Remote controller apparatus and an audio-video combination system using the same

• US 5,519,457 A
• Filed: 03/29/1995
• Issued: 05/21/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Ota, Kiyoshi, Nagano, Kae, Nishigaki, Tetsuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Murrell, Jeffrey S.
• Application Number:
  US08/413,120
• Time in Patent Office: 419 Days
• Field of Search: 348/734, 340/825.22, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 359/142, 359/146, 359/148
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/205 with control bus for exchanging commands between units

Abstract

An apparatus for remotely controlling audio/video devices from different manufacturers. First code signals are directly input to the remote controller apparatus when it is in a learning mode by way of a cable or an infrared light-emitting unit from a peripheral audio/video device. The first code signals are stored in specified locations of a conversion table in the lookup table memory. Second code signals are input to the remote controller apparatus when it is in a conversion mode from another audio/video apparatus by way of a cable or an infrared light-emitting unit. The second code signals represent command control functions. The conversion of the second code signals to third control signals is accomplished by a microprocessor using the conversion table containing the first code signals. The third code signals are output from the remote controller apparatus to control a peripheral audio/video device. Also, there is disclosed an audio/video combination system using the remote controller apparatus.

Claims

1. A combination of a first audio/video apparatus, a second audio/video apparatus and a remote control apparatus, wherein:

said first audio/video apparatus has a first code output terminal;

said second audio/video apparatus has a second code output terminal and a third code input terminal;

said remote control apparatus comprises;

means for selectively establishing a learning mode and a conversion mode;

means for inputting second code signals directly from said second code output terminal of said second audio/video apparatus via a cable or an infrared signal sensing unit when in said learning mode;

means for inputting first code signals, representing respective command control functions, from said first code output terminal of said first audio/video apparatus controlled by another remote control device via a cable or an infrared signal sensing unit when in said conversion mode;

output means for outputting third code signals to said third code input terminal of said second audio/video apparatus via a cable or an infrared light-emitting unit;

lookup table memory means for storing said second code signals at respective memory locations corresponding to said command control functions controlled by the respective first code signals, so as to form a conversion table in said lookup table memory; and

microprocessor means for converting each of said first code signals into said respective third code signal by using said conversion table to locate said second code signal which corresponds to the command control function controlled by said first code signal and to supply said located second code signal as said third code signal from said output means.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said first and second audio/video apparatus are video cassette recorders.

3. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said first audio/video apparatus is a television monitor and said second audio/video apparatus is a television tuner.

4. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said first audio/video apparatus is a television monitor and said second audio/video apparatus is a video cassette recorder.

5. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the conversion of said first code signal into said third code signal and the formation of said conversion table are automatically carried out when an input to said remote control apparatus is detected.

6. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the conversion from said first code signal into said third code signal and the storing of said second code signal in said conversion table are automatically carried out when said remote control apparatus is powered.

7. The combination according to claim 1, wherein said conversion table includes a portion having a capacity to store signal codes of a plurality of manufacturers.

8. The combination according to claim 7, wherein said remote control apparatus further comprises means for designating said portion of said conversion table.