Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method of controlling one or more second apparatus from a first apparatus, which is responsive to first control signals from a first remote control device. The characteristic steps of the method comprising: providing the first remote control with additional operational functions, and corresponding third control signals, that correspond to functions of said second apparatus; receiving and storing in said first apparatus, as part of an initialization procedure second control signals that have corresponding third control signals, said second control signals being stored as second reference control signals in a storage medium; receiving said third control signals from said first remote control; receiving said second reference control signals from said storage medium; comparing said third control signals and said second reference control signals; and controlling, by means of said second reference control signals, said second apparatus, via said first apparatus, when said third control signals and said second reference control signals equal each other.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a method for remotely controlling apparatus.  
           [0003]    More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for remotely controlling a plurality of apparatus using a single remote control device.  
           [0004]    2. Background Art  
           [0005]    In relatively recent times, apparatus such as televisions sets (TV), video recorders (VCR), music centres (HiFi), “set top box” receivers (STB), etc. have been supplied with their own individual remote control devices. The manufacturers of such apparatus use different, and usually unique, sets of control signals or codes for controlling, via remote control devices, each of these apparatus. Therefore, someone who has, for example, a TV, VCR, HiFi and a STB would expect to have four remote control devices: i.e. one remote control device for each apparatus; especially if the apparatus originated from different manufacturers.  
           [0006]    Apart from the practical problems of managing, and often juggling, a plurality of remote control devices, an economic problem arises in that each remote control device comes with its own component and assembly cost. This cost is hidden within the cost of the apparatus, and is carried by the consumer. Additionally, each remote control has to be powered: again at a cost to the consumer. Typically this involves mean having between four and eight batteries for four remote control devices. The ultimate disposal of this number of batteries, multiplied by a nation of consumers having a plurality of remote control devices, impacts upon the environment as time progresses.  
           [0007]    There are some suppliers that offer, for example, a TV and VCR as a set, which has a single, combined, remote control device that can be used to operate both the TV and the VCR. However, relatively speaking it is not often that such TV/VCR sets are bought, as they tend to be aimed at the high end of the consumer/business market. Therefore, the majority of TV/VCR combinations tend to be incompatible in terms of being controlled via a single remote control device. Therefore, the impact of such TV/VCR sets does very little to alleviate the practical, economic and environmental problems mentioned above. Attempts have been made in recent times to provide consumers with what are generally known as ‘universal’ remote control devices. The purpose of such a universal remote control device is to alleviate the aforementioned problems. However, there are also problems associated with these universal remote control devices. These problems can be summarised as follows.  
           [0008]    For the universal remote control device to be truly universal, it must contain the control codes or signals that correspond to all apparatus available on the market. Apart from the practical and economic problems of a manufacturer of such universal remote control devices having to keep abreast of all emerging new codes, the universal remote control device would require a significant amount of memory to store all the various codes. Such memory is relatively expensive especially if this memory comes as a “stand-a-lone” memory. Furthermore, once a universal remote control device is sold it would have to be updated if it is to be at all effective for the future. Such an updateable universal remote control device would require relatively more expensive, programmable memory in addition to circuitry for receiving and processing new data relating to the new codes, and controlling a memory write operation.  
           [0009]    It should be noted that the majority of present day remote control devices are optically based and operate in the infra-red band of the light spectrum. However, for the purposes of this document all previous and future reference to a remote control device is intended to include all types of current, and indeed future, remote control device such as acoustic and radio frequency (RF) remote control devices.  
         OBJECTS &amp; SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    Accordingly, an aim of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned problems and attributable drawbacks associated with the current state of the art.  
           [0011]    The present invention provides a method of controlling a first apparatus, which is operatively responsive to first control signals from a first remote control device, said method comprising the following steps: receiving said first control signals; receiving first reference control signals CR 1  from a storage medium, said first reference control signals corresponding to said first control signals; comparing said first control signals and said first reference control signals; and operatively controlling, said first apparatus in response to said first control signals when said first control signals and said first reference control signals equal each other, characterised in that, said method further comprises the following steps, which allow said first remote control device and said first apparatus to operatively control one or more second apparatus that are otherwise operatively responsive to respective second control signals from respective one or more second remote control devices: providing said first remote control device with additional operational functions, and corresponding third control signals, that respectively correspond to operational functions of said one or more second apparatus, said additional operational functions and third control signals being either selectively and/or permanently available; receiving and storing in said first apparatus, as part of an initialisation procedure and either in response to a request and/or as part of a predetermined sequence, said second control signals that have corresponding third control signals, said received second control signals being stored as second reference control signals in said storage medium; receiving said third control signals from said first remote control device; receiving second reference control signals from said storage medium; comparing said third control signals and said second reference control signals; and operatively controlling, by means of said second reference control signals, said one or more second apparatus, via said first apparatus, when said third control signals and said second reference control signals equal each other.  
           [0012]    Said first apparatus may be a satellite and/or cable set top box, STB, receiver or a video recorder, VCR, or television, TV, and said one or more second apparatus may respectively include a video recorder and a television or a set top box receiver and a television or a set top box receiver and a video recorder.  
           [0013]    Said storage medium may be a memory such as a ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or flash memory. Said one or more second apparatus may include a sound system HiFi, for example a combined radio, cassette player and CD player.  
           [0014]    Said one or more second apparatus may include home automation apparatus such as automatic blinds/shutters, light switching, security cameras etc.  
           [0015]    Said second control signals may be received in response to a request from said first apparatus from said one or more second remote control devices.  
           [0016]    Said second control signals may be received as part of a predetermined sequence from a portable storage medium. Said portable storage medium may be a smartcard or some other ‘chip-carrying’ medium.  
           [0017]    Said second control signals may received as part of a predetermined sequence via said first apparatus&#39;s broadcast medium: the broadcast medium being, for example, a satellite dish receiver or a fibre optical cable and their respective associated hardware and system technologies.  
           [0018]    The present invention provides a method for allowing a single apparatus, and its associated remote control device, to operatively control one or more other apparatus that are otherwise susceptible to being controlled by remote control signals.  
           [0019]    The present invention thus provides a method for allowing a single apparatus, and its associated remote control device, to operatively control one or more other apparatus that are otherwise susceptible to being controlled by signals from their respective remote control devices.  
           [0020]    The present invention provides a method for allowing a single apparatus, and its associated remote control device, to mimic or emulate the control signals of one or more other remote control devices so as to be able to operatively control the apparatus that would otherwise be controlled by the aforementioned other remote control devices.  
           [0021]    According to the present invention there is provided a method for allowing practical, economical and environmental saving to be made by providing a method for allowing a single apparatus, and its associated remote control device, to operatively control one or more other apparatus that are otherwise susceptible to being controlled by signals from their respective remote control devices, i.e. providing a method for allowing a single apparatus, and its associated remote control device, to mimic or emulate the control signals of one or more other remote control devices so as to be able to operatively control the apparatus that would otherwise be controlled by the aforementioned other remote control devices.  
           [0022]    The present invention provides a method for allowing a first apparatus to receive by interrogation, then store, remote control signals from one or more remote control devices, which are respectively associated with one or more second apparatus, in order that a single remote control device and its associated first apparatus can operatively control one or more second apparatus.  
           [0023]    The present invention provides a method for allowing a first apparatus to receive then store remote control signals corresponding to those of one or more remote control devices, which are respectively associated with one or more second apparatus, in order that a single remote control device and its associated first apparatus can operatively control one or more second apparatus.  
           [0024]    The invention also provides a method of controlling first and second remote controlled apparatus, the first apparatus being operatively responsive to first control signals associated with a first remote control device and the second apparatus being operatively responsive to second control signals associated with a second remote control device, the method comprising:  
           [0025]    storing said second control signals in said first apparatus;  
           [0026]    receiving the first control signals from the first remote control device at said first apparatus;  
           [0027]    accessing said stored second control signals responsive to selected ones of said first control signals; and  
           [0028]    transmitting said accessed second control signals to said second apparatus, wherein the first apparatus remotely controls the second apparatus responsive to selected ones of the first control signals from the first remote control device.  
           [0029]    The invention further provides a remotely controlled apparatus, operatively responsive to first control signals, comprising:  
           [0030]    receiving means for receiving said first control signals from a first remote control device;  
           [0031]    storage means for storing second control signals associated with a second remotely controlled apparatus operatively responsive to said second control signals;  
           [0032]    control means for accessing said stored second control signals responsive to selected ones of said first control signals; and  
           [0033]    transmitting means for transmitting said accessed second control signals to said second remotely controlled apparatus, whereby the remotely controlled apparatus remotely controls the second remotely controlled apparatus.  
           [0034]    Said control means may store said second control signals in said storage means.  
           [0035]    The remotely controlled apparatus may further comprise broadcast receiving means for receiving broadcast signals, wherein said second control signals are received by said broadcast receiving means.  
           [0036]    Said receiving means may receive said second control signals from the second remote control device.  
           [0037]    The storage means may comprise a smart card.  
           [0038]    The invention still further provides a remote control system comprising:  
           [0039]    a first remotely controlled apparatus operationally responsive to first control signals associated with a first remote control device;  
           [0040]    a second remotely controlled apparatus operatively responsive to second control signals associated with a second remote control device; wherein said first apparatus transmits said second control signals, to remotely control the second apparatus, responsive to selected ones of said first control signals.  
           [0041]    The invention this provides a remote control system in which there are a plurality of remotely controlled devices associated with a respective plurality of remote control devices, each remote control device generating respective control signals, wherein one remotely controlled device remotely controls the other of the plurality of devices responsive to the control signals from the remote control device associated with the one remotely controlled device. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0042]    These and other objects, as well as other advantages and features, of the present invention will become apparent in light of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a typical system concept according to the present invention; and  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a typical block diagram of circuitry within an apparatus according to the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0045]    The following figures which illustrate the various embodiments of the present invention may incorporate the same or similar elements. Therefore, where the same or similar elements occur throughout the various figures, they will be designated in the same manner.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a typical system concept according to the present invention.  
         [0047]    This system embodiment is illustrated as comprising a number of different apparatus, which include: a set-top-box receiver (STB)  10  for example a satellite set-top-box receiver, a video recorder (VCR)  20 , a television set (TV)  30 , and a sound system (HiFi)  40 .  
         [0048]    The STB  10  receives, in the illustrated embodiment, signals via a satellite dish  45 . Alternatively, the signals could be provided, via a cable, e.g. an optical cable, by a ‘cable provider’. In the illustrated embodiment, the signals received by the satellite dish  45  are broadcast signals.  
         [0049]    The STB  10  has a common operative connection(s), which could be a coaxial or scart cable for example, into the VCR  20  and the TV  30 . The video is illustrated as having an operative cable connection(s) into the TV  30 . The HiFi is illustrated as having no physical connection to either the STB  10 , VCR  20  or TV  30 . The arrangement of this illustrative embodiment of a system and its associated connections is known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0050]    It should be noted that this embodiment could also include other apparatus, connected either physically or non-physically to the STE  10 , such as home automation apparatus, for example automatic blinds, video security etc.  
         [0051]    In this embodiment the STE  10  incorporates two blocks: a receiver block RX and a transmitter block TX. The overall system embodiment illustrates four remote control devices RC 1 -RC 4 . The latter three remote control devices RC 2 -RC 3  are represented by dashed-line rectangles. The remote control devices RC 2 -RC 4  are respectively associated with the VCR  20 , TV  30 , and HiFi  40 . The remote control devices RC 2 , RC 3 , RC 4  generate respective control signals CS 2 , CS 3 , CS 4  to control the respective apparatus VCR  20 , TV  30 , HiFi  40 . Each of the VCR  20 , TV  30  and HiFi  40  include a receiver block RX for receiving the respective control signals. The receiver block RX of the STB  10  receives, as it would in the state of the art, control signals CS 1  from the remote control device RC 1 .  
         [0052]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, the STB  10  is capable of receiving (i.e. downloading), via the receiver block RX, and processing, respective control signals CS 2 -CS 4  from the remote control devices RC 2 -RC 4  that are respectively associated with the apparatus  20 ,  30  and  40 .  
         [0053]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, the STE  10  receives (i.e. download) the respective control signals CS 2 -CS 4  associated with the remote control devices RC 2 -RC 4  via a smart card, or another suitable medium, that is input to the STE  10  and/or via the satellite dish  45  or optical cable. Being able to download from a smartcard or from the broadcast signals, for example, has the advantage of not having to have the remote control devices RC 2 -RC 4 .  
         [0054]    Also according to the present invention, the transmitter block TX of the STE  10  transmits control signals CS 5  that are used to control the other apparatus  20 ,  30  and  40 . Alternatively, the STB could control the other physically connected apparatus  20  and  30  via the cable.  
         [0055]    It should be noted that in this particular arrangement, the STE  10  is illustrated as controlling the other apparatus  20 ,  30  and  40 . However, the arrangement could be adapted such that any one of the other apparatus, such as the VCR  20  or the TV  30  for example, is used to control the other apparatus.  
         [0056]    [0056]FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a typical block diagram of circuitry incorporated within the STE  10  apparatus according to the present invention. As mentioned hereinabove, this circuitry may alternatively be incorporated in other parts of the apparatus in the system.  
         [0057]    This block diagram is illustrated as comprising: the receiver block RX; a microcontroller μC, a memory MEM; and the transmitter block TX.  
         [0058]    According to one embodiment of the present invention the STB  10  is capable of receiving (i.e. downloading) via the receiver block RX, and processing, the respective control signals CS 2 -CS 4  from the remote control devices RC 2 -RC 4 .  
         [0059]    In this particular embodiment, the user initiates a software program within the STB  10  that allows the remote control devices RC 2 -RC 4  to be interrogated. As a result of the interrogation, the remote control signals CS 2 -CS 4  or codes associated with the other apparatus  20 , 30 , 40  are stored in a memory device preferably the memory MEM within the STB  10 . The memory device may be, for example ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory etc. The remote control codes CS 2 -CS 4  received from the remote control devices RC 2 -RC 4  are operatively stored such that they correspond to known, or defined, respectively different remote control codes that are associated with the remote control device RC 1 . An important point to note is that the remote control signals CS 1  of RC 1  that correspond to the respective remote control signals CS 2 -CS 4  from RC 2 -RC 4  have to have the same associated functions: therefore when the “record” button on remote control device RC 1  is pressed, the VCR  20  responds and records, and does not perform a different operation such as eject a tape.  
         [0060]    The software program for carrying out the interrogation could be initiated either from the remote control device RC 1  or by pressing a button(s) on the STB  10 .  
         [0061]    In this embodiment, the microcontroller μC of the STB  10  outwardly interfaces with the user, via the coax/scart connection(s), using the TV  30  for example.  
         [0062]    The first issue to be addressed by the software program is to identify the type of apparatus the remote control codes CS 2 -CS 4  associated with the remote control devices RC 2 -RC 4  control. The software program for carrying out the interrogation may give the user a choice of options, via the TV  30  for example, from a predetermined list. Alternatively, the user could interface with the STB  10  so as to enter a non-specified apparatus, and even non-specified functions, using the keypad of the remote control device RC 1 , such interface techniques are known to those skilled in the art.  
         [0063]    It should be noted that the remote control device RC 1  requires a keypad arrangement and control sequence that allowed it to work in various modes. For example, in a first, STB, mode M 1 , only those buttons, or button sequences, relating to the STB  10  functions would output corresponding remote control signals or codes for operating the STB  10 . In a second, VCR, mode M 2 , only those buttons, or button sequences, relating to the VCR  20  functions would output corresponding remote control signals for operating the VCR  20 , and so on. These various modes M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn etc, could be selected by pressing an appropriate button, or sequence of buttons, on RC 1 . In this example of distinct modes M 1 , M 2 , . . . Mn etc, either the remote control device may add some distinguishing element to each transmitted remote control signal(s) or alternatively, RC 1  may send a signal(s) to the STB  10  that sets up the STB  10  for the corresponding required mode.  
         [0064]    Alternatively, there could be mixed-mode functioning. Mixed-mode functioning would be possible when in one mode, a function that was unique to another mode, i.e. another apparatus, was selected. For example, when in mode M 1 , a button on RC 1  is pressed that corresponded to the VCR ‘record’ function. Since this ‘record’ function is unique to the VCR  20  then the need to enter into mode M 2  is no longer necessary. In mixed-mode functioning, the need to enter into a particular mode would only be necessary when there is a button(s), or sequence of buttons, that are common to two or more apparatus, examples being numbers 0, 1, 2 . . . n, volume +/−, channel +/− etc. It should also be noted that the remote control signals relating to the STB  10  apparatus will already be stored as reference remote control signals in the memory MEM associated with the microcontroller μC.  
         [0065]    If, in this particular embodiment, the user selected an apparatus, for example a VCR  20 , from a predetermined list of apparatus held within the memory MEM of the STB  10 , then the STB  10  enters a software routine under the control of the “interrogation” software program. This routine requests, from another predetermined list, the user to press a sequence of buttons on remote control device RC 2  etc. that corresponds to each of the various requests, i.e. the various functions associated with the VCR  20  etc. and each of the various requests would have a corresponding reference remote control signal that is associated with RC 1 . There could also be the option of the user defining functions that the STE  10  does not recognise and the user and/or microcontroller μC assigning a corresponding RC 1  reference remote control signal.  
         [0066]    In an example of setting up a VCR  20 , the remote control signals CS 2  transmitted by the VCR  20  remote control device RC 2  are received by the receiver block RX of the STE, passed onto the microcontroller μC and then operatively stored in a memory location of the memory MEM as VCR reference remote control signals or codes along with associated remote control device RC 1  reference remote control signals. For example, assume that the remote control signal from RC 2  relating to the VCR&#39;s ‘record’ function was the four bit binary number 0110 and the corresponding remote control signal from RC 1  relating to a VCR&#39;s ‘record’ function was the four bit binary number 1001: it should be noted that the codes from RC 1  would have to be different from any of the codes associated with the other apparatus in order to avoid ‘operational interference’. The binary number 1001 would already be stored in the memory MEM of the STB assuming it is predefined. Then, under control of the “interrogation” software program, it would be associated with the memory location of the binary number 0110 of the corresponding function, which would be stored in a different memory location. Therefore, the binary number 1001 would have a ‘memory map’ reference to the binary number 0110.  
         [0067]    Having set up the memory MEM with the various reference remote control signals associated with the other apparatus and cross referencing them to corresponding remote control device RC 1  reference control signals, during normal operation every time a remote control signal is received from remote control device RC 1  by the microcontroller μC, via the receiver block RX of the STB the microcontroller μC compares this received remote control signal CS 1  with the remote control device RC 1  reference remote control signals stored in the memory MEM.  
         [0068]    The remote control device RC 1  may pause after each control signal CS 1  associated with either the VCR, TV or HiFi to enable the transmitter block TX in the STB to send the appropriate control signals CS 2 , CS 3  or CS 4 .  
         [0069]    When the microcontroller μC identifies a remote control signal from remote control device RC 1  that corresponds to a RC 1  reference remote control signal it must firstly determine if the received signals or codes are associated with the STB  10  or with other apparatus. If the remote control signals received from remote control device RC 1  are associated with the STB  10  then the microcontroller of the STB  10  is operated in accordance with the received signals or codes. If the RC 1  received remote control signals are not associated with the STE  10  then the microcontroller of the STB  10  has to retrieve, from memory MEM, the stored remote control signals or codes to which the RC 1  received signals or codes correspond. The microcontroller μC then outputs, via the transmitter block TX of the STB, the non-RC 1  reference remote control signals or codes that correspond to the received and stored RC 1  remote control signals or codes, which operatively controls the corresponding apparatus.  
         [0070]    The receiver blocks RX may typically be a light sensitive semiconductor device that is capable of receiving signals, CS 1 -CS 4  and CS 5 , in the infra-red part of the light spectrum since most remotely controlled apparatus use infra-red receivers and transmitters. Alternatively, a receiver that was capable of receiving electrical or electro-magnetic signals or codes could be employed. Another example of a receiver block RX is a modem that is capable of receiving signals superimposed on the mains electricity supply of a household.  
         [0071]    Likewise, the transmitter block TX of the STB would typically be a light emitting semiconductor device that is capable of transmitting signals, CS 5 , in the infra-red part of the light spectrum. Alternatively, a transmitter that is capable of transmitting electrical or electromagnetic signals or codes could be employed. Another example of a transmitter block TX is a modem that is capable of transmitting signals superimposed upon the mains electricity supply of a household.  
         [0072]    It should be noted that there could also be a plurality of different types of receivers and transmitters within an apparatus.  
         [0073]    In a preferred embodiment of the current invention, the remote control signals corresponding to a particular apparatus could be input, or downloaded, via a smart card or via the broadcast medium, neither of which are illustrated.  
         [0074]    The advantages of such an embodiment means that there is no longer a requirement for more than one remote control device. Therefore, all the disadvantages, such as cost and battery disposal, that is associated with a plurality of remote control devices would be alleviated. However, the former embodiment would serve well in the transitional period to this preferred embodiment.  
         [0075]    In the case of the smartcard, the manufacturers of an apparatus would supply, with the apparatus, a smartcard that contained all of the remote control codes that are associated with the particular apparatus, or even a manufacturers range of apparatus. The advantages of smartcards are known and include portability, programming flexibility, recyclability and low cost.  
         [0076]    The ‘master’ apparatus in the example given above was the STB  10 , but alternatively could be any of the other apparatus  20 ,  30  or  40 . The ‘master’ apparatus may incorporate a smartcard reader and software that is operatively capable of extracting from the smartcard the remote control signals or codes associated with the ‘slave’ apparatus, for example a VCR  20 , and storing and cross referencing such.  
         [0077]    In the case of the broadcast medium, the remote control signals associated with various apparatus could be transmitted in the same or a similar manner as teletext, or even on a dedicated channel. The user could then, for example, select from a predefined list the type of ‘slave’ apparatus that is required to be controlled and then the ‘master’ device could automatically and operatively download, store and cross reference the remote control signals or codes associated with the particular ‘slave’ apparatus.  
         [0078]    It should be noted that the arrangement, control and design of the various apparatus and the remote control device, and their interaction, embraces many fields, principles and techniques that are far too numerous and diverse to cover in any great detail in this document. Generally, for example, a system or protocol has to be set up such that the remote control signals are all read or downloaded, stored and cross referenced in a predetermined manner such that they have a corresponding, known, reference as to what their associated function and apparatus is; a protocol for selecting the ‘master’ and ‘slave’ devices would need to be established, since the inventor envisages that there will be at least some key apparatus, such as STB  10 , VCR  20  and TV  30  that will all have the possibility of being ‘master’ apparatus. The design, layout and control of the remote control device has to take in a number of factors such as ease of use, the ability to control a plurality of apparatus, and the possibility of defining whether ‘custom’ apparatus and functions can be added etc.  
         [0079]    Such fields, principles and techniques and requirements to exploit the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure embodying the present invention.  
         [0080]    Although this invention has been described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, and generalised, it should be understood that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and that there is no intention of limiting the invention to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended that all alternatives, modifications and equivalent arrangements as may be included within the scope of the appended claims be covered as part of this invention.