(12) United States Patent
`Herz
`
`US006407779B1
`US 6,407,779 B1
`Jun. 18, 2002
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN
`INTUITIVE UNIVERSAL REMOTE
`
`CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`.
`-
`-
`(75) Inventor‘ Wllham S‘ Herz’ Hayward’ CA (Us)
`
`9/1998 Salazar et a1.
`5,802,467 A
`5,898,398 A * 4/1999 Kumai ..................... .. 341/176
`
`5,898,919 A * 4/1999 Yuen . . . . . . . . . . .
`. . . .. 455/420
`5,903,259 A * 5/1999 Brusky et al.
`...... .. 345/168
`5,952,936 A * 9/1999 Enomoto ...... ..
`340/825.69
`5,956,025 A * 9/1999 Goulden et al. .......... .. 345/327
`
`.
`_
`.
`(73) Asslgnee" zllog’ Inc" San Jose’ CA (Us)
`
`6,040,829 A * 3/2000 Croy et al. ............... .. 345/327
`6,052,155 A * 4/2000 Cherrick et al. .
`348/565
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`6097 441 A * 82000 All
`
`t . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . .. 348 552
`
`(*) Notlcel
`
`$11919Ct to any d1sc1almer> the term of thls
`Pawnt is mended or adjusted under 35
`U-S-C- 154(9) by 0 days-
`
`. . . .. 341/175
`6,104,334 A * 8/2000 A1152; . . . . . . . .
`348/734
`6,130,726 A * 10/2000 Darbee et al.
`6,211,856 B1 * 4/2001 Choi et al. ................ .. 345/130
`
`(21) Appl' NO‘: 09/277,887
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 29, 1999
`
`(51) Int. c1.7 ......................... .. H04N 5/44; H04L 17/02;
`6086 19/00
`(52) US. Cl. ..................... .. 348/734; 348/906; 341/176;
`341/175; 340/825.69; 340/825.72
`(58) Field of Search ............................... .. 348/734, 906;
`345/179, 173, 158, 169; 341/176, 175;
`340/82569, 825.72, 825.49, 825.25, 825.56,
`82517, 82522, 82524
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,866,522 A
`9/1989 Beckley
`4,872,195 A 10/1989 Leonard
`4,959,810 A * 9/1990 Derbee etal- ------------ -- 364/900
`571997080 A
`3/1993 Kl_mura ct a1~
`5
`226733 A * 11/1993 Kllrlnura
`5523352 2
`i_zurcllsl(i)na'gt"i'i'l """"""" " 3 8/86
`5’371’901 A 12/1994 Reed 6}; a1
`'
`5:410:326 A * 4/1995 Goldsteini ................. .. 348/134
`5,455,560 A 10/1995 Owen
`5,455,570 A * 10/1995 Cook et a1, ,,,,,,,,,, __ 340/82522
`5,500,691 A * 3/1996 Martin et a1. ..
`..... .. 348/734
`5,506,717 A
`4/1996 KhO
`_
`5,523,794 A * 6/1996 Mankovltl et ‘11-
`2,245,857 A
`8/1996 Lee et al. ................... .. 178/18
`5’
`2
`22651;“ a1
`5646608 A * 7/1997 Shintani .............. .. 340/82552
`5,699,124 A 12/1997 Nuber et a1.
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`
`05037873
`
`2/1993
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`PCT—International Search Report—dated Oct. 23, 2000.
`Written opinion_lntema?onal appln NO_ PCT/USOO/
`04407_
`_
`_
`* cued by examlner
`_
`_
`_
`Prznmry Examzner—]ohn W. Miller
`Assistant Exammer—Paulos Natnael
`(74) Attorney,
`Agent,
`or Firm—Skjerven Morrill
`MacPherson LLP
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention discloses a novel universal remote
`control system. Speci?cally, the remote control system
`according to the present invention provides the following
`features: bidirectional communications betWeen the remote
`control and at least one of the audio/video devices; dual
`communication mode; automatic communication mode
`Selection; loading and Processing electronic Program guide
`in the remote control; soft graphical user interface in the
`remote control; expanding the television set functions by the
`remote control; calibration handshake betWeen the remote
`control and the audio/video device; updating the remote
`control; lost beacon signal in the remote control; handWrit
`ing recognition mechanism, and Voice recognition mecha_
`nism in the remote control.
`
`23 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`USER PEN STROKES
`
`1
`
`7231
`
`REMOTE
`
`[210
`
`215
`
`[220
`TV
`
`BASEBAND
`
`216
`
`|_----: ____ __ m __________ "I
`CONTROLLER -
`- W 1
`:
`
`E'EWEE‘SUEQ‘EEE
`[212
`,.---21a
`101000101110
`'226
`lK-222
`@-—‘ IEQSQAEAQTER “ETRAhl22éIVERE m ETRABIIISEEIVERI'" $§1DéE|Tccé
`
`211
`
`L _________ __ W __________ _.'
`
`PROXXMITY
`SENSOR
`
`214
`
`RF
`XCVR
`
`219
`
`F217
`
`218
`
`REMOTE FINDER
`
`RF
`
`BEACON E RF(FR0M Tv)
`
`228
`RF
`XCVR
`
`' REMOTE
`CODES
`
`224 'EP6
`
`6 DATA
`
`CAST
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 18,2002
`
`Sheet 1 0f 16
`
`US 6,407,779 B1
`
`V\\
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`1
`
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`
`FIG._ 1
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000002
`
`

`

`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 18,2002
`
`Sheet 3 0f 16
`
`US 6,407,779 B1
`
`307\
`
`[-306
`
`‘
`
`MEMORY
`
`MEMORY
`
`F a
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`ADDR
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`310d 4|
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`\
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`Y
`FIG._3
`
`J
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 18,2002
`
`Sheet 4 0f 16
`
`US 6,407,779 B1
`
`IR-IN PIN OF
`MAIN CON-
`TROLLER
`
`F 407
`<— TV 'R
`'NPUT
`
`BUS
`CON
`TROLLER
`
`F405
`
`MEMORY
`
`Q
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`I
`
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`
`K401
`
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`FINDER
`SWITCH
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`RF
`
`FLASH T
`MOIvIORY
`
`=
`
`T
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`
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`
`404
`
`[.403
`
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`
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`
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`
`F" _ _ _ _ — _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _|
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`= VOLTAGE
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`470“ I
`
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`Y
`FIG._4
`
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`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 18,2002
`
`Sheet 5 0f 16
`
`US 6,407,779 B1
`
`\512a \512b
`
`5120] 512d/514b/
`
`f 500
`
`SEINFELD
`
`\ Q Q
`
`Q
`
`/ 514a
`
`FIG.._8A
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 18,2002
`
`Sheet 6 6f 16
`
`US 6,407,779 B1
`
`601 \I START I
`
`‘V
`TV:
`RF TEST ENABLE =
`IR REQUEST
`
`603
`
`604
`
`605
`
`RC:
`RECEIVED RF
`ENABLE
`?
`
`RE RC:
`FEEL/ESQ“
`?
`
`RC:
`IR RANGE
`?
`
`621
`
`START
`
`II f 622
`
`TV:
`SEND A RF PULSE
`
`623
`‘' /
`RC:
`RECEIVE RF
`PULSE
`
`v [624
`R0
`EVALUATE
`TEST PATTERN
`
`OUTSIDE
`IR RANGE
`
`YES
`
`F 606
`
`WITHIN
`IR RANGE
`
`K‘ 626
`
`‘I K- 627
`
`RC:
`SEND IR ACK.
`
`RC:
`RC:
`SET IR MODE SET RF MODE
`
`
`
`REC-EI/VE IR ACK.
`
`FIG'“
`
`YES I
`
`/608
`
`" K609
`
`TV:
`SET IR MODE
`
`TV:
`SET RF MODE
`
`FIG._ 6A
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 18,2002
`
`Sheet 7 0f 16
`
`US 6,407,779 B1
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 18,2002
`
`Sheet 8 0f 16
`
`US 6,407,779 B1
`
`'
`
`SEINFELD
`CHANNEL 7
`7:30 - 8:00 PM
`TUESDAY
`COMEDY
`
`’ 514a
`
`—514c
`
`0w \ 512a \ 5121: W72?
`
`5120/ 512d/514b/ L514d
`
`FIG._8B
`
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`
`w
`
`/' l
`
`1
`
`VCR
`
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`
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`
`Q Q $796, FIG._9A
`
`512C) 512dJ514b/ L514d
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000009
`
`

`

`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000010
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 18,2002
`
`Sheet 10 0f 16
`
`US 6,407,779 B1
`
`'
`
`v FIG._ 10A
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000011
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 18,2002
`
`Sheet 11 0f 16
`
`US 6,407,779 B1
`
`
`
`Y FIG._ 10B
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 18,2002
`
`Sheet 12 0f 16
`
`US 6,407,779 B1
`
`1020/
`
`
`
`Y FIG._ 10C
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000013
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 18,2002
`
`Sheet 13 0f 16
`
`US 6,407,779 B1
`
`
`
`W FIG._ 10D
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000014
`
`

`

`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000015
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 18,2002
`
`Sheet 15 0f 16
`
`US 6,407,779 B1
`
`/
`
`'
`
`\
`@1\\518
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`'//
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`
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`
`5120/ 51201151411] L514d
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000016
`
`

`

`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000017
`
`

`

`US 6,407,779 B1
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN
`INTUITIVE UNIVERSAL REMOTE
`CONTROL SYSTEM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a remote control system
`for remotely controlling various electronic devices such as
`television and audio visual (“AV”) systems using a single
`remote control.
`In recent years, various electronic devices such as stereo
`systems, television receivers, cassette tape decks, video tape
`decks, compact disc players, laser vision disc players, and
`the like are equipped With remote control systems.
`In a conventional system, a remote control system having
`a transmitter is usually positioned remotely from a con
`trolled device. The transmitter, When operated, transmits a
`remote control signal, such as an infrared remote control
`signal, Which is received by a receiver in the controlled
`device. The received remote control signal is decoded to
`control the device as intended by the remote control signal.
`In a universal remote control system, one single remote
`control is capable of controlling more than one AV device.
`In one type of the universal remote control, the remote
`control comprises a remote memory storing all the coding
`signals for different brands of the AV devices. Then the user
`programs the remote control by entering a set of preassigned
`codes to call up the appropriate coding of each device. In
`another type of the universal remote control, the user acti
`vates a learning mode of the remote control and lines up the
`universal remote control With the selected device. Then the
`remote control sequentially tests each control signal until the
`correct one is found. When the correct control signal is
`found, the device Will signal the user to stop further testing
`and the corresponding control protocol is then stored.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel
`universal remote control system.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`remote control system having a bidirectional communica
`tion channel betWeen the remote control and the audio video
`device(s) controlled by the remote control.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`remote control system having a dual communication mode
`for communication betWeen the remote control and the
`audio video device(s) controlled by the remote control.
`Speci?cally, the remote control system accommodates both
`infrared communication and radio frequency communica
`tion.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`remote control system that is capable of automatically
`sWitching betWeen a plurality of communication modes.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`remote control system that is capable of storing and updating
`TV programming guide information in a remote control
`memory.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`novel user interface for the remote control in the remote
`control system.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`soft graphical user interface (“GUI”) to the remote control of
`the remote control system.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`remote control system that alloWs expansion of the televi
`sion functions that it controls.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`45
`
`55
`
`65
`
`2
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`novel calibration handshake method for communications
`betWeen the remote control and at least one audio/video
`device.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`remote control that is capable of automatically updating the
`remote control memory With universal remote protocols
`associated With neW home entertainment devices.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`lost beacon feature for the remote control, Wherein the user
`can activate a beacon signal When the remote is misplaced.
`It is another object of the present invention to provide a
`handWriting recognition input or voice recognition feature as
`the user interface for the remote control.
`Additional objects, features and advantages of various
`aspects of the present invention Will become apparent from
`the folloWing description of its preferred embodiments,
`Which description should be taken in conjunction With the
`accompanying draWings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shoWs a preferred embodiment of a conceptual
`diagram of a universal remote control system according to
`the present invention.
`FIG. 2 shoWs a block diagram of a remote control system
`of a preferred embodiment according to the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 3 shoWs a preferred embodiment of a remote control
`block of the remote control system of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 shoWs a preferred embodiment of a television
`block or the remote control system of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 5 shoWs a preferred embodiment of a remote control
`according to the present invention.
`FIGS. 6a and 6b are flow charts of tWo preferred methods
`of communication mode selection according to the present
`invention.
`FIG. 7 shoWs a sequence of square pulses used for mode
`selection as shoWn in the flow chart of FIG. 6b.
`FIGS. 8a,b illustrate hoW EPG programming data can be
`used in a remote control of a preferred embodiment accord
`ing to the present invention.
`FIGS. 9a,b illustrate the soft GUI displayed on a remote
`control of a preferred embodiment according to the present
`invention.
`FIGS. 10a,b,c,a' illustrate the ability to eXpand the TV
`functions according to the present invention.
`FIGS. 11a,b and c illustrate the calibration handshake
`ability according to the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shoWs a preferred embodiment of a conceptual
`diagram of a universal remote control system according to
`the present invention. In the preferred embodiment as
`shoWn, the universal remote control system comprises a
`remote control 110 and a television set 120. In another
`embodiment not shoWn, the television set can be substituted
`With a set top boX connected to a television set. In addition,
`as in the universal remote control systems available on the
`market, the remote control of the present invention can also
`be used for controlling other AV devices such as videocas
`sette recorder (“VCR”), stereo system, and digital versatile
`disc (“DVD”) components, etc. By encoding the signals sent
`out by the remote control, the remote control is able to
`establish communication channel betWeen the remote con
`
`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000018
`
`

`

`US 6,407,779 B1
`
`10
`
`15
`
`3
`trol and the television set or other AV devices. In the
`preferred embodiment of the present invention, the commu
`nication channel established betWeen the remote control and
`any of the devices connected is a bi-directional communi
`cation channel so that data and information can be trans
`mitted to and from the remote control to each of the
`components in the remote control system.
`FIG. 2 shoWs a block diagram of a remote control system
`of a preferred embodiment according to the present inven
`tion. As shoWn in the ?gure, the system as shoWn only
`comprises a remote control block 210 and a television set
`block 220. It should be noted also, as stated in the previous
`paragraphs, the present invention can be applied to other
`audio/video devices.
`The television set block 220 of the preferred embodiment
`comprises a video signal receiver 222 for receiving and
`processing radio frequency or baseband video data; a
`memory 224 for storing any information needed for the
`television set and the remote control; an infrared commu
`nicator 226 for providing a infrared communication With the
`remote control; and a radio frequency communicator 228 for
`providing a radio frequency communication With the remote
`control. In the preferred embodiment as shoWn, the selection
`betWeen these tWo communication modes (i.e. infrared and
`radio frequency) is performed and determined by a proxim
`ity sensor 211 and a microcontroller 212 located in the
`remote control block 210 as shoWn.
`As shoWn in FIG. 2, the remote control block 210
`comprises an infrared communicator 213 for communicat
`ing With the television set; a radio frequency communicator
`214 for communicating With the television set; a microcon
`troller 212 for controlling the basic functions of the remote
`control; a user interface mechanism 215 for inputting and
`displaying data; a remote control memory 216 for storing
`information (eg programming guide information); a prox
`imity sensor 211 connected to the microcontroller 212 for
`facilitating the microcontroller 212 to select a communica
`tion mode betWeen the remote control 210 and the television
`set 220; a remote ?nder beacon mechanism comprising a
`radio frequency demodulator 218 connected to a remote
`?nder beacon 217 and a beeper 219 for receiving beacon
`signal from the television set 220 for locating the remote
`control 210; a voice recognition mechanism (not shoWn) for
`processing voice commands issued by the user; and a poWer
`supply 231 for providing rechargeable and non-interruptible
`poWer to the remote control.
`In the preferred embodiment as shoWn, the microcontrol
`ler 212 of the remote control controls all major functions,
`such as: (1) handling user commands received by the user
`interface 215, and generates control signals and transmits
`the control signals to the television set 220, or any other AV
`devices by one of the tWo transceivers; (2) processing
`electronic program guide (“EPG”) data received from the
`television set and storing the EPG data in the remote control
`memory 216; (3) parsing, retrieving, and displaying the
`processed EPG data from the memory 216 as requested by
`the user through the use of the user interface 215; (4)
`updating the stored EPG data and communication
`protocol(s) received from the television set 220, or any other
`audio/video devices; (5) selecting the optimal communica
`tion mode betWeen the infrared communication mode and
`the radio frequency communication mode in response to the
`proximity sensor 211; and (6) analyZing and responding to
`user commands received from the user interface 215 and
`performing the appropriate functions, etc.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram shoWing additional details of
`the remote control portion of the remote control system
`
`4
`according to the present invention. The remote control
`portion as shoWn comprises a radio frequency transceiver
`301, a IRDA transceiver 302 and IRDA encoder/decoder
`303 pair supporting IRDA standard, a DSP microcontroller
`304 for controlling different components Within the remote
`control block, a pair of bus controllers 305a,305b for
`controlling data transfer Within the remote control block, a
`remote control memory 306 for storing the remote control
`system program and a handWriting recognition program, a
`nonvolatile ?ash memory 307 for storing the EPG data or
`universal remote control protocol(s) doWnloaded from the
`television set or a set-top box, a touch screen LCD device
`308 for data and/or command entry, a ringer 309 for pro
`ducing a beacon or activating a ?ashing LED When a remote
`control ?nding signal is received. In addition, the remote
`control also comprises four voltage regulators 310a,310b,
`310c,310a'. TWo of the voltage regulators are used to supply
`currents to the IRDA encoder/decoder 303 and the IRDA
`receiver 302, and the remaining tWo voltage regulators are
`used to supply currents to all other components on the
`remote control. In the preferred embodiment as shoWn, the
`remote control is poWered by a rechargeable battery. It
`should be noted that the IRDA standard is used for the
`infrared communication in this preferred embodiment of the
`present invention. The IRDA standard is a cordless data
`connection standard using infrared light. It is a loW-cost
`transceiver signaling technology for tWo Way data exchange.
`It provides high-speed digital exchange through the typical
`PC UART/serial port at 9600-115200 bits/s, and in some
`units compatible high speed extensions up to 1 Mb/s and 4
`Mb/s speeds.
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram shoWing additional details of
`the television portion of the remote control according to the
`present invention. As shoWn in the ?gure, the television
`portion comprises a radio frequency transceiver 401, a
`IRDA transceiver 402 and IRDA encoder/decoder 403 pair
`supporting IRDA standard, a microcontroller 404 for con
`trolling various components Within the television portion, a
`remote control memory 405 for storing a remote control
`system program, a ?ash memory 406 for storing the EPG
`data doWnloaded from the cable company, satellite, pre
`recorded cassettes, or DVD, etc., a bus controller 407 for
`controlling data transfer Within the television portion, and a
`remote ?nder sWitch 408 for the user to activate the remote
`?nding feature. Similarly, as in the remote control portion,
`the television portion also comprises four voltage regulators
`410a,410b,410c,410a' for providing currents to different
`components of the television portion.
`FIG. 5 shoWs a preferred embodiment of a remote control
`500 according to the present invention. The remote control
`as shoWn comprises a display screen 510 for interfacing With
`the user; a plurality of buttons 512a,b,c,d & 514a,b,c,d for
`issuing commands and/or entering data into the remote
`control 500; a stylus 516 for Writing onto the screen 510 and
`a LED light 518 for indicating the communication mode
`currently running betWeen the remote control and the device
`connected. As shoWn in the ?gure, the plurality of buttons
`comprises a group of four buttons 514a,b,c,d for moving any
`pointing device used in the display screen 510. In addition,
`the display screen 510 of the preferred embodiment is
`connected to a handWriting recognition mechanism (not
`shoWn) so that the user can issue commands and/or enter
`data to the remote control 500 by Writing onto the screen
`510. It should be noted that, even With the disclosure of this
`embodiment, many aspects of the present invention can still
`be implemented in a universal remote control that does not
`provide the display 510 as used by this embodiment. In other
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`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000019
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`US 6,407,779 B1
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`5
`Words, other kinds of user interface such as keyboard and
`push buttons can also be employed in the present invention.
`In addition, the remote control according to the present
`invention is backWard compatible With the current remote
`control system such that all the current remote control
`functionality can be emulated by the present invention.
`In another preferred embodiment according to the present
`invention, the touch screen display is also provided With
`pressure sensing ability for sensing different handWriting
`stroke pressures exerted on the screen. For example, instead
`of clicking a neW command button on the emulated screen,
`a hard pressed period can be programmed in the remote
`control for the beginning of a neW command.
`In another preferred embodiment, instead of using a
`display screen in the remote control to interface With the
`user, a touch pad can be used along With an on-screen
`display (“OSD”) of the television to perform similar func
`tions. Speci?cally, the user can enter the commands/data on
`the touch pad of the remote control and the corresponding
`graphical user interface can be shoWn on the OSD of the
`television. In other Words, the command/data inputting
`functions of the display screen of the remote control is
`replaced by the touch pad Whereas the graphical user inter
`face functions of the display screen is replaced by the OSD
`of the television. By replacing the display screen With the
`touch pad, the cost of the remote control can be tremen
`dously reduced. In the folloWing discussions, it should be
`noted that each and every feature using the display screen of
`the remote control can be replaced by using a touch pad
`along With the OSD of the television.
`The folloWings discuss different aspects of the remote
`control of the present invention.
`1. Bidirectional Communications
`The ?rst aspect of the present invention relates to the
`means of communication betWeen the remote control and
`the television set/set top box (and any other audio/video
`devices). As discussed above, the communication betWeen
`the remote control and the television is preferably performed
`bidirectionally so that commands and data can be transferred
`freely betWeen the remote control and the television set.
`Thus, in addition to commands and data being sent from the
`remote control to the television set, commands and data can
`be sent back from the television set to the remote control. In
`the preferred embodiment, the communication is performed
`by transceivers located in the remote control and the tele
`vision set. Particularly, each transceiver comprises both a
`transmitter and a receiver for sending and receiving data.
`This bi-directional communication feature of the present
`invention provides extreme ?exibility in the remote control
`design because the remote control not only can control the
`television set, the television set can also provide data and
`control signals back to the remote control in response to
`changes in status and/or protocols.
`In one example of the present invention, the television set
`can forWard the EPG programming data received from
`satellite delivery or terrestrial broadcast to the remote con
`trol. The television set ?rst receives the EPG data, and then
`forWards the data to the remote control via the bidirectional
`communication feature as discussed. By having the EPG
`programming data stored in the remote control memory, the
`remote control is able to parse and retrieve the EPG pro
`gramming data When a user command is entered. Then the
`remote control can interpret the TV programming data and
`process the command entered, and simplify the control of
`the corresponding AV component(s) accordingly. Detailed
`examples on the uses of the TV programming data are
`illustrated in the folloWing sections. Particularly, section (4)
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`6
`(i.e. EPG Programming Data section) discloses methods of
`doWnloading the electronic programming guide (i.e. EPG
`programming data) to the remote control, and then subse
`quent using the EPG programming data stored in the remote
`control to handle any commands entered. In addition, using
`the bidirectional communication channel, the television set
`can also inform and update the remote control of its status
`and/or any neW control protocols. These features Will be
`discussed in detail in the folloWing sections.
`2. Infrared/Radio Frequency Communication
`According to another aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided a dual communication mode for the remote
`control system. Speci?cally, the television/set top box (or
`any other audio/video devices) and the universal remote
`control of the present invention each comprises an infrared
`transceiver and a radio frequency transceiver so that the
`communication betWeen the tWo devices can be performed
`in either the infrared or radio frequency band. Furthermore,
`each of these transceivers can be a bi-directional transmit
`ting device as discussed in the previous paragraphs.
`Particularly, in response to the environment and distance
`betWeen the remote control and the television set, the present
`remote control system automatically selects an optimal
`communication means (i.e. infrared communication, or
`radio frequency communication). It is knoWn that each of
`the infrared communication and the radio frequency com
`munication modes has its oWn advantages and shortcom
`ings. Therefore, the present invention is designed to alleviate
`the disadvantages of each means, by automatically selecting
`the most ef?cient communication method betWeen the
`remote control and the television set.
`Speci?cally, in the preferred embodiment of the present
`invention, When the remote control is in close proximity of
`the television set, the infrared communication mode is
`selected in order to conserve poWer in the remote control. It
`should be pointed out that, by communicating using infrared
`signals (especially by complying With the IRDA standard),
`the remote control system of the present invention is able to
`conform to other IRDA devices such as computer
`peripherals, digital cameras, laptop computers, personal
`communication systems (PCS), and Wireless modems and
`printers, etc. HoWever, in some situations, infrared commu
`nication cannot be established due to the distance betWeen
`the tWo devices, and/or some obstacles blocking the infrared
`transmission. In those cases, radio frequency transmission is
`then selected for communicating betWeen the remote control
`and the television set (or other connected devices). It should
`be also noted that, in the preferred embodiment, the default
`communication mode of the remote control system is the
`infrared mode to conserve electrical energy of the remote
`control. Only if the infrared communication cannot be
`established betWeen the remote control and the target device,
`the system Will be shifted to the radio frequency communi
`cation mode.
`Therefore, in the preferred embodiment as shoWn in FIG.
`2, each of the remote control and the television set comprises
`an infrared transceiver and a radio frequency transceiver so
`that the remote control can communicate With the television
`in either the infrared mode or radio frequency mode. By
`having tWo different transceivers in the remote control and
`the television set, the remote control system can sWitch
`betWeen these tWo communication modes according to need.
`In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a
`select button is provided in the remote control for the user
`to force and lock a speci?c communication method. This can
`be done by simply deactivating the proximity sensor. By
`deactivating the proximity sensor and forcing a communi
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`Universal Remote Control Exhibit 1001: Page 000027
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