Method and apparatus for generating and resetting melody for remote controller function keys

• US 6,556,255 B1
• Filed: 07/15/1998
• Issued: 04/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Shim, Bong Chun, Kim, Joo Won, Jeoung, Jin Kuk, Jung, Gwon Sool, Lee, Jae Kyung
• Primary Examiner(s): Miller, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): NATNAEL, PAULOS M
• Application Number:
  US09/115,692
• Time in Patent Office: 1,749 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.544, 348/734, 348/725, 348/569, 348/14.05, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/692, 340/384.1, 341/176, 341/27, 455/352, 455/355, 455/151.1, 455/151.2, 455/550, 455/575, 379/374.01
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• 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 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8106 involving special audio data, e.g. different tracks for different languages
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/60 for the sound signals

Abstract

An apparatus for processing a remote controller signal and a method using the same, and in particular to an apparatus for setting and generating a melody for a remote controller input signal and a method using the same capable of generating a melody corresponding to a predetermined inputted key, whereby melodies for each key are set, the melody corresponding to the predetermined inputted key is generated, thus a viewer confirms the key is exactly inputted, and furthermore, the viewer sets the melody corresponding to the predetermined key, and the melody is generated when the key is inputted, and thus the viewer is not bored because of an operational delay of a specific function and can confirm a preferred key is inputted.

Claims

1. An apparatus for generating a melody for a remote controller input signal, comprising:

a remote controller signal receiving means for receiving a remote controller signal;

a memory for storing melody information corresponding to each key input;

a control means for decoding an output signal from the remote controller signal receiving means, and in the case of the melody set mode corresponding to each inputted key, outputting an on-screen display control signal to an on-screen processing means, and when a specific key and a melody corresponding to the key from a melody set video displayed on the screen of the display device are selected, storing the selected key and melody information in the memory, and in case of a function key input, decoding the output signal from the remote controller signal receiving means, reading the melody information corresponding to the inputted key and outputting the melody information;

an audio generating means for outputting a melody signal which corresponds to a code signal of the control means; and

an audio synthesizing means for synthesizing a reproduced audio signal and the output signal from the audio generating means, and outputting the synthesized signal to the speaker.

2. An apparatus for setting and generating a melody for a remote controller input signal, comprising:

an on-screen display processing means for outputting an on-screen display control signal and displaying a melody set video on a screen of a display device in the case of a melody set mode corresponding to each inputted key press of a remote controller;

a memory for storing melody information corresponding to each inputted key;

a remote controller signal receiving means for receiving a remote controller signal corresponding to each operating input key of the remote controller;

a control means for decoding an output signal from the remote controller signal receiving means, and in the case of the melody set mode corresponding to each inputted key, outputting the on-screen display control signal to the on-screen processing means, and when a specific key and a melody corresponding to the key from a melody set video displayed on the screen of the display device are selected, storing the selected key and melody information in the memory, and in the case of a function key input, decoding the output signal from the remote controller signal receiving means, reading the melody information corresponding to the inputted key and outputting the melody information;

an audio generating means for outputting a melody signal which corresponds to the melody information of the control means; and

an audio synthesizing means for synthesizing a reproduced audio signal and the output signal from the audio generating means, and outputting the synthesized signal to the speaker.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control means controls the on-screen processing means to generate and display an error caption on the screen and also controls the audio generating means to generate and output an error melody, in the case that a key which does not have a function is inputted.

4. A method for generating a melody for a remote controller input signal, comprising:

reception of an input signal by a remote controller signal receiving unit;

determining whether the input signal corresponds to a remote controller signal;

taking no further action if the input signal corresponds to a signal other than a remote controller signal;

determining if the input signal corresponds to depression of a function key on a remote controller;

searching for melody information in said remote controller input signal receiving unit corresponding to the function key depressed on a remote controller, the melody having been preset by a user according to said user'"'"'s preference;

generating a melody corresponding to the function key depressed, said melody not having been received along with any input signal; and

generating an error sound or displaying an error caption in the case that the inputted key does not have a function.

5. A method for changing a pre-set melody corresponding to a function key on a remote controller, comprising:

selecting a melody set mode for changing a melody corresponding to an inputted key to a different melody corresponding to the same inputted key based on a user preference;

displaying a detailed list of choices of the melodies that are available to be selected for assignment to a function key on screen;

designating a predetermined key and selecting a melody for assignment to the desired corresponding function key; and

storing the newly assigned melody to correspond to the specific key selected and pressing a confirmation key to confirm the user selection.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising a step of setting the length of time the melody corresponding to the inputted key is to be played.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the melody items are respectively displayed with each representative object video.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein, when a predetermined melody item is selected to set the melody for the inputted key, a corresponding melody is