Control apparatus and control method

• US 20020089427A1
• Filed: 10/30/2001
• Published: 07/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Aratani, Shuntaro, Ohno, Tomoyuki, Yui, Hideaki
• Granted Patent: US 7,053,811 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.72
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0426 Programming the control sequence
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23238 TV microprocessor executes also home control, monitoring of appliances
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/23297 Remote load of program with cellular, wireless, satellite connection
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25072 Initialise each module during start up
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• 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 21/42212 Specific keyboard arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration

Abstract

A television receiver serves as a control apparatus for remote controlling an AV device in a home network system, and is provided with a remote controller for remote controlling the television receiver itself. The television receiver displays, on a display device, a graphical user interface (guide panel) for graphically guiding the functions assigned to the plural numeral keys provided in the remote controller. Such configuration allows the user to remote control the desired AV device in the home network system in a simple manner with limited operation sequence.

Claims

1. A control apparatus for remote controlling an AV device in a home network system, comprising:

a remote controller for remote controlling said control apparatus;

communication means for downloading a control program for remote controlling an unknown AV device; and

control means for generating, according to the downloaded control program, a graphical user interface for graphically displaying functions assigned to plural keys provided in said remote controller.

2. A control method for a control apparatus for remote controlling an AV device connected to a home network system, the control apparatus being provided with a remote controller for remote controlling said control apparatus, the method comprising steps of:

downloading a control program for remote controlling an unknown AV device; and

generating, according to the downloaded control program, a graphical user interface for graphically displaying functions assigned to plural keys provided in said remote controller.