Abstract:
A signal distribution apparatus having a learning feature for recognizing a remote control device code associated with a particular signal source and coupling the associated signal source to an output in response to receipt of the device code. The remote control device code may be transmitted using a universal remote control device or a dedicated remote control device associated with the particular signal source. The present invention allows a user to couple a plurality of signal sources and a display device, such as a television set, to the present signal distribution apparatus and thereafter couple a selected one of the signal sources to the display device using the universal remote control device or the dedicated remote control device. The learning feature obviates the need for a dedicated remote control for the signal distribution device.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/095,334, filed Aug. 4, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for distributing signals from a plurality of signal sources to an output device, and more particularly, to an apparatus and a method for coupling a selected one of a plurality of signal sources to a video display device in response to a remote control code associated with the selected signal source. 
     2. Related Art 
     Modern television sets often include a plurality of input connections to accept a variety of signal formats from various signal sources. One such format is the S-VHS format which splits a video signal into a luminance component (“Y”) and a chrominance component (“C”) to provide an overall higher video resolution display. In recent years many video devices that use the S-VHS format have become available, including, VCRs, camcorders, digital satellite receivers, and Digital Video Disc (“DVD”) players 
     However, most television sets usually include a limited number of S-VHS input connections, usually one or two. The limited number of S-VHS input connections can be an annoying problem for a user who has a plurality of devices that provide S-VHS formatted signals. When the user wants to switch from one S-VHS source to another, the user may be required to manually ensure that the desired S-VHS source is connected to an S-VHS connection. In the case of a single S-VHS connection, the user may be required to manually disconnect any currently connected S-VHS source and connect the desired S-VHS source. As video input connections are often located on the back of a television set, having to connect and disconnect the various S-VHS signal sources to the S-VHS connections each time the user wishes to change S-VHS signal sources can be time consuming and burdensome. 
     One solution to the above-described problem is connecting the various S-VHS signal sources to the television set through a switching device. Such a switching device comprises a plurality of inputs, each input being coupled to a S-VHS signal source, and an output coupled to the S-VHS input connection on the television set. The user can then select the desired S-VHS source by controlling the switching device. Such a device offers the ease of connecting the S-VHS signal sources to a central device, which device can be controlled to select the S-VHS signal source to be coupled to the television set. 
     However, currently available S-VHS switching devices only allow the user to select the desired S-VHS signal source either by manually operating a set of switches disposed on the switching device or by using a dedicated remote control device associated with the switch device. A disadvantage of the dedicated remote control solution is that the dedicated remote control device will control only the S-VHS switching device, but not the S-VHS signal sources or the television set. This solution may be undesirable in terms of increasing remote control clutter because such a solution adds yet another remote control device that the user must learn to use and keep track of 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus for allowing a user to select one of a plurality of S-VHS signal sources to be coupled to a display device by operating a universal remote control device or a remote control device associated with the selected S-VHS signal source. Using a universal remote control device or a remote control device associated with the desired S-VHS signal source to control a signal distribution, or switching, apparatus obviates the above-noted problem. 
     The object is accomplished by providing a signal switching apparatus that is capable of leaning remote control codes and thereafter responding to remote control codes associated with the various S-VHS signal sources. The remote control codes may be transmitted from a universal remote control device that allows a user to select one of a plurality of signal source devices or a dedicated remote control device associated with a particular S-VHS signal source. The remote control codes are transmitted in the form of IR signals, or similarly suitable signal transmission methods. In an exemplary embodiment, the signal switching apparatus stores the designated remote control codes, and thereafter compares a detected remote control signals with the stored remote control codes. The apparatus couples a desired signal source to a video display device when the user presses a device key associated with the desired signal source on the universal remote control device or a POWER/ON button on a dedicated remote control device associated with the desired signal source. 
     In particular, the present invention provides a signal distribution apparatus comprising: a switching arrangement, coupled to a plurality of signal sources and an output, for selectively coupling one of the signal sources to the output; a signal receiver for receiving remote control codes; a memory for storing a plurality of remote control codes associated with ones of the plurality of signal sources; a controller for controlling the switching arrangement in response to a received remote control code, the controller comparing the received remote control code with the remote control codes stored in memory to associate a signal source with the received remote control code, the controller controlling the switching arrangement to couple the associated signal source with the output. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a signal distribution apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 2A-B are schematic diagrams of an exemplary embodiment of a signal distribution apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 3A-B are schematic diagrams of an alternative embodiment of a signal distribution apparatus in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the steps for utilizing the code learning feature of the present signal distribution apparatus; 
     FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating steps for selecting a particular signal source utilizing the present signal distribution apparatus; and 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a faceplate of a signal distribution device according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of signal distribution apparatus  20  in accordance with the present invention. Signal distribution apparatus  20  comprises a plurality of signal input connections  22 ,  24 ,  26  and  28  for receiving signals from various signal sources. In the illustrated embodiment, signal inputs  22 - 28  are adapted to receive S-VHS video signals. However, signal inputs  22 - 28  may be adapted to receive any one of a plurality of video and/or audio signal formats as desired. An output signal is provided via signal output connection  38 . 
     A desired one of signal inputs  22 - 28  is coupled to signal output  38  by multiplexer/demultiplexer  36 . The operation of multiplexer/demultiplexer  36  is controlled by micro-controller  30  as described further below. The various remote control signals for controlling the operation of apparatus  20  is received via IR module  32 , which detects the IR remote control signals and provides a demodulated remote control signal. Micro-controller  30  receives the demodulated remote control signal from IR module  32  and provides control signals to multiplexer/demultiplexer  36 . Power to apparatus  20  is provided through POWER in connection  34 . 
     The various components of apparatus  20  are housed in an enclosure having face plate  100  illustrated in FIG.  6 . Various buttons and indicators disposed on faceplate  100  allow the user to utilize the code learning function and select the desired signal source. Faceplate  100  includes POWER button  101 , LEARN button  109 , and a plurality of device buttons  103 - 108 , wherein each device button is associated with a particular input connection. The input connections, and associated device buttons  103 - 108 , may be designated for a specific type of signal source, i.e., VCR, DVD player. Each of the buttons  101 , and  103 - 109  have an associated LED that indicates the status of apparatus  20 . A user can manually cause apparatus  20  to couple a particular signal source to signal output  38  by pressing the desired device button on face plate  100 . Operation of the learning function is described further below. Faceplate  100  also includes IR receiver  102  for detecting IR signals. 
     The components of apparatus  20  are further described with reference to FIGS. 2A-B. As shown in FIG. 2A, apparatus  20  comprises power supply  50 , which provides regulated DC voltage for apparatus  20 . Apparatus  20  includes switches S 1 -S 8 , wherein each switch corresponds to a respective button on faceplate  100 . Apparatus  20  also includes a plurality of LEDs D 1 -D 7 , which appear on faceplate  100  and indicate the operating state of apparatus  20 . The various LEDs indicate whether apparatus  20  is in the Learn Mode, which signal source is coupled to signal output  38 , and whether apparatus  29  is turned ON. 
     IR module  32  detects IR remote control signals and provides a demodulated device code. IR module  32  filters out the carrier and leaves the device code. The construction and operation of an IR module for detecting IR remote control signals and providing a demodulated device code is known to those skilled in the art and any one of a plurality of conventionally available IR modules may be used, including, but not limited to, GP 1 U 78 QG manufactured by Sharp Corporation. 
     The outputs of switches S 1 -S 8  and IR module  32  are provided to micro-controller  30 , which controls the operation of multiplexer/demultiplexer  36 . Micro-controller  30  is programmed to cause multiplexer/demultiplexer  36  to couple a particular input connection to output  38  in response to user operation of a device button  103 - 108  or receipt of a remote control signal as described below. The construction and operation of a micro-controller  30  that can be programmed to provide such functions is known to those skilled in the art, and any one of a plurality of conventionally available micro-controllers may be used, including, but not limited to, Z86LXX series manufactured by Zilog Corporation. 
     The output of micro-controller  30  is provided to multiplexer/demultiplexer  36  via lines C, B, A, and ENA Multiplexer/demultiplexer  36  comprises a set of ICs suitable for switching the input connection coupled to output  38  in response to the control signals from micro-controller  30 . Suitable multiplexer/demultiplexers include, but are not limited, to HCF4051BE manufactured by SGS Thomson. 
     Multiplexer/demultiplexer  36  receives signals from the various signal sources via input section  54  and provides the output to output  38  through amplifiers  52  and  53 . Input section  54  and amplifiers  52  and  53  provide the necessary impedance matching and amplification functions. FIGS. 3A-B illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present signal distribution apparatus wherein the corresponding components perform substantially the same functions as the components described above. 
     The operation of apparatus  20  is as follows. First, apparatus  20  is configured to respond to a POWER/ON signal from a dedicated remote control device associated with the signal source or a device code specifying a particular device from a universal remote control device. To place apparatus  20  in the learn mode, a user presses LEARN button  109  until the associated LED turns ON. Once in the code learn mode, the user selects the source device to be learned by pressing a desired one of device buttons  103 - 108 . When the desired device button is pressed, the associated LED turns ON indicating that apparatus  20  is waiting to receive a remote control device signal. The user then presses the POWER/ON button on the dedicated remote control device of the source device or the desired device button on the universal remote control device. Upon valid receipt of the transmitted remote control device code, micro-controller  30  compares the received device code with the device code stored in memory for the selected device type. If the received device code is different from that stored in memory, apparatus  20  stores the received device code in a designated memory location associated with the device. Apparatus  20  acknowledges the valid receipt, identification and storage of the device code by turning OFF the LED associated with the device. This process may be repeated as necessary to teach apparatus  20  to recognize the remote control signals associated with the other signal sources. 
     When the learning operation is completed, the user presses LEARN button  109  again until the associated LED turns OFF to place apparatus  20  back into the monitoring mode. During the monitoring mode, apparatus  20  couples S-VHS video signal from one of the signal sources to the output device and waits for selection of another signal source from one of buttons  103 - 108  or remote control device codes that correspond to the remote control device code stored in the designated memory locations during the learn mode. When a device code is received, micro-controller  30  compares the received code with the device code stored in the designated memory locations to determine whether the received device code corresponds to the POWER/ON code from a dedicated remote control device or the device code from a universal remote control device stored in memory. If so, micro-controller  30  causes multiplexer/demultiplexer  36  to couple the input connection associated with the desired device with output  38 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the steps for utilizing the learning function to teach signal distribution apparatus  20  to respond to a POWER/ON code or a device code from a universal remote control device. A user places apparatus  20  in Learn Mode  60  by pressing LEARN button  109 . When LEARN button  109  has been pressed for a sufficient amount of time, an LED associated with LEARN button  109  turns ON to indicate that signal distribution apparatus  20  is in the learn mode. In step  64 , the user presses one of the device buttons  103 - 108  to specify the type of device. The associated device LED turns ON and apparatus  20  waits for a valid remote control code. If an appropriate remote control code is not received within 15 seconds after entering the learn mode, as determined in step  66 , apparatus  20  goes out of the learn mode and returns to the monitoring mode in step  65 . If an appropriate remote control code is received within 15 seconds, the associated device LED turns OFF, and apparatus  20  compares the captured remote control code with a designated device code stored in memory. If the received device code is different, apparatus  20  stores the received remote control device code in memory in step  68 . For example, if the VCR button on a universal remote control, or a POWER/ON button on a dedicated VCR remote control is pressed, the VCR LED on signal distribution apparatus  20  turns OFF to indicate that signal distribution apparatus  20  has recognized and stored the VCR associated remote control code. 
     If it is desired to learn another device code, as determined in step  70 , the user returns to step  64  to repeat the process of pressing the desired buttons and confirming that the desired code have been captured. If it is not desired to learn another device code, the user presses the LEARN button in step  72  to return apparatus  20  to the demodulation/monitoring mode. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the steps for selecting a particular signal source using signal distribution apparatus  20 . In step  81 , IR demodulation mode is entered, wherein apparatus  20  waits for a remote control signal. In step  82 , an IR remote control signal is detected by IR module  32 . In step  84 , apparatus  20  stores the demodulated remote control device code into temporary memory. In step  86 , apparatus  20  determines whether the received device code matches any of the device codes stored in memory. If so, apparatus  20  couples the input connection associated with the matched remote control code to the output in step  88 . If not, apparatus  20  returns to step  82 . For example, if the VCR button on a universal remote control device, or a POWER/ON button on a VCR remote control device is pressed, apparatus  20  couples the input connection associated with the VCR with output connection  38 . 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that although the present invention has been described in terms of an exemplary embodiment, modifications and changes may be made to the disclosed embodiment without departing from the essence of the invention. For example, apparatus  20  may be adapted to respond to RF signals as well as IR signals. Also, apparatus  20  may be adapted to respond to remote control codes other than POWERION codes from the dedicated remote control devices. Also, the remote control codes may be represented in analog form. Further, the input connections may be adapted to receive A/V signals. 
     It is herein recognized that the present learning feature may be implemented using any one of a number of conventionally known methods, or combination of methods, for controlling the various elements of apparatus  20  described above, for example by using embedded software in micro-controller  30 . Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is intended to cover all modifications as would fall within the true scope and spirit of the present invention.