Remote controller and controlled apparatus for improved remote control system

• US 6,538,556 B1
• Filed: 12/14/1999
• Issued: 03/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Kawajiri, Momoe
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/459,911
• Time in Patent Office: 1,197 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.01, 340/310.06, 340/3.1, 340/3.2, 340/825.69, 340/825.57, 340/538, 340/539, 340/3.3, 340/3.31, 340/531, 340/825.37, 345/161, 345/172, 709/204, 709/205, 709/227
• US Class Current: 340/3.2
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/33 Remote control using macros, scripts
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/0025 in a remote control unit remote control tuning in general H03J9/00

Abstract

A remote control system has a remote controller and one or more controlled apparatuses, and a single operation of the remote controller by a user allows a series of functions to be continuously performed in the one or more controlled apparatuses. Upon operation of the remote controller by a user, the remote controller makes an inquiry about a current state of a controlled apparatus. In response to the inquiry from the remote controller, the apparatus sends a signal indicative of its current state. The remote controller then compares the current state of the apparatus with a desired state. The remote controller transmits a function control signal to the apparatus to instruct the apparatus to perform a required function only when the current state of the apparatus does not coincide with the desired state. The same function control signal is repeatedly transmitted until the current state of the apparatus coincides with the desired state.

Claims

1. A remote controller for, with a single operation thereof by a user, sequentially transmitting a plurality of function control signals to one or more apparatuses to be controlled such that a series of functions are performed, comprising:

means for making an inquiry about a current state of an apparatus to be controlled;

means for comparing a response, received from the apparatus, indicative of the current state of the apparatus with a desired state;

means for transmitting a function control signal to the apparatus to instruct the apparatus to perform a required function only when the means for comparing determines that the current state of the apparatus does not coincide with the desired state; and

wherein the means for transmitting repeatedly transmits the same function control signal until the current state of the apparatus becomes coincident with the desired state.

2. The remote controller as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a storage which stores an information table for controlling the series of functions, wherein said information table associates each function to be performed with an apparatus to be controlled and a desired state of the apparatus.

3. The remote controller as set forth in claim 2, wherein said information table further associates each function with a type of switch to be operated located on the apparatus.

4. The remote controller as set forth in claim 3, wherein the switch to be operated comprises a toggle switch, a rotary switch or a direct switch.

5. An apparatus to be controlled by a remote controller, comprising,

means for, in response to an inquiry about a current state of the apparatus from the remote controller, checking the current state of the apparatus;

means for sending a signal indicative of the current state of the apparatus to the remote controller; and

means for, upon receipt of the inquiry from the remote controller, discriminating whether the inquiry from the remote controller is directed to the apparatus itself.

6. A remote control system comprising a remote controller and one or more apparatuses to be controlled by the remote controller, wherein a single operation of the remote controller allows a series of functions to be performed in said one or more apparatuses,

said remote controller comprising:

means for making an inquiry about a current state of an apparatus to be controlled;

means for comparing a response, received from the apparatus, indicative of the current state of the apparatus with a desired state; and

means for transmitting a function control signal to the apparatus to instruct the apparatus to perform a required function only when the means for comparing determines that the current state of the apparatus does not coincide with the desired state,

wherein said means for transmitting repeatedly transmits the same function control signal until the current state of the apparatus gets coincident with the desired state; and

said one or each apparatus to be controlled comprising;

means for, in response to an inquiry about a current state of the apparatus from the remote controller, checking the current state of the apparatus; and

means for sending a signal indicative of the current state of the apparatus to the remote controller.

7. The remote control system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said remote controller further comprises a storage which stores an information table for controlling the series of functions, and this information table associates each function to be performed with an apparatus to be controlled and a desired state of the apparatus.

8. The remote control system as set forth in claim 7, wherein said information table further associates each function with a kind of a switch to be operated of the apparatus.

9. The remote control system as set forth in claim 8, wherein the switch to be operated is one of a toggle switch, a rotary switch and a direct switch.

10. The remote control system as set forth in claim 6, wherein said one or each apparatus further comprises means for, upon receipt of the inquiry from the remote controller, discriminating whether the inquiry from the remote controller is directed to the apparatus itself.

11. A method of remotely controlling one or more apparatuses to continuously perform a series of functions, comprising the steps of:

checking a current state of an apparatus to be controlled;

comparing the current state of the apparatus with a desired state;

transmitting a function control signal to the apparatus to instruct the apparatus to perform a required function only when the current state of the apparatus does not coincide with the desired state; and

before said step of checking a current state, deciding as to what kind of switch is to be operated in the apparatus, and

wherein when a switch is to be operated, repeatedly performing said steps of checking a current state, comparing the current state, and transmitting a function signal until the current state of the apparatus becomes coincident with the desired state.

12. A remote controller for, with a single operation thereof by a user, sequentially transmitting a plurality of function control signals to one or more apparatuses to be controlled such that a series of functions are performed, comprising:

means for making an inquiry about a current state of an apparatus to be controlled;

means for comparing a response, received from the apparatus, indicative of the current state of the apparatus with a desired state;

means for transmitting a function control signal to the apparatus to instruct the apparatus to perform a required function only when the means for comparing determines that the current state of the apparatus does not coincide with the desired state, and wherein the means for transmitting repeatedly transmits the same function control signal until the current state of the apparatus becomes coincident with the desired state,

wherein each function is associated with a function switch located on the apparatus, said function switch comprising a toggle switch, a rotary switch or a direct switch.