US008243207B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Arling et al.
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,243,207 B2
`Aug. 14, 2012
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTIVITY
`BASED CONFIGURATION OF AN
`ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
`
`(75) Inventors: Paul D. Arling, Irvine, CA (US);
`Patrick H. Hayes, Mission Viejo, CA
`(Us)
`
`(73) Assignee: Universal Electronics Inc., Cypress, CA
`(Us)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 472 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/569,121
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep. 29, 2009
`
`7,339,513 B1* 3/2008 Provis et al. ................ .. 341/173
`7,586,398 B2
`9/2009 Huang et al.
`7,693,935 B2 *
`4/2010 Weber et a1. ................ .. 709/203
`7,714,940 B2 *
`5/2010 Lefevre et al.
`.. 348/734
`7,742,606 B2 *
`6/2010 Kreifeldt et a1. ..
`381/58
`7,818,482 B2 * 10/2010 ShimoZaWa et al. .
`710/72
`7,877,705 B2 *
`1/2011 Chambers et al.
`.. 715/835
`8,063,923 B2 * 11/2011 Lilleness et a1. ............ .. 715/738
`2004/0004630 A1
`1/2004 Kalva et al.
`2006/0101498 A1* 5/2006 Arling et al. .................. .. 725/81
`2007/0052547 A1
`3/2007 Haughawout et a1.
`2008/0066123 A1
`3/2008 Igoe et a1.
`2010/0180307 A1* 7/2010 Hayes et a1. .................. .. 725/51
`2011/0126135 A1* 5/2011 Chambers et al. .......... .. 715/763
`
`GB
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2275800
`9/1994
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`WIPO, International Preliminary Report on Patentability of PCT
`Appln. No. US2010/050553, Apr. 3, 2012, 6 pages.
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`US 2011/0075052 A1
`
`Mar. 31, 2011
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`H04N 7/01
`(52) US. Cl. ..................................................... .. 348/734
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search ................ .. 348/734,
`348/552, 553, 554, 705, 706, 5634565, 569
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,275,800 A
`3/1942 Olson
`5,959,751 A
`9/1999 Darbee et al.
`6,784,805 B2
`8/2004 Harris et al.
`6,910,085 B2
`6/2005 Takaku et al.
`6,930,730 B2 *
`8/2005 Maxon et al. ............... .. 348/734
`7,119,710 B2 10/2006 Hayes et al.
`7,139,981 B2* 11/2006 Mayer et a1. ................ .. 715/771
`7,155,305 B2 * 12/2006 Hayes et al. ................ .. 700/224
`7,234,115 B1 *
`6/2007 Sprauve et al. ............. .. 715/746
`
`Primary Examiner * Paulos Natnael
`(74) Attorney, A gent, or Firm * Greenberg Traurig, LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A command value corresponding to an activity key of a con
`trolling device is associated With a con?guration of an enter
`tainment device in Which at least one of a plurality of devices
`is selected as an audio visual input source device for the
`entertainment device and at least one of the plurality of
`devices is selected as an audio visual output destination
`device for the entertainment device. When the entertainment
`device receives from the controlling device a signal Which
`includes the command value corresponding to the activity key
`of the controlling device, the entertainment device accesses
`and uses the con?guration associated With the command
`value corresponding to the activity key of the controlling
`device.
`
`16 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`WELCOME TO ACTlVlTY
`SET UP
`
`Please selen an achvlty
`button on you remms mnlml
`
`WATCH MOVlE SETUP
`
`WATCH MOVlE SETUP
`Step 2' Select
`aeezmauon
`
`540
`
`CONGRATULATIONS!
`Ye ‘ “Watch Movie“ ewwryeelup 1e complete
`
`'
`
`.
`'; J Because you mn?gursd multiple
`sources. you will be Prompted sash “me I
`sele
`ctwmm one 10 usev
`
`542
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2012
`
`Sheet 1 of7
`
`US 8,243,207 B2
`
`114 *1
`
`100
`
`Figure 1
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 of7
`
`US 8,243,207 B2
`
`220
`\K/
`
`A
`
`Figure 2
`
`100
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2012
`
`Sheet 3 of7
`
`US 8,243,207 B2
`
`316
`\y Key matrix
`
`302
`\\__N Userfeedback
`device
`
`318
`K M/ input/Output
`
`300
`
`/ f 310
`Transmitter
`or
`transceiver
`circuit
`
`306
`J
`NV
`memory
`
`304
`mzgglry j
`
`L
`o
`@
`8
`5
`8
`E
`E
`
`I
`" E:
`
`Clock and
`timer logic
`
`mzglélry
`
`?siL J
`314
`/ ‘L7
`312/
`
`\\ 305
`
`Figure 3
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2012
`
`Sheet 4 of7
`
`US 8,243,207 B2
`
`420a, 420b, 4200
`\\
`
`Audio inputs
`
`/’ 408
`/
`Tuner
`
`/’ 406
`
`Audio
`processing
`
`// 430a, 43Gb
`Q’
`Audio ouputs
`
`I// 410
`
`422a, 422b, 4220
`
`ROM __
`
`Frontpanei
`
`\\
`\\
`
`402
`\
`\~ RAM "-
`
`AV inputs
`
`NV _
`RAM
`
`L
`'5 a
`‘é a";
`8 5
`Q.
`
`/
`
`//
`
`i
`
`// 412
`/
`R/C
`interface
`// 414
`
`Network
`
`connection
`
`4248, 424b, 4240
`\\
`\‘ IQ
`Video inputs
`
`400
`
`/// 404
`
`Video
`processing
`
`/» 4343, 434b
`
`Video ouputs
`
`1 2
`
`Figure 4
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2012
`
`Sheet 5 of7
`
`US 8,243,207 B2
`
`Activity setup
`
`User activates
`desired activity
`button
`
`1,
`
`Display possible
`
`inputs (source devices) for
`
`_\
`
`502
`
`activity
`
`l,
`
`\\
`\\
`504
`
`532
`
`WELCOME TO ACTIVlTY
`SET UP
`
`Please select an activity
`button on your remote control.
`
`Press ‘EXIT’ to quit
`
`WATCH ivioviE SETUP
`
`Step 1: Select source
`
`-
`
`I
`
`g
`,
`
`‘
`
`‘M _)
`~ \ \ \ \ ->
`
`DVD
`Blue Ra
`
`~ / I! IQHHEI
`
`Allow user to
`
`select one or more
`source devices
`
`t
`.
`.
`Display possible
`outputs
`
`506
`
`lde_st'nat'on
`
`devices )tor
`
`activity
`l,
`Allow user to
`
`\\ \\
`508
`
`select one or more
`.
`.
`destination
`devices
`
`~\
`
`l
`
`,\
`
`510
`
`_
`‘
`_
`Configure activity
`parameters
`
`t
`
`
`
`\\\\ \
`
`512
`
`Display completion
`
`message (with
`reminder if multiple
`sources or
`destinations)
`
`\\
`
`53s
`\\\
`
`T i
`
`,
`
`o
`
`‘
`
`“
`
`,
`
`y
`
`g
`
`;
`,
`~~
`‘
`
`‘:
`
`ame
`
`A Y to move
`4> to include
`“SEL" when done
`
`,
`
`y
`
`,
`
`,
`
`,
`
`,
`
`c
`
`,
`
`,
`
`Press ‘EXIT’ toquit
`
`WATCH MOVlE SETUP
`
`Step 2: Select
`.
`.
`destination
`
`-> Projector
`
`
`A Y to move 4 > to include
`“SEL” when done
`
`_
`
`1
`
`~
`
`‘
`
`Press “EXIT” toquit
`
`,
`
`,
`
`A
`
`A
`
`A‘
`
`A
`
`A
`
`A
`
`A
`
`A
`
`CONGRATULATIONS!
`‘ “Watch Movie“ activity setup is complete.
`
`/ Because you configured multiple
`sources, you will be prompted each time
`to select which one to use.
`
`To set up another activity, select the activity button
`on your remotev Else press “EXIT” if done,
`
`Press "EXlT’ to quit
`
`Figure 5
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 6
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2012
`
`Sheet 6 of7
`
`US 8,243,207 B2
`
`Activity button
`activated
`
`624 so
`\
`
`V
`
`Prompt userto ?rst
`Set up acnvlty
`
`Allow user to
`Choose desired
`source device
`
`4% \.__
`
`606
`
`Please select source
`
`~
`
`,
`
`‘
`
`Blue Ray
`
`A V to move
`4 > to include
`“SEU when done
`
`Select input
`
`\
`
`powered
`on?
`
`Request remote to
`power on source
`device
`
`Allow user to
`select desired
`destination device
`
`Press "EXIT" to quit
`
`/,/ 632
`
`WATCH MOVlE
`
`Please select destination
`
`,
`
`TV
`roiector
`
`A V to move
`< b to include
`“SEL” when done
`
`Press “EXlT’to quit
`
`Request remote to
`power on dest.
`device
`4%, ‘\\ 620
`Send con?guration
`data to remote
`
`>
`V
`
`Done
`
`’
`
`‘
`
`622
`
`Figure 6
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 7
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2012
`
`Sheet 7 of7
`
`US 8,243,207 B2
`
`{2mm LIPREA WW2"
`
`mwséumz KEYE“;
`AV Receiver
`
`718
`
`720
`
`716
`
`Figure 7
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 8
`
`

`

`US 8,243,207 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTIVITY
`BASED CONFIGURATION OF AN
`ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Home entertainment systems in Which multiple media
`sources and multiple media rendering devices are coupled
`through a central routing device such as an AV receiver are
`Well knoWn in the art, as are universal controlling devices
`adaptable to issue commands to a multiplicity of appliances
`of different manufacture and/ or type and Which are frequently
`associated With such home entertainment systems. As these
`home entertainment systems become increasingly complex
`due to the proliferation of media formats, appliance types,
`etc., the user actions required to con?gure a home entertain
`ment system to match a desired activity such as Watching TV
`or listening to music have become increasing onerous and
`error prone. Various methods have been proposed for auto
`mating all or part of these con?guration operations, for
`example through use of controlling device based macro
`sequences such as described in US. Pat. No. 5,959,751 or
`state-based control such as described in US. Pat. No. 7,784,
`805. HoWever, such methods may themselves be subject to
`error When equipment con?gurations or connections are not
`as expected, leading only to further user frustration.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates generally to improved methods for
`con?guring a multi-input and/or multi-output home enter
`tainment system to match a user’s desired activities. In such
`systems, the outputs and inputs of the various components are
`generally routed to and sWitched through one central device
`such as an AV receiver. The inventive methods described
`herein comprise a cooperative effort betWeen the AV receiver
`and an associated universal controlling device such as a
`remote control in Which activation of an activity key or button
`on the controlling device results in transmission of a signal to
`the AV receiver to initiate certain previously de?ned con?gu
`ration actions, Which actions may be conditioned upon theAV
`receiver’s determination of the current status of connected
`devices. In addition, certain controlling device command
`transmissions to other appliances in the home entertainment
`system may also be initiated as a result of said activity key
`activation, either unilaterally by the controlling device or at
`the request of the AV receiver. Since the AV receiver has
`access to appliance status information not available to the
`controlling device (by virtue of the AV receiver’s physical
`connection to those appliances), and the controlling device in
`turn has access to appliance command functions not available
`to the AV receiver, the cooperative execution of an activity
`con?guration request in this manner may result in more reli
`able and user-friendly system operation. In addition, since
`prior art initial user set up of AV receivers is generally GUI
`based and includes assignment of user-friendly names to
`source and destination appliances (for example, “DVD” in
`place of “Video input 3”), a user’s initial speci?cation of
`desired activity con?gurations may be facilitated by the use of
`these features When con?guring activities.
`A better understanding of the objects, advantages, features,
`properties and relationships of the invention Will be obtained
`from the folloWing detailed description and accompanying
`draWings Which set forth illustrative embodiments and Which
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`are indicative of the various Ways in Which the principles of
`the invention may be employed.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a better understanding of the various aspects of the
`invention, reference may be had to preferred embodiments
`shoWn in the attached draWings in Which:
`FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system in Which the meth
`ods of the instant invention may be practiced;
`FIG. 2 further illustrates an exemplary controlling device
`ofthe system of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of exemplary compo
`nents of the exemplary controlling device of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of exemplary compo
`nents of an AV receiver of the system of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary activity con?guration setup
`process in accordance With the methods of this invention;
`FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary activity sWitching process
`in accordance With the methods of this invention; and
`FIG. 7 illustrates a second exemplary activity con?gura
`tion setup process in accordance With the methods of this
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Turning noW to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an exemplary
`home entertainment system in Which the audio/video outputs
`of a group of various media source appliances such as for
`example a set top box (“STB”) 104, a ?rst DVD player 106, a
`second DVD player 108, a game console 110, and a CD
`changer 112 are all connected as inputs to anAV receiver 102.
`AV receiver 102 in turn functions to sWitch the currently
`desired input media stream to one or more designated outputs
`of AV receiver 102 Which are, in turn, connected to various
`audio and/or video rendering devices such as TV 114, pro
`jector 118, and/or loudspeakers 116; all as is Well knoWn in
`the art. In some embodiments AV receiver 102 may also
`include a netWork interface 120, for example Ethernet, for the
`routing of streaming media input/output from or to other
`areas of the home. When included, such a netWork interface
`may also be available for Internet access, doWnload of ?rm
`Ware updates and/or other data into AV receiver 102, etc.,
`again as Well knoWn in the art. Also illustrated is a universal
`controlling device 100 Which is capable of transmitting com
`mands to the appliances, using any convenient IR, RF, Point
`to-Point, or netWorked protocol, to cause the appliances to
`perform operational functions. While illustrated in the con
`text of a home entertainment system, it is to be understood
`that appliances controllable by universal controlling device
`100 may include, but need not be limited to, televisions,
`VCRs, DVRs, DVD players, cable or satellite converter set
`top boxes (“STBs”), ampli?ers, AV receivers, CD players,
`game consoles, home lighting, drapery, fans, HVAC systems,
`thermostats, personal computers, etc. In a preferred embodi
`ment, controlling device 100 supports bidirectional commu
`nication 130 With AV receiver 102 via any convenient IR or
`RF protocol.
`In an exemplary embodiment, controlling device 100 may
`be further adapted to function in cooperation WithAV receiver
`102 to con?gure the illustrative entertainment system in
`accordance With a user’s desired activities. To this end, as
`illustrated in FIG. 2, an exemplary controlling device may be
`provisioned With a series of activity selection keys or buttons
`200 With designations such as, for example, “Watch TV”,
`“Watch a Movie”, “Listen to Music”, “Play a Game”, etc.
`Activation of such an activity selection key may cause AV
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 9
`
`

`

`US 8,243,207 B2
`
`3
`receiver 102 and/or controlling device 100 to cooperatively
`place the exemplary home entertainment system into a user
`speci?ed state Which has been associated With that activity, as
`Will be described in further detail hereafter.
`Turning noW to FIG. 3, for use in commanding the func
`tional operations of one or more appliances, the controlling
`device 100 may include, as needed for a particular applica
`tion, a processor 300 coupled to a ROM memory 304, a RAM
`memory 305, a key matrix 316 (e.g., hard keys, soft keys such
`as a touch sensitive surface overlaid on a liquid crystal (LCD),
`and/ or an electroluminescent (EL) display), transmission cir
`cuit(s) and/ or transceiver circuit(s) 310 (e.g., IR and/ or RF), a
`non-volatile read/Write memory 306, a means 302 to provide
`feedback to the user (e.g., one or more LEDs, display,
`speaker, and/or the like), an input/output port 318 such as a
`serial interface, USB port, modem, Zigbee, WiFi, or Blue
`tooth transceiver, etc., and clock and timer logic 312 With
`associated crystal or resonator 314.
`As Will be understood by those skilled in the art, some or all
`of the memories 304, 305, 306 may include executable
`instructions (collectively, the controlling device program
`memory) that are intended to be executed by the processor
`300 to control the operation of the remote control 100, as Well
`as data Which serves to de?ne to the operational softWare the
`necessary control protocols and command values for use in
`transmitting command signals to controllable appliances
`(collectively, the command data). In this manner, the proces
`sor 300 may be programmed to control the various electronic
`components Within the remote control 100, e.g., to monitor
`the key matrix 316, to cause the transmission of signals, etc.
`The non-volatile read/Write memory 306, for example an
`EEPROM, battery-backed up RAM, FLASH, Smart Card,
`memory stick, or the like, may additionally be provided to
`store setup data and parameters as necessary. While the
`memory 304 is illustrated and described as a ROM memory,
`memory 304 can also be comprised of any type of readable
`media, such as ROM, FLASH, EEPROM, or the like. Prefer
`ably, the memories 304 and 305 are non-volatile or battery
`backed such that data is not required to be reloaded after
`battery changes. In addition, the memories 304, 305 and 306
`may take the form of a chip, a hard disk, a magnetic disk, an
`optical disk, and/or the like. Still further, it Will be appreciated
`that some or all of the illustrated memory devices may be
`physically combined (for example, a single FLASH memory
`may be logically partitioned into different portions to support
`the functionality of memories 304 and 306 respectively),
`and/or may be physically incorporated Within the same IC
`chip as the microprocessor 300 (a so called “microcontrol
`ler”) and, as such, they are shoWn separately in FIG. 3 only for
`the sake of clarity.
`To cause the controlling device 100 to perform an action,
`the controlling device 100 is adapted to be responsive to
`events, such as a sensed user interaction With the key matrix
`316, etc. In response to an event, appropriate instructions
`Within the program memory (hereafter the “controlling
`device operating program”) may be executed. For example,
`When a function key is actuated on the controlling device 100,
`the controlling device 100 may retrieve from the command
`data stored in memory 304, 305, 306 a command value and
`control protocol corresponding to the actuated function key
`and, Where necessary, current device mode and transmit that
`command to an intended target appliance, e.g., STE 104, in a
`format recogniZable by that appliance to thereby control one
`or more functional operations of that appliance. It Will be
`appreciated that the operating program can be used not only to
`cause the transmission of commands and/or data to the appli
`ances, but also to perform local operations. While not limit
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`4
`ing, local operations that may be performed by the controlling
`device 100 may include displaying information/data, favorite
`channel setup, macro key setup, function key relocation, etc.
`Examples of local operations can be found in US. Pat. Nos.
`5,481,256, 5,959,751, and 6,014,092.
`For selecting sets of command data to be associated With
`the appliances to be controlled data may be provided to con
`trolling device 100 that serves to identify each intended target
`appliance by its make, and/or model, and/or type. Such data
`alloWs the controlling device 100 to identify the appropriate
`command data set Within a library of command data that is to
`be used to transmit recogniZable commands in formats appro
`priate for such identi?ed appliances. Such a library of com
`mand data may be preprogrammed in controlling device 100,
`doWnloaded into controlling device 100 as part of the setup
`process, or a combination thereof. The library of command
`data may represent a plurality of controllable appliances of
`different types and manufacture, a plurality of controllable
`appliances of the same type but different manufacture, a
`plurality of appliances of the same manufacture but different
`type or model, etc., or any combination thereof as appropriate
`for a given embodiment. In certain embodiments, such data
`used to identify an appropriate command data set may take
`the form of a numeric setup code (obtained, for example, from
`a printed list of manufacturer names and/or models With
`corresponding code numbers, from a support Web site, etc.)
`Which may be entered via activation of those keys that are also
`used to cause the transmission of commands to an appliance,
`preferably the keys that are labeled With numerals.
`Alternative device setup procedures knoWn in the art
`include scanning bar codes, RFID tags, or other indicia;
`sequentially transmitting a predetermined command in dif
`ferent formats until a target appliance response is detected;
`interaction With a Web site culminating in doWnloading of
`command data and/or setup codes to the controlling device,
`etc. Further, in embodiments such as that illustrated in FIG. 1,
`set up of a controlling device 100 may be performed interac
`tively in conjunction WithAV receiver 102, using a connected
`device such as TV 114 for GUI display and a database of
`codes and/or brand and model information stored locally on
`AV receiver 102 or located remotely on a PC or Web server
`and accessed via netWork connection 120. Since such meth
`ods for setting up a controlling device to command the opera
`tion of speci?c home appliances are Well-known, these Will
`not be described in greater detail herein. Nevertheless, for
`additional information pertaining to setup procedures, the
`reader may turn, for example, to US. Pat. Nos. 4,959,810,
`5,614,906, or 6,225,938 or to pending US. patent application
`Ser. No. 11/515,962, all oflike assignee and all incorporated
`herein by reference in their entirety.
`With reference to FIG. 4, an exemplary AV receiver 102
`may include, as needed for a particular application, a control
`processor 400 coupled to a memory 402 Which may comprise
`any combination of ROM, RAM, and/or non-volatile read
`Write memory; video and audio processing sections 404, 406;
`a tuner 408 for reception of radio broadcast channels; a front
`panel 410 including user controls and/or a display; a remote
`control interface 412 for communicating With a controlling
`device (eg 100); a netWork interface 414 for communication
`With a local and/or Wide area netWork; audio inputs 42011
`through 4200; video inputs 42411 through 4240; AV inputs
`42211 through 4220; audio outputs 430a, 4301); and video
`outputs 434a and 43419. As Will be appreciated, audio and
`video inputs and outputs (Which may be more or less in
`number than illustrated) may comprise analog or digital sig
`nals and exemplary AV receiver 1 02 may be provisioned With
`analog-to-digital (ADC) converters, digital-to-analog (DAC)
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`US 8,243,207 B2
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`5
`converters, video decoders, HDMI encoder/ decoders,
`CODECs, format converters, etc., all as necessary to imple
`ment the input/ output switching and routing functionality. It
`Will be further appreciated that the functionality of video and
`audio processing blocks 404 and 408 may be implemented in
`separate components such as a specialiZed digital signal pro
`cessors (DSP), may be implemented as part of control pro
`cessor 400, or any combination thereof, and that portions of
`memory 402 may be allocated to or associated With audio and
`video processing blocks 404,408.
`It Will also be appreciated that some or all of the memory
`elements 402 may take the form of a chip, a hard disk, a
`magnetic disk, an optical disk, FLASH memory, and/or the
`like, and that all or portion of the memory 402 may be physi
`cally incorporated Within the same IC chip as the control
`processor 400 and/or audio or video processing blocks 404,
`406 and, as such, memory 402 is shoWn separately in FIG. 4
`only for the sake of clarity.
`As Will be understood by those skilled in the art, some or all
`of the memory 402 may include executable instructions that
`are intended to be executed by the processor 400 to control the
`operation of the AV receiver 102 (hereafter, the “AV receiver
`operating program”). In this manner, the processor 400 may
`be programmed to control the various electronic components
`Within theAV receiver, e.g., to monitor the front panel 410 and
`or remote control interface 412, to cause the routing of video
`and/ or audio signals betWeen the various inputs and outputs,
`to control selection of radio broadcast channel by tuner 408,
`to control volume and equalization settings of audio outputs
`430a and 430b, etc. Further, the AV receiver operating pro
`gram, in conjunction With video processing block 404, may
`provide GUI-based setup menus for AV receiver functions
`such as input and output assignments, levels, balances, equal
`iZation, etc., via a connected video monitor device such as for
`example TV 114. Since such GUI-based AV receiver setup is
`Well knoWn in the art, for the sake of brevity it Will not be
`described further herein, hoWever if greater detail is desired
`regarding such features and functionality the interested
`reader may reference, for example, a document such as the
`Denon AV Surround Receiver STR-DA5500ES OWner’s
`Manual (D&M Holdings Inc. publication number 5411
`10255 000D).
`In addition, in an exemplary embodiment described herein
`the AV receiver operating program may include programming
`Which functions in cooperation With controlling device 100 to
`de?ne and subsequently execute user-desired con?guration
`of the home entertainment system in accordance With various
`activities.
`With reference to FIG. 5, after completing the initial set up
`of AV receiver 102, for example as described in the above
`referenced Denon STR-DA5500ES User’s Manual, a user
`may Wish to con?gure the functionality of the activity buttons
`200 of controlling device 100. To this end, she may place the
`AV receiver into an activity setup mode via, for example by a
`sequence of keypresses on controlling device 100, use of
`navigation keys 210 of controlling device 100 to select a
`menu item displayed on TV 114, or such other action as may
`be appropriate for a particular embodiment. Upon entering
`activity setup mode, the AV receiver operating program may
`display an exemplary initial status message 530 on TV 114
`prompting the user to select an activity to con?gure. The AV
`receiver operating program thereafter Waits at step 502 for
`user input, i.e. activation of one of the activity buttons 200 of
`controlling device 100. In the illustrated example, the user
`may select button 202 labeled “Watch a Movie”, resulting in
`communication by the controlling device 100 of an appropri
`ate key command value to AV receiver 102. Upon receipt of
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`the “Watch a Movie” activity command, at step 504 the AV
`receiver operating program may display a listing 532 of avail
`able source devices that are knoWn to be connected to inputs
`422, 424 of AV receiver 102. In this context it Will be appre
`ciated that the earlier-mentioned initial setup procedures of
`AV receiver may include user labeling/identi?cation of the
`devices connected to the various inputs together With a selec
`tion of compatible command data sets Within universal con
`trolling device 100, and the resulting user friendly labels such
`as “DVD player”, “Projector”, etc. may be used thereafter in
`the generation of displays such as that illustrated at 532.
`Additionally, the displayed listing may be further tailored by
`the AV receiver operating program to include only those
`currently-con?gured devices knoWn to be compatible With
`the speci?ed activityifor example, for the presently illus
`trated “Watch a Movie” activity devices Which are incapable
`of sourcing a video stream, such as CD player 112 or tuner
`408 may be omitted from the list presented to the user. At step
`506, the user may employ navigation keys 210 of controlling
`device 100 to move a cursor 536 and select desired source
`device(s). One or more source devices may be selected, as
`indicated for example by indicia 534. In the event more than
`one source device is designated, the user may be prompted at
`activity execution time to select the desired source, as Will be
`described in further detail hereafter in conjunction With FIG.
`6.
`Upon completion of source device selection, at step 508 a
`list 538 of possible destination devices may be displayed for
`user selection at step 510 in a similar manner to that described
`above. Once again, the list of devices may be tailored by the
`AV receiver operating program to include, in this case, only
`those currently-con?gured devices knoWn to be capable of
`rendering the designated input media stream(s). Although not
`shoWn, it Will be appreciated that other con?guration options
`may also be presented to the user in certain embodiments, for
`example, selection of a destination for audio output. Once all
`user selections have been made, at step 512 the activity con
`?guration parameters may be ?naliZed and stored in AV
`receiver memory 402 for future use in con?guring the home
`entertainment system When the indicated activity is called for,
`e.g., the ?nal con?guration is stored and associated With the
`received key command value corresponding to the activity
`key that Was activated at the start of the con?guration process.
`Thereafter, the AV receiver operating program may display a
`completion message 540, including in this example a
`reminder 542 that ?nal source selection Will be required at
`execution time. At step 516, the user indicates Whether she
`Wishes to set up another activity, in Which case processing
`returns to initial step 502. If not, activity setup is complete and
`the AV receiver operating program exits setup mode and
`returns to normal operation.
`The execution of an exemplary activity con?guration
`request Will noW be discussed in conjunction With FIG. 6.
`Upon actuation of an activity button on controlling device
`100, for example 202 “Watch a Movie” and receipt of the
`resulting appropriate key command value communication by
`AV receiver 102, assuming the AV receiver operating pro
`gram is in the normal operation state (i.e. not in setup mode as
`described previously), at step 602 the AV receiver operating
`program ?rst determines if the activity by the key command
`value received from the controlling device has in fact been
`con?gured. If not, at step 624 an error message is displayed,
`for example on TV 114, prompting the user to ?rst con?gure
`that activity, and the activity request is ignored. If the activity
`has been con?gured, at step 604 the AV receiver operating
`program next determines from the con?guration associated
`With the received key command value if multiple sources
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`US 8,243,207 B2
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`7
`Were con?gured. If so, at step 606 the options are displayed as
`illustrated at 630 and the user is prompted to select a desired
`source device, for example, by using the navigation and selec
`tion keys of the controlling device to highlight and select the
`desired source device. As Will be appreciated, if only one
`source device Was con?gured at setup time, this step may be
`skipped. Once a source device has been designated, at step
`608 the AV receiver operating program selects the audio,
`video and/orAV inputs associated With the designated source
`device. At step 610, the AV receiver operating program deter
`mines if the selected source device is poWered on, for
`example by detecting presence or absence of audio/video
`signal, sensing HDMI status, etc. as appropriate for the device
`connection in question. Alternatives such as poWer sensing,
`etc. may also be available in certain embodiments. If the
`selected source device is not poWered on, in a preferred
`embodiment at step 612 a request may issued to controlling
`device 100 via bidirectional communication link 130 to trans
`mit a “poWer on” command to the source appliance. As Will be
`appreciated, such a request Would include data that functions
`to indicate to the controlling device 100 the intended target
`appliance for the “poWer on” command. Thereafter, at step
`614 the AV receiver operating program determines if multiple
`destinations Were con?gured. If so, at step 616 the options are
`displayed as illustrated at 632 and the user prompted to select
`a desired destination device as described above. Again, if only
`one destination device Was con?gured at setup time, this step
`may be skipped. At step 618, the AV receiver operating pro
`gram determines if the selected destination device is poWered
`on, for example by sensing HDMI status. Alternatives such as
`detection of AV signals from an auxiliary output of a render
`ing device, poWer sensing, etc. may also be available in cer
`tain embodiments. If the selected destination device is not
`poWered on, in a preferred embodiment at step 620 a request
`may be issued to controlling device 100 via bidirectional
`communication link 130 to t