The present invention relates generally to remote control of video equipment and more particularly to a method for controlling one more video units in an entertainment system using a single type of remote control device.
The single video screen type of rear seat entertainment (RSE) systems are well-known in the art and commonly used in many types of vehicular applications. Many of these systems include a wireless remote control (better known simply as a “remote”) that typically uses infrared (IR) frequency transmissions to control operation of the RSE system. Most RSE users prefer controlling the system using a remote as they do not have to physically touch the display or contend with “wired” devices in order to control its system operation. As RSE systems continue to grow in popularity, there will be a greater number of video screen systems used all throughout the vehicle. One example is the use of a video screen located in the rear of a front seat vehicle headrest for use by rear seat passengers.
A common passenger complaint often occurs when using remote control IR devices to operate one or more of the RSE systems. It is often expensive and inefficient to require a dedicated remote control for each RSE system. Moreover, manufacturers would prefer not to include a dedicated remote for each video screen. Although remotes have been provided that include a switch for enabling the user to select which RSE to operate, this too becomes a burden to the user as they often cannot determine which switch position operates a particular RSE system. Consequently, a new method is required to overcome these shortcomings that often create customer confusion and dissatisfaction in using RSE systems.
An arbitration method for use with wireless remote control devices in a multiple video screen entertainment system where a control signal is transmitted from a wireless remote control device of a plurality of wireless remote control devices and received at at least one video screen in the entertainment system. The signal strength of the control signal is measured proximate to each video screen in the entertainment system and a signal representing the received signal strength is transmitted from the at least one video screen to the wireless remote control device. The received signal strength is compared to each received signal strength signal at the wireless remote control device and the wireless remote control device is associated to the at least one video screen having the highest signal strength. In one embodiment, a command is then transmitted from the remote control device with an identification to the at least one video screen indicating its control.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a remote control arbitration system. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention described herein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors and unique stored program instructions that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of a remote control arbitration system described herein. The non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to, a radio receiver, a radio transmitter, signal drivers, clock circuits, power source circuits, and user input devices. As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method to perform arbitration of remote control units used with RSE systems. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combination of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used. Thus, methods and means for these functions have been described herein. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.
Hence, like a single screen system, each screen in the multiple screen system or RSE system will utilize a photodiode type IR receiver. In addition to a demodulated digital output, an analog signal strength output component can also be used in connection with the photodiode receiver or sensor. This analog output will allow for each video screen to determine the strength of the received IR signal. Therefore, the photodiode sensor that receives the most direct, lowest loss IR transmission will detect the signal having the highest amplitude, i.e., the signal with the strongest signal strength. Once a control circuit, such as a microprocessor or the like, used in connection with the video screen, has performed a binary conversion and determined the signal strength of a remote control command, it will arbitrate this command with the other video screens to determine if action is required. This process can be done using a type of technique including, but not limited to, a wired or wireless data bus, Bluetooth®, or the like. Therefore, the video screens in multiple RSE systems will arbitrate with one another to determine which one received the highest signal strength of an initial control signal set-up command by the remote. Once arbitration is complete, only the screen that received the strongest signal strength will act on subsequent commands. This will allow one remote control to be used to control multiple video screens where the arbitration process assures that only the targeted screen acts on the desired command. The design of the remote control remains common for ease of manufacturing and low cost.
In operation, a user would press a control button on the remote control while pointing at the RSE unit. Each IR receiving device (HVAC, RSE, head-unit, etc.) that receives the signal will determine a measurement of relative IR signal strength. Each device, in a specific predetermined time period after receiving the signal from the remote, will respond back with an acknowledgment and signal strength measurement via an IR transmission. The remote control will receive these measurements, select the appropriate code-set based on the measurement, and send out the subsequent control activation command for the RSE. In this example, the remote control and the receiving devices must have an IR receiver and transmitter built in. Careful consideration must be made to make sure that the receiving devices respond back at their specific interval, as not to corrupt one another's IR transmissions. Still another option would include having some type of reverse function or “undo” command for instances where the wrong command was sent.
An additional method includes allowing each receiving device to measure the relative incoming IR signal, have a pre-programmed minimum signal level that it must receive, and react to the command if the signal meets some minimum threshold strength, although there might be difficulties implementing this method as there is no arbitration method between devices and sometimes multiple devices could react to a command as they could all receive the minimum signal level. Another alternative method would be to allow the remote to measure the IR signal strength where each device could either send out a periodic ID message for the remote control to measure or send out an ID only when it detects IR activity from the remote control. The remote would then measure each responding device's reply acknowledgement and make a determination on what code to send out. This method would use, for example, a “track-forward” type switch or button located on the remote while pointed at the head-unit from the rear seat of the vehicle. The RSE, head-unit, HVAC, etc., receiving the incoming IR transmission will output a unique identification to the remote control at specific pre-programmed time interval. The remote control receives the transmissions, measures the signal strength of each, and makes the determination that the head-unit has the stronger IR signal. Finally, the remote control then sends out the correct pre-programmed command for the head-unit to track-forward.
Still yet another alternative method involves an additional button on the remote control for arbitration. This method would operate as described above, except that the remote control will perform an arbitration process by actuating an arbitration function. Once the video device determines the correct source, an LED or some type of indicator will annunciate to the user what source it selected. The user can then press any button on the remote used by the device and it would perform the necessary function. In addition, the remote control will eventually time out or go to sleep after a predetermined time period. Once the remote is awakened from a sleep mode, it will recall the last device that it controlled. A wakeup on the remote might consist of pressing any button or, if equipped with a motion detection sensor, can wakeup on movement. Since a vehicle's movement could simulate this wakeup by vibration, implementing this type of method will require calibration before use.
Accordingly, there is no solution to be able to control a dual-view or triple-view display since only one IR-based remote control is often used to change content on only one of the screens. However, in using the present invention when using an IR-based remote, this type of control can be accomplished in different ways. A first method involves the use of a standard IR remote control having preprogrammed codes for the specific functions. If an array of three IR receivers were placed on the left, center, and right sides of the display, plastic trim molding or other types of IR blocking devices will be used to block the IR signal (as best as possible) from reaching an incorrect IR sensor. When a control button is actuated, the code will be transmitted to the array of receivers. The IR code from one or more sensors would then be used in connection with a microprocessor (not shown). Based on the stronger signal, the microprocessor will change the content of the appropriate screen. Thus, the steps involved in such a process would include actuating a remote control button (i.e., a “play” function) is pressed from the left view screen. The left, center, and right IR sensors detect an incoming IR signal and are electrically attached to the microprocessor that measures the incoming signal and signal strength, and decodes the button press. The strength from IR receiver on the left presumably should be stronger than the receiver center and/or right where the microprocessor sends the play command to the playback responsible for the left-view display.
A second method would include using a “smart” remote control that is capable of bi-directional IR communication. An array of three or more IR receivers are placed on the left, center, and right sides of the multi-view display. A plastic trim molding is then used to block the signal (as best possible) from coming in from an undesired angle. The remote control, when a button is pressed, will send a request to the IR receivers rather than an initial command. The array of three or more receivers will be capable of measuring the signal strength (as in first example above), and then following up with a return command back to the remote to let the remote know what IR code (left, center, or right) it should transmit.
Finally, a third method includes steps for either actuating a button or moving a switch position on the remote control for the left, center, right display views. In practice, this means that the remote control will be required to be programmed with all of the necessary codes in order for it to be multi-functional allowing it to change codes based on the switch position.
Finally,
Thus, the present invention provides a system and method for allowing one remote control device that can be used to control multiple video screens in systems like an RSE system. An arbitration process is provided to ensure that only the targeted video screen acts with the desired remote. The invention is low cost and can be implemented using standard IR commands. Moreover, end user confusion is minimized since there are no switches or menu entries that must be actuated for the user to control a video screen. The user simply points and clicks the remote in order to establish control.
In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
It will be understood by those who practice the invention and those skilled in the art, that various modifications and improvements may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit of the disclosed concept. The scope of protection afforded is to be determined by the claims and by the breadth of interpretation allowed by law.