Abstract:
An apparatus includes a memory, a communications buss coupled to the memory and a processor. The processor is coupled to the communications bus and the processor is programmed to: receive a user command signal, the user command signal is initiated by a user of a television set; pass the user command signal to an external control unit (ECU); receive a television command signal from the ECU in response to the user command signal; translate the television command signal into an IM TV protocol command, wherein a translation protocol is selected for the ECU from n possible translation protocols which are stored in the memory; and transmit the IM TV protocol command to the television.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates generally to commercial televisions, and more specifically to translating protocols for commercial television command data within a commercial television. 
         [0003]    2. Art Background 
         [0004]    Televisions that are used in commercial settings such as in hotels, restaurants, stores, etc. typically communicate with a set-top box, also known as an external control unit (ECU). Such televisions are referred to as commercial televisions or hospitality televisions. A set-top box can provide various functions related to the delivery of content to the television, i.e., video on demand (VOD), etc. For example, the set-top box can serve as the gate keeper of content to the television. In many commercial television deployments, such as many modern hotels, without set-top boxes, the televisions would not be able to receive content for display to guests. 
         [0005]    The set-top box communicates with the television according to a predefined protocol. The protocol is used to establish a data format for commands and other communication needs between a set-top box and a television. Protocols vary between both commercial television set manufactures and among set-top box manufactures. There is no standard in the industry. Thus, if a hotel installs a particular set-top box in its hotel rooms, the hotel must use televisions that are designed to communicate with the particular set-top box. If a television is not designed for use with the particular set-top box then it will not interface properly to the hotel&#39;s content distribution system. This situation can lead to limited market choices when hotel management looks for replacement televisions or replacement set-top boxes. The situation can cause a hotel to pay more than is reasonably necessary for hardware because of the lack of communications standard between televisions and set-top boxes. This can present a problem. 
         [0006]    Commercial television deployments can consist of hundreds of televisions within a hotel&#39;s content distribution network. Such networks can evolve over time with new wings being added subsequent to older wings, different set-top boxes can exist in such a network requiring specific televisions to be configured with an appropriate set-top box. Such requirements can complicate the hotel&#39;s network and can increase operating costs for the hotel because of the lack of flexibility between set-top boxes and televisions. This can present a problem. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The invention may best be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrate embodiments of the invention. The invention is illustrated by way of example in the embodiments and is not limited in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1A  illustrates protocol conversion, according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  illustrates two protocols for command data, according to an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a system for issuing commands to a universal television, according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  illustrates a television capable of use within a distribution network employing a general number of n command data protocols, according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a command data protocol translation block, according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a system for protocol translation, according to embodiments of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  illustrates a process for protocol translation, according to embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of skill in the art to practice the invention. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0016]    Apparatuses and methods are described for a universal television that accomplishes protocol translation and communication with any set-top box. 
         [0017]    As used in this detailed description of embodiments, the terms television, commercial television, and hospitality TV are used interchangeably. Also, the terms set-top box and external control unit (ECU) are used interchangeably. No limitation is implied by the use of one term in place of the other. In various examples used herein, reference is made to a deployment of televisions within a hotel. No limitation is implied by such an example set in the context of a hotel. Embodiments of the invention can be used in any setting where an ECU and television are connected. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1A  illustrates, generally at  100 , command data protocol translation according to embodiments of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 1A , a universal television (IM TV) is indicated at  102 . Resident within the universal television  102  is a protocol translation module  104 , a television tuner  112 , and a television data display  114 . A general number of n command data protocols is represented by protocol  106 ,  108 , through  110 . The universal television  102  can respond to any one of n different protocols by configuration of protocol translation module  104 . 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the protocol translation module  104  is set to receive command data according to protocol  1  at  106 . A set-top box, not shown but described below, sends command data according to protocol  1  at  106  and is received by the protocol translation module  104 . The protocol translation module  104  translates the command data sent according to protocol  1  to command data defined by IM TV protocol to the IM TV tuner at  112 . The IM TV tuner responds to the IM TV command as appropriate with corresponding response to the television display at  114  if necessary. Thus, the universal television  102  can be used with any set-top box utilizing any one of n command data protocols. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1B  illustrates, generally at  150 , two protocols for command data according to an embodiment of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 1B , table  152  contains 16 different commands, such as: “Power On,” “Power Off,” Volume level,” . . . “Cable Input.” In one embodiment, the protocol translation module  104  ( FIG. 1A ) performs translations between protocol X and the IM TV protocol by translating Data X    1  to Data IMTV    1  when the command for “Power On” is received. A corresponding translation is performed for each of the other commands indicated in rows  2  through  16  of table  152 . The translation module command suite can be expanded or updated for a given protocol. Expansion is accomplished by adding a command, for example the command z( 1 ) indicated at row z. Under protocol X, the data representation of command z( 1 ) is indicated at z( 2 ) and under the IM TV protocol the data representation of command z( 1 ) is indicated by z( 3 ). Thus, if command z( 1 ) were received by the protocol translation module  104  ( FIG. 1A ) the translation would produce command data z( 3 ) which would perform a function associated with command z( 1 ). 
         [0021]      FIG. 1C  illustrates, generally at  160 , a system for issuing commands to a universal television according to embodiments of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 1C , the universal television  102  is connected to an external control unit (ECU)  162 . ECU  162  is designed to operate communicate with a television via protocol  1  for command data. The protocol translation module  104  is set to translation protocol  1  to the IMTV protocol for command data. 
         [0022]    In operation, a user of the universal television uses a remote control indicated at  168 , to send a command  170  to the universal television  102 , such as a command to Power On. The universal television  102  passes the command through to the ECU  162 . ECU  162  then sends the command using protocol  1  to the universal television  102 . The command from ECU  162  is received by the universal television  102  via interface  164  or  168  depending on the standards used, for the ECU communication, i.e., 5 volt TTL, or 12 volt RS 232. Other interface standards can be used and embodiments of the invention are not limited thereby. When the universal television is commanded by the ECU in the scenario described above; this is referred to as external control mode. 
         [0023]    The remote control  168  can utilize what is known in the art as an IR control, which is an abbreviation for “infrared.” Infrared indicates a segment of the electromagnetic spectrum and does not limit embodiments of the invention. An IR control is used in this description as a non-limiting example. Embodiments of the invention can be used with other remote controls using other segments of the electromagnetic spectrum or acoustic spectrum, or such controls can be hard wired. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the system of  FIG. 1C  could be for example, a command to power on the universal television with X=1 the command data “Data 1    1 ” from  FIG. 1B  row  1  is translated into “Data IMTV    1 ,” from  FIG. 1B  by protocol translation module  104  ( FIG. 1C ). 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates, generally at  200 , a universal television capable of use within a distribution network employing a general number of n command data protocols, according to embodiments of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 2 , a master television head end system (MATV) is indicated at  202 . MATV  202  can be a source of Internet Protocol Television, it can also be a source from digital satellite head ends such as Ku band, provided by for example DirecTV and Dish Network, and or feeds from commercial cable companies. Such sources are provided by way of example and do not limit embodiments of the invention. Embodiments of the invention can be used with sources for the distribution of television content yet to be developed. 
         [0026]    MATV  202  could be, for example, a source for a hotel&#39;s content distribution network, a source for a gym, a school, an office complex, etc. The example that follows, uses language set in a hotel setting, however no limitation is implied thereby and the hotel example is merely used to illustrate the diversity of the universal television. 
         [0027]    MATV  202  feeds a distribution system  204 . Distribution system  204  feeds at  206  a guest room indicated at  208 . Guest room  208  has a set-top box  210 . Set-top box  210  is connected at  214   a  and/or  214   b  to a universal television  212 . Set-top box  210  utilizes command data protocol  1  and a protocol translation module  216  within universal television  212  is set to translate command data protocol  1  into command data under IM TV protocol as described above in conjunction with the previous figures. A hotel guest can use a remote control  218  to send a command  220  to make the universal television perform a function. As described above, universal television  212  passes the command  220  through to the set-top box  210 . Set-top box  210  sends the command to the universal television  212  which is then translated at  216  resulting in the universal television  212  performing the desired function. Note that there can be a general number of guest rooms  208  that utilize set-top boxes which employ protocol  1  for command data. One room at  208  was used to prevent undue complexity with  FIG. 2 . 
         [0028]    In the example hotel of  FIG. 2 , distribution system  204  provides a feed  226  to a guest room  228 . Guest room  228  has a set-top box  230  utilizing protocol  2 . As with guest room  208 , there can be any number of guest rooms having set-top boxes configured with protocol  2 , one room  228  is used to prevent undue complexity within  FIG. 2 . 
         [0029]    Guest room  228  has a set-top box  230 . Set-top box  230  is connected at  234   a  and/or  234   b  to a universal television  232 . Set-top box  230  utilizes command data protocol  2  and a protocol translation module  236  within universal television  232  is set to translate command data protocol  2  into command data under IM TV protocol as described above in conjunction with the previous figures. A hotel guest can use a remote control  238  to send a command  240  to make the universal television perform a function. As described above, universal television  232  passes the command  240  through to the set-top box  230 . Set-top box  230  sends the command to the universal television  232  which is then translated at  236  resulting in the universal television  232  performing the desired function. 
         [0030]    In the example hotel of  FIG. 2 , distribution system  204  provides a feed  226  to a general number of guest rooms at  248 . Guest room  228  has a set-top box  230  utilizing protocol m. As with guest room  208 , there can be any number of guest rooms having set-top boxes configured with protocol m, one room  248  is used to prevent undue complexity within  FIG. 2 . 
         [0031]    Guest room  248  has a set-top box  250 . Set-top box  250  is connected at  254   a  and/or  254   b  to a universal television  252 . Set-top box  250  utilizes command data protocol m and a protocol translation module  256  within universal television  252  is set to translate command data protocol m into command data under IM TV protocol as described above in conjunction with the previous figures. A hotel guest can use a remote control  238  to send a command  260  to make the universal television perform a function. As described above, universal television  252  passes the command  260  through to the set-top box  250 . Set-top box  250  sends the command to the universal television  252  which is then translated at  256  resulting in the universal television  252  performing the desired function. 
         [0032]    In the example of  FIG. 2 , the universal televisions  212 ,  232 , and  252  are the same universal television, even though each is being commanded by a different ECU operating with a different command data protocol. Thus, in this example of a hotel, the same universal television can be used to interface with n different set-top boxes. This functionality enables a hotel to save money by retaining its legacy set-top boxes and televisions, while having choices for new purchases that span a range of set-top boxes since the universal television is not limited to a particular set-top box. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates, generally at  300 , a command data protocol translation block according to embodiments of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 3 , one embodiment of a protocol translation module is shown in more detail at  300 . A main processor  302   a  has a memory  302   b , the processor  302   a  is connected to a buss  304 . Buss  304  has connected thereto communication ports such as  310  utilizing RS232, and  308  utilizing RJ12.  308  is used to pass through the command received from a television remote control to an external control unit (ECU), such as infrared (IR) control commands from a handheld remote control operated by a user of the television.  306  is used to specify a particular command protocol that will be received from a particular ECU (set-top box) and provides an input for processor  302   a .  306  can be in various embodiments, data read from a file, a bit setting, a dip switch setting, etc. Processor  302   a  can be an NEC quad-core Cortex processor, etc. Embodiments of the invention are not limited by the processor used to perform the functions described herein and the NEC model given herein is merely an example of one of many processors which can be used within embodiments of the invention. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  illustrates, generally at  400 , a system for protocol translation according to embodiments of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 4 , a system begins with a protocol “X” being specified from one of a general number of n protocols at a block  404 . At a block  406 , a translation schema is identified for use based on the specification of protocol “X” from the block  404 . A user generates a television command at  408 . The command can be generated using a handheld remote control supplied by the set-top box manufacturer. The universal television passes the command through to the set-top box at a block  410 . At a block  412  a protocol translation module in a universal television receives the command from the set-top box. The command is then translated into IM TV protocol and the IM TV command is sent to the universal television for execution. In some embodiments, a set-top box will utilize the IM TV command protocol. One non-limiting example of a set-top box that uses the IM TV command protocol is the set-top box from Enseo. Some non-limiting examples of set-top boxes that have protocols that require translation are the NXTV set top box, and the VDA protocol. Many other television command data protocols can be used within the embodiments described herein; no limitation is implied by the specific protocols listed. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  illustrates, generally at  500 , a process for protocol translation according to embodiments of the invention. With reference to  FIG. 5 , the process beings at a block  502 . At a block  504 , the universal television receives and passes through a user&#39;s television command (generally created by remote control) to an external control unit (ECU) connected to the television. At a block  506  the ECU receives the pass through command signal from the universal television and sends a command (utilizing protocol X) to the protocol translation module of the universal television. At a block  508  the protocol translation module converts the command received under protocol X to an IM TV command utilizing IM TV protocol. At a block  510  the IM TV command is sent to the universal television. 
         [0036]    When a universal television is disconnected from the external control unit, the universal television goes into standalone mode. This occurs when the universal television has not received messages from the ECU within a preset period of time. While in standalone mode the universal television&#39;s protocol translation module continues to try to establish communication with the ECU. When communications between the universal television and the ECU are reestablished the protocol translation module goes back to external control mode. 
         [0037]    For purposes of discussing and understanding the embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that various terms are used by those knowledgeable in the art to describe techniques and approaches. Furthermore, in the description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0038]    As used in this description, “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or similar phrases means that the feature(s) being described are included in at least one embodiment of the invention. References to “one embodiment” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment; however, neither are such embodiments mutually exclusive. Nor does “one embodiment” imply that there is but a single embodiment of the invention. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in “one embodiment” may also be included in other embodiments. Thus, the invention may include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein. 
         [0039]    While the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, those of skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.