WO2006038161A1

WO2006038161A1 - System comprising a device and a controller for controlling the device

Info

Publication number: WO2006038161A1
Application number: PCT/IB2005/053200
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Ullmann
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2004-10-04
Filing date: 2005-09-28
Publication date: 2006-04-13

Abstract

A system (1, 2) comprises a device (3, 300) and a controller (4, 400) for controlling the device (3,300) by supplying parameter signals to the devices (3, 300). The parameter signals serve to change parameter values of the devices (3, 300). The system has a generator (28, 38, 48) for, in response to a non-parameter signal, looking up which parameter values were changed by the parameter signals and restoring the parameter values. The non-parameter signal is regarded a general UNDO signal, that initiates restoring the device (3, 300) to a previous state, for each kind of parameter used to get into the last state. A further non-parameter signal may be regarded as a general REDO signal, to be performed after the general UNDO signal. The general REDO signal restores the device (3, 300) to state succeeding the previous state. The generator (28, 38, 48) may be integrated with the device (3) or with the controllers (4) or can be a separate entity.

Description

System comprising a device and a controller for controlling the device

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a system comprising a device and a controller for controlling the device, and also relates to a device, a device method, a device processor program product, a controller, a controller method, a controller processor program product, a generator, a generator method and a generator processor program product. Examples of such a device and such a controller are consumer products with remote control units, and personal computers with monitors, mouse interfaces and mice.

BACKGROUND ART

WO 01/69568 Al discloses a remote control unit for a television receiver. The remote control unit supplies a parameter signal, such as a channel selection signal or a volume selection signal, to the television receiver for changing a value of a parameter, such as a channel number or the volume of the sound from the television receiver. This channel selection has, for example, the options "channel up", "channel down", "previous channel" and "channel number". The remote control unit further allows programming a loop of channels using a channel program signal. This channel program signal relates to the options "channel loop", "channel add", "channel delete", "channel display/edit", "channel select", "channel move", "channel copy", "channel reset" and "channel undo".

In case a user inadvertently selects a wrong channel, the user can correct the mistake by selecting the previous channel option. But in case the user inadvertently selects another option, such as the wrong volume level, a wrong picture-in-picture (pip) option such as a wrong pip (de)activation or a wrong pip location, a wrong teletext selection such as a wrong teletext (de)activation or a wrong teletext page number, etc., the user can only correct the mistake by remembering the previous state of the device and selecting one or more proper options to go back to that previous state. This is considered a user-unfriendly mode of operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention, inter alia, to provide a system that is user- friendlier than the known system. Further objects of the invention are, inter alia, to provide a device, a device method, a device processor program product, a controller, a controller method, a controller processor program product, a generator, a generator method and a generator processor program product for use in (combination with) a system that is user- friendlier than the known system.

The system according to the invention comprises a device, such as a consumer electronics device, and a controller for controlling the device. The controller comprises a transmitter for supplying a parameter signal to the device for changing a value of a parameter of the device. The device has a receiver for receiving the parameter signal from the controller. The system has a generator for, in response to a non-parameter signal, looking up which parameter value was changed by the parameter signal and restoring the parameter value.

In response to the non-parameter signal, for example originating from the controller, the generator looks up which parameter value was changed by the parameter signal. For example, an indication of the parameter and an indication of the change of the value can be stored, or the indication of the parameter and the old value and the new value can be stored. After having found this information, the generator resets the parameter value for example to the old value. Thereby, the non-parameter signal is a signal, which is not related to a single parameter, but which is related to a number of parameters or operational modes, for which the controller can change the corresponding parameter values. This non- parameter signal may be regarded a general UNDO signal, that returns the device to a previous state, for each kind of parameter that is relevant in order to get into the last state. It should be noted that in WO 01/69568 Al, a counter typically realizes the "channel up" option, "channel down" option and "previous channel" option. This counter counts up and down to get the "channel up" and "channel down" options and can be stored with a reset value corresponding with the previous channel option. Such a single counter can, however, not be used for storing which parameter value of which one of a large number of parameter values was changed recently and/or lastly and for storing either the indication of the parameter and the indication of the change of the value or the indication of the parameter and the old value and the new value.

For completeness, it is noted that US 2003/0003988 Al, herein incorporated by reference, discloses in its paragraph 0197 an "undo" button to undo whatever the last action was in a controller. This is done before a user input is validated and before the input gets active in operational use of the known system, e.g., before a handle is being pulled to send a bet to a server casino. So, in this case, in the device, a changed parameter value cannot be restored. Of course not, this is done to avoid problems and fraud in a context unrelated to the current invention.

For completeness, reference is further made to US Pat. App. Publ. 20030106062 (attorney docket US 018140) filed Dec. 5, 2001 , for Eugene Shteyn and Mark Hoffberg for "HOME NETWORK ENVIRONMENT AS A STATE MACHINE", herein incorporated by reference. This document relates to a home network that is controlled as a super state machine consisting of a plurality of state machines of electronic consumer appliances attached to the home network. Setting the state of the home network results in setting the states of multiple appliances that are connected to the network. The system can automatically determine whether a particular network state would be reliable. For example, the system may present the user with a selection of reliable network states and the user can select a reliable network state that is meaningful to the user. The selected meaningful state may be stored or may be immediately implemented upon the user selection. An embodiment of the system of the invention is characterized by the generator comprising one or more memory fields for storing information defining the parameter value that was changed and for storing information defining a further parameter signal for the restoring of the parameter value. The parameter value is restored preferably by using a further parameter signal. So, in case of the changed parameter value indicating a volume increase by one, the further parameter signal defines a volume decrease by one. Of course, by repeating the non-parameter signal and/or by providing the non-parameter signal with a code, the parameter value can be restored more than once, to bring the device back not to previous state but to a state situated preceding that previous state.

An embodiment of the system of the invention is characterized by the generator being arranged for, in response to a further non-parameter signal, looking up which parameter value was restored and canceling the restoring. This further non-parameter signal, for example originating from the controller, may be regarded a general REDO signal, to be performed after the general UNDO signal, to return the device to a state succeeding the previous state, i.e., the state attained in response to the UNDO signal. An embodiment of the system in the invention is characterized by the generator comprising one or more memory fields for storing information defining the parameter value that was restored and for storing information defining a yet further parameter signal for the canceling of the restoring of the parameter value. The restored parameter value is cancelled preferably by using a yet further parameter signal. So, in case of the changed parameter value indicating a volume increase by one unit, the further parameter signal could define a volume decrease by one unit, and the yet further parameter signal could define a volume increase by one unit. Of course, by repeating the further non-parameter signal and/or by providing the further non-parameter signal with a code, more than one restoring can be cancelled.

An embodiment of the system in the invention is characterized by the device comprising the generator for generating a further parameter signal for the restoring of the parameter value. In this case, the generator is integrated into or accommodated in the device. An embodiment of the system of the invention is characterized by the controller comprising the generator for generating a further parameter signal for the restoring of the parameter value. In this case, the generator is integrated into or accommodated in the controller.

As described above, the device and the controller might be consumer products with remote control units, whereby it is not to be excluded that the controller is integrated into the device. Alternatively, they might be personal computers with monitors, mouse interfaces and mice. The previous channel option may correspond with the back option when surfing the world-wide-web for going back to a previous site. The general UNDO signal might be activated by, for example, clicking the mouse after the cursor has been located at an UNDO button. In response, the personal computer will go back to a previous state by finishing/starting a program that has been started/finished before, by reducing/increasing a volume of the computer speakers which volume has been increased/reduced before, by reducing/increasing a size of a window that has been increased/reduced before etc.

The invention can be embodied in a device, a device method, a device processor program product, a controller, a controller method, a controller processor program product, a generator, a generator method, a generator processor program product. These embodiments stem from the fact that the invention can take on various appearances depending on where in a distributed system the functionality is accommodated. Above embodiments correspond with the embodiments of the system according to the invention. The invention is based upon an insight, inter alia, that known systems are relatively user-unfriendly owing to the fact that they allow one parameter to be corrected solely. The invention is based, inter alia, upon a basic idea that a generator is to be introduced for, in response to a non-parameter signal such as a general UNDO signal, looking up which parameter value was changed by the parameter signal and restoring the parameter value. The invention solves the problem, inter alia, to provide a system which is relatively user friendly, and is advantageous, inter alia, in that the non-parameter signal is a signal, which is not related to a single parameter, but which is related to a number of parameters, and which can return the device to a previous state, for each kind of parameter used to get into the last state.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments(s) described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention is explained in further detail, by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. 1 is a diagram of a first system in the invention comprising a device of the invention and a known controller;

Fig. 2 is a diagram of a second system of the invention comprising a known device and a controller according to the invention;

Fig. 3 shows a part of the controller comprising an UNDO key; and Fig. 4 shows a generator according to the invention.

DETAILED EMBODIMENTS Fig. 1 is a diagram of a first system 1 of the invention. System 1 comprises a device 3 according to the invention and a known controller 400. The device 3 comprises a data processor system 30 with a processor 37 coupled to a generator 38 according to the invention and to storage 39. The processor 37 is coupled to a receiver 31 for receiving a parameter signal from the controller 400 via a link 5. Link 5 comprises, e.g., a wireless connection such as an infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) connection. Alternatively, link 5 comprises a wired connection. The processor 37 is further coupled to an input interface 33 for receiving an input signal such as modulated audio/video (AV) signals, and is also coupled to a display monitor 34 and to an output interface 35 for generating an output signal 36 such as an audio signal. The input interface 33 comprises, e.g., a tuner and the output interface 35 comprises, e.g., an amplifier.

The known controller 400 comprises a transmitter 41 for supplying the parameter signal via the link 5 to the device 3, and further comprises a data processor system 40 with a processor 47 and with storage 49. The processor 47 is further coupled to a man- machine interface or user interface 44. Fig. 2 is a diagram of a second system 2 in the invention. System 2 comprises a known device 300 and a controller 4 according to the invention. The device 300 comprises the data processor system 30 with the processor 37 coupled to storage 39. The processor 37 is coupled to the receiver 31 for receiving the parameter signal from the controller 4 via the link 5. The processor 37 is further coupled to the input interface 33 for receiving the input signal such as a modulated AV signal, and to the display 34 and to the output interface 35 for generating the output signal 36, for example the audio signal. The input interface 33 comprises, e.g., the tuner and the output interface 35 comprises, e.g., the amplifier.

The controller 4 according to the invention comprises a transmitter 41 for supplying the parameter signal via the link 5 to the device 300. Controller 4 further comprises a data processor system 40 with a processor 47 and a generator 48 according to the invention and storage 49. The processor 47 is further coupled to a man machine interface 44.

In Fig. 3, a part of the controller 4 comprising an UNDO key is shown, and in Fig. 4, a generator 28 according to the invention is shown. Such a generator 28 may correspond with the generators 38 and 48 in Figs. 1 and 2 and comprises, e.g., memory fields. A first memory field defines the most recent state Sl and a parameter V indicating the volume and an old parameter value 010 and a new parameter value 012. Accordingly, the state Sl has been reached by increasing the volume from 010 to 012. A second memory field defines the most recent state but one, or first previous state S2 and a parameter C indicating the channel and an old parameter value 025 and a new parameter value 026. So, the state S2 has been reached by changing the channel number from 025 to 026. A third memory field defines the second previous state S3 and a parameter C indicating the channel and an old parameter value 024 and a new parameter value 025. So, the state S3 has been reached by changing the channel number from 024 to 025. A fourth memory field defines the third previous state S4 and a parameter P indicating the picture-in-picture-option and an old parameter value 001 and a new parameter value 010. So, the state S4 has been obtained by changing the picture-in-picture location from the left upper corner to the right upper corner. A fifth memory field defines the fourth previous state S5 and a parameter V indicating the volume and an old parameter value 020 and a new parameter value 010. So, the state S5 has been got by reducing the volume from 020 to 010.

A sixth memory field defines that in case a value of the volume as indicated by the parameter V is changed from I to J, to get a previous state a further parameter signal X(I) is to be generated. Alternatively, this signal X(I, J) may be a function of both I and J, etc. A seventh memory field defines that in case a value of the channel as indicated by the parameter C is changed from K to L, a further parameter signal Y(K) is to be generated to reach a previous state. Alternatively, this signal Y(K, L) may be a function of both K and L, etc. An eighth memory field defines that in case a value of the picture-in-picture option as indicated by the parameter P is changed from M to N, a further parameter signal Z(M) is to be generated to reach a previous state. Alternatively, this signal Z(M, N) may be a function of both M and N, etc.

The invention functions as follows. In a way common in the art, the controller 4, 400 controls the device 3, 300. The transmitter 41 supplies a parameter signal to the receiver 31 for changing a parameter value of the device 3, 300. Such a parameter signal defines, e.g., a volume indicated by the parameter V and its new value in an absolute or a relative way, or defines a channel indicated by the parameter C and its new value in an absolute or a relative way, or defines a picture-in-picture option indicated by the parameter P and its new value in an absolute or a relative way, without excluding further parameters.

According to the invention (first option - Figs. 1, 3, 4 - the generator 28, 38 according to the invention is located in the device 3) a non-parameter signal UNDO is generated, for example via the man machine interface 44 of the controller 400. This non- parameter signal UNDO is supplied via the link 5 to the processor 37 of the device 3. The processor 37 detects this UNDO signal, and orders the generator 28, 38 to look up the value of which parameter V, C, P was changed by the parameter signal and to restore the value of this parameter V, C, P.

For example, in case of the device 3 being in the state Sl, the generator 28, 38 finds out via the first memory field that the volume has been changed from the old value 10 to the new value 12. Then the generator 28, 38 consults the sixth field (owing to the fact that the volume has been changed) to retrieve the information about how to go back to the previous state S2. Thereto, a further parameter signal X is to be generated being a function of the old value 1=10 and possibly being a function of the new value J=I 2. This further parameter signal X is supplied to the processor 37, and as a result, the device 3 restores its volume to the old value 1=10.

For example, in case of the device 3 being in the state S2 (the state Sl has not yet been reached), the generator 28, 38 finds out via the second memory field that the channel number was changed from the old value 025 to the new value 026. Then the generator 28, 38 consults the seventh field (owing to the fact that the channel number has been changed) to obtain the information about how to go back to the previous state S3. Thereto, a further parameter signal Y is to be generated being a function of the old value K=25 and possibly being a function of the new value L=26. This further parameter signal Y is supplied to the processor 37, and as a result, the device 3 changes its channel number back to the old value K=25, etc.

According to the invention (second option - Figs. 2, 3, 4 - the generator 28, 48 according to the invention is located in the controller 4) a non-parameter signal UNDO is generated, for example via the man machine interface 44. The non-parameter signal UNDO is supplied to the processor 47 of the controller 4. The processor 47 detects this UNDO signal, and orders the generator 28, 48 to look up the value of which parameter V, C, P was changed by the parameter signal and to restore the value of this parameter V, C, P. For example, in case of the device 300 being in the state Sl (the controller 4 stores this state information), the generator 28, 48 finds out via the first memory field that the volume was changed from the old value 10 to the new value 12. Then the generator 28, 48 consults the sixth field (owing to the fact that the volume has been changed) to get the information about how to go back to the previous state S2. Thereto, a further parameter signal X is to be generated being a function of the old value 1=10 and possibly being a function of the new value J=12. This further parameter signal X is supplied via the processor 47 and the link 5 to the processor 37, and as a result, the device 300 restores its volume to the old value 1=10.

For example, in case of the device 300 being in the state S2 (the state Sl has not yet been reached), the generator 28, 48 finds out via the second memory field that the channel number was changed from the old value 025 to the new value 026. Then the generator 28, 48 consults the seventh field (owing to the fact that the channel number has been changed) to get the information about how to go back to the previous state S3. Thereto, a further parameter signal Y is to be generated being a function of the old value K=25 and possibly being a function of the new value L=26. This further parameter signal Y is supplied via the processor 47 and the link 5 to the processor 37, and as a result, the device 300 changes its channel number back to the old value K=25, etc.

According to the invention (third option - the generator 28 according to the invention is located somewhere between the device 300 and the controller 400), the operation is then further in accordance with the operation described for the first option.

Further advantageously, the generator 28, 38, 48 according to the invention might be arranged for looking up which parameter V, C, P value has been restored and canceling the restoring in response to a further non-parameter signal REDO. Thereto, the generator 28, 38, 48 might comprise further memory fields for storing information specifying the value of the parameter V, C, P that has been restored and for storing information for a yet further parameter signal for the canceling of the restoring of the value of the parameter V, C, P, etc.

The receiver 31 comprises, e.g., a pre-amplifier and a demodulator. The transmitter 41 comprises, e.g., a modulator and a driver. The link 5 might be a wireless link, such as for example an IR or RF link, or might be a wired (electrical or optical) link. The generator 48 may be implemented in hardware or in software via the processor 47 and storage 49 or in a mixture of both. The generator 38 may be implemented in hardware or in software via the processor 37 and storage 39 or in a mixture of both. In case of the generator 38, 48 being implemented at least partly in software, it might use the memory fields available in storage 39, 49.

The generator 28 in Fig. 4 may comprise further memory fields (not shown) and/or may comprise alternative memory fields. For example, it would be possible to store per state each parameter V, C, P and its momentary value. The change in the value is then determined by comparing the information in two different memory fields. This way, it is also possible to go back to a further previous state at once, although in this case the non-parameter signal must indicate that. Alternatively, a timing mechanism might be used to count a number of non-parameter signals during a time interval for going back to the further previous state after the time interval has expired. Further parameters are not to be excluded, for example in case of the device 3, -

300 comprising equipment other than a television receiver, such as a CD player / recorder, a VHS player / recorder, a DVD player / recorder, an audio tuner / amplifier, etc.

Instead of using the expressions "parameter signal" and "non-parameter signal", one might use the expressions "specific-parameter signal" (defining a specific parameter of the device) and "non-specific-parameter signal" (defining a state of the device). Instead of speaking about looking up which parameter value was changed by the parameter signal and restoring the parameter value in response to a non-parameter signal, one might speak about a first parameter signal changing a first parameter value of the device resulting in the device going into a first state, a second parameter signal changing a second parameter value of the device resulting in the device going into a second state, the first and second parameter signals being different from each other and the first and second parameter values being different from each other and the first and second states being different from each other, with an UNDO signal different from both parameter signals forcing the device to go back to a first previous state when being in the first state, and to go back to a second previous state when being in the second state.

The sixth, seventh an eighth memory field might be integrated into the first to fifth memory fields, for example by inserting the sixth memory field into the first and the fifth memory fields and by inserting the sixth memory field into the second and third memory fields and by inserting the eighth memory field into the fourth memory field.

As mentioned before, the invention can take on various forms when mapped onto a distributed system with functionalities of a controllable device and of a controller. An example of such a system is a device with a consumer electronics apparatus or a PC and with a controller for control of the apparatus or PC. Control can be implemented using a wired or wireless interconnection between the device and the controller. As another example of such a system, consider a controllable device that is coupled to the controller via a data network such as the Internet. In this example, the device and controller can be at geographical sites far remote from one another, and can be operated by different legal entities. The controller is then, e.g., operative to provide a user- interface to a video game, computer game or another service being run at the device that comprises a server. Again, user- friendliness and transparency regarding user interaction is highly desirable, a goal to which the invention seeks to aspire. The different embodiments of the invention reflect the different forms that can be commercially exploited while benefiting of the concept of the invention. It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "to comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In a system claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system (1, 2) comprising a device (3, 300) and a controller (4, 400) for controlling the device (3, 300), wherein the controller (4, 400) comprises a transmitter (41) for supplying a parameter signal to the device (3, 300) for changing a value of a parameter (V, C, P) of the device (3, 300), the device (3, 300) comprises a receiver (31) for receiving the parameter signal from the controller (4, 400), the system (1, 2) comprises a generator (28, 38, 48) for looking up which parameter (V, C, P) had a value changed under control of the parameter signal in response to receiving a non-parameter signal and restoring the value of the parameter (V, C, P) value.

2. The system (1, 2) of claim 1, wherein the generator (28, 38, 48) comprises a memory field for storing information about the parameter (V, C, P) value that was changed and/or for storing information about a further parameter signal for the restoring of the value of the parameter (V, C, P).

3. The system (1, 2) of claim 1, wherein the generator (28, 38, 48) is configured for looking up which parameter (V, C, P) had its value restored and canceling the restoring in response to a further non-parameter signal.

4. The system (1, 2) of claim 3, wherein the generator (28, 38, 48) comprises a memory field for storing information about the parameter (V, C, P) value that was restored and/or for storing information about a yet further parameter signal for the canceling of the restoring of the parameter (V, C, P) value.

5. The system (1) of claim 1, wherein the device (3) comprises the generator (38) for generating a further parameter signal for the restoring of the parameter (V, C, P) value.

6. The system (2) of claim 1, wherein the controller (4) comprises the generator (48) for generating a further parameter signal for the restoring of the parameter (V, C, P) value.

7. A device (3) comprising a receiver (31) for receiving a parameter signal (400) for changing a value of a parameter (V, C, P) of the device; and a generator (38) for looking up which parameter (V, C, P) value was changed in response to the receiving of the parameter signal and restoring the parameter (V, C, P) value in response to receiving a non- parameter signal.

8. A device method for control of the device, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a parameter signal for changing a parameter (V,C,P) value; and - in response to a non-parameter signal, looking up which parameter (V,C,P) value was changed by the parameter signal received and restoring the parameter (V,C,P) value.

9. A device processor program product for use with a data processor of a controllable device (3), the device processor program product comprising the functions of: enabling the processor to receive data representative of a parameter signal for changing a parameter (V,C,P) value of the device (3); and in response to receiving further data representative of a non-parameter signal, looking up which parameter (V,C,P) value was changed by the parameter signal and restoring the parameter (V,C,P) value.

10. A controller (4) for controlling a device (300), the controller (4) comprising: a transmitter (41) for supplying a parameter signal for instructing the device to change a parameter (V, C, P) value of the device (300); and - a generator (48) for looking up which parameter (V, C, P) value was changed by the parameter signal and instructing the device to restore the parameter (V, C, P) value in response to a specific command.

11. A controller method for controlling a controllable device (300), the method comprising the steps of: supplying a parameter signal to the device (300) for changing a parameter (V,C,P) value of the device (300); and in response to a specific command, looking up which parameter (V,C,P) value was changed by the parameter signal and restoring the parameter (V,C,P) value.

12. A controller processor program product for use with a data processor in a controller (4) for controlling a controllable device (300), the controller processor program product comprising the functions of: - controlling the processor to supply data representative of a parameter signal to the device (300) for instructing the device to change a parameter (V,C,P) value of the device (300); and in response to a specific command, looking up which parameter (V,C,P) value was changed by the parameter signal and supplying data for instructing the device to restore the parameter (V,C,P) value.

13. A generator (28,38,48) for a system (1,2) with a device (3,300) and a controller (4,400) for controlling the device (3,300), the controller (4,400) comprising a transmitter (41) for supplying a parameter signal to the device (3,300) for changing a parameter (V₅C₅P) value of the device (3,300), the device (3,300) comprising a receiver (31) for receiving the parameter signal from the controller (4,400), the generator (28,38,48) being arranged for, in response to a non-parameter signal, looking up which parameter (V₅C₅P) value was changed by the parameter signal and restoring the parameter (V,C,P) value.

14. A generator method for a system (1,2) comprising a device (3,300) and a controller (4,400) for controlling the device (3,300), the controller (4,400) comprising a transmitter (41) for supplying a parameter signal to the device (3,300) for changing a parameter (V,C,P) value of the device (3,300), the device (3,300) comprising a receiver (31) for receiving the parameter signal from the controller (4,400), the generator method comprising the steps of, in response to a non-parameter signal, looking up which parameter (V,C,P) value was changed by the parameter signal and restoring the parameter (V,C,P) value.

15. A generator processor program product for a system (1, 2) comprising a device (3, 300) and a controller (4, 400) for controlling the device (3, 300), the controller (4,400) comprising a transmitter (41) for supplying a parameter signal to the device (3, 300) for changing a parameter (V₅ C, P) value of the device (3, 300), the device (3, 300) comprising a receiver (31) for receiving the parameter signal from the controller (4, 400), the generator processor program product comprising the functions of, in response to a non-parameter signal, looking up which parameter (V, C, P) value has been changed by the parameter signal and restoring the parameter (V, C, P) value.