Abstract:
A device including a remote control of remote operation of the device is described. The remote control includes a key matrix and a microprocessor. The microprocessor processes key scan codes from the key matrix and converts the key scan codes to amplitude modulated remote control commands for transmission by a wireless transmitter. The device includes components so that a user can operate the device locally without a remote control. The components in the device that enable local operation of the device are comparable to components in the remote control that enable remote operation of the device so that a minimum of changes are required in the device to enable local operation of the device.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Most modern consumer electronic devices like television sets, television receivers (e.g., set-top boxes), DVD players, audio receivers, and often include a remote control device that allows a user to operate a device remotely, usually within line of sight of the device. The most common type of remote control device uses an Infrared (IR) signal to transmit commands to the consumer electronic device. Other wireless bands, however, may be used to transmit input commands to a consumer electronic device. For example, Radio Frequency (RF) bands are another option for transmitting input commands to the device and often work even when not in line of sight of a device. A remote control device is used to issue or input commands, from a distance, to a consumer electronic device. The remote control device is typically a hand-held device, and it allows a user to input commands such as changing a channel on a television or television set-top box, as well as adjusting the volume and menu options. An IR remote control device typically transmits a signal, which consists of pulses of infrared light, which is light invisible to the human eye. Most modern IR remote control devices use Amplitude Modulation On-Off Keying (OOK). Many RF remote control devices also use OOK for remote control applications as well. For for example, various automobiles include a key ring equipped with an RF transmitter that use OOK to lock/unlock doors and set/disable an alarm system. 
         [0002]    The first television IR remote control device was introduced in the 1950s, primarily with high-end television units. When the IR remote control device was introduced decades ago, it was a convenience accessory that supplemented the control panel of a consumer electronic device. At the time the IR remote control device was initially introduced, the IR remote control device provided the ability to remotely input all or a subset of the input functions physically located on the consumer electronic device. As these IR remote control devices became more common, consumers expected a remote control as standard equipment with their television or set-top box. With the proliferation of IR remote control devices, manufactures of consumer electronic devices began to include a remote control with many other products. Over time, whether a result of cost savings or for a more appealing design, the keys or buttons used to enter input commands that were typically found on the consumer electronic device began to disappear from the device itself; and currently, for many devices, the inputs are now available only on a remote control device. 
         [0003]    An example of a modern consumer electronic device that operates with a remote control device, but does not include an option to input commands directly at the consumer electronic device, is a cable or satellite receiver set-top box. A set-top box is an electronic consumer device, which may contain a TV-tuner for receiving an external signal and converting the external signal content to a format compatible with a television. The external signal delivers content to the set-top box and is often provided by a cable television/internet provider or satellite television/internet provider. With a device like such as set-top box, if a user misplaces the remote control device, if the remote control device is damaged or if the batteries become depleted, the user loses some or all ability to operate the device. Consequently, what was once a convenience feature, a remote control device has become a source of frustration for many users. Accordingly, users are now demanding that their consumer electronic device include the option to input commands directly at the consumer electronic device. 
         [0004]    Manufactures of these consumer electronic products are now forced to add an option to their product that allows a user to input commands directly at the device. Adding a keypad that provides all or some of the input functionality now incorporated in a remote control device may include extra design and production costs such as: the need to redesign the Printed Circuit Board (PCB), add a front panel controller, modify the key scan code and develop software. These modifications and changes may add size to the PCB, add size to and change the form factor of the consumer device, and add development time and cost. In the competitive consumer electronic device market, increased cost and time to market are detrimental to a products success. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, there is a need for a low cost low effort method and device to add a keypad to a consumer electronic device configured with a wireless receiver. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  illustrates four options to add a keypad to a consumer electronic device. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  illustrates a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) of a consumer electronic device configured with an IR receiver. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  illustrates a consumer electronic device with a keypad in accordance with an example embodiment of the present principles. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  illustrates a consumer electronic device with a keypad in accordance with another example embodiment of the present principles. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The example embodiments of the present principles provide methods and apparatuses electrically coupling a low pass filter to the output of a wireless receiver, electrically coupling a microcontroller to the low pass filter and electrically coupling a key matrix to the microcontroller wherein the microcontroller and key matrix are comparable to a remote microcontroller and a remote key matrix of a wireless remote control device compatible with the wireless receiver, wherein input keys on the key matrix are mapped to input keys on the remote key matrix, and wherein the key matrix permits input commands to the consumer electronic device comparable to input commands available on the wireless remote control device. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    The description that follows will be with reference to an infrared (IR) transmitter and IR receiver. One skilled in the art will appreciate that an RF transmitter and RF receiver or other wireless transmitter and receiver may be substituted for the IR transmitter and IR receiver described without varying from the scope of the method and apparatus described. 
         [0012]    Three common modulation techniques used with IR remote control applications are 1) Amplitude Modulation (AM), On-Off Keying (OOK), 2) Frequency Shift Keying (FSK) and 3)“Pulse” Modulation. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the choice of modulation technique does not change the scope of the methods and apparatus described herein. The oldest and simplest modulation technique is AM, OOK. With this technique, IR signals form a group of pulses within a set frequency with space separating the pulses when the signal is absent. The presence of a signal generates a pulse indicating an “ON” condition and the absence of a signal indicating an “OFF” condition. The IR receiver is tuned to a specific frequency and eliminates noise outside of this frequency with a band pass filter. Several encoding methods are available and include, Pulse Distance Encoding, Pulse Width Encoding, Pulse Position Encoding and Manchester Encoding. However, as with the type of modulation technique, the encoding method used does not change the scope of the methods and apparatus described herein. Most IR receivers of this type are three pin devices that provide a demodulated signal at logic levels that are easy to interface with a microcontroller. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1A  depicts an example of a consumer electronic device with a printed circuit board (PCB) redesigned to accommodate a key matrix. PCB  102  represents the PCB of a consumer electronic device configured to receive an IR signal from an IR remote control unit. PCB  102  will include IR receiver  104  configured to receive input from an IR remote control device. IR receiver  104  communicates with an integrated circuit (IC) such as a System on a Chip (SoC)  108 , which functions as a main system controller. One option to add a keypad to the consumer electronic device includes adding key matrix  106  to PCB  102 . This option requires a new PCB layout to accommodate key matrix  106 . The size of PCB  102  will increase as space is made for the key matrix  106 . The existing physical enclosure of the consumer electronic device may require a redesign to accommodate the new PCB layout. In addition, the design requires development of key scan code for key matrix  106  to map the key or button inputs. This option demonstrates one example of adding a keypad to a consumer electronic device that requires high cost and higher level of effort. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1B  depicts an example of a consumer electronic device that employs a daughter board  110  to add a keypad to the consumer electronic device. As in the previous example, the consumer electronic device includes PCB  102 . The PCB  102  includes IR receiver  104  and SoC  108 . SoC  108  is configured as a main system controller. In this option, daughter board  110  is used to add input keys or buttons to the consumer electronic device. The daughter board  110  includes microcontroller  112  and key matrix  106 . The microcontroller  112  is configured to accept key or button inputs from key matrix  106  and is also configured to communicate with SoC  108 . The daughter board  110 , microcontroller  112  and key matrix  106  are relatively inexpensive components. This option, however, requires firmware development for SoC  108  to enable SoC  108  to communicate with microcontroller  112  as well as key scan code to map the key/button input of key matrix  106 . Consequently, while the cost for key matrix  106 , daughter board  110  and microcontroller  112  are low, the implementation effort is high due to firmware and key scan code development. Thus, this option requires a high level of effort. 
         [0015]      FIG. 1C  depicts another example of a consumer electronic device that employs daughter board  110  to add a keypad to the consumer electronic device. In this example the daughter board includes key matrix  106 . Key matrix  106  interfaces directly with SoC  108 . This solution requires development of key scan code to map the key/button input of key matrix  106 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 1D  depicts yet another example of a consumer electronic device that employs daughter board  110  to add a keypad to the consumer electronic device. In this example, daughter board  110  includes IR receiver  104 , microcontroller  112 , and key matrix  106 . The communication between daughter board  110  and PCB  102  is enabled by configuring SoC  108  to communicate with microcontroller  112 . In this solution, the microcontroller  112  requires programming to communicate with IR receiver  104 . In addition, the development of program code to update the firmware of SoC  108  is required. Development of code for microcontroller  112  to communicate with IR receiver  104  and development of code for SoC  108  to communicate with the microcontroller  112  requires a high level of effort. 
         [0017]    In the description that follows an SoC configured as a main system controller is illustrated for clarity. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of custom or general purpose IC&#39;s can be implemented as a main system controller using discrete and separate components. Whether an SoC or discrete and separate components are used to implement a main system controller does not change the scope of the method and apparatus described herein. 
         [0018]    Also, as described above, the description that follows will be with reference to an IR transmitter and IR receiver. One skilled in the art will appreciate that an RF transmitter and RF receiver or other wireless transmitter and receiver can be substituted for the IR transmitter and IR receiver described without varying from the scope of the method and apparatus described. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2  illustrates the PCB of a consumer electronic device configured with an IR receiver. Consumer electronic device  200  includes PCB  202 . PCB  202  includes SoC  206  and IR receiver  204 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that PCB  202  can be populated with other components necessary for the operation of the specific consumer electronic device. Those skilled in the art will also understand that these components can change depending on the particular device and will understand that discussion and explanation of these components is not necessary to realize and enable the method and apparatus described in the following paragraphs. IR receiver  204  is configured to receive input commands from IR remote control device  208 , often referred to as an IR remote control or simply a remote control The remote control device  208  can also be incorporated into another mobile device such as a smart phone, table, laptop and the like. SoC  206  is an Integrated Circuit (IC) that functions as the main system controller. Absent from consumer electronic device  200  is a keypad or any input keys/buttons that allow input commands to be entered locally. 
         [0020]    A user operates consumer electronic device  200  by entering input commands at IR remote control device  208 . A user enters a command by making a selection on the IR remote control device  208 . Information regarding the selection is detected by key matrix  214  and microcontroller  210 . Microcontroller  210  comprises Input/Output (I/O) pins connected to the rows and columns or switches of key matrix  214 . Microcontroller  210  applies signals to the I/O pins and senses the signals on I/O pins to detect actuation of the keys/buttons of key matrix  214 . Microcontroller  210  sends the input command to IR transmitter  212 , and IR transmitter  212  transmits the command to consumer electronic device  200  where IR receiver  204  demodulates the signal and sends the command to SoC  206 . Key scan code maps the rows and columns of key matrix  214  to a specific input. Some consumer electronic devices can include an on-off button physically located on the device, but for others, the only way to enter a command is through an IR remote control device. 
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is one non-limiting example embodiment of a consumer electronic device augmented with a keypad. Consumer electronic device  300  includes PCB  302  and System on a Chip (SoC)  308  mounted on PCB  302 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that PCB  302  can be populated with other components necessary for the operation of a specific consumer electronic device. Those skilled in the art will also understand that these components can vary depending on the particular device and will understand that discussion and explanation of these components is not necessary to realize and enable the method and apparatus described in the following paragraphs. SoC  308  is one non-limiting example of an IC that functions as the main system controller. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of custom or general purpose IC&#39;s can be implemented as a main system controller. The example illustrates IR receiver  306 , low pass filter  310 , microcontroller  314 , and key matrix  312  mounted on daughter board  304 . The electronic connection between IR receiver  306  and SoC  308  can be modified when IR receiver  306  is removed from PCB  302  and mounted on daughter board  304 . 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, IR receiver  306  is a three pin open-collector device that can optionally include external pull-up resistor  324 . An IR receiver with an internal pull-up resistor can be employed as well. When IR receiver  306  is configured with an internal pull-up resistor, pull-up resistor  324  can be omitted. Low pass filter  310  is electrically coupled to the output of IR receiver  306 . The output can be an open collector transistor. Low pass filter  310  is electrically coupled to microcontroller  314 . Low pass filter  310  is employed to remove the Amplitude Modulation (AM) generated by microcontroller  314 . Key matrix  312  is electrically coupled to microcontroller  314  and provides the input keys/buttons that allow a user to input commands directly at the consumer electronic device  300 . IR remote control device  316  is a device compatible with consumer electronic device  300 . IR remote control device  316  includes IR transmitter  320 , microcontroller  318 , and key matrix  322 . IR remote control device  316  is compatible with consumer electronic device  300  and selection commands are mapped to enable a user to operate consumer electronic device  300  with remote control device  316 . In this non-limiting example embodiment, microcontroller  314  is selected based on microcontroller  318 , and key matrix  312  is selected based on key matrix  322 . Thus, microcontroller  314  is a component comparable to microcontroller  318  and key matrix  312  is a component comparable to key matrix  322 . 
         [0023]    The benefits of using microcontroller  314  and key matrix  312  comparable to microcontroller  318  and key matrix  322  will become apparent with the following description. Using microcontroller  314  comparable to microcontroller  318  and key matrix  312  comparable to key matrix  322  simplifies development of daughter board  304  and eliminates the need for firmware and key scan code development. The firmware in SoC  308  is configured to communicate with microcontroller  318 ; therefore, SoC  308  can communicate with microcontroller  314  because microcontroller  314  is comparable to microcontroller  318  and no further changes are necessitated. In addition, since key matrix  312  is comparable to key matrix  322 , the same key scan code can be used. In other words, keypad mapping is the same and does not require any further develop or changes. The selections for input functions, such as power on/off, volume up/down, channel/track, and the like, on daughter board  304  will be the same as the selections on IR remote control device  316 . The components used to populate daughter board  304  and add a keypad to the consumer electronic device  300  are inexpensive components. Additionally, using a comparable microcontroller  314  and comparable key matrix  312  enable an implementation with low effort and development time in addition to low cost. 
         [0024]    As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in one non-limiting embodiment, microcontroller  314  mounted on daughter board  304  can be configured to disable IR receiver  306  for a preset time period when microcontroller  314  detects a selection at key matrix  312 . Microcontroller  314  can be electrically coupled to switch  326  and programmed to disable or switch off IR receiver  306  for a preset time period upon detection of a selection at key matrix  312 . Disabling IR receiver  306  for a preset time interval can reduce the possibility of interference from an external source. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is another non-limiting example embodiment of a consumer electronic device augmented with a keypad. Consumer electronic device  400  includes PCB  402 . PCB  402  includes IR receiver  406  and SoC  408 . As explained previously, those skilled in the art will appreciate that PCB  402  is populated with other components necessary for the operation of a specific consumer electronic device. Those skilled in the art will also understand that these components can change depending on the particular device and will understand that discussion and explanation of these other components is not necessary to realize and enable the method and apparatus described herein. SoC  408  is one non-limiting example of an IC that functions as a main system controller. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that a variety of custom or general purpose IC&#39;s can be implemented as a main system controller. This example illustrates an embodiment where IR receiver  406  remains on PCB  402 . 
         [0026]    In one embodiment, IR receiver  406  is a three pin open-collector with an internal pull-up resistor. An external pull-up resistor such as pull-up resistor  324  illustrated in  FIG. 3  can be employed as well. Low pass filter  410  is electrically coupled to the output of IR receiver  406 . The output can be an open collector transistor. Low pass filter  410  is electrically coupled to microcontroller  414 . Low pass filter  410  is employed to remove the Amplitude Modulation (AM) of microcontroller  414 . Key matrix  412  is electrically coupled to microcontroller  414  and provides the input selections that allow a user to input commands at consumer electronic device  400 . IR remote control device  416  is a device compatible with the consumer electronic device  400 . IR remote control device  416  includes IR transmitter  420 , microcontroller  418 , and key matrix  422 . In this non-limiting example embodiment, microcontroller  414  is selected based on microcontroller  418  and key matrix  412  is selected based on key matrix  422 . Accordingly, microcontroller  414  is a component comparable to microcontroller  418  and key matrix  412  is a component comparable to key matrix  422 . 
         [0027]    As explained with respect to  FIG. 3 , using microcontroller  414  comparable to microcontroller  418  and key matrix  412  comparable to key matrix  422  simplifies development of daughter board  404  and eliminates the need for firmware and key scan code development. The firmware in SoC  408  is configured to communicate with microcontroller  418 ; therefore, SoC  408  will communicate with microcontroller  414  because microcontroller  414  is comparable to microcontroller  418 . In addition, since key matrix  412  is comparable to key matrix  422  the same key scan code can be used. In other words, the key mapping is the same. The keys/buttons for input functions on daughter board  404 , such as power on/off, volume up/down, channel/track, will be the same as the keys/buttons on IR remote control device  416 . The components used to populate daughter board  404  and add a keypad to the consumer electronic device  400  are inexpensive components, and using a comparable microcontroller  414  and comparable key matrix  412  enable an implementation with little effort. 
         [0028]    A daughter board such as daughter board  304  or daughter board  404  as illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  respectfully can be designed to fit a front panel of a consumer electronic device. Designing a daughter board PCB to fit the front panel of a consumer electronic device will permit reuse of the top, bottom, rear and side panels of the device. The daughter board can also be designed to fit into the top or side panels of the device. The IR receiver, however, is normally installed in the front panel of a consumer electronic device so that it is positioned for optimum reception of the IR signal transmitted from the remote control device. Consequently, most manufactures of the consumer electronic devices can desire to mount the daughter board in the front panel of the consumer electronic device. Whether a manufacturer decides to mount the daughter board on the front panel, top panel, or side panels, the remaining panels (enclosure) can still be used resulting in minimal cost and effort to add a keypad to the consumer electronic device. 
         [0029]    Example embodiments of the present principles provide a method of adding a keypad to a consumer electronic device configured with a wireless receiver, the method comprising, electrically coupling a low pass filter to the output of the wireless receiver, electrically coupling a microcontroller to the low pass filter, and electrically coupling a key matrix to the microcontroller wherein the microcontroller and key matrix are comparable to a remote microcontroller and a remote key matrix of a wireless remote control device compatible with the wireless receiver, wherein input keys on the key matrix are mapped to input keys on the remote key matrix, and wherein the key matrix permits input commands to the consumer electronic device comparable to input commands available on the wireless remote control device. 
         [0030]    In another embodiment, a consumer electronic device configured with a wireless receiver includes a low pass filter electrically coupled to the output of the wireless receiver, a microcontroller electrically coupled to the low pass filter, and a key matrix electrically coupled to the microcontroller wherein the microcontroller and key matrix are comparable to a remote microcontroller and a remote key matrix of a wireless remote control device compatible with the wireless receiver, wherein input keys on the key matrix are mapped to input keys on the remote key matrix, and wherein the key matrix permits input commands to the consumer electronic device comparable to input commands available on the wireless remote control device. 
         [0031]    Examples of a consumer electronic device configured with a wireless remote control receiver include: television receivers such as cable or satellite set-top boxes, audio receivers, DVD players, digital music players, video recorders, video players and cameras. In addition, many home and household appliances can be configured with a wireless remote control receiver. It should be apparent that the method and apparatus described can be applicable to all of these devices. It should also be appreciated that the methods and apparatus described can be applied to virtually any consumer electronic device configured with a wireless receiver that does not offer a physical structure on the device to input commands. 
         [0032]    In one aspect of the method and consumer electronic device described, when the microcontroller detects an input at the key matrix, the microcontroller disables the wireless receiver for a preset period of time. 
         [0033]    In another aspect of the method and consumer electronic device, the output of the wireless receiver is an open collector transistor. 
         [0034]    In yet another aspect of the method and consumer electronic device, the wireless receiver comprises an external pull-up resistor. 
         [0035]    As used in this application, the term “circuitry” refers to all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile device or server, to perform various functions; and (c) circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of “circuitry” applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term “circuitry” would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term “circuitry” also would cover, if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit, or applications processor integrated circuit, for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other network device. 
         [0036]    Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art; additionally, in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed. 
         [0037]    It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one or more generic or specialized processors (or “processing devices”) such as microprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors, and field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) as well as unique stored program instructions (including both software and firmware) that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the method and/or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used. 
         [0038]    The foregoing description should therefore be considered as merely illustrative of the present principles, teachings and example embodiments, and not in limitation thereof. 
         [0039]    Further, some of the various features of the above non-limiting embodiments may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other described features. While the present principles have been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that there are many variations that are in accordance with the foregoing description and remain within the scope of the appended claim set. All of the features described above or shown in the drawings can be advantageously combined with one another within the framework of the present principles. Accordingly, it is intended that the present principles embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims.