Set top box for realizing multi-state remote control and double-control management of television

Abstract

The invention relates to management and application of a television, a set top box and a wireless communication technology, in particular to a technology for realizing multi-state remote control of the television and dual-control management of public and personal televisions through improvement of the set top box and a remote control technology. According to the invention, under the condition of no remote control system and CEC function limitation, one remote controller (including a set top box remote controller, a smart watch, a mobile phone and other mobile simulation remote controllers) is used to control the set top box and the television host at the same time, and all remote control commands including startup and shutdown and non-traditional operation can be comprehensively executed. The secondary excitation technology provided by the invention not only can be used for all traditional digital televisions and intelligent televisions which need to realize television double control, but also can be used as a remote control signal public conversion device with a single function, and is widely applied to the aspect of near and remote automatic management of various types and brands of household appliances and electronic products.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the management and application of television, set-top box and wireless communication technology, and is a technology for realizing television multi-state remote control and dual control management by improving set-top box and remote control technology. Background Art

[0002] Over the years, televisions, originally important information media for families, have not kept up with the pace of development despite several generations of upgrades, and the power-on rate and audience population have declined. The underlying reason is that televisions have always existed as a single-playing public device, where users can only watch but not participate. The only way to revitalize television is to upgrade it to an information-interactive product that integrates public and personal services and can be managed with dual control.

[0003] The key technology to realize dual-control management of TV lies in polymorphic remote control, which transmits user identity, needs, and dialogue information through the remote control or with the help of camera capture and other technologies, thereby providing corresponding TV services and human-computer interactive environment.

[0004] Due to the extremely large number of household televisions, the dual influence of users' willingness to upgrade and the gradual maturity of dual-control television technology itself, it is very necessary to equip the existing large number of televisions with dual-control set-top boxes that require low investment and are easy to replace.

[0005] The biggest challenge in configuring dual-control set-top boxes for traditional digital TVs and smart TVs to provide both public and personal services is to solve the multi-standard remote control management of TVs and set-top boxes, namely:

[0006] 1) Regardless of the remote control method used by traditional TVs (infrared, Bluetooth, etc.), or whether its HDMI interface has CEC function, the set-top box remote control can control both the TV and the set-top box at the same time, and perform all operations including power on and off, non-traditional operations (analog touch screen control, voice commands, gesture recognition, etc.).

[0007] 2) In order to realize TV sharing and mobile storage of personal information, it is very necessary for mobile products such as smart watches and mobile phones to be able to complete comprehensive remote control of the TV, including turning it on and off, even if the remote control methods used by the two are different.

[0008] In addition, for traditional smart TVs that already have certain management capabilities in terms of human-computer interaction and application resources, how to fully explore and utilize their software and hardware resources to maximize benefits is also a problem that dual-control set-top boxes need to solve.

[0009] The term "set-top box" mentioned in this specification is a general term for traditional set-top boxes, TV boxes, and TV boxes. So far, no similar technology or product has the above functions. Solving the above problems is necessary to upgrade traditional TVs to dual-control TVs through set-top box technology, which has huge social and economic benefits. Summary of the invention

[0010] The purpose of the present invention is to realize TV multi-state remote control and dual control management through the improvement of set-top box and remote control technology.

[0011] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problems is: a set-top box that realizes polymorphic remote control and dual-control management of television, in which an operating system, a system management program and a set-top box application are installed, as well as hardware and software systems related to set-top box application management and remote control signal processing.

[0012] Remote control signal processing uses secondary excitation technology, which includes the complete process of sending signals from the remote control, intermediate processing and re-sending, and receiving by the TV.

[0013] Intermediate processing and re-transmission is a complete remote control information processing system that includes multi-standard reception and processing of remote control signals, secondary code generation, chain code construction, matching integration, and secondary transmission.

[0014] The difference between the above secondary excitation technology and traditional remote control is:

[0015] Traditional remote control - the remote control sends a signal → TV.

[0016] Secondary excitation - the remote control sends a signal → intermediate processing, and then sends it again → TV.

[0017] A multi-standard remote control signal receiving head is installed in the set-top box, which contains infrared and Bluetooth communication modules to receive remote control signals from a variety of remote control devices. Usually, the control command information is sent by infrared and Bluetooth TV and set-top box remote controls. The Bluetooth communication module can also automatically pair, link and cancel, and transfer data with the Bluetooth modules in various types of remote controls. The remote control signals that the dual-control set-top box can accept are usually infrared, Bluetooth, and the default WiFi.

[0018] The various types of remote control devices referred to in the present invention mainly include set-top box remote controls, TV remote controls, and mobile analog remote controls. Among them:

[0019] 1) Set-top box remote control, TV remote control: These are the original remote controls provided by the manufacturer for set-top boxes and TVs when they leave the factory.

[0020] 2) Mobile analog remote control - Use common smart mobile products, such as smart watches, mobile phones, etc., download and install dual-control set-top box watches and mobile phone applications, and you can get a mobile analog remote control that matches the set-top box remote control and application system, as well as other related functions.

[0021] A multi-standard remote control signal transmitter is installed in the set-top box, which usually includes a communication module of one of infrared and Bluetooth, or both, and is responsible for connecting with the remote control module in the TV.

[0022] The above-mentioned multi-standard reception and processing is to receive remote control signals from various types of remote control devices through the remote control signal receiving head. Usually infrared, Bluetooth, and the default WiFi standard. The receiving head has a built-in Bluetooth module, which can automatically pair, link and cancel with the Bluetooth modules in Bluetooth TV remote controls, mobile analog remote controls and set-top box remote controls. Once the signal is received, the standard is parsed, the signal is demodulated, the remote control name, and the command code are confirmed. For legal remote control commands that need to be executed by the set-top box or forwarded to the TV, the next process is entered. Otherwise, it will be discarded.

[0023] The above-mentioned secondary code generation uses the secondary code intelligent generation technology and occurs in the setup stage before the dual-control set-top box is used. The button commands on the TV remote control operation surface are triggered one by one, and the command string of each button is obtained by using the set-top box remote control signal receiving function. After assigning a unique name, it is saved in the set-top box button code register. If the user provides accurate TV brand and model information when registering the set-top box, and its remote control code has been filed in the system, this step can be omitted.

[0024] The above chain code construction is a composite form of secondary code generation. It can occur in the setup phase before the set-top box is used, or before the secondary code is sent. It is a serial operation that replaces manual keystrokes and continuous instruction code segments. It integrates multiple operations that require manual keystrokes into a complete executable instruction string, which is executed in sequence by the TV through secondary transmission. The executable instruction string formed in the setup phase is also saved in the button code register and has a unique name. In this way, the chain code can be used as a remote control instruction.

[0025] The above matching and integration means that since the remote control and TV remote control types, as well as the instruction organization structure and code are not exactly the same, the command code or chain code to be sent is matched and integrated with the corresponding record data in the button code register, and converted into a character string that the TV can receive and recognize.

[0026] The above-mentioned secondary transmission refers to sending the integrated instruction code and chain code that conforms to the TV remote control type to the TV through the remote control signal transmitter of the set-top box.

[0027] Since some manufacturers have their own independent device configuration and communication protocols for the Bluetooth communication modules of both the receiving and transmitting sides in the Bluetooth remote control, the above secondary code generation scheme will rely on the performance and communication protocol of the Bluetooth modules in the TV and the remote control. When the Bluetooth module in the Bluetooth native remote control and the receiving head of the dual-control set-top box, or the Bluetooth module in the transmitting head of the dual-control set-top box and the Bluetooth communication module in the TV do not match, the manufacturer's plug-in can be used to complete the secondary excitation.

[0028] Through the application of secondary excitation technology, multi-standard remote control management of televisions and set-top boxes is carried out, creating the necessary conditions for using set-top boxes to realize multi-state remote control and dual-control management of traditional televisions.

[0029] The above-mentioned dual control management refers to the management strategy for realizing the public and personal services of television.

[0030] Television public services usually include: live broadcasts of TV stations, news information, sports events, etc. Both children and adults can access.

[0031] Personal services are divided into children's services and adult services. Children's services include: children's movies and TV, online classes and social networking, children's education, children's short videos, etc.; adult services include: watching movies and TV series, amateur opera, vocational education and tutoring, senior citizen university, medical treatment and nursing, etc. After entering the personal service, users can participate in TV activities such as display, performance, social networking, commenting, shopping, etc. as individuals.

[0032] The above-mentioned polymorphic remote control refers to a remote control strategy that carries multiple types of personal identity and demand labels. It usually includes service objects such as children, adults, special individuals (elderly, disabled, short-term special caregivers), etc. The system provides TV applications that match the user's identity, age, and needs based on the user's individual information carried in the remote control command, obtains relevant information such as its historical records, personal space data, and realizes many functions such as direct boot and human-computer interaction.

[0033] Before use, the set-top box and its remote control need to be registered first. The set-top box registration information includes user ID number, user attributes, machine name, permitted remote control user name sequence, TV brand information, etc. The remote control registration information includes user ID number, attributes, remote control type, remote control appearance (watch / mobile phone), user name, as well as date of birth, power-on direct access, special service types, etc. Among them, special service types include remote care, rehabilitation training, etc. <Power-on direct access> is fixed to the children's channel for child users and to the public service channel for adults who have not defined a target. There is a <Direct access> button on the remote control operation panel. Users can also define the target application for the button after turning on the TV and save it to the user registration information <Power-on direct access> entry.

[0034] The premise for implementing multi-state remote control is that the remote control used by each user must be able to carry personal information. When using mobile analog remote controls, this is not a problem because they are personal devices. When using set-top box remote controls, the following strategies can be adopted:

[0035] 1) The set-top box remote control is only used as a family shared remote control device. All family members can use it to control the TV and set-top box to access public service channels.

[0036] 2) When the set-top box remote control is used to power on the device, enter the user identity password to directly access the target channel or application set by the user. The user identity password can be entered by voice on the remote control or by adding ten numeric input buttons 0-9 on the operation panel of the set-top box remote control.

[0037] 3) Using the camera built into the TV or set-top box, while using the set-top box remote control to turn on the TV, turn on automatic camera recognition, and directly access the target channel or application set by the user through face or gesture recognition.

[0038] The local name of the set-top box and the user name of the remote control, as well as their built-in communication modules that need to interact with external remote controls, all use a unified, universal, and standardized naming method, such as universal and easy-to-remember names such as installation locations, to facilitate users to directly control the set-top box using dialogue commands and other methods.

[0039] When infrared remote control communication is not possible, the remote control can initiate the establishment of a Bluetooth communication link through a target-based dialogue, specify one of multiple connectable dual-control set-top boxes under the same user ID, and start the TV. Target-based dialogue refers to a dialogue command with a specified target. When the target name cannot be confirmed, the "command-reply-confirm" three-step method can be used to complete it.

[0040] Except for facial recognition samples, user private information, such as TV chats, shopping, online classes, and a large amount of data in personal space (history records, photography, collections), are encrypted and stored in the user's registered mobile products, and some information is uploaded to the set-top box cloud server. The set-top box is only called when it is turned on and operating normally, and will not be retained. This method is convenient for users to use other dual-control TV products in the home at any time, and it is also convenient for users to turn on the TV and go directly to the preferred channel at any place outside the home where a dual-control set-top box is installed, just using a watch or mobile phone.

[0041] Based on the fact that both the smart TV and the set-top box are equipped with an operating system, as well as hardware and software related to data transmission, the present invention installs a box ferrying software in the TV host. Using a wireless communication link, the set-top box can send commands and data to the TV through the ferrying software, run related applications, and realize the sharing of TV hardware and software resources. Usually, the box ferrying software is set to the TV start-up self-starting mode, with the ability to receive set-top box commands and data at any time, as well as start other applications of the TV and send processing results and data to the set-top box. For example, when the TV host is equipped with a camera and has face and gesture recognition functions, the set-top box can send a user identification command to the ferrying software. After receiving the ferrying software, it opens the TV-related application, starts the camera user sampling process, and reports the processing results to the set-top box, confirms the user identity and needs, and provides corresponding services. In addition to polymorphic remote control, through the box ferrying software, many application resources such as audio and video calls, game interactions, and body movement correction existing in the TV can also be called.

[0042] The present invention does not exclude the use of secondary excitation technology for remote control converters with a single function. When used as a remote control converter with a single function, it only needs to retain the system management program including remote control settings and processing in the device, and change the relevant appearance and hardware structure, etc., to become a common conversion device for remote control signals, and is widely used in the short and long-distance remote control and data transmission of various types and brands of household appliances and mobile products such as mobile phones and smart watches.

[0043] The present invention is not limited to infrared, Bluetooth and WiFi wireless communication methods. When other wireless communication remote control technologies are used, corresponding receiving heads and transmitting heads, as well as corresponding processing technologies, the goal of multi-standard remote control can also be achieved.

[0044] The present invention has obvious social and economic benefits, which are mainly reflected in the following aspects:

[0045] 1. A dual-control platform for public and personal services and human-computer interaction has been built for all TV users. Dual-state remote control rules have been formulated, and a film and television resource distribution system that varies according to individuals has been established, ending the history of TV as a single player. This will effectively enhance the vitality of TV and user stickiness.

[0046] Second, it solves the long-standing chaotic management of TVs and set-top boxes. Users only need to use the set-top box remote control or mobile analog remote control to control the operation of the set-top box and TV. Moreover, switching from TV applications to set-top box applications, or vice versa, can be done with just one click.

[0047] 3. The multi-standard remote control technology proposed in the present invention provides a common interface for remote control and data transmission with various mobile products for all digital TVs and smart TVs. When a family has multiple children and adult users and multiple dual-control set-top box devices are installed, any user can directly and accurately control any target TV in the home by using the same mobile analog remote control, even if their brands and models are completely different. This technology can also be used as a single-function remote control signal forwarding device, and has been widely used in the local and remote automatic management of various types and brands of household appliances and electronic products.

[0048] Fourth, the promotion and implementation of the present invention can achieve the TV sharing goal of "every family shares, every place has a home". Wherever the dual-control set-top box is, users can enjoy the public and personal services of TV by using mobile phones or smart watches without registration or additional payment, and health management and machine usage information will not be changed, and user personal information will not be left behind. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] The present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and an example in which a dual-control set-top box is installed on a television.

[0050] Figure 1 Two appearance diagrams of the set-top box in the examples of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 2 It is a block diagram illustrating the secondary code generation process in an example of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 3 It is a block diagram illustrating the process of various remote controllers controlling set-top boxes and televisions in an example of the present invention.

[0054] In the figure, 1. infrared transmitting port A, 2. set-top box body A, 3. infrared receiving port A, 4. set-top box body B, 5. infrared transmitting port B, 6. set-top box fixing bracket, 7. infrared receiving port B, 8. set-top box camera, 9. upper clamping plate of the fixing bracket, 10. lower clamping plate of the fixing bracket, 11. various remote control devices, 12. power icon, 13. remote control signal sending / receiving channel.

[0055] The TV used in this example is a smart TV that uses infrared remote control technology and is equipped with a TV remote control when it leaves the factory.

[0056] Set-top boxes are divided into two types: without built-in camera and with built-in camera. Figure 1As shown. Among them, Figure (a) shows the appearance of a set-top box without a built-in camera, and Figure (b) shows the appearance of a set-top box with a built-in camera. In the set-top box body A (2) and the set-top box body B (4), the basic hardware necessary for a TV set-top box (such as a central processing unit, a memory, a network function component, an interface component, etc.) are installed, and an Android operating system, a system management program and a set-top box application program are also installed. The system management program is located at the upper layer of the set-top box application program, including the comprehensive scheduling, application and management of functional components such as the network and remote control. The "set-top box" referred to below in this specification refers to a special set-top box using the technology of the present invention.

[0057] The remote control unit is composed of a multi-standard remote control signal receiving head and a transmitting head, both of which include infrared and Bluetooth modules.

[0058] In Figure (a), the infrared receiving port A (3) is located at the front end of the set-top box body A (2). The infrared transmitting port A (1) in the transmitter head is located at the rear end and upper end of the set-top box body A (2), and is equipped with a ""-shaped red baffle. When the set-top box is placed in front of the TV, the remote control signal emitted by the set-top box can be radiated outward from both the upper and rear directions.

[0059] In Figure (b), the camera (8) is installed in the center of the front end face of the set-top box body B (4). The infrared receiving port B (7) is located at the front end face of the set-top box body B (4). The infrared transmitting port B (5) in the transmitter head is located at the front end of the bottom of the set-top box body B (4). The set-top box fixing frame (6) is installed at the bottom of the set-top box body B (4) and is offset a certain distance behind the infrared transmitting port B (5) to ensure that the infrared transmitting light is not blocked. The set-top box fixing frame (6) is composed of an upper clamping plate (9) and a lower clamping plate (10) of the fixing frame, which are combined by a hinge, and the angle between the two is adjustable. After installation, the set-top box is placed flat on the top upper surface of the TV display screen frame.

[0060] Set-top boxes with cameras are mainly used for smart TVs and digital TVs that are not equipped with cameras. Set-top boxes without cameras are mainly used for smart TVs that have built-in cameras.

[0061] The receiving head can receive and process TV remote control signals from TV remote controls, mobile analog remote controls and set-top box remote controls, and can remotely control digital TVs and smart TVs of various brands with infrared or Bluetooth reception functions.

[0062] The set-top box is connected to the HDMI port of the TV via a cable.

[0063] Before the set-top box is put into use, two tasks need to be completed: registration and setup.

[0064] 1) Registration - manages the registration of mobile phones, set-top boxes, set-top box remote controls, and mobile analog remote controls.

[0065] As the manager of the home set-top box and the related remote control, the mobile phone used by the household owner must be registered. The registration information includes the mobile phone number, the owner's name, ID number, and the remote control registration items. After registration, the manager's mobile phone automatically becomes a mobile simulation remote control. The registration information is uploaded to the set-top box cloud server.

[0066] The set-top box registration information includes user ID number, user attributes (family / non-family social unit), machine name, permitted remote control user name sequence, TV brand, etc. The permitted remote control user name sequence is used by the administrator to customize the remote control objects allowed to be used by the current set-top box.

[0067] The local name of the set-top box is defined by the name of the installation location (such as: living room, master bedroom, second bedroom, children's room, guest room, etc. in a home, or XXX room in a hotel, etc.), which is universal and easy to remember.

[0068] The remote control registration items include: user ID number, attributes, remote control type, remote control appearance, user name and date of birth, direct access after power on, special service type, etc. Among them, the user ID number is the common and unique user code for all set-top boxes in the family, as well as all set-top box remote controls and mobile analog remote controls. This example uses the mobile phone number of the head of the household. The attributes are children / adults. The remote control type is infrared / bluetooth / dual. The appearance of the remote control is a mobile phone / watch. The user name can be the user's name, or a nickname, online name, etc.

[0069] The TV remote control does not need to be registered, but its identity needs to be confirmed when it is turned on. The method is: the string of the <power> key value in the button code register is used as the remote control feature identifier. If the set-top box receives a command that is consistent with it, it completes the power-on process and treats it as the only legitimate user remote control. After that, no other commands will be verified, and no information from other remote controls will be processed.

[0070] The identity of the set-top box remote control and the mobile analog remote control can be confirmed by simply dissecting the command codes they send out, because the <user code> of all command strings begins with the user ID short code "XXXX%" character segment.

[0071] 2) Setting - Complete the acquisition and storage of the secondary excitation instruction code. This process has been Figure 2 Detailed explanation in.

[0072] exist Figure 2 The block diagram shown in the figure is divided into four parts: setting preparation, setting TV remote control simulator, code acquisition, and code storage. Among them:

[0073] A) Setup Preparation:

[0074] ① Turn on the TV; turn on the administrator's mobile phone and enter the mobile simulation remote control interface.

[0075] ②Set the startup item to set-top box (HDMI).

[0076] After completion, restart the TV and the TV screen will enter the home page of the set-top box application. Through WiFi or Bluetooth communication, the administrator's remote control will automatically enter the remote control interface.

[0077] B) Set up the TV remote control simulator:

[0078] ① Set-top box -> TV remote control simulation. The complete operation process is displayed on the TV screen.

[0079] ② The native remote control simulator style is displayed on the mobile phone screen. The system provides different button layouts according to the TV properties. After the settings are completed, the user can modify and save the style.

[0080] Since all TVs that use Bluetooth remote control are smart TVs, the TV remote control only contains a few of the buttons above. Non-smart TVs all use infrared remote control, and except for the <power> command, they are usually discarded by the set-top box, so there is no need to configure too many buttons.

[0081] C) Get the TV native command:

[0082] ① TV screen->native command acquisition, showing the name of the current button that the user should click.

[0083] ②According to the prompts on the screen, click the buttons on the TV's native remote control in sequence.

[0084] ③ Each time you click one, the set-top box will receive it and will change the progress display on the TV screen synchronously, and at the same time change the color of the corresponding button on the administrator's remote control screen. The native remote control simulator will automatically save it to the button code register. If there is no movement, return to ② and click the button again.

[0085] D) Saving and testing of TV native commands:

[0086] ① Such as Figure 2 As shown, each time a native instruction code string is generated, it must be named and saved in the button code register.

[0087] ②TV screen->Native remote control simulation test. Test the TV with secondary stimulation respectively.

[0088] After completing the entire process of registration, setup, testing, etc., you can enter the usage stage. Figure 3Provides a block diagram of the process of controlling set-top boxes and TVs using various remote controls.

[0089] Multiple types of remote control devices (11) indicate the types of TV remote controls that this example can handle, including mobile analog remote controls, set-top box remote controls, and TV remote controls.

[0090] After downloading the set-top box application, ordinary smart watches, mobile phones and other mobile products can become mobile analog remote controllers of the set-top box, and remotely control the set-top box through wireless communication links such as WiFi, infrared, and Bluetooth. In this example, the mobile products are all equipped with Bluetooth communication and do not have infrared communication function.

[0091] The set-top box remote control is the original remote control configured by the manufacturer for the set-top box when it leaves the factory.

[0092] The mobile analog remote controller and the set-top box remote controller use the same remote control commands, which mainly include basic information such as <start code>, <user code>, <command code>, and <end code>. Among them, <user code> starts with the user ID short code "XXXX%" character segment, and also includes information such as user name and remote control attributes. User name, remote control attributes, etc. are consistent with the registration information.

[0093] In this example, the TV remote control is a remote control device that is provided as standard when the TV is shipped from the factory. It is consistent with the remote control method used by the TV and also uses infrared remote control method.

[0094] The remote control signal transmission / reception channel (13) represents the process icon of wireless communication signal transmission and reception. In the figure, any signal from the remote control can only be one of the three: WiFi, infrared, and Bluetooth. The signal representing the secondary transmission process is consistent with the TV remote control format, which is one of infrared and Bluetooth. In this example, it is infrared.

[0095] The wireless connection between the set-top box and the mobile analog remote control, as well as between the set-top box and the set-top box remote control, adopts the strategy of "start-up: infrared first, then Bluetooth; subsequent communication: WiFi first, then Bluetooth":

[0086] 1) In the same WiFi environment: If the remote control has infrared function, the <power> is turned on through infrared communication. At the same time, the remote control and the set-top box establish a WiFi communication link. All remote control commands and data are subsequently executed by the WiFi link. Otherwise, the remote control and the set-top box establish a Bluetooth communication link to transmit the power-on command. All remote control commands and data are subsequently executed using WiFi.

[0097] 2) Without the same WiFi environment: The remote control can send the <Power> power-on command via infrared or Bluetooth. All subsequent remote control commands and data transmission are completed via the Bluetooth link.

[0098] The construction of the above Bluetooth link is initiated by the remote control. If there is only one set-top box currently available, the system automatically connects to complete the construction. Otherwise, the Bluetooth communication connection is started through the target-based dialogue to complete the construction.

[0099] When there are multiple Bluetooth-connectable set-top boxes under the same user ID, a simple method such as target-based dialogue can be used, initiated by the remote control, to build and use the Bluetooth communication channel to specify a certain TV to start and run. For example, you can send a voice message "turn on the living room TV" to the set-top box remote control or the mobile analog remote control. Since the connection object is "living room TV", the name is unified and standardized, the remote control Bluetooth can quickly find the connection target, automatically realize the Bluetooth interconnection with the living room set-top box, and notify the living room TV to start through Bluetooth instructions. When the target name cannot be confirmed, you can first send a "power on" command, either by voice or the <power> button. If both the living room and the children's room have dual-control set-top boxes that can be connected by Bluetooth, the system uses voice or screen to display "Is it the living room TV or the children's room TV?" The user can answer again to confirm. This is the "command-reply-confirmation" three-step method of target-based dialogue.

[0100] In the present invention, a unified and universal naming method is adopted for the names of various devices and components related to the set-top box and the remote control, which greatly facilitates the construction of a Bluetooth link between the two. Moreover, no matter where you go, as long as you have a set-top box, you can use it just like at home, with the target name unchanged, which is quick and simple.

[0101] For the infrared TV native remote control in this example, no configuration is required and it can be used directly.

[0102] Figure 3 The situations in which three different remote controllers use remote control signals to transmit power-on commands are clearly shown.

[0103] For the TV remote control in this example, since it uses the infrared format, the command it sends can be received by the TV and the set-top box at the same time. Therefore, after the set-top box receives it, if it is not a <power> power-on signal, it will be discarded.

[0104] When a remote control is already in legal use, the signals from other remote controls will be automatically discarded by the set-top box and will not affect the normal operation of the TV. The only exception is: illegal intrusion of infrared TV native remote control occurs. Because it will be directly received by the TV and affect its process. At this time, the set-top box system management program will start the "accident handling" mechanism, such as: voice or screen warning, automatic closing of set-top box applications, forced return to the host application home page, automatic shutdown, etc.

[0105] When the set-top box receives the remote control command from the remote control signal transmission / reception channel (13), it obtains the remote control mode, attributes, user name, command code and other related information through standard analysis and signal analysis. Figure 3 , explaining the response strategy of the set-top box after receiving relevant remote control information.

[0106] A) <Power supply>:

[0107] <Power> command, i.e. Figure 3 As shown in the power icon (12) in the figure, it is to turn on the TV set or set-top box in standby mode (start up), or turn off the TV set or set-top box in operation mode (standby). Among many commands, the power-on command is particularly important. Based on the information provided by the set-top box, it needs to complete:

[0108] 1) When the set-top box is in standby mode, the operating system and system management program remain running, but the set-top box application is in a closed state. The <power> command is to open and run the set-top box application that is in a closed state, or to close the set-top box application that is in a running state.

[0109] 2) Based on the current network environment and remote control configuration, determine whether subsequent instructions require a change in remote control mode.

[0110] 3) If the family ID code of the transmitter is consistent with that of the set-top box, the remote control user name belongs to the remote control user name sequence permitted by the set-top box, and the instruction structure complies with the power-on code regulations, the set-top box management system confirms that it is the only legitimate user remote control.

[0111] 4) Except for the native TV remote control using infrared format, secondary excitation is required.

[0112] 5) Drive the TV to start up and start the host application. In this example, import the set-top box application from the HDMI port, and set the screen signal source to "box". The screen signal source here is in the system management program layer of the set-top box, which is used to record whether the page currently displayed on the TV screen comes from the set-top box application (box) or the TV application (host).

[0113] B) <TV Home Page>:

[0114] The function of this command is to return the TV screen display page to the host application home page. If the currently displayed page is a set-top box application related page, it will return to the TV host application home page. If the currently displayed page is a sub-program page of the host application, it will also return to the TV host application home page. The method to achieve this is to call the native code string with the same name in the button code register and run the secondary excitation. At the same time, set the screen signal source to "host".

[0115] C)<Box Homepage>:

[0116] If the current screen signal source is "box", return to the main page from the sub-program page of the set-top box application. Otherwise, it is necessary to call the native chain code of the same name from the button code register, run the secondary excitation, and let the TV go through the following steps to return to the home page of the set-top box application. The structure of the chain code is as follows:

[0117] <TV Home> → <Menu> → (button combination) → (Source) → (button combination) → HDMI.

[0118] The use of chain code technology can quickly and automatically transfer to the target execution module through a predetermined path. If the chain code is not built in advance, it is necessary to manually follow the above steps and remotely control it step by step.

[0119] D) Other instructions:

[0120] Except for the above main instructions, other instructions are domain-independent instructions, that is, they can only be run within the TV host application or the set-top box application framework, and will not cause the main body of the screen display to be transferred. If the screen signal source is a "box", the set-top box remote control and the mobile analog remote control can effectively control the operation of the set-top box application. Otherwise, except for some special functions, they can also effectively control the operation of the host application, but, except for the infrared TV remote control, they all need to perform a secondary excitation process.

[0121] When the Bluetooth native remote control and the Bluetooth module in the set-top box receiving head, as well as the Bluetooth module in the set-top box transmitter and the Bluetooth communication module in the TV can achieve effective pairing and linking in pairs, the method of using secondary excitation technology to remotely control an infrared remote-controlled TV in this example can also be used for Bluetooth remote-controlled TVs. The difference is that in the setup preparation stage before operating the secondary excitation, the TV should first be unpaired from the TV's native remote control, and then paired with the Bluetooth in the set-top box transmitter. At the same time, the TV remote control is paired with the Bluetooth in the set-top box receiving head.

[0122] Figure 3It is a process description of multi-standard remote control management, which is the basis for realizing TV multi-state remote control and dual control management. Since users have different ages and needs, the set-top box must provide them with TV applications that meet their identities and needs. In this example, all mobile analog remote controls can carry personal information consistent with the identity and needs of the owner, such as user name and date of birth, direct access to power on, special service types, etc. These personal information are part of the power-on command and are delivered to the set-top box at the first time. They are used as the basis for system film and television resource distribution, direct access to power on, and participation in individual activities such as TV social networking, shopping, and listening to classes. For example, child users go directly to the children's channel by default, and can also enter the public service channel, but cannot enter the adult service channel. Adult users go directly to the public service channel by default, and can also go directly to their preferred application modules in the adult service channel according to the user's <Direct> button setting, such as vocational education and tutoring, amateur opera, and senior citizen university.

[0123] The main application modules of the three channels in this example include:

[0124] 1) Public service channels: TV live broadcasts, news information, sports events, etc.

[0125] 2) Personal service channel:

[0126] A. Children's services: children's movies and TV, online classes and social networking, children's education, children's short videos, etc.

[0127] B. Adult services: watching movies and TV series, amateur opera, online classes and social networking, vocational education and tutoring, senior citizen university, medical treatment and nursing, TV shopping, short videos for adults, etc.

[0128] 3) Special service channel: This is a TV application that provides special services such as remote care and treatment for the elderly, the disabled, and special care groups (such as pregnant women, people recovering from illness, etc.).

[0129] In order to meet the needs of various groups of people who have TV needs, legally, quickly and accurately reach their respective channels, and enjoy the many services provided by the TV, it is absolutely necessary to adopt polymorphic remote control technology. The essence of this technology is to make the TV remote control have personal attributes. The implementation method is: let each user use a remote control with a personal label, and carry individual information such as identity and needs in the relevant remote control commands such as TV power on.

[0130] By downloading the set-top box application, users can turn their personal mobile phones and smart watches into mobile analog remote controls, and use them to send remote control commands such as power on / off and switch between the machine and the box. Usually, the power-on command carries personal identity (children / adults / special individuals), age, direct access to the power-on, and other information, providing users with channels and applications that match their identity and age. For children, there is also a strict screen health management mechanism.

[0131] In this example, both the public service and personal service channels can be directly accessed by using smart watches and mobile phone mobile analog remote controls. When using a TV box remote control, all users only need to press the <Power> button to directly access the public service channel, or they can use the camera recognition technology to access the personal service channel.

[0132] When using a TV box remote control and adopting the "<Power>+Camera Recognition" solution:

[0133] 1) Using the built-in camera of the TV box: Press the <Power> button to start the TV box and the TV host, turn on the TV box camera, start the user target face and gesture recognition process, compare the encrypted family member recognition samples saved in the set-top box, and after confirmation, obtain personal identity (children / adults / special individuals), age, boot-up direct access and other information to provide corresponding services.

[0134] 2) Using the built-in camera of the TV host: Press the <Power> button to start the TV box and the TV host. Through WiFi or Bluetooth communication, the TV box sends a camera recognition command to the pre-installed shuttle software in the TV host. The TV host turns on the camera, starts the user sampling process, and sends the results back to the set-top box. After the system compares and confirms, it provides the corresponding service.

[0135] The remote control signal secondary excitation technology proposed in the present invention can also be used in other traditional set-top boxes. For example, in a traditional set-top box using Bluetooth remote control technology, an infrared transmission module is added as a secondary transmission head. After simple settings, the Bluetooth <power> power-on signal received by the set-top box can be converted into an infrared power-on signal that can be accepted by the television while driving the set-top box to start up, and sent to the television through the remote control signal sending / receiving channel, so that the power-on process of the television and the set-top box can be completed with one click.

[0136] A set-top box can also be installed on a TV that already has other traditional set-top box products installed. Just use a different signal source access port and set the port as the signal source for TV startup. At the same time, by using the set-top box remote control, mobile phone simulated remote control and chain code technology, you can directly switch from the current running page to the traditional set-top box application page.

Claims

1. A set-top box for realizing TV multi-state remote control and dual control management, wherein an operating system, a system management program and a set-top box application program are installed in the set-top box, as well as hardware and software systems related to set-top box application management and remote control signal processing; The remote control signal processing adopts secondary excitation technology, which includes the complete process of sending signals from the remote control, intermediate processing and re-sending, and receiving by the TV; Intermediate processing and re-sending is a complete remote control information processing system including multi-standard reception and processing of remote control signals, secondary code generation, chain code construction, matching integration, and secondary sending; A multi-standard remote control signal receiving head is installed in the set-top box, which contains two standard communication modules, infrared and Bluetooth, to receive remote control signals from a variety of remote control devices; the Bluetooth module can automatically pair, link and cancel with the Bluetooth modules in various types of remote controllers, as well as transmit data to each other; A multi-standard remote control signal transmitter is installed in the set-top box, among which: It usually includes a communication module that has either infrared or Bluetooth, or both, and is responsible for connecting to the remote control module inside the TV.

2. The set-top box for realizing TV multi-state remote control and dual control management according to claim 1, characterized in that: Chain code construction is a composite form of secondary code generation. It can occur in the setup phase before the set-top box is used, or before the secondary code is sent. It is a concatenation operation that replaces manual keystrokes and continuous instruction code segments. It integrates multiple operations that require manual keystrokes into a complete executable instruction string, which is sent secondary and executed in sequence by the TV.

3. The set-top box for realizing TV multi-state remote control and dual control management according to claim 1, characterized in that: The set-top box is divided into two structures: one without built-in camera and the other with built-in camera. The infrared emission port of the former is located at the rear end and the upper end of the set-top box body, and is installed with shaped red baffle; the latter camera is located in the center of the front end surface of the set-top box body, and the set-top box can be placed flat on the top surface of the TV display frame.

4. The set-top box for realizing TV multi-state remote control and dual control management according to claim 1, characterized in that: Carry multiple types of personal identity and demand tags in remote control commands.

5. The set-top box for realizing TV multi-state remote control and dual control management according to claim 1, characterized in that: The local name of the set-top box and the user name of the remote control, as well as several built-in communication modules that need to interact with external remote controls, all use a unified, universal, and standardized naming method.

6. The set-top box for realizing TV multi-state remote control and dual control management according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the TV is turned on, the set-top box confirms the legal identity of the remote control, determines the only legal user remote control, and provides TV services consistent with its identity.

7. The set-top box for realizing TV multi-state remote control and dual control management according to claim 1, characterized in that: When infrared remote control communication is not possible, the remote control can initiate the construction of a Bluetooth communication link through a target-based dialogue, specify one of multiple connectable dual-control set-top boxes under the same user ID, and start the TV; when the target name cannot be confirmed, the "command-reply-confirm" three-step method is used to complete it.

8. The set-top box for realizing TV multi-state remote control and dual control management according to claim 1, characterized in that: Install the box ferry software in the smart TV host.

9. The set-top box for realizing TV multi-state remote control and dual control management according to claim 1, characterized in that: By retaining the system management program including remote control setting and processing in the set-top box and making changes to the relevant appearance and hardware structure, it can become a public conversion device for remote control signals.

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