Systems and methods for implementing a learning remote control
First Claim
1. A remote control system for use with an image display device, wherein the image display device is associated with a first image and a corresponding first image signal, the remote control system comprising:
- a transmitter for transmitting a second image signal; and
a remote control having a display for displaying a second image corresponding to said second image signal, wherein said second image is distinct from said first image.
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Abstract
An image display system capable of displaying two distinct images at the same time. One image is shown on an image display device such as a television or computer monitor which is coupled to the image display system. The other image is shown on a remote control included in an image display system. A docking station is also part of the image display system. It is connected by standard audio-visual coaxial cable to the TV and associated video devices and sends compressed digital video signal information to the video remote control by RF communication. Both the docking station and the video remote control have RF antennas and receivers capable of sending digital RF signals. Digital command and information signals are exchanged between the docking station and video remote control to allow control from the remote control of the functions of the TV and other video devices. The remote control has a learning mode with on-screen feedback making the image display system backward and forward compatible with a wide array of image display devices. The invention is thought to be particularly useful for networked computer televisions.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. A remote control system for use with an image display device, wherein the image display device is associated with a first image and a corresponding first image signal, the remote control system comprising:
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a transmitter for transmitting a second image signal; and
a remote control having a display for displaying a second image corresponding to said second image signal, wherein said second image is distinct from said first image. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An image display system capable of displaying two distinct images, said image display system comprising:
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a first image source for outputting a first image signal;
a second image source for outputting a second image signal;
a first controller coupled to said first and second image sources for selecting a first selected image signal and a second selected image signal from said first and second image signals;
a image display for displaying a first image corresponding to said first selected image signal chosen from said first image signal and said second image signal;
a first transmitter for transmitting said second selected image signal;
a video remote control (VRC) including;
a VRC receiver for receiving said second selected image signal transmitted by said first transmitter;
a VRC image screen for displaying a VRC image corresponding to said second selected image signal;
a VRC controller for producing control signals based upon inputs by a user; and
a VRC transmitter for transmitting said control signals;
wherein said first controller is responsive to said control signals, and said first image on said image display and said VRC image on said VRC image screen may be distinct. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A learning remote control comprising:
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a receiver for receiving an original command signal sent by an original remote control, wherein the signal corresponds to an original command of said original remote control;
a memory coupled to said receiver for storing said original command signal;
circuitry for associating the original command signal with a desired command; and
a feedback mechanism for indicating whether said original signal has been successfully saved in said memory for association with the desired command, wherein the feedback mechanism includes a display device for displaying information relating to the storage of the command signals. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of displaying images on a image display system, wherein the image display system includes an image display device and a remote control, said method comprising:
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selecting a mode of operation of the image display system;
displaying a first image on a display on said image display device depending on said selected mode of operation; and
displaying a second image on an image screen on said remote control depending on said selected mode of operation, wherein said second image is distinct from said first image. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method of displaying an image in a remote control system for use with an image display device, wherein the image display device is associated with a first image and a corresponding first image signal, the method comprising:
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transmitting a second image signal to a remote control;
displaying a second image on a display associated with the remote control, the second image corresponding to said second image signal, wherein said second image is distinct from said first image.
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35. A method of operating a learning remote control, said method comprising:
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receiving by the learning remote control an original command signal sent by an original remote control, wherein the signal corresponds to an original command of said original remote control;
storing said original command signal in a memory of the learning remote control;
associating the original command signal with a desired command; and
indicating on a display device of the learning remote control whether said original signal has been successfully saved in said memory for association with the desired command.
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Specification