WO2008062234A2

WO2008062234A2 - Remote control of electronic devices

Info

Publication number: WO2008062234A2
Application number: PCT/GB2007/050711
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Campbell
Original assignee: Ian Campbell
Priority date: 2006-11-25
Filing date: 2007-11-25
Publication date: 2008-05-29
Also published as: WO2008062234A3; GB0623513D0

Abstract

An electronic device in the form of a toy (6) detects audible signals from a TV set (5). The toy (6) decodes identification data contained in high frequency data signals. The toy (6) is also connected to the Internet by a local router (9). Low bandwidth control data is embedded in the TV broadcast. This is received by the remote electronic toy (6) situated within hearing distance of the TV set (5). The data contains instructions for the toy (6) to look at a specified web location for more complex control and media data, which is delivered over a high bandwidth Internet connection. The toy (6) may interact with a TV program, allowing the broadcaster to control movement, sounds, etc in time with the TV broadcast. Other electronic devices may be controlled in a similar way.

Description

REMOTE CONTROL OF ELECTRONIC DEVICES

The present invention relates to the remote control of electronic devices.

The remote control of electronic devices is widespread, in both wired and wireless modes. In wireless modes, remote control data is typically transmitted to devices over radio-frequency or infra-red links, particularly where the device is local to the source of the control data. Many household appliances, e.g. TVs, DVD players, etc., are controlled in this way - as are many children's toys.

Public broadcast services provide interactive facilities for customers.

For example, satellite TV broadcasters can deliver individually selected program content to a viewer, in response to control data exchanged between the broadcaster and the customer over the satellite link. Satellite TV broadcasters also use a telephone line to exchange data, linked to viewed program content, between the broadcaster and a customer — for example, for "online shopping" on a satellite TV channel.

Bandwidth limitations restrict the extent to which a broadcaster can interact with a viewer or listener over a typical broadcast channel. However, if it were possible to increase the bandwidth, many new marketing opportunities would become available.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide methods and apparatus that can be improved in this respect. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of remotely controlling an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of:

a. producing an audible signal in the vicinity of the device;

b. detecting the audible signal at the device and decoding identification data from the detected audible signal;

c. connecting the device, over a communications channel, to a remote data source corresponding to said identification data; and

d. transmitting to the device, over said communications channel, control data from said data source.

By "audible signal" we mean a signal that is transmitted by variations in air pressure at a frequency substantially within the range of the human audible spectrum.

Preferably, said audible signal is in the range 0 to 20 kHz.

Preferably, said audible signal is in the range 100 Hz to 10 kHz.

Said audible signal may contain musical content.

Said audible signal may contain spoken content.

Said identification data may be decoded from the detected audible signal by recognising at least part of said musical or spoken content.

Said identification data may be decoded from the detected audible signal by recognising a predetermined signal pattern in the detected audible signal. Said audible signal may be produced from a receiver for a public broadcast network, with said audible signal forming part of program material reproduced by said receiver.

Preferably, said communications channel comprises a public communications network.

Preferably, said public communications network comprises the Internet.

Preferably, said data source has an address indicated by address data that is derived from said identification data.

Said address data may be derived from a look-up table.

Said address data may be contained within said identification data.

Said electronic device may comprise a display device arranged to display program content in response to said control data.

Said display device may be arranged to output both visible and audible content.

Preferably, said audible signal is produced from a receiver for a public broadcast network and said data source is administered by the operator of said public broadcast network.

Preferably, program content is transmitting to the device, over said communications channel, in addition to said control data. Preferably, behaviour of the electronic device is synchronised with said audible signal.

In another aspect, the invention provided apparatus for the remote control of an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a. detection means arranged to detect an audible signal in the vicinity of the device;

b. decoding means arranged to decode identification data from the detected audible signal; and

c. communication means arranged to connect the device, over a communications channel, to a remote data source corresponding to said identification data:

wherein the device is arranged to receive, over said communications channel, control data from said data source.

Such apparatus is preferably arranged to perform a method according to any of the preceding aspects of the invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a first example of a data network between a TV broadcaster and a remote electronic device; and

Figure 2 illustrates a second example of a data network between a TV broadcaster and a remote electronic device. In the figures, like references denote like or corresponding parts.

The data network 1 shown in Figure 1 is composed of two parts or channels.

A first part or channel uses high frequency sound signals embedded in a TV broadcast. A TV programme (in this example) is played from a video player 2 and transmitted via a broadcast computer 3 and radio transmission channel 4, to be received in a remote location on a television set 5. The TV set 5 plays the programme material, including sound content reproduced on its loudspeakers. Since the loudspeakers will be normal domestic quality, their sound range will be effectively limited to, approximately, the range of the human audible spectrum. Typically, this is regarded as 0 Hz to 20 kHz, although very low frequency oscillations will tend to be felt rather than heard. Practically, as a common denominator, the loudspeakers of a domestic TV set might effectively reproduce frequencies in the range 100 Hz to 10 kHz.

An electronic device 6 in the remote location detects the audible signals reproduced on the speakers of the TV set 5. In this example, the remote electronic device 6 is a toy. The toy 6 includes a decoder to decode identification data contained in the high frequency data signals.

The second part or channel of the data network 1 comprises an Internet link 7 between a data source 8 at the Broadcaster location and the remote electronic device 6. The data source 8 is connected to the broadcast computer 3 and to the Internet. The electronic device 6 is connected to the Internet by a local router 9, which is wireless in this example, but could comprise a wired connection. - S -

The data network 1 allows the TV broadcaster to communicate with the remote electronic device 6 using the two channels simultaneously. This works as follows.

In the first channel, low bandwidth control data is embedded in the TV broadcast. This basic control data is received by the remote electronic device 6 situated within hearing distance of the TV set 5. The data contains instructions for the device 6 to look at a specified web location for its more detailed control data.

In the second channel, the Internet provides a high bandwidth delivery mechanism for data. Therefore, complex control and media data can be transmitted to and from the remote device 6, which may be connected to the Internet anywhere in the world.

The toy 6 may interact with a TV program, allowing the broadcaster to control movement, sounds, etc in time with the TV broadcast.

The remote electronic device 6 need not be a toy. It may be any desired device. In one example, it may be a remote device to allow feedback and/or purchasing over the Internet, in relation to broadcast TV programme material.

Embodiments of the invention may be used in educational applications. In one example, a French lesson stored on an MP3 device is played through speakers. Embedded in the French audio session is low bandwidth data containing url address information. A remote device "hears" the audio content played through the speakers, decodes data from the lesson, and then via an Internet connection goes to the decoded url address to get its detailed program instructions. It then follows the program instruction in sync with the lesson. For example, the MP3 plays the word "hello" and the remote device following instructions in sync with the MP3 lesson says "bonjour". The "bonjour" data is obtained from the url with timing instructions.

Figure 2 shows another embodiment of the invention.

The data network that is shown in Figure 2 comprises a broadcast computer 3 that is arranged to transmit TV programme material over (in this example) a satellite or cable link to a TV set 5 at a remote location. A local data source 8 is connected to the broadcast computer 3. In this example, the remote electronic device 6 comprises a video/audio display device 64 connected to a controller 63. A detector 61 and decoder 62 are connected in series to the controller 63.

The TV set 5 plays received programme material and the audio content of this is played over the loudspeakers 51 of the TV set 5. The detector 61, in the vicinity of the TV set 5, detects the audible signal reproduced by the loudspeakers 51. The decoder 62 decodes identification data from the detected audible signal and passes it to the controller 63, which derives corresponding address data from it. The controller 63 communicates with the data source 8 over the Internet connection 7, using the address data. The data source 8, under the control of the broadcast computer 3, transmits control data and programme material back to the controller 63, which then passes the programme material to the display device 64, which displays the programme material.

The programme material displayed on the display device 64 may have any content that the broadcaster wishes to provide. The interesting aspect, however, is that the programme material displayed on the display device 64 can now be synchronised with the programme content displayed on the TV set 5, over the conventional broadcast link 4. The extra programme material supplied over the Internet link 7 may be provided free of charge, for additional entertainment of the viewer, or for advertising purposes. Alternatively, the extra programme material may be regarded as premium material for which the viewer is charged. As one example, a regular TV transmission as received on the TV set 5 may comprise a racing car event. Using the controller 63, a viewer may choose extra programme material to be shown on the display device 64 - for example, a cockpit view of a particular racing car.

In the above, the data to be decoded from a received and detected audible signal may comprise a discreet data signal that is embodied in the audio content. However, it is possible at the present time to recognise unique programme content. For example, a detector may detect a tune that is being played and an associated decoder may identify the particular tune from its unique waveform characteristics. The same may apply to spoken words. Thus, a remote electronic device may be able to recognise from a TV transmission the identity of a current programme - or even a particular part of a current programme - and react accordingly. For example, the decoder 62 may detect that a particular product is being advertised on the TV set 5 at the current time. This data is then passed to the controller 63 which then receives appropriate programme content from the data source 8, which content relates to the product being advertised and is then displayed on the display device 64.

On example of a known system for recognising program content is disclosed in M. Fink, M. Cove//, S. Ba/uja "Social- and Interactive-Television Applications Based on ^Leal-Time Ambient-Audio Identification", proc Euro-ITV, 2006. Here, a user agrees to participate in a system whereby background audio (e.g. audio content of broadcast program material) is sampled locally to the user, compressed and sent to a remote server, which detects the compressed audio content and identifies from it the broadcast program material that the user is experiencing. Having identified the broadcast program material, the remote server sends the information to a further server that provides a "social application" - e.g. a kind of "chat room" facility, where chat room contributors may comment on the program material that is presently being broadcast.

Embodiments of the present invention could likewise use a remote server to receive a signal representing an audible signal detected locally to a user and identify from the received signal the program material that the user is experiencing. In this way, much higher computing power may be available at the remote server to perform such identification, than locally to the user.

As will be gathered from the above, the electronic device 6 does not have to comprise a display device 64. It may comprise some kind of toy, as shown in Figure 1 , a robot or any other device. In particular, the electronic device 6 may take the form of a computing device that is programmed to provide a particular function, which function is modified in accordance with control data received. For example, the electronic device 6 that is illustrated in Figure 2 may be embodied by a PC, laptop, or other programmable computing device. Respective software may respond to control data received.

A significant feature of the illustrated embodiments is that behaviour of the electronic device is synchronised with the detected audible signal. With very fast connections and computing power, this may happen virtually in real-time.

However, in practice, signal transmissions may take a small amount of time.

Therefore, in the context of this specification, the electronic device may be regarded as synchronised with the audible signal when the electronic device responds to control data in response to the audible signal within 60 seconds, and preferably within 30 seconds. More preferably, the response time is within 10 seconds, 5 seconds, 3 seconds or 1 second.

In Figures 1 and 2, the TV set 5 receives programme material over a broadcast link 4. However, this is not essential. As the respective electronic device 6 responds to audible signals, all that is required is for an audible signal to be provided in the vicinity of the remote electronic device 6. Thus, for example, the TV set 5 may be replaced by a local audio player (e.g. a radio or an MP3 player), the electronic device 6 responding to the audible signal provided by the audio player.

In Figure 1, the data signals are described as high frequency data signals.

It is not necessary for them to be high frequency. They can be any convenient frequency. The audible signals can carry digital coding.

In this specification, the verb "comprise" has its normal dictionary meaning, to denote non-exclusive inclusion. That is, use of the word "comprise" (or any of its derivatives) to include one feature or more, does not exclude the possibility of also including further features.

The reader's attention is directed to all and any priority documents identified in connection with this application and to all and any papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

1. A method of remotely controlling an electronic device, the method comprising the steps of:

a. producing an audible signal in the vicinity of the device;

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said audible signal is in the range 0 to 20 kHz.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said audible signal is in the range 100 Hz to 10 kHz.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said audible signal contains musical content.

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said audible signal contains spoken content.

6. A method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said identification data is decoded from the detected audible signal by recognising at least part of said musical or spoken content.

7. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said identification data is decoded from the detected audible signal by recognising a predetermined signal pattern in the detected audible signal.

8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said audible signal is produced from a receiver for a public broadcast network and said audible signal forms part of program material reproduced by said receiver.

9. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said communications channel comprises a public communications network.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said public communications network comprises the Internet.

11. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said data source has an address indicated by address data that is derived from said identification data.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein said address data is derived from a look-up table.

13. A method according to claim 10, wherein said address data is contained within said identification data.

14. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said electronic device comprises a display device arranged to display program content in response to said control data.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein said display device is arranged to output both visible and audible content.

16. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said audible signal is produced from a receiver for a public broadcast network and said data source is administered by the operator of said public broadcast network.

17. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein program content is transmitting to the device, over said communications channel, in addition to said control data.

18. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein behaviour of the electronic device is synchronised with said audible signal.

19. A method for the remote control of an electronic device, the method being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. Apparatus for the remote control of an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

21. Apparatus according to claim 19 and arranged to perform a method according to any of claims 1 to 18.

22. Apparatus for the remote control of an electronic device, the apparatus being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. An electronic device arranged to be controlled remotely by an apparatus or method according to any of the preceding claims.