United States Patent (19)
`Kocher et al.
`
`(56)
`
`(54) TELEVISION REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM
`FOR SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING
`EXTERNAL APPARATUS THROUGH THE
`AC POWER LINE
`Christopher P. Kocher, Philadelphia;
`(75) Inventors:
`Abe Abramovich, Lawrenceville,
`both of Pa.
`73) Assignee: RCA Corporation, New York, N.Y.
`(21) Appl. No.: 238,839
`(22
`Filed:
`Feb. 27, 1981
`51) Int. Cl......................... H04N 5/44; H04B 11/00
`52 U.S. Cl. ................................ 455/151; 340/310 R;
`358/194.1
`(58) Field of Search ................... 455/151, 181, 603, 4;
`340/310 R; 358/1911, 194.1,903
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2,250,371 7/1941 Grimes ................................ 455/15
`3,866,307 5/1975 Evans et al.
`... 178/73 R
`4,081,754 3/1978 Jackson ............................... 455/81
`4,162,513 7/1979 Beyers et al. ....................... 358/19
`4,289.930 9/1981 Connolly et al. ...
`179/2 TV
`4,338,492 7/1982 Snopko ............................ 179/2 TV
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1396981 6/1975 United Kingdom.
`2035017 6/1980 United Kingdom .
`2043399 10/1980 United Kingdom .
`1584.111 2/1981 United Kingdom .
`1590617 6/1981 United Kingdom .
`2081948A 2/1982 United Kingdom .
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Siemens Digital Tuning System SDA210 w/ frequency
`Synthesis-1980-Siemens Components XV, No. 5 pp.
`260, 261.
`Article by S. A. Ciarcia, "Plug-In Remote Control
`
`11)
`45)
`
`4,386,436
`May 31, 1983
`
`System', Radio Electronics Magazine, pp. 47-51, pub
`lished Sep. 1980.
`Article by S. Ciarcia, "Computerize a Home', pub
`lished 1/80, In Byte Magazine, pp. 28-54.
`Electronic Servicing, p. 25, published 1/81.
`B. Harden, "Teletext/Viewdata LSI', IEEE Transac
`tions on Consumer Electronics, vol. CE-25, No. 3, Jul.
`1979, pp. 353-358.
`J. Hedger, "Telesoftware: Home Computing Via
`Broadcast Teletext', IEEE Transactions on Consumer
`Electronics, vol. CE–25, No. 3, Jul. 1979, pp. 279-287.
`R. D. Bright, "Viewdata-A New Development by the
`UK Post Office', National Electronics Review, vol. 12,
`No. 1, Jan.-Feb. 1976, pp. 11 and 12.
`E. Insam et al., International Broadcasting Convention
`Conference Paper, "An Integrated Teletext and View
`data Receiver', pp. 113-116.
`RCA Television Service Data Supplement, Chassis
`CTC-99 Series, File 1979 C-6-S2, pp. 1-3, 5-6 and 9.
`"How to Operate Your RCA ColorTrak Auto-Pro
`grammer With 7-Day Memory', RCA, 1979.
`Primary Examiner-Marc E. Bookbinder
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-E. M. Whitacre; P. J.
`Rasmussen; A. J. Jacobson
`57
`ABSTRACT
`A remote control system utilizes a portion of television
`receiver system to control an external appliance
`through the AC power supply line. The user enters an
`appliance control command into the keyboard of the
`television remote control unit. Inside the television
`receiver, the appliance control command is encoded
`and modulated onto a carrier signal which is transmit
`ted on the AC power supply line. An external appliance
`control module, also connected to the AC power sup
`ply line, is located near the external appliance for de
`tecting the encoded appliance control command and for
`selectively controlling the AC power supplied to the
`external appliance.
`
`19 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`2
`
`3
`
`6
`5)
`4
`AP-ON AP-OFF ALLON
`
`COMMAND
`AL OFF BRIGHT
`
`WOLUME
`
`CHANNEL
`
`MUTE ON/OFF , RECALL
`O O
`TY REMOTE CONTROL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`TV.
`
`sy
`
`22
`S
`
`is PROCESSING
`
`CH, NODISPLAY
`GENERATOR
`
`30
`
`
`
`
`
`48
`
`46
`EAE N AG LINE
`CONTROL
`NCODER
`
`Elits
`
`APPLIANCE CONTROL MODULE
`
`APPLIANCE
`CONTROL
`LED
`
`
`
`APPLIANCE
`
`1
`
`Comcast, Ex. 1237
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent May 31, 1983
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
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`U.S. Patent May 31, 1983
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`4,386,436
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DIGIT RECEIVED the
`DECODER EQUAL TO 9P
`
`LEAST SIGNIFICANT DIGIT FROM
`CHANNEL DISPLAY GENERATOR
`EQUAL TO "-"P
`
`TURN ON APPLIANCE CONTROL LED
`
`
`
`14
`
`BUTTONS O THROUGH 9, CHANNEL UP
`CHANNEL DOWN, OR RECALL BUTTON PRESSED
`
`TRANSMIT CORRESPONDING
`COMMAND CONTROL CODE
`
`
`
`16 SECONOS ELAPSED
`SINCE LAST BUTTON
`PRESSEDP
`
`WAS RECALL BUTTON PRESSEDP
`
`TURN OFF APPLIANCE CONTROL LED
`
`Aig. 3
`
`4
`
`

`

`1.
`
`TELEVISION REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR
`SELECTIVELY CONTROLLING EXTERNAL
`APPARATUS THROUGH THE ACPOWER LINE
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`4,386,436
`2
`conventional television receiver. TV portion 12 further
`includes a remote control receiver 40 for receiving the
`carrier signal transmitted from remote control unit 10
`and extracting the modulating signal and a decoder 42
`for decoding the digitally encoded message. The digi
`tally decoded message is applied to TV controller 24
`and channel number display generator 21 which are
`responsive to predetermined data relating to television
`control functions and apply control signals to respective
`television components. Typical television control func
`tions include channel selection by means of tuner 20,
`sound level adjustment including a MUTE function
`which eliminates the audio portion of the TV program
`by means of audio amplifier 26, television on/off con
`trol by means of the power supply 23, and "channel
`number recall' for causing the channel number of the
`presently selected channel to be displayed within the
`image produced by picture tube 28.
`Control of devices, such as appliance 58, external to
`the television receiver 11 is provided by an appliance
`control encoder 46 and an AC line modulator 48, the
`latter being connected to the AC power lines 50 and 52,
`within television receiver 11. A light emitting diode
`(LED) 44 is mounted on television receiver 11 to pro
`vide an indication when the television remote control
`system is being used to control external devices. An
`appliance control module 55 is connected between the
`AC lines 50, 52 and the external appliance 58. The appli
`ance control module includes apparatus which function
`as an AC line demodulator 54 and an appliance control
`decoder 56.
`As indicated by the legends next to the buttons on
`keyboard 32, the same pushbuttons that control TV
`portion 12 are also used to control remote appliances.
`Specifically, the appliance control mode is entered by
`pressing button 9 (COMMAND). In the United States,
`there is no television channel number that has a 9 as the
`tens digit. Thus, the shared use of the 9 button is desir
`able since an additional button for mode selection is not
`needed. Since 9 does not correspond to the tens digit of
`a valid channel number, or any other television control
`function, TV controller 24 ignores it as well as further
`data. However, appliance control encoder 46 is enabled
`to decode further data. At this point, appliance control
`encoder 46 provides power to the appliance control
`LED 44 to indicate to the user that the system is in the
`appliance control mode.
`Six separate appliances may be controlled from the
`remote control unit 10. To control a specific appliance,
`one of buttons 1 through 6 is pressed. Appliance control
`encoder 46 recognizes data after the COMMAND data
`(i.e. that corresponding to a 9 in the tens digit of a se
`lected channel number) and provides a corresponding
`encoded appliance control signal to AC line modulator
`48. The AC line modulator 48 superimposes an encoded
`signal corresponding to the appliance control signal
`onto the AC voltage on power lines 50 and 52.
`The encoded signal on the AC power lines is detected
`by AC line demodulator 54 which couples a decoded
`appliance control signal to appliance control decoder
`56. The appliance control decoder 56 recognizes its
`unique code (between 1 and 6) and is activated to re
`ceive further commands, e.g., to cause AC power to be
`coupled or decoupled from appliance 58.
`After an appliance is selected by pressing one of the
`buttons 1 through 6, the selected appliance is then con
`trolled by pressing one of the buttons 7, 8, 9, CHAN
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates to remote control systems in
`television receivers.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Many television receivers include a remote control
`system which typically has a keyboard with pushbut
`tons for turning the television on and off, for controlling
`the sound level, and for selecting channels.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention is concerned with a television
`remote control system that enables a user to control
`appliances external to the television receiver. For exam
`ple, house lights may be turned on and off by appropri
`20
`ate command through the television remote control
`unit.
`In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the
`television remote control unit is used to transmit appli
`ance control data as well as television function control
`data to the television receiver. Inside the television
`receiver, a decoder decodes the transmitted data. When
`the data is of a first predetermined type, television func
`tion control apparatus responds to control television
`functions. When the data is of a second predetermined
`30
`type, appliance control apparatus responds to encode
`the data to form an appliance control signal suitable for
`controlling an external appliance. The appliance control
`signal is modulated and transmitted to the external ap
`pliance through the alternating current (AC) power
`35
`supply line.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a television remote con
`trol system embodying the present invention.
`40
`FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram, partially in block
`form, illustrating further details of the television remote
`control system of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a flow chart representative of the control
`program for a microprocessor shown in FIG. 2.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`FIG. 1 shows an arrangement whereby an electri
`cally operated device which receives power from the
`AC line, indicated as an appliance 58 which may be an
`electric light, a relay, a motor, etc., is controlled by
`using a television remote control unit 10. The television
`remote control unit 10 comprises a keyboard 32 for
`entering data, an encoder 34 for generating a digitally
`encoded message in accordance with the data entered,
`55
`and a transmitter 36 for generating a carrier signal mod
`ulated in accordance with the encoded message. A
`crystal oscillator 38 provides a stable carrier frequency
`for the transmitter 36. A television remote control unit
`which uses infrared (IR) light as the transmitted carrier
`signal is described in the "RCA Engineer", published
`April 1980, pages 34-37, which is hereby incorporated
`by reference.
`The television receiver 11 includes a TV (television)
`portion 12 comprising a tuner 20, a picture tube 28, an
`65
`on-screen channel number display generator 21, an
`audio amplifier 26, a speaker 30, a signal processing
`circuit 22, and a power supply 23 which function as a
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`5
`
`

`

`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`Button
`9
`1-6
`
`7
`8
`9
`O
`CHANNEL UP
`
`CHANNEL DOWN
`
`RECALL
`
`TABLE
`Command
`Enable Control Mode
`Select particular device for
`control
`Turn selected device on
`Turn selected device off
`Turn all lights on
`Turn all devices off
`Increase AC power to
`selected device
`Decrease AC power to
`selected device
`Disable Control Mode
`
`4,386,436
`3.
`4.
`AP2, and AP3 for controlling appliances including
`NEL UP, or CHANNEL DOWN corresponding to an
`appliance control command. For example, if button 7 is
`dimmer modules for controlling lights, are available
`pressed, appliance 58 will turn on. If button 8 is pressed,
`from BSR Ltd.
`appliance 58 will turn off. If CHANNEL UP is pressed,
`The multiplexers 70 and 72 simulate the button de
`the illumination will grow brighter so long as that but
`pressions that are the normal input to the ultrasonic
`ton is pressed down (assuming that appliance 58 is a
`encoder 74. That is, a pushbutton keyboard is normally
`lamp). If the CHANNEL DOWN is pressed, the illumi
`connected to ultrasonic encoder 74 so that for each
`nation will grow dimmer so long as that button is
`button depression thereof, one of pins 1, 28 and 25 is
`pressed down. To control other appliances (not shown)
`connected to one of pins 16 through 23. Multiplexer 70,
`a different button between 1 and 6 is pressed and subse
`an eight line-to-one line switch, and multiplexer 72, a
`quent commands are entered. The ALL ON button will
`four line-to-one line switch (both available from RCA
`turn on all lights. The ALL OFF button will turn off all
`Corporation as integrated circuit (IC) types CD4051
`and CD4052 respectively), are controlled by micro
`devices.
`Appliance control mode is disabled by pressing the
`processor 68 to selectively interconnect appropriate
`RECALL button. Alternatively, appliance control
`pins of ultrasonic encoder 74.
`mode is automatically disabled after 16 seconds during
`For example, when the A, B, and C inputs to multi
`which no appliance data is entered. Disabling appliance
`plexer 70 (from microprocessor 68) are at logical 1, 0,
`control mode returns the television remote control sys
`and 1 respectively (and the inhibit input to multiplexer
`tem to its normal television control function. The above
`70 is at logic 0), then pin 18 of the ultrasonic encoder 74
`described control functions are summarized in Table I
`is selected by multiplexer 70. Simultaneously, if the A
`below.
`and B inputs to multiplexer 72 are at logic 1 and 0 re
`spectively, then pin 1 of the ultrasonic encoder 74 is
`selected by multiplexer 72. Since the output of multi
`plexer 72 is connected to the input to multiplexer 70,
`pins 1 and 18 of the ultrasonic encoder 74 are connected
`together. When the inhibit signal is at logic 1, multiplex
`ers 70 and 72 do not interconnect any pins of the ultra
`sonic encoder 74.
`Table II below gives the pin connection assignments
`corresponding to respective appliance control signals
`generated by the ultrasonic encoder 74. Continuing the
`above example, when pins 1 and 18 of the ultrasonic
`encoder 74 are connected together, the ultrasonic en
`coder 74 will send out an appliance control signal corre
`sponding to appliance 5. As a further example, when
`pins 25 and 20 are connected together, the ultrasonic
`encoder 74 will generate an appliance control signal
`corresponding to the ON command. Device codes
`7-16, shown in parenthesis in Table II, are unused since
`only device codes 1-6 are used in the present embodi
`nent.
`
`FIG. 2 shows further details of the television receiver
`11 and appliance control encoder 46. An IR sensitive
`diode 60 is coupled to a preamplifier 62 and a digital
`decoder 64. The output of the digital decoder 64 is a
`data buss comprising data bits A0, A1, A2, A3, CHUP,
`40
`and CH DN. The data buss is connected to a micro
`processor 68, and, through NOR gates 100 and buffer
`amplifiers 101, to TV controller 24 and channel number
`display generator 21 (FIG. 1).
`Microprocessor 68 is also coupled through buffer
`45
`amplifiers 103 to a pair of multiplexers 70 and 72 which
`control an ultrasonic encoder 74. The output of the
`ultrasonic encoder 74 is a sequential digital data signal
`representative of the appliance control data and is fed to
`an ultrasonic transmitter 76 which provides an ultra
`50
`sonic signal to an ultrasonic command console 82. The
`ultrasonic command module 82 comprises an ultrasonic
`receiver 78, an appliance control unit 80, and an AC line
`modulator 48 which re-encodes the appliance control
`data as a second sequential digital data signal for trans
`mission on the AC power lines. In such manner, the
`command module 82 communicates with compatible
`appliance control modules AP1, AP2, and AP3 over the
`120VAC power lines.
`The link between the television receiver and the AC
`60
`power lines is provided by using commercially available
`products from BSR, Ltd., Blauvelt, N.Y. Specifically,
`BSR Model CC401 ultrasonic cordless controller,
`which contains the ultrasonic encoder 74 (IC type 7928)
`and the ultrasonic transmitter 76, is modified and inter
`65
`faced to the television receiver. A BSR Ltd. Model
`UC301 ultrasonic command console 82 is connected to
`the AC power lines. Compatible remote modules AP1,
`
`55
`
`TABLE II
`Pin 28
`(16)
`(12)
`(14)
`4.
`(8)
`6
`2
`(10)
`
`Pil 1
`(15)
`(11)
`(13)
`3
`(7)
`5
`
`(9)
`
`Pin 25
`Dim
`Off
`All Off
`On
`Bright
`All lamps on
`Unused
`Unused
`
`Pin 23
`Pin 22
`Pin 2
`Pin 20
`Pin 19
`Pin 8
`Pin 17
`Pin 26
`
`The particular television receiver used in the present
`embodiment is an RCA 1981 Model FER498WR
`wherein the data buss comprising data bits A0, A1, A2,
`A3, CHUP, and CHDN operates as follows. When the
`CHANNEL UP button at the remote control keyboard
`is pressed, the CH UP bit goes low (logic 0 in positive
`logic notation), and the CHDN bit goes high (logic 1 in
`positive logic notation). When the CHANNEL DOWN
`button is pressed, the CHDN bit goes low and the CH
`UP bit goes high. When no buttons are pressed, CHUP
`and CHDN bits are both normally high. The CH UP
`and CH DN bits also serve as a strobe signal for the
`remaining data bits A0, A1, A2, and A3. That is, bits A0
`through A3 transmit data corresponding to buttons 0
`through 9 in complemented binary form. However, the
`data on bits A0 through A3 is valid for controlling
`
`6
`
`

`

`Mul- Mu
`ti-
`ti
`plex- plex
`e
`er
`Data Buss
`In
`72
`70
`CH CH
`DN UP A3 A2 A1 AO BA CBA hibit
`O
`O
`1
`1
`1
`OO O
`0
`O
`0
`1
`0
`O
`O
`10
`O
`O
`0 1
`10
`O
`1
`01
`O
`O
`0 O
`011
`O
`1
`10
`O
`O
`1
`1
`011
`O
`0
`01
`O
`O
`1
`0
`O1
`O
`0
`0
`O
`O
`O O
`101
`O
`1
`1
`O
`O
`O 0
`011
`O
`1
`O
`0
`0
`1
`00
`O
`11
`0
`1
`0
`O
`O
`1
`O
`O
`O X X X X 11
`100
`O
`
`1
`1
`
`0
`
`Button
`0 (ALL OFF)
`l
`2
`3
`4.
`5
`6
`7 (ON)
`8 (OFF)
`9 (ALL ON)
`CHUP
`(BRIGHT)
`CH DN
`(DIM)
`RECALL
`X = Don't care states
`
`4,386,436
`5
`6
`A microprocessor adaptable for use with the present
`appliances only when CHUP and CHDN data bits are
`both low. Microprocessor 68 causes data bits CH UP
`invention is a type 8748 available from Intel Corpora
`tion. Ports P10, P11, P12, P13, P14 and P15 are con
`and CHDN to both become low when it detects that
`the appliance control mode has been entered by button
`nected to respective data bits A0, A1, A2, A3, CHUP,
`9 (COMMAND) having been pressed. Table III, below,
`and CH DN. Port P26 is connected to drive LED 44
`through resistor R1 and transistor Q1 in emitter fol
`summarizes the data buss codes for respective buttons
`lower configuration. Port 17 is connected to OR gates
`on the remote control unit keyboard.
`100 for disabling the strobe signals (CH UP and CH
`TABLE II
`DN) from the TV controller when the system is in
`appliance control mode. Data bits DB0, DB1, DB2, and
`DB3 are connected to receive respective data bits A0',
`A1, A2", and A3 through buffer amplifiers 102 (IC
`Type CD4050). Ports P20, P21, P22, P23, P24 and P25
`are connected through buffer amplifiers 103 (IC Type
`7417) to control multiplexers 70 and 72. Resistors 83, 84,
`85, 86 and 87 are pull-up resistors which provide proper
`signal level inputs to multiplexers 70 and 72.
`The 8748 microprocessor is provided with an integral
`erasable read only memory, which is useful for develop
`ing prototype programs. However, in production, a
`microprocessor or other controller with mask program
`mable read only memory would be more economical.
`Microprocessor 68 is programmed to provide control
`functions and data translation functions between digital
`decoder 64 and multiplexers 70 and 72. Table III lists
`the required control signal inputs to multiplexers 70 and
`72 for each corresponding data buss code. A flow chart
`of the control program for the microprocessor 68 is
`shown in FIG. 3.
`The operation of the system of FIG. 2 will be consid
`ered in conjunction with the flow chart of FIG. 3. Ini
`tially, port P17 is set low, enabling OR gates 100 to
`transmit CHUP and CHDN signals to the TV control
`ler. Also, port P25 is set high, inhibiting operating of
`multiplexers 70 and 72, and port P26 is set low so that
`LED 44 is off.
`After initialization, microprocessor 68 reads data
`representing each subsequent button entry on ports P10
`through P15. When a 9 digit is received (step 110), the
`microprocessor proceeds (in step 111) to read data bits
`DB0 through DB3. If data bits DB0 through DB3 rep
`resent a "-" (Code E), then the tens digit of a selected
`channel is equal to 9 and appliance control mode is
`entered in step 112, which turns on appliance control
`LED 44 by setting port P26 high. Port P17 is also set
`high in appliance control mode, disabling OR gates 100
`so that CHUP and CHDN signals are not transmitted
`to the TV controller. The CH UP and CHDN signals
`(the strobe signals) are thus disabled so that subsequent
`appliance control data will not inadvertently interfere
`with regular television control functions.
`For each subsequent digit received, i.e., data repre
`senting 0 through9, CHUP or CH DN, a correspond
`ing output on ports P20 through P25 is generated by the
`program (step 118) to multiplexers 70 and 72 in accor
`dance with the relationship given in Table III. If no
`button is pressed for 16 seconds, appliance control
`mode is terminated (step 116) by setting port P26 low
`which turns off LED 44 (step 122), and setting port P17
`low enabling OR gates 100 which enables CH UP and
`CHDN signals to be gated to the TV controller. Alter
`natively, if the code for the RECALL button was re
`ceived in step 120, then P26 and P17 are set low termi
`nating appliance control mode (step 122). The program
`then returns to the beginning (step 122).
`The use of readily available ultrasonic components
`provides a convenient interface between the television
`receiver and the AC power line which minimizes the
`
`In an unmodified television receiver, the data buss
`output (A0, A1, A2, A3, CHUP, and CHDN) of digital
`decoder 64 is directly connected to the data buss input
`(A0, A1, A2, A3, CHUP', and CHDN) of TV con
`troller 24 (FIG. 1). See RCA Service data 1980 C-7-S1
`for a schematic (MCR101 1A) corresponding to digital
`decoder 64, and a schematic (MCS009A) corresponding
`to TV controller 24. In the present embodiment, buffers
`101 and OR gates 100 are interposed between digital
`decoder 64 and TV controller 24 to connect respective
`bits of the data buss through appropriate non-inverting
`amplifiers. Buffers 101 and OR gates 100 may be real
`ized using IC Types 7417, and CD4071 respectively.
`Resistors 90, 91, 92 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98 and 99 are
`connected to provide the proper voltage level for re
`spective data bit lines.
`45
`Also, in normal operation, the data bits A0, A1, A2
`and A3 (in addition to transmitting signals representing
`data entered at the remote control unit) are also used to
`transfer data between the TV controller 24 and the
`channel numbers display generator 21 (FIG. 1). Specifi
`cally, when data bits CH UP and CHDN (the strobe
`signals) are both high, data bits A0, A1, A2, and A3'
`are used to transmit data from the TV controller 24 to
`the channel number display generator 21 which data
`represents the units digit of the currently selected view
`55
`ing channel. Consider for example, the channel selec
`tion 43. After the 4 digit is entered, the TV controller
`generates signals to the channel number display genera
`tor to display a "4-' on the television screen. At that
`time, data bits A0, A1, A2", and A3' represent a digital
`code for a "-", i.e., a hexidecimal code E or the binary
`code 01 11 respectively. After the 3 digit is entered, data
`bits AO' through A3' represent the digital code for a
`"3". The dual use of the data bits A0 through A3' for
`both entering data and displaying channel selection is
`65
`advantageously used by the microprocessor 68 for de
`tecting when the user has selected a channel with a 9 in
`the tens digit.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`O
`
`O
`
`l
`
`X X X X 1
`
`000
`
`O
`
`25
`
`O
`
`0 0 O
`
`O XX XXX
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`50
`
`60
`
`7
`
`

`

`5
`
`15
`
`4,386,436
`7
`8
`risk that low power circuits in the television receiver
`and second digits of the channel number of the channel
`will be accidently exposed to 120 VAC line voltage.
`to be selected, and said second predetermined type of
`data being characterized by a sequence of numbers
`Also, the ultrasonic encoder 74 and ultrasonic transmit
`having a first number thereof corresponding to the
`ter 76 may be contained inside the television receiver,
`number 9, the improvement further comprising:
`while the ultrasonic command console, which has a
`keyboard for alternate data entry, can be placed at any
`said appliance control means including mode control
`means for detecting said first number of said data
`convenient location near the television receiver. How
`received from said decoding means represents the
`ever, the ultrasonic link has a relatively slow response
`and increases total system cost. Therefore, a mass pro
`number 9.
`duced system would be made more cost effective using
`4. In a remote control television system in accordance
`10
`with claim 1, 2 or 3, the improvement further compris
`a direct interface between the television receiver and
`the AC power line, thereby eliminating the ultrasonic
`ing:
`link. Also, isolation between the appliance control en
`display means included in said television receiver for
`selectively providing a display indication in re
`coder and the AC power lines may be achieved by the
`sponse to a display control signal; and
`use of an optical isolator.
`More than six appliances may be controlled by pro
`said appliance control means including means for
`generating said display control signal in response to
`viding additional buttons on the remote control key
`board, as well as additional encoding and decoding
`said second predetermined type of data.
`apparatus to accommodate the additional device codes.
`5. A remote control apparatus in accordance with
`The disclosed system may also be configured to provide
`claim 1 wherein:
`for programmability of external appliances. For exam
`said appliance control means include means for gen
`ple, microprocessor 68 may be arranged to be program
`erating a sequential digital data signal representa
`tive of said second predetermined type of data; and
`nable by the user to turn selected appliances on and off
`said alternating current line modulator means in
`at future dates and times. Furthermore, for cost effec
`cludes means for modulating a carrier signal in
`tiveness, the control function performed by the micro
`25
`processor 68 can be advantageously combined with the
`accordance with said sequential digital data signal,
`and means for modulating the alternating current
`control functions provided in the television receiver,
`thereby eliminating the need for a separate micro
`power supply line in accordance with said modu
`lated carrier signal.
`processor.
`6. A remote control apparatus in accordance with
`What is claimed is:
`30
`1. In a remote control television system including a
`claim 5 further comprising:
`alternating current line demodulator means coupled
`remote control unit having a transmitter means for
`transmitting a carrier signal, keyboard means for enter
`to said alternating current power supply line for
`decoding said encoded sequential digital data sig
`ing data, and encoder means for modulating said carrier
`nal representative of said appliance control signal
`signal in accordance with said entered data, and further
`35
`including a television receiver having receiving means
`on said alternating current power supply line; and
`for receiving said carrier signal, decoding means for
`second appliance control means coupled to said alter
`demodulating said entered data, and television function
`nating current line demodulator means for decod
`ing said sequential digital data signal and selec
`control means coupled to said decoding means for con
`tively providing an alternating current power out
`trolling various functions of said television receiver in
`response to a first predetermined type of data received
`put in accordance with said second predetermined
`from said decoding means, the improvement compris
`type of data.
`7. A remote control apparatus in accordance with
`1ng:
`appliance control means coupled to said decoding
`claim 1 further comprising:
`means for generating an appliance control signal in
`alternating current line demodulator means coupled
`45
`response to a second predetermined type of data
`to said alternating current power supply line for
`decoding said encoded signal representative of said
`received from said decoding means; and
`appliance control signal on said alternating current
`alternating current line modulator means coupled to
`an alternating current power supply line for apply
`power supply line; and
`ing an encoded signal representative of said appli
`second appliance control means coupled to said alter
`50
`ance control signal to said alternating current
`nating current line demodulator means for decod
`power supply line.
`ing said appliance control signal and selectively
`providing an alternating current power output in
`2. In a remote control television system in accordance
`accordance with said second predetermined type
`with claim 1, wherein said keyboard means includes
`means for entering numeric data corresponding to a
`of data.
`8. In a remote control television system including a
`selected television channel, and said second predeter
`remote control unit having a transmitter means for
`mined type of data is characterized by a number having
`transmitting a carrier signal, keyboard means for enter
`at least one digit corresponding to an unused selected
`television channel, the improvement further compris
`ing data, and encoder means for modulating said carrier
`signal in accordance with said entered data, and further
`1ng:
`60
`including a television receiver having receiving means
`said appliance control means including mode control
`for receiving said carrier signal, decoding means for
`means for detecting when said data received from
`said decoding means represents said number corre
`demodulating said entered data, and television function
`control means coupled to said decoding means for con
`sponding to said unused selected television chan
`trolling various functions of said television receiver in
`nel.
`65
`response to a first predetermined type of data received
`3. In a remote control television system in accordance
`from said decoding means, the improvement compris
`with claim 1 wherein said keyboard means includes
`means for entering numeric data corresponding to first
`1ng:
`
`55
`
`8
`
`

`

`O
`
`15
`
`45
`
`4,386,436
`10
`control means coupled to said decoding means for
`entering numeric data corresponding to first and second
`generating an output signal in response to a second
`digits of the channel number of the channel to be se
`predetermined type of data received from said
`lected, and said second predetermined type of data is
`decoding means;
`characterized by a sequence of numbers having a first
`encoder means responsive to said output signal of said
`digit thereof corresponding to the number 9, the im
`provement further comprising:
`control means for generating a sequential digital
`data signal representative of said second predeter
`said mode control means being for detecting said first
`mined type of data; and
`digit of said data received from said decoding
`ultrasonic transmitter means responsive to said en
`means representing the number 9.
`coder means for generating an encoded ultrasonic
`13. In a television receiver in accordance with claim
`signal representative of said sequential data signal.
`11 or 12, the improvement further comprising:
`9. A remote control apparatus according to claim 8
`display means included in said television receiver for
`further comprising:
`selectively providing a display indication in re
`sponse to a display control signal; and
`ultrasonic receiver means for receiving said encoded
`ultrasonic signal;
`said external line selection means including means for
`appliance control means coupled to said ultrasonic
`generating said display control signal in response to
`receiver means for generating a second sequential
`said second predetermined type