Telecommunication system including device controller with downloadable interface and remote control, and method for controlling communication system

• US 6,906,635 B1
• Filed: 07/14/2000
• Issued: 06/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Redouloux, Laurent, Pennerath, Frederic, Moutaux, Tony
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, VERNAL U
• Application Number:
  US09/616,910
• Time in Patent Office: 1,796 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.22, 340/825.69, 340/5.6, 340/5.64, 341/176
• US Class Current: 340/4.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• 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 21/43615 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/441 Acquiring end-user identification , e.g. using personal code sent by the remote control or by inserting a card
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8186 specially adapted to be executed by a peripheral of the client device, e.g. by a reprogrammable remote control

Abstract

Telecommunication systems, which includes a controller (gateway/server), devices (TV, VCR, refrigerator, security system) and a remote control unit for remotely controlling the devices via the controller, is made more flexible and more user-friendly by allowing an interface like a user-interface and/or device-interface to be downloaded into the remote control unit, in response to a trigger-signal comprising a user-identification and/or a device-identification generated due to a user operating the remote control unit or generated due to an interface-amendment reported to the system.

Claims

1. Telecommunication system comprising:

a controller coupled to a network and comprising a controller-generator for generating at least one device-signal destined for at least one device for controlling operation of said at least one device;

a first device coupled to said controller and comprising a first device-receiver for receiving at least one device-signal;

a second device coupled to said controller and comprising a second device-receiver for receiving at least one device-signal; and

a remote control unit comprising a control-unit-sender for sending a control-signal for remotely controlling at least one device,

wherein

said controller comprises;

a controller-sender for sending to said remote control unit an interface in response to a trigger-signal; and

a controller-receiver for receiving said trigger-signal,

said remote control unit comprises;

a control-unit-receiver for receiving said interface; and

a control-unit-memory for storing said interface, and

wherein said control-unit-sender is adapted for sending said trigger-signal, and wherein said trigger-signal comprises an identification-code for identifying a user.

2. The telecommunication system according to claim 1, wherein said trigger-signal comprises either at least a first code for indicating said first device or at least a second code for indicating said second device.

3. The telecommunication system according to claim 1, wherein:

said controller comprises a controller-detector for detecting an interface-amendment, whereby said controller-sender is adapted for sending a request-signal destined for said remote control unit, and

said control-unit-receiver is adapted for receiving said request-signal, whereby said control-unit-sender is adapted for sending said trigger-signal in response to said receiving of said request-signal.

4. The telecommunication system according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of a location in said control-unit-memory at which location said interface has been stored becomes overwritable in response to a further trigger-signal.

5. A controller to be coupled to a network and for use in a telecommunication system comprising a first device coupled to said controller and comprising a first device-receiver for receiving at least one device-signal for controlling operation of said at least one device, a second device coupled to said controller and comprising a second device-receiver for receiving at least one device-signal, and a remote control unit comprising a control-unit-sender for sending a control-signal for remotely controlling at least one device, said controller comprising:

a controller-generator for generating at least one device-signal destined for at least one device;

a controller-sender for sending an interface to said remote control unit in response to a trigger-signal; and

a controller-receiver for receiving said trigger-signal,

wherein said trigger-signal comprises an identification-code for identifying a user.

6. The controller as claimed in claim 5, wherein said trigger-signal comprises either at least a first code for indicating said first device or at least a second code for indicating said second device.

7. A remote control unit for remotely controlling at least one device and for use in a telecommunication system comprising a controller to be coupled to a network and comprising a controller-generator for generating at least one device-signal destined for at least one device for controlling operation of said at least one device, first device coupled to said controller and comprising a first device-receiver for receiving at least one device-signal, a second device coupled to said controller and comprising a second device-receiver for receiving at least one device-signal, said remote control unit comprising:

a control-unit-sender for sending a control-signal for remotely controlling at least one device;

a control-unit-receiver for receiving an interface originating from said controller in response to a trigger-signal; and

a control-unit-memory for storing said interface,

wherein said trigger-signal comprises an identification-code for identifying a user.

8. The remote control unit as claimed in claim 7, wherein said trigger-signal comprises either at least a first code for indicating said first device or at least a second code for indicating said second device.

9. A method for controlling a telecommunication system comprising a controller to be coupled to a network and comprising a controller-generator for generating at least one device-signal destined for at least one device for controlling operation of said at least one device, a first device coupled to said controller and comprising a first device-receiver for receiving at least one device-signal, a second device coupled to said controller and comprising a second device-receiver for receiving at least one device-signal, and a remote control unit comprising a control-unit-sender for sending a control-signal for remotely controlling at least one device, said method comprising:

sending an interface from said controller to said remote control unit in response to a trigger-signal;

receiving said interface; and

storing said interface at said remote control unit,

wherein said trigger-signal comprises an identification-code for identifying a user.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said trigger-signal comprises either at least a first code for indicating said first device or at least a second code for indicating said second device.