Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to multi-media systems including television interactive services and, more particularly, to the control of interconnected multi-media systems via macros. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     What are known as multi-media systems include many types of audio/video (AN) devices such as televisions, DVDs, VCRs, multi-media terminals (set-top boxes or the like), receivers, and the like. These A/V devices can be both digital and analog. These systems are usually coupled to one another generally through a multi-media terminal. New A/V devices may be added from time to time. As a result, the owner or viewer is confronted with a variety of complex and often different controlling functions. 
     In view of this complex array of devices, there is a need to simplify the task of controlling the devices. One method for control is known as the macro. A macro is a sequence of instructions or commands that is usually invoked with a single key or instruction. User-defined macros allow the user to define the sequence of instructions or commands to be performed such as are common in computer programs such as word processing programs. A macro key is a programmable key that enables the viewer to perform a predefined sequence of commands with one key. 
     The problem, however, with current user-defined macros is that they pertain to a single device with a computer as well being defined as a single device. What is therefore needed is a way to control the many devices of a multi-media system via a single audio/video or multi-media device or terminal. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a system and method for controlling or programming multiple audio/video or multi-media devices that are in communication with at least one common audio/video device. 
     In one form, the present invention provides an addressing system for coupled audio/video (A/V) devices based on a master/slave relationship. Such addressing system reduces the amount of transmitted data between the devices. 
     According to one embodiment, each A/V device, in addition to its normal function, includes memory and processing capabilities necessary to implement code, transmit and receive data over a bus structure, and store various macro instructions. At least one of the A/V device includes macro keys for programming and running a macro which can control the operation of any of the coupled A/V devices. 
     Since the local command codes for the various A/V devices are different, the present invention provides an addressing scheme wherein dummy numbers or macro command numbers (MCNs) which are used to define every command in a macro, and messages or status words are exchanged on a bus between master and slave A/V devices. When a user first presses the macro key of one of the A/V devices, that A/V device becomes the master A/V device and sends a first macro command number (MCN) on the bus. Depending on which A/V device the user selects for programming, that A/V device becomes a slave A/V device and that A/V device accepts the MCN and sends an acknowledge message to the master A/V device via the bus. The master A/V device recognizes that a slave macro command has been selected by the user, and then generates the next MCN (dummy number) for the next macro command. This can be any A/V device. Upon completion of the steps, the macro key is again pressed. The master A/V device does not use the MCN for its own macro commands, but for the slave A/V devices. 
     In addition to other features, the present invention provides 1) that local device data is internally processed at high speed by the particular A/V device; 2) that no device addresses are required (which enables the easy addition of additional A/V devices); 3) each A/V device uses its own internal device command codes; and 4) that there is a reduced amount of external transferred data (which compensate for any slow data bus used). 
     In one form, a connected display device such as a television or monitor, can display the macro commands during programming and/or during the macro run. In this regard, the devices involved in the macro would send the text information about the macro command(s) to the monitor. Thus, every step of the chosen macro would appear on the display device. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiment(s) of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of an exemplary group of coupled audio/video devices; 
     FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of a definition of a status word in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a data memory configuration utilized by each A/V device in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the steps performed by a master A/V device in the macro programming mode in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the steps performed by a slave A/V device in the macro programming mode in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the steps performed by a master A/V device in the macro run mode in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the steps performed by a slave A/V device in the macro run mode in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 depicts exemplary status words in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 depicts exemplary contents of the various data memories of the master A/V device and slave A/V devices after exemplary programming in accordance with the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the multi-media terminal of FIG. 1 showing various internal components and connections to the various cables; and 
     FIGS. 11A, B, and C depict exemplary screen displays for on-screen macro programming. 
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplification set out herein illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, and such exemplification is not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and, more particularly to FIG. 1 there is shown a typical multi-media system or group  10  of various multi-media devices including multi-media terminal  12  (which can be a set-top box, a receiver, DSS receiver, other satellite receiver, or any similar type A/V device), digital video disk (DVD)  14 , video cassette recorder (VCR)  16 , television or monitor  18 , and telephone  20 . These devices are controllable via remote  21  solely, or in addition to front panel keys and/or buttons on the particular device. Of course, it should be understood that the particular devices or components depicted in FIG. 1 is only representative of the many devices that may be coupled in a multi-media system. 
     DVD  14  is coupled to multi-media terminal  12  via cable  22  which is representative of a communications bus and A/V input/output. VCR  16  is coupled to multi-media terminal  12  via cable  24  which is representative of a communications bus and A/V input/output. Television  18  is coupled to multimedia terminal  12  via cable  26  which is representative of a communications bus and A/V input/output. Telephone  20  is coupled to multi-media terminal  12  via cable  28  which is representative of a communications bus and A/V input/output. Additionally, telephone  20  is coupled via communications line  30  to communications jack  32  that is representative of being coupled to a usual communications medium. Multi-media terminal  12  also includes an internal modem coupled via modem line  34  to communications jack  32  which allows two-way communications to occur between multi-media terminal  12  and any type of outside device (not shown) such as a computer or the like. Additionally, multi-media terminal  12  includes input/output line  36  that accepts input from an antenna, satellite dish, cable company, or the like represented by jack  38 . Line  36  may also allow two-way communications to occur between a cable company or the like. 
     Cables  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  34 , and  36  allow bi-directional data transfer. Such types of data buses may be SCART,  1394 , or other which permits such bi-directional data transfer between multi-media terminal  12  and the various devices. 
     Multi-media terminal  12  includes macro key  40  in addition to other typical buttons, display devices, and the like. With additional reference to FIG. 10 macro key  40  is coupled internally to CPU  42  which is in turn coupled to memory  44  via communication line/bus  43 . Other typical internal components are not shown. Any or all multi-media devices may include a macro key and thus some type of processor and memory. At a minimum, each multi-media device includes memory and a processor to permit data receipt and transfer. While each device may not have a macro key, and thus may not function as a master device, each device does include the software necessary to implement the present invention. It is assumed that each device includes at a minimum, the memory and processing necessary to store and execute the necessary implementation software as well as the memory configured in the following manner. 
     With reference to FIG. 3 the structure of memory within a device is depicted. Memory  46 , which can be any type of memory, is divided into master data memory  48  and slave data memory  50 . When the device is a master device, master data memory  48  is utilized. When the device is a slave device, slave data memory  50  is utilized. Master data memory  48  is subdivided into a plurality of memory banks  52  with eight (8) such memory banks being shown. It should be understood that eight (8) memory banks is by way of example and not a limitation on the number of memory banks as there could be more or less memory banks. Every memory bank  52  contains a macro, such that with eight (8) memory banks, there can be a total of eight (8) macros that can be stored therein. Each memory bank  52  contains a 4 bit command counter such that there is a maximum of sixteen (16) commands per macro. Thus, each memory bank  52  is further subdivided into command sections  54  of which there are sixteen (16), the total number of command section  54  corresponding to the maximum number of commands per macro. Each command section  54  contains all of the data necessary for retrieving one macro command. 
     In particular, data area  56  contains an eight bit macro command number (MCN) designated A 7 , A 6 , A 5 , A 4 , A 3 , A 2 , A 1 , and A 0 . The most significant bits (MSB) A 7 , A 6 , A 5 , and A 4  are determined by the slave device, while the least significant bits (LSB) A 3 , A 2 , A 1 , and A 0  are determined by the master device. For safe data handling, the master device only determines the four least significant bits of the MCN while the active slave device only determines the most significant bits. The four (4) most significant bits and the four (4) least significant bits comprise the first byte of the two-byte (or sixteen bit) master status word (MSW). In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the MSW is the only data that appears on the bus during a macro. With additional reference to FIG. 2, a MSW  58  is depicted which shows the MCN bits A 7 , A 6 , A 5 , A 4 , A 3 , A 2 , A 1 , and A 0 . Slave MCN bits  60  (A 7 , A 6 , A 5 , and A 4 ) and master MCN bits  62  (A 3 , A 2 , A 1 , and A 0 ) form the first part of the two-byte MSW  58 . Data area  56  also contains a data byte counter comprising four (4) bits B 3 , B 2 , B 1 , and B 0 , and the current macro number comprising three (3) bits C 6 , C 5 , and C 4 . The current macro number, designated  64  in FIG. 2, indicates the current macro in use. The current macro number table depicted in FIG. 2 shows the assignment of the various combinations of bits to the various macro numbers. The last data contained in data area  56  is the internal command bytes of which there is a maximum of sixteen (16). 
     The second byte of MSW  58 , as depicted in FIG. 2, consists of current macro number  64 , comprising bits C 6 , C 5 , and C 4 , current operating mode  72 , consisting of bits C 3 , C 2 , C 1 , and C 0 , and master/slave bit  74 . Current operating mode  72  has three (3) valid bit configurations as depicted in the current operating mode table in FIG.  2 . As the name suggests, these four (4) bits C 3 , C 2 , C 1 , and C 0  indicate the current operating mode which can be 1) end of macro; 2) run macro; and 3) program macro. MSW  58  further includes master/slave bit  74  which is used as an acknowledge message from the slave device to the master device. Master/slave bit  74  is set to logical “1” when coming from the master device, while master/slave bit  74  is set to logical “0” when coming from the slave device. The rest of the status word  58  remains the same. A slave device only considers the status word of the master device and ignores other slave status words on the bus. Thus, when the user depresses the macro key of the selected device it becomes the master device and generates four (4) least significant bits of the first byte, being the macro command number. The slave device determines the four (4) most significant bits of the first byte, being the macro command number. 
     With reference back to FIG. 3, slave data memory  50 , which is only used when a device is configured as a slave in a macro, is divided into memory banks  66 . While slave data memory  50  could have a number of banks that is as large as the number of possible slave macros, i.e. five (5) devices times eight (8) macros which results in forty (40) banks, FIG. 3 depicts sixteen (16) memory banks  66  and thus is only exemplary. The sixteen (16) memory banks have select bits 000 to 1111 binary, which are used to select the appropriate memory bank. Each memory bank  66  is divided into command sections  68  wherein there are sixteen (16) commands available for each macro stored in the memory bank  66 . Additionally, each command section  68  is further divided into data area  70  which is the same structure as data area  56  of master data memory  48 . 
     FIG. 8 depicts four (4) typical status words, labeled  76 ,  78 ,  80 , and  82 . Status word  76  is sent onto the bus connecting the A/V devices by the master A/V device (selected by the user by the pressing of the macro key) at the start of macro programming. Bits A 7 , A 6 , A 5 , and A 4  are undetermined since they are selected or determined by the slave device. Bits A 3 , A 2 , A 1 , and A 0  are determined by the master device and constitute the macro command number (MCN) here logical “0000”. Bits C 6 , C 5 , and C 4  are the current macro number, here logical “100” being macro “5”. Bits C 3 , C 2 , C 1 , and C 0  designates the current operating mode from the three (3) valid operating modes, here logical “1010” being the program macro code (see Current Operating Mode table, FIG.  2 ). The master/slave (M/S) bit is set to logical “1” since the status word  76  is coming from the master device. 
     Status word  78  is an end the macro word by the master device. Here, since the macro is ending and there will be no more programming, the only bits of significance are C 3 , C 2 , C 1 , and C 0 , the current operating mode. Per the Current Operating Mode table of FIG. 2, logical “0000” for these bits indicates that the macro is ending. Again, since the word is coming from the master device, the M/S bit is set to logical “1”. It should be noted that in this example the current macro number, indicated by bits C 6 , C 5 , and C 4 , is again macro “5” or logical “100”. 
     Status word  80  is a run the macro command by the master device, which is indicated by bits C 3 , C 2 , C 1 , and C 0 , the Current Operating Mode bits, set to logical “1111”. Since it is the master device that is sending this word on the bus, the M/S bit is a logical “1”. Here, the macro command number (MCN) bits A 7 , A 6 , A 5 , and A 4  set by the slave device is logical “0010” being bank “0010” while the macro command number (MCN) bits A 3 , A 2 , A 1 , and A 0  set by the master device is logical “0000” for storing in slave memory bank “0010”. 
     Status word  82  is an acknowledge word during the program mode since the M/S bit is set to logical “0” and bits C 3 , C 2 , C 1 , and C 0 , the current operating mode bits is logical “1010”. Here, the slave device stores macro command number (MCN) logical “0000”, bits A 3 , A 2 , A 1 , and A 0 , in slave memory bank 1111 indicated by bits A 7 , A 6 , A 5 , and A 4  set to logical “1111”. 
     It should be understood that the master device is selected by the user by the pressing of the macro key of one of the available A/V devices and this does not change for the programming of the macro. The slave device is variable, depending on the programming selection of the user. 
     In order to program a macro, a device is selected that has a macro key such as multi-media terminal  12 . The device selected, here the multi-media terminal  12 , becomes the master device with the remaining devices becoming slave devices. A device can be a master or a slave, with the only constraint being that the master device naturally must have a macro key. 
     With reference to FIG. 4, flow chart  84  shows the program flow or steps performed by a master device in the macro programming mode. Initially, a device is selected by the user to program a macro, which is initiated by the pressing of a key  86  which is the macro key of the device. The program determines if the macro key is held for a predetermined period of time  88 , here longer than two (2) seconds. If the macro key is not held for more than the predetermined time period, then the device performs any other functions as required  90  and the present program returns to the idle state  92 . If the macro key is pressed for more than the predetermined time period, then the device becomes a master device and sends a status word  94  on the bus and the master device awaits for a key to be pressed  96  on a device, which can be itself or another A/V device coupled in the group. If no key is pressed, the program checks to see if a slave status word is on the bus  112 . If no such slave status word has been generated by a slave device and thus is not on the bus, the program awaits for a key to be pressed  96 . Should a slave status word be present on the bus  112 , the slave status word is read  114  and the macro control number (MCN), the master/slave (M/S) bit, and the current macro number bits C 4 , C 5 , and C 6  are stored  116  in the master memory of the master device. Additionally, the command counter is incremented  118  and the macro control number (MCN) counter is incremented  120 . 
     Thereafter, the master device sends a status word  94  on the bus and then awaits for a key to be pressed  96 . If a key is pressed on one of the devices, the program checks to determine if the key pressed is the macro key  98 . If the macro key is pressed, this means that the user wants to end the macro. The program fetches the code for the end of macro  122 , sends a status word  124  onto the bus indicating that the end of the macro has been reached, and then returns to the idle state  92 . However, if the key pressed  96  is not the macro key  98 , the data byte counter is reset  100  and internally stored  102  in memory. If more data bytes  104  appear, the data byte counter is incremented  110  and internally stored  102 . This loop continues until there are no more data bytes, wherein the master/slave (M/S) bit and the current macro number bits C 4 , C 5 , and C 6  are stored  106 . After storage of the master/slave (M/S) bit and the current macro number bits C 4 , C 5 , and C 6   106 , the command counter is incremented  108 , and then the program awaits another key pressed  96 . 
     With reference now to FIG. 5, there is depicted flow chart  126  showing the program flow or steps performed by a slave device(s) in the macro programming mode. The slave device determines whether there is a status word on the bus  128  as sent by the master device and if so, latches the status word  130 . The latched status word is read  132  to determine the setting of the master/slave (M/S) bit  134 . If the M/S bit is not set to logical “1”, then the program awaits another status word, since an M/S bit set to logical “0” means it was generated by a slave device and should not be accepted. If the M/S bit is set to logical “1” the program determines if the status word signals the end of the macro  136 . If the end of the macro is received, the device/program returns to the idle state  138 . However, if the end of the macro signal is not received, then the program determines whether the status word/signal is program macro  140 . 
     If the status word is not to program a macro, the device/program performs other function as required  142  and then returns to the idle state  138 . If the status word is to program a macro, it is determined whether a key has been pressed  144 . No key pressed returns the program to read status word  132 . If a key has been pressed the device reads the internal data bytes counter  146 . When the bytes counter is not equal to zero (0) the next memory bank is reviewed  150  and then read  146 . When the bytes counter is equal to zero (0) the macro command number, bits A 0 , A 1 , A 2 , and A 3  are stored  152 , the data bytes counter is reset  154 , and the internal data byte is stored  156 . Thereafter, it is determined whether there are more data bytes  158 . If there are more data bytes, the data bytes counter is incremented  160  then stored  156 . If there are no more data bytes, the master/slave (M/S) bit is set to zero (0)  162 , the bank select bits are stored as A 4 , A 5 , A 6 , and A 7   164 , and the slave sends a status word  166  onto the bus. Thereafter, the program waits for another status word on the bus. 
     With reference now to FIG. 6, there is depicted flow chart  170  showing the program flow or steps performed by the master device during the macro run mode. Initially, a device waits to see if a key has been pressed  172 . If a key press has been detected, and it is the macro key, the program determines if the macro key has been depressed for less than a predetermined time period, in this case two (2) seconds. When the macro key has been pressed for longer than two (2) seconds, the device performs other functions as required  176  then returns to the idle state  178 . If the macro key has been pressed for a time period shorter than the predetermined time period, the program goes to the corresponding memory bank  180  and the command counter is checked. When the command counter is equal to zero (0), there is no macro available  184  and the device returns to the idle state  178 . If, however, the command counter is not equal to zero (0), the master/slave (M/S) bit is checked to determine if it is set to logical “1”  186 , and if not, a status word is sent  188  on the bus. Thereafter, the master device awaits a slave acknowledge  190  and loops until the slave does acknowledge. 
     When the slave does acknowledge, the commands counter is decremented  192 , and then checked to determined if the command counter is equal to zero (0)  194 . When the command counter is equal to zero the device returns to the idle state  178 . When the command counter is not equal to zero, the next macro control number is read  196  and then loops to determine if the master/slave (M/S) bit of the next macro control number is set to logical “1”  186 . If the master/slave (M/S) bit is set to logical “1” the command data byte is read  198  and the byte counter is checked to determine if the byte counter is zero (0). When the byte counter is not equal to zero (0), the byte counter is decremented  202  and then the command data byte is read  198 . When the byte counter is equal to zero (0), the commands counter is decremented  192  and then checked to determined if the command counter is equal to zero  194 . As above, when the commands counter is then equal to zero (0), the device returns to the idle state  178 , else the next macro control number  196  is read. 
     With reference now to FIG. 7, there is depicted program flow  204  showing the program flow or steps of the slave device during the macro run mode. The slave device determines if there is a status word on the bus  206  and if so latches the status word  208  and reads same  210 . If the read status word has a master/slave (M/S) bit not set to logical “1”  212 , the program returns to the read status word state  210 . When the master/slave (M/S) bit is set to logical “1”, the program determines if the status word indicates the end of the macro. When the end of the macro is received, the program returns to the idle state  216 . 
     When the end of the macro is not received as part of the status word, the program determines whether the status word indicates the program macro mode. If so, this function is performed as required  220  and then returns to the idle state  216 . When a program mode is not detected, the device determines if the status word indicates to run the macro. If the status word does not indicate to run the macro, other functions are performed as required  224  and then returned to the idle state  216 . When the status word indicates to run a macro  222 , the bank select bits are read  226  and the appropriate bank in the slave memory is read  228  to determined if there is a macro control number match  230 . No match between the macro control number of the status word and the macro control number in the selected slave memory bank returns the device to read the next status word  210 . When there is a match between the macro control number of the selected slave memory bank and the macro control number of the status word, the device determines whether there is a macro number match  232 . No match again returns the program to read status word  210 . A macro number match  232  makes the program read the command data byte  234 , perform the command  236 , and then read the byte counter  238 . If the byte counter at this point is equal to zero (0), the slave device sends an acknowledgement signal on the bus  242  and awaits reading of the next status word  210 . When the byte counter is not equal to zero (0), the byte counter is decremented  240 . Thereafter, the command data byte is read  234 . 
     Of course, it should be understood that the above program flows are not accomplished mutually exclusive of the other devices or each other, as there is interaction between the master and all slave devices during both the macro program mode and the macro run mode. Depending on what is stored in the slave memory portion of the slave devices, the appropriate slave will acknowledge the status word of the master device. Also, the type of bus utilized in the present invention can be any type of bus, but generally is a slower type of bus. Such a bus may be a SCART type bus or a 1394 type bus. 
     With particular reference now to FIG. 9, a specific programming example will be described, utilizing the multi-media system  10  depicted in FIG.  1 . FIG. 9 depicts the master data memory portion  246  of multi-media terminal  12  selected as the master device, the slave data memory portion of the slave TV  18 , and the slave data memory portion  250  of the slave VCR  16  for the following commands. The TV  18 , multi-media terminal  12 , and VCR  16  are turned on. Thereafter, a favorite program/channel is selected for the VCR  16  and the multi-media terminal  12 . Additionally, the shopping channel is selected for the multi-media terminal  12 . Finally, the VCR  16  is set to record. With this command structure, initially the macro key  40  of the multi-media terminal  12  is depressed and held for the appropriate period of time. Then the actions or commands for each device is inputted on the individual device itself. When the last action or command has been inputted, the macro key  40  is depressed again. In view of the foregoing flow charts, the resulting memory structures for the VCR, TV and multi-media terminal are as depicted in FIG.  9 . The slave TV memory section  248  contains two (2) lines of bits. The slave VCR memory section  250  contains. three (3) portions  256 ,  260  and  264  each having two (2) lines of bits. The multimedia terminal master data memory section  246  contains eight (8) portions,  252 ,  254 ,  258 ,  262 ,  266 ,  268 ,  270 , and  272  each having two (2) lines of bits. 
     With reference now to FIGS. 11A,  11 B, and  11 C, there are depicted three exemplary screen displays  244 ,  251 , and  257  respectively, that could be displayed on display device  18  during on-screen macro programming via menus according to an aspect of the present invention. Since most multi-media devices utilize menus and particularly on-screen menus for programming the particular device or to access various functions of the particular device, a macro in accordance with the principles of the present invention can be programmed, edited, and/or invoked via on-screen displays. Generally, device functions are selected/controlled from a remote (see FIG.  1 ), and such can be used for on-screen programming. Thus, instead of a macro key on a multi-media device as described above, a remote can be used to select on-screen menu choices. 
     In FIG. 11A exemplary screen display  244  may be a main screen display which is indicated by screen display mode indicator  247 , here MENU. Below MENU are various functions/commands/features  249  that may be selected by the user. Such menu selections  249  includes MACROS that upon selection may invoke screen display  251  of FIG.  11 B. Screen display  251  again indicates at  253  the display mode, here CHOOSE MACRO NUMBER having various functions/commands/features  255  underneath. 
     For illustration, screen display  251  may be for programming, editing or running a macro. In this instance when MACRO  5  is selected from screen display  251 , screen display  257  of FIG. 11C may be displayed which again may pertain to programming, editing or running the macro. Screen display  257  again includes a screen mode indicator  259 , here MACRO  5  to indicate that macro number  5  has been selected. Area  261  displays the currently selected or stored steps of the macro. Of course, FIGS. 11A,  11 B, and  11 C are only exemplary and aid in the illustration of the principle of use of the present invention with on-screen programming. Further, screen displays  244 ,  251 , and  257  are only three of many possible screen displays as are usual in on-screen menus. 
     While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, of adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 5