Abstract:
A remote control system has a remote control device equipped with a handling sensor (e.g., motion sensor) that detects when a user first picks up or otherwise handles the handset before actuating the keys. The handling sensor generates a signal that is automatically transmitted to the controlled device without requiring any user input. The signal is received at a controlled device and initiates a startup phase. In this manner, the startup phase is well underway before the user actually presses a key on the remote control device. Upon conclusion of the startup phase, the user may enter commands using the keys.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to remote control devices and electronic units controlled by the remote control devices. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Remote control handsets are used to control many different types of electronic units, including televisions, stereos, computers, video cameras, and video cassette recorders (VCRs). Conventional remote control handsets are battery powered devices with buttons that activate various operations in the controlled units. For example, a remote control (RC) handset for a television might include a power button, channel up and channel down buttons, volume buttons, and a numeric keypad. 
     When a user depresses a button, the RC handset emits a signal to the controlled unit to cause an action associated with the depressed button. RC handsets are typically implemented with an infrared (IR) transmitter that transmits the command signal using IR communication. The controlled unit has an IR receiver to receive the command signal generated by the RC handset. 
     The IR signal emitted from the handset is directional. With an IR-based RC handset, the user must first orient the handset so that the IR transmitter is facing the IR receiver on the controlled unit. Once the device is properly oriented, the user can press a desired button to initiate a desired action at the controlled unit. 
     With conventional systems, the controlled unit takes no action until the RC handset is oriented properly and a button is depressed. However, in many cases, the initial action desired by a user is the same, such as initially turning on the controlled device. 
     As electronic devices evolve and become more sophisticated, there are more activities that take place during the initial use of the controlled device. For instance, set-top boxes for televisions are being equipped with hard drives that require spin up during startup procedures (similar to a PC). Televisions and/or set-top boxes are being equipped with browser software and other technologies that go through a startup phase when first powered up. These electronics units, along with modem VCRs, are equipped with software to orchestrate a graphical user interface on the television screen that provides an on-screen menu to guide the user through various tasks and functions. 
     The startup activities associated with hard drives, software, and on-screen menus take time and may cause a delay to the user who is waiting to begin controlling the device. For example, after the user has oriented the RC handset and pressed the “Power” button to turn on the device, the controlled device may cycle through a startup period that requires the user to wait before further commands can be input. 
     It would be desirable to devise RC-centric systems that minimize the startup time prior to controlling the controlled unit using the conventional buttons on the RC handset. 
     SUMMARY 
     This invention concerns an remote control system that minimizes delay between the time a user picks up the RC device and the time when the controlled unit is ready to receive user-input commands. 
     The RC device is equipped with a handling sensor that detects when a user first picks up or otherwise handles the handset, without actually pressing a button or other input mechanism. The handling sensor is preferably implemented as a motion sensor that generates a signal when motion is detected. Alternatively, the handling sensor may be a proximity or touch sensor that generates a signal when the user contacts the handset, such as in those areas other than the buttons or input mechanism. 
     The signal generated by the handling sensor is automatically transmitted to the controlled device without requiring any user-input via the buttons on the RC device. The signal is received at the controlled device, which is on or in a sleep mode with minimal services that enables reception of the remote control signal. The signal is used to initiate the startup phase of the controlled device. In this manner, the startup phase is well underway before the user actually locates and presses a button on the RC device. Upon conclusion of the startup phase, the user may enter commands using the buttons. 
     The duration and activities in the startup phase vary widely from device to device. In some controlled devices, the startup phase may be very simple, such as waking up the electronics and powering on the device. Alternatively, in other controlled devices, the startup phase may involve initiating an operating system, spinning up a hard drive, or presenting an initial user interface menu. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a remote control system having a remote control and multiple controlled devices. 
     FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the remote control and an exemplary controlled device. 
     FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating steps in a method for operating the controlled device as a result of handling the remote control. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1 shows a remote control (RC) system  20  having a remote control device  22  coupled to remotely control various controlled devices. In this illustration, the RC device  22  is configured to control one or multiple different devices, including a television  24 , a set-top box  26 , a VCR  28 , a video camera  30 , a stereo  32 , a computer  34 , and other types of electronic appliances  36 . 
     The remote control  22  has multiple input keys or buttons  38  mounted on the upper surface of the encasing. The remote control  22  may include generic buttons that are used to control concurrently many different devices and/or dedicated buttons directed to a particular function of the controlled device (e.g., channel up/down buttons for TV, shuttle control buttons for the VCR, etc.). The remote control may be constructed in many different forms, including the conventional handset shown in the figure as well as keyboards, keypads, pens, wands, and so forth. In addition to buttons, other input mechanism may be used, such as a multi-actuatable disk, a touch pad, a joy stick, a spin dial, and so forth. 
     The remote control  22  communicates with the controlled devices  24 - 36  via a wireless link, such as an IR (infrared) link or an RF (radio frequency) link. In the described implementation, both IR and RF communication are employed to offer enhanced functionality. However, only one communication technique may be used to simplify construction and reduce cost. 
     Exemplary System 
     FIG. 2 shows internal components of the remote control system  20  according to one exemplary implementation. The remote control  22  has a key detector  40  to sense when a key  38  is depressed or otherwise actuated by the user. The remote control  22  also has an IR transmitter  42  to transmit IR signals, an RF transmitter  44  to transmit RF signals, and a battery  46  to supply power to the components. When a button is depressed, the key detector  40  senses the actuation and generates a command signal. The key detector  40  passes the command signal to the IR transmitter  42  or RF transmitter  44  to transmit the command signal to the controlled device  60 . 
     The remote control  22  is further equipped with a handling sensor  50  to detect when the user handles the handset. The handling sensor  50  is preferably implemented as a motion sensor that detects movement of the handset. The motion sensor is of the type to detect movement along multiple degrees of freedom. Examples of a suitable motion sensor include a small accelerometer and a three-axis mercury tilt switch. Alternatively, the handling sensor  50  may be implemented as a proximity or touch sensor that generates a signal when the user grasps or otherwise contacts the handset, even without physically depressing a key. 
     The handling sensor  50  is coupled to the IR and RF transmitters  42  and  44 . When handling is detected, the handling sensor  50  generates a WAKE command that is transmitted via one or both transmitters to the controlled device. The WAKE command instructs the controlled device to begin its startup phase. 
     The controlled device  60  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  62  and memory  64 . In this implementation, the memory  64  includes a Read Only Memory (ROM)  66 , a Random Access Memory (RAM)  68 , and storage  70  (e.g., hard drive, removable magnetic disks, optical disks, and the like). The controlled device  60  has an IR interface  72  to receive IR signals transmitted by remote control  22  and an RF interface  74  to receive RF signals from the remote control  22 . 
     The controlled device  60  runs an operating system  76 , which is shown stored in storage  70  and executable on the CPU  62 . This arrangement is suitable for controlled devices that have persistent storage media (e.g., hard disk drive), such as a computer and new generations of set-top boxes. Alternatively, the operating system may be stored in ROM  66  (as indicated by the dashed box) for execution on the CPU  62 . This alternative arrangement is appropriate for controlled devices without such storage, such as televisions, set-top boxes, and so forth. ROM  66  may be a programmable ROM (PROM) or any form of erasable PROM (EPROM) or Flash memory. 
     It is further noted that the controlled device may be embodied without an operating system at all, as is the case with conventional VCRs and video cameras. 
     ROM  66  stores program code  80  for implementing a startup phase of the controlled device. The program code  80  is shown separately for discussion purposes, but may be incorporated into the operating system (if one is present). The startup program code  80  is initiated upon receipt of a WAKE command from the remote control  22 . The program code  80  performs initial tasks, such as powering up the device  60 , spinning up a hard drive (if present), starting the operating system, and invoking a start menu that may be displayed as a UI (user interface). 
     Operation 
     FIG. 3 shows steps in a method for operating the controlled device as a result of handling the remote control  22 . The steps are performed by specific hardware components that contain hardwired logic for performing the steps or by any combination of programmed components and custom hardware components. 
     At step  100 , the remote control  22  monitors for any handling on the part of the user. This handling may be manifest as motion or physical contact. When a handling event occurs, the remote control  22  detects it, even though the user has not yet depressed a key  38  (step  102 ). 
     In the case of motion, it is noted that the remote control may detect motion even though the user has not touched the remote control or intend to use it. For instance, the surface supporting the device is moved, transferring the motion to the device. As another example, the remote control is accidentally bumped and falls to the floor. In these situations, the user may not be interested in using the device. To avoid over detection, the motion sensor may be implemented with filters to remove sudden, instantaneous motion (e.g., shock received when bumped) or with accelerometers to recognize and filter out conditions approximating free fall acceleration. 
     In addition, the motion sensor may be configured to time out after a preset period of time. The time out period is selected to encompass normal use of the remote control, without extending to cover prolonged motion resulting from external vibrations, such as may be encountered when the remote control is set on a surface that experiences motion or vibration. The time out period helps conserve battery power. 
     When a handling event is detected, the remote control automatically generates a WAKE command (step  104 ). This command is then transmitted to the controlled device using the RF transmitter  44  (step  106 ). RF transmission has the advantage in that it is not directional. The remote control need not be oriented in a particular fashion to ensure communication. Thus, the WAKE command can be transmitted at the earliest possible moment when the user begins handling the remote control. 
     The controlled device receives the WAKE command at the RF I/F  74  (step  108 ). In response to the WAKE command, the startup program code  80  is invoked and executed on the CPU  62 . The startup code  80  initially determines whether the controlled device is already awake and operating (step  110 ). If it is, the process completes. Otherwise, the startup code  80  initiates startup procedures (step  112 ). As noted above, these procedures can be essentially any tasks that the controlled device may wish to perform to ready itself for user input. Examples of startup procedures include powering up the device, spinning up a hard drive, starting the operating system, and invoking a start menu that may be displayed as a UI. 
     The operation defined in steps  100  to  112  may be all that is performed for a given controlled device. In cases where the controlled device can present a visible or audio menu (e.g., television, computer, VCR, set-top box, etc.), the operation may continue with steps  114 - 120  to provide additional automatic functionality for the user. 
     In this latter case, the user continues to handle the remote control  22  and, through habit, orients the remote control  22  appropriately toward the controlled device to enable IR communication. At this point, the remote control  22  generates (perhaps repeatedly) a MENU command (step  114 ). The MENU command is transmitted to the controlled device using the IR transmitter  42  (step  116 ). IR transmission is now available since the RC unit is pointed toward the controlled device. 
     The controlled device receives the MENU command at the IR I/F  72  (step  118 ). In response to the MENU command, the startup program code  80  (or OS  76  or other executing program) is called to present a start menu (step  120 ). The start menu may be configured in essentially any fashion to present a set of options for initiating operation of the controlled device. 
     It is noted that the MENU and WAKE commands may be essentially the same signal output by the handling sensor, but are distinguishable by the controlled device because they are carried by different communication links. That is, the WAKE command is broadcast using RF transmission and the MENU command (albeit the same or similar in signal content to the WAKE command) is transmitted using IR transmission. 
     Although the invention has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or steps described. Rather, the specific features and steps are disclosed as preferred forms of implementing the claimed invention.