DOWNLOADING CONTROL DATA INTO A BROADCAST RECEIVER

Abstract: Methods and arrangements are disclosed for transferring control data, such as channel numbers, picture and sound settings, from an external control data storage unit into a broadcast receiver (TV, VCR, radio, audio tuner, etc.) or vice versa. The data storage unit is a small handheld device having a male plug (e.g. SCART) so that it can be directly plugged into the receiver's female plug. Power is supplied to the data storage unit by the receiver via the plug. The invention is particulary applicable for use in e.g. hotels where a large number of television receivers is to be installed or updated regularly. It takes only seconds to install or update a television receiver.

Description: Downloading control data into a broadcast receiver. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method of transferring control data defining the settings of a broadcast receiver from an external control data storage unit which is connectable to said receiver via a connector, into a control data memory of said receiver. The invention also relates to a method of transferring said control data from the receiver's control data memory into the external control data storage unit. The invention further relates to a broadcast receiver (such as a television receiver, a video recorder, a radio receiver, an audio tuner) and a control data storage unit. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Broadcast receivers comprise a tuner which is often based on the principle of frequency synthesis. The receiver is tuned to a desired broadcast station by applying certain tuning data (such as a channel number or RF frequency) to the tuner. Fortunately, the user neither needs to know nor enter the relevant channel number or frequency. The tuning data of receivable television or radio stations is stored in predetermined locations of a tuning memory. The user only needs to define the memory location in which the relevant channel number is stored. This is usually done by entering a one or two-digit program number, or by selecting a name from a list of transmitter names displayed on the screen. The same applies to control data defining default settings of the receiver, such as brightness, volume, etc. The tuning data memory is once to be loaded with adequate tuning data in a programming or installation operation. Said installation is at least to be carried out after installing the television or radio equipment, but is also to be repeated when a new station can be received or when the set is moved to a different location or connected to a different cable network. Installing a television or radio set is a cumbersome and annoying activity. European Patent Application EP-A 0 243 740 discloses a method of transferring tuning data from the tuning memory of a television apparatus to the tuning memory of a videorecorder which is connected to the television receiver via a SCART connector. The prior-art method discloses transfer of tuning data (e.g. channel numbers of receivable television stations) only. The method is attractive in domestic applications where an additional device having a tuner is and remains connected to an already available receiver. OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a method of quickly and easily programming a large number of broadcast receivers installed or to be installed in, for example, all rooms in hotels, bungalow parks, etc. In accordance with the invention, the method is characterized by supplying power from said receiver to the external data storage unit via said connector. It is thereby achieved that the external data storage unit can be provided with a memory of a type which does not need power to maintain stored data. Power is supplied only when the unit is connected to the receiver for the purpose of installing or updating. Similarly to the above "downloading" process, the method of transferring control data from receiver to storage unit is characterized by supplying power from said receiver to said data storage unit via said connector. An "uploading" facility is thereby created, which allows a person (e.g. a hotel attendant) to update the settings of one television receiver manually and transfer the result to the external control data storage unit. The control data can be subsequently downloaded into all the television receivers in a hotel. Preferably, the connector of the external data storage unit is fixedly connected to the housing of the data storate unit, the connector being of a type mating with the connector of the broadcast receiver. The unit can thus be implemented as a small handheld unit which can be directly plugged into the receiver. The expression control data is to be interpreted in a broader sense than tuning data defining channel numbers or RF frequencies as disclosed in the prior art. The term control data is also understood to mean data defining default settings for user-operable settings such as brightness, contrast, saturation, volume, balance, menu language selection, etc. The European Norm En 50 049-1 "Domestic And Similar Electronic Equipment Interconnection Requirements: Peritelevision Connector" specifies the SCART connector for television sets. The standard does not provide contacts for supplying power to a connected device. Thus, one of the contacts is chosen for supplying power to the data storage unit which is normally connected to ground. In order to avoid damage to external devices other than the data storage unit, an embodiment of the method is characterized by supplying power to said data storage unit during the period of data transfer only. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. l shows a diagram of a television receiver and a data storage unit connected thereto for carrying the method according to the invention into effect, Fig.2 shows a perspective view of the data storage unit shown in Fig. l. Fig.3 shows a flow chart of a control program executed by a control circuit shown in Fig. l. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS The invention will now be described by way of an example of tuning data transfer in the field of television. As will be appreciated, other types of control data such as data defining various default picture and sound settings can be transferred simultaneously. Fig. l shows a diagram of a television receiver 100 and an external data storage unit 200 connected thereto. The television receiver comprises conventional circuits such as antenna 101, tuner 102, video processing circuit 103, display screen 104, power supply 105, infrared remote control receiver 106, and infrared remote control transmitter 107. The receiver further comprises a control unit 108 in the form of a microprocessor (μP) and a non-volatile tuning data memory 109. The various circuits of the television receiver are controlled by the μP via a two-wire communication bus 110, generally referred to as I 2 C bus comprising a clock signal wire SCL and a data signal wire SDA. The television receiver is tuned to a desired television station by entering a program number (e.g. 1 for RAI Uno) on remote control transmitter 107. In response thereto, the μP addresses a tuning memory location corresponding to the program number, reads the channel number stored in said location, and applies said channel number to the tuner 102. The television receiver further comprises a female SCART connector 111 for sending and receiving audio and video signals (not shown) to and from an external device. The SCART connector is well-known in the art. The television receiver further comprises a switch 112 having two positions controlled by a signal TR generated by the μP. In the position shown, the ΫC signals SDA and SCL and a power supply voltage V are passed on to respective pins 10, 12 and 14 of SCART connector 111. A fourth pin 18 of the plug is connected to ground. In the other position (not shown) of switch 112, pins 10 and 12 of the SCART plug are not connected, whereas pin 14 is connected to ground. In this position, the pinning of SCART plug 111 fulfils the requirements prescribed by European Norm En 50 049-1. As is shown in Fig. l, an external tuning data storage unit 200 is connected to television receiver 100. The unit comprises a male version of a SCART plug 201 which mates with female SCART connector 111. A perspective view of the data storage unit is shown in Fig.2. The unit further comprises a tuning data memory 202 of a type which maintains stored data without requiring a power supply voltage. An example thereof is integrated circuit ST2404 of the company SGS-Thomson. It has a storage capacity of 512 bytes which suffices for storing the tuning data of 120 television stations. The memory has an I 2 C interface. The respective SDA and SCL pins are connected to pins 10 and 12 of SCART plug 201, respectively. The memory further needs a power supply voltage for the purpose of reading and writing. The power supply pin and ground pin are connected to pins 14 and 18 of SCART plug 201, respectively. Thus, in the shown position of switch 112, external memory 202 is connected to power supply 105, and the μP can write into and read from said memory. The operation of the system shown in Fig.1 is defined by a control program which is carried out by microprocessor 108 and is stored in a program memory (not shown) of said μP. The control program which is relevant to the invention will now be described with reference to a flow chart shown in Fig.3. The program will be executed in response to a user-operable command received from the remote control transmitter or from a local keyboard (not shown in Fig. l). In an initial step 30 of the control program, the μP generates the signal TR in such a way that switch 112 assumes the position which is shown in Fig. l . In a step 31, the μP checks whether the external tuning data storage unit is connected to the television. This step comprises, for example, reading a predetermined location of the external memory and checking whether a defined bit pattern is stored therein. If the tuning data storage unit is not connected, an appropriate message is displayed (step 32) and switch 112 is set to the other position (step 33). If the external tuning data storage unit is connected, an on-screen message is displayed in a step 34, inviting the user to indicate whether lie wants to transfer tuning data from data storage unit 200 to television receiver 100 (downloading) or vice versa (uploading). As will be appreciated, the facility of uploading enables a hotel attendant to update the tuning memory of one television receiver manually, transfer the result to the external data storage unit, and download the data subsequently into all the television receivers in the hotel. If downloading is selected, a step 35 is executed in which the tuning data stored in locations of external memory 202 is copied into corresponding locations of internal memory 109 via the I 2 C bus. If uploading is selected, a step 36 is executed in which the tuning data stored in locations of internal memory 109 is copied into corresponding locations of internal memory 202. The control program then executes the step 33 in which the transfer signal TR is deactivated. Accordingly, switch 112 assumes the position in which power is no longer being supplied to the data storage unit. It is to be noted that use of the method according to the invention is not restricted to TV sets. Videorecorders and multimedia PCs having a television tuner can be installed and updated in this manner as well. The invention may also be applied to radio receivers, if provided with an adequate connector. In summary, methods and arrangements are disclosed for transferring control data, such as channel numbers, picture and sound settings, from an external control data storage unit into a broadcast receiver (TV, VCR, radio, audio tuner, etc.) or vice versa. The data storage unit is a small handheld device having a male plug (e.g. SCART) so that it can be directly plugged into the receiver's female plug. Power is supplied to the data storage unit by the receiver via the plug. The invention is particularly applicable for use in e.g. hotels where a large number of television receivers is to be installed or updated regularly. It takes only seconds to install or update a television receiver.

Claims: Claims 1. A method of transferring control data defining the settings of a broadcast receiver from an external control data storage unit which is connectable to said receiver via a connector, into a control data memory of said receiver, characterized by supplying power from said receiver to said data storage unit via said connector. 2. A method of transferring control data defining the settings of a broadcast receiver from a control data memory of said receiver into an external control data storage unit which is connectable to said receiver via a connector, characterized by supplying power from said receiver to said data storage unit via said connector. 3. A method as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by supplying power to said data storage unit during the period of data transfer only. 4. A method as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the broadcast receiver is a television receiver comprising a SCART connector. 5. A broadcast receiver, comprising a power supply and a control circuit coupled to a control data memory for storing control data defining the settings of said receiver and further coupled to a connector for receiving control data from an external control data storage unit, characterized in that the broadcast receiver is adapted to supply power to said data storage unit via said connector. 6. A broadcast receiver, comprising a power supply and a control circuit coupled to a control data memory for storing control data defining settings of said receiver and further coupled to a connector for transmitting control data to an external control data storage unit, characterized in that the broadcast receiver is adapted to supply power to said data storage unit via said connector. 7. A broadcast receiver as claimed in Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the receiver comprises switching means under the control of said control unit for selectively supplying power to said data storage unit during the period of data transfer only. 8. A broadcast receiver as claimed in Claim 5, 6 or 7, which is a television receiver comprising a SCART connector. 9. A control data storage unit, comprising a memory for storing control data defining settings of a broadcast receiver and adapted to transmit said control data to a broadcast receiver via a connector, characterized in that the control data storage unit is arranged to receive a power voltage from said receiver via said connector. 10. A control data storage unit, comprising a memory for storing control data defining settings of a broadcast receiver and adapted to receive said control data from a broadcast receiver via a connector, characterized in that the control data storage unit is arranged to receive a power voltage from said receiver via said connector. 11. A control data storage unit, comprising a memory for storing control data defining settings of a broadcast receiver and adapted to transfer said control data to a broadcast receiver, or conversely, via a connector, characterized in that the connector is fixedly connected to the housing of the data storage unit, the connector being of a type mating with the connector of the broadcast receiver. 12. A control data storage unit as claimed in Claim 9, 10 or 11 , wherein the connector is a SCART connector.

Inventors: BEZZA MAURIZIO, BEZZA, MAURIZIO
Applicants: PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV, PHILIPS NORDEN AB, PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: H04N5
IPC codes: H03J1, H04N5