|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||l|||l|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
`
`U500755461432
`
`(12; United States Patent
`US 7,554,614 BZ
`Satou
`
`Jun. 30, 2009(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`
`(54) REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`(75}
`
`Inventor: Tetsuya Satou.()saka(Jl-’]
`
`('13) Assignee: Panasonic Corporation. Osaka (JP)
`
`( * } Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer. the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`USI‘. 1540:) by a days.
`
`(2]) Appl. No:
`
`121282.024
`
`(22)
`
`PCT Filed:
`
`Dec. 7, 2007
`
`5.574.965 A "
`5.608.730 A '
`5.991342 A *
`0.813.659 Bl
`6.912.016 82'
`
`"1253151
`1131906 Wellner
`
`3T0.-'4?|
`35199? Osakabeetal.
`11.51999 'l'akaymm ................... 210-105
`11.53004 Osakahc ct at.
`6.52005 Slumm
`
`3439105
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATIENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`
`5-260554
`21100-059459
`2002-2 [5483
`
`10-1993
`2-"2000
`32002
`
`(86)
`
`PC'1‘ No.:
`
`PCTt'JPZIIO’Mt‘BtSGS
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`§ 37] (61(1).
`(2]. (4) Date:
`
`Sep. 8, 2008
`
`(87)
`
`PCT Pub. No; W02008t069304
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Jun. 12, 2008
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 200910051824 A]
`Feb. 26. 2009
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(65)
`
`(30)
`
`International Search Report issued Jan. 15. 2008 in the International
`(PCT) Application of which the present application is the [1.8.
`National Stage.
`English translation of Informal Cotmncnts filed in Response to Writ-
`ten Opinion of the international Searching Authority issued Jan. 15.
`2008 in the internal tonal application ot‘which the present application
`is the LES. national phase.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner—Victor R Kostak
`(741Attomet‘. Agent. or Firm—Wenderoth. Lind & Pollack.
`LLP.
`
`Dec. 8. 2006
`Mar. 6. 200?
`
`(JP)
`(JP)
`
`20116-332518
`2007-0564441
`
`(5?)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`Int.(31.
`”MN 5/44
`”041V 5/268
`348173413431706
`(52) US. Cl.
`3481734.
`(58)
`Field ofClassification Search
`3481569. 7'05. 206. 552; 225138. 153: 71018.
`71001.15 19. 62--64.105,106; 340325.69.
`3401825511. 825.72: 386183
`See application file tor complete search history.
`
`(56}
`
`References Cited
`U .S. l’fll‘llN’I' DOCUMENTS
`
`3.371.553 A
`
`Iii-"1994 Kawamura ct al.
`
`A remote control system which controls plural devices con—
`nected to a bus. and which includes: a set top box (2) that is
`operated by a controller (4): and a DVD player (1) that trans-
`mits. to the plural devices connected to the bus. a first com-
`mand indicating that the DVD player (1) is currently output-
`ting video. Upon receiving the first command. the set top box
`(2) transmits. to the DVD player (1) via the has. a second
`command corresponding to an operating signal transmitted
`from the controller. and the DVD player (1) receives the
`second signal and executes a process corresponding to the
`second command.
`
`17 Claims, 27 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Roku EX1037
`
`US. Patent No. 9,716,853
`
`Roku EX1037
`U.S. Patent No. 9,716,853
`
`

`

`US 7,554,614 82
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`20060084409 A1 *
`
`$2006 Ghadiali
`
`..................... 455x352
`
`1145.609 32* 12.9006
`2002-0194596 Ai“
`Ill-“2002
`2003-"0093304 Al‘
`5a’2003
`200330134590 A1
`7:“2003
`200530123277 Al“
`652005
`2005i0132053 A1*
`6:"2005
`
`Kim ........................... 348x705
`
`" 22:3;
`EEMIZYL'
`S :g‘ a]
`' """"""""""" '
`u
`e
`'
`0110 ct a].
`..................... 386394
`Ncogj
`........................ T0922?
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`i-Iigh—Defiuition Multimedia Interface Specification Version 1.3a.
`Nov. 10. 2006. (see especially Chapter [3 "CH: 13 CEC Features
`Descriplion". 31 pp. CEC 22-9?)
`
`"‘ cited by examiner
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 1 of 27
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`
`
`mnou0:59qu
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`mm058“EDI
`
`
`
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`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 3 of 27
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`Hom:o_m_>w_w._.
`
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`mwas><
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`
`
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 5 of 27
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`FIG. 5
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 6 of 27
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Television
`
`
`
`
`
`DVD player
`
`
`
`
`
`Set top box
`
`
`
`
`Controller
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 7 of 27
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`Television
`
`Micro-
`
`computer
`
`
`
`
`
`14 Set top box
`DVD player
`HDMI
`
`output unit
`
`
`
`
`
`Controller
`reception umt
`
`
`
`
`21
`
`
`transmissmn unit
`
`
`20
`
`
`Input unit
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 8 of 27
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`FIG. 8
`
`S201
`
`
`
`S202
`
` User inputs through
`
`input unit
`
`
`
`Television menu
`
`
`STE-dedicated
`display key
`STE-dedicated key?
`key
`Basic key?
`
`
`
`Television menu display key?
`
`
`Transmit third
`command
`television
`
`
`Basic key
`
`
`
`5203
`
`STB currently being
`
`
`
`STB performs
`operation
`
`Television
`corresponding
`to the key
`displaying a
`
`menu?
`
`
`S206
`
`Television
`
`Which is Active
`Source device?
`
`
`
`
`DVD player
`
`
`Transmit
`
`command
`
`
`to television
`
`
`
`
`5207
`
`Transmit
`command
`
`to DVD player
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 9 of 27
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Receive command
`through HDMI
`
`5102
`
`
`
`Receive command
`through controller
`
`of DVD player
`
`
`
`
`
`Start playback
`
`5104
`
`Broadcast
`
`<Active Source>
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`fl“,3m
`
`9002
`
`HI.2f0m
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`JAmoSomm>Bu<V
`
`mmu_IIIIIIIIIIIIIL
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`
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`
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`
`
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`
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`
`
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`
`
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`
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`
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`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 11 M27
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`FIG. 11
`
` S310
`S311
`
`Receive <Active Sou rce>
`
`
`
`Switch input to terminal to
`
`
`which the device issuing the
`
`<Active Source> is connected
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 12 of 2?
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`FIG. 12
`
`5210
`
`5211
`
`Receive
`
`<Active Source>
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Record, in memory,
`last device to issue
`<Active Source>
`
`FIG. 13
`
`Receive third
`
`command
`
`Display GUI menu
`of television
`
`
`
`
`
`Notify menu
`display start
`
`S320
`
`5321
`
`5322
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 13 om
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`FIG. 14
`
`Television operation menu
`
`Operate DVD player
`
`Audio mode switching
`
`Initial setting
`
`Picture quality adjustment
`
`FIG. 15
`
` Receive menu display
`
`
`
`start from television
`
` 5220
`
`5221
`
`Record, in memory,
`menu display state
`of television
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet :4 OUT
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`FIG. 16
`
` S312
`
`Receive CEC
`
`command
`
`Receive command
`through controller
`of television
`
`
`
`
`Perform operation
`corresponding to
`command
`
`
`
`
`Display of menu
`S315
`
`
`Transmit menu
`display start to STB
`
`
`
`
`Display of menu
`ended?
`
`Transmit menu
`display end to STB
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 15 om
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`FIG. 17
`
`5230
`
`5231
`
` Receive menu
`
`
`display end from
`
`television
`
` Record, in memory,
`
`
`menu display state
`
`of television
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 16 onT
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`
`
`hwxmmnmEEmuxm
`
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`
`
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`
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`
`ma.OE
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 17 om
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`input unit
`
`HDMI cable
`
`HDMI cable
`
`31
`External speaker
`
`30
` AV
`
`amplifier
`
`
`HDMI
`35
`output
`
`”mt
`
`
`
`
`Amplifier
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Television HDMI
`computer
`Input unit
`
`Micro-
`
`Controller
`
`reception
`unit
`
`
`
`HDMI
`input
`unlt
`
`Controller
`
`Controller
`transmission
`Un't
`
`14
`
`DVD player
`12
`
`Micro-
`computer
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 18 onT
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`m
`ON
`
`Hm
`
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`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 19 om
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`
`
`computer
`
`26 DVD recorder
`
`Controller
`
`21
`
`Controller
`transmission
`Unit
`
`Input unit
`
`Micro-
`
`HDMI cable
`
`HDMI
`cable
`
`HDMI
`cable
`
`1
`
`14 DVD player
`
`Controller
`
`reception
`unit
`
`Micro-
`
`computer
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 20 om
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`FIG. 22
`
`
`
`User inputs through
`controller
`
`5241
`
`STE—dedicated key?
`Basic key?
`Television menu display key?
`
`8248
`
`
`Transmit television
`
` 8242
`Television menu
`
`
`display key
`STE-dedicated
`key
`
`
`menu display
`
`
` Basic key
`command only to
`
`
`television
`
`
`Television
`
`
`hich is Active
`Source device?
`
`
`
`
`
`Transmit
`nor television
`
`command to
`television
`
` Neither STB
`
`
`
`
`Transmit
`
`Transmit command
`STB performs
`command
`
`
`to active source and
`operation
`to television
`
`television
`
`corresponding
`to the ke
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`2
`
`2
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`.m”1:03;
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`
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 22 of 2?
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`">3."_............
`
`
`
`
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 23 onT
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`FIG. 25
`
`
`
`Receive
`
`<Active Source>
`
`5250
`
`5251
`
` Record, in memory,
`last c_levice to Issue
`<Actlve Source>
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 24 OH?
`
`US 7,554,614 132
`
`FIG. 26
`
`81 11
`
`Receive CEC
`command
`
`SI 1 2
`
`Receive command
`through controller
`of DVD player
`
`Other than
`
`5113
`
`Command of a
`
`Not dis la in
`p y g
`
`basic key
`basic key?
`5114\
`Basic key
`Displaying menu?
`8116
`
`
`command of basic key
`
`
`
`
`Does not become
`an active source
`
`5118
`
`
`device
` Needs to be
`
`an active source
`
`device?
`
`
`
`Becomes active
`source device
`
`
` Broadcast
`<Active Source>
`
`command to CEC
`bus
`
`
`5120
`
`Transmit menu
`delete command
`
`to television 203
`
`
`
`5115
`Perform
`operation
`corresponding
`to command
`
`D'SPIaV'ng
`Perform operation
`corresponding to
`
`5119
`
`End
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 25 om
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`CATV program guide
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 26 om
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`FIG. 28
`
`S331
`
` 5332
`
`Receive CEC
`
`command
`
`S333
`
`
`
`
`Receive command
`through controller
`
`
`of television
`
`
`Other than
`
`Command of a
`basic key
`basic key?
`
`Basic key
`
`S334
`
`
`_
`_
`Perform operation
`Displaying
`corresponding to
`
`command
`menu?
`
`
`
`Perform operation
`
`corresponding to
`command of basic key
`
`N
`
`‘5
`_
`
`
`Otdl Playing
`
`
`Displaying
`
`S337
`
`Do nothing
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 30, 2009
`
`Sheet 2? of 2?
`
`US 7,554,614 32
`
`FIG. 29
`
`Receive
`
`<Active Source>
`
`S340
`
`S341
`
` /
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Switch input to terminal
`to which <Active Source>
`device is connected
`
`FIG. 30
`
` Receive television
`menu display
`
`command
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Transmit menu delete
`
`command to active
`source device
`
`S350
`
`S351
`
`S352
`
`Display GUI menu
`of television
`
`
`
`

`

`1
`REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`US 7.554.614 BZ
`
`2
`
`The present invention relates to remote control systems.
`and particularly to a remote control system which allows
`plural devices to be controlled by one remote controller.
`
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`(1o nventionally. in an environment ofviewing and listening
`to video and audio by connecting a television receiver (here-
`after called “television"] to a set top box, there are cases of
`viewing and listening to video and audio by further connect—
`ing a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player. and cases of lis-
`tening to audio by further connecting an extemalAV amplifier
`and an external speaker. and outputting the audio front the
`speaker. In an AudiofVisuaI {AV} system such as this. in order
`to operate the respective devices. a user needs to switch
`among, and operate. remote controllers (hereafter called
`”controller") corresponding to each of the devices. Further-
`more. between viewing and listening to video and audio outn
`putted by the set top box and viewing and listening to video
`and attdio outputted by the DVD player. the user needs to
`switch the input ofthe television. In addition. in order to use
`the respective functions included in the respective devices.
`such as operation of an electronic program guide, the user
`needs to perform troublesome operations such as switching
`among controllers corresponding to the devices.
`As one method for solving this problem. a function called
`Consumer Electronics Control (CBC) has been defined in
`High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) (for example.
`see Non-Patent Reference 1). This is a function in which a
`television and various AV de rices are connected by an IIDMI
`cable. and tran5mit and receive CELC commands to each other
`via a CEC bus included in the HDMI cable. CEC defines a
`command which is transmitted with the destination of the
`
`command being specified. and a broadcast command for rioti-
`t‘ying a command to all ("EC-compliant devices connected by
`HDMI. and communication is carried out using a combina-
`tion of these commands. The CEC command. as shown in
`FIG. 1. includes the transmission destination device logical
`address. transmission destination device logical address. an
`operating code. and an operand.
`Non-Patent Reference 1 defines One Touch Play. Routing
`Control. Device Menu Control. Remote Control Pass
`Through. and so on. as applications using a CEC command.
`Hereinafter. device control in the conventional remote con-
`trol system shall be described using FIG. 2.
`As stream in FIG. 2. a remote control system includes a
`television 101. an AV amplifier 102. a DVD player 103. an
`external speaker 104. a set top box 105. and a controller 106.
`The television 101 is a device for outputting video and
`audio outputled front a device connected via an HDMI cable.
`The AV amplifier 102. to which IIDMI input tertninal the
`DVD player 103 is connected, receives video and audio from
`the DVD player 103 via the HDMI input terminal. and outputs
`the video outputted from the DVD player 103 to the television
`101 connected to an I-lDMl output terminal, while outputting
`audio from the external speaker 104. Furtlrennore. the AV
`amplifier 102 can switch between the input from another
`device not shown in the diagrzun and the input front the DVD
`player 103. and output video to the television 101.
`The DVD player 103 is a device which decodes video
`content recorded on a DVD. and outputs video and audio via
`the HDMI cable.
`
`5
`
`1t]
`
`The set top box 105 is a device which outputs video and
`audio ofa cable television broadcast. via the HDMI cable.
`In the above-described configuration. when the DVD
`player 103 starts playback. for example, the DVD player 103
`transmits a «:Text View On;- command or an <ltnage View
`()n> command to the television 101. and transmits an <Active
`Sources command indicating the start of video output. The
`television 101 arid the AV amplifier 102 which receive the
`respective commands. each perform input switching auto-
`matically so that the video ofthe DVD player 103 is outptttted
`based on the parameters of the commands. F urthernrore,
`when the television 101 is OFF, the television automatically
`turns 0N.
`
`it]
`
`Furthermore. when the user operates the DVD player 103
`by operating the controller 106 of the television 101. the
`signal transmitted from the controller 106 is received by the
`television 101. and the television 101 transmits a oorrunand
`corresponding to the signal of the controller.
`to the DVD
`player 103. Upon rtxeiving the command. the DVD player
`103 performs the corresponding operation thereby enabling
`the user to operate the DVD player 103 using the controller of
`the television 101.
`in the
`I-‘tuthermore. another example of device control
`conventional remote control system shall be described using
`I.) Jr
`. FIG. 3.
`As shown in FIG. 3. a remote control system includes a
`television 301. a DVD player 302. a DVD recorder 303. a set
`top box 304. and a controllcr 305.
`The television 301 is a device for outputting video and
`audio outputted from a device comrected via an HDMI cable.
`The DVD player 302 is a device which decodes video
`content recorded on a DVD. and outputs video and audio via
`the HDMI cable.
`
`3t]
`
`35
`
`is a
`The DVD recorder 303. like the DVD player 302.
`device which decodes video content recorded on a DVD. and
`
`outputs video and audio via the HDMI cable. Furthermore,
`the DVD recorder 303 has a function forreceiving and encod-
`ing video and audio. and recording the encoded video and
`audio on a recording DVD.
`The set top box 304 is a device which outputs video and
`audio ofa cable television broadcast, via the HDMI cable.
`Devices connected through the I lDMI cable obtain a physi-
`cal address by Display Data Channel (DDC) communication
`defined in the [-iDMl Standard. l-Iere, DDC communication is
`. a function for inquiries: from a device [called a source device)
`connected by the HDMI cable, which transmits video and
`audio: to a device (called a sink device} which receives video
`and audio: regarding the device-type information of the sink
`device. the reproducible video and audio format. the physical
`address assigned to the source device. and so on. The logical
`address is an address given according to terminals corutected
`by the HDMI cable. and is. for example. 1.0.0.0 when con-
`nected to a first terminal of the television. and 2.0.0.0 when
`connected to the second terminal.
`
`5th
`
`55
`
`64]
`
`In the configuration indicated in FIG. 3. when the DVD
`player 302 starts playback, for example. the DVD player 302
`transmits an <Activc Source> command. which is a broadcast
`command indicating the start ol‘video and audio output. with
`the physical address of the transmission source device as a
`parameter. Upon receiving the conunand. the television 301
`automatically performs input switching. based on the param-
`eter ofthe <Active Source> command. so that the video of the
`DVD player 302 is outputted. Furthermore. when the televi—
`sion 301 is OFF. the television automatically tums ON.
`Furthermore. when the user operates the DVD player 302
`by operating the controller 305 of the set top box 304. the
`signal transmitted front the controller 305 is received by the
`
`

`

`US 7.554.614 BZ
`
`3
`set top box 304. The set top box 304 transfers a CBC corn-
`mand con'esponding to the signal received from the controller
`305. to the DVD player 302. The DVD player 302 receiving
`the command performs an operation corresponditrg to the
`command. with this. the user is able to operate the DVD
`player 302 by operating the controller 305 ofthe set top box
`304.
`
`Furthermore. according to Patent Reference 1. in an AV
`system including an AV bus for transmitting data signals such
`as a command. a video signal. and an audio signal. between a
`television and respective devices in the AV system,
`the
`respective devices are controlled by operating the television.
`Hereinafter. the device control in Patent Reference 1 shall
`be described using FIG. 4.
`Respective devices in an AV system are corurectod by an
`AV bus. and a signal passing through the bus has the form of
`a packet. Furthermore. each packet includes a transmission
`source address indicating the device that transmitted the data.
`and a destination address indicating the destination of the
`data.
`A television 311 receives a command transmitted from a
`controller 315. and transmits a command to the AV bus
`according to the details of the received command.
`When receiving the command from the AV btts. each ol‘a
`DVD player 312. a DVD recorder 313. and a set top box 314
`analyzes and executes the command when the destination
`address ofthe conunand is addressed to it. Funhennore. when
`the command is not addressed to it. the command is disre-
`garded without being analyzed.
`Hereinafter. the operation in the case where the DVD
`player 312 plays back video recorded on a DVD, and displays
`the video on the television 311. iii the AV system in Patent
`Reference 1 shall be described.
`
`First, when the user presses a power ON button of the
`controller 315. a signal indicating power ON is transmitted.
`Upon receiving the simtal. the television 311 performs the
`checking of the connection state of devices connected to the
`AV bus. the detection of malfunctions. and so on.
`
`Next. when the user pressesa tnenu button ofthe controller
`315. the television 311 displays a first control window on a
`screen. Icons indicating AV devices such as the DVD player.
`and a cursor are displayed on the first coon-01 window. The
`user can move the cursor by pressing U P. IXJVVN. LEFT. and
`RIGHT buttons on the controller 315, and activate. in the
`television 311. a program corresponding to the icon indicated
`by the cursor, by pressing an ENTER button.
`Next. when the user points the cursor to the icon indicating
`the DVD player and presses the I-ENTIER button. the television
`311 displays a second control window. Icons for setting the
`operating mode of the DVD player. such as playback and
`stop. and a cursor are displayed on the second control win-
`dow. [By performing the same operation as in the case of the
`lirst control window. the user can activate a program corre-
`sponding to the icon indicated by the cursor. In the case of
`performing playback using the DVD player 312. the user
`points the cursor to the icon indicating playback and presses
`the IiN'I‘] ER button. "then. the television 31 l generates a com-
`mand for setting the DVD player 312 to the playback mode.
`adds a destination address indicating the DVD player 312.
`and transmits the command to the AV bus.
`
`The DVD player 312 checks the destination address of the
`command transmitted by the AV bus and. when the destina-
`tion address indicates the DVD player 312. analyzes the
`details of the command and executes the command. In the
`
`case where the received command is a command for setting
`the playback mode, the DVD player312 starts playback of the
`DVD.
`
`11]
`
`it]
`
`I.) u:
`
`31]
`
`35
`
`5th
`
`55
`
`611]
`
`4
`
`Non-Patent Reference 1: High-Definition Multimedia Inter-
`face Specification Version 1321
`Patent Reference 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Applica-
`tion Publication No. 5-260554
`
`DISCLOSURE 01" INVENTION
`
`Problems that Invention is to Solve
`
`However. in the case where the riser is viewing a cable
`television broadcast received by the set top box. there are
`instances where there is a difference in channel-receiving
`capability between the television and set top box. As such. the
`user is required to constantly use the controller of the set top
`box to operate the television. the DVD player. and the DVD
`recorder.
`
`According to Non-Patent Reference 1. when the user oper-
`ates the DVD player by operating the controller of the set top
`box. the signal transmitted frotn the controller is received by
`the set top box. Furthermore. the set top box transmits. to the
`DVD player. a CIEC command corresponding to the signal
`received from the controller. In addition. the DVD player 302
`receiving the CEC conunand performs the operation corre-
`sponding to the received CEC command. With this series of
`operations. the user is able to operate the DVD player using
`the controller of the set top box.
`However. the television can display a menu generated by a
`microcomputer bttiIt—into the television. by superimposition
`onto the video outputted by the DVD player. As such. there
`are cases where both the television and the DVD player have
`a function for displaying a menu and allowing the operation
`of various functions through the user‘s operation ofa cursor
`displayed on the nrenu. In such a configuration. for example.
`there is a possibility that the UP. DOWN. LEFT. RIGHT
`buttons. and the like, used in moving the cursor of the menu
`are used for the television and the DVD player alike. There-
`fore. in the case where the uscroperatcs the television and the
`DVD player by using the controller. the set top box must
`select to which device the command should be transmitted.
`and it becomes difficult to transmit a comtnand so as to
`
`control the DVD player.
`For example. although the <Active Sourcrp corrunttnd is
`broadcast when the DVD player plays back a DVD. irt the
`case where the user watches the video of the DVD player. and
`operates the functions of the television by a menu of the
`television. suclt as picture quality adjustment of the televi-
`sion. the menu of the television is displayed by being super-
`imposed on the video ofthe DVD player. However. the set top
`box cannot recognize which device between the television
`and the DVD player is displaying the nrcnu on the screen. As
`such. with respect to the signal received front the controller.
`the set top box is unable to determine the device to which the
`command should be transmitted. Furthemrorc. HDMI defuies
`a broadcast command for sending a command to all devices.
`including a television and a DVD player. connected to 3 CBC
`bus. However. when the broadcast command is transmitted. a
`device that is not intended by a user. such as a DVD recorder
`that is not displaying video on the television. performs. As
`such. the set top box cannot perform broadcast command-
`based command transfer. Therefore.
`in the conventional
`
`remote control system. the user cannot operate various AV
`devices including a television as well as a DVD player and a
`DVD recorder. by using one controller.
`Thus. the present invention is conceived in order to solve
`the aforementioned problem and has as an object to provide a
`remote control system. a remote control method. and a corn-
`
`

`

`US 7,554,614 E32
`
`6
`ing the at least one second video output apparatus that is in the
`operational state as the transmission destination.
`For example. assuming that the bus is a CEC bus. the first
`video output apparatus is a set top box for cable television
`broadcasts. the video display apparatus is a television, and the
`second video output apparams is an AV device such as a DVD
`player. and the like. it is possible to operate theAV device and
`the television item a remote controller of the set top box.
`Furthemrore. even when plural devices are comtected to the
`bus. a command only affects the AV device that is currently
`being viewed and the television. and does not affect AV"
`devices that are not being viewed.
`Note that the present invention can be implemented. not
`only as such a remote control system. but also as a remote
`control medtod and command trans fer method which include,
`as steps. the characteristic units included in such a remote
`control system. and as a program which causes a computer to
`execute such steps. Moreover. it should be obvious that such
`a program can be distributed via a recording medium such as
`a CD-ROM and so on! or a transmission medium such as thc
`Internet. and so on.
`
`Effects of the Invention
`
`is possible to provide a
`it
`invention.
`With the present
`remote control systenr in which, even when video outputted
`by an AV device other than a set top box is currently being
`viewed through a television.
`it
`is possible to operate the
`television and the AV" device using a controller of the set top
`box.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`
`It]
`
`21']
`
`I.) 1):
`
`3t]
`
`35
`
`IT G. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a (Tl-BC com-
`mand.
`
`5
`mand transfer method that allows a television and various AV"
`devices to be controlled via a set top box. using a controller of
`the set top box.
`
`Means to Solve the Problems
`
`In order to achieve the aforementioned object. the remote
`control system according to an aspect ofthe present invention
`is a remote control system for controlling plural devices con-
`nected to a bus, tlte remote control system includes: a first
`video output apparatus operated by a remote controller: and a
`second video output apparatus which transmits a first com-
`mand to the devices connected to the bus. the first command
`indicating that the second video output apparatus is currently
`outputting video, wherein the first video output apparatus
`transmits a second cotnmand to the second video output appa-
`ratus. via the bus. in the case of receiving the first conunand.
`the second command corresponding to an operating signal
`transmitted from the remote controller. and the second video
`
`output apparatus receives the second command and cxocutes
`a process corresponding to the second command.
`For example. assuming that the first video output apparatus
`is a set top box. the second video output apparatus is an AV
`device such as a DVD player. and tlte like. and the bus is a
`CEC bus. it is possible to operate theAV device from a remote
`controller ofthe set top box.
`It is preferable that the remote control system further
`includes a video display apparatus connected to the bus.
`wherein the first video output apparatus transmits a predeter-
`mined third command to the video display apparatus con—
`nected to the bus, whether or not
`the first oormnand is
`received and the video display apparatus receives the third
`command and executes a process corresponding to the third
`command.
`For example. asstmiing that the video display apparatus is
`a television receiver. and the third command is a command for
`displaying a menu.
`it
`is possible to cause the television
`receiverto display the menu, front the remote controller of the
`set top box.
`The remote control system according to another aspect of
`the present invention is a remote control system including a
`first video output apparatus having a remote controller. a
`video display apparatus. and at least one second video output
`apparatus that arc comrected to a bus. and which receives a
`command issued from the remote controller and transfers the
`received conunand. via the bus, to at least one of the video
`display apparatus and the at least one second video apparatus.
`wherein the first video output apparatus includes: a recogni-
`tion unit which recognizes that the at least one second video
`output apparatus is in an operational state. based on a state—
`recognition conunand received from the at least one second
`video output apparatus. via the bus. the state-recognition
`command indicating that the at least one second video output
`apparatus is in an operational state. a classification unit which
`classifies the command issued from the remote controller:
`and a transfer unit which: in the case where the classification
`trnit classifies the command as a dedicated command for the
`
`4U
`
`5t]
`
`55
`
`video display apparatus, transfers the dedicated command to
`the video display apparatus: and in the case where the classi-
`fication unit classifies the command as a cotrunon command
`
`till
`
`which can be run cotrunonly among plural devices connected
`to the bus. transfers. via the bus. to the video display apparatus
`and the at least one second video output apparatus that is in
`the operational state= a command in which the conunon com—
`mand is attached with a code indicating the video display
`apparatus as a transmission destination, and a command in
`which die common command is attached with a code indicat-
`
`
`
`I: (i. 2 is a diagram showing the outline configuration of a
`conventional AV device remote control system.
`F.G. 3 is a diagram showing the outline configuration ofthe
`conventional AV" device remote control system in Non-Patent
`Reference 1.
`
`I: G. 4 is a diagram showing the outline configuration ofthe
`conventional AV‘ device remote control system in Patent Re ‘-
`erence l.
`
`F.G. 5 is an external view ofa remote control system in a
`first embodiment ofthe present invention.
`F.G. 6 is a diagram showing the outline configuration ofthe
`remote control system in the first embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`FIG. 7 is a fitnc’tion block diagram of the remote control
`system in the lirst embodiment ofthe present invention.
`FiG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation ofa set top box
`in the first embodiment and second embodiment of the
`
`present invention.
`IKG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of a DVD
`player in the first embodiment and the second embodiment of
`the present invention.
`FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the operation ofthe remote
`control system in the first embodiment of the present inven-
`tion.
`
`F.G. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation ofa television
`in the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the
`
`present invention.
`FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the set top
`box in the first embodiment and the second embodiment of
`
`the present invention.
`
`

`

`US 7,554,614 E32
`
`7
`FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation ot‘tlie televi-
`sion in the first embodiment and the second embodiment of
`
`the present invention.
`FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen
`ofa television in the first embodiment and third embodiment
`
`5
`
`35 Amplifier
`31. 104 External speaker
`33 Selector
`41 Menu
`42 Cursor
`205, 303, 313 DVD Recorder
`
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`Hereinafter. embodiments of the present invention shall be
`described with reference to the drawings.
`
`FIRST I-EMBODlMl'iN'l‘
`
`<Coufigurat