How to set up a control code set to control an external device from your remote control

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for setting a control code set for controlling an external device in a remote control, and more specifically, to a method for setting a control code set composed of a control code for controlling an external device in a remote control in which at least two control code sets are stored. To this end, a method for setting a control code set composed of control codes that control an external device from a remote control comprises: receiving TV manufacturer information from a set-top box; extracting a control code set corresponding to the manufacturer received from the set-top box among at least two stored control code sets; transmitting a control code signal to the outside corresponding to a control code constituting the first control code set among the extracted control code sets; receiving from the set-top box whether the external device has been controlled according to the transmitted control code signal; and if the external device has not been controlled according to the transmitted control code signal, transmitting a signal to the outside corresponding to a control code constituting the second control code set among the extracted control code sets.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for setting a control code set for controlling an external device in a remote control, and more specifically, to a method for setting a control code set composed of a control code for controlling an external device in a remote control in which at least two control code sets are stored. Background Technology

[0002] Recently, as technology for remotely controlling various electronic devices used in the home has become widespread, the number of remotes owned by each household has also increased.

[0003] As the number of remote controls used in households increased, managing them and finding them when needed became difficult, so an integrated remote control was developed that combines the functions of various remote controls.

[0004] An integrated remote control stores a control program capable of controlling multiple electronic devices on a single remote. The integrated remote control outputs control signals to control the electronic device to be controlled.

[0005] However, conventional universal remotes could not control televisions and video players simultaneously. Universal remotes could only control the TVs configured in the control code set.

[0006] In addition, electronic devices can be controlled using a user terminal with a remote control application installed; however, to control electronic devices, a control code set capable of controlling the device must be registered or configured in advance. Prior art literature

[0007] Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1914295 Korean Registered Patent No. 10-1816723 The problem to be solved

[0008] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to propose a method for setting a control code set that controls an external device using a remote control.

[0009] Another problem that the present invention aims to solve is to propose a method for setting a control code set consisting of a control code that controls an external device in a remote control in which at least two control code sets are stored.

[0010] Another problem that the present invention aims to solve is to propose a method to reduce the time required to set a control code set for controlling an external device by utilizing the manufacturer information of the external device. means of solving the problem

[0011] To this end, a method for setting a control code set composed of control codes for controlling an external device in a remote control of the present invention comprises: receiving TV manufacturer information from a set-top box; extracting a control code set corresponding to the manufacturer received from the set-top box among at least two stored control code sets; transmitting a control code signal to the outside corresponding to a control code constituting the first control code set among the extracted control code sets; receiving from the set-top box whether the external device has been controlled according to the transmitted control code signal; and if the external device has not been controlled according to the transmitted control code signal, transmitting a signal to the outside corresponding to a control code constituting the second control code set among the extracted control code sets. Effects of the invention

[0012] A method for setting a control code set for controlling an external device in a remote control according to the present invention sets one of at least two control code sets stored in the remote control using manufacturer information of the external device, and controls the external device with a control code constituting the set control code set. In this way, the present invention allows for convenient setting of a control code set for controlling an external device using a remote control, and allows for setting a control code set for controlling an external device by receiving a control code set for controlling an external device from a necessary external server. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a control code set setting system for setting a control code set of an external device in a remote control according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating operations performed in a control code set setting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a remote control according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0014] The foregoing and additional aspects of the present invention will become more apparent through preferred embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily understand and reproduce it through such embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a control code set setting system for setting a control code set of an external device in a remote control according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, using FIG. 1, we will examine in detail the control code set setting system for setting a control code set of an external device in a remote control according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] According to FIG. 1, the control code set setting system (100) includes a remote control (120), a set-top box (110), and an external device (130), and a TV is illustrated as an example of the external device (130). Of course, other configurations in addition to the above-described configuration may be included in the control code set setting system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] When the TV (130) is connected to the set-top box (110) via a cable or the like, it provides EDID information containing the TV manufacturer's information to the set-top box. The cable can be composed of various cables, such as an HDMI cable. The TV (130) receives a control code signal from the remote control (120) and performs an operation corresponding to the received control code signal. To do this, the TV (130) stores a set of control codes to perform an operation corresponding to the control code signal received from the remote control (120). The control code signal can be stored in the TV (130) at the time the TV is manufactured.

[0018] TV (130) performs an operation corresponding to the control code if the received control code signal is a signal corresponding to a control code that constitutes a stored control code set. On the other hand, TV (130) does not perform an operation corresponding to the control code if the signal is not a signal corresponding to a control code that constitutes a stored control code set.

[0019] When the TV (130) performs an operation corresponding to the received control code signal, it provides information about this to the set-top box (110). In relation to the present invention, the control code signal may be a volume control (up or down) signal, a power ON signal, or a power OFF signal.

[0020] The set-top box (110) is connected to a TV (130) or a remote control (120) via communication. In particular, it is connected to the TV (130) via a wired connection such as a cable, while it is connected to the remote control (120) via a wireless connection. Additionally, it is preferable for the set-top box (110) to perform RF communication with the remote control (120), but it may perform IR communication if necessary. The set-top box (110) receives EDID information containing manufacturer information from the TV (130) connected via a cable. The set-top box (110) transmits the manufacturer information received from the TV (130) to the remote control (120) upon the request of the remote control. Of course, the set-top box (110) may transmit manufacturer information to the remote control based on its own judgment even when there is no request from the remote control.

[0021] The set-top box (110) receives information from the TV (130) regarding whether it has performed an operation corresponding to a control code signal, and if it has performed an operation corresponding to a control code signal, it transmits information about this to the remote control (120). The set-top box (110) also transmits information about this to the remote control (120) even if the TV (130) has not performed an operation corresponding to a control code signal received.

[0022] The remote control (120) is connected to the TV (130) or the set-top box (110) via communication. In particular, it is preferably connected via IR communication to the TV (130) and via RF communication to the set-top box (110). The remote control (120) stores a control code set composed of multiple control codes for each manufacturer. That is, the remote control (120) can store a control code set from manufacturer A, a control code set from manufacturer B, etc. The control code set is composed of multiple control codes, and the control codes are composed of, for example, a power ON / OFF control code, a volume control control code, a channel control control code, a setting control code, a number control code, etc.

[0023] The remote control (120) includes a plurality of buttons, and when a button is operated, it extracts a control code corresponding to the operated button. The remote control (120) transmits a control code signal corresponding to the extracted control code to the outside. In particular, the remote control (120) transmits a control code signal to the outside to set a control code set for controlling the TV.

[0024] When the control code setting button is operated, the remote control (120) requests TV manufacturer information from the set-top box (110) and receives TV manufacturer information from the set-top box (110). The remote control (120) extracts a control code set corresponding to the received TV manufacturer information, and if the extracted control code set consists of at least two control code sets, it sequentially transmits one of the control codes constituting the first control code set, one of the control codes constituting the second control code set, and one of the control codes constituting the third control code set. The control code to be transmitted is preferably a volume control code.

[0025] After the remote control (120) transmits a control code signal constituting the first control code set, it requests whether the TV (130) is controlled according to the control code signal transmitted to the set-top box. When it receives a response from the set-top box (110) stating that the TV (130) is controlled according to the control code signal transmitted, it sets the first control code set transmitted as the control code set for controlling the TV. Of course, when the remote control (120) receives a response from the set-top box stating that the TV (130) is not controlled according to the transmitted control code signal, it transmits a control code signal constituting the second control code set to the outside.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating operations performed in a control code set setting system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, using FIG. 2, we will examine in detail the operations performed in a control code set setting system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] According to FIG. 2, the control code set setting system includes a set-top box, a remote control, and an external device (for example, a TV) as described above.

[0028] In step S200, when the set-top box is connected to the TV, it receives EDID information containing TV manufacturer information from the TV. In relation to the present invention, the set-top box is connected to the TV via an HDMI cable.

[0029] In step S202, the set-top box transmits TV manufacturer information extracted from the EDID information received from the TV to the remote control.

[0030] The remote control stores a set of control codes for each manufacturer. The remote control extracts a set of control codes corresponding to the received TV manufacturer information, and if the extracted set of control codes consists of at least two sets of control codes, it extracts a control code that constitutes the first set of control codes. The control code is preferably a volume control code. In step S204, the remote control transmits a control code signal corresponding to the extracted control code to the outside as an IR signal.

[0031] The TV performs an operation corresponding to a control code signal received from the outside. Of course, the TV does not perform a corresponding operation if the received control code signal does not match a control code constituting a stored control code set, whereas it performs a corresponding operation if the received control code signal matches a control code constituting a stored control code set.

[0032] In step S206, the TV transmits to the set-top box whether it performs an operation according to the control code signal using the connected cable.

[0033] In step S208, the set-top box transmits to the remote control whether it performs an operation according to the control code signal using the connected RF communication.

[0034] When the remote control confirms that the TV is controlled according to the transmitted control code signal, it sets the control code set corresponding to the transmitted control code signal as the control code set for controlling the TV, whereas when the TV is not controlled according to the transmitted control code signal, it transmits the control code signal corresponding to the control code constituting the second control code set to the outside.

[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates the configuration of a remote control according to an embodiment of the present invention. Below, the configuration of a remote control according to an embodiment of the present invention will be examined in detail using FIG. 3.

[0036] According to FIG. 3, the remote control includes a storage unit, a communication unit, a control unit, and an input unit. Of course, other configurations in addition to the above-described configuration may be included in the remote control proposed in the present invention.

[0037] The storage unit (120a) stores a set of control codes for each manufacturer. The storage unit (120a) can store a set of control codes for manufacturer A, a set of control codes for manufacturer B, etc. A set of control codes is composed of multiple control codes, and the control codes include a power ON / OFF control code, a volume control control code, a channel control control code, a setting control code, a number control code, etc. The storage unit (120a) stores a control code signal corresponding to each button.

[0038] The communication unit (120b) is connected to a TV or a set-top box, specifically connected via IR communication to the TV and via RF communication to the set-top box. The communication unit (120b) transmits a control code signal to the outside using IR communication. The communication unit (120b) receives TV manufacturer information and a signal (TV control status signal) from the set-top box regarding whether the TV has been controlled according to the transmitted control code signal. The communication unit (120b) transmits a response signal to the set-top box regarding the TV control status signal received from the set-top box. In addition, the communication unit (120b) transmits a signal to the set-top box notifying that it has entered a control code set setting mode for setting the TV control code set.

[0039] The input section (120c) includes at least two buttons, and the buttons include a number button, a channel control button, a volume control button, and a setting button. The input section (120c) may include a touch panel in addition to the buttons, and the input section may be configured in various other forms.

[0040] The control unit (120d) extracts a control code corresponding to the operated button when the button is operated. The input unit (120c) transmits a control code signal corresponding to the extracted control code to the outside. In particular, the input unit (120c) controls the communication unit to transmit the control code signal to the outside in order to set a control code set for controlling the TV.

[0041] When the control code setting button is operated, the control unit (120d) requests TV manufacturer information from the set-top box and receives TV manufacturer information from the set-top box. The control unit (120d) extracts a set of control codes corresponding to the received TV manufacturer information, and if there are at least two extracted sets of control codes, it requests that one of the control codes constituting the first set of control codes and one of the control codes constituting the second set of control codes be transmitted sequentially. Of course, if there are at least three extracted sets of control codes, the control unit (120d) requests that one of the control codes constituting the first set of control codes, one of the control codes constituting the second set of control codes, and one of the control codes constituting the third set of control codes be transmitted sequentially. The control code to be transmitted is preferably a volume control code.

[0042] After transmitting a control code signal constituting the first control code set, the control unit (120d) requests the set-top box to determine whether the TV is controlled according to the control code transmitted, and if it receives a response from the set-top box stating that the TV is controlled according to the control code signal transmitted according to the control code, it sets the first control code set transmitted as the control code set for controlling the TV. Of course, if the control unit (120d) receives a response from the set-top box stating that the TV is not controlled according to the control code signal transmitted according to the control code, it requests the transmission of a control code signal constituting the second control code set to the outside.

[0043] When the setting button is operated, the control unit (120d) enters a control code set setting mode that sets a control code set composed of a control code that controls an external device, and requests the set-top box to enter the control code set setting mode.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the configuration of a set-top box according to an embodiment of the present invention will be examined in detail using FIG. 4.

[0045] According to FIG. 4, the set-top box (110) includes a communication unit (110a), a storage unit (110b), and a control unit (110c). Of course, other configurations in addition to the above-described configuration may be included in the set-top box (110) proposed in the present invention.

[0046] The communication unit (110a) communicates with an external device or a remote control. When the communication unit (110a) is connected to the external device via a cable, it receives manufacturer information of the external device from the external device. The communication unit (110a) provides the received manufacturer information of the external device to the remote control. The communication unit (110a) receives a signal from the external device indicating whether it has operated according to a control code signal (external device control status signal). The communication unit (110a) transmits the received external device control status signal to the remote control. The communication unit (110a) receives a signal from the remote control requesting entry into the control code set setting mode. In addition, the communication unit (110a) transmits or receives various signals to or from the external device or the remote control.

[0047] The storage unit (110b) stores information necessary for operating the set-top box. The storage unit (110b) stores information about the manufacturer of the external device received from the external device and stores a signal indicating whether the external device is controlled.

[0048] The storage unit (110b) stores a control code set necessary for controlling an external device when necessary. That is, when a request for a control code set is received from a remote control, the set-top box can receive a control code set from an external server and transmit it to the remote control. In this case, the storage unit (110b) can store the control code set received from the external server.

[0049] The control unit (110c) controls the operation of each component constituting the set-top box. For example, the control unit (110c) controls the communication unit (110a) to request that it receive information on the manufacturer of the external device and a signal indicating whether the external device is controlled from the external device, and requests that the received information on the manufacturer of the external device and the signal indicating whether the external device is controlled be transmitted to the remote control.

[0050] The control unit (110c) may request the storage unit (110b) to store the control code set provided by the external server as described above, or request the communication unit (110a) to transmit it via remote control.

[0051] In addition, the control unit (110c) proposed in the present invention performs various operations necessary to drive the set-top box or controls the operation of each component.

[0052] Although the present invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawings, this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom. Explanation of the symbols

[0053] 100: Control Code Set Setting System 110: Set-top box 120: Remote control 130: External device 110a: Communication unit (set-top box) 110b: Storage unit (set-top box) 110c: Storage unit (set-top box) 120a: Storage unit (remote control) 120b: Communication unit (remote control) 120c: Input unit (remote control) 120d: Control unit (remote control)

Claims

Claim 1 A method for setting a control code set composed of control codes that control an external device, wherein the remote control receives manufacturer information of the external device from a set-top box; the remote control extracts at least two control code sets, including a first control code set and a second control code set, that are pre-stored in correspondence with the manufacturer information, and determines a priority such that the volume control code among the power control code and volume control code included in each of the extracted at least two control code sets is transmitted first to the external device; the remote control transmits a volume control code signal included in the first control code set among the at least two control code sets to the external device according to the determined priority; after the volume control code signal is transmitted, the set-top box detects a change in the state of the external device through an interface connected to the external device to determine whether the control of the external device is successful, and transmits a feedback signal of the determined control success to the remote control; and when the remote control receives a feedback signal from the set-top box indicating a failure of control by the first control code set, the at least two control codes without user button operation A method for setting a control code set composed of control codes for controlling an external device in a remote control, comprising the step of setting a control code set by sequentially and automatically transmitting a volume control code signal included in the second control code set among the three to the external device. Claim 2 A method for setting a control code set composed of control codes for controlling an external device in a remote control, characterized in that, in claim 1, when an external device is controlled according to a transmitted control code signal, a control code set composed of control codes corresponding to the transmitted control code signal is set. Claim 3 A method for setting a control code set composed of a control code for controlling an external device in a remote control, characterized in that, in claim 1, the control code signal is an IR signal. Claim 4 A method for setting a control code set composed of a control code for controlling an external device in a remote control, characterized in that, in claim 1, the remote control and the set-top box perform RF communication. Claim 5 A method for setting a control code set composed of control codes for controlling an external device in a remote control, characterized in that, in claim 1, after transmitting a control code signal, the set-top box is requested to determine whether the external device is controlled according to the transmitted control code signal. Claim 6 A method for setting a control code set composed of a control code for controlling an external device in a remote control, characterized in that, in claim 1, the set-top box receives manufacturer information from a connected external device and transmits the received manufacturer information to a remote control. Claim 7 A method for setting a control code set composed of a control code for controlling an external device in a remote control, characterized in that, in claim 1, prior to receiving manufacturer information of an external device from a set-top box, when a setting button is operated, the remote control enters a control code set setting mode for setting a control code set composed of a control code for controlling an external device, and requests the set-top box to enter the control code set setting mode.

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