Remote controller for scanning data and controlling a video system

• US 5,552,837 A
• Filed: 03/01/1995
• Issued: 09/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rovi Guides, Inc. (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gemstar Development Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Mankovitz, Roy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Metjahic, Safet
• Assistant Examiner(s): Burgess, Glenton B.
• Application Number:
  US08/396,559
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 348/906, 348/734, 348/731, 348/5.5, 358/335, 360/33.1, 235/454, 235/472
• US Class Current: 725/25
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
• 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 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/454 Content or additional data filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/45 Picture in picture , e.g. displaying simultaneously another television channel in a region of the screen
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling a video system. In one embodiment the apparatus includes a remote controller including a device for scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card, and the type code printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero, and the input data card including a plurality of printed input data, each input data printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero. The apparatus further includes a television for storing the received input data and the type code and for enabling viewing of only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a video system comprising:

a printed input data card comprising;

a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and

a plurality of input data printed on the input data card;

a command input device comprising;

means for scanning the input card containing the type code and the input data; and

means for decoding the type code to determine the category of the plurality of input data;

wherein;

the type code comprises a channel mapping category; and

the input data is arranged in pairs, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the type code is printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero; and

each input data is printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero.

3. The system of claim 1 further comprising:

means for storing each pair representing an assigned channel number and a corresponding local channel number; and

means for replacing an entered assigned channel with a corresponding local channel number by looking up the stored assigned channel number and accessing the stored corresponding local channel number.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the command input device comprises a remote controller for the video system.

5. A system for controlling a video system comprising:

a printed input data card comprising;

a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and

a plurality of input data printed on the input data card;

a command input device comprising;

means for scanning the input card containing the type code and the input data; and

means for decoding the type code to determine the category of the plurality of input data;

wherein the type code comprises a program category and the input data is arranged in a plurality of groups, each group of input data comprising a compressed code representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program in the program category; and

the system further comprises;

means for decoding and expanding each compressed code into a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program in the program category; and

means for controlling viewing of programs by enabling the playing of programs in the program category on a television and inhibiting other programs from playing on the television.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein:

the type code is printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero; and

each input data is printed as as line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero.

7. The system of claim 5 further comprising

means for controlling recording of programs by enabling only the recording of programs in the program category.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein the command input device comprises a remote controller.

11. The system of claim 5 wherein:

the type code comprises a theme selection and the input data represent compressed codes, representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for programs providing programming matching the theme selection; and

the system further comprises;

means for controlling the viewing of programs to enable only the viewing of programs represented by the input data coupled to a television signal source, the means for controlling responsive to a transmitted type code comprising a theme selection.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the command input device comprises a remote controller for the video system.

9. A system for controlling a video system comprising:

a printed input data card comprising;

a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and

a plurality of input data printed on the input data card;

a command input device comprising;

means for scanning the input card containing the type code and the input data; and

means for decoding the type code to determine the category of the plurality of input data;

wherein the type code comprises a parental control category and the input data represent compressed codes, representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for the programs or channels to be controlled for viewing; and

the system further comprises;

means for controlling the viewing of programs or channels, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, coupled to a television signal source, the means for controlling responsive to a transmitted type code comprising a parental control category, and the means for controlling comprising;

means for decoding and expanding the scanned input data representing compressed codes, each compressed code decoded into a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for the program or channel to be controlled for viewing;

a clock for providing a clock output as a function; and

processor means for determining that the decoded and expanded compressed code for the program or channel selected to be controlled for viewing has a pre-determined relationship to the clock output.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein:

the type code is printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero; and

each input data is printed as a line of patterns, each pattern being relatively dark or light to represent a binary one or binary zero.

13. Apparatus for controlling a video system comprising:

a remote controller comprising;

means for scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and

means for transmitting the input data and the type code; and

a television comprising;

means for receiving the input data and the type code;

means for storing the received input data and the type code; and

means for enabling viewing of only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, the means for enabling responsive to a received type code comprising a parental control category.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the means for enabling viewing comprises:

means for filtering for passing only a channel at a date, a time-of-day, and for a length of time corresponding to a program in the stored input data; and

a clock having an output as a function of date and time-of-day coupled to the means for filtering.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the television further comprises:

a means for enabling a recorder to record only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, the means for enabling responsive to a received type code comprising a parental control category.

16. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein:

the type code comprises a program category;

the input data is arranged in a plurality of groups of lines of patterns of input data, each group of input data comprising a compressed code representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program in the program category; and

the television comprises;

means for decoding and expanding each compressed code into an assigned channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein:

the type code comprises a channel mapping category;

the input data comprises pairs of input data, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number; and

the means for decoding and expanding compressed codes comprises a means for replacing an assigned channel with a corresponding local channel number by looking up the stored assigned channel number and accessing the stored corresponding local channel number.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising:

means for comparing a date and time-of-day read from a clock in the television to the decoded date, time-of-day, and length for programs in the program category; and

means for successively displaying on the television programs in the program category that are currently being received by the television as determined by the means for comparing the date and time-of-day read from the clock in the television to the date, time-of-day, and length for programs in the program category.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the remote controller comprises at least one program category button for commanding the successive display of programs in the program category on the television.

20. Apparatus for controlling a video system comprising:

a remote controller comprising;

means for scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and

means for transmitting the input data and the type code; and

a recorder comprising;

means for receiving the input data and the type code; and

means for storing the received input data and the type code; and

means for enabling a recorder to record only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, the means for enabling responsive to a received type code comprising a parental control category.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein:

the type code comprises a program category;

the input data is arranged in a plurality of groups of lines of patterns of input data, each group of input data comprising a compressed code representative of, and compressed in length from, the combination of a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program in the program category; and

the recorder comprises;

means for decoding and expanding each compressed code into an assigned channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein:

the type code comprises a channel mapping category;

the input data comprises pairs of input data, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number; and

the means for decoding and expanding compressed codes comprises a means for replacing an assigned channel with a corresponding local channel number by looking up the stored assigned channel number and accessing the stored corresponding local channel number.

23. A method for controlling a video system including a television comprising the steps of:

scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code for representing a category of input data printed on the card; and

storing the input data and the type code;

enabling viewing on the television of only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, the step of enabling responsive to a received type code comprising a parental control category.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the step of enabling viewing comprises the step of:

filtering and passing only a channel at a date, a time-of-day, and for a length of time corresponding to a program in the stored input data on the date at the time-of-day for the program.

25. The method of claim 23 further comprising the step of:

enabling a recorder to record only programs in the stored input data, each program having a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time, the step of enabling responsive to a received type code comprising a parental control category.

26. The method of claim 23 wherein:

the type code comprises a program category; and

the input data is arranged in a plurality of groups of lines of patterns of input data, each group of input data a channel, a date, a time-of-day, and a length of time for a program in the program category; and

the method further comprises the step of;

comparing a date and time-of-day, read from a clock in the television to the date, time-of-day, and length for programs in the program category; and

successively displaying on the television programs in the program category that are currently being received by the television as determined by the step of comparing the date and time-of-day read from the clock in the television to the date, time-of-day, and length for programs in the program category.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the step of successively displaying programs on the television comprises the step of performing the step of successively displaying programs upon a command being received.

28. The method of claim 23 further comprising the steps of:

scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code being for channel mapping, and the input data comprising pairs of input data, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number;

storing the input data comprising pairs of input data, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number; and

replacing an entered assigned channel number with the corresponding local channel number scanned from the input data card by looking up the stored assigned channel number and accessing the stored corresponding local channel number.

29. A method for controlling a video system including a television comprising the steps of:

scanning a printed input data card including a type code printed on the input data card, the type code being for channel mapping, and the input data comprising pairs of input data, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number;

storing the input data pairs of input data, a first input data of each pair representing an assigned channel number and a second input data of each pair representing a corresponding local channel number; and

replacing an entered assigned channel number with the corresponding local channel number scanned from the input data card by looking up the stored assigned channel number and accessing the stored corresponding local channel number.