Control device, control method, electric apparatus, control method of an electric apparatus, electric apparatus system, control method of an electric apparatus system, and transmission medium

• US 6,993,781 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2000
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Nashida, Tatsushi, Terakado, Tomoko, Hanai, Tomoyuki, Furudate, Yukio
• Primary Examiner(s): Bella, Matthew C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sajous, Wesner
• Application Number:
  US09/751,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20020001042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,859 Days
• Field of Search: 348552-553, 348/725, 348/731, 348/580, 348/583, 348/10, 348/416, 348/574, 348/461, 348/564, 348/569, 348/906, 348/735, 386/46, 386/83, 386/95, 725 38- 40, 725/42, 725/48, 725/49, 725/51, 725 54- 56, 725/79, 725 82- 83, 725/88, 725 91- 92, 725102-103, 725/112, 725114-118, 725/153, 709/225, 709/229, 707/14, 345/547
• US Class Current: 725/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4112 having fewer capabilities than the client, e.g. thin client having less processing power or no tuning capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4113 PC
• 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 21/4135 external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4184 providing storage capabilities, e.g. memory stick
• 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 21/4221 Dedicated function buttons, e.g. for the control of an EPG, subtitles, aspect ratio, picture-in-picture or teletext
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42222 Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4345 Extraction or processing of SI, e.g. extracting service information from an MPEG stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4348 Demultiplexing of additional data and video streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4722 for requesting additional data associated with the content
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/782 on tape

Abstract

Radio waves transmitted from the antenna of a broadcasting station are received by the antenna of a television receiver. The television receiver extracts an EPG from the received radio waves and transmits it to a remote controller via an infrared transmission/reception section. The remote controller displays the received EPG on a LCD and is then rendered in a state of waiting for selection of a program. If some program is selected and then a reserve button is manipulated, the remote controller transmits a control command for a recording reservation to a video tape recorder. The video tape recorder receives the control command with an infrared transmission/reception section, whereby the recording reservation of the designated program is set.

Claims

1. A control device which controls, by transmitting a control signal, an electric apparatus including an extraction unit and an electric apparatus transmitting unit, said electric apparatus transmitting unit for transmitting additional information extracted by said extraction unit to a receiver, that receives information transmitted via a transmission medium, comprising:

a transmitting unit configured to transmit the control signal to the electric apparatus;

the receiver configured to receive the additional information transmitted by the electric apparatus;

an output unit configured to output the additional information received by the receiver to a display device;

a memory configured to store at least a portion of said additional information; and

an erasing unit configured to delete said information stored in said memory,

wherein the additional information includes advertisement information included in the information received by the electric apparatus,

wherein the advertisement information includes coupon information, and

wherein the coupon information is stored in said memory when a user selects the coupon information.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the additional information is an EPG that is included in the information received by the electric apparatus.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the advertisement information includes URL information.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a selecting unit configured to select information from the additional information received by the receiver, wherein said memory is configured to store the information selected by the selection unit.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a second unit configured to select information from the additional information; and

a second transmitting unit for transmitting the information selected by the second selecting unit to a second electric apparatus.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the second electric apparatus is a recording apparatus, and wherein the recording apparatus performs a recording reservation based on the information transmitted from the control device.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the second electric apparatus is a personal computer, and wherein the personal computer accesses a server based on the information transmitted from the control device.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a notifying unit configured to notify a user of reception of the additional information when the receiver automatically receives the additional information.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the control device instructs the electric apparatus to transmit the additional information.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising a mechanism configured to notify a user of reception of the additional information when the receiving means receives the additional information that is transmitted in response to an instruction that was issued from the control device.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the output mechanism outputs part of the additional information which relates to a channel of current reception of the electric apparatus.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the output mechanism outputs part of the additional information which relates to information that will be received by the electric apparatus from a present time onward.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the coupon information is provided to the electric apparatus as a component of a content signal.

51. The method of claim 4, wherein the additional information is an EPG that is included in the information received by the electric apparatus.

14. A transmission medium for transmitting a computer program that is used in a control device which controls, by transmitting a control signal, an electric apparatus that receives information transmitted via the transmission medium, the computer program causing a device to implement a method, comprising:

transmitting the control signal to the electric apparatus;

receiving additional information that has been extracted from the information and transmitted by the electric apparatus;

outputting the additional information received in the receiving step to a display device;

storing at least a portion of said additional information in a memory; and

selectively deleting said additional information stored in said memory.

15. The medium of claim 14, wherein the coupon information is provided to the electric apparatus as a component of a content signal.

16. A control method, comprising the steps of:

storing a computer program transmitted via a transmission medium, configured for transmitting said computer program that is used in a control device which controls, by transmitting a control signal, an electric apparatus that receives information transmitted via the transmission medium, executing the computer program to cause a device to implement the method, including;

transmitting the control signal to the electric apparatus;

receiving additional information that has been extracted from the information and transmitted by the electric apparatus;

outputting the additional information received in the receiving step to a display device;

storing at least a portion of said additional information in a memory;

selectively deleting said information stored in said first memory; and

performing a control by using the computer program.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the coupon information is provided to the electric apparatus as a component of a content signal.

18. An electric apparatus which receives information that is transmitted via a transmission medium and performs an operation in accordance with a control signal that is transmitted from a control device, comprising:

a first receiving unit configured to receive the control signal transmitted from the control device;

a controller configured to perform a control in accordance with the control signal received by the first receiving unit;

a second receiving unit configured to receive the information transmitted via the transmission medium;

an extracting unit configured to extract additional information from the information received by the second receiving unit; and

a transmitting unit configured to transmit the additional information extracted by the extracting unit to the control device,

wherein the control device is configured to store said additional information in a memory and selectively delete said additional information; and

wherein the additional information includes advertisement information included in the information received by the electric apparatus,

wherein the advertisement information includes coupon information, and

wherein the coupon information is stored in said memory when a user selects the coupon information.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the electric apparatus is a personal computer.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the electric apparatus is a television receiver.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the electric apparatus is a recording apparatus.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the coupon information is provided to the electric apparatus as a component of a content signal.

23. A control method of an electric apparatus which receives information that is transmitted via a transmission medium and performs an operation in accordance with a control signal that is transmitted from a control device, comprising the steps of:

receiving the control signal transmitted from the control device;

performing a control in accordance with the control signal received in the first receiving step;

receiving the information transmitted via the transmission medium;

extracting additional information from the information received in the second receiving step; and

transmitting the additional information extracted in the extracting step to the control device,

wherein the control device is configured to store said additional information in a memory and selectively delete said additional information; and

wherein the additional information includes advertisement information included in the information received by the electric apparatus,

wherein the advertisement information includes coupon information, and

wherein the coupon information is stored in said memory when a user selects the coupon information.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the coupon information is provided to the electric apparatus as a component of a content signal.

25. A control device which controls, by transmitting a control signal, an electric apparatus including an extraction unit and an electric apparatus transmitting unit, said electric apparatus transmitting unit for transmitting additional information extracted by said extraction unit to a receiver, that receives information transmitted via a transmission medium, comprising:

transmitting mechanism configured to transmit the control signal to the electric apparatus;

receiving mechanism configured to receive the additional information;

output mechanism configured to output the additional information received by the receiving means to a display device;

selecting mechanism configured to select information from the additional information received by the receiving means; and

a detachable storing mechanism configured to store the information selected by the selecting means;

wherein the detachable storing mechanism includes an IC card,

wherein the additional information includes advertisement information included in the information received by the electric apparatus, and

wherein the advertisement information includes coupon information,

wherein the coupon information is stored in said storage mechanism when a user selects the coupon information.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the additional information is an EPG that is included in the information received by the electric apparatus.

27. The device of claim 25, wherein the advertisement information includes URL information.

28. The device of claim 25, further comprising erasing mechanism configured to erase the information stored in the detachable storing means.

29. The device of claim 25, further comprising:

second selecting mechanism configured to select information from the additional information stored in said detachable storing unit; and

second transmitting means for transmitting the information selected by the second selecting means to a second electric apparatus.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein the second electric apparatus is a recording apparatus, and wherein the recording apparatus performs a recording reservation based on the information transmitted from the control device.

31. The device of claim 29, wherein the second electric apparatus is a personal computer, and wherein the personal computer accesses a server based on the information transmitted from the control device.

32. The device of claim 25, further comprising notifying mechanism configured to notify a user of reception of the additional information when the receiving means automatically receives the additional information.

33. The device of claim 25, wherein the control device instructs the electric apparatus to transmit the additional information.

34. The device of claim 25, further comprising a notifying mechanism configured to notify a user of reception of the additional information when the receiving means receives the additional information that is transmitted in response to an instruction that was issued from the control device.

35. The device of claim 25, wherein the output mechanism outputs part of the additional information which relates to a channel of current reception of the electric apparatus.

36. The device of claim 25, wherein the output mechanism outputs that part of the additional information which relates to information that will be received by the electric apparatus from a present time onward.

37. The device of claim 25, wherein the coupon information is provided to the electric apparatus as a component of a content signal.

38. A control device which controls, by transmitting a control signal, an electric apparatus that receives information transmitted via a transmission medium, comprising:

transmitting mechanism configured to transmit the control signal to the electric apparatus;

receiving mechanism configured to receive additional information that has been extracted from the received information and transmitted by the electric apparatus;

output mechanism configured to output the additional information received by the receiving means to a display device;

selecting mechanism configured to select information from the additional information received by the receiving means;

a detachable storing mechanism configured to store the information selected by the selecting means; and

erasing mechanism configured to erase the information stored in the detachable storing means,

wherein said electric apparatus includes extraction means and an electric apparatus transmitting means, said electric apparatus transmitting means for transmitting the additional information extracted by said extraction unit to said receiving means,

wherein the additional information includes advertisement information included in the information received by the electric apparatus, and

wherein the coupon information is stored in said detachable storing mechanism when a user selects the coupon information.

39. The device of claim 38, wherein the additional information is an EPG that is included in the information received by the electric apparatus.

40. The device of claim 38, wherein the advertisement information includes URL information.

41. The device of claim 38, further comprising:

second selecting mechanism configured to select information from the additional information stored in the second storing means; and

second transmitting mechanism configured to transmit the information selected by the second selecting means to a second electric apparatus.

42. The device of claim 41, wherein the second electric apparatus is a recording apparatus, and wherein the recording apparatus performs a recording reservation based on the information transmitted from the control device.

43. The device of claim 41, wherein the second electric apparatus is a personal computer, and wherein the personal computer accesses a server based on the information transmitted from the control device.

44. The device of claim 38, further comprising a notifying mechanism configured to notify a user of reception of the additional information when the receiving means automatically receives the additional information.

45. The device of claim 38, wherein the control device instructs the electric apparatus to transmit the additional information.

46. The device of claim 38, further comprising a notifying mechanism configured to notify a user of reception of the additional information when the receiving means receives the additional information that is transmitted in response to an instruction that was issued from the control device.

47. The device of claim 38, wherein the output mechanism outputs that part of the additional information which relates to a channel of current reception of the electric apparatus.

48. The device of claim 38, wherein the output mechanism outputs that part of the additional information which relates to information that will be received by the electric apparatus from a present time onward.

49. The device of claim 38, wherein the coupon information is provided to the electric apparatus as a component of a content signal.

50. A control method for controlling, by transmitting a control signal, an electric apparatus that receives information transmitted via a transmission medium, comprising the steps of:

transmitting the control signal to the electric apparatus;

receiving additional information that has been extracted from the received information and transmitted by the electric apparatus;

outputting the additional information received at said receiving step to a display device;

selecting selected information from the additional information received at said receiving step; and

storing the selected information selected at said selecting step in a memory; and

wherein said receiving step includes the steps of extracting said additional information and transmitting the additional information an extracted at said extracting step for reception at said receiving step,

wherein the additional information includes advertisement information included in the information received by the electric apparatus,

wherein the advertisement information includes coupon information,

wherein the coupon information is stored in said memory when a user selects the coupon information, and

wherein said memory includes an IC card.

52. The method of claim 50, wherein the advertisement information includes URL information.

53. The method of claim 50, further including the step of erasing the information stored at said storing step.

54. The method of claim 50, wherein the additional information is advertisement information that is included in the information received by the electric apparatus, and wherein the advertisement information is stored in a prescribed area at said storing step.

55. The method of claim 50, further comprising the step of notifying a user of reception of the additional information when the additional information is automatically received at said receiving step.

56. The method of claim 50, wherein the control device instructs the electric apparatus to transmit the additional information.

57. The method of claim 50, further including the step of notifying a user of reception of the additional information when the additional information that is transmitted in response to an instruction that was issued from the control device is received at said receiving step.

58. The method of claim 50, wherein the step of outputting includes the step of outputting that part of the additional information which relates to a channel of current reception of the electric apparatus.

59. The method of claim 50, wherein the step of outputting includes the step of outputting that part of the additional information which relates to information that will be received by the electric apparatus from a present time onward.

60. The method of claim 50, wherein the coupon information is provided to the electric apparatus as a component of a content signal.

61. A method of controlling, by transmitting a control signal, an electric apparatus that receives information transmitted via a transmission medium, comprising the steps of:

transmitting the control signal to the electric apparatus;

receiving additional information that has been extracted from the information and transmitted by the electric apparatus;

outputting the additional information received at said receiving step to a display device;

selecting selected information from the additional information received at said receiving step;

storing the selected information selected at said selecting step in a memory; and

erasing the selected information stored at said storing step,

wherein said receiving step includes the steps of extracting said additional information and transmitting the additional information extracted at said extracting step for reception at said receiving step,

wherein the additional information includes advertisement information included in the information received by the electric apparatus,

wherein the advertisement information includes coupon information, and

wherein the coupon information is stored in said memory when a user selects the coupon information.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the additional information is an EPG that is included in the information received by the electric apparatus.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein the advertisement information includes URL information.

64. The method of claim 61, wherein the advertisement information is stored in a prescribed area of said first memory at said storing step.

65. The method of claim 61, further including the steps of:

a second selecting step for selecting information from the second memory; and

a second transmitting step for transmitting the information selected at said second selecting step to a second electric apparatus.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the second electric apparatus is a recording apparatus, and wherein the recording apparatus performs a recording reservation based on the information transmitted from the control device.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the second electric apparatus is a personal computer, and wherein the personal computer accesses a server based on the information transmitted from the control device.

68. The method of claim 61, further comprising the step of notifying a user of reception of the additional information when the additional information is automatically received at said receiving step.

69. The method of claim 61, wherein the control device instructs the electric apparatus to transmit the additional information.

70. The method of claim 61, further including the step of notifying a user of reception of the additional information when the additional information that is transmitted in response to an instruction that was issued from the control device is received at said receiving step.

71. The method of claim 61, wherein the step of outputting includes the step of outputting that part of the additional information which relates to a channel of current reception of the electric apparatus.

72. The method of claim 61, wherein the step of outputting includes the step of outputting that part of the additional information which relates to information that will be received by the electric apparatus from a present time onward.

73. The method of claim 61, wherein the coupon information is provided to the electric apparatus as a component of a content signal.