United States Patent
`
`[191
`
`Rumbolt et al.
`
`[11]
`
`[45]
`
`Patent Number:
`
`4,703,359
`
`Date of Patent:
`
`Oct. 27, 1987
`
`[54]
`
`UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL UNIT
`WITH MODEL IDENTIFICATION
`CAPABILITY
`
`Inventors:
`
`[75]
`
`Robin B. Rumbolt; William R.
`McIntyre, both of Knoxville; Larry
`E. Goodsou, Blaine, all of Tenn.
`
`[73]
`
`Assignee:
`
`NAP Consumer Electronics Corp.,
`New York, N.Y.
`
`[21]
`
`[22]
`
`[63]
`
`[51]
`[52]
`
`[53]
`
`[56]
`
`Appl. No.:
`Filed:
`
`799,873
`
`Nov. 20, 1985
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 739,357, May 30,
`1985.
`
`Int. CL4 ............................................... H04N 5/44
`U.S. Cl. . .............................. .. 35s/194.1; 455/603;
`340/825.69; 340/325.72
`Field of Search ................... .. 353/194.1; 455/603,
`455/352; 340/825.69, 825.71, 325.72, 325.73
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,274,082
`4,334,221
`4,386,436
`
`........................ 455/352 X
`6/1981 Litz et al.
`6/1982 Rosenhagen et al.
`. 340/825.69 X
`5/1983 Kocher et al.
`.................... .. 455/151
`
`................. .. 358/194.1 X
`Zato et al.
`’ 4.482.947 ll/1984
`Twardowski
`340/82572 X
`4,535,333
`8/1985
`
`4,623,887 11/1986 Welles, II
`340/825.72 X
`4,626,848 12/1986 Ehlers .......................... 358/194.1 X
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3338046 10/1984 Fed. Rep. of Germany .... .. 455/603
`3313493 10/ 1984 Fed. Rep. of Germany .... .. 455/603
`
`Primary Examiner-—-Michael A. Masinick
`Assistant Examitzer—E. Anne Totz
`Attorney, Agent, or Fz'rm—Thomas A. Briody; William
`J. Streeter; Marianne R. Rich
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A remote control unit responds to activation of a “iden-
`tify” button by transmitting a sequence of command
`signals, each of the same command in a different format.
`Since the appliance to be controlled is turned on, it
`responds in a predetermined way (eg. a channel
`change) when it receives the properly formatted com-
`mand. The user then terminates the learn mode and a
`pointer denoting the address of the last
`transmitted
`command,
`i.e.
`the properly formatted command,
`is
`stored in the unit and used as part of the address for
`reading data for subsequent user-selected commands
`out of memory.
`
`13 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures
`
`MICRO-
`PROCESSOR
`
`DATA} 44
`
`
`
`DRIVER
`
`
`
`
`
`SELECI’ 3‘
`ADDRESS
`OUTPUT DECODER I ENABLE
`
`
`
`CATEGORY
`SELECTOR ’\'
`SWITC H
`—.-
`
`DRIVER
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:20)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1011: Page 1
`
`

`
`on;mw
`mm_>_mo
`
`pm3Iha%/./MDT
`wm6am...
`
`U. S. Patent Oct. 27,1987
`
`mm
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`
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`
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`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:20)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:21)
`Universal Remote Control Exhilgit 1011: Page 2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Oct. 27,1987
`
`Sheet2'of6
`
`4,703,359
`
`MICROPROCESSOR
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:20)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:22)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1011: Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Oct. 27,1987
`’
`
`Sheet3 of6
`START
`
`4,703,359
`
`FIG. 3
`
`INSERT
`BATTERY
`
`MP INITIALIZES
`ITSELF
`
`ENTER
`
`SLEEP MODE
`
`
`
`STANDBY CIRCUIT
`CHECKS FOR ANY
`KEYBOARD KEY
`PRESSED
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EXTERNAL ' YES
`
`
`
`
`STANDBY CI|RCUIT H
`ACTIVATES RESET
`
`
`AND "STANDBY"
`LINES
`
`MP REINITIALIZES
`
`
`
`
`
` READ CATEGORY
`
`
`SWITCH. STORE -
`RESULT IN INTERNAL
`
`RAM
`
`MP EXECUTES KEY-
`BOARD SCAN PROGRAM
`IN INTERNAL ROM
`
`Q‘
`
`DETERMINE WHICH
`KEY(S) wAS PRESSED
`
`
`
`
`
`STORE KEYBOARD
`POSITION NUMBER
`
`OF KEY PRESSED IN
`INTERNAL RAM
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:20)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:23)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1011: Page 4 I
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Oct. 27, 1987
`
`Sheet4 of6‘
`
`4,703,359
`
`FIG. 4
`
`
`
`# OF KEYS
`
`>1
`PRESSED
`
`
` ONE OF
`THE B_pTTON I:
`
`THE LEARN
`
`READ
`
`
`CATEGORY
` SWITCH
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CATEGORY
`
`CATEGORY
`= VCR
`
`CATEGORY=
`
`VCR OR AUDIO
`
`
`
` SET KEYBOARD
`
`
`
`DATA = RECORD
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:20)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:24)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1011: Page 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent Oct. 27,1937
`
`SheEt5of6 I
`
`4,703,359
`
`FIG. 5
`
`SET CATEGORY DATA IN
`RAM EQUAL TO CATEGORY
`DESIGNATION PRESSED
`
`SET KEY DATA TO
`PROPER RESPONSE
`COMMAND
`
`TURN ON
`
`"LEARN" LED
`
`
`ET NEXT ENTRY IN
`PECIFIC DEVICE
`TABLE
`
`
`
`ADVANCECOM-
`MAND COUNTER
`
`
`
`SEND COMMAND
`
`wmr INTER-COM-
`MAND FILL TIME
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BUTTONS
`RELEASE D
`
`
`
`STORE SPECIFIC
`DEVICE ENTRY
`POINTER VALUE
`IN INTERNAL RAM
`
`
`
`
` COMMAND
`SENT 5 TIMES
`
`?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`INCREMENT
`SPECIFIC DEVICE
`TABLE ENTRY
`
`
`POINTER
`
`"TURN "OFF
`LEARN LED
`
`s
`ENTRYIN
`SPEClF1C DEVICE
`
`
`
`RNBUTTONS
`
`
`
`
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:20)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:25)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1011: Page 6
`
`

`
`U. S. Patent Oct. 27, 1987
`
`4,703,359
`SheI:t6 of6 1
`0
`FIG. 6
`
`
`
`
`USING STORED CATEGORY
`SWITCH DATA AND SPECIFIC
`DEVICE DATA CALCULATE
`ADDRESS OF COMMAND TABLE
`IN EXTERNAL EPROM
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`USING COMMAND TABLE
`ADDRESS AND KEY POSITION
`
`NUMBER GET FORMATTER
`
`ADDRESS AND DATA OUT OF
`COMMAND TABLE
`
`
`
`CHECK CUR RENTLY SELECTED
`
`CATEGORY AGAINST CATEGORY
`TYPE FOUND IN TABLE
`
`
`
`
`
`REPLACE CATE-
`GORY DATA IN
`RAM WITH CATE-
`
`
`GORY DATA FOUND
`
`IN TABLE
`
`
`DO
`THEY MATCH
`
`A
`
`?
`
`YES
`
`JUMP TO FORMATTER STARTING
`ADDRESS. EXECUTE INSTRUCTIONS
`TO SEND IR CODE TO IR
`DRIVER
`
`
`
`
`
`SCAN KEYBOARD
`
`SAME
`KEY STILL
`PRES?SED
`‘ No I
`
`
`
`UNLATCH
`STANDBY
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`.7
`
`REPEAT
`FLAG ON
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:20)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:26)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1011: Page 7
`
`

`
`1
`
`4,703,359
`
`UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL UNIT WITH
`MODEL IDENTIFICATION CAPABILITY
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS:
`
`The present application is a continuation-in-part of
`the application entitled “Universal Remote Control
`Unit”, Ser. No. 739,357, filed May 30, 1985, inventors
`Robin Rumbolt and William McIntyre, and assigned to
`the same assignee. The parent application is hereby
`incorporated by reference into the present application.
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to remote control units
`and, particularly, to remote control units for controlling
`home appliances to carry out selected operations.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`At present, many home appliances are available
`which can be remotely controlled by the user. For
`example, a television set can be turned on and off, a
`channel can be selected, a video cassette recorder con-
`trolled to play or record, etc. However, each manufac-
`turer effects this control differently. The bit pattern
`required to carry out a given operation differs for differ-
`ent manufacturers. Similarly, the basic forrnat, such as
`the bit timing, the number of bits per word, the width of
`the pulses, the modulating frequency, if any, applied to
`each pulse, the presence of, length of, and format of
`start, lead, or trailer pulses and the number of correct
`receptions of a particular command required to activate
`the appliance to carry out the selected operation varies
`from manufacturer to manufacturer. The basic format
`may also be different for different model numbers of the
`same manufacturer.
`Further, control of, for example, a video cassette
`recorder frequently requires the ability to control_a
`related appliance, e.g. a television set, in conjunction
`therewith. At present, viewing a recorded program
`requires use of two individual remote control units,
`particularly if the recorder and the television set are not
`made by the same manufacturer.
`If the home is
`equipped with cable television, or if other appliances
`such as, for example, an oven can be remotely con-
`trolled, the number of required remote control transmit-
`ters becomes excessive. In addition, each time the user
`replaces an appliance the old remote control unit be-
`comes obsolete and a new one must be bought.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to furnish a
`universal remote control unit which allows control of
`different types of appliances as well as appliances manu-
`factured by different manufacturers.
`The remote control unit is to be simple to operate,
`light, reliable, and relatively inexpensive. Particularly,
`it is to be able to “identify” a command signal structure,
`including bit pattern and format, required to control a
`specific appliance with minimal effort on the user’s part
`and within a short time. The identified signal structure
`is to be retained until the user reinitiates the “identify”
`mode, so that no model number and/or manufacturer
`selection by the user is required for normal operation of
`the unit.
`In accordance with the present invention, the user
`sets the appliance to be controlled by the remote con-
`trol unit to execute some observable action when re-
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20'
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`ceiving a specific command signal, herein referred to as
`a response-evoking signal, having the required signal
`structure. For example, if the appliance is a television
`set, the observable action may be a channel change, i.e.
`the response-evoking signal would be a “channel up”
`signal.
`The user then activates a selector device such as a
`keyboard to put the remote control unit into the “iden-
`tify” mode. The microprocessor within the unit then
`executes an “identify” program. In the course of execu-
`tion of the “identify” program, the unit transmits re-
`sponse command signals (e.g. channel up signals) in a
`variety of signal structures appropriate for different
`manufacturers and different model numbers. The appli-
`ance will react to the one of the response command
`signals which has the required signal structure.
`In response to the observable action, the transmitting
`of response command signals is terminated. The last
`transmitted one of the response command signals then
`has the required signal structure. Data identifying this
`signal structure is stored in the remote control unit, and
`subsequent user activated commands for the appliance
`are generated in part in dependence on the so-stored
`data.
`
`In a presently preferred embodiment, the user holds
`down the keyboard “identify” button or buttons until
`the appliance executes the observable action. When the
`user notes that the appliance has reacted to the com-
`mand, the button is released and data identifying the
`required signal structure is stored. Thereafter, any com-
`mand entered by the user will be carried out with the
`signal structure required by the particular model for
`that command.
`In a particularly preferred embodiment, the stored
`signal structure identification data constitutes part of an
`address, the remainder of the address being provided by
`user selection of the category to which the appliance
`belongs.
`The above-mentioned address is used to address one
`table in a multiplicity of product code tables. The infor-
`mation from the table is then combined with keyboard
`data to address the forrnatter which in turn activates the
`infrared transmitter.
`The present invention, as well as additional objects
`thereof, will be better understood upon reference to the
`following description taken in connection with the ac-
`companying drawing.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a remote control unit and
`associated apparatus according to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the “identify” mode
`indicator circuit;
`FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the main microprocessor
`program;
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart of the multi-key program;
`FIG. Sis the flow chart for the identify program; and
`FIG. 6 is the flow chart for the transmit program of
`the present invention.
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The present invention is disclosed herein as part of
`the remote control unit described in the copending
`application, Ser. No. 739,357, which is herein incorpo-
`rated by reference. Only the parts of the disclosure of
`the parent application which are required for under-
`
`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:20)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:27)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1011: Page 8
`
`

`
`3
`standing the present invention will be illustrated below.
`While the so described apparatus constitutes a preferred
`embodiment, the present invention is also useable with
`other types of remote control units.
`Referring now to the drawing, in FIG. 1, a micro-
`processor, which is the central control unit for the sys-
`tem, is denoted by reference numeral 10. The timing of
`microprocessor 10 is controlled by a crystal time base
`12. In normal operation, microprocessor 10 receives
`data from two user controlled selector devices de-
`scribed in detail below and from a memory storing
`signal structure identification data. This data is utilized
`by a “decode” program located in an internal ROM 14
`of microprocessor 10 to calculate an address for an
`electrically
`programmable
`read
`only memory
`(EPROM) 16 separate from microprocessor 10. It could
`equally well be an EEPROM or a ROM and internal
`rather than external to microprocessor 10. The gener-
`ated address is then put out on a two-way, eight line bus
`18 and an address latch 20 is enabled. The address is
`stored in latch 20 and, subsequently, as timed by micro-
`processor l0, the address from latch 20 is applied to an
`eight line bus 22, and combined with the signal on three
`lines 24 emanating from microprocessor 10. The com-
`bined address is applied to an address decoder 26 as well
`as EPROM 16. Address decoder 26 first enables a “se-
`lect” line and, thereafter, an “output enable” line for
`EPROM 16, again under microprocessor control. Data
`from EPROM 16 is transmitted through an eight line
`bus 28 and bus 18 back to microprocessor 10. The data
`from EPROM 16, also referred to as formatter instruc-
`tion or signal structure data, is then used within micro-
`processor 10 to energize an infrared transmission drive
`circuit 29 so that infra-red light emitting diodes 30 trans-
`mit signals with a corresponding signal structure, i.e. bit
`pattern and signal format. The transmitted infrared
`radiation is received by the appliance and causes it to
`operate as desired by the user.
`It should be noted herein that the word “format” as
`used herein refers to parameters such as pulse width,
`frequency, number of bits per word, modulating fre-
`quency, if any, applied to each pulse,‘the presence of,
`length of, and shape of start, lead or trailer pulses and
`the number of correct receptions of a particular com-
`mand required to activate the appliance to carry out the
`selected operation. Other parameters can be added if
`required, and nonrelevant parameters can be omitted
`depending upon the particular appliances to be con-
`trolled.
`In a preferred embodiment, the microprocessor is a
`Hitachi HD6301 operated in mode 6 with an oscillator
`frequency of 4 MHz and an instruction cycle time of l
`microsecond. This speed is necessary in order to gener-
`ate the carrier output frequencies of up to 55 KHZ re-
`quired by some IR control systems.
`The first of the user-operated selector devices is a
`category selector switch 32, by which the user selects
`the category of the appliance which is to be controlled.
`Its output is connected to microprocessor 10 through
`five lines 34, the selected line being grounded. A set of
`category bits signifying the user-selected category is
`stored in a random access memory (RAM) 44 in micro-
`processor 10. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the
`following categories are provided: a television receiver
`(TV), a video cassette recorder (VCR), a disc player
`(disc), an audio system (audio), and an auxiliary input
`(aux) suitable, for example, for controlling a cable con-
`verter.
`
`5
`
`IO
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4,703,359
`
`4
`The second selector device is a keyboard 36. In the
`preferred embodiment, keyboard 36 is a 3 x ll matrix of
`keys 36a, addressable by 11 address lines of a bus 38.
`Bus 38 is constituted by eight line bus 22 and three line
`bus 24. During a keyboard scan, address decoder 26
`enables a buffer 40, and each of the eleven columns is
`energized in turn by microprocessor 10 via bus 38. An
`output is obtained on the one of the three output lines 42
`connected to an energized column by a user—depressed
`key. This output is then transmitted through buffer 40
`and bus 18 to microprocessor 10. There, the result of the
`keyboard scan is stored in RAM 44. It should be that
`keyboard 36 has an “identify” key 37 in addition to keys
`such as “volume up”, “channel up”, “channel down”,
`etc. of a conventional remote control unit.
`The memory storing the “identified” address or
`pointer and the category bits is also RAM 44. As illus-
`trated in FIG. 1, RAM 44 is internal to microprocessor
`10. An external memory could be used equally well.
`EPROM 16 contains product code (specific device)
`look-up tables indexed by the category selector bits and
`signal structure identification data stored in RAM 44.
`A product code is read out from EPROM 16 and
`combined with the key data to form an address for a
`command table also stored in EPROM 16.
`The data read out from the command tables, namely
`a command code, is then passed to the appropriate IR
`transmitter routine, called a formatter, also stored in
`EPROM 16. Each formatter has a device specific pro-
`gram designed to generate the precise carrier fre-
`quency, pulse width, pulse modulation and overall tim-
`ing format required by the particular device to be con-
`trolled.
`The data output lines from keyboard 36 are also con-
`nected to the inputs of a stand-by circuit 46. A first and
`second output of stand-by circuit 46 is connected to a
`reset and stand-by input of microprocessor 10, respec-
`tively.
`Standby circuit 46 was illustrated in greater detail in
`co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 739,357. Its de-
`scription will not be repeated here since it is not essen-
`tial for an understanding of the present invention.
`Finally, an output port 11 of microprocessor 10 is
`connected to IR drive circuit 29 which in turn drives
`infrared light emitting diodes (LED’s) 30. An additional
`output port 48 is connected to an “identify” drive cir-
`cuit 50 driving an LED 52 emitting visible red light.
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the drive circuit and
`the “identify” light emitting diode. Microprocessor 10
`has an output terminal 48 which is connected to a resis-
`tor 54 to the base of a transistor 56. The emitter of
`transistor 56 is connected to ground potential through a
`resistor 58. The collector of transistor 56 is connected
`through light emitting diode 52 to positive potential.
`When a positive voltage is applied to terminal 48, tran-
`sistor 56 becomes conductive and light is emitted by
`light emitting diode 52.
`Operation of the above-described equipment, with
`particular emphasis on the “identify” mode, will now be
`described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 3,
`4, 5.
`However, it should be noted that the user must turn
`on the device to be controlled and set it (if necessary) so
`that it is ready to carry out a specified observable action
`(e.g. channel change) upon receipt of a correctly struc-
`tured response command (e.g. “channel up”) before the
`“identifying” process can begin.
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`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:20)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:28)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1011: Page 9
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`4,703,359
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`5
`Referring now to FIG. 3, upon insertion of the bat-
`tery, microprocessor initialization takes place. RAM 44,
`the input-output ports, and a flag in thejnternal memory
`of the microprocessor are set to initial conditions. Data
`in RAM 44 is set to address the first entry in each table
`in EPROM 16. The microprocessor then enters the
`sleep mode. In this mode, stand-by circuit 46 grounds
`the reset and stand-by pins of the microprocessor. A
`circuit internal to the microprocessor shuts down all
`internal circuitry except for memory and the circuitry
`monitoring the “stand-by” and “reset” lines. This state
`continues until a key of keyboard 36 is pressed.
`Upon pressing of a key, the “reset” and “stand-by”
`circuits in microprocessor 10 are energized. Monitoring
`of the stand-by and reset lines as well as the previously
`set flag causes the microprocessor to energize the latch
`for stand-by circuit 46 and to enable address latch 20.
`The microprocessor then executes a keyboard scan
`program stored in ROM 14 via bus 38. If a key on key-
`board 36 is pressed, one of the keyboard rows is con-
`nected to its column, causing one of the lines of bus 42
`to be at a high level at a specific step in the program.
`This information is utilized by a program in ROM 14 to
`determine the position number of any pressed key.
`The microprocessor then enters the multi-key patch
`subroutine shown in FIG. 4. Specifically, it is first deter-
`mined whether the number of keys pressed is equal to 1
`or greater than 1. If the number is greater than 1, it is
`determined whether the number is equal to 2. If the
`number is not equal to 2, i.e. if more than 2 keys have
`been pressed, an unacceptable condition prevails and
`the program is aborted, a new scanning of the keyboard
`being initiated.
`is determined
`it
`If two keys have been pressed,
`whether one of these is the “identify” button. If so, the
`program exits to the “identify” mode illustrated in the
`flow chart of FIG. 5.
`-
`In the identify mode, it is first determined whether
`the second key pressed is a category designator, i.e. the
`program checks to see whether the two key combina-
`tion is the “identify” key plus either the television, or
`VCR, or disc key, etc. If this is not case, the program
`aborts, but the keyboard scan is continued.
`If the second key pressed is a key designating a cate-
`gory, the category data in RAM 44 is set equal to the
`category designation pressed on the keyboard. This
`category number, plus a specific device table pointer
`(stored signal structure identification data) also stored
`in RAM 44 together form an address used to access the
`product code tables in EPROM 16.
`Next, the key data section of RAM 44 is automati-
`cally set to the predetermined response command. This
`command is a command which will cause some readily
`observable action to occur at the appliance to be con-
`trolled. For TV, VCR, and cable converter, the channel
`up command is used. For disc, the command used is
`play, while for an audio unit a station advance com-
`mand would be used.
`Microprocessor port 48 is then turned high so that
`transistor 56 (FIG. 2) becomes conductive and red light
`emitting diode 52 is energized. The user thus knows that
`the equipment is in the “identify” mode.
`At this point the data stored in RAM 44 includes the
`selected category bits and key data signifying the prede-
`termined response command. The category bit data,
`together with a specific device pointer identifying the
`first product code in a product code table in EPROM 16
`is then used to address EPROM 16. For each addressed
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`product code, i.e. each entry in the product code table,
`the following information is stored:
`1. The address of the formatter, i.e. the address of the
`location in EPROM 16 where data specifying the for-
`mat required to control the device identified by the
`product code is stored;
`2. The address of the relevant command table; and
`3. An intercommand fill time delay value.
`This information is transferred to internal RAM 44 of
`microprocessor 10.
`The product code information from EPROM 16 is
`combined with the key data in RAM 44 to access the
`predetermined response command in the command
`tables in EPROM 32. The command data is passed to
`the formatter.
`Next, microprocessor 10 sends the command, i.e. IR
`drive circuit 29 is energized, and the desired command
`is sent in the appropriate format by proper energization
`of IR LED’s 30. Additionally, a command counter is
`advanced by one count. The equipment then waits for
`the intercommand fill time to give the user a chance to
`respond. Specifically, the user must release the “iden-
`tify” button if, in response to the command, the con-
`trolled appliance has carried out the particular com-
`mand, e.g. the channel has been switched on a television
`set.
`
`The equipment then tests whether the identify button
`has been released. If not, the command counter is tested
`to see whether the command has been sent an appropri-
`ate number of times, for example five times. If not, the
`sending of the command is re-commenced. If the com-
`mand has been sent five times, a further test is carried
`out whether the last entry in the product code table has
`been reached. If it has not been reached, the stored
`specific device pointer in RAM 44 is advanced by one
`increment and the cycle re—commences for the next
`product code in EPROM 16.
`If the last entry in the product code table has been
`reached, the red indicator light (FIG. 2) is turned off.
`This indicates to the user that the unit cannot be used to
`control this particular device.
`If the “identify” button has been released, the pointer
`value identifying the signal structure which resulted in
`release of the “identify” button is stored in internal
`RAM 44 of the microprocessor and the red light is
`turned off. There is a final test to see whether the iden-
`tify button has been released and as soon as this is the
`case, the program exits from the identify sub—routine.
`Data determining the required address to retrieve the
`proper product code from EPROM 16 is now available
`in RAM 44 for the particular category for which the
`“identify” routine was completed.
`It should be noted that in the above embodiment the
`term “category” referred to different types of appli-
`ances, such as VCR’s or TV’s. The term “category“ as
`used herein, however, also includes categories such as
`“first television” and “second television”, i.e. the same
`type of appliance but a different model and/or manufac-
`turer.
`
`After the program exits from the identify mode, it
`returns to the main program at the point where the key
`data is entered into internal RAM. (See FIG. 3.) After
`the key data has been entered, the “send” mode, FIG. 6,
`commences.
`
`In the send mode, the “decode” program in internal
`ROM 14 of microprocessor 10 uses the stored category
`data and stored signal structure identification data (spe-
`cific device pointer) to calculate the address of the
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`(cid:56)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:20)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1011: Page 10
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`

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`7
`command table in EPROM 16. The command table
`stores the following data for each key position:
`1. The command word bit pattern
`2. The formatter starting address
`3. A repeating/not repeating flag
`4. Category type
`The command table address calculated by the decode
`program is then combined with the stored key data to
`read out the above data from EPROM 16. A compari-
`son of the selected category type stored in RAM 44 and
`the category type found in the command table is carried
`out. If the two do not match, the category data in RAM
`is replaced with the category data found in the table.
`The program then reenters the decode program. This
`category matching step is required for use of commands
`in other categories from the one selected (e.g. T.V.
`volume up with VCR category selected). Since this
`process is explained in the parent case and is not re-
`quired for understanding the present invention, no fur-
`ther explanation will be given here.
`If a match in the category data has been found, the
`program jumps to the formatter starting address. In-
`structions are executed to send infrared code to the
`infrared driver. In other words, the formatter instruc-
`tions stored in EPROM 16 cause the microprocessor to
`send the command word bit pattern to the IR driver in
`the format (carrier frequency, pulse type, timing, etc.)
`appropriate for the controlled appliance.
`A renewed keyboard scan is then carried out. It is
`determined whether the same key is still pressed. If so,
`it is further tested whether the repeat flag is on. If the
`repeat flag is on, the program returns to the formatter
`starting address and the transmitter repeats sending the
`previously sent code.
`If the same key is no longer pressed, it is determined
`whether any key is still pressed. If so, the program exits
`to the multi-key program illustrated in FIG. 4. If not,
`the standby circuit is unlatched and the main program is
`reentered as illustrated in FIG. 3.
`The method and apparatus of the present invention,
`as described above, allow a light, hand-held remote
`control unit to “identify” which of a number of signal
`structures stored in its memory is appropriate for a
`given device to be controlled. If the data stored in mem-
`ory included all appliances for each category, the con-
`trol unit would be completely “universal”. Using pres-
`ent state of the art technology, this is impossible. How-
`ever, the data stored in memory includes the appropri-
`ate formats for the most widely used appliances and it is
`possible to provide space and connections for additional
`memory should this be required in exceptional cases.
`Although the invention has been illustrated in a par-
`ticular preferred embodiment, it is not intended to be
`limited thereto. Many variations in operation and con-
`struction will readily occur to one skilled in the art and
`are intended to be encompassed in the invention as set
`forth in the following claims.
`We claim:
`1. Method for adapting a remote control unit to gen-
`erate appliance command signals having a required
`signal structure for controlling a selected one of a plu-
`rality of appliances of different categories and different
`manufacturers, each appliance being responsive to a
`different signal structure, comprising the steps of:
`generating a selected category signal signifying the
`category of said selected one of said plurality of
`appliance under user control;
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`setting said selected appliance to execute a predeter-
`mined action upon receipt of a response-evoking
`signal having said required signal structure;
`transmitting in sequence a plurali