Remote control identifier setup in a video system having both IR and RF transmitters

• US 5,500,691 A
• Filed: 01/04/1995
• Issued: 03/19/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Martin, Jeffrey A., Ido, Toshikazu
• Primary Examiner(s): Kostak, Victor R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Flynn, Nathan J.
• Application Number:
  US08/368,373
• Time in Patent Office: 440 Days
• Field of Search: 348/734, 455/150.1, 455/151.1, 455/151.2, 455/151.4, 455/352, 455/353, 340/825.57, 359/142, 359/145, 359/146
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42221 Transmission circuitry, e.g. infrared [IR] or radio frequency [RF]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence

Abstract

A video system is disclosed including a receiver that generates a remote identifier setup display on a television monitor and further including a remote control unit having a radio frequency transmitter and an infrared transmitter. The video system enables a user to enter a remote control identifier for the radio frequency transmitter through the remote identifier setup display using the infrared transmitter. The receiver initially ignores remote command signals received from the radio frequency transmitter until the remote control identifier is entered.

Claims

1. A video system comprising a receiver that generates a remote identifier setup display on a television monitor and further comprising a remote control unit having a radio frequency transmitter and an infrared transmitter that enables a user to enter a remote control identifier for the radio frequency transmitter through the remote identifier setup display using the infrared transmitter.

2. The video system of claim 1, wherein the receiver initially ignores remote command signals received from the radio frequency transmitter until the remote control identifier is entered.

3. The video system of claim 2, wherein the receiver ignores remote command signals received from the radio frequency transmitter unless the remote commands signals include the remote control identifier.

4. The video system of claim 1, wherein the receiver generates a remote control mode display on the television monitor that enables the user to select either the infrared or the radio frequency transmitter as a primary source for receiving remote command signals for the video system.

5. A method for setting up a remote identifier for a remote control unit in a video system, comprising the steps of:

generating a setup display for the remote identifier such that the setup display enables a user to select the remote identifier via the remote control unit having a radio frequency transmitter and an infrared transmitter;

receiving an infrared signal from the infrared transmitter of the remote control unit such that the infrared signal selects the remote identifier for the radio frequency transmitter through the remote identifier setup display.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of initially ignoring remote command signals received from the radio frequency transmitter until the remote identifier is selected.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of ignoring remote command signals received from the radio frequency transmitter unless the remote commands signals include the remote identifier.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of generating a remote control mode display that enables the user to select either the infrared or the radio frequency transmitter as a primary source for receiving remote command signals for the video system.

9. An apparatus for setting up a remote identifier for a remote control unit in a video system, comprising:

means for generating a setup display for the remote identifier such that the setup display enables a user to select the remote identifier via the remote control unit having a radio frequency transmitter and an infrared transmitter;

means for receiving an infrared signal from the infrared transmitter of the remote control unit such that the infrared signal selects the remote identifier for the radio frequency transmitter through the remote identifier setup display.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for initially ignoring remote command signals received from the radio frequency transmitter until the remote identifier is selected.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for ignoring remote command signals received from the radio frequency transmitter unless the remote commands signals include the remote identifier.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising means for generating a remote control mode display that enables the user to select either the infrared or the radio frequency transmitter as a primary source for receiving remote command signals for the video system.