Remote controller and system having the same

• US 20030020693A1
• Filed: 07/10/2002
• Published: 01/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Sawai, Kunihito, Nashida, Tatsushi
• Granted Patent: US 7,190,345 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/169
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/0025 in a remote control unit remote control tuning in general H03J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• 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 21/42208 Display device provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42209 for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42222 Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42224 Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42227 the keys being reprogrammable, e.g. soft keys
• 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 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• 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 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72

Abstract

In order to provide a remote control system that is easy to use, a first displaying unit displays a remote controller side display information. Since a first operation unit is used to select the remote controller side display information and then drag towards an image display apparatus, a display position of the remote controller side display information on the display surface of the first displaying unit is visually moved towards an image display apparatus. In accordance with the movement operation of the remote controller side display information, operational information associated with the remote controller side display information is transmitted from a first communicator to a second communicator.

Claims

1. A remote control system including an image display apparatus and a remote controller for controlling the image display apparatus, wherein:

said remote controller comprises a first displaying unit for displaying information, a first communicator for communicating information to said image displaying unit, and a first controller,

said image display apparatus comprises a second communicator for communicating information to said first communicator,

said first communicator transmits operational information to control said image display apparatus to said second communicator, and

said first controller controls said first displaying unit to display a remote controller side display information associated with said operational information and to move a display position of the remote controller side display information displayed on the first displaying unit towards said image display apparatus if said first communicator transmits operational information to the second communicator.

2. A remote control system according to claim 1, wherein:

said image display apparatus comprises a second controller and a second displaying unit for displaying information,

said second controller controls said second displaying unit to display an image display apparatus side display information corresponding to said remote controller side display information if said second communicator receives said operational information, and

display of said image display apparatus side display information on said second displaying unit is performed to cause visual effect as if said remote controller side display information is physically moved from said remote controller to said image display apparatus.

3. A remote control system according to claim 2, wherein:

said second displaying unit has a display screen to display an image, and

said second controller controls the second displaying unit so that said image display apparatus side display information displayed on said second displaying unit has a size corresponding to a dimension of said display screen.

4. A remote control system according to claim 2, wherein:

said first communicator transmits said image display apparatus side display information with said operational information to said second communicator, and

said image display apparatus side display information comprises said remote controller side display information received by said second communicator.

5. A remote control system according to claim 1, wherein:

an audio generator is included in at least one of said remote controller and said image display apparatus, and

said audio generator outputs an audio signal in association with the transmission of said operational information to said second communicator from said first communicator.

6. A remote control system according to claim 1, wherein:

a vibration generator is included in said remote controller, and

said vibration generator generates vibration in association with the transmission of said operational information to said second communicator from said first communicator.

7. A remote control system according to claim 1, wherein:

said remote controller comprises an operation unit that can cause a position of said remote controller side display information displayed on said first displaying unit to move in a predetermined direction; and

said first controller controls said first communicator to transmit the operational information to the second communicator if the position of said remote controller side display information is moved in the predetermined direction by said operation unit.

8. A remote control system according to claim 1, wherein:

said remote control system comprises a plurality of said image display apparatuses,

said remote controller comprises an operation unit that can cause a position of said remote controller side display information displayed on said first displaying unit to move in one of predetermined directions,

said predetermined directions are determined so that each of the predetermined directions corresponds to each of said image display apparatuses, and

said first controller controls said first communicator to transmit the operational information to the second communicator associated with said predetermined direction if the position of said remote controller side display information is moved in said predetermined direction by said operation unit.

9. A remote control system according to claim 1, wherein:

said remote controller side display information comprises image information including at least one of still image data and moving image data.

10. A remote control system according to claim 1, wherein:

said remote controller side display information comprises URL data.

11. A remote control system according to claim 1, wherein:

said remote controller side display information comprises at least one of icon data and text data.

12. A remote controller for controlling an image display apparatus including:

a third displaying unit for displaying a remote controller display information;

a third operation unit for generating operational information based on a user'"'"'s operation;

a third communicator for performing two-way information communication to said image display apparatus; and

a third controller for displaying said remote controller display information on said third displaying unit, and transmitting said operational information to said image display apparatus by using said third communicator, wherein;

the remote controller display information displayed on the third displaying unit comprises a third remote controller display information transmitted to said third communicator from said image display apparatus.

13. A remote controller according to claim 12, further comprising:

a memory for storing a fourth remote controller display information, wherein

said remote controller display information displayed on the third displaying unit by said third controller comprises said fourth remote controller display information read out from said memory.

14. A remote controller according to claim 12, wherein:

said remote controller display information is information used to operate said third operation unit.

15. A remote controller according to claim 12, wherein:

said remote controller display information comprises at least one of still image data and moving image data.

16. A remote controller according to claim 12, wherein:

said remote controller display information comprises at least one of text data, graphic data and symbol data.

17. A remote controller according to claim 12, wherein:

said remote controller display information comprises URL data.

18. A remote controller according to claim 12, further comprising:

a relay unit for carrying out two-way communication to said third communicator and carrying out two-way communication to said image display apparatus, wherein

the communications between said third communicator and said image display apparatus is carried out through said relay unit.

19. A remote controller according to claim 12, wherein:

said image display apparatus is controlled in accordance with said operational information.

20. A remote controller according to claim 12, wherein:

said image display apparatus selects and displays contents received from a plurality of apparatuses, and

the selection of said contents is carried out in accordance with said operational information.

21. A remote controller according to claim 12, wherein:

said remote controller display information is associated with contents displayed by said image display apparatus or functions of said image display apparatus.

22. An image display apparatus controlled by a remote controller, comprising:

a fourth communicator for conducting two-way information communication to said remote controller; and

a fourth controller for controlling operation of said image display apparatus in accordance with operational information that is received by said fourth communicator receives from said remote controller, and transmitting a third remote controller display information displayed on a third displaying unit included in said remote controller to said remote controller by using said fourth communicator.

23. An image display apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:

said remote controller has a third operation unit for generating said operational information, and

said third remote controller display information is information that is used to operate the third operation unit of said remote controller.

24. An image display apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:

said third remote controller display information comprises at least one of still image data and moving image data.

25. An image display apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:

said third remote controller display information comprises at least one of text data, graphic data and symbol data.

26. An image display apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:

said third remote controller display information comprises URL data.

27. An image display apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising:

a relay unit for carrying out two-way communication to said remote controller and carrying out two-way communication to said fourth communicator, wherein

the communications between said remote controller and said fourth communicator is carried out through said relay unit.

28. An image display apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:

said image display apparatus selects and displays contents received from a plurality of apparatuses, and

the selection of said contents is carried out in accordance with said operational information.

29. An image display apparatus according to claim 22, wherein:

said third remote controller display information is associated with contents displayed on said image display apparatus or functions of said image display apparatus.

30. A remote control system including an image display apparatus and a remote controller for controlling the image display apparatus, wherein:

said remote controller is provided with a third displaying unit for displaying a remote controller display information, a third operation unit for generating operational information based on a user'"'"'s operation, a third communicator for conducting two-way information communication to said image display apparatus, and a third controller,

said image display apparatus is provided with a fourth communicator for conducting two-way information communication to said remote controller, and a fourth controller,

said third controller controls said third displaying unit to display said remote controller display information, and controls said third communicator to transmit said operational information to said fourth communicator,

said fourth controller controls an operation of said image display apparatus in accordance with operational information received from said third communicator, and transmits a third remote controller display information to said remote controller by using said fourth communicator, and

the remote controller display information displayed on the third displaying unit by said third controller comprises said third remote controller display information.

31. A remote control system according to claim 30, further comprising:

a memory included in said remote controller for storing a fourth remote controller display information, wherein

the remote controller display information displayed on the third displaying unit by said third controller comprises the fourth remote controller display information read out from said memory.

32. A remote control system according to claim 30, wherein:

said remote controller display information is information used to operate said third operation unit.

33. A remote control system according to claim 30, wherein:

said remote controller display information comprises at least one of still image data and moving image data.

34. A remote control system according to claim 30, wherein:

said remote controller display information comprises at least one of text data, graphic data and symbol data.

35. A remote control system according to claim 30, wherein:

said remote controller display information comprises URL data.

36. A remote control system according to claim 30, further comprising:

a relay unit for carrying out two-way communication to said third communicator and carrying out two-way communication to said fourth communicator, wherein

the communications between said third communicator and said fourth communicator is carried out through said relay unit.

37. A remote control system according to claim 30, wherein:

said image display apparatus selects and displays contents received from a plurality of apparatuses, and

the selection of said contents is carried out in accordance with said operational information.

38. A remote control system according to claim 30, wherein:

said remote controller display information is associated with contents displayed on said image display apparatus or functions of said image display apparatus.