Bidirectional remote control apparatus

• US 6,005,490 A
• Filed: 07/11/1997
• Issued: 12/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Higashihara, Morio
• Primary Examiner(s): Zimmerman, Brian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dalencourt, Yves
• Application Number:
  US08/893,541
• Time in Patent Office: 893 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.72, 340/825, 340/76, 340/825.69, 340/825.34, 348/7, 348/8, 348/12, 348/734, 345/169, 345/170, 341/176
• US Class Current: 340/13.31
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• 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 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4758 for providing answers, e.g. voting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A CPU of controlled equipment generates an operating key information signal indicating operating key(s) to be depressed of a plurality of operating keys in the mode the controlled equipment is currently set, and sends it to a transmitting element. The transmitting element converts the signal into an infrared operating key information signal, and sends it to a remote control transmitter. A receiver of the remote control transmitter receives the infrared operating key information signal from the controlled equipment, converts it into an electric operating key information signal, and sends it to a CPU. The CPU generates a drive control signal which lights LED(s) (Light Emitting Diode(s)) provided on the operating keys specified by the operating key information signal and sends it to a LED driver. The LED driver lights LED(s) of the operating key(s) to be pressed.

Claims

1. A bidirectional remote control apparatus comprising controlled equipment and a remote control transmitter to remotely control said controlled equipment for enabling bidirectional communication between said controlled equipment to be controlled and a remote control transmitter, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of operating keys provided on said remote control transmitter;

a first transmitter element, provided on said remote control transmitter, which generates a control signal for controlling said controlled equipment in response to operation of said plurality of operating keys;

a second transmitter element, provided on said controlled equipment, which sends an operating key information signal from said controlled equipment to said remote control transmitter, said operating key information signal indicating operable operating keys from among said plurality of operating keys in a mode in which said controlled equipment is currently set; and

a lighting circuit, provided on said remote control transmitter, which receives said operating key information signal and, in direct response to said operating key information signal, which lights only said operating keys indicated by said operating key information signal from said controlled equipment

wherein each of at least one controlled equipment sends an operating key information signal specific to said respective at least one controlled equipment.

2. A bidirectional remote control apparatus comprising controlled equipment and a remote control transmitter for remotely controlling said controlled equipment for enabling bidirectional communication between said controlled equipment and a remote control transmitter, wherein said controlled equipment includes a requesting circuit which requests a response from an operator, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of operating keys provided on said remote control transmitter;

a first transmitter circuit, provided on said remote control transmitter, which generates a signal indicating an operator'"'"'s request for said controlled equipment in response to the operator'"'"'s operation of said plurality of operating keys;

a second transmitter circuit, provided on said controlled equipment, which sends an operating key information signal from said controlled equipment to said remote control transmitter, said operating key information signal indicating operating keys required for an operator to respond from among said plurality of operating keys in a mode in which said controlled equipment requests a response from said operator; and

a reporting circuit, provided on said remote control transmitter, which receives said operating key information signal from said controlled equipment, and, in direct response to said operating key information signal, indicates said operating keys required for an operator to respond,

wherein each of at least one controlled equipment sends an operating key information signal specific to said respective at least one controlled equipment.

3. A bidirectional remote control apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said reporting circuit is a circuit which lights said operating keys.

4. A bidirectional remote control apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said requesting circuit which requests a response from said operator displays an image for said operator.

5. A bidirectional remote control apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein a signal indicating an operator'"'"'s request for said controlled equipment is a control signal for controlling said controlled equipment or an operator'"'"'s answer signal.

6. A bidirectional remote control apparatus comprising a television receiver and a remote control transmitter, wherein said television receiver receives a television broadcast signal and displays text requesting a TV viewer'"'"'s response, and wherein said TV viewer can exchange communication between said TV receiver and said remote control transmitter in two directions by responding via said remote control transmitter to text displayed on said TV receiver, said apparatus comprising:

a plurality of operating keys provided on said remote control transmitter;

a first transmitting element, provided on said remote control transmitter, which generates a control signal for controlling said TV receiver, said first transmitting element further generates an answer signal indicating a viewer'"'"'s response in response to operation of said plurality of operating keys;

a second transmitting element, provided on said TV receiver, which transmits said key information signal from said TV receiver to said remote control transmitter, while said text is being displayed on said TV receiver and transmits said key information signal indicating operating keys required for said viewer to respond from among said plurality of operating keys; and

a lighting circuit, provided on said remote control transmitter, which receives said key information signal from said TV receiver, and, in direct response to said key information signal, indicates said operating keys required for said viewer'"'"'s response.