Digital interconnect of entertainment equipment

• US 6,781,518 B1
• Filed: 06/16/1999
• Issued: 08/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Conway, James N. Jr., Johns, Gregory L., Hayes, Patrick H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III, Edwin C.
• Application Number:
  US09/334,584
• Time in Patent Office: 1,896 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.72, 340/3.44, 340/3.52, 340/825.22, 340/825.69, 340/3.9, 340/310.02, 340/825.25, 340/825.24, 340/825.29, 398/106, 398/107, 398/108, 398/112
• US Class Current: 340/12.28
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/21 Programming remote control devices via third means
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/41 Remote control of gateways
• 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: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/205 with control bus for exchanging commands between units
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40117 Interconnection of audio or video/imaging devices home automation networks H04L12/2803; bitstream network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42221 Transmission circuitry, e.g. infrared [IR] or radio frequency [RF]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42225 characterized by types of remote control, e.g. universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42226 Reprogrammable remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed for setting up a universal remote control for operation with a system having devices to be controlled such as a TV, VCR, electronics appliances, wherein the devices are preferably interconnected. One method includes the steps of having the devices to be controlled provide a listing of the capabilities of each device, recognizing a single set of standard abstract feature indicators; processing said indicators; and, mapping said indicators into specific IR codes and keys according to said list of capabilities of said controlled device. One embodiment is optimized for use with a virtual remote control, wherein only icons corresponding to related capabilities is displayed on a touch screen of the virtual remote control. Such an embodiment is particularly well suited for controlling different families of function capability associated with correspondingly different entertainment devices to achieve an integrated entertainment, or task, grouping. Reduction of the icons displayed to the user perforce reduces the apparent complexity of the remote with which the devices are controlled.

Claims

1. A control system, comprising:

a target device having first data that specifies a function supported by the target device; and

a remote control having, prior to any communications with the target device, a stored set of commands for controlling functions of the target device, each function being assigned a function identifier;

wherein the remote control is adapted to receive the first data from the target device and select a command from the set of commands that has a function identifier that corresponds to the function specified by the first data whereupon the selected command is mapped to a command key of the remote control such that activation of the command key results in the communication of the selected command to the target device to control the function supported by the target device that is represented by the first data.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote control is further adapted to use the function specified by the first data to select an image from a library of images whereupon the selected image is used as a graphical representation of the command key.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, an adaptor in communication with a plurality of devices including the target device via a communication link, the adaptor receiving the first data from the target device and communicating the first data to the remote control.

4. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the adaptor is attached to the communication link.

5. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the communication link is a serial bus.

6. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the adaptor comprises a two-way wireless link for sending and receiving communications from the remote control.

7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the wireless link is an RF link.

8. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the wireless link is an IR link.

9. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the adaptor is housed in one of the plurality of devices.

10. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the target device is adapted to transmit status information to the remote control.

11. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote control is adapted to directly communicate commands to the target device.

12. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the remote control is adapted to communicate commands to the target device through the adaptor.

13. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the target device includes a transceiver and the remote control is further adapted to communicate with a further one of the plurality of devices via the transceiver.

14. The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the communication link utilizes a communication standard.

15. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first data is communicated to the remote control using a single byte of data.

16. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first data specifies a group of functions supported by the target device.

17. The system as recited in claim 4, wherein the communication link is a network.

18. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the target device has second data comprising command data and the remote control is adapted to receive the second data and store the second data for subsequent transmission to the target device to control a function of the target device.

19. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first data specifies a transport function of the target device.

20. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the first data specifies a volume control function of the target device.

21. A universal remote control for communicating commands to a target device having first data that specifies a function supported by the target device, the remote control comprising:

a memory having data defining a plurality of commands for controlling functions of a plurality of different makes and types of devices;

a plurality of function keys; and

programming whereby the universal remote control is adapted to;

receive a first input for selecting a communication protocol that is appropriate for communicating with the target device wherein at least a portion of the data defining a plurality of commands has an assigned function identifier;

receive from the target device the first data for selecting a command from the plurality of commands that has a function identifier that corresponds to the function specified by the first data; and

map the selected command from the plurality of commands to one of the plurality of function keys such that activation of the one of the plurality of function keys results in the communication of the selected command from the plurality of commands to the target device to control the function supported by the target device that is represented by the first data.

22. The universal remote control as recited in claim 21, wherein the programming issues a request to the target device using a command from the plurality of commands that is appropriate for communicating with the target device to request that the target device transmit to the universal remote control the first data.

23. The universal remote control as recited in claim 21, wherein the programming uses the first data to select an image from a library of images in the memory whereupon the selected image is used as a graphical representation of the command key.

24. The universal remote control as recited in claim 21, wherein the universal remote control is adapted to exchange communications with the target device via a wireless IR link.

25. The universal remote control as recited in claim 21, wherein the universal remote control is adapted to exchange communications with the target device via a wireless RF link.

26. The universal remote control as recited in claim 21, wherein the universal remote control is adapted to exchange communications with the target device via a wired network.

27. The universal remote control as recited in claim 21, wherein the universal remote control is adapted to receive from the target device second data, the second data defining at least one additional command.

28. The universal remote control as recited in claim 21, wherein the universal remote control is adapted to receive from the target device second data, the second data defining at least one additional protocol.

29. The universal remote control as recited in claim 21, wherein the universal remote control is adapted to receive from the target device second data, the second data defining at least one additional specified function of the target device.