)
  • Rect Xoffset, Yoffset, Width, Height, ForeGroundColor, BackGroundColor BitMap: BitMapID, Xoffset, Yoffset, XferMethod Line: Xloffset, Yloffset, X2offset, Y2offset
  • RoundRect Xoffset, Yoffset, Width, Height, Radius, ForeGroundColor, BackGroundColor
  • ClipRect Xoffset, Yoffset, Width, Height COMPOSITECONTROL generates a bitmap control for display from a collection of drawing primitives.
  • the control may be used as a picture or as a pushbutton control. Unlike other controls just mentioned, this control does not change when pressed.
  • "ControlName” is a SYMBOL. Its assigned value is the Resource ID for the control.
  • “TopX” is the left coordinate ofthe control.
  • “TopY” is the top coordinate ofthe control.
  • ControlCode is the value generated when the control on the touchscreen display is pressed or released.
  • the parameters are optional graphic commands. They are:
  • Xoffset and Yoffset are the distance from TopX and TopY at which the top left coordinate ofthe rectangle is located. Width an Height are the dimensions ofthe rectangle.
  • ForeGroundColor is the color ofthe rectangle and BackGroundColor is the color behind the text.
  • BitMapID is the Resource ID of the bitmap.
  • Xoffset and Yoffset are the distance from TopX and TopY at which the top left coordinate ofthe bitmap is located.
  • the XferMethod determines how the bits in the bitmap will be applied.
  • 'Line' draws a line from Xloffset, Yloffset to X2offset, Y2offset.
  • Xloffset and Yloffset are the distance from TopX and TopY at which point the line begins.
  • X2offset and Y2offset are the distance from TopX and TopY at which point the line ends.
  • 'RoundRect' defines a rectangle with rounded corners.
  • Xoffset and Yoffset are the distance from TopX and TopY at which the top left coordinate ofthe rectangle is located. Width an Height are the dimensions ofthe rectangle.
  • Radius is the radius ofthe rounded corners.
  • ForeGroundColor is the color ofthe rectangle and BackGroundColor is the color behind the text.
  • StringlD is the Resource ID ofthe text to be drawn on the display.
  • Xoffset and Yoffset are the distance from TopX and TopY at which the top left coordinate ofthe string is located. Spacing is the number of blank bits between letters.
  • ForeGroundColor is the color ofthe text and BackGroundColor is the color behind the text.
  • Direction specifies the direction at which the text will be drawn.
  • the FontlD is the Resource ID for the font to be used in representing the text.
  • 'ClipRect' defines an allowable area within the display within which a drawing may appear.
  • Xoffset and Yoffset are the distance from TopX and TopY at which the top left coordinate ofthe drawing area is located. Width an Height are the dimensions ofthe drawing area.
  • SCROLLCONTROL ControlName. ControlCode. Left. Top. Right. Bottom. State. TOPUPID. TopDownlD. BottomUpID. BottomDownID)
  • SCROLLCONTROL generates a bitmap control which displays a vertical scroll bar with top and bottom arrows.
  • ControlName is a SYMBOL. Its assigned value is the Resource ID for the control.
  • ControlCode is the value generated when the control on the touchscreen is pressed or released.
  • Left is the left most X coordinate of the displayed control.
  • Top is the upper most Y coordinate ofthe displayed control.
  • Light is the right most X coordinate ofthe displayed control.
  • Bottom is the lower most Y coordinate ofthe displayed control.
  • State is the default settings for the state flags.
  • TopicUpID is the Resource ID ofthe top arrow bitmap that is drawn on the display when the control is active but not pressed.
  • “TopDownID” is the Resource ID ofthe top arrow bitmap that is drawn on the display when the control is active and pressed by the user.
  • “BottomUpID” is the Resource ID ofthe bottom arrow bitmap that is drawn on the display when the control is active but not pressed.
  • “BottomDownID” is the Resource ID ofthe bottom arrow bitmap that is drawn on the display when the control is active and pressed by the user.
  • TEXTBOXRESOURCE ControlName. ControlCode. Width. Height. Left. Top. Right. Bottom. ScrollID. StringlD. FontlD. Box. Type. Radius
  • TEXTBOXRESOURCE generates an allowable area on the display for text and an optional scrollbar and fills the area with scrollable text.
  • ControlName is a SYMBOL. Its assigned value is the Resource ID for the control.
  • ControlCode is the value generated when the control on the touchscreen is pressed or released.
  • “Height” are the dimensions ofthe text box, including the scroll bar. "Left” is the left most X coordinate ofthe displayed control. "Top” is the upper most Y coordinate ofthe displayed control. “Right” is the right most X coordinate ofthe displayed control. “Bottom” is the lower most Y coordinate ofthe displayed control. "ScrollID” is the Resource ID ofthe scroll control used in the text box. "StringlD” is the Resource ID of the string that is drawn when the display is first shown. “FontlD” is the Resource ID of the font with which the string is drawn. "BoxID” specifies that the box will not be drawn or will be drawn with square or rounded corners. If rounded corners are specified, “Radius” defines the radius ofthe rounded corners. Turning to Fig. 4, the Operating System (OS) 400 software that the Main
  • Managers Each Manager performs a specific task when called upon by the OS 400.
  • the Memory Manager 402 allocates blocks of memory and resources for use by an application program 434.
  • the Display Manager 404 controls what is shown on the LCD (180 in Figure 3). It can control what is shown over the entire LCD or just a portion of it.
  • the Display Manager 404 generates a display based primarily on specified Resources held in memory. The display can, therefore, be modified by changing the content ofthe Resource rather than by changing the Display Manager code 404.
  • the Control Manager 406 creates and destroys controls as well as handles the user responses to the interactive graphical controls displayed on the LCD.
  • Control Manager 406 When a user selects a graphical icon shown on the LCD, the Control Manager 406 responds to the Event and may alter the graphical display in response to the user action. All icons and graphical entities displayed by the Control Manager 406 originate as a Resource and may, therefore, be changed.
  • the Graphic Manager 408 is responsible for the actual drawing ofthe entities shown on the display. It also loads the alphabetic fonts used for text in the display.
  • the Event Manager 410 will queue or mask Events that arise during the operation ofthe remote control 10. These Events include user interaction with the touch screen 24 or key pad 20 and system Events generated by timers or by any of the communication ports. Events in the queue are accessed by Application Software 434.
  • the real-time clock (RTC) Manager 412 generates a periodic timing mark as an Event. It may also be adapted to keep the current time.
  • the Touch Manager 414 generates an Event each time the touch screen 24 is touched and sends the Event to the Event manager 410.
  • the Communication Manager 416 handles all serial messages between the Applications 430 or other Operating System software modules and those peripherals connected on the serial buses such as the infrared controller 140, and the ADC and touch decoder 170.
  • the RF I/O manager 418 handles all two-way data communication between Applications 430 and remote resources such as server applications running in other devices (PCs, set top boxes, TV sets, CD jukeboxes, etc.). To communicate to systems beyond those devices conventionally found in a home entertainment system, the remote control 10 provides a two-way infrared or two-way RF system (or other communication technology). Using this communication technology, the remote control 10 can access, process, and/or display data from remote sources.
  • the RF I/O manager 418 (or IR I/O manager in the event a two-way IR communications path is used instead) accepts data from Applications 430 running under the OS and prepares the data for communication by splitting the data into packets and adding packet header information. It also accepts received packets, ensures packet integrity and assembles the received packets into data to be sent to the Application(s) 430.
  • the RF I/O manager 418 interacts directly with the two-way RF hardware previously described (e.g., RF controller 120 and RF transceiver 130). Checksums are appended to outbound data and the packets are sent. Inbound data is received from the communications hardware. Error free packets are passed to the Application interface and a confirmation of successful reception is sent to the originator. Packets with errors are discarded and up to three retransmit requests can be sent to the originator.
  • the two-way RF hardware previously described (e.g., RF controller 120 and RF transceiver 130).
  • Checksums are appended to outbound data and the packets are sent. Inbound data is received from the communications hardware. Error free packets are passed to the Application interface and a confirmation of successful reception is sent to the originator. Packets with errors are discarded and up to three retransmit requests can be sent to the originator.
  • the data communication protocol implemented by the RF I/O Manager 418 comprises communication packets which can carry data or commands. Each packet comprises a header and the attached command or data. Commands are transfers of non-data and are acted upon.
  • a sequence is any number of packets that comprises an entire transfer of data, such as a complete text stream, a complete bitmap file, a Web page or any other complete data resource.
  • a block is a series of data packets. A single block or multiple blocks may constitute a sequence.
  • An exemplary Communication Packet format is illustrated in Table 1 below.
  • the Byte Count is the total number of bytes in the packet, including the header.
  • the To Address is the address ofthe receiving station (usually a server or gateway).
  • the From Address is the address ofthe remote control 10.
  • the Packet Number is used to ensure every packet is sequential.
  • the Most Significant Bit ofthe Packet Number indicates a command packet when set to a Logic 1.
  • a unique Port Number can be assigned to each unique data sequence, so that packets of different sequences can be transmitted in an interleaved fashion.
  • Each separate stream of data packets should have its own port number as well as its own packet number sequence.
  • each command comprises a one byte command code followed by a variable number of parameters, as:
  • the STX command indicates the start ofthe transmission of a series of packets comprising a data sequence. This command is accompanied by parameters which specify the total number of packets in the sequence and the Port Number assigned to the sequence. Once an STX command is answered by an ACK, any communication using the specified Port Number will be associated with that specific "sequence" of data.
  • the ETX command follows after a complete sequence has been transmitted, and contains the checksum for the entire sequence (excluding the headers). If a NAK is sent as a reply to an ETX command it is meant to signal retransmission ofthe entire sequence.
  • the ACK command signals a successful transfer of a data Block or Sequence.
  • the NAK command signals an unsuccessful transfer of a data block or sequence.
  • NAK also constitutes a request for retransmission of the data not correctly received.
  • the ETB command indicates the end of a block of data. Also causes the packet sequence count to be reset to zero.
  • the IR controller 140 communicates with applications 430 resident in the remote control 10 using a pre-defined set of commands. Since the actual mechanisms and formats for transmitting such IR signals are well known in the art - see, for example, U.S. Patent 4,959,810 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety - it will not be described further herein.
  • the SendlR command is issued to the IR Controller 140 to cause an IR code to be transmitted.
  • the SendlR command may be a six byte packet including the fields RcdLength(l), Olh, DeviceTypeNum(2),KeyCode(l) and KeyFlag(l) where:
  • RcdLength is a one byte value indicating the total number of bytes in this packet.
  • Olh is a command type which identifies this command as a "send IR" command.
  • DeviceTypeNum is a combination of DeviceType and DeviceNumber as follows:
  • Bits 15..12 DeviceType - see Table 2 below.
  • Bits 11..0 DeviceNumber represents a four (decimal) digit number which identifies a set of IR functions to control a specific device (e.g. "Sony TV set")
  • KeyCode identifies the function to be transmitted, according to Table 3 below.
  • KeyFlag indicates if any special processing is required. For example, if KeyFlag bit 7 is “on” this can indicate that this IR command is part of a macro sequence playback, requiring that the IR data frame be repeated a certain minimum number of times. If bit 5 is "on” this can indicate that the IR Controller should use a learned IR code rather than its pre-programmed code.
  • the exemplary remote control hardware and operating system are capable of supporting multiple application programs.
  • two application programs coexist in the unit: one which provides conventional remote control ("clicker") functionality 432, and another associated with the two-way RF communication subsystem which provides general purpose text and graphics display capability in the form of a compact browser utility 434.
  • the application which provides conventional consumer appliance remote control functionality is preferably the application that is launched by default upon power-up (i.e. insertion of batteries into the unit) and is the mode of operation most commonly used by the user.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a typical appearance ofthe LCD touch screen 24 when the remote control 10 is in the mode of operation for providing remote control functionality.
  • the remote control application need not display key icons for functions not supported by a particular device, so the actual display may vary according to the specific device brand or even model currently set up. For example, even though the IR controller and the remote control screen layout may in general support menu operations (see KeyCodes 32 through 38 in Table 1), if the specific device currently set (e.g. a Goldstar TV) does not offer this feature, those keys need not be displayed.
  • the specific device currently set e.g. a Goldstar TV
  • Fig. 5 illustrates the top level program hierarchy within the remote control application 432.
  • the remote control application 432 (and it's sub- applications) acquire Events from an event queue (placed there by the Event Manager 410) and use other Managers and Resources to perform their intended function.
  • the main menu sub-application 500 is called at the time the remote control 10 receives power, for example, the time at which the batteries are installed. It initializes all the Managers 400, places a welcome message on the LCD display 24, initializes and loads all Applications and Resources that may be used. After a set period of time (a few seconds), the welcome message should be replaced by the default device screen. A typical default device screen is shown in Figure 1.
  • the main menu sub- application 500 waits for an Event.
  • Event is an internal main processor timeout which, in this specific case, turns off the display and system CPU to save battery power.
  • Another such Event is a user key press. In this latter case, the user may press one of several types of keys, creating Events to which the main menu sub-Application 500 responds.
  • One or more ofthe control keys shown on the display 24 generates an Event invoking a sub-application 503 that produces a new display. Typically this might be a second "page" (i.e. alternative device screen) of command keys for the current device under control (e.g. a TV) or for a different device (e.g. from TV to VCR) with a new page of keys.
  • Activation of another group of keys will invoke a sub-application 504 that transmits an infrared code.
  • the send IR sub-application 504 communicates with the IR controller 140 via the operating system's communication manager using the IR controller command structure described earlier to cause the appropriate device IR command signal to be transmitted.
  • Activation of other keys can invoke a sub-application 502 that will turn on the display backlighting. It will be appreciated that a motion sensor could also be used to turn on the display backlighting, for example, when the remote control 10 is picked up. Yet another key activation can invoke the setup sub-application 501 that permits the user to customize the remote control 10. Activation of still other keys can invoke a different application 508 and pass control ofthe unit to that application. By way of example, activation of a key 41 labeled "iMosiac" may invoke the Browser application 434 which is described in greater detail below.
  • Customization can be provided by three menu-driven, sub-applications, namely, the device personalization sub menu 505, the device setup sub menu 506 and the system sub menu 507.
  • the device setup sub menu 506, shown in Figure 6 comprises five sub-applications that afford the user the opportunity to access all ofthe infrared control codes required for operation of an entire home electronics system.
  • Control codes may be pre-stored in the main memory 1 10 or the IR Controller 140 ofthe remote control 10, learned into the main memory 110 by using the remote control that was supplied with a device, or downloaded from a remote source, e.g., from a source via the Internet.
  • the setup by brand sub-application 510 is utilized. This sub-application is based in part on technology disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,614,906 entitled "Method for selecting a remote control command set" that is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • the setup by search sub-application 516 permits the user to select control codes by linearly stepping through the data base of codes by device type, trying each one in turn.
  • the setup by code sub-application 513 permits the user to simply enter a known code number to configure the remote control 10 to make accessible the control codes to control the device(s) corresponding to the known code number.
  • the new code sub-application 519 allows the user to try new codes received during a prior download over the Internet or through customer service via the telephone. Selected/downloaded control codes may be made available for user access by using the add function 511 or used to replace currently accessible control codes using the replace function 512.
  • the delete sub-application 522 can be used to erase all selected control codes, allowing the user to start over with a clean slate.
  • the personalization sub menu 505 of sub-applications shown in Figure 7 offers some very powerful sub-applications to the user that permit the remote control 10 to be fully personalized to meet specific needs of a user.
  • the macros sub- application 530 comprises five different functions.
  • the macros sub-application 530 is based on technology disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,959,751 entitled "Universal Remote Control Device” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • the macros sub-application permits the user to add 531, view 532, delete 534, copy 533 (e.g., onto another screen) or delete all 535 macro functions.
  • the move key sub-application 540 is utilized.
  • the move key sub-application 540 can be used to move the channel up function for the TV device such that it is accessible from the VCR device screen.
  • This Sub- Application is based on technology disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,014,092 entitled “Key mover” that is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • a user may delete all 542 keys that have been moved.
  • the learn sub-application 550 is utilized to teach the remote control a new function from another remote control.
  • the learn sub-application is based on technology disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,097,309 entitled "Remote control learning system and method using signal envelope pattern recognition" that is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • a new function can be learned 551 by the remote control and assigned to a pre-defined function key or to a blank key. All learned functions can be deleted 552.
  • the label key sub-application 562 makes available symbols and lower and upper case characters as well as the backspace, space, and shift for use in creating alphanumeric key labels.
  • a caps lock function can also be provided.
  • the key magic sub-application 570 is utilized.
  • the key magic sub-application 570 is based on technology disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,515,052 entitled “Universal remote control with function synthesis” that is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • a new function can be added 571 and assigned to a pre-defined function key or to a blank key. All added functions can be deleted 572.
  • the volume lock sub-application 580 affords the user a means for controlling the volume for one device (the amplifier, for example) from another screen dedicated to controlling another device like the TV, for example.
  • the user may institute the locking feature using the lock function 581 or may remove the feature using the unlock function 582.
  • the home theater sub-application 590 offers the user a means for creating on one or several screens a set of keys that are those most often used keys in a home theater system.
  • the user may configure the feature using the configure function 591 or may remove the feature using the reset to default function 592.
  • the system sub menu 507 of sub-applications offers the user the ability to affect the overall operation ofthe remote control.
  • the upgrade sub-application 600 permits the user to add 601 codes from a remote source such as a server on the Internet, via a cable set top box, etc.
  • This application makes it easy for the user to always have the most current and/or correct codes in the subject remote control, even after the purchase or upgrade of new devices for the family home entertainment system.
  • This sub-application may be based on technology disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,537,463 entitled "Magnetic modem in a remote control," U.S. Patent No. 5,228,077 entitled “Remotely upgradable universal remote control” and in U.S. Patent No. 5,689,353 entitled “Remote control with two-way data coupling” that are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
  • the add function 601 and the replace function 602 make it possible for the user to add or replace codes after the upgrade process is complete.
  • the LCD sub-application 610 provides a means for the user to compensate for any drift in the calibration ofthe LCD 24 during long-term use.
  • the user may invoke the calibrate function 611 to return the LCD 24 to factory-level settings.
  • the user can receive audible feedback that a key has been selected.
  • a soft clicking sound is issued by the speaker or by the buzzer 102.
  • This sound may be turned on or off using the sound on/off sub-application 630.
  • those settings may be locked into place to avoid inadvertent changes. This feature is performed by the lock on off sub-application 620.
  • the user may return the remote control 10 to its original, factory settings by invoking the user reset/master reset sub-application 640.
  • the remote control 10 includes a browser application 434 that supports a sub set of XHTML-Basic and Compact HTML as proposed and defined by the World Wide Web Consortium. In this manner, the remote control 10 provides for customized user interface and data display since, within the constraints ofthe remote control hardware (screen size, color, memory availability, etc.), any screen layout of text, images, and/or hyperlink buttons is possible.
  • any external device equipped with a compatible RF or IR transceiver such as a personal computer, cable or satellite set top box, home automation controller or security system, CD jukebox, TV set, and the like, can avail itself of the remote control 10 as a data display and interface device via a well-understood standardized set of HTML commands.
  • the remote control browser can also offer extra META statements as special extensions ofthe standard to facilitate use in situations which are not classically Web-based.
  • Both of these extensions are useful for authoring displays in which the user is not necessarily aware that the interface presented to him is HTML based via a browser - for example, simple TV guide applications and the like. Additionally, the "Refresh" feature is useful in applications where the data content to be displayed on the remote control 10 needs to be synchronized with a TV or audio program, for example enhanced TV services or karaoke lyrics.
  • the browser application can also be adapted to support a special extended HTML tag type, "IROP.”
  • IROP extended HTML tag
  • the remote control 10 can be used in connection with HTML pages that are authored to support "buttons" for use in sending IR commands.
  • the data could specify the IR code(s) to be transmitted upon activation ofthe button using the IR KeyCodes defined for the IR controller defined in Table 3 above.
  • the field could contain data representative ofthe actual IR code to be transmitted using a formatting technology such as described in U.S. Patent No. 5,515,052 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • this extended IROP tag is useful in situations where it is desired that a user be provided with the ability to interact with an HTML page to initiate the transmission of IR command codes to consumer appliances. Examples of such
  • HTML pages include TV guides, CD jukebox managers, and the like.
  • the IROP tag could be used to present to a user a virtual remote control that has the key layout and appearance of a prepackaged remote control (e.g., a display presenting a key layout and appearance of a Sony remote that is prepackaged with a Sony TV) .
  • a link having an IROP tag on the virtually displayed remote control i.e., selection of a virtually displayed control key
  • the remote control 10 can transmit the same control code as if the user where actually activating the corresponding key on the prepackaged remote control.
  • the remote control can be further adapted to support another special extended HTML tag type "MREM.”
  • MREM Another special extended HTML tag type
  • the remote control 10 if equipped with a date/time clock capability, can support a reminder/calendar feature used in connection with HTML pages that are authored to supply data regarding upcoming events.
  • TTR represents the time at or after which a reminder message is to be displayed during normal operation ofthe remote
  • LABEL represents the message to be displayed at reminder time
  • IMG represents an image to be displayed at reminder time
  • LINK (optional) specifies the URL of an HTML page to be automatically loaded at reminder time. Note that if the LINK option is specified, this will also cause the Remote Control application to automatically invoke the Browser application to load and process the specified URL.
  • LABEL "Watch 'Who wants to be a Millionaire'”> would result in the reminder text message "Watch 'Who wants to be a Millionaire'" being displayed at or after 2:45pm on May 15, 2001. Further examples ofthe application of this HTML tag are discussed later.
  • the user may, for example, press a soft button 910 (such as "iMosaic" 41 on the regular remote control application display screen 24).
  • the browser application starts by initializing itself and the two-way communication interface 912 (via the RF I/O Manager in the illustrative embodiment).
  • the remote control 10 displays the basic Browser screen layout, an example of which is shown in Figure 11 , and issues a request to load a preset home page 914, 916.
  • Figures 10a through lOg provide flowcharts depicting an overall operation ofthe exemplary Browser Application, showing how subsequent processing of the downloaded HTML data can be performed.
  • FIG. 10a there is shown the overall flow ofthe exemplary Browser application.
  • the remote control 10 is an event-driven system, so once initialized, the Browser Application simply waits for an Event to occur 1002.
  • Browser-related Events can be classified into one of three general categories: KeyDown Events 1004 which result from user activation of any of the keys shown in Figure 1 1 (hard or soft); HTML Events 1006 which result from user activation of an HTML generated item in the current display area (for example a hyperlink, check box, text input area, etc.); and I/O Events 1008 resulting from activity on the two way communication link, timers, or other system-generated interrupts (a low battery indication, for example).
  • KeyDown Events 1004 which result from user activation of any of the keys shown in Figure 1 1 (hard or soft)
  • HTML Events 1006 which result from user activation of an HTML generated item in the current display area (for example a hyperlink, check box, text input area, etc.)
  • I/O Events 1008 resulting from activity on the two way communication link, time
  • internal priorities within the Browser Application are arranged such that, while in the process of loading and displaying a page of data via the RF link, it will ignore other inputs such as HTML Events. In other words, it is designed such that a user is required to wait until the current page is completely displayed before initiating any action such as a hyperlink selection.
  • the "IDLE" status ofthe Browser application i.e., not currently loading data via the RF link
  • the "IDLE" status ofthe Browser application i.e., not currently loading data via the RF link
  • other implementations are also possible, in particular, providing the ability to abort an HTML download in progress and initiate a new one by pressing a key or hyperlink in a partially loaded and displayed page.
  • Figure 10b depicts the processing of a KeyDown Event, specifically the action taken in response to each ofthe possible key press user inputs. As can be seen, these actions are used to effect page navigation and browser control in addition to providing a means to configure the Browser Application and to return the unit to the (default) Remote Control Application.
  • Figure 10c depicts the processing of an HTML Event.
  • HTML Events In the HTML subset supported by the exemplary Browser Application, only four classes of HTML Events can occur: Activation of a hyperlink 1010; activation of a form control field 1012; expiration of a "refresh" META statement timer 1014 (a special extension to standard HTML which allows periodic reloading of a page); or activation of a IROP field 1016 (a special extension to standard HTML which allows IR commands to be transmitted to consumer appliances).
  • Activation of a hyperlink results in a request for the contents ofthe specified URL to be issued via the communications link, after which the Browser Application returns to the "Get Next Event" waiting state shown at the top of Figure 10a pending receipt ofthe requested data.
  • Activation of a forms control function results in the appropriate action as shown in Figure 10b (note that not all possible HTML forms functions are supported by the subset and, therefore, unrecognized control requests may be ignored), again followed by a return to the "Get Next Event” waiting state.
  • Expiration of a "refresh" timer causes a request to be issued via the communications link for the URL specified in the META statement (or, if no URL is specified, the current page to be automatically reloaded) and a return to the "Get Next Event” waiting state pending receipt ofthe requested data.
  • Activation of an IROP control causes the Browser to issue SendlR commands to the IR Controller, as described earlier, also followed by a return to the "Get Next Event” waiting state.
  • Figure 1 Od depicts the processing of an RF I/O Event. All communications transactions are preferably timed in order to allow appropriate action to be taken by the Browser in the event the communications link is interrupted, for example by the user wandering out of RF range.
  • the first I/O Event that is checked for is a timer expired status 1020. If there is a Port currently open (i.e. activity in progress) the timer expired event is handled as shown in Figure lOe, described in more detail below. If the Event is an "RF Buffer Ready" event 1022, indicating that there is received data ready for processing, the event is handled as shown in Figure lOg, described in more detail below.
  • An RF buffer overflow event 1024 signifies an error condition, handled as shown in Figure lOf, described in more detail below. If the sending (server) side issues a "Cancel" command (a request to abort transmission), this event 1026 is handled in a similar manner to a timeout event. All other types of events 1028 represent conditions which should abort any page download currently in progress (e.g. a low battery condition), and thus result in the Browser issuing a "CANCEL" request to the server (the inverse ofthe server “CANCEL” described previously) provided a Port is currently open.
  • Figure lOe shows the error processing invoked in the case of a timeout or a server initiated "CANCEL" request when the Browser application is not "idle," i.e. it is loading HTML or image data via the RF link. If a given time, e.g., three seconds, has not elapsed since the last activity on this port 1030, timing continues without any action. If the given time has been reached or exceeded, the Browser issues a "CANCEL" request to the server 1032. It then determines if a given number of retries, e.g., three, have already occurred for this particular request 1034. If the number or retries has not been exceeded, the
  • the Browser reissues the request 1036. If all ofthe retries have been exhausted, the Browser takes error action as appropriate: in the case of a failed HTML page download it may display an error message to the user 1038 ( Figure 21 is a example of such a message); if the failure occurred during the download of an image 1040, the Browser may simply skip display of that image and proceeds to request the next image 1042, if any exists.
  • Figure 1 shows the error processing that occurs in the event of a buffer overflow. As can be seen, the actions taken by the remote control 10 are similar to those described above in conjunction with an exhausted retry count.
  • Figure 1 Og shows the processing steps that occur upon receipt of a buffer full of data Events from the RF I/O Manager.
  • the Browser first checks its internal status to determine if it is currently expecting HTML or image data 1050. If expecting HTML data, the HTML page is sent to the HTML parser 1052, which processes the HTML data and breaks it down into individual elements for display (text strings and images), position coordinates for each hyperlink or control within the display, and a table of control-link relationships. The HTML parser also sets the appropriate timer if a "refresh" META statement is encountered.
  • the display information is passed to the Display Manager 1054 for rendering on the LCD screen. Once the basic HTML page is displayed (i.e., text, links, controls, etc.
  • the Browser may then issue requests for any graphic images called out in the HTML source, loading and displaying the graphic images one by one until all specified graphics have been displayed. This is achieved by issuing a request for the next graphic file 1056 via the RF communications link and then returning to the "Get Next Event” state ( Figure 10a).
  • the next RF buffer ready Event When a response is received, the next RF buffer ready Event will find the Browser in an "expecting image data" state. This will cause the opposite branch to be taken at the top of Figure lOg.
  • the Browser after making any necessary adjustments to page layout resulting from the insertion ofthe new graphic 1058, displays the graphic data just received 1060 and issues a request for the next graphic.
  • the graphic size may have been predefined in the HTML, in which case no adjustment is necessary since the appropriate area is already allocated, but in others the final graphic may differ in size from the "place holder" icon and require adjustment to the balance ofthe page layout to accommodate it.
  • FIG. 11 shows an exemplary, basic touch screen display layout for the remote control Browser.
  • the layout comprises a toolbar 1100 containing the usual Browser control items (e.g., "back,” “forward,” “reload,” “stop,” “go to,” and “home” illustrated from left to right), a key 1120 to access previously entered bookmarks, a general display area 1150 in which HTML formatted data is displayed, and a scroll bar 1 140 used to navigate pages of data which are longer than the display space.
  • Browser control items e.g., "back,” “forward,” “reload,” “stop,” “go to,” and “home” illustrated from left to right
  • key 1120 to access previously entered bookmarks
  • a general display area 1150 in which HTML formatted data is displayed
  • a scroll bar 1 140 used to navigate pages of data which are longer than the display space.
  • the screen may include two control elements specific to the browser application, namely, a key 1130 to access set up routines used to adjust items such as RF link addresses, home page URL, etc., and a key 11 10 used to return the unit to the basic remote control application 432 when use ofthe Browser is complete.
  • the "home page” URL first loaded by the Browser application need not be Web based in the classical sense. Rather, the "home page” may be an address pointing to a locally stored, HTML formatted interface to a home control system as illustrated in Fig. 12.
  • the "home page” illustrated in Fig. 12 shows an example of how the universal remote control 10 can display simple icons and messages 1202 useful in receiving information from appliances around the home and, in turn, controlling them.
  • the "home page” initially loaded might take the form of a TV guide display loaded from a cable or satellite set top box including program viewing information 1302, as illustrated in Fig. 13. Note that this particular example makes use of the "full screen” META statement 1300 as described above to hide the generic browser controls (e.g., "back,” “forward,” “reload,” etc.) from the user.
  • Fig. 14 illustrates the use ofthe universal remote control 10 as part of a two-way communication system.
  • the remote control 10 is used as a platform to browse the Internet, using a personal computer 1420 as a gateway or proxy server.
  • Requests by the user ofthe universal remote control 10 for access to certain information located on Web pages on the Internet are sent through the RF I/O manager 418 and RF module 125 to a matching RF transceiver unit 1410 which is attached to the personal computer 1420 via one of its serial ports 1415.
  • Software resident in the personal computer 1420 including an HTTP interface and server application 1440, formats the request appropriately and forwards it to the specified Web URL.
  • the personal computer 1420 When a response to a request is received at the personal computer 1420, the personal computer 1420 performs any format conversion required for compatibility with the subset of HTML supported by the remote control 10, and then forwards it to the remote control 10 via the reverse ofthe path described above. In this manner, Web content may be ultimately displayed on the universal remote control 10.
  • the PC application that provides the Internet access for the remote control 10 is called the server application.
  • the server start up module 1500 is invoked when the server application is started on the personal computer 1420.
  • the server application manages the display (to the PC screen) and internal settings 1510, the transfer of data 1520 between the Internet and the remote control 10, and the external serial port 1540 to which the PC-side RF transceiver unit 1410 is attached.
  • serial messages are received 1542 they are placed in an internal data buffer 1544 from which they are subsequently processed and delivered to the Internet 1522,1524,1526. If Internet data is received 1526, then it is converted to a compatible format if necessary 1528, 1530 and then sent to the remote control 10 for display 1532.
  • the remote control 10 may be equipped to communicate with an electronic device to retrieve operating instructions for display on the LCD screen 24 ofthe remote control 10 as illustrated in Fig. 22.
  • a device 2200 which is already equipped to communicate bi-directionally with the remote control 10 (e.g. a cable set top box, a thermostat, a security system, a household appliance, etc.) has user manual information stored in low cost ROM memory 2202.
  • the remote control 10 can be equipped with an application 2210 that allows its display 24 to display information that is encoded using a mark-up language, such as HTML or XML as described earlier.
  • the user manual can be formatted using at least a subset ofthe mark-up language where it can be retrieved by the user from the device (e.g., in response to a keystroke on the remote) and displayed on the screen 24 ofthe remote control 10 as needed.
  • an appliance 2300 which is not itself equipped with wireless communication capability can use a wireless capable device 2320 as a relay to communicate with the remote control in a similar manner to that described above.
  • the appliance 2300 would have a hardwired (e.g. dedicated wiring, powerline, telephone, video or audio cable, etc.) communication connection 2310 to the device 2320 which does have wireless capability.
  • Figures 18a and 18b set forth an exemplary method by which a thermostat unit might support the above-described information retrieval feature.
  • the remote control 10 can transmit a command to the appliance that signifies a request for the information.
  • the transmission ofthe information request command by the remote control 10 would normally be in response to the occurrence of an Event at the remote control 10, e.g., the activation of a soft key.
  • the appliance determines if the command is a request for information 1810. If the command is a request for information, the appliance can set a flag to indicate that the appliance is in a state of servicing the request 1812, can retrieve its current operational status 1814, and fetch from memory a pre-formatted page that has user instructions corresponding to the current operational status 1816. The retrieved information would be transmitted 1818 back to the remote control 10 for display on the LCD 24 as illustrated in Fig. 18b.
  • the appliance may further set a pointer to indicate the next page in a sequence 1820.
  • a pointer to indicate the next page in a sequence 1820.
  • the availability of more information would be indicated to the user in the displayed user's manual by, for example, a "more" hyper-link or button as illustrated in Fig. 18b.
  • this "more" function could be associated with either a hyper-link in the conventional HTML sense, or with an IROP tag to cause an IR command to be transmitted, depending on the requirements ofthe particular appliance.
  • the appliance will retrieve the next page of information from memory 1824 , transmit 1818 the page information to the remote control 10, and update the page pointer 1820, if necessary. If the command received by the appliance from the remote control 10 is not related to the retrieval ofthe user's manual from the memory ofthe appliance, the command will be processed by the appliance in accordance with its operating instructions 1826.
  • the user manual could be obtained via an Internet connection (using a Web site specific to the manufacturer or a generic compilation maintained by a third party).
  • the remote control 10 would use the browser functionality, in conjunction with Web access via a personal computer, set top box, or the like, as previously described.
  • the Web site could offer a list of selectable model numbers and/or pose one or more questions to the user by which questions it could be deduced which user manual the Web site should provide to the user (e.g., does your TV support PIP, etc.).
  • Figures 19a and 19b illustrate one method by which the remote control 10 might support Web based retrieval of a user's guide.
  • the Remote Control Application is provided with a soft key
  • the Browser application (labeled, for example, "Info") which causes the Application to retrieve 1910 the current device set up information, i.e., the code number provided by the user via one ofthe methods described earlier in conjunction with the setup sub-application 501, and invoke the Browser Application using this information as a parameter 1920.
  • the Browser can issue a request via the Internet to retrieve the Web pages corresponding to the user's manual for the device indicated by the device setup code number 1922.
  • the Browser application might consult a URL look-up table stored in memory that functions to map URLs of Web pages with the devices cross- referenced by the device set-up code numbers.
  • the Browser application might first access a separate URL that itself contains such a table.
  • the initial Web page retrieved from that Internet site would generally comprise a Main Index page 1930 having hyper-links 1932 to Web pages 1940 that contain further detailed information, an example of which is illustrated in Fig. 19b.
  • the Browser Application starting with an internally stored HTML page, could present the user with a menu of devices 2000 for which instructions are available as illustrated in Fig. 20.
  • HTML links 2002 associated with the menu of devices 2000 could point to further internal pages which initiate a download from a local device using for example an IROP tag (or it's RF equivalent) in the manner described in conjunction with Figure 18 above.
  • links can be provided that point to external, Web-based sources for the user information in the manner described in conjunction with Figure 19 above.
  • the remote control 10 could access Web sites, via a set top box, an adapter connected to a PC (especially in homes where the PC is always connected to a network, for example, by way of a cable modem or DSL-based Internet connection), directly to an ISP (provided the remote is equipped with a modem) or other gateway device to gather information, such as, weather, stock quotes, movie reviews, etc., as illustrated in Figure 16, in the manner previously described in conjunction with Figures 14 and 15.
  • a PC especially in homes where the PC is always connected to a network, for example, by way of a cable modem or DSL-based Internet connection
  • ISP provided the remote is equipped with a modem
  • other gateway device to gather information, such as, weather, stock quotes, movie reviews, etc., as illustrated in Figure 16, in the manner previously described in conjunction with Figures 14 and 15.
  • the display 24 ofthe remote control 10 could be used to display television viewing guide information, with personalization and or reminder capabilities.
  • guide data may be obtained directly from an Internet server, using a local PC, set top box, home gateway or the like as a proxy server as described in conjunction with Figures 14,15 and 16.
  • the guide data may also be retrieved from data locally resident in a PC or set top box that periodically obtains and stores guide information by, for example, dialing a pre-determined number or accessing a particular Web site every night.
  • the TV guide data formatted into a compatible subset of HTML, is transmitted to the remote control for display at the request ofthe user.
  • One such form of display is shown, together with the HTML that generated it, in Figure 13.
  • An alternative form for displaying guide information is shown in Figure 27. While additional capabilities will be described in conjunction with Figure 27, it will be appreciated that, since these displays are created by HTML source pages, many other layouts offering equivalent functionality are also possible.
  • Figure 27 shows a "list" guide 2710 in which the programs available at a selected time and date are listed, in channel number sequence, for multiple TV channels.
  • Alternative arrangements of this list are possible, for example, displaying listings for a channel rather than for a time (i.e., all programs to be broadcast by a selected channel are listed in a time sequence) or displaying a list that is not sequential by channel number but instead arranged to match a user's preferences by broadcast channel and/or content type as will be described in more detail later in conjunction with Figure 30.
  • the remote control 10 can be adapted such that selecting (touching) any ofthe broadcast station identifiers 2720 listed on the display 2710 will activate an IROP HTML tag, as described earlier, to cause the remote control to issue the command to switch the TV (or set top box in the case of cable or satellite subscribers) to the corresponding channel.
  • selecting "PBS" will cause the remote control to issue the commands to cause the corresponding appliance to switch to channel 10.
  • the remote control 10 can be further adapted such that selection ofthe title ofthe program, for example "Clifford Big Red Dog” 2730, will result in the display of additional information regarding that particular program.
  • selection ofthe title ofthe program for example "Clifford Big Red Dog” 2730
  • touching one ofthe program names activates an HTML tag which points to other HTML page(s) containing additional information regarding that program.
  • additional information page(s) may be resident locally or may be accessed via the Web.
  • screen display 2750 is the result of selecting "Clifford Big Red Dog" 2730 on the initial display 2710.
  • television viewing guide information can offer Web links to additional information about shows, for example movie reviews, that are accessible by an individual user using the Web browser without disturbing the TV screen display ofthe program currently being viewed by others.
  • FIG. 30 illustrates a system in which the order ofthe show listings is arranged according to individual preferences.
  • users upon initiation ofthe guide function, users are presented with a screen 3010 which prompts the user for identifying information, such as a password.
  • the same TV guide entries may be presented in different orders 3020, 3030, 3040 to match the user's individual preferences.
  • Fig. 30 Another feature also illustrated in Fig. 30 is the possibility of "filtering" listings. For example, a closer examination ofthe listing display 3040 corresponding to the child "Maggie” will reveal that KCAL Channel 9's "Jerry Springer Show” is not listed as a viewing choice for Maggie.
  • the feature is illustrated in this example via the sharing of a single remote control by three different individuals who identify themselves to the unit with each use, it could equally be implemented using three different remote controls, i.e. each user provided with a personal remote control customized to their particular preferences.
  • An advantage to having the television viewing guide resident in the remote control 10 is that it allows such unique features to be offered to the consumer.
  • the remote control 10 could be used to issue a "missing program" reminder if it detects activity which indicates that the user is not currently watching TV (i.e., the remote is in a mode for controlling the operation of a CD player, audio equipment commands being issued, etc. and the user has programmed a reminder to watch a particular show).
  • the remote control 10 could similarly be used to remind the user of "tonight's favorite programs” when it detects the user turning the TV on in the evening after a pre-determined "off period which indicates that the user was away from home.
  • the favorites could be entered by the user or determined from previous viewing habits (e.g., by tracking channel selections in time slots for a given day), etc.
  • FIG. 27 For entering reminders into the remote control 10, an exemplary embodiment is illustrated in Figure 27.
  • the first exit option, "BACK" 2760 simply returns the user to the previous page 2710.
  • the second option, "REMIND ME” 2770 is associated with an MREM tag embedded in the HTML. Selection of this option will cause the Browser Application to extract the date, time, and program information contained in the MREM tag and register this data with the reminder function ofthe Remote Control Application for subsequent action as described in further detail later. More specifically, the Browser Application will store within a table in memory 1 10 the information pertaining to the reminder events.
  • Figure 28 illustrates an exemplary method by which reminder data is subsequently processed by the remote control application, whenever a key (hard or soft) is pressed
  • the Remote Control Application first fetches the current time value 2804 and compares 2806 this value to those contained in the table of reminder data. If no entry exists in the table with a time value which is earlier than or equal to the current time, no reminder actions are required and the Remote Control Application continues 2808 to process the event in the usual manner. When no reminder actions are necessary, the remote control 10 can erase 2820 any previous reminder messages that had been displayed.
  • the Remote Control Application next checks 2810 if the entry in question contains a URL pointer value (as described earlier in connection with the MREM tag definition, URL and message fields may be null) and, if a URL pointer exists, the Remote Control Application immediately invokes and passes control to the Browser Application 2812 to load and act on the specified HTML page.
  • a URL pointer takes priority over both any reminder message text as well as any remote control action called for by the key press which initiated table scan. It will, however, be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other prioritizations are possible.
  • the Remote Control Application next checks 2814 if the reminder table entry is "stale," i.e., reminders are scheduled for a time more than 30 minutes ago. If so, it simply ignores the message, deleting the table entry 2818 with no further action. Once again, those skilled in the art will recognize that other implementations are possible using a longer, shorter, or even no measure of "staleness.” The 30 minute value in this exemplary implementation was selected as appropriate for the TV guide reminder feature it is being described in connection with.
  • the Remote Control Application checks for the existence of any reminder display data, text, or graphic and generates 2816 any reminder message display required, e.g. 2790. A reminder may also cause the buzzer 102 to emit a sound, providing emphasis to the display. Thereafter, the Remote Control Application can delete 2818 the reminder table entry it has just acted upon and continue to scan and process any further table entries which may also be eligible for action.
  • the remote control logic is able to detect when the unit is in use (e.g., the consumer is pressing buttons, moved the remote, etc.) and thus displays the reminder message when the unit is actually in the consumers hand, as opposed to a passive display system dependent only on a timer where a reminder message would be displayed regardless of whether anyone is there to see it or not.
  • the MREM tag is not limited to TV show reminders.
  • application programs running on these devices can download appointment reminders, medication schedule reminders, etc. into the remote control via an HTML page in the manner described above. Equally, set top boxes could download reminders of special features, upcoming pay-per-view events, etc.
  • the reminder feature of remote control 10 can be used in conjunction with appliances and home systems to allow alarms and status messages to be displayed on the display 24 ofthe remote control 10 (e.g., freezer quit, oven timer expired, garage door ajar).
  • the remote control 10 could periodically poll appliances or home automation servers and store messages received in the form of reminder tags to later inform the user ("beep and display") when the remote control 10 senses activity on the part ofthe user - i.e. the remote control 10 determines that it is being handled/looked at by a user.
  • the display 24 ofthe remote control 10 could be used to present closed caption text.
  • a TV or set top box equipped (or retrofitted) with closed caption capability can communicate with the remote control 10 to transmit the closed caption data stream to the remote control 10 instead ofthe TV screen.
  • closed captioning is displayed on the screen 24 ofthe remote control 10 it allows one person to utilize the caption feature without affecting the program display on the TV screen.
  • the system may be arranged as illustrated in Fig. 25.
  • the remote control 10 is adapted to communicate with a television, set-top box, or like device 2510 that has a memory 2520 in which the closed captioning information to be displayed is stored.
  • the closed captioning information stored in the memory 2520 ofthe device 2510 is extracted from an incoming video signal using a tuner 2530 and closed caption decoder 2540.
  • the closed captioning information may be included in a vertical blanking interval ("VBI") ofthe incoming video signal.
  • VBI vertical blanking interval
  • the illustrated example shows the closed captioning information being downloaded to the memory 2520 from an incoming video signal, it is contemplated that the closed captioning information can be received from other sources such as, for example, the Internet.
  • the user may activate a soft key which will result in the transmission of a closed captioning request command from the remote control 10 to the device 2510.
  • the transmission ofthe command can be accomplished using either the IR transmitter or the RF transmitter.
  • the device 2510 determines 2610 if it is currently in a closed captioning transmit mode. If the device 2510 is already sending closed captioning information to the remote control 10, via, for example, RF communication module 2550, the device 2510 ends this mode of operation, by clearing a flag used to indicate this operational mode 2620.
  • the device 2510 sets the flag 2630 to indicate it has entered the closed captioning transmit mode of operation. It will be appreciated that the effect of this logic is to allow a single command (i.e., remote control button) to toggle the feature on and off by alternate presses. Other implementations are also possible, e.g., separate "on” and "off buttons.
  • the device 2510 retrieves 2640 a pre-formatted Web page into which the closed captioning information will be placed.
  • the memory 2520 is accessed to load into the pre-formatted Web page the buffered closed captioning information 2650.
  • the Web page containing the current closed caption information may then be transmitted 2660 to the remote control 10.
  • the steps of loading the current closed captioning information into the Web page and transmitting the Web page to the remote control 10 are repeated as requested by the remote control 10. This is accomplished by the remote control 10 issuing a closed captioning refresh request to the device 2510 which causes the device 2510, upon the receipt ofthe request 2670, to load the closed captioning information stored in the memory 2520 into the Web page and transmit the Web page to the remote control 10.
  • the rate at which the remote control issues such refresh requests is determined by the value contained in the special "Refresh" META statement in the HTML page loaded at step 2640.
  • the value is preferably selected to adequately support the closed caption rate while taking into account the battery power consumption ofthe remote control. It will be appreciated that, in alternative applications where battery life is not a critical factor, for example, where the remote control unit is to be docked in a recharging base during closed caption display, the refresh interval can be made very small or even omitted entirely. In this manner, the remote control is continuously polling the device 2510 which can then refresh the display as often as is necessary to accommodate the streaming of information into memory 2520.
  • the system can be further adapted to present "Fast news.”
  • a "headline summary” feature can be implemented by storing the closed caption frames during a news broadcast and then displaying the captured frames as a scrollable text file on the display 24 ofthe remote control 10.
  • the fast news information can be stored in the memory 2520 of the device and accessed on request. Alternatively, the information could be placed into one or more Web pages that are transmitted to the remote control 10 and locally stored for later viewing. Still further, if the set top box or TV is equipped to communicate bi-directionally with the remote control 10, additional information about a show or event in progress (e.g.
  • athlete statistics, actor biographies, etc. could be displayed on the LCD 24 of the remote control 10 without interfering with the main picture on the TV screen.
  • the information could be in the form of text or links to Web pages having the content which is accessible via the Internet. Again, this information would be received from an external source and transmitted to the remote control 10 by way ofthe device 2510.
  • the capabilities described above can further be used to allow the remote control 10 to communicate with an electronic device, such as a DVD player, CD player, etc. to display individual movie subtitles, karaoke lyrics, etc. on the display 24.
  • This information could be transmitted in real-time or down-loaded and displayed in a manner synchronized with the electronic media using the procedure above-described.
  • the display can be in paragraphs/verses, line-by-line or word-by-word.
  • the subtitles, lyrics, etc. may comprise plain text data, graphic images, or a mixture of both.
  • Figure 24 illustrates and application in which song lyrics may be obtained from a Web site using a personal computer 1420 or a set top box or other device 2510 as a gateway or proxy server.
  • the first HTML page downloaded 2402 prompts the user to enter a song title.
  • the Browser display can change to a keyboard arrangement 2404 (corresponding to HTML event 1018 shown in Figure 10c) to allow entry of text data.
  • the user can touch an "OK" soft button 2406 to return to the previous display (with the text data entered) 2408.
  • Touching a "submit” soft button can be used to cause the text information to be transmitted back to the proxy server and, thereafter, to the Web site.
  • the Web site returns an HTML formatted data page to the proxy sever which page is transmitted to the remote control 10 to cause display ofthe appropriate lyrics 2412.
  • the sub-titles etc. can be downloaded from a supporting Web site, kiosk, etc.
  • the information can be downloaded directly to the remote control 10, provided the memory is of sufficient size, or downloaded to a smart card or other releasable type of memory.
  • the remote control 10 can be adapted to include a releasable media reader or be adapted to communicate with releasable media reader. Synchronization ofthe playing ofthe media and the display ofthe sub-titles, etc.
  • the remote control 10 can be equipped with a bar code reader to facilitate the gathering of information related to programming the remote control 10, home appliances/consumer electronic devices, TV programming, etc.
  • the bar code digits can be entered by the user.
  • U.S. Patent No. 6,225,938 entitled "Universal Remote Control System with Bar Code Setup” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
  • use of a bar code reader allows the remote control 10 to retrieve information indicative of an item/article and, thereafter, display information relevant to the item article (e.g., instructions, warnings, nutritional info, spare part lists, command codes for controlling its operation, etc.).
  • the UPC/Bar code information could be used as a pointer to Web sites on the Internet.
  • This bar code could be a standard Universal Product Code (UPC) or could be a special bar code format intended for use only with the remote control.
  • UPC Universal Product Code
  • a bar code reader module with a serial interface can be attached through the general purpose serial I/O connection 108 and UART port 330.
  • This bar code reader module may be physically incorporated into the housing 13 ofthe remote control, or may be in the form of a self contained external module connected via a cable to the serial I/O jack 61.
  • the bar code reader can be used as an alternative to the keyboard for entry of data into input fields in HTML pages.
  • Figure 29 illustrates an application in which a consumer can obtain additional information regarding a product from the Internet, the remote control communicating with the Internet in a manner similar to that previously described in connection with Figs. 14-15.
  • the user would initially request an HTML page containing an input field 2910 into which a UPC code is entered, either via the keyboard or by scanning the product itself with the bar code reader.
  • keyboard entry is provided as a backup in the event the UPC bar code label on the product is damaged, obscured, unreachable, or the like.
  • An "EXIT" button 2915 is also provided on this and subsequent pages so that the user can return to the Browser Application start page or other designated beginning point at any time.
  • selecting the "SUBMIT" 2940 button causes the remote control Browser Application to transmit the UPC code data back to the URL from which the initial HTML page originated.
  • this data can be used to directly index into a database of product information or, alternatively, may be used to index into a table of other URLs (corresponding to manufacturer Web pages, for example) to transfer the request to a specific site from which the appropriate information is available.
  • the resulting response is the transmission of a page of HTML formatted data back to the remote control 10 to cause display ofthe desired product information 2960.
  • This page of information can itself contain link(s) to additional ⁇ age(s) of information as seen in this example where selecting "COOKING DIRECTIONS" 2970 results in the display of a secondary page of information 2980, which in turn can contain a link 2990 to yet another page, and so on. In this manner all needed product information can be made available to a consumer.
  • the bar code reader may also be used in many other Internet based applications implemented in a similar manner to that described above for example, grocery shopping, on line warranty registration, product and/or price comparisons, and the like. It may also be used as an alternative input means during the process of acquiring song lyrics or user manual information as described earlier, by swiping the UPC on the product packaging in place of manually entering text or setup data.
  • the remote control 10 can be adapted to dock to a keyboard.
  • a view ofthe remote control 10 used in a landscape mode is illustrated in Fig. 17.
  • the keyboard 300 and the remote control 10 can communicate such that the remote control 10 can be used for sending email, talking in Internet chat rooms, etc. Communications via a network Internet would occur in a manner similar to that described in connection with Figs. 14-15.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système et un procédé pour l'utilisation d'un dispositif portatif qui affiche des informations liées à un appareil électrodomestique communiquant avec le dispositif, c'est-à-dire transmettant au dispositif des signaux d'information destinés à être affichés par le dispositif sous forme de document d'information.
PCT/US2002/004101 2001-07-13 2002-02-11 Systeme et procede pour l'utilisation d'un dispositif portatif affichant des informations WO2003007291A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
MXPA04000286A MXPA04000286A (es) 2001-07-13 2002-02-11 SISTEMA Y MeTODO PARA UTILIZAR UN DISPOSITIVO PORTaTIL PARA EXHIBIR INFORMACION.
CA002453713A CA2453713A1 (fr) 2001-07-13 2002-02-11 Systeme et procede pour l'utilisation d'un dispositif portatif affichant des informations
BR0211129-2A BR0211129A (pt) 2001-07-13 2002-02-11 Sistema, método para visualizar informação, meio legìvel, método para visualizar um documento, e, dispositivo portátil
EP02707772A EP1410359A2 (fr) 2001-07-13 2002-02-11 Systeme et procede pour l'utilisation d'un dispositif portatif affichant des informations

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/905,432 2001-07-13
US09/905,423 2001-07-13
US09/905,423 US20020140571A1 (en) 2001-01-29 2001-07-13 System and method for using a hand held device to display product information
US09/905,432 US7102688B2 (en) 2001-01-29 2001-07-13 System and method for using a hand held device to display a readable representation of an audio track

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WO2003007291A2 true WO2003007291A2 (fr) 2003-01-23
WO2003007291A3 WO2003007291A3 (fr) 2003-06-26

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EP (1) EP1410359A2 (fr)
BR (1) BR0211129A (fr)
CA (1) CA2453713A1 (fr)
MX (1) MXPA04000286A (fr)
WO (1) WO2003007291A2 (fr)

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EP1734491A1 (fr) * 2005-06-15 2006-12-20 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Systèmes de présentation de données et procédés
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EP1734491A1 (fr) * 2005-06-15 2006-12-20 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Systèmes de présentation de données et procédés

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EP1410359A2 (fr) 2004-04-21
BR0211129A (pt) 2004-06-29
WO2003007291A3 (fr) 2003-06-26
CA2453713A1 (fr) 2003-01-23

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