REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE PRESENTATION OF BROADCAST PROGRAMMING

• US 20100165217A1
• Filed: 12/30/2009
• Published: 07/01/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dish Technologies LLC (Echostar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Eldon Technology Limited (Echostar Corporation)
• Inventors: Jacob, Dejice
• Granted Patent: US 8,462,275 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/734
• 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 21/4222 Remote control device emulator integrated into a non-television apparatus, e.g. a PDA, media center or smart toy remote control device for a television receiver integrated into a mobile phone H04M1/72415
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42224 Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42228 the reprogrammable keys being displayed on a display screen in order to reduce the number of keys on the remote control device itself
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72

Abstract

A TV is controlled by a set top box to receive broadcast programming. The set top box includes a processor for causing a selected program to be provided to and displayed on the TV. The set top box is controlled by an external remote control device. The remote control device is able to generate menus detailing programs and other options available and to display those options locally on the remote control device. Therefore, a program presented by the TV is uninterrupted whilst the user considers an electronic program guide displayed on the remote control device. Once the user has made the final choice of a new program to view, a command is issued to the set top box so that the change is made.

Claims

1. A control device for issuing commands to a system for presenting broadcast programming, the system comprising a receiver for receiving and processing broadcast programming, and for causing a selected program to be provided to a presentation device for presentation, and the control device incorporating:

a processor able to generate menus detailing programs and other options available by way of the system for processing broadcast programming;

a display for displaying the menus, and hence the programs and options available; and

a user interface enabling the user to make choices amongst the available options and programs displayed;

wherein, upon user request by way of the user interface, the processor is arranged to issue commands to the system to cause the system to switch to the options or programs which have been selected by the user on the control device.

2. A control device for issuing commands to a system for presenting broadcast programming according to claim 1, wherein the control device is small enough to be hand held.

3. A control device for issuing commands to a system for presenting broadcast programming according to claim 1, wherein the control device is a remote control device enabled to issue infrared or radio frequency commands to the system.

4. A control device for issuing commands to a system for presenting broadcast programming according to claim 1, wherein the display of the control device comprises a touchscreen.

5. A control device for issuing commands to a system for presenting broadcast programming according to claim 4, wherein the user interface is provided, at least in part, by the touchscreen.

6. A control device for issuing commands to a system for presenting broadcast programming according to claim 1, wherein the menus detailing programs and other options available by way of the system are stored locally in the control device.

7. A control device for issuing commands to a system for presenting broadcast programming according to claim 1, wherein the menus detailing programs and other options available by way of the system have been downloaded from the system.

8. A system for presenting broadcast programming, the system comprising:

a presentation device for presenting a program selected from broadcast programming; and

a processor for receiving and processing the broadcast programming, and for causing a selected program to be provided to the presentation device for presentation;

and further comprising an external control device, wherein the external control device incorporates a processor able to generate menus detailing programs and other options available by way of the system for processing broadcast programming;

a display for displaying the menus, and hence the programs and options available; and

a user interface enabling the user to make choices amongst the available options and programs displayed;

wherein, upon user request by way of the user interface, the processor of the control device is arranged to issue commands to the system to cause the system to switch to the options or programs which have been selected by the user on the control device.

9. A system for presenting broadcast programming according to claim 8, wherein the presentation device comprises a display and one or more loudspeakers, and the processor is provided in a set top box incorporated in or coupled to a receiver of broadcast programming, and wherein the external control device is a remote control device enabled to issue commands to change the selected program.

10. A method for presenting broadcast programming by way of a system including means for receiving and processing broadcast programming, and means for causing a selected program to be provided to a presentation device for presentation, the method comprising:

displaying at an external control device menus detailing programs and other options available to the system for processing broadcast programming;

enabling the user to make selections amongst the available options and programs displayed; and

causing the external control device to issue commands to the system to cause the system to switch to the options or programs which have been selected by the user by way of the external control device.

11. A method for presenting broadcast programming according to claim 10, wherein the external control device issues infrared or radio frequency commands to the system.

12. A method for presenting broadcast programming according to claim 10, further comprising displaying the available options and programs available on a touchscreen of the external control device, and enabling selection of a program or option by way of the touchscreen.

13. A method for presenting broadcast programming according to claim 10, further comprising storing the menus detailing programs and other options available by way of the system locally in the external control device.

14. A method for presenting broadcast programming according to claim 10, further comprising downloading the menus detailing programs and other options available by way of the system to the external control device.