Parallel television remote control

• US 20070124765A1
• Filed: 11/30/2005
• Published: 05/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bennett, James, Karaoguz, Jeyhan
• Granted Patent: US 9,247,175 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/38
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/00 Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
• 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 21/4363 Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6175 involving transmission via Internet broadcast-related systems characterised by the transmission system being the Internet H04H60/82

Abstract

A remote control with a built-in miniature television screen and sound system manages settings and display of media on an associated television screen. The remote control'"'"'s user interface permits media guide perusal and channel selection for display on both of the main and miniature television screens. Media guides can be downloaded per request to, or cached within, the remote control for display on the miniature screen. The remote control supports media swapping between the main and miniature television screens and associated sound systems. The sound system of the remote control includes built in speakers and external wired and wireless headphone support. Media and media guides may be located and downloaded from Internet servers via a web browser and associated search engine tailored for remote control usage. Transcoding functionality is employed at various network nodes, such as a set top box, remote control, an intranet or Internet linked device, and television.

Claims

1. A remote control device that controls display of a first television program on a first television screen, the remote control device comprising:

a housing;

a communication interface;

a second television screen disposed on the housing;

a user input interface adapted to receive a first selection;

at least one module adapted to;

receive first video of the first television program via the communication interface;

respond to the receipt of the first selection by causing the second television screen to display the first television program; and

deliver a first control signal via the communication interface that directs the display of second video of the first television program on the first television screen.

2. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein:

the at least one module is adapted to receive a media guide via the communication interface;

the second television screen is adapted to display the received media guide; and

the first selection comprises a media guide selection.

3. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein:

the user input interface is adapted to receive a second selection;

the at least one module is adapted to;

receive video of a second television program via the communication interface; and

cause the second television screen to display the second television program.

4. The remote control device of claim 3, wherein the at least one module responds to a swap command received via the user interface by causing the first television program to be displayed on the second television screen and the second television program to be displayed on the first television screen.

5. The remote control device of claim 1, further comprising audio circuitry.

6. The remote control device of claim 5, further comprising an internal speaker communicatively coupled to the audio circuitry.

7. The remote control device of claim 1, wherein the communication interface comprises an audio headset interface.

8. A remote control infrastructure that controls display of a first media program on a first screen of a television, the remote control infrastructure comprising:

a remote control comprising a user interface and a second screen;

at least one communication pathway; and

a media source communicatively coupled to the remote control and the first screen via the at least one communication pathway; and

wherein the remote control is adapted to;

accept first user input via the user interface corresponding to selection of the first media program;

respond to the receipt of the first user input by causing the second screen to display the first media program; and

respond to a second user input received via the user interface by delivering a first control signal causing the first screen to display the first media program.

9. The remote control infrastructure of claim 8, wherein the media source comprises a set top box.

10. The remote control infrastructure of claim 8, wherein the media source comprises a server.

11. The remote control infrastructure of claim 8, wherein the media source comprises a media player.

12. The remote control infrastructure of claim 8, wherein the media source comprises a personal video recorder.

13. The remote control infrastructure of claim 8, wherein the remote control further comprises audio circuitry.

14. The remote control infrastructure of claim 8, wherein the selection of the first media program comprises a selection of the first media program via a media guide displayed on the second screen.

15. The remote control infrastructure of claim 8, wherein the media source delivers both first video of the first media program for display on the first screen and second video of the first media program for display on the second screen.

16. The remote control infrastructure of claim 15, wherein the first video is tailored for the first screen, and the second video is tailored for the second screen.

17. The remote control infrastructure of claim 8, wherein the remote control comprises a network browser.

18. The remote control infrastructure of claim 8, wherein the remote control infrastructure comprises a search interface that identifies the first media program.

19. Remote control circuitry used to control display of a first program on a television screen and a remote control screen, the remote control circuitry comprising:

a communication interface adapted to receive the first program;

a display driver adapted to control the remote control screen;

an input interface adapted to receive a first user selection; and

at least one module, communicatively coupled to the display driver, communication interface and input interface, that is adapted to;

respond to the receipt of the first user selection by delivering the first program to the display driver for display on the remote control screen; and

deliver via the communication interface a first control signal that requests display of the first program on the television screen.

20. The remote control circuitry of claim 19, wherein:

the at least one module is adapted to deliver a media guide to the display driver; and

the first user selection comprises a media guide selection.

21. The remote control circuitry of claim 19, further comprising audio circuitry.