Local communication bus system and apparatuses for use in such a system

• US 5,574,965 A
• Filed: 10/05/1992
• Issued: 11/12/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: D2B Systems Co. Ltd. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: D2B Systems Co. Ltd. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Welmer, Harm J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VO, NGUYEN THANH
• Application Number:
  US07/958,039
• Time in Patent Office: 1,499 Days
• Field of Search: 358/84, 358/86, 358/335, 455/2, 455/4.1, 455/5.1, 455/5.2, 455/6.1, 455/6.2, 455/6.3, 455/353, 455/186.1, 455/186.2, 455/151.2, 455/151.1, 455/152.1, 455/151.4, 455/68-70, 455/352, 348/5, 348/12
• US Class Current: 725/151
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00006 characterised by information or instructions transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated power network element or electrical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/205 with control bus for exchanging commands between units
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/12 characterised by data transport means between the monitoring, controlling or managing units and monitored, controlled or operated electrical equipment

Abstract

A number of domestic audio/video apparatuses (10,12,14) are interconnected by a Domestic Digital Bus (16) for the exchange of control information. A User I/O subdevice (41) in one apparatus is addressable by a control subdevice (22) of another apparatus to allow the display of menu items defined by the control subdevice. The User I/O subdevice returns user control signals by reference to the defined menu items. The right of menu control can be transferred via the User I/O subdevice to and from other control subdevices (20 etc.) to allow integration of the menu control functions of the different apparatuses.

Claims

1. A local communication system comprising first, second and third apparatuses coupled to a serial data channel for the exchange of messages therebetween, wherein said first apparatus comprises first control means and said second apparatus comprises user interface means, and wherein said first control means comprises:

a) first initiating means for initiating a user dialogue session with said second apparatus;

b) first sending means for sending to said second apparatus a user information item for presentation to a user of the system during said user dialogue session;

c) first receiving means for receiving from said second apparatus, information which conveys user control signals responsive to said user information item during said user dialogue session;

d) second control means for controlling at least part of the system in accordance with said information; and

e) second initiating means for initiating a transfer of control of said session to said third apparatus during said user dialogue session,

and wherein said user interface means comprises;

f) second receiving means for receiving from said first apparatus said user information item and for presenting said user information item to said user;

g) third receiving means for receiving a control signal from said user during the user dialogue session;

h) identifying means for identifying an association between said control signal and said user information item; and

i) second sending means for sending to said first apparatus, information which conveys said control signal by reference to said user information item; and

and wherein said third apparatus comprises;

j) fourth receiving means for receiving said transfer of control of said user dialogue session from said second initiating means; and

k) further control means for continuing said user dialogue session without active participation by said first control means.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user information item is a menu item.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first initiating means comprises means for storing data identifying said second apparatus, and wherein said second apparatus comprises means for storing data identifying said first apparatus.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third apparatus comprises means for storing data identifying said first and second apparatuses.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said third apparatus includes means for initiating a return of the user dialogue session to said first apparatus.

6. A first apparatus comprising a control means and an interface to a serial data channel for exchanging messages to second and third apparatuses over said serial data channel, said first apparatus comprising:

means for initiating a user dialogue session with said second apparatus;

means for sending to said second apparatus at least one user information item during said user dialogue session;

means for receiving from the second apparatus information during said user dialogue session which conveys user control signals by reference to said at least one said user information item; and

means for controlling said first apparatus in accordance with said information;

wherein said control means comprises;

means for initiating during said user dialogue session, a transfer of control of said session from said first apparatus to said third apparatus when said information conveys a predetermined one of said user control signals.

7. The first apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further including means for storing data identifying said second apparatus for the duration of said user dialogue session.