Bi-directional remote control unit and method of using the same

• US 6,532,592 B1
• Filed: 11/09/1998
• Issued: 03/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Usui, Hirofumi, Shintani, Peter Rae
• Primary Examiner(s): Faile, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): LONSBERRY, HUNTER B
• Application Number:
  US09/188,225
• Time in Patent Office: 1,583 Days
• Field of Search: 725/39, 725/33, 725/80, 725/131, 725/133, 725/141, 725/151, 348/734, 348/552
• US Class Current: 725/141
• 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 21/42209 for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration

Abstract

A bi-directional communications link between a television set and a remote control unit assists a viewer in controlling the entertainment system. The television set can signal the remote control unit to confirm instruction signal received from the remote control unit. The television can also transmit electronic program guide information to the remote control unit which is displayed on a display device on the remote control unit. The television can send the remote control unit a listing of available sub-channels within a single digital channel. The listing is displayed on the remote'"'"'s display device, and the viewer can then choose from among the sub-channels.

Claims

1. An entertainment system comprising:

a remote control unit with a first communications unit having both a transmitter and a receiver; and

a television set a second communications unit having both a transmitter and a receiver;

wherein data signals can be sent and received by both the remote control unit and the television,

wherein, when a peripheral device is connected to said television set, said television set transmits a set of commands for said peripheral device to said remote control unit so that said remote control unit can transmit command signals to said peripheral device through said television set, and

wherein said television set sends a delete signal to said remote control unit to delete said set of commands when said peripheral device is disconnected from said television set.

2. An entertainment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said television set sends a confirmation signal to said remote control unit when a valid instruction signal is received by said television set from said remote control unit.

3. An entertainment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said television set sends an error signal to said remote control unit when an invalid instruction signal is received by said television set from said remote control unit.

4. An entertainment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said television set sends a prompt signal to said remote control unit when an instruction signal received by said television set from said remote control unit requires additional input in order to execute an instruction represented by said instruction signal.

5. An entertainment system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said remote control unit further comprises a display.

6. An entertainment system as claimed in claim 5, wherein:

said television transmits electronic program guide information to said remote control unit; and

said remote control unit displays said electronic program guide information on said display.

13. An entertainment system as claimed in claim 4, wherein:

said instruction is an instruction for said television set to tune a digital channel having a plurality of sub-channels; and

said prompt signal comprises a listing of said plurality of sub-channels.

7. A method of controlling an entertainment system comprising:

transmitting data signals which are both sent and received by both a remote control unit and a television set,

when a peripheral device is connected to said television set, transmitting a set of commands for said peripheral device to said remote control unit from said television set so that said remote control unit can transmit command signals to said peripheral device through said television set,

sending a delete signal to said remote control unit from said television set to delete said set of commands when said peripheral device is disconnected from said television set.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising sending a confirmation signal to said remote control unit from said television set when a valid instruction signal is received by said television set from said remote control unit.

9. An method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising sending an error signal to said remote control unit from said television set when an invalid instruction signal is received by said television set from said remote control unit.

10. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising sending a prompt signal to said remote control unit from said television set when an instruction signal received by said television set from said remote control unit requires additional input in order to execute an instruction represented by said instruction signal.

11. A method as claimed in claim 7, further comprising displaying data on a display of said remote control unit.

12. A method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

transmitting electronic program guide information from said television set to said remote control unit; and

displaying said electronic program guide information on said display of said remote control unit.

14. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein:

said instruction is an instruction for said television set to tune a digital channel having a plurality of sub-channels; and

said sending a prompt signal comprises sending a listing of said plurality of sub-channels.

15. An entertainment system comprising:

a remote control unit with a first communications unit having both a transmitter and a receiver; and

a television set a second communications unit having both a transmitter and a receiver;

wherein data signals can be sent and received by both the remote control unit and the television,

wherein, when a peripheral device is connected to said television set, said television set transmits a set of commands for said peripheral device to said remote control unit so that said remote control unit can transmit command signals to said peripheral device through said television set wherein said television set sends a delete signal to said remote control unit to delete said set of commands when said peripheral device is disconnected from said television set.

16. An entertainment system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said television set sends a confirmation signal to said remote control unit when a valid instruction signal is received by said television set from said remote control unit.

17. An entertainment system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said television set sends an error signal to said remote control unit when an invalid instruction signal is received by said television set from said remote control unit.

18. An entertainment system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said television set sends a prompt signal to said remote control unit when an instruction signal received by said television set from said remote control unit requires additional input in order to execute an instruction represented by said instruction signal.

19. An entertainment system as claimed in claim 18, wherein:

said instruction is an instruction for said television set to tune a digital channel having a plurality of sub-channels; and

said prompt signal comprises a listing of said plurality of sub-channels.

20. An entertainment system as claimed in claim 19, wherein said remote control unit further comprises a display and said listing of said plurality of sub-channels is displayed on said display.

21. An entertainment system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said remote control unit further comprises a display.

22. An entertainment system as claimed in claim 21, wherein:

said television transmits electronic program guide information to said remote control unit; and

said remote control unit displays said electronic program guide information on said display.