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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a remote controller suitable for use in operating
VTR (Video Taper Recorder/Player) and other audio/visual devices and, in
particular, to a remote controller suitable for use in a system for
transmitting broadcast program reservation tables through a computer
network.
2. Related Art
VTRs are equipped with program reservation function to automatically record
a program of a selected channel when the preset time comes. A user can use
the program reservation function very conveniently to record a desired
program also during his absence. For program reservation in a conventional
VTR, users had to personally enter the record start time, record end time
and the channel of a desired program. It was a very complex and
time-wasting job for users. To cope with the problem, a new system has
been proposed, which enables program reservations only by entering a
so-called Gemstar code (hereinbelow called G code) assigned to an
individual program. Users can conveniently use this system to easily set
the start time, end time and channel of a desired program by simply
entering a code shown on newspapers or magazines.
However, program reservation with conventional VTRs, either by individually
entering the start time, end time, channel and other materials of the
program or by simply entering a code, is based on a program schedule on
newspapers, magazines or other publications, and cannot cope with any
change in broadcast programs.
In case of play-by-play broadcasting of baseball games, for example, the
games often continue beyond scheduled sections of time, and subsequent
programs are often deferred by several minutes to several hours.
Conventionally, if the start time of a desired broadcast program is
changed, users must reset program reservation after canceling the former
reservation.
Another situation to be considered is that channels have been increased
remarkably along with recent development of CATV (CAble TeleVision) and
satellite broadcasting. Newspapers and magazines cannot afford to print
all programs of all channels. Some of CATV channels are local broadcast
channels, and some are specialized channels for specific audience.
Currently, newspapers and magazines are not prepared for providing
information on all programs of these local channels and specialized
channels.
On the other hand, there is a known system called EPG (Electric Program
Guide) system which superposes a program table on electric waves
transmitted from broadcasting stations such that users, on the part of
receivers, can extract the program table on their displays and can select
and reserve desired programs. The EPG system is known from, for example,
U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,121. Since, however, the EPG system is not a
reciprocal transmission, even when the time of a reserved program is
deferred due to elongation of a preceding program, such as play-to-play
broadcasting of a baseball game, the EPG system cannot cancel the
reservation and automatically starts recording of the program.
Satellite broadcasting often extends the service area beyond a single
country. It is difficult for newspapers and magazines to supply
information on programs of such borderless satellite broadcasting to
audience all over the service area. Also the EPG system has a difficulty
in providing services all over the service area beyond a single country.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a remote control
device easily operated for reservation, etc. of programs, and flexibly
coping with changes in schedule of programs.
Another object of the invention is to provide a remote control device
facilitating reservation of programs regardless of an increase in
broadcasting channels and an increase in service area.
Another object of the invention is to provide a remote control device
capable of jointly controlling audio visual systems and electronic device
systems.
According to the invention, there is provided a remote control device
comprising:
a receiver for receiving information on programs transmitted through a
transmission line;
a display for displaying tabulated program information received by the
receiver;
a program reserve information demand portion transferring through the
transmission line a command of demanding program reserve information
corresponding to desired program information among the tabulated program
information displayed on the display; and
a control signal generator for generating a control signal to control an
electronic device in response to the program reserve information demanded
by the program reserve information request portion and received at the
receiver through the transmission line.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
transmitter-receiver device comprising;
a transmitter for transmitting tabulated program information in response to
a user's demand transmitted from a transmission line; and
a receiver for receiving through the transmission line a demand for program
reserve information corresponding to desired program information
designated by a user among the tabulated program information, said
transmitter transmitting the demanded program reserve information in
response to the demand for the program reserve information received by the
receiver.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
transmitting and receiving method comprising the steps of:
transmitting tabulated program information in response to a user's demand
sent through a transmission line;
receiving the demand for program reserve information corresponding to
desired program information designated by the user among the tabulated
program information; and
transmitting designated program reserve information in response to the
demand for program reserve information in receipt.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the entirety of a network system to which the
invention is applied;
FIG. 2 is a diagram of a program guide shown on a display in a network
system to which the invention is applied;
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining G codes assigned to individual
programs in a program guide shown on a display;
FIG. 4 is a table of various codes of a G code system and behaviors or
modes corresponding to these codes;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a receiver for decoding and displaying image
information, character information and control signals that are
transferred through a network;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of on-screen representation of various
instructive keys for controlling an electronic device to be
remotecontrolled;
FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a process in a receiver for decoding and
displaying image information, character information and control signals
sent through a network;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a transmitter for converting program reserve
information sent through a network into a remote control signal acceptable
in a user's electronic device and for transmitting it;
FIG. 9 is a table of code data for various kinds of devices of various
makers, which are stored in code storage 52;
FIG. 10A is a diagram of a screen on which a user can select the model of
his own electronic device;
FIG. 10B is a diagram of a screen on which a user can select the
manufacturer of his own electronic device;
FIG. 10C is a diagram of a screen on which a user can enter the fabrication
date of his own electronic device;
FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a process for a user to select and enter the
model, manufacturer and fabrication date of his own electronic device;
FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a process for generating a remote control signal
acceptable in a user's electronic device in record;
FIG. 13 is a flow chart of a process for sequentially transferring remote
control signals to different kinds of devices of different manufacturers
shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 14 is a diagram of a second example of program guide shown on a
display in a network system to which the invention is applied;
FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a process for down-loading a code data
acceptable in a predetermined electronic device of a designated
manufacturer by clicking a portion on a table of codes for various kinds
of devices of various manufacturers on a display shown in FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the entirety of a network system, taken as a
second embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the entirety of a network system, taken as a
third embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Explained below some embodiments of the invention with reference to the
drawings. FIG. 1 shows a system to which the invention is applied. In FIG.
1, numeral 1 refers to a surface wave TV broadcasting station, 2 to a
satellite TV broadcasting station, and 3 to an FM radio broadcasting
station.
The surface wave TV station 1 broadcasts TV programs to the public, using
VHF (Very High Frequency) and/or UHF (Ultra High Frequency) bands. The
satellite TV station 2 broadcasts TV programs to the public, using a
satellite 4. Since satellite TV broadcasting can cover a wider service
area, its service area may be beyond a single country. Additionally,
satellite broadcasting prepares many channels, and some provide
broadcasting for limited audience. The FM radio station 3 broadcasts FM
radio programs to the public. The FM radio station 3 may be a small-scaled
local station that broadcasts local affairs with a low electric power. The
system may also include a CATV TV station (not shown).
Numeral 5 denotes an audio/visual system 5. In this example, the
audio/visual system 5 each family owns includes VTR 11, FM tuner 12, MD
(Mini Disc) player/recorder 13, TV receiver 14, audio amplifier 15, and
speakers 16A, 16B. The VTR 11 having a satellite broadcasting tuner, FM
tuner 12, MD (Mini Disc) player/recorder 13, TV receiver 14 and audio
amplifier 15 have optical detectors 11A, 12A, 13A, 14A and 15A,
respectively, to be remote-controlled by infrared signals.
A TV signal transmitted from the surface TV station 1 is received at an
antenna 17 of the audio/visual system 5. Output of the antenna 17 is
supplied to VTR 11 and TV receiver 14, and images based on the TV signal
from the surface TV station 1 are displayed on the TV receiver 14. The TV
signal from the surface TV station 1 can be recorded on a magnetic tape in
VTR 11.
A TV signal transmitted from the satellite TV station 2 via the satellite 4
is caught by a parabola antenna 18 of the audio/visual system 5. Output of
the parabola antenna 18 is frequency-converted into a satellite medium
frequency by a converter (not shown), and supplied to VTR 11 and TV
receiver 14. Images based on the TV signal from the satellite TV station 2
via the satellite 4 are displayed on the TV receiver 14. The TV signal can
be recorded on a magnetic tape in VTR 11.
A radio broadcast signal transmitted from the FM radio station 2 is
received at the FM tuner 12. Output of the FM tuner 12 is supplied to the
audio amplifier 15. Output of the audio amplifier 15 is output from the
speakers 16A and 16B. The audio signal based on the broadcast signal from
the FM radio station 2 can be recorded on a mini disc in the MD
player/recorder 13.
In the system to which the invention is applied, the surface TV station 1,
satellite TV station 2 and FM radio station 3 also provide information on
scheduled programs by WWW (World Wide Web) through the internet 6. Thus,
the stations can introduce scheduled programs not only in characters but
also in still or moving images with or without voices.
In the system according to the invention, commands for selecting behaviors
electronic devices can be provided on WWW pages. By making use of the
commands on the WWW pages, a user or listener can easily reserve desired
programs from program lists on WWW pages of individual stations.
Each family prepares its personal computer 21 connectable to the internet
6. Connected to the personal computer 21 are a display 22, keyboard 23 and
mouse 24. Further attached to the personal computer 21 is an interface box
25 through an interface such as RS232C or SCSI, for example.
The interface box 25 generates an infrared signal in response to a command
from the personal computer 22. The interface box 25 is disposed face to
face with the VTR 11, FM tuner 12, MD player/recorder 13, TV receiver 14
and audio amplifier 15 so that the VTR 11, FM tuner 12, MD player/recorder
13, TV receiver 14 and audio amplifier 15 are set in desired modes of
operation by infrared signals from the interface box 25.
An application called browser is installed in the personal computer 21 to
see WWW pages connecting it to the internet 6 via a provider. When a
viewer makes access to WWW sites managed by the stations 1, 2 and 3, using
his personal computer 25 and the browser, and links his personal computer
25 to the WWW pages of the stations 1, 2 and 3, he can get information on
broadcast programs of the stations 1, 2 and 3. The information is
transmitted in form of hypertexts, and may include not only characters but
also still or moving images, and voices as well.
In the system according to the invention, commands for selecting operation
modes of electronic devices are provided on WWW pages. Users can use these
commands to easily reserve desired programs by confirming schedules of
programs on WWW pages.
For example, when a user makes access to the WWW site of the surface wave
station 1 by using his personal computer 21 and browser, the WWW page
indicating the schedule of programs of the channel as shown in FIG. 2 is
shown on the display of the personal computer 21. As shown in FIG. 2, the
WWW page provides indication of time schedules 31A, 31B and 31C, and
indication of contents 32A, 32B and 32C of the programs. Additionally,
commands for recording the programs are attached to the titles of the
programs 32A, 32B and 32C.
A viewer can confirm the schedule of programs of the day, looking at the
WWW page on his personal computer 21, and may click the mouse 24 at the
title of a desired program 32A, 32B or 32C. Responsively, an infrared
signal instructing the VTR 11 to record the program at the indicated time
is output from the interface box 25 in FIG. 1. Thus, the VTR 11 is set in
the reserved mode for recording the program at the reserved time by the
infrared signal.
This is explained below in-greater detail. In the system according to the
invention, WWW pages contain commands for determining behaviors of
electronic devices. For example, the WWW page shown in FIG. 2 contains a
description in form of a hypertext as shown in FIG. 3. Characters in
parenthesis, 33A, 33B and 33C in FIG. 3 are commands for determining
behaviors of electronic device. Script languages may be made by using
these commands.
FIG. 4 shows an example of such commands and their operations. As shown in
FIG. 4, these commands define behaviors of VTR, TV receiver, MD
player/recorder and other electronic devices. For example, a hexadecimal
command [00H] makes VTR stop its operation, and another hexadecimal
command [01H] sets VTR for operation. These commands can control behaviors
not only of audio/visual devices such as VTR and TV receiver but also of
other various kinds of electronic devices such as air conditioner and
illuminators.
As shown in FIG. 5 in a functional block diagram of the personal computer
21, when the personal computer 21 is connected to WWW sites of the
stations 1, 2 and 3, it receives, through the interface 40, hypertexts
containing commands for determining behaviors of electronic devices. Then,
the browser application 41 installed in the personal computer 21 deals
with the hypertexts to link text data, still or moving image data, audio
data, and so forth, and to form a multimedia picture. The multimedia
picture is shown on the display 22 by a display controller 42.
When commands for determining behaviors of electronic devices are contained
in the hypertext, the browser application 41 arranges these commands in
the picture.
For example, when the hypertext as shown in FIG., 3 is received,
representation as shown in FIG. 2 appears on the display 22 under the
control by the browser application 41. Commands 33A, 33B and 33C for
determining behaviors of electronic devices are attached to the titles
32A, 32B, 32C of programs. Titles of programs attached with commands may
be underlined so that viewers or listeners can identify the existence of
these commands.
Alternatively, portions containing commands may be shown in a color
different from the other portions or in a different kind or different size
of font to distinguish from others. It is also possible to show icons 35
indicating commands for determining behaviors of electronic devices as
shown in FIG. 6.
In FIG. 5, when one of titles 32A, 32B, 32C containing commands is clicked
by an input means 43 of a mouse or a keyboard, the command 33A, 33B or 33C
attached to the title 32A, 32B or 32C is transmitted from a command
transmitter 44 to the interface box 25.
Assume here that the title 32A in FIG. 2 is clicked. As shown in FIG. 3,
the command 33A describing [07H, OAH, 08H] is attached to the title 32A.
Therefore, when the title 32A is clicked, the attached command [07H, OAH,
08H] is transmitted to the interface box 25.
As shown in FIG. 4, the command [07H, OAH, 08H] is equivalent to a G code
"142". Therefore, it results in transmitting the G code "142" to the
interface box 25.
FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a process of jobs in the personal computer 21. As
shown in FIG. 7, in receipt of a hypertext containing commands for
determining behaviors of electronic devices (step ST1), a multimedia
picture with a text and still or moving images linked together is
displayed under the control by the browser application 41 (step ST2). Next
detected is whether any title portion with a command is clicked or not
(step ST3). If any title portion is clicked, its command is transmitted to
the interface box 25 (step ST4).
The interface box 25 converts the received command into an infrared signal
acceptable for the type of each electronic device, and transmits it to the
VTR 11, FM tuner 12, MD player/recorder 13, TV receiver 14 and audio
amplifier 15 of the audio/visual system 5. Thus, the respective devices
are set in desired modes of operation.
For example, when the title 32A in FIG. 2 is clicked, the command [07H,
OAH, 08H] attached to the title is received at the interface box 25. The
interface box 25 converts the command into an infrared signal equivalent
to the G code "142" for VTR 11, and transmits the infrared signal to VTR
11. As a result, VTR 11 is set for "142" or the G code system.
FIG. 8 shows a construction of the interface box 25. As shown in FIG. 8,
the interface box 25 has a code storage portion 52. As shown in FIG. 9,
the code storage portion 52 stores code data (information on codes and
carriers) of infrared signals for difference devices of different
manufacturers. That is, codes and carriers used for controlling electronic
devices with infrared signals are different among manufacturers. Even for
devices from the same manufacturer, codes and carriers are often different
among types of devices and those having different fabrication dates. The
code storage portion 52 stores all code data of all devices of different
manufacturers as shown in FIG. 9.
In FIG. 8, a command prepared on a WWW page for setting electronic devices
in desired modes of operation is sent from the personal computer 21 to the
interface box 25. The command is applied to a controller 51 via an
interface 53. The controller 51 interprets the command, and a
corresponding code data is read out from the code storage portion 52.
Output from the code storage portion 52 is supplied to an infrared signal
generator 54 which, in turn, generates an infrared signal of the code and
carrier determined by the code data.
As referred to above, codes and carriers for controlling electronic devices
are different among different manufacturers and even among different
devices from the same manufacturer depending on types and dates of
fabrication. On the other hand, commands sent to the interface box 25
determine respective modes of operation of devices commonly to all devices
regardless of manufacturers or types. Therefore, interpretation of
commands and conversion of commands to codes and carriers acceptable for
individual devices are required. Thus, the VTR 11, FM tuner 12, MD
player/recorder 13, TV receiver 14 and audio amplifier of the audio/visual
system 5 must be registered.
Registration of electronic devices may be done through the personal
computer 21, for example. Registration may be made either upon installment
of the audio/visual system or each time when a user sets his audio/visual
devices in desired modes of operation, referring to on WWW pages. Also,
the registration may be done on the part of the interface box 25.
For registration of devices, a select-device menu is first displayed as
shown in FIG. 10A. On the select-device menu, a user selects any device
category among VTR, TV receiver, and others. Responsively, a select-maker
menu listing different manufacturers appears on the screen as shown in
FIG. 10B. After the user selects a manufacturer from the select-maker
menu, a picture for entering a fabrication date appears as shown in FIG.
10C. When the user enters the fabrication date, maker information and
information on the fabrication date on his device are introduced.
Responsively, the introduced information is sent to and registered in the
interface box 25.
FIG. 11 is a flow chart of jobs in this process. As shown in FIG. 11, upon
registration of devices, the select-device menu is first displayed (step
ST11). On this menu, it is checked whether VTR, TV receiver, MD
player/recorder, or any other device is selected or not (step ST12). If
any device is selected, then the select-maker menu is displayed (step
ST13). On the select-maker menu, it is checked whether any maker A, B or C
is selected or not (step ST14). If any maker is selected, the fabrication
date entry menu is displayed (step ST15). On the fabrication date entry
menu, it is checked whether any fabrication date is entered or not (step
ST16). If any date is entered, all information given here on the maker and
the fabrication date of the device is registered in the interface box 25
(step ST17).
Assume here that the VTR 11 of the audio/visual system 5 shown in FIG. 1 is
a product fabricated by manufacturer A in a year from 1985 to 1990 and
that the WWW page as shown in FIG. 2 is shown on the display 22 of the
personal computer 21 and the title 32A on the WWW page is clicked. In this
case, a command equivalent to "142" of the G code system is sent from the
personal computer 21 to the interface box 25.
In case of the VTR manufactured by manufacturer A between years 1985 and
1990, the code data equivalent to "142" of the G code system is those
registered in addresses "A7, A10, A8". Therefore, code data stored at
addresses "A7, A10. A8" among others stored in the code storage portion 52
shown in FIG. 8 is read out.
The code data is sent to the infrared signal generator 54, and an infrared
signal from the infrared signal generator 54 is transmitted to VTR 11. As
a result, G code "142" is set in VTR 11.
FIG. 12 is a flow chart of responsive jobs in the interface box 25. As
shown in FIG. 12, it is checked whether any command is sent from the
personal computer 21 (step ST21). If any command is sent, then it is
interpreted (step ST22), and data in record on manufacturers and
fabrication dates of devices is retrieved (step ST23). Based on the
information on makers and information on fabrication dates of devices, a
particular code data corresponding to the mode of operation designated by
the command is determined (step ST24), and then read out from the code
storage portion 52 (step ST25). The data is transmitted in form of an
infrared signal from the infrared signal generator 54 (step ST25).
Although the above example has been explained as the job of converting
commands for determining behaviors of electronics device into infrared
signal codes being shared by the interface box 25, the conversion may be
done on the part of the personal computer 21.
In addition, although the above example has been explained as previously
registering manufactures and fabrication dates of devices, if codes for
individual demands on all devices are read out, prior registration of
makers and fabrication dates of devices is not necessary.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13, it is checked whether any command
is sent from the personal computer 21 (step ST31). If a command is sent,
it is interpreted (step ST32). After that, code data defining jobs
indicated by codes corresponding to the command for all devices of all
manufacturers are read out sequentially (step ST33), and they are
transmitted in sequence as infrared signals from the infrared signal
generator 54 (step ST34). Since the sequentially transmitted code data for
the command must contain the data for the device of the audio/visual
system 5, when a user reads out code data for a desired mode of operation
for all devices of all manufacturers, he can set his device for a desired
mode of operation by selecting a corresponding data through a key, for
example.
Since infrared signals have different code systems and carriers among
different manufacturers, it seldom occurs that devices malfunction when
codes for all devices of all manufacturers are read out sequentially.
In the above example, the code storage portion 52 previously stores all
code data of all devices of all manufacturers. In this case, however,
codes amount to an enormous volume, and infrared signal codes may be
changed.
To cope this problem, the code storage portion may be configured to do both
reading and writing so as to introduce code data entered from the exterior
as a leaning remote controller.
Alternatively, code data may be transferred by WWW of the internet. For
example, as shown in FIG. 14, indication 36 on manufactures and
fabrication dates of VTRs is put on a WWW page for program guide. Attached
to the indication 36 are commands for introducing code data for individual
devices of individual manufacturers. If a VTR of a particular manufacturer
having a particular fabrication date is selected from the indication 36,
then a code data for the type of devices is down-loaded through the
internet 6.
FIG. 15 is a flow chart of behaviors taken responsively. As shown in FIG.
15, it is checked whether an indication for setting code data is clicked
or not (step ST41). If an indication is clicked, a demand for the
corresponding data is output through the internet 6 (step ST42). Then, it
is checked whether the code data can be received or not (step 43), and if
so, the code data is down-loaded (step ST44).
In this case, each broadcasting station may prepare its own server for
supplying code data, or code data may be held in other servers, e.g. those
of manufacturers of devices. If code data are held in a server of a
manufacturers of the device, selection of VTR of fabricated by the
manufacture on a date or in a period of time from the indication 36 is
linked to an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server of the manufacturer.
Then, the code data for the electronic device of the manufacturer is
down-loaded from the FTP server.
Although the example of FIG. 1 has been explained as using infrared rays
issued from the interface box 25 to remote-control VRT 11, FM tuner 12, MD
player/recorder 13, TV receiver 14, audio amplifier 15, and so on, of the
audio/visual system 5, a wired interface box 28 may be used for such
remote control as shown in FIG. 16. In this case, the interface box 28 can
be reciprocally, bidirectionally connected to the audio/visual system 5
including the personal computer 21, VTR 11, FM tuner 12, MD
player/recorder, TV receiver 14, audio amplifier 15, and others.
In this manner, the system according to the invention permits transmission
of programs of broadcasting stations 1, 2 and 3 by using WWW services of
the internet. The schedule of programs presented by WWW are renewed from
time to time if any changes occur in the schedule due to, for example, an
extension of time of play-to-play broadcasting of a baseball game, so as
to give viewers or listeners the latest information. Additionally,
reservation of a program can be done by simply clicking to a corresponding
indication of a WWW page as explained above.
As mentioned before, channels have been increased remarkably along with
remarkable development of satellite broadcasting and CATV. Under the
circumstances, since the internet is an international computer network, by
using the internet, it is possible to give viewers or listeners all
information on all programs of all channels even when channels increase
and service areas extend beyond countries.
The use of the system is not limited to reservation of programs. Because
commands for determining behaviors of electronic devices can be easily
made by using hypertexts, this system can be widely used also for other
purposes.
FIG. 17 shows an example of the system used for a different purpose. In
FIG. 17, numeral 101 denotes a TV receiver, 102 refers to an illuminator,
and 103 to an air conditioner. The EV receiver 101, illuminator 102, and
air conditioner 103 have optical detectors 101A, 102A and 103A,
respectively. They are set in desired mode of operation by infrared signal
from an interface box 104 connected to a personal computer 105.
Assume that a user desires to keep a constant cooling effect by the air
conditioner and a constant brightness of the illuminator 102. In this
case, an optimum value of the cooling effec | | |
