• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
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    • 专利摘要:
    method of using an entertainment device an entertainment device is used to notify a user of a change in an audiovisual entertainment system configuration in which at least one of a plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio source and /or visual and at least one of the plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual output destination for the entertainment device and/or to notify a user of a perceived problem in a configuration of a device controller used to control functional operations of the audiovisual entertainment system.
    公开号:BR112012006989B1
    申请号:R112012006989-6
    申请日:2010-09-29
    公开日:2021-08-17
    发明作者:Paul D. Arling；Patrick H. Hayes
    申请人:Universal Eletronics Inc；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    RELATED ORDER DATA
    [0001] This application claims the benefit and is a continuation in part of US Serial Application No. 12/569,121, filed September 29, 2009. FOUNDATION
    [0002] Home entertainment systems in which multiple media sources and multiple media representation devices are coupled by a central routing device such as an AV receiver are well known in the art, as are adaptive universal controller devices for issuing commands to a multitude of devices of different manufacture and/or type and which are often associated with such home entertainment systems. As these home entertainment systems become increasingly complex due to the proliferation of media formats, device types, etc., the user actions required to configure a home entertainment system to match a desired activity such as watching TV or listening to music have become increasingly costly and error-prone. Various methods have been proposed to automate all or part of these configuration operations, for example, by using device-based control macro sequences as described in US Patent 5,959,751 or state-based control as described in US Patent 7,784,805. However, such methods can themselves be subject to error when configurations or equipment connections are not as expected, only leading to additional user frustration. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
    [0003] This invention generally relates to improved methods for configuring a multi-input and/or multi-output home entertainment system to match the desired activities of a user. In such systems, the outputs and inputs of the various components are generally directed and switched by a central device such as an AV receiver. The inventive methods described herein include a cooperative effort between the AV receiver and an associated universal control device such as a remote control in which activation of an activity key or buttons on the control device results in transmission of a signal to the receiver. AV starts certain previously defined setup actions, which actions can be conditioned on the AV receiver's determination of the current state of connected devices. In addition, certain command transmissions from the control device to other devices in the home entertainment system may also be initiated as a result of said activity key activation, either unilaterally by the control device or at the request of the AV receiver. Since the AV receiver has access to device status information not available to the control device (due to the AV receiver's physical connection to these home appliances), and the control device in turn has access to command functions. device not available to the AV receiver, cooperatively executing an activity setup request in this way may result in safer and more user-friendly system operation. Also, since initial user installation of prior art AV receivers is generally GUI based and includes user friendly naming for source and destination devices (eg "DVD" instead of "Video Input 3 "), a user's initial specification of desired activity settings can be facilitated by using these features when configuring activities.
    [0004] A better understanding of the objects, advantages, characteristics, properties and relationships of the invention will be obtained from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings which publish illustrative embodiments and which are indicative of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
    [0005] For a better understanding of the various aspects of the invention, reference may be made to preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:
    [0006] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary system in which the methods of the present invention can be practiced;
    [0007] Figure 2 further illustrates an exemplary control device of the
    [0008] Figure 1;
    [0009] Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of exemplary components of the exemplary control device of Figure 2;
    [00010] Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of exemplary components of an AV receiver of the system of Figure 1;
    [00011] Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary activity configuration installation process according to the methods of this invention;
    [00012] Figure 6 illustrates an exemplary activity switching process according to the methods of this invention; and
    [00013] Figure 7 illustrates a second exemplary activity configuration installation process according to the methods of this invention.
    [00014] Figure 8 illustrates an exemplary display prompting a user to reconfigure a control device by changing a device to be controlled;
    [00015] Figure 9 illustrates exemplary help information that can be presented to a user when it is detected that a device is not responding correctly to command requests. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
    [00016] Returning now to Figure 1, an exemplary home entertainment system is illustrated in which the audio/video outputs of a group of various media source devices such as for example a TV set-top box ("STB") 104, a first DVD player 106, a second DVD player 108, a game console 110, and a CD changer 112 are all connected as inputs to an AV receiver 102. AV receiver 102 in turn functions to switch the stream of input media currently desired to one or more designated AV receiver outputs 102, which are connected, in turn, to various audio and/or video representation devices such as TV 114, projector 118, and/or speakers 116 ; all as is well known in the art. In some embodiments, AV receiver 102 may also include a network interface 120, for example Ethernet, for routing in/out of streaming media to or from other areas of the home. When included, such a network interface may also be available for accessing the Internet, downloading firmware updates and/or other data into AV 102 receiver, etc., again as well known in the art. Also illustrated is a universal control device 100, which is capable of transmitting commands to devices using any convenient IR, RF, point-to-point, or networked protocol to make the devices perform operational functions. While illustrated in the context of a home entertainment system, it is to be understood that devices controllable through universal control device 100 may include, but need not be limited to, televisions, VCRs, DVRs, DVD players, cable or satellite converters. ("STBs"), amplifiers, AV receivers, CD players, game consoles, home lighting, shades, fans, HVAC systems, thermostats, personal computers, etc. In a preferred embodiment, control device 100 supports bidirectional communication 130 with AV receiver 102 via any convenient IR or RF protocol.
    [00017] In an exemplary embodiment, the control device 100 may be further adapted to function in cooperation with the AV receiver 102 to configure the illustrative entertainment system as per the desired activities of a user. To this end, as illustrated in Figure 2, an exemplary control device may be provided with a series of activity selection keys or buttons 200 with designations such as, for example, "Watch TV", "Watch a Movie", " Listen to Music", "Play a Game", etc. Activation of such an activity selection key may cause AV receiver 102 and/or control device 100 to cooperatively place the exemplary home entertainment system into a user-specified state that has been associated with that activity, as will be described in further detail hereafter. on.
    [00018] Returning now to Figure 3, for use in commanding the functional operations of one or more devices, the control device 100 may include, as needed for a particular application, a processor 300 coupled to a ROM memory 304, a RAM memory 305, an array of 316 keys (eg hard keys, soft keys such as a touch-sensitive surface covered over a liquid crystal display (LCD) and/or an electroluminescent display (EL)), transmission circuitry and/or transceiver circuitry 310 (eg, IR and/or RF), a non-volatile read/write memory 306, a means 302 for providing feedback to the user (eg, one or more LEDs, display, speaker, and/or or similar), an input/output port 318 such as a serial interface, USB port, modem, Zigbee, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth transceiver, etc., and clock and timer logic 312 with associated crystal or resonator 314 .
    [00019] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, some or all of memories 304, 305, 306 may include executable instructions (collectively, the control device program memory) that are intended to be executed by processor 300 to control the operation of the remote control 100, as well as data that serve to define to the operating software the necessary control protocols and command values for use in transmitting command signals to controllable devices (collectively, the command data). In this way, processor 300 can be programmed to control the various electronic components within remote control 100, e.g., monitor key array 316, cause signal transmission, etc. Non-volatile read/write memory 306, for example an EEPROM, battery-backed RAM, Flash, Smart Card, memory stick, or the like, can be additionally provided to store data and installation parameters as needed. While memory 304 is illustrated and described as ROM memory, memory 304 can also be included in any type of readable media, such as ROM, FLASH, EEPROM, or the like. Preferably, memories 304 and 305 are non-volatile or battery maintained, such that data is not required to be recharged after the battery changes. Furthermore, memories 304, 305 and 306 can take the form of a chip, a hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and/or the like. Still further, it will be appreciated that some or all of the illustrated memory devices may be physically combined (for example, a single FLASH memory may be logically divided into different portions to support the functionality of memories 304 and 306 respectively) and/or may be incorporated physically inside the same IC chip as the microprocessor 300 (a so-called "microcontroller") and as such they are shown separately in Figure 3 just for the sake of clarity.
    [00020] To make the control device 100 perform an action, the control device 100 is adapted to be responsive to events, such as a sensed user interaction with the 316 key array, etc. In response to an event, appropriate instructions within program memory (hereafter the "control device operating program") can be executed. For example, when a function key is actuated on control device 100, control device 100 can retrieve from command data stored in memory 304, 305, 306 a command value and control protocol corresponding to the actuated function key and , where necessary, current device mode and transmit that command to a intended intended device, eg STB 104, in a format recognizable by that device thereby to control one or more functional operations of that device. It will be appreciated that the operating program can be used not only to cause the transmission of commands and/or data to devices, but also to perform local operations. While not limiting, local operations that can be performed by control device 100 may include information/data display, favorite channel installation, macro key installation, function key replacement, etc. Examples of local operations can be found in US Patent Nos. 5,481,256, 5,959,751 and 6,014,092.
    [00021] To select command data sets to be associated with the devices to be controlled, data can be provided to control device 100, which serve to identify each target device planned by its manufacture and/or model and/or type. Such data allows the control device 100 to identify the appropriate command data set within a command data library that is to be used to transmit recognizable commands in appropriate formats to such identified devices. Such command data library can be pre-programmed into control device 100, loaded into control device 100 as part of the installation process, or a combination thereof. The command data library may represent a plurality of controllable devices of different types and make, a plurality of controllable devices of the same type but different make, a plurality of devices of the same make but different type or model, etc., or any combination of these as appropriate for a given embodiment. In certain embodiments, such data used to identify an appropriate command data set may take the form of a numerical installation code (obtained, for example, from a printed list of manufacturer names and/or models with corresponding code numbers, from a support website, etc.), which can be entered by activating those keys that are also used to cause the transmission of commands to a device, preferably the keys that are labeled with numerals.
    [00022] Alternative device installation procedures known in the art include scanning bar codes, RFID tags, or other indicia; sequentially transmitting a predetermined command in different formats until a target device response is detected; interaction with a website culminating in uploading command data and/or installation codes to the control device, etc. Furthermore, in embodiments such as that illustrated in Figure 1, installation of a control device 100 can be performed interactively together with AV receiver 102, using a connected device such as TV 114 for GUI display and a code database and/or brand and model information stored locally on AV receiver 102 or remotely located on a PC or web server and accessed via network connection 120. Provided that such methods for installing a control device to command the operation of specific devices are well known, these will not be described here in greater detail.
    [00023] Nevertheless, for additional information pertaining to installation procedures, the reader may turn, for example, to US Patent Nos. 4,959,810, 5,614,906, or 6,225,938 or to pending US Patent Application 11/915,562, all by the same assignee and all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
    [00024] Referring to Figure 4, an exemplary AV receiver 102 may include, as needed for a particular application, a control processor 400 coupled to a memory 402, which may include any combination of ROM, RAM, and/or memory. non-volatile read/write; video and audio processing sections 404, 406; a tuner 408 for receiving radio broadcast channels; a front panel 410 including user controls and/or a display; a remote control interface 412 for communicating with a control device (eg 100); a network interface 414 for communicating with a wide area and/or local network; 420a by 420c audio inputs; video inputs 424a through 424c; AV inputs 422a through 422c; audio outputs 430a, 430b; and video outputs 434a and 434b. As will be appreciated, audio and video inputs and outputs (which may be more or less in number than illustrated) can include analog or digital signals, and exemplary AV 102 receiver can be provided with analog to digital converters (ADC), digital converters to analog (DAC), video decoders, HDMI encoder/decoders, CODECs, format converters, etc., all as needed to implement input/output routing and switching functionality. It will further be appreciated that the functionality of audio and video processing blocks 404 and 408 can be implemented in separate components such as specialized digital signal processors (DSP), can be implemented as part of control processor 400, or any combination thereof, and these memory portions 402 may be allocated or associated with audio and video processing blocks 404, 408.
    [00025] It will also be appreciated that some or all of the 402 memory elements may take the form of a chip, a hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, FLASH memory, and/or the like, and that all or portion of the memory 402 can be physically incorporated into the same IC chip as control processor 400 and/or audio or video processing blocks 404, 406 and as such memory 402 is shown separately in Figure 4 just for clarity.
    [00026] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, some or all of memory 402 may include executable instructions that are intended to be executed by processor 400 to control the operation of AV receiver 102 (hereinafter, the "operational program of AV receiver". In this way, the processor 400 can be programmed to control the various electronic components within the AV receiver, for example, to monitor front panel 410 and/or remote control interface 412, cause signal routing of video and/or audio between the various inputs and outputs, to control broadcast channel selection through tuner 408, control volume adjustments and equalization of audio outputs 430a and 430b, etc. In addition, the AV receiver operational program, along with 404 video processing block, it can provide GUI-based setup menus for AV receiver functions such as input and output assignments, levels, balances, and qualification, etc., by a connected video monitor device such as for example the TV 114. Since such a GUI-based AV receiver setup is well known in the art, for brevity it will not be described further here, however if further detail is desired considering such features and functionality, the interested reader may reference, for example, a document such as the Denon STR-DA5500ES AV Surround Receiver Owner's Manual (D&M Holdings Inc., publication number 5411 10255 000D) .
    [00027] Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment described herein, the AV receiver operating program may include programming that works in cooperation with the control device 100 to subsequently define and perform user-desired configuration of the home entertainment system in accordance with various activities .
    [00028] Referring to Figure 5, after completing the initial installation of AV 102 receiver, for example as described in the Denon STR-DA5500ES User Manual referenced above, a user may wish to configure the functionality of the 200 activity buttons of control device 100. To this end, it can put the AV receiver into an activity setup mode, for example by a keystroke sequence on control device 100, use of navigation keys 210 of control device 100 to select an item from the menu displayed on TV 114, or such other action as may be appropriate for a particular embodiment. Upon entering activity setup mode, the AV receiver operating program may display an exemplary initial status message 530 on TV 114 prompting the user to select an activity to configure. The AV receiver operating program thereafter waits at step 502 for user input, i.e. activation of one of control device 100 activity buttons 200. In the illustrated example, the user may select button 202 labeled "Watch one Movie", resulting in communication by the control device 100 of an appropriate key command value for AV receiver 102. Upon receipt of the "Watch a Movie" activity command in step 504, the AV receiver operating program can display a listing 532 of available source devices that are known to be connected to AV receiver 102 inputs 422, 424. In this context, it will be appreciated that the aforementioned AV receiver initial installation procedures may include user labeling/identification of the devices connected to the various inputs along with a selection of compatible command data sets within universal control device 100; resulting user-friendly ones such as "DVD player", "Projector", etc., can be used thereafter in generating displays such as that illustrated at 532. Additionally, the displayed listing may be further adapted by the receiver operating program AV to include only those currently configured devices known to be compatible with the specified activity - for example, for the now illustrated "Watch a Movie" activity devices, which are unable to produce a video stream, such as CD player 112 or tuner 408 can be omitted from the list presented to the user. At step 506, the user may employ navigation keys 210 from control device 100 to move a cursor 536 and select desired source devices. One or more source devices can be selected, as indicated for example by tokens 534. In the event that more than one source device is designated, the user can be prompted at the time of activity execution to select the desired source, as will be described in further detail hereafter along with Figure 6.
    [00029] Upon completion of source device selection, in step 508, a list 538 of possible target devices can be displayed for user selection in step 510 in a manner similar to that described above. Again, the device list can be adapted by the AV receiver operating program to include, in this case, only those currently configured devices known to be capable of representing the designated input media streams. Although not shown, it will be appreciated that other configuration options may also be presented to the user in certain embodiments, for example, selecting a destination for audio output. Once all user selections have been made, in step 512, activity setup parameters can be finalized and stored in AV receiver memory 402 for future use in configuring the home entertainment system when the indicated activity is requested, for example, the final configuration is stored and associated with the received key command value corresponding to the activity key that was activated at the beginning of the configuration process. Thereafter, the AV receiver operating program may display a completion message 540, including in this example a reminder 542 that end source selection will be required at run time. In step 516, the user indicates whether he wants to install another activity, in which case processing returns to initial step 502. If not, activity installation is complete and the AV receiver operating program exits install mode and returns to normal operation.
    [00030] The execution of an exemplary activity configuration request will now be discussed along with Figure 6. On actuation of an activity button on control device 100, for example 202 "Watch a Movie" and on receipt of the value communication appropriate key command output by AV receiver 102, assuming the AV receiver operating program is in the normal operating state (i.e., not in install mode as previously described), in step 602, the receiver operating program AV function first determines whether the activity by the key command value received from the control device has actually been configured. If not, in step 624, an error message is displayed, for example on TV 114, prompting the user to first configure that activity, and the activity request is ignored. If activity was configured, in step 604, the AV receiver operating program then determines from the configuration associated with the received key command value if multiple sources were configured. In that case, in step 606, the options are displayed as illustrated in 630 and the user is prompted to select a desired source device, for example, using the control device selection and navigation keys to highlight and select the source device wanted. As will be appreciated, if only one font device was configured at installation time, this step can be skipped. Once a source device has been designated, in step 608, the AV receiver operating program selects the audio, video and/or AV inputs associated with the designated source device. In step 610, the AV receiver operating program determines whether the selected source device is enabled, for example by detecting the presence or absence of audio/video signal, sensing HDMI state, etc., as appropriate for device connection in question. Alternatives such as feeling potency, etc., may also be available in certain embodiments. If the selected source device is not activated, in a preferred embodiment at step 612, a request may be issued to control device 100 via bidirectional communication link 130 to transmit an "activate" command to the source device. As will be appreciated, such an order would include data that functions to indicate to control device 100 the intended target device for the "activate" command. Thereafter, in step 614, the AV receiver operating program determines whether multiple destinations have been configured. In that case, in step 616, the options are displayed as illustrated in 632 and the user prompted to select a desired target device as described above. Again, if only one target device was configured at installation time, this step can be skipped. In step 618, the AV receiver operating program determines whether the selected target device is enabled, for example sensing the state of HDMI. Alternatives such as detecting AV signals from an auxiliary output of a representation device, sensing power, etc., may also be available in certain embodiments. If the selected target device is not activated, in a preferred embodiment at step 620, a request may be issued to control device 100 via bidirectional communication link 130 to transmit an "activate" command to the target device.
    [00031] While initiation of a "Watch a Movie" activity by key 202 may result in automatic key configuration of the control device, for example transport keys 240 may be configured to transmit commands in a format compatible with any of devices 104, 106, 108 that have been pre-configured as the media source within the remote when in "Watch a Movie" activity mode, in the event that multiple possible sources (or destinations) are possible in "Watch a Movie" activity mode. Watch a Movie" (which does not allow pre-setting of control device keys to a particular device), in step 622 data indicative of devices to be controlled in the currently selected activity mode can be transferred via bidirectional communication link 130 from AV receiver operating program to control device 100 to make the control device configure itself to match the activity and selected source and target devices. It will also be appreciated that keys of control device 100 can, in whole or in part, be matched to a target device planned as a result of receiving the aforementioned requests to activate a device and, as such, step 622 can be skipped if these data has already been provided to the control device by the AV receiver.
    [00032] Although not illustrated in the example of Figure 6, in certain embodiments, additional device configuration may be initiated by AV receiver operating program and/or control device operating program and executed by control device 100, for example issuing commands for selecting an appropriate input on the TV 114 or projector 118, adjusting video aspect ratio or image adjustments to optimize presentation of the selected source material, etc. Also, additional actions may be initiated by the AV receiver operational program and/or control device operational program with respect to devices not participating in an activity. For example, initiation of a "Listen to Music" activity may cause the control device itself, or result in the control device issuing requests, to turn off video display devices such as TV 114 or projector 118.
    [00033] In addition to the interactions with the AV receiver 102 described above, in certain embodiments, activation of an activity select button 200 may also invoke a conventional control device-based macro command sequence, as is known in the art and described. , for example, in previously referenced US Patent 5,959,751. Such macro sequences can be programmed by a user to, for example, adjust lighting levels, control curtains, etc., to create a suitable environment for the commanded activity, as well as perform additional entertainment device configuration functions, if desired. .
    [00034] Returning now to Figure 7, in an alternative embodiment, a PC-based activity installer application may be offered in place of or as an alternative to the GUI-based AV receiver install described previously above along with Figure 5 Such a PC-based installation option may include a locally installed application program, a web application, or a combination thereof. As illustrated in Figure 7, the PC-based installation application can include a GUI 700, which offers a series of dropdown menus 702, 704, from which various configuration options can be selected. In the illustrative example, separate panels 706 and 708 allow selection and configuration of sources and outputs for an activity and selection and naming of device/control device key functionality for that activity, respectively. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, in general two decision menus such as 710 and 716 may not be active at the same time, they are however illustrated as such in Figure 7 to aid in a better understanding of the PC application . Drop down menu panel 706 may offer AV receiver-related activity setup choices similar to those previously described along with Figure 5, and, to avoid repetition, these will not be repeated. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, drop-down menu panel 708 allows the control device to control volume, channel change, and transport key groups to be pre-configured as appropriate. As an aid to the user, in some embodiments, an image 712 of control device 100 may be displayed with the affected key group highlighted - for example, when drop down menu 710 for transport keys is active, this key group 714 can be highlighted in displayed image 712. In some embodiments, prefixed key assignments can be established and dynamically displayed in panel 708 by the PC application based on the current activity configuration settings. By way of example, if the audio output for an activity is assigned to a set of speakers 718 connected to the AV receiver output, the default volume key assignment 722 might be the AV receiver, while if the AV receiver output audio for the same activity were to be assigned to the TV device 720, the default volume control key naming can be the TV device. In this context, it will be appreciated that in certain embodiments, provision can be made to transfer existing activity configuration settings from an AV receiver into the PC application for editing by a user, in which case the existing values can become the default settings. It will be appreciated that in cases where more than one input or output device has been selected for an activity and the final choice is to be made at run time as described previously, some or all of the drop down menu items in key configuration panel 708 can be omitted or replaced with generic designators such as "Audio Destination Device" or "Video Source", etc.
    [00035] Since all aspects of activities match a user's requirements, the user can have the resulting configuration data loaded into the exemplary AV receiver 102, eg by network interface 120 if both PC and receiver AV devices are connected to the same network. Alternatively, configuration data can be transferred to a remote server for subsequent upload to the AV receiver, copied to a memory stick or smart card for physical transfer, etc. Additionally, control device 100 can be coupled to PC and become the repository for some or all of the configuration data, either for later transfer to AV receiver 102, or for direct action by control device 100.
    [00036] In certain embodiments, AV receiver operating software 102 can be adapted to detect changes in connected devices, for example monitoring interface cabling disconnect/reconnect, observing changes in source or destination equipment identity or capacity data reported through an HDMI connection or other digital connection, noticing a change in the bit rate or format of an input data stream, detecting an interface cable connection, or the presence of a new audio/video signal to an input AV receiver not previously used, or any other suitable method. In such examples, AV receiver operating software 102 may display on a connected device, for example TV 144, a reminder message to the user that control device 100 may require to be installed to operate the newly configured device. Display of such a reminder message can be immediate on detection of the change, can occur on receipt of the next user command from control device 100, or can be delayed until the newly added or changed device is selected as an input or output, either directly or as a participant in an activity. As illustrated in Figure 8, such reminder message 800 may offer a choice 802 to immediately enter an interactive installation mode in which a database of command data sets and/or brand and model information is stored locally in the receiver. AV or remotely located on a PC or web server can be searched and an appropriate command data set identified or loaded into control device 100; or reminder display can be canceled 806 or postponed 804.
    [00037] In a further embodiment, the operating software of control device 100 can be adapted to always echo certain commands to AV receiver 104, that is, on actuation of certain functional keys, control device 100 can sequentially transmit a first key tightening notification to AV receiver 104 and thereafter the appropriate command data in the format recognizable by the current target device. Using the received key press notification data, the AV receiver operating software 104 can be adapted to monitor the AV inputs and outputs for the expected result of a user device command. If the expected result does not occur, an error message may be displayed to prompt the user to retry the command, check the operating mode of control device 100, etc. For example, if the currently selected activity is "Watch a Movie" and the AV 104 receiver operational software is notified by control device 100 that the "Execute" key 204 has been actuated, the AV 104 receiver operational software can inspect DVD player input to discern whether a corresponding change in AV input data has occurred, for example an auditory component was present in a digital data stream where there was nothing before. Alternatively, operational software can monitor user activity reported on control device 100 for patterns indicative of a problem. For example, repeated actuation of the "Execute" key 204 within a short period of time may indicate that an expected device response has not occurred. In either case, a message as illustrated in Figure 9 may be presented on a connected display such as TV 114 to help the user solve the problem.
    [00038] While several concepts have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to these concepts could be developed taking into account the overall teachings of the exhibition. For example, while described in the context of an AV receiver acting as a central switching point for content streams in a home entertainment system, it will be appreciated that any other suitably equipped device, for example an advanced cable or satellite STB, a computer staff, etc., can be substituted for an AV receiver in the practice of the present invention. Furthermore, while a preferred embodiment described above includes a control device capable of bidirectional communication with an AV receiver or other central switching device, it will be appreciated that many of the steps of the inventive methods can also be practiced in a system including a control device. which is in unidirectional (inward) communication with the central switching device, in which case certain control device actions can be initiated autonomously as macro sequences using, for example, discrete device commands as are known in the art. Furthermore, in the case of a unidirectional control device, it is contemplated that, instead of receiving device indicator data from the AV receiver, the control device can be programmed whereby activation of a particular device mode key, eg cable, DVD, game player, etc., is used by the control device to configure groups of control device keys to communicate commands to one of several possible source and/or destination devices in a given activity mode , for example activating the desired mode keys within a predetermined period of time after activating the activity mode key when used to place the AV receiver and control device in this activity mode. Activating a device mode key in this way can also be used to transmit data to the AV receiver by this means to make the AV receiver select one of possible multiple destinations and/or sources instead of the navigation method /menu selection which was also described previously.
    [00039] Furthermore, while described in the context of functional modules and illustrated using block diagram format, it is to be understood that, unless otherwise stated, one or more of the described functions and/or features may be integrated on a single physical device and/or a software module, or one or more functions and/or features may be implemented on separate physical devices or software modules. It will also be appreciated that a detailed discussion of the current implementation of each module is not necessary to enable an understanding of the invention. Instead, the actual implementation of such modules would be well within the routine skill of an engineer, given the exposition here of the attributes, functionality, and interrelationships of the various functional modules in the system. Therefore, a person skilled in the art, applying ordinary skill, may practice the invention published in the claims without undue experimentation. It will be further appreciated that the particular concepts set forth are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the extent of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalents thereof.
    [00040] All patents cited within this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
    权利要求:
    Claims (21)
    [0001]
    1. Method for using an entertainment device to notify a user of a change in an audiovisual entertainment system configuration, wherein at least one of a plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual source and at least one of the plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual output destination for the entertainment device, the method being characterized in that it comprises: making the entertainment device determine if there is a changing one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device; and in response to the entertainment device determining that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device, using the entertainment device to cause a display by at least one of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device as a destination of visual output to the entertainment device, a message that serves to notify the user of the change in the configuration of the audiovisual entertainment system; wherein the message includes a selectable user interface element for placing a remote control device into a mode for configure the remote control device to command functional operations of one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device.
    [0002]
    2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the entertainment device waits to receive a command from a remote control before making the message be displayed.
    [0003]
    3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the entertainment device causes the message to be displayed in immediate response to the entertainment device determining that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device .
    [0004]
    4. Method for using an entertainment device to notify a user of a change in an audiovisual entertainment system configuration, wherein at least one of a plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual source and at least one of the plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual output destination for the entertainment device, the method characterized in that it comprises: making the entertainment device determine if there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device; and in response to the entertainment device determining that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device, using the entertainment device to cause a display by at least one of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device as a destination visual output to the entertainment device, a message that serves to notify the user of the change in the audiovisual entertainment system configuration, in which the entertainment device expects the entertainment device to be placed in a mode where one or more of the The plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device is to be used as an audio and/or visual source or as an audio and/or visual output destination for the entertainment device before making the message be displayed.
    [0005]
    5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the entertainment device determines that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device in response to the entertainment device detecting a change in one or more cables connected to the entertainment device.
    [0006]
    6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the entertainment device determines that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device in response to the entertainment device detecting a change in one or more input signals being provided to the entertainment device.
    [0007]
    7. Method for using an entertainment device to notify a user of a change in an audiovisual entertainment system configuration, wherein at least one of a plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual source and at least one of the plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual output destination for the entertainment device, the method being characterized in that it comprises: making the entertainment device determine if there is a changing one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device; and in response to the entertainment device determining that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device, using the entertainment device to cause a display by at least one of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device as a destination of visual output to the entertainment device, a message that serves to notify the user of the change in the audiovisual entertainment system configuration, in which the entertainment device determines that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the device. entertainment in response to the entertainment device detecting a change in one or more input signals being provided to the entertainment device and wherein the entertainment device monitors the one or more input signals for a change in transmission bit rates to determine whether there is a change in one or more of the pluralid ade of devices connected to the entertainment device.
    [0008]
    8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the entertainment device determines that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device in response to the entertainment device detecting a new input signal to one or more inputs on the entertainment device.
    [0009]
    9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the entertainment device determines that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device in response to the entertainment device detecting a change in provided identifications to the entertainment device of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device.
    [0010]
    10. Method for using an entertainment device to notify a user of a change in an audiovisual entertainment system configuration, wherein at least one of a plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual source and at least one of the plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual output destination for the entertainment device, the method being characterized in that it comprises: making the entertainment device determine if there is a changing one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device; and in response to the entertainment device determining that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device, using the entertainment device to cause a display by at least one of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device as a destination of visual output to the entertainment device, a message that serves to notify the user of the change in the audiovisual entertainment system configuration; wherein the entertainment device determines that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the device. entertainment in response to the entertainment device detecting a change in capabilities provided to the entertainment device of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device.
    [0011]
    11. Method for using an entertainment device to notify a user of a perceived problem in a configuration of a control device used to control functional operations of an audiovisual entertainment system, wherein at least one of a plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual source and at least one of the plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual output destination for the entertainment device, characterized in that it comprises: receiving by the entertainment device a signal from the control device having data indicative of a command to have one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device perform a functional operation in which performance of the functional operation is detectable by the entertainment device; and in response to the entertainment device failing to detect functional operating performance after receiving the signal, use the entertainment device to make a display by at least one of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device as a visual output destination for the device entertainment, a message that serves to notify the user of a perceived problem in the configuration of a control device.
    [0012]
    12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the command to have one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device performs a functional operation that includes a command to control media playback by one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual source.
    [0013]
    13. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the entertainment device monitors inputs from the entertainment device associated with the one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual source to detect functional operation performance.
    [0014]
    14. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the entertainment device monitors outputs from the entertainment device associated with the one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual destination to detect functional operation performance.
    [0015]
    15. Method for using an entertainment device to notify a user of a perceived problem in a configuration of a control device used to control functional operations of an audiovisual entertainment system, wherein at least one of a plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual source and at least one of the plurality of devices is connected to the entertainment device as an audio and/or visual output destination for the entertainment device, characterized in that it comprises: receiving by the entertainment device a signal from the control device having data indicative of a command to have one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device perform a functional operation; and in response to the entertainment device receiving the signal from the control device a predetermined number of times within a predetermined period of time, using the entertainment device to make a display by at least one of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device as a visual output destination for the entertainment device, a message that serves to notify the user of the perceived problem in configuring a control device.
    [0016]
    16. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the entertainment device determines that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device in response to the entertainment device detecting a change in one or more cables connected to the entertainment device.
    [0017]
    17. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the entertainment device determines that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device in response to the entertainment device detecting a change in one or more input signals being provided to the entertainment device.
    [0018]
    18. The method of claim 17, wherein the entertainment device monitors the one or more input signals for a change in bit transmission rates to determine whether there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device.
    [0019]
    19. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the entertainment device determines that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device in response to the entertainment device detecting a new input signal to one or more inputs on the entertainment device.
    [0020]
    20. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the entertainment device determines that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device in response to the entertainment device detecting a change in provided identifications to the entertainment device of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device.
    [0021]
    21. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the entertainment device determines that there is a change in one or more of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device in response to the entertainment device detecting a change in capabilities provided to the entertainment device of the plurality of devices connected to the entertainment device.
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    法律状态:
    2019-01-08| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2020-01-28| B06U| Preliminary requirement: requests with searches performed by other patent offices: procedure suspended [chapter 6.21 patent gazette]|
    2020-03-03| B15K| Others concerning applications: alteration of classification|Free format text: A CLASSIFICACAO ANTERIOR ERA: H04N 7/18 Ipc: H04N 5/44 (2011.01), H04N 21/422 (2011.01), H04N 2 |
    2021-06-29| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2021-08-17| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted [chapter 16.1 patent gazette]|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 29/09/2010, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. PATENTE CONCEDIDA CONFORME ADI 5.529/DF, QUE DETERMINA A ALTERACAO DO PRAZO DE CONCESSAO. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US12/569,121|2009-09-29|
    US12/569,121|US8243207B2|2009-09-29|2009-09-29|System and method for activity based configuration of an entertainment system|
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