Method and apparatus for selecting devices on a data bus

• US 7,714,940 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2003
• Issued: 05/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: InterDigital Patent Holdings, Inc. (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Modi, Khelan Maheshchandra, Tenbarge, James Duane, Lefevre, Chad Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Trang U
• Application Number:
  US10/512,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20060059275A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,576 Days
• Field of Search: 348/734, 348705-706, 348/731, 348/460, 348552-554, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.22, 340/825.24, 715717-718, 715/714, 715/716, 715/719
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0238 Programmable keyboards key guide holders G06F3/0224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4108 characterised by an identification number or address, e.g. local network address protecting specific internal or external computer components using identification number G06F21/73; network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• 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 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/436 Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
• 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 21/43632 involving a wired protocol, e.g. IEEE 1394 high-speed IEEE 1394 serial bus H04L12/40052
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/475 End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. personal identification number [PIN], preference data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/445 for displaying additional information H04N5/50 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control

Abstract

A method and apparatus enables a user to assign a given key on an input device to any specific device on a data bus network connected to the apparatus, and thereby enables the user to quickly select the specific device for control using the given key. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of enabling a user to assign a key on an input device of the apparatus to a device on the data bus network that is indirectly connected to the apparatus, and enabling the user to select the device for control responsive to an input of the assigned key.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a video signal processing apparatus, comprising the steps of:

coupling the apparatus to a plurality of peripheral devices via a data bus network connection;

receiving identification information from each of the peripheral devices during a set up mode;

providing an on-screen display for allowing a user to assign selected keys on a remote control device associated with the apparatus to control the peripheral devices;

assigning the selected keys on the remote control device to control the peripheral devices in response to user inputs, wherein the user can assign any one of the selected keys to control any one of the peripheral devices according to the user'"'"'s choice; and

coupling an output of a selected one of the peripheral devices to a display device associated with the apparatus and configuring the remote control device to control the selected peripheral device in response to user actuation of the selected key assigned to control the selected peripheral device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving step comprises entering the set up mode each time one of the peripheral devices is coupled to the apparatus via the data bus network connection.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the receiving step further comprises generating a table associating each of the peripheral devices on the data bus network with a unique identifier.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the assigning step comprises generating a second table associating the selected keys of the remote control device with the unique identifiers associated with the peripheral devices.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the data bus network comprises an IEEE 1394 network.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the assigning step further comprises maintaining the assignments of the selected keys of the remote control device to control the peripheral devices even when the ordering of the plurality of peripheral devices is rearranged on the data bus network.

7. A video signal processing apparatus, comprising:

an input/output terminal for connecting a plurality of peripheral devices to the apparatus and to a data bus network;

means for providing on-screen display signals;

a processor, coupled to the input/output terminal, for receiving video signals from the peripheral devices connected to the data bus network and providing output signals suitable for display; and

means for coupling the output signals to a display device, wherein the providing means provides an on-screen display for allowing a user to assign selected keys on a remote control device to control selected said peripheral devices connected to the data bus network such that the user can assign any one of the selected keys to control any one of the peripheral devices according to the user'"'"'s choice, wherein the processor and coupling means couple an output of a selected one of the peripheral devices to the display device and the remote control device is configured to control the selected peripheral device in response to user actuation of the selected key assigned to control the selected peripheral device.

8. The video signal processing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the processor receives identification information from each of the peripheral devices connected to the data bus network during a set up mode of the data bus network, and the providing means provides an on-screen display including the identification information received during the set up mode.

9. The video signal processing apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor generates a table associating each of the peripheral devices on the data bus network with a unique identifier.

10. The video signal processing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the processor generates a second table associating the selected keys of the remote control device with the unique identifiers associated with the peripheral devices.

11. The video signal processing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the processor maintains the assignments of the selected keys of the remote control device to control the peripheral devices even when the ordering of the plurality of peripheral devices is rearranged on the data bus network.

12. The video signal processing apparatus of claim 10, wherein the data bus network comprises an IEEE 1394 network.

13. A television receiver, comprising:

an input/output terminal for connecting a plurality of peripheral devices to the television receiver and to a data bus network;

means for providing on-screen display signals;

a processor, coupled to the input/output terminal, for receiving television signals from the peripheral devices connected to the data bus network and providing output signals suitable for display; and

means for coupling the output signals to a display device, wherein the providing means provides an on-screen display for allowing a user to assign selected keys on a remote control device to control selected said peripheral devices connected to the data bus network such that the user can assign any one of the selected keys to control any one of the peripheral devices according to the user'"'"'s choice wherein the processor and coupling means couple an output of a selected one of the peripheral devices to the display device and the remote control device is configured to control the selected peripheral device in response to user actuation of the selected key assigned to control the selected peripheral device.

14. The television receiver of claim 13, wherein the processor receives identification information from each of the peripheral devices connected to the data bus network during a set up mode of the network, and the providing means provides an on-screen display including the identification information received during the set up mode.

15. The television receiver of claim 14, wherein the processor generates a table associating each of the peripheral devices on the data bus network with a unique identifier.

16. The television receiver of claim 15, wherein the processor generates a second table associating the selected keys of the remote control device with the unique identifiers associated with the peripheral devices.

17. The television receiver of claim 16, wherein the data bus network comprises an IEEE 1394 network.