United States Patent [19J
`Van Ryzin
`
`111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US006127941A
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`6,127,941
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`[54] REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE WITH A
`GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor: John M. Van Ryzin, Madison, N.J.
`
`Primary Examiner-Michael Horabik
`Assistant Examiner---M Shimizu
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm---Frommer Lawrence & Haug,
`LLP.; William S. Frommer; Bruno Polito
`
`[73] Assignees: Sony Corporation, Tokyo, Japan; Sony
`Electronics, Inc., Park Ridge, N.J.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 09/017,788
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Feb. 3, 1998
`
`[51]
`Int. Cl? ..................................................... G08C 19/00
`[52] U.S. Cl. .................... 340/825.69; 345/157; 345/168;
`341!20; 341!21; 341/22
`[58] Field of Search ......................... 340/825.69, 825.72,
`340/825.24, 825.25; 341!176, 20, 21, 22;
`345/157, 168
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6/1998 Hicks, III .................................. 348/14
`5,760,824
`9/1998 Salazar et a!. .......................... 455/420
`5,802,467
`5,819,294 10/1998 Chambers ............................... 707/104
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`A two-way remote control unit with a graphical user inter(cid:173)
`face controls various audio/video devices interconnected in
`a multimedia system. The remote control unit includes a
`transceiver for transmitting and receiving control commands
`to/from multimedia components, which are displayed in the
`user-friendly format on a display of the remote control unit.
`The user can scroll, select, browse, etc. through various
`menu items on the display, and activate any desired function
`on the multimedia system component by selecting the
`desired representation of that function on the display. In
`addition, the remote control unit communicates, also
`through wireless transmission, with a personal computer and
`obtains information from remote or local databases for either
`controlling or enhancing the operation of the multimedia
`system devices.
`
`0566516A1
`
`3/1993 European Pat. Off ..
`
`10 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`110
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`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1016 Page 1
`
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`
`cartridge
`software
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`110
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1016 Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 3, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`6,127,941
`
`112
`
`100
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`116
`
`108
`
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`FIGURE 18
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1016 Page 3
`
`

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`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1016 Page 4
`
`

`

`6,127,941
`
`1
`REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE WITH A
`GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`component and control those additional functions manually
`by activating the appropriate switches, etc. located on the
`audio/video components.
`In any event, it is inconvenient and time consuming for
`the user to study the operations manual and juggle several
`remote control units when controlling devices in his multi(cid:173)
`media system.
`A need therefore exists for a system and method for
`overcoming the above disadvantages.
`
`OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide easy(cid:173)
`to-use remote control of audio/video devices in a multimedia
`system.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`graphical user interface for remotely controlling audio/video
`devices in a multimedia system.
`It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
`remote control device with a graphical user interface for
`controlling audio/video devices and for obtaining additional
`information from a database, as requested from the remote
`control device, and for displaying the additional information
`on a display of the remote control device.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`These and other objects, features and advantages are
`accomplished by a remote control device for wirelessly
`communicating with a multimedia system comprised of
`audio/video devices connected with each other, wherein the
`multimedia system includes a first transceiver for wirelessly
`transmitting and receiving a number of signals. The remote
`control device comprises a memory storage for storing
`specifications data for each of the audio/video devices. The
`specifications data is operative to have the audio/video
`devices perform a number of functions in response to
`command data. Further included is a user input section for
`inputting the command data representative of a function to
`be performed in at least one of the audio/video devices. The
`remote control device also includes a display for displaying
`a number of graphical objects each corresponding to a
`respective one of the audio/video devices, and for displaying
`a menu including the number of functions corresponding to
`each respective audio/video device such that the function is
`selected from the menu in response to the user input section.
`Also included is a programmable controller for processing
`the input command data corresponding to the selected
`function on the display. In addition, the remote control
`50 device comprises a second transceiver for transmitting to the
`first transceiver a first signal corresponding to the processed
`command data such that at least one audio/video device is
`operative to perform the selected function, and for receiving
`from the first transceiver a second signal corresponding to
`status data indicating whether the selected function has been
`performed.
`In accordance with one aspect of the present invention,
`the remote control device further comprises a general pur(cid:173)
`pose computer and a third transceiver connected to the
`60 computer such that the second transceiver transmits a third
`signal representing a request for information to the third
`transceiver. The computer accesses a database for respond(cid:173)
`ing to the request for information, and transfers response
`information to the third transceiver for transmitting a fourth
`65 signal representing the response information to the second
`transceiver. After the second transceiver receives the fourth
`signal, the programmable controller is operative to process
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`The present invention is related to wireless data transfer
`operations and, in particular, to a remote control device with
`a graphical user interface for controlling various audio/video
`devices interconnected in a multimedia system in a user(cid:173)
`friendly manner.
`It is well known how difficult it is to control today's
`multifunctional and very complex multimedia components.
`New technological advances, partially driven by consumer
`demand for new high-tech equipment, spawn more compli(cid:173)
`cated components than ever, such as a 200 compact disk
`(CD) changer, integrated television/video cassette recorder
`(TV/VCR), digital audio tape (DAT) device, digital video
`disk (DVD) device, etc. Each of these devices perform a
`myriad of functions that may or may not be important to the
`user, but are certainly available for him to try. To control
`each device, a remote control unit is provided, sometimes
`offering all of the functions that can be performed manually,
`that is without the remote control, by activating switches,
`buttons, etc. located on the remote control unit. The ubiq(cid:173)
`uitous "12:00" still blinking on many VCRs in peoples'
`homes still attest to the difficulty of controlling the audio/
`video components.
`For each new multimedia device that becomes a part of
`the user multimedia system, the user has to study the
`operations manual of that device to determine what function 30
`a particular button on the remote control unit performs.
`Since conventional remote control units offer only limited
`space on their surfaces, all of the buttons (switches) located
`on the remote control unit are cryptically labeled that
`sometimes require the user to impersonate Sherlock Holmes 35
`to decipher their function. Simply looking at the remote
`control unit is not sufficient to guess as to what the activation
`of the button entails. Trial and error method of activating a
`function to find out what it does may not be only frustrating
`but also perilous as the user may accidentally erase, delete, 40
`etc. some information in a storage medium and/or stop the
`operation of the device without knowing how to return to its
`normal operation. This "experimentation" may occur at a
`very inopportune moment causing further frustration and
`requiring the user to study the operations manual or to abort 45
`the operation of the component.
`Different manufacturers of system components typically
`have incompatible remote control units. Thus, even though
`the remote control unit from one manufacturer is capable of
`controlling several components, it is so as long as these
`components are made by the same manufacturer. If, for
`example, a TV is made by one manufacturer while a DAT is
`made by another manufacturer, the fact that the remote
`control unit of the TV is capable of controlling a DAT is of
`little help because the DAT owned by the user is made by a 55
`different manufacturer and cannot be controlled by the
`remote control unit assigned to the TV.
`A conventional so-called universal remote control unit
`which, as known in the art, combines controlling functions
`of several components does not alleviate the problem asso(cid:173)
`ciated with numerous individual remote control units asso(cid:173)
`ciated with the multimedia components. The conventional
`universal remote control unit has a limited surface space and
`is designed to accommodate the most important (basic)
`functions of the components which it is designed to control.
`Thus, the user has to either give up those additional features
`of the components or study the operations manual for each
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1016 Page 5
`
`

`

`6,127,941
`
`3
`the fourth signal and display the response information
`corresponding to the fourth signal on the display.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The above-mentioned as well as additional objects, fea(cid:173)
`tures and advantages of the present invention will become
`readily apparent from the following detailed description
`thereof which is to be read in conjunction with the accom(cid:173)
`panying drawings, in which:
`FIGS. 1a and 1b are high-level block diagrams of the
`system for remotely controlling audio/video/data equipment
`in accordance with the present invention; and
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the present invention in
`accordance with one aspect thereof.
`In all Figures, like reference numerals represent the same
`or identical components of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`As a general overview, the present invention provides a
`two-way remote control unit with a graphical user interface.
`The inventive remote control unit includes a transceiver for
`transmitting and receiving control commands to/from mul(cid:173)
`timedia components, which are displayed in the user(cid:173)
`friendly format on a display of the remote control unit. The
`user can scroll, select, browse, etc. through various menu
`items on the display, and activate any desired function on the
`multimedia system component by selecting the desired
`representation of that function on the display. In addition, the
`inventive remote control unit can communicate, also
`through wireless transmission, with a personal computer and
`obtain information from remote or local databases for either
`controlling or enhancing the operation of the multimedia
`system devices.
`FIGS. 1a and 1b show a block diagram of the remote
`control unit and various multimedia components according
`to the present invention. Remote control unit 100 includes
`antenna 102 for transmitting and receiving radio-frequency 40
`(RF) signals to/from another antenna as will be explained
`hereinbelow. Remote control unit 100 further includes a
`display 104 for providing a graphical user interface (GUI).
`This may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example.
`The display 104 graphically represents commands as issued 45
`by the user to control various functions in multimedia
`components and also displays the status of the components.
`Remote control unit 100 also includes user input section 106
`including control keys for allowing the user to enter com(cid:173)
`mands. Using the control keys, for example, the user can 50
`manipulate graphical representations (objects) on the dis(cid:173)
`play 104, that is, move the cursor up, down, right, left along
`the scroll-down menu, to select the desired function by
`clicking on the appropriate graphical object (icon), etc.
`An internal battery 108 supplies power to the various
`components in the remote control unit 100 including the
`display 104. Further included in the remote control unit 100
`is a cartridge 110 which plugs into the remote control unit
`100 for storing software (a binary program). This software
`contains specifications for controlling and operating the
`multimedia components as shown in FIG. 1. A micropro(cid:173)
`cessor 112 (programmable controller) controls the operation
`of the unit by processing data retrieved from the software
`cartridge 110 and/or a memory 114 for storing various data
`(including control programs which are executed by the
`microprocessor 112). The remote control unit 100 also
`includes a transmitter/receiver (transceiver 116) for per-
`
`5
`
`4
`forming the appropriate processing operations (modulating
`signals, etc.) such that information carrying radio-frequency
`(RF) signals are transmitted/received to and from the remote
`control unit 100. Namely, the transceiver 116 receives, via
`the antenna 102, the information carrying signals from
`another transceiver and passes the received information for
`processing by the microprocessor 112. Alternatively, the
`transceiver 116 may transmit the information carrying
`signals, also via the antenna 102, as supplied by the micro-
`10 processor 112. It is understood, of course, that various other
`components, such as various integrated circuits (IC), etc.,
`are contained in the remote control unit 100 to carry out the
`operations as described hereinbelow. However, for brevity,
`the description of these components is omitted as being
`15 non-essential to the understanding of the present invention.
`Further shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b are a battery charger
`118 for charging the internal battery 108 in the remote
`control unit 100. As known to those skilled in the art, the
`battery charger 118 plugs into any wall outlet at one end and
`20 is connected to the internal battery 108 via a plug, for
`example, at another end. As a result, the internal battery 108
`may be recharged by the user if the indicator for low battery
`(not shown) is on, for example.
`In addition, FIG. 1a shows a representative multimedia
`25 system comprised of various components (devices). For
`example, included in the system is a television set (TV) 120,
`a 200 CD changer 122, a DVD device 124, a DAT device
`126, a VCR 128, and an AM/FM receiver 130. The devices
`are interconnected via a serial control link which operates in
`30 the following manner. If commands are received by a
`particular device which are not directed thereto, this device
`merely passes the commands to the next device along the
`serial control link. The protocol is designed in such a way
`that each device either responds to the commands or passes
`35 them through. Similarly, when a particular device sends
`information via the serial control link, other devices simply
`function as pass-through components. The protocol used in
`such serial control link is known to those skilled in the art
`and will not be explained herein.
`The multimedia system further includes a transceiver 132
`including an antenna 134 connected to one of the devices in
`the system, namely the TV 120 as shown in FIG. 1a. The
`transceiver 132 is substantially identical to the transceiver
`116 contained in the remote control unit 100 and performs
`the same functions of receiving/transmitting information
`carrying signals. That is, information from the DVD player
`124, for example, is sent via the serial control link to the
`transceiver 132, and then transmitted via the antenna 134 to
`the remote control unit 100. Similarly, the information
`carrying signals from the remote control unit 100 are trans(cid:173)
`mitted via the antenna 102 to the transceiver 132. The
`transceiver 132 performs the appropriate processing opera(cid:173)
`tions by receiving and demodulating the signal, etc. and
`sending the received information as obtained from the
`55 demodulated signal via the serial control link to the intended
`recipient, that is one of the devices in the multimedia system.
`The operation of the present invention as illustrated in
`block diagram form in FIGS. 1a and 1b will now be
`explained. When the user turns the power on in the remote
`60 control unit 100, the microprocessor 112 executes an ini(cid:173)
`tializing routine. The graphical display 104 on the remote
`control unit 100 is activated, and the transceiver 116 sends
`a status request to the transceiver 132 connected to the
`system. The status request queries each device in the mul-
`65 timedia system to identify itself by sending an ID code that
`is unique to that device. That is, each device in the multi(cid:173)
`media system receives the status request and responds by
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1016 Page 6
`
`

`

`6,127,941
`
`5
`transmitting its own ID code via the serial control link and
`the transceiver 132.
`When the ID codes returned from the transceiver 132 are
`received by the remote control unit 100 and the transceiver
`116 in particular, the received information is supplied to the
`microprocessor 112 for appropriate processing. Namely, by
`executing specific instructions in the memory 114 as
`obtained from the cartridge 110 containing the specifications
`for the system components, the microprocessor 112 is opera(cid:173)
`tive to display graphical representations of each device on
`the display 104. If the microprocessor 112 determines that
`one or more of the received ID codes does not have a
`corresponding device specification in the cartridge 110, an
`error message is displayed on the display 104 indicating by
`a graphical block representation that an unknown campo- 15
`nent is present in the system. In this situation, the user may
`update the information in the cartridge 110 by obtaining a
`new cartridge containing the specifications for all of the
`components in the system.
`After the initialization procedure whereby each of the 20
`devices in the system is displayed on the display 104, the
`user may select any of the devices by manipulating the
`cursor on the display 104 via the control keys. Thus, the
`microprocessor 112, by executing appropriate program
`instructions, constantly monitors the user input section 106 25
`to detect whether any of the keys has been activated. If so,
`the microprocessor 112 interprets the command, for
`example, determines which key has been activated and
`performs the corresponding operation under the control of
`the program stored in cartridge 110 or in memory 114.
`By selecting a particular device on the display 104 via the
`user input section 106, all of the functions pertaining to the
`selected device become available such that the user can
`carry out any operation pertaining to the selected device by
`simply moving the cursor to the graphical representation of
`the operation (or a pull-down menu) and activating his
`selection. It is as if the user has access to all of the buttons,
`switches, etc. on the multimedia device that are clearly
`labeled in an easy-to-understand language with a user- 40
`friendly explanation as to their function without the need to
`read the accompanying manual to determine what the switch
`does.
`For example, if the user selects the TV 120, then a
`pull-down menu appears on the display 104 with the fol(cid:173)
`lowing functions "increase volume", "decrease volume",
`"increase channel by 1", "decrease channel by 1" for
`example. Another pull-down menu appears if more func(cid:173)
`tions are selected, whereby the user may scroll through such
`additional menus while activating or deactivating desired
`operations on the TV 120. The number of menu items,
`however, that are displayed on the display 104 is balanced
`against the number of menus to avoid two extreme situations
`pertaining to the graphical interface. That is, the extent of
`description of each function on the display is weighed 55
`against the number of menus that the user has to scroll
`through to get to the desired operation.
`As is apparent from the above, the user may browse
`through all of the devices in the system by moving the cursor
`on the display 104 from one corresponding graphical object
`to another. During the browsing (or function control)
`operation, each device responds with its status indicating
`whether the device is on or off, whether the selected function
`has been performed successfully, etc. by sending the appro(cid:173)
`priate information carrying signal via the serial control line
`to the transceiver 132 and then to the remote control unit
`100. This information is then received by the antenna 102
`
`6
`and is processed by the transceiver 116. Then, the micro(cid:173)
`processor 112 executes the appropriate instructions to dis(cid:173)
`play the received information on the display 104.
`Another aspect of the present invention is shown in FIG.
`5 2. A personal computer 136 (PC) is connected to a trans(cid:173)
`ceiver 138 with an antenna 140 substantially identical in
`operation and design to the transceivers 116, 132 and
`antennas 102, 134. The PC 136 has access either to a remote
`(the Internet 142) or local (CD-ROM 144) database
`10 containing, for example, title/track names of CDs,
`minidisks, etc. Alternatively, or in addition, the database
`may contain TV listing or VCR plus codes, that is codes for
`recording TV programs. Access to the Internet 142 is pro(cid:173)
`vided via a modem or network card attached to the PC 136
`and an Internet Service Provider, as known to those skilled
`in the art.
`The remote control unit 100 of FIG. 2 has one of its
`control keys labeled "Detailed Info". Alternatively, the
`operation of this key may be incorporated into the graphical
`interface and displayed on the display 104 for activation via
`the cursor. When the "Detailed Info" operation is initiated,
`the remote control unit 100 under control of the micropro-
`cessor 112 sends a request for detailed information via the
`transceiver 116 to the PC 136. The request, as represented by
`the information carrying signals, is received by the antenna
`140 and is processed by the transceiver 138. Following the
`processing by the transceiver 138, the request is supplied to
`the PC 136. The request for detailed information may
`include, for example, a request for the TV listing or the VCR
`plus codes. The PC 136 retrieves the desired information
`from the database 142, 144 and transmits it to the remote
`control unit 100. Such information, displayed on the display
`104, then becomes available to the user who may browse
`through the displayed TV listing, for example, or may record
`the program on the VCR 128 using the displayed VCR plus
`35 codes.
`Alternatively, or in addition, the request for detailed
`information transmitted from the remote control unit 100
`may include codes from CDs, minidisks, etc. of the multi(cid:173)
`media system components. Namely, each recording on the
`CD or minidisk can be uniquely identified by a code
`recorded in a preselected portion of the recording medium.
`By matching this code in the database 142, 144, the title/
`track of the recording can be determined. That is, the CD
`player 122, for example, transmits such codes of the CDs
`45 located in the CD player 122 to the remote control unit 100.
`The remote control unit 100 sends a request for detailed
`information that includes one or more codes received from
`the CD player 122. When the PC 136 receives these codes,
`the database 142, 144 is searched, and the corresponding
`50 title/track names are retrieved. This retrieved information is
`then transmitted from the PC 136 to the remote control unit
`100 for display. Consequently, the user may be listening to
`a particular recording while the display 104 on the remote
`control unit indicates the title/track name of that recording.
`In addition, play lists may be created based on the database
`and the recording media in the multimedia system compo(cid:173)
`nents. In particular, the user may determine all of the
`title/track names of the CDs in the CD player 122, for
`example, using the databases 142, 144 as explained herein-
`60 above. Then, the user may operate the remote control unit
`100 to select a play list of recordings on the display 104. The
`user-selected play list is transmitted to the CD player 122 via
`the transceivers 116, 132 and stored in the memory of the
`CD player 122, such that the recordings on the playlist are
`65 carried out in accordance with the playlist.
`It is understood, of course, that while the user input
`section 106 is comprised of control keys in the representa-
`
`30
`
`Yamaha Corporation of America Exhibit 1016 Page 7
`
`

`

`6,127,941
`
`20
`
`7
`tive embodiment of FIGS. 1a and 1b, any other cursor(cid:173)
`controlling device, such as an eraserhead, etc. may be used
`instead.
`Further, as previously mentioned, new multimedia
`devices controllable by the remote control unit 100 can be
`easily added to the system by upgrading/updating the
`removable cartridge 110. Alternatively, the program speci(cid:173)
`fications for various multimedia devices and the graphical
`user interface supporting these devices may be stored in the
`memory 114 of the remote control unit 100. Updates for new 10
`devices may be performed via a cable connecting the remote
`control unit 100 to the PC 136 for downloading new
`specifications from some storage medium or database, as
`provided by the manufacturers, for example.
`Further, while the transceivers 116, 132, 138 have been
`representatively described hereinabove as transmitting/
`receiving RF signals, it is understood by those skilled in the
`art that an infrared mode of communication may be used just
`as well to communicate between the remote control unit 100,
`multimedia system and PC 136.
`Having described specific preferred embodiments of the
`invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is
`to be understood that the invention is not limited to those
`precise embodiments, and that various changes and modi(cid:173)
`fications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art
`without departing from the scope or the spirit of the inven(cid:173)
`tion as defined in the appended claims.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A remote control device for wirelessly communicating
`with a multimedia system comprised of a plurality of
`audio/video devices, said multimedia system including a
`first transceiver for wirelessly transmitting and receiving a
`number of signals, comprising:
`a memory storage for storing specifications data for each
`of the audio/video devices, said specifications data
`being operative to have the audio/video devices per(cid:173)
`form a number of functions in response to command
`data;
`a user input section for inputting said command data 40
`representative of a function to be performed in at least
`one of the audio/video devices;
`a display for displaying a number of graphical objects
`corresponding to respective ones of the audio/video
`devices, and for displaying a menu including said 45
`number of functions corresponding to said respective
`audio/video devices such that said function is selected
`from said menu in response to said user input section,
`wherein for each said audio/video device that is
`unknown to said remote control device, a graphical 50
`block indicating that said device is unknown is dis(cid:173)
`played on said display;
`a programmable controller for processing the input com(cid:173)
`mand data corresponding to the selected function on
`said display; and
`a second transceiver for transmitting to said first trans(cid:173)
`ceiver a first signal corresponding to the processed
`command data such that said at least one audio/video
`device is operative to perform the selected function,
`and for receiving from said first transceiver a second
`signal corresponding to status data indicating whether
`the selected function has been performed.
`2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said user
`input section is comprised of a number of keys for manipu(cid:173)
`lating the graphical objects on said display.
`
`8
`3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the signals
`transmitted and received by said first and second transceiv(cid:173)
`ers are radio frequency signals.
`4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the audio/
`5 video devices in said multimedia system are connected to
`each other via a serial control link.
`5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a
`general purpose computer and a third transceiver connected
`to said computer such that said second transceiver transmits
`a third signal corresponding to the processed command data
`and representing a request for information to said third
`transceiver.
`6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said first
`15 transceiver transmits said third signal representing inform a(cid:173)
`tion about a recording medium in said at least one audio/
`video device such that said third signal is received by said
`second transceiver and re-transmitted to said third trans(cid:173)
`ceiver for identifying said information by said computer.
`7. The device according to claim 5, further comprising a
`database, and wherein said computer accesses said database
`for responding to said request for information, and transfers
`response information to said third transceiver for transmit(cid:173)
`ting a fourth signal representing said response information to
`25 said second transceiver.
`8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said second
`transceiver receives said fourth signal, said programmable
`controller being operative