Apparatus for the remote control of electronic devices with key allocation

• US 5,959,539 A
• Filed: 12/10/1996
• Issued: 09/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Deutsche Thomson-Brandt Gmbh (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Adolph, Dirk, Herpel, Carsten, Huetter, Ingo
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III, Edwin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/763,561
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 370/825.07, 370/825.08, 370/825.22, 370/825.24, 370/825.25, 370/825.54, 370/825.69, 370/825.72, 370/825.56, 370/825.57, 348/734, 349/143, 395/829, 710/9
• US Class Current: 340/3.5
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/205 with control bus for exchanging commands between units
• 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 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus

Abstract

A method for the remote control of at least one electronic device (10 to 25) is proposed in which the control data are transmitted from a remote control device (27) to the electronic device (10 to 25). In the method, information data at least regarding the remote control functions of the electronic device (10 to 25) to be controlled are transmitted to the remote control device (27). These information data are stored in the remote control device (27) and called on during a control operation in order to select and transmit the control data necessary for the respective control operation. At least the device identification number (GID) and the device type are transmitted to the remote control automatically, for example after the connection of the electronic device to the power supply system.

Furthermore, an apparatus for the remote control of an electronic device is proposed, as well as an electronic device.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising a memory having information data related to remote control signals stored therein, a transmitting circuit, a receiving circuit, a display unit, an operator unit and a control unit having means for writing information data received from electronic devices regarding respective remote control functions to the memory and for carrying out a corresponding key allocation on the operator unit, the control unit, in response to the actuation of an interrogation key, transmitting an interrogation code requesting information data related to remote control signals and a remote control type code giving information about the display possibilities of the display unit.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has an associated identification number and further comprises comparison means for comparing the associated identification number with an identification number contained in a received communications message.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is a touch-sensitive screen.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein upon actuation of a control key, the control unit assigns a control code in accordance with its current key allocation.

5. Remote control system, comprising:

an electronic device having a first memory, a first transmitting circuit, a first receiving circuit and a first control circuit; and

a remote control device comprising a second memory having information data related to remote control signals stored therein, a second transmitting circuit, a second receiving circuit, a display unit, an operator unit and a second control unit having means for writing information data received from the electronic device regarding respective remote control functions to the second memory and for carrying out a corresponding key allocation on the operator unit, the control unit, in response to the actuation of an interrogation key, transmitting an interrogation code requesting information data related to remote control signals and a remote control type code giving information about the display possibilities of the display unit,

the electronic device transmitting function codes and graphical information items in response to the remote control type code.

6. The remote control system according to claim 5, wherein the display unit comprises a touch sensitive screen.

7. The remote control system according to claim 5, wherein the electronic device transmits a device identification data when the electronic device is connected to a power source.

8. The remote control system according to claim 5, wherein the remote control device has an associated identification number and further comprises comparison means for comparing the associated identification number with an identification number contained in a received communications message.

9. The remote control system according to claim 8, further comprising a second remote control device, the second remote control device having a second associated identification number and further comprises a second comparison means for comparing the second associated identification number with the identification number contained in the received communications message.