Remote controller apparatus, broadcast receiving apparatus and method for controlling the same

A remote controller apparatus for controlling a broadcast receiving apparatus is provided, in which the remote controller apparatus includes a storage unit, a user interface unit which sequentially receives at least one control instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus, an interface unit which transmits the at least one control instruction received via the user interface unit to the broadcast receiving apparatus, and which receives status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the at least one control instruction, and a control unit causes the status information to be stored by the storage unit, and if the instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received via the user interface unit, generates a macro instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the status information and causes the generated macro instruction to be stored by the storage unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0093067, filed on Sep. 15, 2011, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Apparatuses and methods consistent with the disclosure provided herein relate to remote controlling, broadcast receiving and controlling the same, and more particularly, to a remote controller apparatus, a broadcast receiving apparatus, and a control method for setting macro functionality on the remote controller apparatus to control the broadcast receiving apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recent advancements in electronic engineering have enhanced various functions relating to controlling a broadcast receiving apparatus by using a remote controller. In particular, a remote controller with a macro functionality set thereon can sequentially transmit pre-stored instructions to the broadcast receiving apparatus, thus enabling users to control certain operations of the broadcast receiving apparatus with ease.

Conventionally, the macro functionality is set on the remote controller generally as follows. A user sequentially inputs a macro registration start key and inputs remote controller keys intended as the macro instructions, and the remote controller stores infrared (IR) codes and time interval information relating to the remote controller keys inputted by the user. Then, as the user inputs macro registration end key, macro functionality is set.

As described above, the conventional macro functionality registration requires the user to input registration start key, which can be troublesome. Further, if the user inadvertently skips pressing the registration start key, the macro functionality is not set.

Further, because the macro functionality is executed simply based on the remote controller keys previously inputted by the user without considering the current status of the broadcast receiving apparatus, the broadcast receiving apparatus is sometimes controlled in a different way than the user intended.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method which can set macro functionality with increased efficiency while accounting for the current status of the broadcast receiving apparatus.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the present inventive concept is not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept may not overcome any of the problems described above.

According to one exemplary embodiment, a technical objective is to provide a remote controlling apparatus, a broadcast receiving apparatus, and a method for controlling the same, which generate macro instructions upon receipt of a macro functionality set command, in accordance with control instructions received thus far.

According to one exemplary embodiment, a technical objective is to provide a remote controlling apparatus, a broadcast receiving apparatus and a method for controlling the same, which receive status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus, and generate macro instructions to control the broadcast receiving apparatus in accordance with the status information.

In one exemplary embodiment, a remote controller apparatus for controlling a broadcast receiving apparatus may be provided, which may include a storage unit, a user interface unit which sequentially receives at least one control instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus, an interface unit which transmits the at least one control instruction received via the user interface unit to the broadcast receiving apparatus, and which receives status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the at least one control instruction, a control unit which causes the status information to be stored by the storage unit, and if the instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received via the user interface unit, generates a macro instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the status information and causes the generated macro instruction to be stored by the storage unit.

The status information may include at least one of: channel status, volume status, input source status, sound mode status, screen aspect ratio status and screen brightness status of the broadcast receiving apparatus.

The control unit may use recently-received status information to update prestored status information, and cause the updated status information to be stored by the storage unit.

If an instruction relating to searching the macro instructions stored by the storage unit is received, the control unit may control the user interface unit to cause the stored macro instruction that satisfies a preset condition included in the instructions relating to searching the macro instructions to be displayed.

If the instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received, the control unit may generate a macro instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus based on a status that corresponds to the status information, and automatically generate a macro title for the generated macro instruction based on a preset condition.

The control unit may generate a macro title corresponding to the status information based on Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus.

The macro instruction may include at least one of: an instruction relating to tuning a channel and an instruction relating to adjusting a volume, and the control unit may transmit one of control instructions included in the macro instruction to the broadcast receiving apparatus and, if the broadcast receiving apparatus performs an operation based on the transmitted control instruction, transmit a next control instruction included in the macro instruction to the broadcast receiving apparatus.

The status information may include encoded information.

The storage unit may include a temporary storage area for temporarily storing the status information received via the interface unit, and an automatic storage area for providing redundant storage of the status information stored at the temporary storage area, and, if an instruction relating to setting macro functionality is not received within a preset standby time after reception of the status information, the control unit causes the status information stored at the temporary storage area to be stored at the automatic storage area and initializes the temporary storage area.

If there is status information stored at the automatic storage area that repeats at least a predetermined number of times, the control unit may controls the user interface unit to display a recommend screen to recommend that the repeating status information be set to macro functionality.

In one exemplary embodiment, a broadcast receiving apparatus is provided, which may include an interface unit which receives a control instruction from a remote controller apparatus and which transmits status information of the broadcast receiving apparatus to the remote controller apparatus, and a control unit which controls a status of the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the control instruction, wherein if a macro instruction is received from the remote controller apparatus, the control unit changes the status of the broadcast receiving apparatus based on a plurality of control instructions included in the macro instruction.

The status information may include at least one of: channel status, volume status, input source status, sound mode status, screen aspect ratio status and screen brightness status of the broadcast receiving apparatus.

In one exemplary embodiment, a control method for controlling a broadcast receiving apparatus by using a remote controller apparatus is provided, which may include sequentially receiving at least one control instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus, transmitting the at least one control instruction to the broadcast receiving apparatus, and receiving status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the at least one control instruction, storing the status information, and if the instruction to set macro functionality is received, generating a macro instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the status information, and storing the macro instruction.

The status information may include at least one of: channel status, volume status, input source status, sound mode status, screen aspect ratio status and screen brightness status of the broadcast receiving apparatus.

The control method may additionally include using recently-received status information to update prestored status information, and storing the updated status information.

If an instruction relating to searching the stored macro instructions is received, the control method may additionally include displaying the stored macro instruction that satisfies a preset condition included in the instruction relating to searching the stored macro instructions.

The generating the macro instruction may include, if the instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received, generating a macro instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus based on a status that corresponds to the status information, and automatically generating a macro title for the generated macro instruction according to a preset condition.

The generating the macro instruction may include generating a macro title corresponding to the status information based on Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus.

The macro instruction may include at least one of: an instruction relating to tuning a channel and an instruction relating to adjusting a volume, and the control method may further include transmitting one of control instructions included in the macro instruction to the broadcast receiving apparatus, and, if the broadcast receiving apparatus performs an operation based on the control instruction, transmitting a next control instruction included in the macro instruction to the broadcast receiving apparatus.

The status information may include encoded information.

The storage unit may include a temporary storage area for temporarily storing the status information received via the interface unit, and an automatic storage area for providing redundant storage of the status information stored at the temporary storage area, and the control method may additionally include, if an instruction relating to setting macro functionality is not received within a preset standby time after reception of the status information, causing the status information stored at the temporary storage area to be stored at the automatic storage area and initializing the temporary storage area.

The control method may additionally include, if there is status information stored at to the automatic storage area that repeats at least a predetermined number of times, displaying a recommend screen to recommend that the repeating status information be set to macro functionality.

In one exemplary embodiment, a control method for controlling a broadcast receiving apparatus is provided, which may include receiving a control instruction from a remote controller apparatus and transmitting status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus to the remote controller apparatus, and if a macro instruction is received from the remote controller apparatus, changing a status of the broadcast receiving apparatus based on a plurality of control instructions included in the macro instruction.

The status information may include at least one of: channel status, volume status, input source status, sound mode status, screen aspect ratio status and screen brightness status of the broadcast receiving apparatus.

In various exemplary embodiments, because a user sets macro functionality once a control instruction is received without having to separately input macro registration start, users can set macro functionality with improved convenience. Further, because macro functionality is set based on the status information of the broadcast receiving apparatus, malfunction of the broadcast receiving apparatus is prevented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, same drawing reference numerals are used for the same elements even in different drawings. The matters defined in the description, such as detailed construction and elements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the present inventive concept. Accordingly, it is apparent that the exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept can be carried out without those specifically defined matters. In addition, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail, because such would obscure the present disclosure with unnecessary detail.

FIG. 1illustrates a system which describes a setting of macro functionality according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring toFIG. 1, the system includes a remote controller apparatus100and a broadcast receiving apparatus200.

The broadcast receiving apparatus200sends out status information thereof to the remote controller apparatus100, based on a control instruction received from the remote controller apparatus100. The status information herein may include at least one of: channel status information, volume status information, input source status information, sound mode status information, screen aspect ratio status information, and screen brightness status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

In particular, channel status, volume status, sound mode status, screen aspect ratio status and screen brightness status may respectively refer to channel information, volume information, sound mode information (e.g., mono or stereo), screen aspect ratio information (e.g., 16:9 or 4:3), and brightness information.

The “input source status” herein may refer to information about a source from which the broadcast receiving apparatus receives at least one of video signal and audio signal. The input source may include S-Video, component, composite, D-Sub, DVI, or High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) provided at the broadcast receiving apparatus.

The broadcast receiving apparatus200may change the status thereof based on a plurality of control instructions included in the macro instruction, if the macro instruction is received from the remote controller apparatus.

The “macro instruction” herein may include at least one of instructions generated based on the status information transmitted from the broadcast receiving apparatus, which may include, among other things, channel change, volume adjustment, input source change, sound mode change, screen aspect ratio change, and screen brightness change.

Accordingly, the macro instruction may control the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the channel, volume, input source, sound mode, screen aspect ratio and/or screen brightness received from the broadcast receiving apparatus.

The broadcast receiving apparatus200which is used to perform the above-described functions may include a digital television (TV), or the like. However, this is only one of many examples, and any device, such as a personal computer (PC), laptop computer, or portable media player (PMP) may also be implemented as the broadcast receiving apparatus200, provided that the device receives a broadcast signal from outside, displays the same, and operates according to the user's instruction received from the remote controller apparatus100.

The remote controller apparatus100may transmit at least one control instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus200to the broadcast receiving apparatus200and receive status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus in response.

Further, if an instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received from the user, the remote controller apparatus100may generate a macro instruction based on control instructions received until the time at which the instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received.

In particular, the remote controller apparatus100may generate a macro instruction by combining control instructions received for a preset amount of time in advance of the time at which the user inputs the instruction relating to setting macro functionality.

Further, the remote controller apparatus100may generate a macro instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus200based on the status information received from the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

Further, the remote controller apparatus100may control at least one of channel, volume, input source, sound mode, screen aspect ratio and screen brightness by transmitting control instructions included in the macro instruction to the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

In another exemplary embodiment, the remote controller apparatus100may set macro functionality without requiring user's separate initial instruction, and the macro functionality which is set may be optimized to the broadcast receiving apparatus200. In particular, the remote controller apparatus may generate a macro by combining control instructions received for a preset amount of time before the time at which instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received, and based on the status of the broadcast receiving apparatus.

FIG. 2Ais a block diagram which illustrates a construction of a remote controller apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 2A, the remote controller apparatus100may include a user interface unit110, a control unit120, and a storage unit130.

The user interface unit110may sequentially receive at least one control instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus.

In particular, the user interface unit110may include a plurality of function keys with which the user may set or select various functions supported by the broadcast receiving apparatus. The user interface unit110may be implemented, for example, in a form such as a keypad which is capable of enabling both input and output, or in a combined form such as a keypad combined with a display. More particularly, the user interface unit110may display a user interface (UI) window to help the user to set macro functionality via a touchpad or a display, and a search macro.

The storage unit130operates to store one or more macro instructions.

In particular, the storage unit130may include a temporary storage area for temporarily storing a control instruction received via the user interface unit110, and an automatic storage area for providing redundant storage of the control instruction stored at the temporary storage area.

The storage unit130may be implemented as, for example, one or more of a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory such as a Flash memory, an Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM (EEPROM), and a Hard Disk Drive (HDD).

The control unit120may control the respective components of the remote controller apparatus100, and the control unit120may also control the overall operation of the remote controller apparatus100.

In particular, if the instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received via the user interface unit110, the control unit120may generate a macro instruction based on the one or more control instructions received thus far (i.e., received until the time at which an instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received).

More particularly, the control unit120may generate a macro instruction by combining the one or more control instructions received for a preset amount of time before the time at which the instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received. Accordingly, among the control instructions received via the user interface unit110, it is possible to generate a macro instruction based on the control instructions that are received within a predetermined amount of time before the instruction relating to setting the macro functionality is received.

Further, if the instruction relating to setting the macro functionality is received after the preset amount of time and within a preset standby time, it is possible to generate a macro instruction by combining the one or more control instructions received within the standby time. The control unit120may cause the generated macro instruction to be stored by the storage unit130, or initialize the temporary storage area by deleting the control instructions stored at the temporary storage area.

By way of example, if a sequence of control instructions such as “channel down”, “volume up”, “channel up”, “channel up” is received within a predetermined amount of time via the user interface unit110, the control unit120causes the received sequence of control instructions to be stored at the temporary storage area of the storage unit130.

Further, if an instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received within a preset standby time after the receipt of the last control instruction, the control unit120may cause the storage unit130to store the sequence of control instructions such as, for example, “channel down”, “volume up”, “channel up”, “channel up” which is received within a preset amount of time before the receipt of the instruction relating to setting macro functionality. Then, the control unit120may delete the control instructions such as “channel down”, “volume up”, “channel up”, “channel up” from the storage unit130, thereby initializing the temporary storage area.

As used herein, the “standby time” and “time unit” that includes a control instruction relating to generating a macro instruction may be set by the user.

Further, the control unit may generate a macro instruction by combining the one or more control instructions which is received within a preset amount of time from the receipt of the last control instruction, rather than combining the at least one control instruction that is received before the receipt of an instruction relating to setting macro functionality.

By way of example, since the receipt of the last control instruction (e.g., “channel up”), a macro instruction may be generated based on the control instructions received before the receipt of “channel up” for a preset amount of time (e.g., “volume up”, “channel up”, “channel up”).

Further, if an instruction relating to setting macro functionality is not received within a preset standby time after elapse of the preset amount of time, the control unit120may cause the at least one control instruction stored at the temporary storage area to be stored at the automatic storage area and initialize the temporary storage area.

In particular, in the example described above, the control unit120may cause the control instruction sequence “channel down”, “volume up”, “channel up”, “channel up” presently stored at the temporary storage area to be stored at the automatic storage area, and then delete the control instructions stored at the temporary storage area to thereby initialize the temporary storage area.

If the control instruction patterns stored at the automatic storage area include at least one control instruction pattern that repeats more than a preset number of times, the control unit120may control the user interface unit110to display a recommend screen to recommend setting the repeating control instruction pattern as a macro functionality.

In the above example, because the control instruction pattern of “number button 1 (to set channel)” combined with “number button 1 (to set channel)” repeats at least two times, the control unit120may display a user interface window on the user interface unit110to recommend setting “number button 1 (to set channel)”, “number button 1 (to set channel)” as a macro functionality.

As used herein, the “preset number of times” may be set by the user.

In the example described above, a user interface window used for providing a recommendation relating to macro functionality is displayed on the user interface unit110of the remote controller apparatus100, for illustrative example. However, other examples are possible. In particular, the remote controller apparatus100may send out a control instruction to the broadcast receiving apparatus200relating to displaying the user interface window in order to provide a recommendation relating to macro functionality through a display unit of the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

FIG. 2Bis a block diagram which illustrates a detailed construction of a remote controller apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 2B, the remote controller apparatus100may include a user interface unit110, a control unit120, a storage unit130, and an interface unit140. In describing an exemplary embodiment with reference toFIG. 2B, the like elements with the same reference numerals as those ofFIG. 2Awill not be described in detail for the sake of brevity.

The interface unit140may transfer at least one control instruction received via the user interface unit110to the broadcast receiving apparatus200, and receive status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus200based on at least one control instruction. As used herein, the “status information” may include at least one of: channel status, volume status, input source status, sound mode status, screen aspect ratio status, and screen brightness status of the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

The status information may be encoded at the broadcast receiving apparatus200before being transmitted to the interface unit140.

The interface unit140with the functions described above may include an infrared (IR) transmitting unit (not illustrated) to transmit one of IR codes related to the broadcast receiving apparatus200, i.e., to transmit at least one IR code that corresponds to the user's control instruction to the broadcast receiving apparatus200, and an IR receiving unit (not illustrated) to receive status information transmitted from the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

Alternatively, the interface unit140may transmit at least one control instruction by bi-directional wireless communication with the broadcast receiving apparatus200, and receive status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus200based on the at least one control instruction. As used herein, a type of the “bi-directional wireless communication” may include, for example, BlueTooth (BT) communication, Radio Frequency (RF) communication, Wireless Fidelity (WI-FI) communication, High Definition Multimedia Interface—Consumer Electronics Control (HDMI-CEC) communication, or Wireless HDMI-CEC communication.

The control unit120may cause the status information to be stored by the storage unit130, and upon receipt of an instruction relating to setting macro functionality, generate a macro instruction to control the broadcast receiving apparatus200based on the status information and then cause the generated macro instruction to be stored by the storage unit130.

By way of example, channel status information indicating a channel status of the broadcast receiving apparatus200as “channel11” may be received at the interface unit140and stored at the storage unit130. Upon receipt of an instruction relating to setting macro functionality, the control unit120may map an IR code to change the channel of the broadcast receiving apparatus200to “channel11” to a corresponding macro functionality.

In particular, the control unit120may use an IR code corresponding to number button 1 to set channel and an IR code corresponding to number button 1 to set channel, to thereby generate a macro instruction and cause the generated macro instruction to be stored by the storage unit130, so that the channel of the broadcast receiving apparatus200changes to “channel11” when the user subsequently executes the set macro functionality.

Further, the control unit120may update prestored status information based on the recently-received status information, and then cause the updated status information to be stored by the storage unit130.

In particular, if the control instructions are transmitted sequentially to the broadcast receiving apparatus200via the interface unit140so that the status information of the broadcast receiving apparatus200is sequentially received as a response, the control unit120may control so that the most recently received status information overwrites the previously-received status information, and only the most recently received status information is stored by the storage unit130.

The channel status information may overwrite the preceding channel status information so that only the most recently received channel status information is always stored by the storage unit130, and the volume status information may overwrite the preceding volume status information so that only the most recently received volume status information is always stored by the storage unit130. Accordingly, channel status information and volume status information may be managed separately.

Likewise, the input source status information, sound mode status information, screen aspect ratio status information and screen brightness status information may also overwrite the preceding corresponding information, respectively. Accordingly, only the most recently received input source status information, sound mode status information, screen aspect ratio status information and screen brightness status information may be stored by the storage unit130respectively.

In addition, the control unit120may control the interface unit140to transmit various control commands to the broadcast receiving apparatus200. For example, the control unit120may control the interface unit140to transmit a control command corresponding to a macro instruction stored in the storage unit130to the broadcast receiving apparatus200. Herein, the macro command may be a macro instruction which is generated based on a control command input during a predetermined time before a command to set a macro function is input or a macro instruction which is generated based on status information of the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

For example, suppose a case where channel status information that the channel status of the broadcast receiving apparatus200is “channel11” is received through the interface unit140and an IR code to change the channel of the broadcast receiving apparatus to “channel11” is stored in the storage unit130. In this case, if a user manipulation to execute the corresponding macro function is input through the user interface unit110, the control unit120may control the interface unit140to transmit the IR code which is mapped with the corresponding macro function and stored in the storage unit130, that is, the IR code to change the channel to “channel11” to the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

Further, the control unit120may control the user interface unit110to display a macro instruction corresponding to a preset condition, if a search instruction relating to the macro instructions stored by the storage unit130is received.

In particular, the user interface unit110may display a user interface window which enables a user to set day or time information at which the macro instruction is displayed, and the control unit120may control so that the corresponding macro instruction is displayed through the user interface unit110at a specific day or time, based on the day or time information received via the user interface window.

By way of example, if a user instruction sets that a specific macro instruction be displayed “every Wednesday” and “19:00˜20:00”, the control unit120may control so that the corresponding macro instruction is displayed on the user interface unit110only when the macro search instruction is received at a day and time that corresponds to “every Wednesday” and “19:00˜20:00”.

In another example, the control unit120may control the setting of macro functionality so that the time information at which the macro functionality is set is stored by the storage unit130in conjunction with the macro instruction.

In particular, without requiring a user's separate input relating to a time when the macro instruction is to be displayed, the control unit120may display the specific macro instruction at specific day or time based on the time information stored by the storage unit130.

By way of example, if a macro instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus200to set a channel to “channel11” and to set a volume to “volume16” is generated at “19:50, Monday”, the control unit120may cause the storage unit130to store the time information relating to “Monday” and “19:50” in conjunction with the respective IR codes corresponding to changing the channel and the volume of the broadcast receiving apparatus200to “channel11” and “volume16”.

Accordingly, the control unit120may control so that, if a macro search instruction is received at a day and time that correspond to “every Monday” and “19:00˜20:00”, a macro instruction corresponding to “channel11” and “volume16” is displayed on the user interface unit110.

Further, if an instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received, the control unit120may generate a macro instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus200by setting a status based on the status information, and automatically generate a macro title relating to the generated macro instruction based on a preset reference.

The control unit120may generate the macro title corresponding to the status information based on the Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus200. Accordingly, the interface unit140may receive the status information in conjunction with the EPG information from the broadcast receiving apparatus, and may also receive the EPG information from an external server (not illustrated).

The control unit120may generate the macro title corresponding to the channel status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus200based on the title of the program included in the EPG information.

By way of example, it is assumed that “channel11” to indicate the current channel status and EPG information are received from the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

In the above example, the control unit120may generate a macro instruction relating to changing the channel of the broadcast receiving apparatus120to “channel11” based on the instruction relating to setting macro functionality. If the title of the program currently being broadcast on “channel11” is “Star Wars”, the control unit120may automatically generate “Star Wars” as the macro title based on the macro instruction relating to changing the channel to “channel11”.

Further, if one of the control instructions included in the macro instruction is transmitted to the broadcast receiving apparatus200and the broadcast receiving apparatus200performs an operation based on the transmitted control instruction, the control unit120may transmit the next control instruction included in the macro instruction.

The macro instruction may include, for example, a channel tune instruction, and/or a volume adjustment instruction. In particular, if an instruction relating to tuning a channel is transmitted to the broadcast receiving apparatus200via the interface unit140, as a response, the channel status information is received from the broadcast receiving apparatus200. If the channel status information is received via the interface unit140, the control unit120may then transmit the instruction relating to adjusting a volume to the broadcast receiving apparatus200. Accordingly, it is possible to sequentially transmit the control instructions included in the macro instruction to the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

The channel tune instruction is first transmitted in the example described above for purpose of illustration. However, other examples are also possible. For example, a volume adjustment instruction may be sent first, and a channel tune instruction may be transmitted upon receiving volume status information from the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

Further, the channel tune instruction and the volume adjustment instruction are included in the macro instruction as an illustrative example. However, other examples are also possible. For example, an instruction relating to changing an input source, an instruction relating to changing a sound mode, an instruction relating to changing a screen aspect ratio, and an instruction relating to changing a screen brightness, among other types of instructions, may also be included in the macro instruction.

By way of example, it is assumed that the macro instruction includes an instruction relating to changing an input source to “HDMI port” and an instruction relating to changing the screen aspect ratio to “wide (16:9)”.

In the above example, as a corresponding macro instruction is selected, the instruction relating to changing an input source is transmitted to the broadcast receiving apparatus200via the interface unit140, and as a response, the input source status information is received from the broadcast receiving apparatus200. If the input source status information is received via the interface unit140, the control unit120may transmit the instruction relating to changing the screen aspect ratio to the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

The storage unit130may include a temporary storage area for temporarily storing status information received via the interface unit140and an automatic storage area for providing redundant storage of the status information stored at the temporary storage area.

Accordingly, if an instruction relating to setting macro functionality is not received within a preset standby time after the reception of the status information, the control unit120may cause the status information stored at the temporary storage area to be stored at the automatic storage area and initialize the temporary storage area.

Further, if the status information repeats at least a preset number of times in the status information stored at the automatic storage area, the control unit120may control the user interface unit110to display a recommendation screen to recommend the repeating status information as a macro functionality.

By way of example, it is assumed that status information sequence including “volume16”, “channel11”, “channel10”, “channel11”, “volume15”, “volume16” is stored at the automatic storage area.

In the above example, because each of “channel11” and “volume16” repeats at least two times, the control unit120may display the user interface window on the user interface unit110to recommend “channel11” and “volume16” as macro functionality.

The “preset number of times” may be set by the user.

In the example described above, a user interface window used for providing a recommendation relating to macro functionality is displayed on the user interface unit110of the remote controller apparatus100as an illustrative example. However, other examples are possible. In particular, the remote controller apparatus100may send out a control instruction to the broadcast receiving apparatus200to display the user interface window in order to provide a recommendation relating to a macro functionality via a display unit of the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

The macro instruction is generated to control the broadcast receiving apparatus200based on “channel11” and “volume16” as an illustrative example. However, other examples are also possible. Accordingly, one example includes setting a first macro instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus200based on “channel11” and a second macro instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus200based on “volume16” respectively.

FIG. 3Ais a block diagram which illustrates a construction of a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 3A, the broadcast receiving apparatus200may include an interface unit210and a control unit220.

The interface unit210may receive a control instruction from the remote controller apparatus100and send out the status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus200to the remote controller apparatus100. As used herein, the “status information” may include one or more of: channel status information, volume status information, input source status information, sound mode status information, screen aspect ratio status information, and screen brightness status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

The interface unit210with the functions described above may include an IR receiving unit (not illustrated) to receive an IR code corresponding to the control instruction transmitted from the remote controller apparatus100, and an IR transmitting unit (not illustrated) to transmit status information to the remote controller apparatus100.

Alternatively, the interface unit210may transmit at least one control instruction by bi-directional wireless communication with the remote controller apparatus100, and receive status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus200based on the at least one control instruction. As used herein, the type of “bi-directional wireless communication” may include, for example, BlueTooth (BT) communication, Radio Frequency (RF) communication, Wireless Fidelity (WI-FI) communication, High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI-CEC) communication, or Wireless HDMI-CEC communication.

The control unit220may control the respective components of the broadcast receiving apparatus200, and the control unit220may also control the overall operation of the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

The control unit220may particularly control the status of the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the at least one control instruction. In particular, based on the at least one control instruction received from the remote controller apparatus100, the control unit220may control so that the operations such as channel change, volume adjustment, input source change, sound mode change, screen aspect ratio change, and screen brightness change are performed.

Further, if a macro instruction is received from the remote controller apparatus100, the control unit220may change the status of the broadcast receiving apparatus200based on a plurality of control instructions included in the macro instruction.

As used herein, the macro instruction may include at least one of: an instruction relating to changing a channel, an instruction relating to adjusting a volume, an instruction relating to changing an input source, an instruction relating to changing a sound mode, an instruction relating to changing a screen aspect ratio, and an instruction relating to changing a screen brightness.

Accordingly, based on the macro received from the remote controller apparatus, the control unit220may control the operations of the broadcast receiving apparatus including channel change, volume adjustment, input source change, sound mode change, screen aspect ratio change, or screen brightness change.

Further, the control unit220may encode the status information before transmitting the same to the remote controller apparatus100.

In particular, the control unit220may encode the status information using the encoded key pre-defined with the remote controller apparatus100before sending the same to the remote controller apparatus100. By way of example, encoding such as Rivest Shamir Adleman (RSA) encoding may be implemented.

By way of example, it is assumed that the broadcast receiving apparatus200receives a password “ABCD” from the remote controller apparatus100, in order to log in to a specific website using the internet.

Accordingly, as the user receives “ABCD” as a password from the remote controller apparatus100and sends the same to the broadcast receiving apparatus200, the control unit220generates an encoded value (e.g., RFCV) based on the received password “ABCD”. Then, the control unit220controls the interface unit210to transfer the encoded value “RFCV” to the remote controller apparatus100as the status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus200.

Next, the remote controller apparatus100may store the encoded value “RFCV” or decrypt the encoded value using the same encoded key as that used by the broadcast receiving apparatus and store “ABCD”. Then, as an instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received from the user, the remote controller apparatus100may map the IR code corresponding to “ABCD” to the corresponding macro functionality and cause the same to be stored by the storage unit.

In one exemplary embodiment, the macro title may be set as “password RFCV input” or “password input”. Accordingly, an information leak to a third party is prevented, because even when the third party executes an instruction relating to searching a macro via the remote controller apparatus100, only “password RFCV input” or “password input” appears on the user interface window.

FIG. 3Bis a block diagram which illustrates a detailed construction of a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 3B, the broadcast receiving apparatus200may include an interface unit210, a control unit220, a receiving unit230, a signal separating unit240, an audio/video (A/V) processing unit250, and a display unit260. In the following description of the exemplary embodiment with reference toFIG. 3B, the like elements with the same reference numerals as those ofFIG. 3Awill not be described in detail for the sake of brevity.

The receiving unit230receives a broadcast from a broadcasting station or satellite by wired or wireless communication. In particular, the receiving unit230may be implemented as at least one tuner. Depending on system specifications, the receiving unit230may include a plurality of tuners in order to concurrently receive broadcast signals from a plurality of channels.

The signal separating unit240separates the broadcast signal into a video signal, an audio signal, and a broadcast information signal. The signal separating unit240then transmits the video and audio signals to the A/V processing unit250, and transmits the broadcast information signal to the interface unit210and the control unit220.

The A/V processing unit250performs signal processing with respect to the audio and video signals received from the signal separating unit240, such as, for example, video decoding, video scaling, and/or audio decoding. Further, the A/V processing unit250outputs the video signal to the display unit260and outputs the audio signal to the audio output unit (not illustrated).

The display unit260displays the video signal received from the A/V processing unit250on the display, or outputs the video signal to an external apparatus (e.g., an external display) connected via an external output terminal.

The audio output unit (not illustrated) outputs audio included in the audio signal received from the A/V processing unit250through a speaker, or outputs the audio signal to an external apparatus (e.g., an external speaker) connected via external output terminal.

Further, the broadcast receiving apparatus200may additionally include a connecting unit (not illustrated) to connect the broadcast receiving apparatus200to a communication network such as, for example, the Internet, or to an external server, or a graphical user interface (GUI) generating unit (not illustrated) to generate a GUI to be displayed on the screen, and then to add the generated GUI to the video signal outputted from the A/V processing unit250.

FIGS. 4A to 4Dare views illustrating examples of receiving status information from a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 4A, it is assumed that “channel9” is currently displayed on the broadcast receiving apparatus310.

Referring toFIG. 4B, if “channel up” is transferred to the broadcast receiving apparatus320via the remote controller apparatus400, the channel of the broadcast receiving apparatus320changes to “channel10”. Accordingly, the broadcast receiving apparatus320transmits the status information, i.e., current channel status as “channel10”, to the remote controller apparatus400, and the remote controller apparatus400stores the corresponding channel status information.

Referring toFIG. 4C, if “channel up” is transmitted to the broadcast receiving apparatus330via the remote controller apparatus400, the channel of the broadcast receiving apparatus330changes to “channel11”. Accordingly, the broadcast receiving apparatus330transmits the status information, i.e., current channel status as “channel11”, to the remote controller apparatus400, and the remote controller apparatus400stores the corresponding channel status information.

The remote controller apparatus400may update the pre-stored channel information with the recently received channel information and store the result. In particular, the remote controller apparatus400may overwrite “channel10”, the previously-stored channel status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus, with “channel11” and store the result.

Referring toFIG. 4D, if “volume up” is transmitted to the broadcast receiving apparatus330via the remote controller apparatus400, the volume of the broadcast receiving apparatus330changes to “volume16”. Accordingly, the broadcast receiving apparatus330transmits the status information, i.e., current volume status as “volume16”, to the remote controller apparatus400, and the remote controller apparatus400stores the corresponding volume status information.

As a result, the remote controller apparatus400stores the current channel and volume status information of the broadcast receiving apparatus as “channel11” and “volume16”.

FIGS. 5A to 5Gare views illustrating a method for setting macro functionality based on the status information stored in advance, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 5A, if a specific button (e.g., set macro key410) provided on the remote controller apparatus400is activated, a user interface window430, including a message relating to confirming a setting of a macro, appears on the user interface unit of the remote controller apparatus400.

If the user chooses “Yes”, referring toFIG. 5B, the user interface window440relating to setting a macro title appears on the user interface unit. The macro title may include, for example, prestored status information (e.g., 1. CH. 11, Vol. 16), or a program title (e.g., 2. weekend show). Alternatively, the user may directly input a macro title via the user interface window450(referring also toFIG. 5C) by selecting “3. User set” displayed on the user interface window440. For example, if “User set” is selected the remote controller apparatus100may receive a macro title through a key pad formed on the remote controller apparatus100, and the control unit120may receive a user manipulation to set a macro title by displaying a virtual keyboard through the user interface unit110.

As described above, the user may set the macro title by selecting one of “1. CH 11, Vol 16”, “2. Weekend Show”, “3. User set”.

If the macro title is completely set, referring toFIG. 5D, the user interface window460relating to setting a macro activation time may appear. As used herein, the “macro activation time” may indicate a specific day or time at which the stored macro instruction is displayed.

The user may set the macro activation time by selecting one of “1. Always”, or “2. User set” on the user interface window460. As used herein, “1. Always” may indicate that the macro instruction is activated upon receipt of the control instruction relating to powering on the broadcast receiving apparatus.

If “2. User set” is selected, referring toFIG. 5E, the user interface window470relating to setting the macro activation time may appear. Referring toFIG. 5E, the user may set the specific day and time to activate the macro instruction at “every Saturday” and “18:00˜19:00”. However, the above is provided only as an illustrative example, and the macro activation time may be set at any one of various time scales. Meanwhile, the remote controller apparatus100may receive a macro activation time through a keyboard formed on the remote controller apparatus100, and the control unit120may receive a user manipulation to set a macro activation time by displaying a virtual keyboard through the user interface unit110.

If setting the macro activation time is completed, referring toFIG. 5F, the user interface window480relating to inquiring as to whether a setting of the macro is completed or not. If the user selects “Yes”, setting of the macro functionality is completed.

If the setting of the macro functionality is completed, the user may activate a predetermined button (e.g., search macro key420) provided on the remote controller apparatus400to confirm a prestored macro instruction relating to the remote controller apparatus400.

In the examples described above with respect toFIGS. 5A to 5F, it is assumed that the user sets “Weekend show” as the macro title to thus generate macro instruction2, and that macro instruction1is prestored before macro instruction2is generated.

Accordingly, referring toFIG. 5G, “1. CH 9, Vol 20” and “2. Weekend Show” are stored at the remote controller apparatus as the macro instructions and displayed as user interface window490. It is also assumed that the title of the macro instruction “1. CH 9, Vol 20” is determined based on the status information, and the title of the macro instruction “2. Weekend Show” is determined based on the title of the program.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bare views which illustrate a method for controlling a broadcast receiving apparatus by using stored macro instructions, according to an exemplary embodiment.

If the user activates a predetermined button (e.g., macro search key) provided on the remote controller apparatus400, prestored macro instructions included in the remote controller apparatus400are displayed on the user interface unit.

By way of example, referring toFIG. 6A, based on the macro search instruction received from the user, prestored macro instructions, i.e., “1. CH 9, Vol 20”, “2. Weekend Show” are displayed on the user interface window610.

Then, if the user selects “1. CH 9, Vol 20”, the remote controller apparatus may transmit a control instruction to control the channel and volume status of the broadcast receiving apparatus510to “CH 9, Vol 20”. Accordingly, referring toFIG. 6A, the channel of the broadcast receiving apparatus510changes to “Ch 9” and the volume changes to “vol 20”.

The control instruction relating to controlling the channel and volume status of the broadcast receiving apparatus received from the remote controller apparatus will be described below with reference toFIG. 6B.

First, in order to change the channel status to “CH 9”, an IR code corresponding to number button 9 to set channel may be transmitted.

Further, in order to change the volume status to “Vol 20”, the remote controller apparatus transmits either a “volume up” or a “volume down” instruction to the broadcast receiving apparatus520. As a response, the remote controller apparatus610receives the volume status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus520.

By way of example, if the volume status information received from the broadcast receiving apparatus520is “Vol 17”, the remote controller apparatus610sequentially sends out a “volume up” instruction three times, to thus change the volume status of the broadcast receiving apparatus to “Vol 20”.

FIG. 7is a flowchart which illustrates a method for remote controlling a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

A control method used by a remote controller apparatus for controlling a broadcast receiving apparatus will be described below with reference toFIG. 7.

First, at operation S710, at least one control instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus is inputted and received in sequence.

At operation S720, an inquiry is made in order to confirm whether the instruction relating to setting the macro functionality has been inputted or not.

If it is confirmed that the instruction relating to setting the macro functionality has been inputted, then at operation S730, a macro instruction is generated based on the control instructions which have been received until the receipt of the instruction relating to setting the macro functionality.

At operation S740, the macro instruction generated at operation S730is stored.

It is possible to transmit at least one control instruction to the broadcast receiving apparatus and receive the status information of the broadcast receiving apparatus based on at least one control instruction. Accordingly, at operation S730, relating to generating a macro instruction, the status information is stored, and upon receipt of an instruction relating to setting macro functionality, a macro instruction may be generated to control the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the stored status information.

As used herein, the “status information” may include at least one of: channel status and volume status of the broadcast receiving apparatus.

Further, it is possible to update the prestored status information based on the recently received status information, and then store the updated status information.

If an instruction relating to searching the stored macro instruction is received, it is possible to display the stored macro instruction that corresponds to the preset conditions.

Further, at operation S730relating to generating the macro instruction, if an instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received, it is possible to generate a macro instruction relating to controlling the broadcast receiving apparatus based on the status information, and then to automatically generate the macro title for the generated macro instruction based on preset conditions.

In the above example, at operation S730relating to generating the macro instruction, it is possible to generate the macro title corresponding to the status information based on the EPG information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus.

The macro instruction herein may include at least one of: a channel tune instruction and a volume adjustment instruction. If one of the control instructions included in the macro instruction is transmitted to the broadcast receiving apparatus and the broadcast receiving apparatus performs the operation based on the received control instruction, the next control instructions included in the macro instruction can also be transmitted.

The status information described herein may include encoded information.

Further, the remote controller apparatus may include a storage unit having a temporary storage area for temporarily storing the received status information, and an automatic storage area for providing redundant storage of the stored status information. Accordingly, the remote controller apparatus may automatically cause the stored status information being stored at the temporary storage area to be stored at the automatic storage area and initialize the temporary storage area, if an instruction relating to setting macro functionality is not received during a preset standby time after the reception of the status information.

Further, among the status information stored at the automatic storage area, if there is status information that repeats at least a predetermined number of times, a recommend screen may appear to recommend that the repeating status information be set as the macro functionality.

Further, at operation S730relating to generating a macro instruction, it is possible to combine control instructions that are received within a preset amount of time until the time at which the instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received, to thereby generate the macro instruction.

Further, the remote controller apparatus may include a storage unit which includes a temporary storage area for temporarily storing the received at least one control instruction, and an automatic storage area for providing redundant storage of the stored at least one control instruction being stored at the temporary storage area. Accordingly, at operation S730relating to generating a macro instruction, if an instruction relating to setting macro functionality is received within a preset standby time after elapse of the preset amount of time, the one or more control instructions that are received within the preset amount of time may be combined to thereby generate the macro instruction, and, if an instruction relating to setting macro functionality is not received within a preset standby time after elapse of the preset amount of time, the at least one control instruction stored at the temporary storage area may be stored at the automatic storage area and the temporary storage area may be initialized.

Further, if the control instruction patterns stored at the automatic storage area include at least one repeating control instruction pattern which repeats at least for a preset number of times, a recommend screen may appear to recommend that the repeating control instruction pattern be set as macro functionality.

FIG. 8is a flowchart which illustrates a control method used by a broadcast receiving apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 8, in one exemplary embodiment, at operation S810, a control instruction is received from the remote controller apparatus, and status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus which is controlled based on the control instruction is transmitted to the remote controller apparatus.

At operation S820, if a macro instruction is received from the remote controller apparatus, the status of the broadcast receiving apparatus may change based on a plurality of control instructions included in the macro instruction.

The status information herein may include at least one of: channel status information and volume status information relating to the broadcast receiving apparatus.

In an exemplary embodiment, a program to execute a control method for controlling the remote controller apparatus and the broadcast receiving apparatus may be recorded on a storage medium, i.e., on computer-readable recording medium. As used herein, the computer-readable recording medium may include any or all kinds of recording devices that store data to be read out by a computer system. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include: read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), compact disk-read-only memory (CD-ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, or the like, and the computer-readable recording medium may be distributed over a computer system connected via network to store and execute codes to be read out by the computer in a distributive manner.