Remote control television system using supplementary unit for simplified personalized control
First Claim
1. A television system comprising:
- (a) a first remote control transmitter device having a plurality of first keyboard keys and a first infrared transmitter which are coupled such that the pressing of respective of said plurality of first keyboard keys causes said first infrared transmitter to transmit respective of a plurality of desired first signals;
(b) an auxiliary remote control transmitter device having a plurality of second keyboard keys, said plurality of second keyboard keys being substantially smaller in number than said plurality of first keyboard keys, and a second infrared transmitter, said plurality of second keyboard keys and said second transmitter being coupled such that the pressing of respective of said plurality of second keyboard keys causes said second infrared transmitter to transmit respective of a plurality of desired second signals, at least one of said desired second signals being uniquely distinguishable from all of said desired first signals; and
(c) a television having an infrared receiver means for receiving said desired first and desired second signals;
parameter control means for effecting control over an audio or video parameter of said television;
a microprocessor coupled to the infrared receiver means for determining the meaning of said desired first and desired second signals, and coupled to the parameter control means for controlling the parameter control means in response to the received desired signals; and
a programmable memory means for storing values for a plurality of personal preference parameter rings, including a value for at least said audio or video parameter, at least one of said plurality of personal preference parameter rings being associated with said uniquely distinguishable desired second signal of said auxiliary remote device, said programmable memory means being coupled to said microprocessor,wherein said programmable memory means is programmable when said television is in a programmable mode, and said programmable memory means is programmed with said values for said plurality of personal preference parameter rings by the pressing of a desired sequence of said first remote control transmitter device first keyboard keys.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A complex television system is provided for accommodating at the same time both highly technically oriented and less technically oriented users of the system. The system includes a state of the art complex television, a complex remote control transmitter device for use by the technically oriented user in both programming and, if desired, controlling the television, and a simple auxiliary remote control transmitter device for the less technically oriented user. The simple auxiliary remote control transmitter device has a minimum of keys, such as power-on, channel-up, channel-down, volume-up, and volume-down, as well as a switch which identifies the user. Different power-on and channel-up and down codes for each switch position is provided by the simple auxiliary remote control transmitter device, and each such code is different than the corresponding codes of the complex remote control transmitter device. In this manner, a microprocessor in the television will recognize which user is in control. By using the complex remote control transmitter device, values for personal preference parameter and/or channel rings associated with each user may be entered and stored in a programmable memory of the television. Then, when the television recognizes the power-on code for a particular user, the personal preference parameter and/or channel rings are immediately accessed. In this manner, less technically oriented users may be the beneficiaries of complex personal preference rings programmed by them by a highly technically oriented user, and will only have to deal with a simple auxiliary remote control transmitter device to control the television.
132 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A television system comprising:
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(a) a first remote control transmitter device having a plurality of first keyboard keys and a first infrared transmitter which are coupled such that the pressing of respective of said plurality of first keyboard keys causes said first infrared transmitter to transmit respective of a plurality of desired first signals; (b) an auxiliary remote control transmitter device having a plurality of second keyboard keys, said plurality of second keyboard keys being substantially smaller in number than said plurality of first keyboard keys, and a second infrared transmitter, said plurality of second keyboard keys and said second transmitter being coupled such that the pressing of respective of said plurality of second keyboard keys causes said second infrared transmitter to transmit respective of a plurality of desired second signals, at least one of said desired second signals being uniquely distinguishable from all of said desired first signals; and (c) a television having an infrared receiver means for receiving said desired first and desired second signals;
parameter control means for effecting control over an audio or video parameter of said television;
a microprocessor coupled to the infrared receiver means for determining the meaning of said desired first and desired second signals, and coupled to the parameter control means for controlling the parameter control means in response to the received desired signals; and
a programmable memory means for storing values for a plurality of personal preference parameter rings, including a value for at least said audio or video parameter, at least one of said plurality of personal preference parameter rings being associated with said uniquely distinguishable desired second signal of said auxiliary remote device, said programmable memory means being coupled to said microprocessor,wherein said programmable memory means is programmable when said television is in a programmable mode, and said programmable memory means is programmed with said values for said plurality of personal preference parameter rings by the pressing of a desired sequence of said first remote control transmitter device first keyboard keys. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A television system comprising:
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(a) a first remote control transmitter device having a first plurality of first keyboard keys and a first infrared transmitter which are coupled such that the pressing of respective of said plurality of first keyboard keys causes said first infrared transmitter to transmit respective of a plurality of desired first signals; (b) an auxiliary remote control transmitter device having a plurality of second keyboard keys, said plurality of second keyboard keys being substantially smaller in number than said plurality of first keyboard keys, and a second infrared transmitter, said second keyboard keys and said second infrared transmitter being coupled such that the pressing of respective of said plurality of second keyboard keys causes said second infrared transmitter to transmit respective desire second signals, at least one of said desired second signals being uniquely distinguishable rom all of said desired first signals; and (c) a television having an infrared receiver means for receiving said respective desired first and desired second signals;
tuner control means for effecting control over to which channel said television is tuned;
a microprocessor coupled to the infrared receiver means for determining the meaning of said desired first and desired second signals, and coupled to said tuner control means for controlling said tuner control means in response to the received desired signals; and
a programmable memory means for storing channel number indications for a plurality of personal preference channel rings, at least one of said plurality of personal preference channel rings, at least one of said plurality of personal preference channel rings being associated with said uniquely distinguishable desired second signal of said auxiliary remote control transmitter device, said programmable memory means being coupled to said microprocessor,wherein said programmable memory means is programmable when said television is in a programmable mode, and said programmable memory means is programmed with said channel number indications for said plurality of personal preference channel rings by the pressing of a desired sequence of said first remote control transmitter device keys. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification