Patent Application
20140181857
1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a field of device controlling technology, and more particularly, to an electronic device and a method of controlling a smart television.
2. Description of Related Art
With the development of technology, televisions have been equipped with user interfaces (UI) and operating systems (OS). This enables users to use their smart phone as a remote control to select a channel, adjust a volume, and so on. However, a method to allow individualized control of the television by different users is desired.
The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.” The references “a plurality of” and “a number of” mean “at least two.
In general, the word “module,” as used hereinafter, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, written in a programming language, such as, for example, Java, C, or assembly. One or more software instructions in the modules may be embedded in firmware. It will be appreciated that modules may comprise connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and may comprise programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processers. The modules described herein may be implemented as either software and/or hardware modules and may be stored in any type of non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or other computer storage device.
In one embodiment, the smart TV 1 further comprises a communication unit 11, a control device 12, a storage device 13, and a display device 14. One skilled in the art will recognize that the smart TV 1 can be configured in a number of other ways and comprise other or different components.
The communication unit 11 can be a BLUETOOTH unit, an infrared unit, a WIFI unit, or the like. The control device 12 can be a processor, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. The storage device 13 can comprise some type(s) of non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums, such as a hard disk drive, a compact disc, a digital video disc, or a tape drive. The display device 14 is a screen of the smart TV 1.
In one embodiment, each of the portable electronic devices 2 further comprises a communication unit 21, a control device 22, a storage device 23, and a display device 24. One skilled in the art will recognize that the portable electronic device 2 may be configured in a number of other ways and may comprise other or different components.
Similarly, the communication unit 21 can be a BLUETOOTH unit, an infrared unit, a WIFI unit, or the like. The control device 22 can be a processor, a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. The storage device 23 can comprise some type(s) of non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums, such as a hard disk drive, a compact disc, a digital video disc, or a tape drive. The display device 24 is a screen of the portable electronic device 2.
The first TV control system 10 and the second TV control system 20 comprise computerized codes in the form of one or more programs, which are stored respectively in the storage device 13 of the smart TV 1 and the storage device 23 of the portable electronic device 2. In one embodiment, the one or more programs of the first TV control system 10 and of the second TV control system 20 are described in the form of function modules (see
Referring to
In step S01, the authentication module 100 authenticates one or more portable electronic devices 2 to control the smart TV 1.
In step S02, the communication determination module 101 determines if a power-on signal is received from the one or more authenticated portable electronic devices 2. In one embodiment, when the communication unit 11 of the smart TV 1 receives a power-on signal from a portable electronic device 2, the communication determination module 101 compares identification information of the portable electronic device 2 with identification information of the authenticated portable electronic devices 2. If the identification information of the portable electronic device 2 matches identification information of one of the authenticated portable electronic devices 2, step S03 is implemented. Otherwise, if the communication determination module 101 determines that the identification information of the portable electronic device 2 does not match any of the authenticated portable electronic devices 2, the procedure ends.
In step S03, the communication determination module 101 further determines if only one authenticated portable electronic device 2 sends the power-on signal. If only one authenticated portable electronic device 2 sends the power-on signal, step S04 is implemented. If more than one authenticated portable electronic device 2 sends the power-on signal, step S07 is implemented.
In step S04, the mode selection module 102 determines if there is a personal mode on the authenticated portable electronic device 2. The personal mode comprises individualized settings, such as a favorite program list, a favorite channel list, and/or favorite attributes. The favorite program list records names of one or more programs, such as films, teleplays, variety shows, and the like. The favorite channel list records one or more channels and times of broadcasting programs of the channels, such as channel 1 during 08:00-08:30, channel 2 during 14:00-15:00, channel 3 during 18:00-18:30, and channel 4 during 20:00-22:00. The favorite program list and the favorite channel list can be edited, added, or deleted using a mode setting key 802 in a user interface of the second TV control system 20, as illustrated in
In step S05, the mode selection module 102 displays a mode selection list in an output area 803 (
In step S06, the mode selection module 102 executes the personal mode.
In step S07, the mode selection module 102 executes the normal mode.
In step S08, the execution module 103 controls the smart TV 1 to perform a related function corresponding to commands selected in the personal mode or the normal mode sent by the one or more authenticated portable electronic devices 2.
In step S10, the authentication module 100 determines if a request of controlling the smart TV 1 is received from a portable electronic device 2. In one embodiment, when a request key 800 in the user interface of the second TV control system 20, as illustrated in
In step S11, the authentication module 100 determines if the request is accepted. In one embodiment, when a request of controlling the smart TV 1 is received, the user interface of the first TV control system 10 shown on the display device 14 of the smart TV 1 may show an accept option and a deny option. When a moderator/administrator of the smart TV 1 selects the accept option, the authentication module 100 determines that the request is accepted, and step S12 is implemented. Otherwise, when the moderator/administrator of the smart TV 1 selects the deny option, the authentication module 100 determines that the request is not accepted, and the procedure ends.
In step S12, the authentication module 100 authenticates the portable electronic device 2 by adding identification information of the portable electronic device 2 to an authenticated list.
In step S60, the mode selection module 102 determines if it is time of broadcasting a program recorded in the favorite program list. As mentioned above, the favorite program list records names of one or more films, one or more variety shows, and the like. When one of the recorded programs in the favorite program list is currently broadcasting on any channel, the mode selection module 102 determines that it is time of broadcasting a program recorded in the favorite program list. For example, the favorite program list records a name of CCTV news. The CCTV news will be broadcasting during 19:00-19:30 every day at channel 1, channel 2, and channel 3, for example. If the current time is 19:10, the mode selection module 102 determines that it is time of broadcasting a program recorded in the favorite program list, and step S61 is implemented. Otherwise, if there is no program in the favorite program list currently broadcasting on any channel, step S62 is implemented.
In step S61, the mode selection module 102 controls the smart TV 1 to switch to any channel that is broadcasting the program when the smart TV 1 is powered on. For example, if the CCTV news is currently broadcasting on channel 1, channel 2, and channel 3, then the mode selection module 102 switches the smart TV 1 to channel 1, channel 2, or channel 3 randomly when the smart TV 1 is powered on.
In step S62, the mode selection module 102 further determines if the current time matches a time of broadcasting programs of a channel recorded in the favorite channel list. As mentioned above, the favorite channel list records one or more channels and times of broadcasting programs of the channels, such as channel 1 during 08:00-08:30, channel 2 during 14:00-15:00, channel 3 during 18:00-18:30, and channel 4 during 20:00-22:00. When the current time is within any time period in the favorite channel list, the mode selection module 102 determines that the current time matches a time of broadcasting programs of a channel recorded in the favorite channel list, and step S63 is implemented. Otherwise, if the current time does not match any time of broadcasting programs of a channel recorded in a favorite channel list, step S64 is implemented.
In step S63, the mode selection module 102 controls the smart TV 1 to switch to the corresponding channel when the smart TV 1 is powered on.
In step S64, the mode selection module 102 controls the smart TV 1 to switch to a default channel when the smart TV 1 is powered on.
In step S65, the mode selection module 102 determines whether to switch to another channel. In one embodiment, when a user presses a channel switch key 804 in the user interface of the second TV control system 20 as illustrated in
In step S66, the mode selection module 102 displays the favorite program list and the favorite channel list on the display device 14 of the smart TV 1 and/or the display device 24 of the one or more authenticated portable electronic device 2 for the user to switch the channel.
In step S80, the execution module 103 determines if either a program or a channel is selected. In one embodiment, the program and the channel can be selected through the favorite program list and the favorite channel list or using the channel selection keys 805. Step S81 is implemented when either a program or a channel is selected. Otherwise, step S82 is implemented when neither program nor channel is selected.
In step S81, the execution module 103 controls the smart TV 1 to switch to the selected program or channel.
In step S82, the execution module 103 controls the smart TV 1 to keep a current program or channel.
In step S83, the execution module 103 determines if the selected or the current program or channel is to be recorded. In one embodiment, when the mode setting key 802 in a user interface of the second TV control system 20, as illustrated in
In step S84, the execution module 103 adds the selected or the current program or channel into the favorite program list or the favorite channel list. In one embodiment, if there is no the favorite program list or the favorite channel list, the execution module 103 creates the favorite program list or the favorite channel list, and then adds the selected or the current program or channel into the favorite program list or the favorite channel list.
In step S85, the execution module 103 syncs the favorite program list or the favorite channel list between the smart TV 1 and the one or more authenticated portable electronic device 2.
In step S86, the execution module 103 determines whether to shut down the smart TV 1. When a power key 806 in a user interface of the second TV control system 20 is selected, the execution module 103 shuts down the smart TV 1, and the procedure ends. If the power key 806 is not selected, the procedure returns to step S80.
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, comprising any particular embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be comprised herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 101150009 | Dec 2012 | TW | national |
