Indicator device for receiver apparatus with data memory

• US 20010008426A1
• Filed: 01/11/2001
• Published: 07/19/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Pace Micro Technology Ltd. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Goodburn, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 7,466,897 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/553
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42661 for reading from or writing on a magnetic storage medium, e.g. hard disk drive
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47217 for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks specific graphical features in visual interfaces H04N21/4312
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/76 Television signal recording

Abstract

Electrical apparatus for processing received digital data into audio and/or video formats for listening via speakers and/or viewing via a display screen connected to the apparatus. The apparatus includes a memory means in which said received data can be stored for subsequent selective access by the user of the apparatus. The apparatus is provided with a display panel (2) and the panel and/or the display screen includes a plurality of light sources (6) and the illumination or non-illumination of the light source is controlled to indicate the selected mode of operation of the memory so as to provide a visual indication of the same to the user, and, if active, the illumination or non illumination of the light sources (6) is determined by the particular active mode of the memory.

Claims

1. Electrical apparatus for processing received digital data into audio and/or video formats for listening via speakers and/or viewing via a display screen connected to the apparatus, said apparatus including a memory means in which said received data can be stored for subsequent selective access by the user of the apparatus characterised in that the apparatus is provided with a display panel (2) and the display screen and/or the display panel includes a plurality of light sources (6) and the illumination or non-illumination of said light sources (6) is controlled to indicate the selected mode of operation of the memory so as to provide a visual indication of the same to the user, and, if active, the sequence of illumination or non illumination of the light sources (6) is determined by the particular active mode of the memory.

2. Electrical apparatus according to

claim 1

characterised in that the apparatus is a broadcast data receiver which receives digital data via satellite, cable or terrestrial systems and which subsequently processes and/or combines received data streams into recognisable television programmes and/or text services.

3. Electrical apparatus according to

claim 1

characterised in that the memory is a hard disk memory provided in a housing of the broadcast data receiver or connected thereto.

4. Electrical apparatus according to

claim 3

characterised in that the housing of the broadcast data receiver includes a display panel (2), selection buttons (8) for services or modes of operation of the apparatus and/or reception slots for viewing cards.

5. Electrical apparatus according to

claim 1

characterised in that each light source of the plurality of light sources (6) is independently controlled to be in an off (non illuminated) or on (illuminated) condition and the control is linked to the operation of the memory of the apparatus.

6. Electrical apparatus according to

claim 5

characterised in that sequential illumination of the light sources (6) can be used to indicate particular modes of operation so that the pattern or sequence of illumination of light sources (6) is used in addition, or instead of, placing some or all of the light sources in on or off conditions.

7. Electrical apparatus according to

claim 1

characterised in that the light sources (6) include LEDs.

8. Electrical apparatus according to

claim 1

wherein the light sources (6) include back lit segments.

9. Electrical apparatus according to

claim 1

characterised in that one light source is split into a number of different segments to represent the plurality of light sources (6).

10. Electrical apparatus according to

claim 1

characterised in that the light sources (6) are provided in different colours, interchangeable colours and/or sequence of colours to provide the indication of mode of operation.

11. Electrical apparatus for processing received digital data into audio and/or video formats for listening via speakers and/or viewing via a display screen connected to the electrical apparatus, said apparatus including a memory means in which digital data can be stored for subsequent selective access by the user of the apparatus, and characterised in that the apparatus is provided with a display panel (2) and the display screen and/or the display panel includes a plurality of light sources (6) and the sequence of illumination or non-illumination of said light sources is controlled such that when a control command is made by the user to the apparatus which alters the mode of operation of the memory means and/or if the user makes a selection to alter the display of the video and/or audio which is generated from data previously stored in the memory means a visual indication of the same is provided by the light sources (6).

12. Electrical apparatus according to

claim 11

characterised in that the control commands can be made by the user via the selection buttons on the apparatus or by a remote control device from which signals can be received and processed by the apparatus.