Bi-directional remote control unit and method of using the same

• US 20100043027A1
• Filed: 09/28/2009
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Shintani, Peter Rae, Usui, Hirofumi
• Granted Patent: US 7,840,990 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/40
• 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 21/42209 for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration

Abstract

A bi-directional communications link between a television set and a remote control unit assists a viewer in controlling the entertainment system. The television set can signal the remote control unit to confirm instruction signal received from the remote control unit. The television can also transmit electronic program guide information to the remote control unit which is displayed on a display device on the remote control unit. The television can send the remote control unit a listing of available sub-channels within a single digital channel. The listing is displayed on the remote'"'"'s display device, and the viewer can then choose from among the sub-channels.

Claims

1. A remote control unit, comprising:

a receiving portion for receiving data signals from an external source; and

a transmitting portion for sending data signals to a television set,

wherein the remote control unit receives a prompt signal when an instruction signal directed to the television set requires additional input in order to execute an instruction represented by the instruction signal,

wherein the instruction is an instruction for the television set to tune a digital channel having a plurality of sub-channels, and

the prompt signal comprises a listing of the plurality of sub-channels.

3. The remote control unit of claim 1, further comprising a display, wherein the listing of the plurality of sub-channels is displayed on the display.

12. The remote control unit of claim 1, wherein the external source is the television set.

2. A method of controlling a remote control, comprising:

receiving by the remote control data signals from an external source; and

sending data signals from the remote control to a television set,

wherein the remote control unit receives a prompt signal when an instruction signal directed to the television set requires additional input in order to execute an instruction represented by the instruction signal,

wherein the instruction is an instruction for the television set to tune a digital channel having a plurality of sub-channels, and

the prompt signal comprises a listing of the plurality of sub-channels.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising displaying the listing of the plurality of sub-channels on a display of the remote control unit.

13. The method of claim 2, wherein the external source is the television set.

5. A remote control unit, comprising:

a receiving portion for receives data signals from an external source; and

a transmitting portion for sending data signals to a television set,

wherein, when a peripheral device is connected to the television set, the remote control unit receives a set of commands for the peripheral device from the television set so that the remote control unit can transmit command signals to the peripheral device through the television set.

6. The remote control unit of claim 5, wherein the remote control unit receives a confirmation signal from the television set when a valid instruction signal is received by the television set from the remote control unit.

7. The remote control unit of claim 5, wherein the remote control unit receives an error signal from the television set when an invalid instruction signal is received by the television set from the remote control unit.

8. The remote control unit of claim 5, wherein the remote control unit receives a prompt signal from the television set when an instruction signal received by the television set from the remote control unit requires additional input in order to execute an instruction represented by the instruction signal.

9. The remote control unit of claim 8, wherein the instruction is an instruction for the television set to tune a digital channel having a plurality of sub-channels, and the prompt signal comprises a listing of the plurality of sub-channels.

10. The remote control unit of claim 9, wherein the remote control unit further comprises a display and the listing of the plurality of sub-channels is displayed on the display.

11. The remote control unit of claim 10, wherein the remote control receives an electronic program guide information from the television set, and the remote control unit displays the electronic program guide information on the display.

14. An entertainment system comprising:

a television set; and

a remote control unit with bidirectional communication for receiving instructions other than a user input from an external source and transmitting command signals to the television set.

15. The entertainment system of claim 14, wherein the external source is the television set.