Bi-directional communication system, display apparatus, base apparatus and bi-directional communication method

• US 7,227,512 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2005
• Issued: 06/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Saturn Licensing LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Takeda, Kasumi, Uchida, Mami, Mizobuchi, Ayumi
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe; Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): ABDULSELAM, ABBAS I
• Application Number:
  US11/108,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20050183135A1
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 345/173, 345/2.3, 345/3.1, 345/1.2, 345/2.1, 725/135, 725/38, 725/48, 725/49, 725/59, 725/64, 725/65, 348/14.02, 348/14.04, 348/14.08, 455/3.05, 455/3.06
• US Class Current: 345/2.3
• 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 21/42209 for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42221 Transmission circuitry, e.g. infrared [IR] or radio frequency [RF]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42224 Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42226 Reprogrammable remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42228 the reprogrammable keys being displayed on a display screen in order to reduce the number of keys on the remote control device itself
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4363 Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a Bluetooth® network
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/04 TPC

Abstract

A bi-directional communication system comprising a base apparatus and a display apparatus. The display apparatus is a portable liquid crystal display for viewing video programs and browsing the internet. The base apparatus contains a television turner for receiving broadcast signals and wirelessly transmits programming to the display apparatus. An infrared remote control device connected to the base apparatus is used to control various external input-devices (e.g., a VCR or DVD player). Control menus for the base apparatus and the external input device can be displayed on the display apparatus. The display apparatus contains a touch screen, so that a user can select operational commands for controlling the base apparatus and external input devices. The display apparatus wirelessly transmits selected operational commands to the base apparatus, which then retransmits the commands to the appropriate external input device using the infrared remote control device.

Claims

1. A base apparatus being connected to an external input apparatus, and having a conversion unit for converting a video signal selected from a first video signal obtained from a transmitted television signal received by said base apparatus or a second video signal inputted from said external input apparatus, into an information signal, and a transmission unit for transmitting said information signal to a display apparatus which is capable of displaying video information corresponding to said information signal, said external input apparatus inputting said second video signal to said base apparatus based on a control signal received from said base apparatus, said base apparatus comprising:

a signal reception unit for receiving an operation signal transmitted from said display apparatus; and

a formation unit for forming said control signal based on said received operation signal;

a control signal transmission unit electrically connected to said formation unit via a hard-wired connection, for transmitting said control signal formed by said formation unit to said external input apparatus.

2. A base apparatus being connected to an external input apparatus, and having a conversion unit for converting a video signal selected from a first video signal obtained from a transmitted television signal received by said base apparatus or a second video signal inputted from said external input apparatus, into an information signal, and a transmission unit for transmitting said information signal to a display apparatus which is capable of displaying video information corresponding to said information signal, said external input apparatus inputting said second video signal to said base apparatus based on a control signal received from said base apparatus, said display apparatus being operated in accordance with a program that causes a selection signal to be produced, that causes a first control panel image containing operating information for controlling said base apparatus in response to operation inputs to be stored and causes a second control panel image containing operating information for controlling said external input apparatus in response to operation inputs to be stored, that causes said stored first or second control panel image to be read out in response to said selection signal, that causes said read out control panel image to be displayed on a display unit, that causes the production of an operation signal corresponding to the operation inputs associated with said control panel image being displayed, that causes said operation signal to be transmitted to said base apparatus, that causes the reception from said base apparatus of an information signal corresponding to said transmitted operation signal, that causes said received information signal to be converted into a video signal for display by said display unit and that causes said display unit to display simultaneously both said video signal and said read out control panel image, such that said video signal continues to be displayed even when the control panel image that is read out is changed in response to the selection signal, said base apparatus comprising:

a signal reception unit for receiving an operation signal transmitted from said display apparatus;

a formation unit for forming said control signal based on said received operation signal; and

a control signal transmission unit electrically connected to said formation unit via a hard-wired connection, for transmitting said control signal formed by said formation unit to said external input apparatus.

3. A base apparatus of a bi-directional communication system, said base apparatus being connected to an external input apparatus and having a conversion unit for converting a video signal selected from a first video signal obtained from a transmitted television signal received by said base apparatus or a second video signal inputted from said external input apparatus, into an information signal, and a transmission unit for transmitting said information signal to a display apparatus which is capable of displaying video information corresponding to said information signal received from said base apparatus, said external input apparatus inputting said second video signal to said base apparatus based on a control signal received from said base apparatus, said display apparatus being operated in accordance with a program that causes a selection signal to be produced, that causes a first control panel image containing operating information for controlling said base apparatus in response to operation inputs to be stored and causes a second control panel image containing operating information for controlling said external input apparatus in response to operation inputs to be stored, that causes said stored first or second control panel image to be read out in response to said selection signal, that causes said read out control panel image to be displayed on a display unit, that causes the production of an operation signal corresponding to the operation inputs associated with said control panel image being displayed, that causes said operation signal to be transmitted to said base apparatus, that causes the reception from said base apparatus of an information signal corresponding to said transmitted operation signal, that causes said received information signal to be converted into a

a control signal transmission unit electrically connected to said information unit via a hard-wired connection, for transmitting said control signal formed by said formation unit to said external input apparatus;

said display apparatus being of the type operable to display an image derived from the information signal transmitted from said base apparatus and comprising;

a selection signal unit for producing a selection signal;

a storage unit for storing a first control panel image containing operating information for controlling said base apparatus in response to operation inputs and for storing a second control panel image containing operating information for controlling said external input apparatus in response to operation inputs;

an image readout unit for reading out said first or second control panel image from said storage unit in response to said selection signal;

a display unit for displaying said read out control panel image;

an input unit for detecting said operation inputs associated with said displayed control panel image to form an operation signal corresponding to the detected operation input;

a transmission unit for transmitting said operation signal to said base apparatus;

a receiving unit for receiving said information signal from said base apparatus corresponding to said transmitted operation signal;

a converting unit for converting said received information signal into a video signal for display by said display unit; and

a control unit for controlling said display unit to display simultaneously both said video signal and said read out control panel image, such that said video signal continues to be video signal for display by said display unit and that causes said display unit to display simultaneously both said video signal and said read out control panel image, such that said video signal continues to be displayed even when the control panel image that is read out is changed in response to the selection signal, said base apparatus comprising;

a signal reception unit for receiving an operation signal transmitted from said display apparatus;

a formation unit for forming said control signal based on said received operation signal;

a control signal transmission unit electrically connected to said formation unit via a hard-wired connection, for transmitting said control signal formed by said formation unit to said external input apparatus.

4. A bi-directional communication system comprising base apparatus and display apparatus in bi-directional communication with each other, said base apparatus being connected to an external input apparatus and having a conversion unit for converting a video signal selected from a first video signal obtained from a transmitted television signal received by said base apparatus or a second video signal inputted from said external input apparatus, into an information signal, and a transmission unit for transmitting said information signal to said display apparatus for displaying video information corresponding to said information signal, said external input apparatus inputting said second video signal to said base apparatus based on a control signal received from said base apparatus, said base apparatus comprising:

a signal reception unit for receiving an operation signal transmitted from said display apparatus;

a formation unit for forming a control signal based on said received operation signal; and

displayed even when the control panel image read out from said storage unit is changed in response to the selection signal.