(12) United States Patent
`Hatakeyama et al.
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,545,587 B1
`Apr. 8, 2003
`
`US006545587B1
`
`(54) BIDIRECTIONAL REMOTE CONTROL
`SYSTEM, BIDIRECTIONAL REMOTE
`CONTROLLER, AND DEVICE
`CONTROLLED BY BIDIRECTIONAL
`REMOTE CONTROLLER
`
`4,764,981 A * 8/1988 Miyahara et al. .... .. 340/825.69
`5,109,222 A * 4/1992 Welty .................. .. 340/825.72
`5,444,439 A * 8/1995 Kuroda et a1. ..
`340/825.22
`6,005,490 A * 12/1999 Higashihara
`340/825.72
`6,133,847 A * 10/2000 Yang ................... .. 340/825.22
`
`(75) IIIVGIIIOI‘SZ Talkeshi Hatakeyama, Osal<a (JP);
`Mltsuru Kltao, Yamatokoriyama (JP);
`Kenichi Moriguchi, NeyagaWa (JP);
`Toshihiko Kurosaki, Kobe (JP)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`JP
`
`1-115298
`4-346597
`
`5/1989
`12/1992
`
`(73) Assignee: ?aitsztsplgita Electric Industrial Co.,
`
`* Cited by examiner
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject' to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or ad]usted under 35
`U‘SC. 154(k)) by 0 days‘
`
`Primary Examiner_Brian Zimmerman
`A .
`E .
`Y D be
`sststant xammer— ves a ncourt
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Parkhurst & Wendel, LLP
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/229,612
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Jan‘ 13’ 1999
`(22) Flled:
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`Mar. 6, 1998
`(JP) ......................................... .. 10-054665
`
`Int. (:1-7 .............................................. ..
`(52) US Cl- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~ 340/3-31; 340/31; 340/33;
`_ 340/82522; 340/82537; 340/825~69; 340/825~72
`(58) Fleld of Search ....................... .. 340/31, 3.3, 3.31,
`340/825‘69’ 82572’ 82522’ 82537
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`A bidirectional remote control system including a bidirec
`tional remote controller and ?rst and second devices con
`trolled thereby; wherem the ?rst devlce_ls_ for, recewmg a
`request of device information from the bidirectional remote
`Controller and for sending the device information [0 [he
`bidirectional remote controller. The bidirectional remote
`controller is also for sending the request of the device
`information t0 the ?rst device, receiving the device infor_
`mation from the ?rst device and sending the device infor
`mation to the second device, Which is for receiving the
`device information from the bidirectional remote controller.
`
`4,728,949 A * 3/1988 Platte et al. ......... .. 340/825.37
`
`14 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`operator input
`
`bidirectional remote
`controller
`
`31 ’\_,
`
`selectlon unlt @311
`
`t
`
`-
`
`device information ___ central processing
`storage unit
`unit
`
`312
`
`313
`bidirectional
`communication unit q, 314
`
`32 m
`bidirectional
`321/4,
`communication unit
`
`33 q,
`bidirectional
`331 we,
`communication unit
`
`322 ,p television body
`
`332 q, microwave oven body
`
`television
`
`microwave oven
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 1 0f 16
`
`US 6,545,587 B1
`
`Fig.1
`
`operator input
`
`bidirectional remote
`controller
`
`11 a
`
`l
`selection unit @111
`
`device information
`storage unit
`
`central processing
`unit
`
`112
`
`1 13
`bidirectional
`communication unit “J 114
`
`device controlled by
`bidirectional remote controller
`
`12 m
`
`'
`121 q bidirectional
`communication unit
`
`l
`device information
`storage unit
`
`I]
`1 22
`
`controlled device body @123
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 2 0f 16
`
`US 6,545,587 B1
`
`Fig.2
`
`Fig.3
`
`device name
`
`channel setting information
`
`channel number
`
`volume information
`
`input setting information
`
`screen setting information
`
`21
`
`operator input
`
`_
`_
`I
`bidirectional remote
`controller
`
`31“
`
`selection unit @311
`
`device information
`storage unit
`
`central processing
`unit
`
`312
`
`313
`bidirectional
`communication unit q, 314
`
`32 m
`bidirectional
`321 'w/
`communication unit
`
`33 ’\_,
`l
`331 q, bidirectional
`communication unit
`
`322 ,L, television body
`
`332,» microwave oven body
`
`television
`
`microwave oven
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 3 0f 16
`
`US 6,545,587 B1
`
`Fig.4
`
`Fig.5
`
`heating time information 1
`
`heating temperature information 1
`
`heating time information 2
`
`heating temperature information 2
`
`heating time information N
`
`heating temperature information N
`
`41
`
`car navigator
`disposed in room
`
`in-vehicie
`car navigator
`
`\A 51
`
`M 53
`
`course
`information
`
`course
`information
`
`52
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 4 0f 16
`
`US 6,545,587 B1
`
`Fig.6
`
`starting point
`
`link 1
`
`link 2
`
`link 3
`
`link N
`
`destination point
`
`61
`
`Fig.7
`
`user input
`
`bidirectional remote
`controller
`
`71 a
`
`7
`711 ‘x selection unit
`
`display unit
`
`device information
`storage unit
`A
`
`713
`
`_
`l
`central processing @714
`unit
`l \
`timer unit
`
`bidirectional
`communication unit a 716
`l
`
`’\,71 5
`
`device controlled by
`bidirectional remote controller
`
`72 "p
`
`721 "v bidirectional communication unit
`
`722 "p
`
`controlled device body
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 5 0f 16
`
`US 6,545,587 B1
`
`Fig.8
`
`@ower)
`
`operating
`
`\,\
`31
`
`(power)
`
`reserving
`
`\.,\
`82
`
`start1z12
`
`end 4:12
`
`H
`
`cooling
`
`air quantity/
`strong
`
`27°C I
`
`cooling
`
`air quantity/
`strong
`
`27°C
`
`operating
`air quantity
`mode switch
`switch
`temperature temperature
`up
`down
`
`operating
`air quantity
`mode switch
`switch
`temperature temperature
`up
`down
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 6 6f 16
`
`US 6,545,587 B1
`
`Fig.9 Prior Art
`
`user input
`
`bidirectional remote
`contorller
`
`91 ’“
`
`selection unit
`
`display unit
`
`911
`
`'
`central rocessin unit
`p x
`g m 913
`
`912
`
`bidirectional
`communication unit
`
`a 91 4
`
`92 a
`
`l
`bidirectional
`921% communication unit
`
`922% controlled device body
`
`device controlled by
`bidirectional remote controller
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 7 0f 16
`
`US 6,545,587 B1
`
`Fig.10
`
`user input
`
`1005 ’\a display unit
`
`input unit
`
`’\~ 1001
`
`program information
`storage unit
`
`1002
`nit
`central rocessin
`p
`g u a 1003
`
`1004
`
`bidirectional m 1006a
`communication unit
`
`controller
`
`10“ [h
`
`@1014
`
`bidirectional a 1006b m 1007
`communication unit
`
`program information
`storage unit
`
`.
`,
`central processing Un|1/\,10Q8
`
`1
`
`1009
`
`set-top box
`
`program recieving unit
`k
`a 1010
`
`* TY
`monitor
`
`1013 I @1012
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 8 0f 16
`
`US 6,545,587 B1
`
`c2823»:
`
`gm’?
`
`@5982 D mo:
`E369:
`
`Om
`
`mo:
`
`mo:
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000009
`
`

`

`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000010
`
`

`

`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 11 0f 16
`
`US 6,545,587 B1
`
`6:
`
`m2:
`
`EO>
`
`8:
`W
`220
`
`938
`
`239:?
`
`261
`
`5.8239
`
`2020.0 w \ \\\\\\\
`
`mop IO
`
`mow IO
`
`For I0
`
`oouww
`
`092
`
`092.
`
`, E=9Eou
`
`TPD
`
`@5989
`
`:9.
`623E
`
`Om
`
`mo:
`
`mo:
`
`mo:
`
`NF:
`
`3.9m
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000012
`
`

`

`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000013
`
`

`

`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000014
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 14 0f 16
`
`US 6,545,587 B1
`
`Po:
`
`m5?
`
`
`
`Pom? ./1
`
`mom?
`
`EO>
`
`mom?
`
`NSF
`
`
`
`
`
`/ 8:10 N910 SPIQ
`
`mom?
`
`oonow
`
`2.3
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000015
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 15 0f 16
`
`US 6,545,587 B1
`
`Fig.18
`
`user input
`
`1005 ’\~ display unit
`
`input unit
`
`''\-~ 1001
`
`program
`
`information storage unit
`
`
`
`Central processing Unit IL’ ‘
`
`1002
`
`iI
`1004
`
`bidirectional
`communication unit “1006
`
`controller
`
`_ program
`1804 “M information
`storage unit
`
`bidirectional
`communication unit
`
`q’ 1006 "b 1301
`
`'
`central processing unit @1803
`
`1802 “M -
`
`program
`retr'eval un't
`
`-
`
`program recording/ a
`reproduction unit
`1801
`
`VCR
`
`program
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000016
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 8,2003
`
`Sheet 16 0f 16
`
`US 6,545,587 B1
`
`Fig.19
`
`1902
`
`1901
`Q —
`
`1011
`
`1014
`
`1001
`
`1132
`
`controller
`
`\
`\
`
`\
`
`7 o'clock news
`
`9 o'clock news
`
`\
`
`12 o'clock news
`
`\
`\
`
`nevs/A
`
`weather
`report
`
`drama
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000017
`
`

`

`US 6,545,587 B1
`
`1
`BIDIRECTIONAL REMOTE CONTROL
`SYSTEM, BIDIRECTIONAL REMOTE
`CONTROLLER, AND DEVICE
`CONTROLLED BY BIDIRECTIONAL
`REMOTE CONTROLLER
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a bidirectional remote
`control system for controlling a device by using a bidirec
`tional remote controller, the bidirectional remote controller,
`and the device controlled by the bidirectional remote con
`troller. More speci?cally, the invention relates to those
`capable of downloading information about the operating
`state of the remote-controlled device (hereinafter referred to
`as “device information”) or the like into the remote control
`ler.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`As an example of a prior art bidirectional remote control
`system, there is a system in Which a bidirectional commu
`nication line is disposed betWeen a remote controller and a
`device controlled by the remote controller, Whereby infor
`mation about the operating state of the remote-controlled
`device is doWnloaded into the remote controller for display.
`For example, Japanese Published Patent Application No.
`Hei. 1-115298 discloses such a bidirectional remote control
`system. In this prior art, information about the operating
`state of a device controlled by a bidirectional remote con
`troller is output from the device to the remote controller, and
`the operating state is displayed on the remote controller,
`Whereby the operator can con?rm the operating state on the
`remote controller.
`Hereinafter, the prior art bidirectional remote control
`system Will be described With reference to FIG. 9.
`FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the prior art bidi
`rectional remote control system. In FIG. 9, reference
`numeral 91 designates a bidirectional remote controller, and
`this remote controller 91 comprises a selection unit 911, a
`display unit 912, a central processing unit (CPU) 913, and a
`bidirectional communication unit 914. Reference numeral
`92 designates a device controlled by the bidirectional remote
`controller 91 (hereinafter, referred to simply as “a controlled
`device”), and this device 92 comprises a bidirectional com
`munication unit 921 and a controlled device body 922.
`Adescription is given of the operation of the bidirectional
`remote control system.
`First of all, transmission of a command from the bidirec
`tional remote controller 91 to the controlled device 92, such
`as an air conditioner, is carried out in the same manner as in
`an ordinary remote control system.
`To be speci?c, When the operator selects a command by
`the selecting unit 911, the selected command is sent from the
`selecting unit 911 to the CPU 913, and the CPU 913 instructs
`the bidirectional communication unit 914 to send an opera
`tion request signal corresponding to the command. Receiv
`ing this instruction, the bidirectional communication unit
`914 sends the operation request signal to the controlled
`device 92.
`The controlled device 92 receives the operation request
`signal by the bidirectional communication unit 921, and the
`bidirectional communication unit 921 outputs the operation
`request signal to the controlled device body 922. Receiving
`the operation request signal, the controlled device body 922
`performs an operation speci?ed by the operation request
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`signal, thereby completing a course of operation. Informa
`tion relating to the operating state of the controlled device
`92, for example, the temperature of the air conditioner in this
`case, is doWnloaded from the controlled device 92 to the
`bidirectional remote controller 91, in the folloWing manner.
`Initially, the controlled device body 922 of the controlled
`device 92 outputs the operating state information to the
`bidirectional communication unit 921, periodically, or When
`the operating state changes. On receipt of the operating state
`information, the bidirectional communication unit 921 sends
`the information to the bidirectional remote controller 91.
`The bidirectional remote controller 91 receives the oper
`ating state information by the bidirectional communication
`unit 914, and outputs it to the CPU 913. Next, the CPU 913
`outputs the operating state information to the display unit
`912, and the display unit 912 displays the operating state
`information. For example, When the controlled device 92 is
`an air conditioner, the bidirectional remote controller 91
`receives information such as “temperature—+27° C.”,
`“operating mode—cooling”, and “air quantity—strong”, and
`displays the information on the display unit 912. Thereby,
`the operator can con?rm the operating state of the controlled
`device 92, by the bidirectional remote controller 91, in a
`place distant from the device 92.
`HoWever, the prior art bidirectional remote control system
`has the folloWing draWbacks.
`In the controlled device body 922 of the controlled device
`92, the set information, i.e., the information set for the
`controlled device, is volatile and, furthermore, it is not
`portable, i.e., information Which has been set once cannot be
`carried and reused for another device.
`More speci?cally, in the prior art bidirectional remote
`control system, although the operator can con?rm the oper
`ating state of the controlled device 92 by the bidirectional
`remote controller 91, When the poWer to the controlled
`device 92 is turned off, the operating state and the setting
`state of the controlled device 92 are reset.
`As described above, the operating state and the setting
`state of the controlled device 92 are volatile and reset When
`the poWer to the controlled device 92 is turned off.
`Therefore, When the poWer is turned on again, the operating
`state or the setting state must be set again by using the
`bidirectional remote controller 91 or the like.
`Furthermore, When the user Wants to use the same device
`as that used at home, With the same setting as that at home,
`in a place Where he/she has gone on a travel or the like, the
`use must set the device again, and this is troublesome. Thus,
`the setting information of the controlled device is not only
`volatile but non-portable.
`Furthermore, When changing the setting state of the
`controlled device 92, the bidirectional remote controller 91
`and the controlled device 92 must be connected by Wire or
`Wireless to set the change in the online state, and this
`operation is very complicated.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`An object of the present invention is to provide a bidi
`rectional remote control system in Which it is not necessary
`to perform setting again, With respect to the same device
`controlled by the bidirectional remote controller.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`bidirectional remote control system in Which the setting of
`the remote-controlled device can be changed independently
`at the bidirectional remote controller side and, furthermore,
`a plurality of changes can be made at the same time.
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit: 1007 Page 000018
`
`

`

`US 6,545,587 B1
`
`3
`Other objects and advantages of the invention Will
`become apparent from the detailed description that follows.
`The detailed description and speci?c embodiments
`described are provided only for illustration since various
`additions and modi?cations Within the scope of the inven
`tion Will be apparent to those of skill in the art from the
`detailed description.
`According to a ?rst aspect of the present invention, there
`is provided a bidirectional remote control system comprising
`a bidirectional remote controller and a device remote
`controlled by the bidirectional remote controller, Wherein
`the remote-controlled device comprises: a device informa
`tion storage unit for storing device information of the
`remote-controlled device; a bidirectional communication
`unit for sending the device information stored in the device
`information storage unit to the bidirectional remote
`controller, or receiving the device information sent from the
`bidirectional remote controller; a controlled device body for
`receiving an operation request signal from the bidirectional
`communication unit and performing an operation according
`to the operation request signal; and the bidirectional remote
`controller comprises: a device information storage unit for
`storing the device information of the remote-controlled
`device; a bidirectional communication unit for receiving the
`device information sent from the remote-controlled device,
`or sending the device information stored in the device
`information storage unit to the remote-controlled device; a
`selection unit operated by an operator to select and indicate
`operations to be performed by the bidirectional remote
`controller and the remote-controlled device; and a central
`processing unit for controlling the operations of the device
`information storage unit, the bidirectional communication
`unit, and the selection unit.
`According to a second aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided a device remote-controlled by a bidirec
`tional remote controller, included in a system comprising the
`bidirectional remote controller and the remote-controlled
`device, and the remote-controlled device comprises: a
`device information storage unit for storing device informa
`tion of the remote-controlled device; a bidirectional com
`munication unit for sending the device information stored in
`the device information storage unit to the bidirectional
`remote controller, or receiving the device information sent
`from the bidirectional remote controller; and a controlled
`device body for receiving an operation request signal from
`the bidirectional communication unit and performing an
`operation according to the operation request signal.
`According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
`is provided a bidirectional remote controller included in a
`system comprising the bidirectional remote controller and a
`device remote-controlled by the bidirectional remote
`controller, and the bidirectional remote controller com
`prises: a device information storage unit for storing device
`information of the remote-controlled device; a bidirectional
`communication unit for receiving the device information
`sent from the remote-controlled device, or sending the
`device information stored in the device information storage
`unit to the remote-controlled device; a selection unit oper
`ated by an operator to select and indicate operations to be
`performed by the bidirectional remote controller and the
`remote-controlled device; and a central processing unit for
`controlling the operations of the device information storage
`unit, the bidirectional communication unit, and the selection
`unit.
`According to a fourth aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided a bidirectional remote control system
`comprising a bidirectional remote controller and a plurality
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`4
`of devices remote-controlled by the bidirectional remote
`controller, Wherein each of the remote-controlled devices
`comprises: a device information storage unit for storing
`device information of the remote-controlled device; a bidi
`rectional communication unit for sending the device infor
`mation stored in the device information storage unit to the
`bidirectional remote controller, or receiving the device infor
`mation sent from the bidirectional remote controller; a
`controlled device body for receiving an operation request
`signal from the bidirectional communication unit and per
`forming an operation according to the operation request
`signal; and the bidirectional remote controller comprises: a
`device information storage unit for storing the device infor
`mation of the remote-controlled devices; a bidirectional
`communication unit for receiving the device information
`sent from the remote-controlled devices, or sending the
`device information stored in the device information storage
`unit to the remote-controlled devices; a selection unit oper
`ated by an operator to select and indicate operations to be
`performed by the bidirectional remote controller and the
`remote-controlled devices; and a central processing unit for
`controlling the operations of the device information storage
`unit, the bidirectional communication unit, and the selection
`unit.
`According to a ?fth aspect of the present invention, there
`is provided a plurality of devices remote-controlled by a
`bidirectional remote controller, included in a system com
`prising the bidirectional remote controller and the remote
`controlled devices, and each of the remote-controlled
`devices comprises: a device information storage unit for
`storing device information of the remote-controlled device;
`a bidirectional communication unit for sending the device
`information stored in the device information storage unit to
`the bidirectional remote controller, or receiving the device
`information sent from the bidirectional remote controller;
`and a controlled device body for receiving an operation
`request signal from the bidirectional communication unit
`and performing an operation according to the operation
`request signal.
`According to a siXth aspect of the present invention, there
`is provided a bidirectional remote controller included in a
`system comprising the bidirectional remote controller and a
`plurality of devices controlled by the bidirectional remote
`controller, and the bidirectional remote controller com
`prises: a device information storage unit for storing device
`information of the remote-controlled devices; a bidirectional
`communication unit for receiving the device information
`sent from one of the remote-controlled devices, or sending
`the device information stored in the device information
`storage unit to one of the remote-controlled devices; a
`selection unit operated by an operator to select and indicate
`operations to be performed by the bidirectional remote
`controller and the remote-controlled devices; and a central
`processing unit for controlling the operations of the device
`information storage unit, the bidirectional communication
`unit, and the selection unit.
`In the above-described ?rst to siXth aspects of the
`invention, device information such as device setting infor
`mation is stored in the bidirectional remote controller, and
`the device information stored in the remote controller is
`uploaded to the device controlled by the remote controller.
`Therefore, it is possible to solve the problem of volatility of
`device information, and realiZe portability of device infor
`mation as Well as information eXchange betWeen a plurality
`of devices controlled by the remote controller.
`According to a seventh aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided a bidirectional remote control system
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`US 6,545,587 B1
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`5
`comprising a bidirectional remote controller and a device
`remote-controlled by the bidirectional remote controller,
`Wherein the remote-controlled device comprises: a device
`information storage unit for storing device information of
`the remote-controlled device; a bidirectional communication
`unit for sending the device information stored in the device
`information storage unit to the bidirectional remote
`controller, or receiving the device information sent from the
`bidirectional remote controller; a controlled device body for
`receiving an operation request signal from the bidirectional
`communication unit and performing an operation according
`to the operation request signal; and the bidirectional remote
`controller comprises: a timer unit; a device information
`storage unit for storing the device information of the remote
`controlled device; a bidirectional communication unit for
`receiving the device information sent from the remote
`controlled device, or sending the device information stored
`in the device information storage unit to the remote
`controlled device; a selection unit operated by an operator to
`select and indicate operations to be performed by the bidi
`rectional remote controller and the remote-controlled
`device; and a central processing unit for controlling the
`operations of the device information storage unit, the bidi
`rectional communication unit, and the selection unit.
`According to an eighth aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided a bidirectional remote controller included
`in a system comprising the bidirectional remote-controller
`and a device remote-controlled by the bidirectional remote
`controller, and the bidirectional remote controller com
`prises: a timer unit; a device information storage unit for
`storing device information of the remote-controlled device;
`a bidirectional communication unit for receiving the device
`information sent from the remote-controlled device, or send
`ing the device information stored in the device information
`storage unit to the remote-controlled device; a selection unit
`operated by an operator to select and indicate operations to
`be performed by the bidirectional remote controller and the
`remote-controlled device; and a central processing unit for
`controlling the operations of the device information storage
`unit, the bidirectional communication unit, and the selection
`unit.
`According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there
`is provided a bidirectional remote control system comprising
`a bidirectional remote controller and a plurality of devices
`remote-controlled by the bidirectional remote controller,
`Wherein each of the remote-controlled devices comprises: a
`device information storage unit for storing device informa
`tion of the remote-controlled device; a bidirectional com
`munication unit for sending the device information stored in
`the device information storage unit to the bidirectional
`remote controller, or receiving the device information sent
`from the bidirectional remote controller; a controlled device
`body for receiving an operation request signal from the
`bidirectional communication unit and performing an opera
`tion according to the operation request signal; and the
`bidirectional remote controller comprises: a timer unit; a
`device information storage unit for storing the device infor
`mation of the remote-controlled devices; a bidirectional
`communication unit for receiving the device information
`sent from the remote-controlled devices, or sending the
`device information stored in the device information storage
`unit to the remote-controlled devices; a selection unit oper
`ated by an operator to select and indicate operations to be
`performed by the bidirectional remote controller and the
`remote-controlled devices; and a central processing unit for
`controlling the operations of the device information storage
`unit, the bidirectional communication unit, and the selection
`unit.
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`According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there
`is provided a bidirectional remote controller included in a
`system comprising the bidirectional remote controller and a
`plurality of devices remote-controlled by the bidirectional
`remote controller, and the bidirectional remote controller
`comprises: a timer unit; a device information storage unit for
`storing device information of the remote-controlled devices;
`a bidirectional communication unit for receiving the device
`information sent from the remote-controlled devices, or
`sending the device information stored in the device infor
`mation storage unit to the remote-controlled devices; a
`selection unit operated by an operator to select and indicate
`operations to be performed by the bidirectional remote
`controller and the remote-controlled devices; and a central
`processing unit for controlling the operations of the device
`information storage unit, the bidirectional communication
`unit, and the selection unit.
`According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided a bidirectional remote control system
`comprising a bidirectional remote controller and a device
`remote-controlled by the bidirectional remote controller,
`Wherein the remote-controlled device comprises: a device
`information storage unit for storing device information of
`the remote-controlled device, and operation information for
`creating an operational environment of the remote
`controlled device; a bidirectional communication unit for
`sending the device information stored in the device infor
`mation storage unit to the bidirectional remote controller, or
`receiving the device information sent from the bidirectional
`remote controller; a controlled device body for receiving an
`operation request signal from the bidirectional communica
`tion unit and performing an operation according to the
`operation request signal; and the bidirectional remote con
`troller comprises: a device information storage unit for
`storing the device information of the remote-controlled
`device, and the operation information for creating the opera
`tional environment of the remote-controlled device; a bidi
`rectional communication unit for sending the device infor
`mation stored in the device information storage unit to the
`remote-controlled device, or receiving the device informa
`tion sent from the remote-controlled device; a selection unit
`operated by an operator to select and indicate operations to
`be performed by the bidirectional remote controller and the
`remote-controlled device; a display unit for receiving the
`device information and the operation information of the
`remote-controlled device, from the device information stor
`age unit, and displaying the operational environment of the
`remote-controlled device; and a central processing unit for
`controlling the operations of the device information storage
`unit, the bidirectional communication unit, and the selection
`unit.
`According to a tWelfth aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided a bidirectional remote controller included
`in a system comprising the bidirectional remote controller
`and a device remote-controlled by the bidirectional remote
`controller, and the bidirectional remote controller com
`prises: a device information storage unit for storing device
`information of the remote-controlled device, and operation
`information for creating an operational environment of the
`remote-controlled device; a bidirectional communication
`unit for sending the device information stored in the device
`information storage unit to the remote-controlled device, or
`receiving the device information sent from the remote
`controlled device; a selection unit operated by an operator to
`select and indicate operations to be performed by the bidi
`rectional remote controller and the remote-controlled
`device; a display unit for receiving the device information
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