Patent ID: 6262780
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method of selecting transmitted programming from a plurality of sources including a first source and a second source, wherein the first and second sources are controlled by a single remote control device and wherein both the first and second sources can be commanded to increment or decrement the selected channel being processed, the steps comprising:assigning to a first selection means which is part of said remote control device the function of incrementing the channel selection of said first source;assigning to a second selection means which is part of said remote control device the function of decrementing the channel selection of said first source;assigning to a third selection means which is part of said remote control device the function of incrementing the channel selection of said second source;assigning to a fourth selection means which is part of said remote control device the function of decrementing the channel selection of said second source;in response to activation of said first, second, third or fourth selection means, generating a mode command sequence which comprises an appropriate sequence for selecting the output of said first source for display if said first or second selection means is activated, or for selecting the output of said second source for display if the third of fourth selection means is activated; andthereafter, generating a tuning command which comprises an appropriate command sequence to increment the tuner of said first source if the first selection means was activated, or an appropriate command sequence to decrement the tuner of said first source if the second selection means was activated, or an appropriate command sequence to increment the tuner of said second source if the third selection means was activated, or an appropriate command sequence to decrement the tuner of said second source if the fourth selection means was activated.