US20070152964A1 - Remote controller and system having the same - Google Patents
Remote controller and system having the sameDownload PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20070152964A1 US20070152964A1US11/717,439US71743907AUS2007152964A1US 20070152964 A1US20070152964 A1US 20070152964A1US 71743907 AUS71743907 AUS 71743907AUS 2007152964 A1US2007152964 A1US 2007152964A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- remote controller
- display
- information
- image display
- display apparatus
- Prior art date
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- Abandoned
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Classifications
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
- H03J—TUNING RESONANT CIRCUITS; SELECTING RESONANT CIRCUITS
- H03J1/00—Details of adjusting, driving, indicating, or mechanical control arrangements for resonant circuits in general
- H03J1/0008—Details of adjusting, driving, indicating, or mechanical control arrangements for resonant circuits in general using a central processing unit, e.g. a microprocessor
- H03J1/0025—Details of adjusting, driving, indicating, or mechanical control arrangements for resonant circuits in general using a central processing unit, e.g. a microprocessor in a remote control unit
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
- H04N21/4122—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices additional display device, e.g. video projector
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/4104—Peripherals receiving signals from specially adapted client devices
- H04N21/4126—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones
- H04N21/41265—The peripheral being portable, e.g. PDAs or mobile phones having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
- H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
- H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
- H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
- H04N21/42208—Display device provided on the remote control
- H04N21/42209—Display device provided on the remote control for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
- H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
- H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
- H04N21/42222—Additional components integrated in the remote control device, e.g. timer, speaker, sensors for detecting position, direction or movement of the remote control, microphone or battery charging device
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
- H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
- H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
- H04N21/42224—Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
- H04N21/436—Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
- H04N21/43615—Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
- H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
- H04N21/42206—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor characterized by hardware details
- H04N21/42208—Display device provided on the remote control
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
- H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
- H04N21/42204—User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor
- H04N21/42226—Reprogrammable remote control devices
- H04N21/42227—Reprogrammable remote control devices the keys being reprogrammable, e.g. soft keys
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
- H04N21/47214—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
- H04N21/47217—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for controlling playback functions for recorded or on-demand content, e.g. using progress bars, mode or play-point indicators or bookmarks
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
- H04N21/4782—Web browsing, e.g. WebTV
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
- H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
- H04N21/47—End-user applications
- H04N21/482—End-user interface for program selection
Definitions
- the present inventionrelates to a remote controller, an image display apparatus and a remote control system.
- a remote controller of such AV apparatusis used to send commands to perform remote operations.
- buttons placed thereonare typically used in operation. Accordingly, more functionality the AV apparatus performs, more complex the operation becomes. Hence, it is not simple task for a typical user to operate such AV apparatus.
- the present inventionis conceived in view of such circumstances. It is desirable to provide a remote controller and remote control method that may provide better usability.
- an appropriate remote controllerhas to be used for controlling each corresponding apparatus, whereby imposing a heavy burden on a user.
- a remote control systemthat includes an image display apparatus and a remote controller for controlling the image display apparatus.
- the remote controllerincludes a first displaying unit for displaying information, a first communicator for communicating information to the image display apparatus, and a first controller.
- the image display apparatusincludes a second communicator for communicating information to the first communicator.
- the first communicatortransmits operational information to operate the image display apparatus to the second communicator.
- the first controllercarries out controlling of the first displaying unit so that, if the first communicator transmits operational information to the second communicator, a remote controller side display information associated with the operational information is displayed on the first displaying unit, and a display position of the remote controller side display information displayed on the first displaying unit is moved towards the image display apparatus.
- the remote controller side display information associated with the operational informationis controlled such that its display position is moved towards the image display apparatus.
- the remote controller side display informationis physically moving from the first displaying unit of the remote controller to the image display apparatus, thereby giving impression to a user that the image display apparatus is indeed remotely controlled.
- a remote controllerfor controlling an image display apparatus.
- the remote controllerincludes: a third displaying unit for displaying a remote controller display information; a third operation unit for generating operational information based on a user's operation; a third communicator for conducting two-way information communication to the image display apparatus; and a third controller for displaying remote controller display information on the third displaying unit, and transmitting the operational information to the image display apparatus by using the third communicator.
- the remote controller display information displayed on the third displaying unitincludes a third remote controller display information transmitted to the third communicator from the image display apparatus.
- the remote controller display information displayed on the third displaying unit of the remote controllerit is possible to use the third remote controller display information transmitted to the third communicator from the image display apparatus.
- an image display apparatusthat can be remotely operated by a remote controller.
- the image display apparatusincludes: a fourth communicator for conducting two-way information communication to the remote controller; and a fourth controller.
- the fourth controllercontrols operation of the image display apparatus in accordance with operational information, which is received by the fourth communicator from the remote controller, and transmits a third remote controller display information to be displayed on a third displaying unit provided in the remote controller to the remote controller by using the fourth communicator.
- the remote controller display information to be displayed on the remote controllerit is possible to use the third remote controller display information transmitted to the remote controller from the fourth communicator of the image display apparatus.
- a remote control systemincluding an image display apparatus and a remote controller for remotely controlling the image display apparatus.
- the remote controlleris provided with a third displaying unit for displaying a remote controller display information, a third operation unit for generating operational information based on a user's operation, a third communicator for conducting two-way information communication to the image display apparatus, and a third controller.
- the image display apparatuscomprises a fourth communicator for conducting two-way information communication to the remote controller, and a fourth controller.
- the third controllercontrols to display the remote controller display information on the third displaying unit, and transmits the operational information to the fourth communicator by using the third communicator.
- the fourth controllercontrols an operation of the image display apparatus in accordance with the operational information received from the third communicator, and transmits a third remote controller display information to the remote controller by using the fourth communicator.
- the remote controller display information displayed on the third displaying unit by the third controllerincludes the third remote controller display information.
- the remote controller display information displayed on the third displaying unit of the remote controllerit is possible to use the third remote controller display information transmitted to the third communicator of the remote controller from the fourth communicator of the image display apparatus.
- the remote controlleris used to control the image display apparatus.
- the remote controller of the present inventionmay also be used to control other apparatus having a display.
- FIG. 1is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote control system in a first embodiment
- FIG. 2is a plan view showing a remote controller in the first embodiment
- FIG. 3is an explanation view showing a usage state of the remote control system in the first embodiment
- FIG. 4 (A 1 ) to FIG. 4 (A 5 )are explanation views showing display contents on a display screen of an image display apparatus in the first embodiment
- FIG. 4 (B 1 ) to FIG. 4 (B 5 )are explanation views showing display contents on a display screen of the remote controller in the first embodiment
- FIG. 5is a flowchart showing an operation of the remote control system
- FIG. 6is an explanation view of display states in the remote controller and the image display apparatus in the first embodiment
- FIG. 7 (A 1 ) to FIG. 7 (A 4 )are explanation views showing display contents on a display screen of an image display apparatus in a second embodiment
- FIG. 7 (B 1 ) to FIG. 7 (B 4 )are explanation views showing display contents on a display screen of the remote controller in the second embodiment
- FIG. 8is an explanation view of display states in the remote controller and the image display apparatus in the second embodiment
- FIG. 9 (A 1 ) to FIG. 9 (A 4 )are explanation views showing display contents on a display screen of an image display apparatus in a third embodiment
- FIG. 9 (B 1 ) to FIG. 9 (B 4 )are explanation views showing display contents on a display screen of the remote controller in the third embodiment
- FIG. 10is an explanation view showing a configuration of a remote control system in a fourth embodiment
- FIG. 11is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote control system in another embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 12is a plan view showing a remote controller in another embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 13is an explanation view showing a usage state of the remote control system in another embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 14Ais an explanation view showing a stand-by screen of the remote controller
- FIG. 14Bis an explanation view showing a main menu display screen of the remote controller
- FIG. 14Cis an explanation view showing a low order menu display screen
- FIG. 14Dis an explanation view showing another low order menu display screen
- FIG. 15Ais an explanation view showing a display screen for displaying a program table
- FIG. 15Bis an explanation view showing a display screen of a recording reservation
- FIG. 16is an operational flowchart of a remote control system in another embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 17Ais an explanation view showing a display screen when WWW is read
- FIG. 17Bis an explanation view showing another display screen when WWW is read.
- FIG. 17Cis an explanation view showing still another display screen when WWW is read.
- FIG. 18Ais an explanation view showing a display screen at a time of a reproduction through a video recorder.
- FIG. 18Bis an explanation view showing a display screen at a time of a reproduction through a video camera.
- FIG. 1is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote control system in a first embodiment.
- a remote control system 100is provided with a remote controller 10 and an image display apparatus 20 that may be remotely controlled by this remote controller 10 .
- the remote controller 10is provided with a first communicator 1002 , a first operation unit 1004 , a first displaying unit 1006 , a first memory 1008 , a first controller 1010 , a first audio generator 1012 , a vibration generator 1014 and a battery (not shown) that functions as a power supply, and the like.
- the first communicator 1002is configured so as to carry out two-way wireless communication to a second communicator 2002 of the image display apparatus 20 .
- the present embodimentis described under an assumption that an infrared-ray communication is used as the wireless communication between the image display apparatus 20 and the remote controller 10 .
- the first operation unit 1004carries out operation for remotely controlling the image display apparatus 20 , and it is configured so as to generate operational information based on the operation performed by a user and enter it into the first controller 1010 .
- the actual configuration of the first operation unit 1004will be described later.
- the first displaying unit 1006may comprise, for example, a liquid crystal display, and it is configured so as to display the remote controller side display information.
- the remote controller side display informationis used for operating the first operation unit 1004 .
- the actual configuration of the first displaying unit 1006will be described later.
- the first memory 1008may comprise a ROM region for storing a program to be carried out by the first controller 1010 and a RAM region that can be used to write/read data by the first controller 1010 .
- the first audio generator 1012generates a predetermined audio signal under control of the first controller 1010 .
- the audio signalis outputted so as to inform so as to inform the user that the operational information is transmitted to the image display apparatus 20 from the remote controller 10 . Details will be described later.
- the vibration generator 1014generates a predetermined vibration under control of the first controller 1010 .
- the vibrationis generated so as to inform the user that the operational information is transmitted to the image display apparatus 20 from the remote controller 10 . Details will be described later.
- the first controller 1010comprises a CPU and configured so as to be operated by executing operational programs stored in the first memory 1008 .
- the first controller 1010controls the first communicator 1002 , the first operation unit 1004 , the first displaying unit 1006 , the first memory 1008 , the first audio generator 1012 and the vibration generator 1014 .
- the remote controller 10comprises a case 1011 having a rectangular tablet shape.
- a display surface 1016 of the first displaying unit 1006is placed at a position closer to a front side of the top surface so that the display surface 1016 faces externally for a user's view.
- the first displaying unit 1006is configured such that characters, figures, symbols, still image information and moving image information can be displayed on the display surface 1016 .
- a touch panel 1018having the same shape as the outer shape of the display surface 1016 is placed on the display surface 1016 so that the touch panel 1018 placed on top of the display surface 1016 .
- the touch panel 1018is configured such that contents displayed on the display surface 1016 can be transparently viewed thereby enabling the user to operate the touch panel 1018 by a touch of a finger or a pen 1020 .
- the display surface 1016 and the touch panel 1018are configured to carry out the operation similar to that of a tablet that functions as a pointing device, in accordance with the control of the controller 1010 . Accordingly, it is possible to use the pen 1020 to select one or a group of image information displayed on the display surface 1016 , drag the selected image or any other pointing operation.
- a plurality of operational buttons 1022are placed on bottom side of the display surface 1016 .
- the first operation unit 1004(operating device) comprises the touch panel 1018 and the operational buttons 1022 .
- an infrared-ray receiving/emitting deviceconstituting the first communicator 1002 is placed at a position of a front end of the case 1011 .
- An infrared-ray signalis transmitted (light is emitted) from this infrared-ray receiving/emitting device. Then, the infrared-ray signal is received (the light is received) by the infrared-ray receiving/emitting device.
- the image display apparatus 20comprises the second communicator 2002 , a second operation unit 2004 , a second displaying unit 2006 , a second memory 2008 , a second controller 2010 , an external input/output controller 2012 and an audio generator 2014 .
- the second communicator 2002is configured so as to carry out two-way wireless communication to the first communicator 1002 .
- the present embodimentis described under the assumption that the infrared-ray communication is used as the wireless communication.
- the second communicator 2002is configured so as to transmit the remote controller side display information to the first communicator 1002 .
- the second operation unit 2004is configured so as to carry out a direct operation of the image display apparatus 20 and generate operational information based on the user's operation.
- the generated operational informationis entered into the second controller 2010 .
- the second displaying unit 2006comprises, for example, a CRT, a liquid crystal display or a plasma display.
- the second displaying unit 2006is configured so as to display a still image information and a moving image information on its display surface 1007 (refer to FIG. 3 ).
- the second memory 2008comprises a ROM region for storing programs to be carried out by the second controller 2010 , a ROM region for storing information required for the program execution and a RAM region that can be written/read by the second controller 2010 .
- the external input/output controller 2012interfaces a reception or an output of a signal from or to an external apparatus and selects an input signal (contents).
- External apparatuses that can be connected to the external input/output controller 2012may include various AV apparatuses such as a television tuner, a video recorder, a video camera, a radio, a personal computer and the like.
- the external input/output controller 2012may be able to receive an image signal and an audio signal of a television broadcast, an image signal and an audio signal from a video recorder or a video camera, and an audio signal from a radio.
- the external input/output controller 2012has a function of transmitting and receiving a data signal and a control signal to and from a personal computer.
- the external input/output controller 2012may be connected to Internet through a network such as LAN or the like. In this case, it is necessary that the external input/output controller 2012 is configured as a terminal device having a network communicating function.
- the external input/output controller 2012is configured so as to select those signals in accordance with control of the second controller 2010 , and enter the selected signals into the second displaying unit 2006 and the audio generator 2014 , or output signals as required.
- the audio generator 2014comprises a speaker and an amplifier (which are not shown) and the like.
- the audio generator 2014is configured so as to generate audio signals from an input signal and output the generated audio signal. Furthermore, the audio generator 2014 generates a predetermined audio signal in accordance with control of the second controller 2010 . This audio signal is generated so as to inform the user that the operational information corresponding to the user's operation is transmitted to the image display apparatus 20 from the remote controller 10 . Details will be described below.
- the second controller 2010comprises a CPU and configured so as to be operated by carrying out operational programs stored in the second memory 2008 .
- the second controller 2010controls the second communicator 2002 , the second operation unit 2004 , the second displaying unit 2006 , the second memory 2008 , the external input/output controller 2012 and the audio generator 2014 . Furthermore, the second controller 2010 generates the remote controller side display information to be transmitted to the remote controller 10 .
- FIG. 3is an explanation view schematically illustrating displays to be used during operation of the remote control system 100 .
- a user P located at a position away from the image display apparatus 20operates the operation unit 1004 of the remote controller 10 to remotely control the image display apparatus 20 .
- the remote controller 10carries out two-way communication between the first communicator 1002 and the second communicator 2002 of the image display apparatus 20 .
- a charging device (battery charger) 1028is placed in the vicinity of the image display apparatus 20 . It is configured such that the battery is charged by placing the remote controller 10 on the charging device 1028 .
- FIGS. 4 (A 1 ) to 4 (A 5 )are explanation views showing displayed contents of the display surface 2007 of the image display apparatus 20
- FIG. 4 (B 1 ) to FIG. 4 (B 5 )are explanation views showing displayed contents of the display surface 1016 of the remote controller 10 .
- FIG. 5is a flowchart showing the operation of the remote control system. Here, it is assumed that the remote controller 10 and the image display apparatus 20 are at stand-by mode at first.
- the remote controller 10displays a predetermined stand-by screen image on the display surface 1016 (Step S 10 ).
- the second controller 2010starts a preset processing to, for example, display a predetermined menu screen on the display surface 1016 (Step S 12 ).
- Functions that may be controlled by the remote controller 10are displayed on the menu screen in form of various icons. For example, icons that trigger viewing of different apparatuses such a television, a video, a video camera, a DVD, Internet and the like may be displayed.
- the first controller 1010transmits a command of requesting transmission of image information of the last channel of the television displayed on the image display apparatus 20 , to the second communicator 2002 from the first communicator 1002 (Step S 14 ).
- the second controller 2010controls the external input/output controller 2012 , and transmits the image information of the last displayed channel from the second communicator 2002 to the first communicator 1002 . Accordingly, the remote controller 10 displays the image information of the last channel received by the first communicator 1002 , as a remote controller side display information D 1 , on the display surface 1016 (Step S 16 ).
- Step S 18since the user P uses the pen 1020 and selects the remote controller side display information D 1 and drags forwardly, namely, towards the image display apparatus 20 , a display position of the remote controller side display information D 1 on the display surface 1016 is visually moved towards the image display apparatus 20 (Step S 18 ).
- the first controller 1010transmits the operational information associated with the remote controller side display information D 1 , namely, the command of requesting the display of the last displayed channel on the display surface 2007 , from the first communicator 1002 to the second communicator 2002 (Step S 20 ).
- the transmission of the remote controller side display information D 1 and the operational information from the first controller 1010may be initiated when a part of the remote controller side display information D 1 arrives at an edge of the display surface 1016 .
- the second controller 2010controls the external input/output controller 2012 , and displays an image of the last displayed channel as an image display apparatus side display information D 2 , as shown in FIG. 4 (A 4 ), FIG. 4 (A 5 ) (Step S 22 ).
- the first controller 1010in order to inform the user that the command (operational information) is transmitted to the image display apparatus 20 from the remote controller 10 , the first controller 1010 generates a predetermined audio signal from the first audio generator 1012 , for example, an audio signal to be changed from a tone of a high frequency to a low tone, and also generates a predetermined vibration by using the vibration generator 1014 (Step S 24 ).
- the second controller 2010generates a predetermined audio signal from the second audio generator 2014 , for example, an audio signal to be changed from a tone of a low frequency to a high tone (Step S 26 ).
- the first controller 1010displays a television channel selection menu M 1 , and waits for an operational input to select a television channel (Step S 28 ).
- the first controller 1010controls the first displaying unit 1006 so that the display position of the remote controller side display information D 1 associated with the operational information is moved towards the image display apparatus 20 .
- the visual effectas if the remote controller side display information D 1 is physically moved towards the image display apparatus 20 from the display surface 1016 of the remote controller 10 so that the user P may have an impression of remotely controlling the image display apparatus 20 .
- the audio signalis generated in the remote controller 10 and the image display apparatus 20 , and the remote controller 10 is vibrated.
- the transmission of the operational informationcan be recognized in forms of the audio signal and the vibration. This is advantage of the present invention and enables to improve easiness of the remote operation by using the remote controller 10 .
- FIGS. 7 (A 1 ) to 7 (A 4 )are explanation views showing the display content on the display surface 2007 of the image display apparatus 20
- FIGS. 7 (B- 1 ) to 7 (B 4 )are explanation views showing the display content on the display surface 1016 of the remote controller 10 .
- the different points of the second embodiment from the first embodimentare the manner of the remote controller side display information displayed on the display surface 1016 of the remote controller 10 and the operational information associated thereto.
- Step S 10a stand-by screen is displayed (Step S 10 ), and a menu screen is displayed, and a reproduction using a video camera is selected (Step S 12 ).
- the first controller 1010transmits a command of requesting a transmission of a thumbnail image of an image recorded in the video camera, from the first communicator 1002 to the second communicator 2002 (Step S 14 ).
- the second controller 2010controls the external input/output controller 2012 , and transmits the image information of the thumbnail obtained from the video camera, from the second communicator 2002 to the first communicator 1002 . Accordingly, the remote controller 10 displays the image information of the thumbnail received by the first communicator 1002 , as a remote controller side display information D 3 , on the display surface 1016 (Step S 16 ).
- Step S 18since the user P uses the pen 1020 and selects one of the display information D 3 and drags forwardly, namely, towards the image display apparatus 20 , a display position of the remote controller side display information D 3 on the display surface 1016 is visually moved towards the image display apparatus 20 (Step S 18 ).
- the first controller 1010transmits the operational information associated with the remote controller side display information D 3 , namely, the command of requesting the display of the image information corresponding to the remote controller side display information D 3 on the display surface 2007 , from the first communicator 1002 to the second communicator 2002 (Step S 20 ).
- the transmission of the operational information from the first controller 1010may be started when a part of the display information D 3 arrives at the edge of the display surface 1016 .
- the second controller 2010controls the external input/output controller 2012 so as to display an image display apparatus side display information D 4 composed of the image information corresponding to the remote controller side display information D 3 from the video camera, as shown in FIGS. 4 (A 4 ), 4 (A 5 ) (Step S 22 ).
- the display of the image display apparatus side display information D 4 on the second displaying unit 2006is done so as to provide the visual effect as if the remote controller side display information D 3 was physically moved to the image display apparatus from the remote controller 10 .
- the second controller 2010controls the second displaying unit 2006 so that the image display apparatus side display information D 4 displayed on the second displaying unit 2006 has the size corresponding to the dimension of the display screen of the display surface 2007 , namely, it is enlarged fully on the display screen and displayed, in this embodiment.
- the first controller 1010waits for an operational input to select a next thumbnail image (remote controller side display information D 3 ) (Step S 28 ).
- thishas the effect of further increasing the visual effect as if the remote controller side display information D 3 was physically moved to the image display apparatus 20 from the remote controller 10 .
- thisis advantageous in improving easiness of the remote operation by using the remote controller 10 .
- the image display apparatus side display information D 4 displayed on the second displaying unit 2006has the size corresponding to the dimension of the display screen of the display surface 2007 .
- thisis advantageous in making the image display apparatus side display information D 4 easily visible.
- a third embodimentwill be described below with reference to FIGS. 5, 9 .
- FIGS. 9 (A 1 ) to 9 (A 4 )are explanation views showing the display content on the display surface 2007 of the image display apparatus 20
- FIGS. 9 (B- 1 ) to 9 (B 4 )are explanation views showing the display content on the display surface 1016 of the remote controller 10 .
- the different points of the third embodiment from the first embodimentare the manner of the remote controller side display information displayed on the display surface 1016 of the remote controller 10 and the operational information associated thereto.
- Step S 10the stand-by screen is displayed (Step S 10 ), and the menu screen is displayed, and a recording of WWW is selected (Step S 12 ).
- the first controller 1010transmits a command of requesting a transmission of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information, from the first communicator 1002 to the second communicator 2002 (Step S 14 ).
- a URLUniform Resource Locator
- the second controller 2010controls the external input/output controller 2012 , and transmits the URL information obtained from the terminal device, from the second communicator 2002 to the first communicator 1002 . Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9 (B- 1 ), the remote controller 10 displays the URL information received by the first communicator 1002 , as a remote controller side display information D 5 , on the display surface 1016 (Step S 16 ).
- Step S 18since the user P uses the pen 1020 and selects one of the display information D 5 and drags forwardly, namely, towards the image display apparatus 20 , a display position of the remote controller side display information D 5 on the display surface 1016 is visually moved towards the image display apparatus 20 (Step S 18 ).
- the first controller 1010transmits the operational information associated with the remote controller side display information D 5 , namely, the WWW reading operation based on the remote controller side display information D 5 , actually, the command of requesting to actuate a browser and display a browser screen on the display surface 2007 , from the first communicator 1002 to the second communicator 2002 (Step S 20 ).
- the transmission of the operational information from the first controller 1010may be started when a part of the remote controller side display information D 5 arrives at the edge of the display surface 1016 .
- the second controller 2010controls the external input/output controller 2012 so as to actuate the browser of the terminal device, carry out the WWW reading operation based on the remote controller side display information D 5 , and display an image display apparatus side display information D 6 composed of a browser screen P, as shown in FIGS. 9 (A 3 ), 9 (A 4 ) (Step S 22 ).
- the first controller 1010waits for an operational input to select the URL information (remote controller side display information D 5 ) (Step S 28 ).
- the manner of the remote controller side display information D 5is the URL information, it is possible to provide the effect similar to that of the first embodiment.
- the configuration having the single image display apparatus 20has been described in the above-mentioned respective embodiments. However, the present invention can be applied to the configuration having a plurality of image display apparatuses 20 .
- a fourth embodiment having a plurality of image display apparatuses 20will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1, 10 .
- FIG. 10is an explanation view showing the configuration of a remote control system in the fourth embodiment.
- a remote control system 200includes a remote controller 10 A and two image display apparatuses 20 A, 20 B.
- a first operation unit 1004 of the remote controller 10 Ais configured such that the display position of a remote controller side display information D 7 displayed on the display surface 1016 of the first displaying unit 1006 can be moved in predetermined directions, namely, a first direction X and a second direction Y that are orthogonal to each other, in this embodiment.
- the predetermined directionsare associated in advance so as to be different from each other, correspondingly to the respective image display apparatuses 20 A, 20 B.
- a first controller 1010 of the remote controller 10 Ais configured such that when the display position of the remote controller side display information D 7 is moved in the predetermined direction by the first operation unit 1004 , the operational information is transmitted to a second communicator 2002 of the image display apparatus 20 A or 20 B associated with the predetermined direction from the first communicator 1002 .
- the first operation unit 1004 of the remote controller 10is not always limited to the device using the touch panel 1018 .
- Itmay be configured such that an operational member which can be slid or reclined is placed in a portion of a case 1011 of the remote controller 10 , and an operation of the operational member enables the display on the remote controller side to be moved.
- the slid direction and the reclined direction of the operational memberare set so as to be coincident with the movement direction of the remote controller side display information displayed on the display surface.
- a switch to be pushed and operatedis mounted on the portion of the case 1011 of the remote controller 10 , and an operation of the switch enables the display on the remote controller side to be moved.
- a home server(relay unit) is installed for carrying out two-way communication to the first communicator 1002 of the remote controller 10 and also carrying out two-way communication to the second communicator 2002 of the image display apparatus 20 , and the communication between the first communicator and the image display apparatus is carried out through the home server.
- the remote controller side display information displayed on the first operation unit 1004 of the remote controller 10may be a still image, a moving image, a text data and an icon.
- a remote controller, an image display apparatus and a remote control system in another embodiment of the present inventionwill be described below.
- FIG. 11is a block diagram showing a configuration of the remote control system in this embodiment.
- a remote control system 100 Bis provided with a remote controller 10 B and an image display apparatus 20 B remotely controlled by this remote controller 10 B.
- the remote controller 10 Bis provided with a third communicator 1002 B, a third operation unit 1004 B, a third displaying unit 1006 B, a third memory 1008 B, a third controller 1010 B, and a battery (not shown) constituting a power supply, and the like.
- the third communicator 1002 Bis configured so as to carry out two-way wireless communication to a fourth communicator 2002 B of the image display apparatus 20 B. This embodiment is described under the assumption that the infrared-ray communication is used as the wireless communication.
- This third communicator 1002 Bis configured so as to receive a remote controller display information which is transmitted from the fourth communicator 2002 B of the image display apparatus 20 B and will be described later.
- the third operation unit 1004 Bcarries out an operation for remotely controlling the image display apparatus 20 B, and it is configured so as to generate operational information based on the operation and enter it into the third controller 1010 B.
- the actual configuration of the third operation unit 1004 Bwill be described later.
- the third displaying unit 1006 Bcomprises, for example, a liquid crystal display, and it is configured so as to display the remote controller display information.
- the remote controller display informationis used to operate the third operation unit 1004 B. Incidentally, the actual configuration of the third displaying unit 1006 B will be described later.
- the third memory 1008 Bcomprises a ROM region for storing a program carried out by the third controller 1010 B, a ROM region for previously storing a second remote controller display information serving as a part of the above-mentioned remote controller display information, and a RAM region that can be written by the third controller 1010 B.
- the third controller 1010 Bcomprises CPU and configured so as to be operated by carrying out the operational program stored in the third memory 1008 B. Then, it controls the third communicator 1002 B, the third operation unit 1004 B, the third displaying unit 1006 B and the third memory 1008 B.
- the remote controller 10 Bhas a case 1012 B having a shape of a rectangular plate, which has forward and backward lengths, left and right widths shorter than the lengths and upward and downward thicknesses shorter than the widths.
- a display surface 1014 B of the third displaying unit 1006 Bis placed at a position closer to a front while facing on an external portion.
- the third displaying unit 1006 Bis configured such that a character, a figure, a symbol, a still image information and a moving image information can be displayed on the display surface 1014 B.
- a touch panel 1015having the same shape as the outer shape of the display surface 1014 B is placed on the display surface 1014 B while overlapping with it.
- the touch panel 1015is configured such that the display content of the display surface 1014 B can be transparently viewed and it can be operated by a touch of a finger or a touch pen.
- a first operation button 1016 B, an operational lever 1018 B and a second operation button 1020 Bare straightly arrayed in the width direction.
- operation buttons(d 1 , d 2 and d 3 ) are displayed as a part of the remote controller display information at positions corresponding to positions of the first operation button 1016 B, the operational lever 1018 B and the second operation button 1020 B.
- the numbers, the shapes and the display contents of those operation buttonsare changed on the basis of the remote controller display information.
- the first and second operation buttons 1016 B, 1020 Bare operated by a pushing operation.
- the operational lever 1018 Bis placed such that it can be slid around an axis line extended in the width direction, and it is always pushed towards a neutral position, and operated by reclining the operational lever 1018 B forwardly and backwardly.
- the operational lever 1018 B and the second operation button 1020 Bare arranged in certain intervals in the width direction.
- the respective buttonsare operated by a pushing operation.
- the third operation unit 1004 Bis provided with the touch panel 1015 B, the first operation button 1016 B, the operational lever 1018 B, the second operation button 1020 B, the tone volume adjusting button 1022 B, the determining button 1024 B and the channel selecting button 1026 B.
- an infrared-ray receiving/emitting deviceconstituting the third communicator 1002 B is placed at a portion on a front end of the case 1012 B.
- An infrared-ray signalis transmitted (emitted) from this infrared-ray receiving/emitting device, and the infrared-ray signal (the light) is received by the infrared-ray receiving/emitting device.
- the image display apparatus 20 Bis provided with a fourth communicator 2002 B, a fourth operation unit 2004 B, a fourth displaying unit 2006 B, a fourth memory 2008 B, a fourth controller 2010 B, an external input/output controller 2012 B and an audio output unit 2014 B.
- the fourth communicator 2002 Bis configured so as to carry out two-way wireless communication to the third communicator 1002 B. This embodiment is described under the assumption that the infrared-ray communication is used as the wireless communication.
- the fourth communicator 2002 Bis configured so as to transmit to the third communicator 1002 B a first remote controller display information constituting a part of the remote controller display information.
- the fourth operation unit 2004 Bis configured so as to directly operate the image display apparatus 20 B, and then generate operational information based on the operation and further enter it into the fourth controller 2010 B.
- the fourth displaying unit 2006 Bis constituted by, for example, a CRT, a liquid crystal display or a plasma display, and it is configured so as to display the still image information and the moving image information.
- the fourth memory 2008 Bcomprises a ROM region for storing a program carried out by the fourth controller 2010 B, a ROM region for storing another necessary information and a RAM region that can be written by the fourth controller 2010 B.
- the external input/output controller 2012 Binterfaces a reception or an output of a signal from or to an external apparatus and selects an input signal (content).
- an external apparatus connected to the external input/output controller 2012 Bfor example, there are various AV apparatuses, namely, a television tuner, a video recorder, a video camera, a radio, a personal computer and the like.
- the external input/output controller 2012 Breceives an image signal and an audio signal of a television broadcast, an image signal and an audio signal from a video recorder or a video camera, and an audio signal from a radio.
- the external input/output controller 2012 Bhas a function of transmitting and receiving a data signal and a control signal to and from a personal computer.
- the external input/output controller 2012 Bmay be connected to the Internet through a network such as LAN and the like. In this case, it is necessary that the external input/output controller 2012 is configured as a terminal apparatus having a communicating function.
- the external input/output controller 2012 Bis configured so as to select those signals in accordance with the control of the fourth controller 2010 B, and enter into the fourth displaying unit 2006 B and the audio output unit 2014 B or output a necessary signal.
- the audio output unit 2014 Bcomprises a speaker and an amplifier (which are not shown) and the like, and it is configured so as to make the audio signal from an input audio signal and output it.
- the fourth controller 2010 Bcomprises CPU and configured so as to be operated by carrying out the operational program stored in the fourth memory 2008 B. Then, it controls the fourth communicator 2002 B, the fourth operation unit 2004 B, the fourth displaying unit 2006 B, the fourth memory 2008 B, the external input/output controller 2012 B and the audio output unit 2014 B. Furthermore, it generates the remote controller display information to be transmitted to the remote controller 10 B.
- FIG. 13is an explanation view showing a usage state of the remote control system 100 B.
- a user P located at a position away from the image display apparatus 20 Boperates the operation unit 1004 B of the remote controller 10 B, and carries out the two-way communication between the third communicator 1002 B and the fourth communicator 2002 B of the image display apparatus 20 B, and remotely controls the image display apparatus 20 B.
- a charging device 1028 Bis placed in the vicinity of the image display apparatus 20 B. It is configured such that the battery is charged by installing the remote controller 10 B in this charging device 1028 B.
- the remote controller 10 Bindicates a stand-by screen at stand-by mode (Step S 10 B).
- the display surface 1014 Bdisplays thereon a character information indicative of a year, a month and a day, and an image information indicative of a current time by a combination of a long needle and a short needle, and Furthermore displays thereon a menu button D 1 B to request a menu display and a television button D 2 B to request a television image display, as the remote controller display information to operate the remote controller 10 B.
- the menu button D 1 B and the television button D 2 Bare a second remote controller display information stored in the third memory 1008 B, and they are the information used to operate the third operation unit 1004 B.
- Step S 12 Bwhen a user P operates the first operation button 1016 B corresponding to the menu button D 1 , the stand-by mode ends to then display a main menu (Step S 12 B).
- a menu list D 3 B for listing the contents displayed on the image display apparatus 20 B and the functions of the image display apparatus 20 B, a return button D 4 B to return a display content to a display one display earlier, and a selection button D 5 to select the menu D 3 Bare displayed on the display surface 1014 B.
- the menu button D 3 B, the return button D 4 B and the selection button D 5 Bare the second remote controller display information previously stored in the third memory 1008 B, and it is the information used to operate the third operation unit 1004 B.
- Step S 14 Bthe user P reclines the operational lever 1018 B corresponding to a selection button D 5 B forwardly and backwardly, moves a cursor displayed on the menu D 3 B to a position of a desired function, and then operates the determining button 1024 B at that state, and thereby determines the selected function.
- a low order menuis displayed (Step S 14 B).
- the screen (function screen) indicative of television station names (channels) D 6 B, D 7 B, and a program table button D 8 Bis displayed on the display surface 1014 B, as shown in FIGS. 14C, 14D (Step S 16 ).
- Each ground wave television station name (channels) D 6 B, each BS television station name (channel) D 7 B and the program table button D 8 B as mentioned aboveare the second remote controller display information previously stored in the third memory 1008 B, and it is the information used to operate the third operation unit 1004 B.
- the return button D 4 B, a program table D 9 B, a recording/reserving button D 10 B and a different station button D 11 B to request a program table of a different stationare displayed as shown in FIG. 15A .
- the third controller 1010 B of the remote controller 10 Btransmits the operational information requesting the program table D 9 B through the third communicator 1002 B to the image display apparatus 20 B (Step S 18 ).
- the fourth controller 2010 B of the image display apparatus 20 BWhen the fourth communicator 2002 B receives the operational information, the fourth controller 2010 B of the image display apparatus 20 B generates the program table D 9 B from EPG, which the external input/output controller 2012 B receives from a television station, and transmits this program table D 9 B as the first remote controller display information through the fourth communicator 2002 B to the third communicator 1002 B.
- the third communicator 1002 Breceives the program table D 9 B (Step S 20 B).
- the third controller 1010 Bcontrols to display the return button D 4 B, the recording/reserving button D 10 B and the different station button D 11 B together with the program table D 9 B received by the third communicator 1002 B, on the display surface 1014 B of the third displaying unit 1006 B, and then displays a functional screen (Step S 22 B).
- the third display 1006 Bdisplays thereon the program table D 9 B serving as the first remote controller display information, the return button D 4 B serving as the second remote controller display information previously stored in the third memory 1008 B, the recording/reserving button D 10 B and the different station button D 11 B.
- a reservation screenis displayed for selecting and entering a channel, a program name, a year, month, day and time in a start of a recording operation, a record destination and the like, as shown in FIG. 15B (Step S 24 B). Furthermore, the return button D 4 B, a determining button 12 B and the different station button D 11 B are displayed.
- the channel, the program name, the year, month, day and time in the start of the recording operation, and the record destinationare set by using the third operation unit 1004 B. This setting is done by using the information of the program table and then operating the operational lever 1018 B or the determining button 1024 B.
- the fourth controller 2010 Bcarries out the reservation recording setting of a tuner or a video recorder, in accordance with the received operational information (Step S 26 B).
- FIGS. 17A, 17B and 17 Cshow the screen examples displayed on the display surface 1014 B of the remote controller 10 B when WWW is read after the Internet is selected on the menu screen of FIG. 14B .
- FIG. 17Ashows a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) D 11 B, a scroll button D 12 B to move a display area displayed on the fourth displaying unit 2006 B of the image display apparatus 20 B, a return button D 13 B, a menu button D 14 B and a previous page button D 15 B, as the remote controller display information.
- URLUniform Resource Locator
- FIG. 17Bshows a URL D 11 B, a scroll button D 12 B, a page movement button D 16 B, a home page button D 17 B, a book mark button D 18 B, a return button D 13 B, a scroll button D 19 B and a cut button D 20 B for indicating a communication cut, as the remote controller display information.
- FIG. 17Cshows the URL D 11 B, the page movement button D 16 B, the home page button D 17 B, the book mark button D 18 B, a cursor D 21 B, the return button D 13 B, the scroll button D 19 B and the cut button D 20 B for indicating the communication cut, as the remote controller display information.
- the cursor D 21 Bis the cursor serving as an index to move the cursor displayed on the fourth displaying unit 2006 B of the image display apparatus 20 B by operating the touch panel 1015 B with the touch pen.
- Those information D 11 B to D 21 Bare the second remote controller display information previously stored in the third memory 1008 B, and they are the information used to operate the third operation unit 1004 B.
- FIG. 18Ashows the screen example displayed on the display surface 1014 B of the remote controller 10 B when the recorded content is read, after the video recorder or the video camera is selected, on the menu screen of FIG. 14B .
- Those information D 22 B to D 34 Bare the second remote controller display information previously stored in the third memory 1008 B, and they are the information used to operate the third operation unit 1004 B.
- FIG. 18Bshows the screen example displayed on the display surface 1014 B of the remote controller 10 B when the recorded content is read, after the video camera is selected, on the menu screen of FIG. 14B .
- FIG. 18Bsimilarly to FIG. 18A , the reproducing button D 22 B, the rewinding button D 23 B, the fast feeding button D 24 B, the backward heading button D 25 B, the forward heading button D 26 B, the stop button D 27 B, the reproduction elapse time D 29 B, the return button D 30 B, the selecting button D 31 B, the detail display button D 33 , the recordable remaining time D 34 B and the like are displayed on the display surface 1014 B.
- Those information D 22 B to D 34 Bare the second remote controller display information previously stored in the third memory 1008 B, and they are the information used to operate the third operation unit 1004 B.
- the remote controller 10 B, the image display apparatus 20 B and the remote control system 100 B in this embodimentit is possible to use the first remote controller display information transmitted to the third communicator 1002 B from the image display apparatus 20 B as the remote controller display information displayed on the third displaying unit 1006 B of the remote controller 10 B.
- the remote controller display information to operate the third operation unit 1004 B of the remote controller 10 Bcan be associated with the content displayed by the image display apparatus 20 B and the function of the image display apparatus 20 B. Hence, this is advantageous in improving easiness of use.
- This embodimentis described by exemplifying the case in which the first and second operation buttons 1016 B, 1020 B and the operational lever 1018 B are used as the third operation unit 1004 B.
- the touch panel 1015 Bmay be used.
- a home server(relay unit) is installed for carrying out two-way communication to the third communicator 1002 B of the remote controller 10 B and also carrying out two-way communication to the fourth communicator 2002 B of the image display apparatus 20 B, and the communication between the third communicator and the image display is carried out through the home server.
- the remote controller display information displayed on the third displaying unit 1004 B of the remote controller 10 Bis not limited to this embodiment, and it may be the image information of the still image and the moving image.
- the first remote controller display information and the operational informationare not limited to this embodiment.
- a character broadcast as the first remote controller display information and the likeare transmitted from the image display apparatus 20 B to the remote controller 10 B and displayed at any time. Then, when the user selectively operates the keyword portion of the displayed character broadcast by using the third operation unit 1004 B, the operational information indicative of the keyword is transmitted from the remote controller 10 B to the image display apparatus 20 B. Accordingly, a television program in relation to the selected keyword is displayed in accordance with the operational information received by the image display apparatus 20 B.
- URL associated with a content of a television programis transmitted from the image display apparatus 20 B to the remote controller 10 B and displayed as the first remote controller display information. Then, when a user selectively operates the displayed URL by using the third operation unit 1004 B, the operational information indicative of that URL is transmitted from the remote controller 10 B to the image display apparatus 20 B. Accordingly, a site of the selected URL is displayed in accordance with the operational information received by the image display apparatus 20 B.
- the keyword or the URLis once stored in the third memory 1008 B of the remote controller 10 B. As necessary, it is again displayed on the third displaying unit 1006 B, and the selective operation is carried out by the third operation unit 1004 B.
- the first remote controller display information transmitted to the remote controller from the image display apparatusis used as the remote controller display information displayed on the remote controller.
- the remote controller display information to operate the remote controllercan be associated with the content displayed by the image display apparatus and the function of the image display apparatus. Hence, this is advantageous in improving easiness of use.
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Abstract
Description
- The present document is based on Japanese Priority Documents JP 2001-211854 and 2001-215188, filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Jul. 12, 2001 and Jul. 16, 2001, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein by reference.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The present invention relates to a remote controller, an image display apparatus and a remote control system.
- 2. Description of Related Art
- Conventionally, when an AV apparatus such as a television, a video recorder or the like is used for enjoyment of contents, a remote controller of such AV apparatus is used to send commands to perform remote operations.
- In the remote controller of the AV apparatus, a plurality of buttons placed thereon are typically used in operation. Accordingly, more functionality the AV apparatus performs, more complex the operation becomes. Hence, it is not simple task for a typical user to operate such AV apparatus.
- The present invention is conceived in view of such circumstances. It is desirable to provide a remote controller and remote control method that may provide better usability.
- Furthermore, when many apparatuses such as a video camera, a DVD player, a BS (Broadcasting Satellite) tuner, a personal computer and the like are to be operated, an appropriate remote controller has to be used for controlling each corresponding apparatus, whereby imposing a heavy burden on a user.
- For this reason, it is desirable to provide a remote controller, an image display apparatus and a remote control system that may provide better usability and not impose a burden on the user when such apparatuses are operated.
- According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a remote control system that includes an image display apparatus and a remote controller for controlling the image display apparatus. The remote controller includes a first displaying unit for displaying information, a first communicator for communicating information to the image display apparatus, and a first controller. The image display apparatus includes a second communicator for communicating information to the first communicator. The first communicator transmits operational information to operate the image display apparatus to the second communicator. The first controller carries out controlling of the first displaying unit so that, if the first communicator transmits operational information to the second communicator, a remote controller side display information associated with the operational information is displayed on the first displaying unit, and a display position of the remote controller side display information displayed on the first displaying unit is moved towards the image display apparatus.
- For this reason, if the first communicator transmits the operational information to the second communicator, the remote controller side display information associated with the operational information is controlled such that its display position is moved towards the image display apparatus. Thus, it is possible to generate visual effect as if the remote controller side display information is physically moving from the first displaying unit of the remote controller to the image display apparatus, thereby giving impression to a user that the image display apparatus is indeed remotely controlled.
- According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a remote controller for controlling an image display apparatus. The remote controller includes: a third displaying unit for displaying a remote controller display information; a third operation unit for generating operational information based on a user's operation; a third communicator for conducting two-way information communication to the image display apparatus; and a third controller for displaying remote controller display information on the third displaying unit, and transmitting the operational information to the image display apparatus by using the third communicator. The remote controller display information displayed on the third displaying unit includes a third remote controller display information transmitted to the third communicator from the image display apparatus.
- Accordingly, as the remote controller display information displayed on the third displaying unit of the remote controller, it is possible to use the third remote controller display information transmitted to the third communicator from the image display apparatus.
- Furthermore, according to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an image display apparatus that can be remotely operated by a remote controller. The image display apparatus includes: a fourth communicator for conducting two-way information communication to the remote controller; and a fourth controller. The fourth controller controls operation of the image display apparatus in accordance with operational information, which is received by the fourth communicator from the remote controller, and transmits a third remote controller display information to be displayed on a third displaying unit provided in the remote controller to the remote controller by using the fourth communicator.
- Accordingly, as the remote controller display information to be displayed on the remote controller, it is possible to use the third remote controller display information transmitted to the remote controller from the fourth communicator of the image display apparatus.
- Furthermore, according to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a remote control system including an image display apparatus and a remote controller for remotely controlling the image display apparatus. The remote controller is provided with a third displaying unit for displaying a remote controller display information, a third operation unit for generating operational information based on a user's operation, a third communicator for conducting two-way information communication to the image display apparatus, and a third controller. The image display apparatus comprises a fourth communicator for conducting two-way information communication to the remote controller, and a fourth controller. The third controller controls to display the remote controller display information on the third displaying unit, and transmits the operational information to the fourth communicator by using the third communicator. The fourth controller controls an operation of the image display apparatus in accordance with the operational information received from the third communicator, and transmits a third remote controller display information to the remote controller by using the fourth communicator. The remote controller display information displayed on the third displaying unit by the third controller includes the third remote controller display information.
- Accordingly, as the remote controller display information displayed on the third displaying unit of the remote controller, it is possible to use the third remote controller display information transmitted to the third communicator of the remote controller from the fourth communicator of the image display apparatus.
- In the present invention, embodiments in which the remote controller is used to control the image display apparatus. Alternatively, the remote controller of the present invention may also be used to control other apparatus having a display.
- The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote control system in a first embodiment;FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a remote controller in the first embodiment;FIG. 3 is an explanation view showing a usage state of the remote control system in the first embodiment;FIG. 4 (A1) toFIG. 4 (A5) are explanation views showing display contents on a display screen of an image display apparatus in the first embodiment;FIG. 4 (B1) toFIG. 4 (B5) are explanation views showing display contents on a display screen of the remote controller in the first embodiment;FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the remote control system;FIG. 6 is an explanation view of display states in the remote controller and the image display apparatus in the first embodiment;FIG. 7 (A1) toFIG. 7 (A4) are explanation views showing display contents on a display screen of an image display apparatus in a second embodiment;FIG. 7 (B1) toFIG. 7 (B4) are explanation views showing display contents on a display screen of the remote controller in the second embodiment;FIG. 8 is an explanation view of display states in the remote controller and the image display apparatus in the second embodiment;FIG. 9 (A1) toFIG. 9 (A4) are explanation views showing display contents on a display screen of an image display apparatus in a third embodiment;FIG. 9 (B1) toFIG. 9 (B4) are explanation views showing display contents on a display screen of the remote controller in the third embodiment;FIG. 10 is an explanation view showing a configuration of a remote control system in a fourth embodiment;FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote control system in another embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a remote controller in another embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 13 is an explanation view showing a usage state of the remote control system in another embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 14A is an explanation view showing a stand-by screen of the remote controller;FIG. 14B is an explanation view showing a main menu display screen of the remote controller;FIG. 14C is an explanation view showing a low order menu display screen;FIG. 14D is an explanation view showing another low order menu display screen;FIG. 15A is an explanation view showing a display screen for displaying a program table;FIG. 15B is an explanation view showing a display screen of a recording reservation;FIG. 16 is an operational flowchart of a remote control system in another embodiment of the present invention;FIG. 17A is an explanation view showing a display screen when WWW is read;FIG. 17B is an explanation view showing another display screen when WWW is read;FIG. 17C is an explanation view showing still another display screen when WWW is read;FIG. 18A is an explanation view showing a display screen at a time of a reproduction through a video recorder; andFIG. 18B is an explanation view showing a display screen at a time of a reproduction through a video camera.- Remote control systems in accordance with embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a remote control system in a first embodiment. Aremote control system 100 is provided with aremote controller 10 and animage display apparatus 20 that may be remotely controlled by thisremote controller 10.- The
remote controller 10 is provided with afirst communicator 1002, afirst operation unit 1004, a first displayingunit 1006, afirst memory 1008, afirst controller 1010, afirst audio generator 1012, avibration generator 1014 and a battery (not shown) that functions as a power supply, and the like. - The
first communicator 1002 is configured so as to carry out two-way wireless communication to asecond communicator 2002 of theimage display apparatus 20. The present embodiment is described under an assumption that an infrared-ray communication is used as the wireless communication between theimage display apparatus 20 and theremote controller 10. - The
first operation unit 1004 carries out operation for remotely controlling theimage display apparatus 20, and it is configured so as to generate operational information based on the operation performed by a user and enter it into thefirst controller 1010. The actual configuration of thefirst operation unit 1004 will be described later. - The first displaying
unit 1006 may comprise, for example, a liquid crystal display, and it is configured so as to display the remote controller side display information. The remote controller side display information is used for operating thefirst operation unit 1004. Incidentally, the actual configuration of the first displayingunit 1006 will be described later. - The
first memory 1008 may comprise a ROM region for storing a program to be carried out by thefirst controller 1010 and a RAM region that can be used to write/read data by thefirst controller 1010. - The
first audio generator 1012 generates a predetermined audio signal under control of thefirst controller 1010. The audio signal is outputted so as to inform so as to inform the user that the operational information is transmitted to theimage display apparatus 20 from theremote controller 10. Details will be described later. - The
vibration generator 1014 generates a predetermined vibration under control of thefirst controller 1010. The vibration is generated so as to inform the user that the operational information is transmitted to theimage display apparatus 20 from theremote controller 10. Details will be described later. - The
first controller 1010 comprises a CPU and configured so as to be operated by executing operational programs stored in thefirst memory 1008. Thefirst controller 1010 controls thefirst communicator 1002, thefirst operation unit 1004, the first displayingunit 1006, thefirst memory 1008, thefirst audio generator 1012 and thevibration generator 1014. - As shown in
FIG. 2 , theremote controller 10 comprises acase 1011 having a rectangular tablet shape. - On a top surface of the
case 1011, adisplay surface 1016 of the first displayingunit 1006 is placed at a position closer to a front side of the top surface so that thedisplay surface 1016 faces externally for a user's view. The first displayingunit 1006 is configured such that characters, figures, symbols, still image information and moving image information can be displayed on thedisplay surface 1016. - To cover the
display surface 1016, atouch panel 1018 having the same shape as the outer shape of thedisplay surface 1016 is placed on thedisplay surface 1016 so that thetouch panel 1018 placed on top of thedisplay surface 1016. Thetouch panel 1018 is configured such that contents displayed on thedisplay surface 1016 can be transparently viewed thereby enabling the user to operate thetouch panel 1018 by a touch of a finger or a pen1020. - The
display surface 1016 and thetouch panel 1018 are configured to carry out the operation similar to that of a tablet that functions as a pointing device, in accordance with the control of thecontroller 1010. Accordingly, it is possible to use the pen1020 to select one or a group of image information displayed on thedisplay surface 1016, drag the selected image or any other pointing operation. - A plurality of
operational buttons 1022 are placed on bottom side of thedisplay surface 1016. The first operation unit1004 (operating device) comprises thetouch panel 1018 and theoperational buttons 1022. - Further, an infrared-ray receiving/emitting device (not shown) constituting the
first communicator 1002 is placed at a position of a front end of thecase 1011. An infrared-ray signal is transmitted (light is emitted) from this infrared-ray receiving/emitting device. Then, the infrared-ray signal is received (the light is received) by the infrared-ray receiving/emitting device. - As shown in
FIG. 1 , theimage display apparatus 20 comprises thesecond communicator 2002, asecond operation unit 2004, a second displayingunit 2006, asecond memory 2008, asecond controller 2010, an external input/output controller 2012 and anaudio generator 2014. - The
second communicator 2002 is configured so as to carry out two-way wireless communication to thefirst communicator 1002. The present embodiment is described under the assumption that the infrared-ray communication is used as the wireless communication. - The
second communicator 2002 is configured so as to transmit the remote controller side display information to thefirst communicator 1002. - The
second operation unit 2004 is configured so as to carry out a direct operation of theimage display apparatus 20 and generate operational information based on the user's operation. The generated operational information is entered into thesecond controller 2010. - The second displaying
unit 2006 comprises, for example, a CRT, a liquid crystal display or a plasma display. The second displayingunit 2006 is configured so as to display a still image information and a moving image information on its display surface1007 (refer toFIG. 3 ). - The
second memory 2008 comprises a ROM region for storing programs to be carried out by thesecond controller 2010, a ROM region for storing information required for the program execution and a RAM region that can be written/read by thesecond controller 2010. - The external input/
output controller 2012 interfaces a reception or an output of a signal from or to an external apparatus and selects an input signal (contents). External apparatuses that can be connected to the external input/output controller 2012 may include various AV apparatuses such as a television tuner, a video recorder, a video camera, a radio, a personal computer and the like. - Accordingly, the external input/
output controller 2012 may be able to receive an image signal and an audio signal of a television broadcast, an image signal and an audio signal from a video recorder or a video camera, and an audio signal from a radio. - Furthermore, the external input/
output controller 2012 has a function of transmitting and receiving a data signal and a control signal to and from a personal computer. - Furthermore, the external input/
output controller 2012 may be connected to Internet through a network such as LAN or the like. In this case, it is necessary that the external input/output controller 2012 is configured as a terminal device having a network communicating function. - The external input/
output controller 2012 is configured so as to select those signals in accordance with control of thesecond controller 2010, and enter the selected signals into the second displayingunit 2006 and theaudio generator 2014, or output signals as required. - The
audio generator 2014 comprises a speaker and an amplifier (which are not shown) and the like. Theaudio generator 2014 is configured so as to generate audio signals from an input signal and output the generated audio signal. Furthermore, theaudio generator 2014 generates a predetermined audio signal in accordance with control of thesecond controller 2010. This audio signal is generated so as to inform the user that the operational information corresponding to the user's operation is transmitted to theimage display apparatus 20 from theremote controller 10. Details will be described below. - The
second controller 2010 comprises a CPU and configured so as to be operated by carrying out operational programs stored in thesecond memory 2008. Thesecond controller 2010 controls thesecond communicator 2002, thesecond operation unit 2004, the second displayingunit 2006, thesecond memory 2008, the external input/output controller 2012 and theaudio generator 2014. Furthermore, thesecond controller 2010 generates the remote controller side display information to be transmitted to theremote controller 10. FIG. 3 is an explanation view schematically illustrating displays to be used during operation of theremote control system 100.- As shown in
FIG. 3 , a user P located at a position away from theimage display apparatus 20 operates theoperation unit 1004 of theremote controller 10 to remotely control theimage display apparatus 20. Theremote controller 10 carries out two-way communication between thefirst communicator 1002 and thesecond communicator 2002 of theimage display apparatus 20. - Furthermore, a charging device (battery charger)1028 is placed in the vicinity of the
image display apparatus 20. It is configured such that the battery is charged by placing theremote controller 10 on thecharging device 1028. - The operation of the
remote control system 100 and remote operation of theimage display apparatus 20 will be described below with reference toFIG. 4 (A1) toFIG. 4 (A5). - FIGS.4(A1) to4(A5) are explanation views showing displayed contents of the
display surface 2007 of theimage display apparatus 20, andFIG. 4 (B1) toFIG. 4 (B5) are explanation views showing displayed contents of thedisplay surface 1016 of theremote controller 10. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the remote control system. Here, it is assumed that theremote controller 10 and theimage display apparatus 20 are at stand-by mode at first.- At the stand-by mode, the
remote controller 10 displays a predetermined stand-by screen image on the display surface1016 (Step S10). - Here, when the user P touches the
touch panel 1018 of theremote controller 10, thesecond controller 2010 starts a preset processing to, for example, display a predetermined menu screen on the display surface1016 (Step S12). Functions that may be controlled by theremote controller 10 are displayed on the menu screen in form of various icons. For example, icons that trigger viewing of different apparatuses such a television, a video, a video camera, a DVD, Internet and the like may be displayed. - When the user P selects one of the icons corresponding to viewing of the television by using the pen1020, as shown in
FIG. 4 (B1), thefirst controller 1010 transmits a command of requesting transmission of image information of the last channel of the television displayed on theimage display apparatus 20, to thesecond communicator 2002 from the first communicator1002 (Step S14). - Since the command is received by the
second communicator 2002, thesecond controller 2010 controls the external input/output controller 2012, and transmits the image information of the last displayed channel from thesecond communicator 2002 to thefirst communicator 1002. Accordingly, theremote controller 10 displays the image information of the last channel received by thefirst communicator 1002, as a remote controller side display information D1, on the display surface1016 (Step S16). - At this time, as shown in
FIG. 4 (A1), nothing is displayed on thedisplay surface 2007 of theimage display apparatus 20. - Next, as shown in
FIG. 4 (B2),FIG. 4 (B3) andFIG. 4 (B4), since the user P uses the pen1020 and selects the remote controller side display information D1 and drags forwardly, namely, towards theimage display apparatus 20, a display position of the remote controller side display information D1 on thedisplay surface 1016 is visually moved towards the image display apparatus20 (Step S18). - In accordance with the movement operation of the remote controller side display information D1 done by the
first operation unit 1004, thefirst controller 1010 transmits the operational information associated with the remote controller side display information D1, namely, the command of requesting the display of the last displayed channel on thedisplay surface 2007, from thefirst communicator 1002 to the second communicator2002 (Step S20). - The transmission of the remote controller side display information D1 and the operational information from the
first controller 1010 may be initiated when a part of the remote controller side display information D1 arrives at an edge of thedisplay surface 1016. - In accordance with the fact that the
second communicator 2002 receives the command, thesecond controller 2010 controls the external input/output controller 2012, and displays an image of the last displayed channel as an image display apparatus side display information D2, as shown inFIG. 4 (A4),FIG. 4 (A5) (Step S22). - At this time, in order to inform the user that the command (operational information) is transmitted to the
image display apparatus 20 from theremote controller 10, thefirst controller 1010 generates a predetermined audio signal from thefirst audio generator 1012, for example, an audio signal to be changed from a tone of a high frequency to a low tone, and also generates a predetermined vibration by using the vibration generator1014 (Step S24). - Similarly, the
second controller 2010 generates a predetermined audio signal from thesecond audio generator 2014, for example, an audio signal to be changed from a tone of a low frequency to a high tone (Step S26). - On the other hand, the
first controller 1010 displays a television channel selection menu M1, and waits for an operational input to select a television channel (Step S28). - As mentioned above, according to the first embodiment, when the
first communicator 1002 transmits the operational information to thesecond communicator 2002, thefirst controller 1010 controls the first displayingunit 1006 so that the display position of the remote controller side display information D1 associated with the operational information is moved towards theimage display apparatus 20. - Thus, as shown in
FIG. 6 , the visual effect as if the remote controller side display information D1 is physically moved towards theimage display apparatus 20 from thedisplay surface 1016 of theremote controller 10 so that the user P may have an impression of remotely controlling theimage display apparatus 20. This is advantage of the present embodiment. According to the present embodiment, easiness of the remote operation by using theremote controller 10 may be improved. - With the transmission of the operational information to the
image display apparatus 20 from theremote controller 10, the audio signal is generated in theremote controller 10 and theimage display apparatus 20, and theremote controller 10 is vibrated. - For this reason, the transmission of the operational information can be recognized in forms of the audio signal and the vibration. This is advantage of the present invention and enables to improve easiness of the remote operation by using the
remote controller 10. - A second embodiment will be described below with reference to
FIGS. 5, 7 . - FIGS.7(A1) to7(A4) are explanation views showing the display content on the
display surface 2007 of theimage display apparatus 20, and FIGS.7(B-1) to7(B4) are explanation views showing the display content on thedisplay surface 1016 of theremote controller 10. - The different points of the second embodiment from the first embodiment are the manner of the remote controller side display information displayed on the
display surface 1016 of theremote controller 10 and the operational information associated thereto. - It will be described below along the flowchart of
FIG. 5 . At first, a stand-by screen is displayed (Step S10), and a menu screen is displayed, and a reproduction using a video camera is selected (Step S12). - Accordingly, as shown in
FIG. 7 (B-1), thefirst controller 1010 transmits a command of requesting a transmission of a thumbnail image of an image recorded in the video camera, from thefirst communicator 1002 to the second communicator2002 (Step S14). - Since the command is received by the
second communicator 2002, thesecond controller 2010 controls the external input/output controller 2012, and transmits the image information of the thumbnail obtained from the video camera, from thesecond communicator 2002 to thefirst communicator 1002. Accordingly, theremote controller 10 displays the image information of the thumbnail received by thefirst communicator 1002, as a remote controller side display information D3, on the display surface1016 (Step S16). - At this time, as shown in
FIG. 7 (A1), nothing is displayed on thedisplay surface 2007 of theimage display apparatus 20. - Next, as shown in FIGS.7(B2),7(B3) and7(B4), since the user P uses the pen1020 and selects one of the display information D3 and drags forwardly, namely, towards the
image display apparatus 20, a display position of the remote controller side display information D3 on thedisplay surface 1016 is visually moved towards the image display apparatus20 (Step S18). - In accordance with the movement operation of the remote controller side display information D3 done by the
first operation unit 1004, thefirst controller 1010 transmits the operational information associated with the remote controller side display information D3, namely, the command of requesting the display of the image information corresponding to the remote controller side display information D3 on thedisplay surface 2007, from thefirst communicator 1002 to the second communicator2002 (Step S20). - The transmission of the operational information from the
first controller 1010 may be started when a part of the display information D3 arrives at the edge of thedisplay surface 1016. - In accordance with the fact that the
second communicator 2002 receives the command, thesecond controller 2010 controls the external input/output controller 2012 so as to display an image display apparatus side display information D4 composed of the image information corresponding to the remote controller side display information D3 from the video camera, as shown in FIGS.4(A4),4(A5) (Step S22). - At this time, as shown in FIGS.7(A3),7(A4), the display of the image display apparatus side display information D4 on the second displaying
unit 2006 is done so as to provide the visual effect as if the remote controller side display information D3 was physically moved to the image display apparatus from theremote controller 10. - Moreover, the
second controller 2010 controls the second displayingunit 2006 so that the image display apparatus side display information D4 displayed on the second displayingunit 2006 has the size corresponding to the dimension of the display screen of thedisplay surface 2007, namely, it is enlarged fully on the display screen and displayed, in this embodiment. - The operations of the steps S24, S26 are similar to those of the first embodiment.
- Furthermore, the
first controller 1010 waits for an operational input to select a next thumbnail image (remote controller side display information D3) (Step S28). - As mentioned above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effect of the first embodiment, as shown in
FIG. 8 , this has the effect of further increasing the visual effect as if the remote controller side display information D3 was physically moved to theimage display apparatus 20 from theremote controller 10. Thus, this is advantageous in improving easiness of the remote operation by using theremote controller 10. - Moreover, as shown in
FIG. 8 , the image display apparatus side display information D4 displayed on the second displayingunit 2006 has the size corresponding to the dimension of the display screen of thedisplay surface 2007. Thus, this is advantageous in making the image display apparatus side display information D4 easily visible. - A third embodiment will be described below with reference to
FIGS. 5, 9 . - FIGS.9(A1) to9(A4) are explanation views showing the display content on the
display surface 2007 of theimage display apparatus 20, and FIGS.9(B-1) to9(B4) are explanation views showing the display content on thedisplay surface 1016 of theremote controller 10. - The different points of the third embodiment from the first embodiment are the manner of the remote controller side display information displayed on the
display surface 1016 of theremote controller 10 and the operational information associated thereto. - It will be described below along the flowchart of
FIG. 5 . At first, the stand-by screen is displayed (Step S10), and the menu screen is displayed, and a recording of WWW is selected (Step S12). - Accordingly, the
first controller 1010 transmits a command of requesting a transmission of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information, from thefirst communicator 1002 to the second communicator2002 (Step S14). - Since the command is received by the
second communicator 2002, thesecond controller 2010 controls the external input/output controller 2012, and transmits the URL information obtained from the terminal device, from thesecond communicator 2002 to thefirst communicator 1002. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 9 (B-1), theremote controller 10 displays the URL information received by thefirst communicator 1002, as a remote controller side display information D5, on the display surface1016 (Step S16). - At this time, as shown in
FIG. 9 (A1), nothing is displayed on thedisplay surface 2007 of theimage display apparatus 20. - Next, as shown in FIGS.9(B2),9(B3) and9(B4), since the user P uses the pen1020 and selects one of the display information D5 and drags forwardly, namely, towards the
image display apparatus 20, a display position of the remote controller side display information D5 on thedisplay surface 1016 is visually moved towards the image display apparatus20 (Step S18). - In accordance with the movement operation of the remote controller side display information D5 done by the
first operation unit 1004, thefirst controller 1010 transmits the operational information associated with the remote controller side display information D5, namely, the WWW reading operation based on the remote controller side display information D5, actually, the command of requesting to actuate a browser and display a browser screen on thedisplay surface 2007, from thefirst communicator 1002 to the second communicator2002 (Step S20). - The transmission of the operational information from the
first controller 1010 may be started when a part of the remote controller side display information D5 arrives at the edge of thedisplay surface 1016. - In accordance with the fact that the
second communicator 2002 receives the command, thesecond controller 2010 controls the external input/output controller 2012 so as to actuate the browser of the terminal device, carry out the WWW reading operation based on the remote controller side display information D5, and display an image display apparatus side display information D6 composed of a browser screen P, as shown in FIGS.9(A3),9(A4) (Step S22). - The operations of the steps S24, S26 are similar to those of the first embodiment.
- Furthermore, the
first controller 1010 waits for an operational input to select the URL information (remote controller side display information D5) (Step S28). - As mentioned above, according to the third embodiment, even if the manner of the remote controller side display information D5 is the URL information, it is possible to provide the effect similar to that of the first embodiment.
- The configuration having the single
image display apparatus 20 has been described in the above-mentioned respective embodiments. However, the present invention can be applied to the configuration having a plurality ofimage display apparatuses 20. - A fourth embodiment having a plurality of
image display apparatuses 20 will be described below with reference toFIGS. 1, 10 . FIG. 10 is an explanation view showing the configuration of a remote control system in the fourth embodiment. Aremote control system 200 includes aremote controller 10A and twoimage display apparatuses - Only different points of the fourth embodiment from the first to third embodiments will be described below.
- A
first operation unit 1004 of theremote controller 10A is configured such that the display position of a remote controller side display information D7 displayed on thedisplay surface 1016 of the first displayingunit 1006 can be moved in predetermined directions, namely, a first direction X and a second direction Y that are orthogonal to each other, in this embodiment. - Furthermore, the predetermined directions are associated in advance so as to be different from each other, correspondingly to the respective
image display apparatuses - Furthermore, a
first controller 1010 of theremote controller 10A is configured such that when the display position of the remote controller side display information D7 is moved in the predetermined direction by thefirst operation unit 1004, the operational information is transmitted to asecond communicator 2002 of theimage display apparatus first communicator 1002. - For this reason, by moving the movement direction of the remote controller side display information D7 in the predetermined direction associated with each of the
image display apparatuses image display apparatus - Furthermore, even in the fourth embodiment, it is possible to provide the effect similar to those of the first to third embodiments.
- Furthermore, the
first operation unit 1004 of theremote controller 10 is not always limited to the device using thetouch panel 1018. - It may be configured such that an operational member which can be slid or reclined is placed in a portion of a
case 1011 of theremote controller 10, and an operation of the operational member enables the display on the remote controller side to be moved. - In this case, the slid direction and the reclined direction of the operational member are set so as to be coincident with the movement direction of the remote controller side display information displayed on the display surface.
- Furthermore, it may be configured such that a switch to be pushed and operated is mounted on the portion of the
case 1011 of theremote controller 10, and an operation of the switch enables the display on the remote controller side to be moved. - Furthermore, it may be configured such that a home server (relay unit) is installed for carrying out two-way communication to the
first communicator 1002 of theremote controller 10 and also carrying out two-way communication to thesecond communicator 2002 of theimage display apparatus 20, and the communication between the first communicator and the image display apparatus is carried out through the home server. - Moreover, the remote controller side display information displayed on the
first operation unit 1004 of theremote controller 10 may be a still image, a moving image, a text data and an icon. - As mentioned above, according to the above-mentioned embodiments, it is possible to provide the visual effect as if the remote controller side display information was physically moved towards the image display apparatus from the first displaying unit of the remote controller so that the image display apparatus was remotely controlled. Hence, this is advantageous in improving easiness of the remote operation by using the remote controller.
- A remote controller, an image display apparatus and a remote control system in another embodiment of the present invention will be described below.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the remote control system in this embodiment.- A
remote control system 100B is provided with aremote controller 10B and animage display apparatus 20B remotely controlled by thisremote controller 10B. - The
remote controller 10B is provided with athird communicator 1002B, athird operation unit 1004B, a third displayingunit 1006B, athird memory 1008B, athird controller 1010B, and a battery (not shown) constituting a power supply, and the like. - The
third communicator 1002B is configured so as to carry out two-way wireless communication to afourth communicator 2002B of theimage display apparatus 20B. This embodiment is described under the assumption that the infrared-ray communication is used as the wireless communication. - This
third communicator 1002B is configured so as to receive a remote controller display information which is transmitted from thefourth communicator 2002B of theimage display apparatus 20B and will be described later. - The
third operation unit 1004B carries out an operation for remotely controlling theimage display apparatus 20B, and it is configured so as to generate operational information based on the operation and enter it into thethird controller 1010B. The actual configuration of thethird operation unit 1004B will be described later. - The third displaying
unit 1006B comprises, for example, a liquid crystal display, and it is configured so as to display the remote controller display information. The remote controller display information is used to operate thethird operation unit 1004B. Incidentally, the actual configuration of the third displayingunit 1006B will be described later. - The
third memory 1008B comprises a ROM region for storing a program carried out by thethird controller 1010B, a ROM region for previously storing a second remote controller display information serving as a part of the above-mentioned remote controller display information, and a RAM region that can be written by thethird controller 1010B. - The
third controller 1010B comprises CPU and configured so as to be operated by carrying out the operational program stored in thethird memory 1008B. Then, it controls thethird communicator 1002B, thethird operation unit 1004B, the third displayingunit 1006B and thethird memory 1008B. - As shown in
FIG. 12 , theremote controller 10B has acase 1012B having a shape of a rectangular plate, which has forward and backward lengths, left and right widths shorter than the lengths and upward and downward thicknesses shorter than the widths. - On a top surface that is one plane in the thickness directions of the
case 1012B, adisplay surface 1014B of the third displayingunit 1006B is placed at a position closer to a front while facing on an external portion. The third displayingunit 1006B is configured such that a character, a figure, a symbol, a still image information and a moving image information can be displayed on thedisplay surface 1014B. - Then, so as to cover the
display surface 1014B, a touch panel1015 having the same shape as the outer shape of thedisplay surface 1014B is placed on thedisplay surface 1014B while overlapping with it. The touch panel1015 is configured such that the display content of thedisplay surface 1014B can be transparently viewed and it can be operated by a touch of a finger or a touch pen. - On a back portion of the
display surface 1014B, afirst operation button 1016B, anoperational lever 1018B and asecond operation button 1020B are straightly arrayed in the width direction. - As shown in
FIG. 12 , in the portion closer to the rear of thedisplay surface 1014B, operation buttons (d1, d2 and d3) are displayed as a part of the remote controller display information at positions corresponding to positions of thefirst operation button 1016B, theoperational lever 1018B and thesecond operation button 1020B. The numbers, the shapes and the display contents of those operation buttons are changed on the basis of the remote controller display information. - The first and
second operation buttons operational lever 1018B is placed such that it can be slid around an axis line extended in the width direction, and it is always pushed towards a neutral position, and operated by reclining theoperational lever 1018B forwardly and backwardly. - Furthermore, in the portion behind the
first operation button 1016B, theoperational lever 1018B and thesecond operation button 1020B, a tonevolume adjusting button 1022B, a determiningbutton 1024B and achannel selecting button 1026B are arranged in certain intervals in the width direction. The respective buttons are operated by a pushing operation. - The
third operation unit 1004B is provided with thetouch panel 1015B, thefirst operation button 1016B, theoperational lever 1018B, thesecond operation button 1020B, the tonevolume adjusting button 1022B, the determiningbutton 1024B and thechannel selecting button 1026B. - Furthermore, an infrared-ray receiving/emitting device (not shown) constituting the
third communicator 1002B is placed at a portion on a front end of thecase 1012B. An infrared-ray signal is transmitted (emitted) from this infrared-ray receiving/emitting device, and the infrared-ray signal (the light) is received by the infrared-ray receiving/emitting device. - As shown in
FIG. 11 , theimage display apparatus 20B is provided with afourth communicator 2002B, afourth operation unit 2004B, a fourth displayingunit 2006B, afourth memory 2008B, afourth controller 2010B, an external input/output controller 2012B and anaudio output unit 2014B. - The
fourth communicator 2002B is configured so as to carry out two-way wireless communication to thethird communicator 1002B. This embodiment is described under the assumption that the infrared-ray communication is used as the wireless communication. - The
fourth communicator 2002B is configured so as to transmit to thethird communicator 1002B a first remote controller display information constituting a part of the remote controller display information. - The
fourth operation unit 2004B is configured so as to directly operate theimage display apparatus 20B, and then generate operational information based on the operation and further enter it into thefourth controller 2010B. - The fourth displaying
unit 2006B is constituted by, for example, a CRT, a liquid crystal display or a plasma display, and it is configured so as to display the still image information and the moving image information. - The
fourth memory 2008B comprises a ROM region for storing a program carried out by thefourth controller 2010B, a ROM region for storing another necessary information and a RAM region that can be written by thefourth controller 2010B. - The external input/
output controller 2012B interfaces a reception or an output of a signal from or to an external apparatus and selects an input signal (content). As the external apparatus connected to the external input/output controller 2012B, for example, there are various AV apparatuses, namely, a television tuner, a video recorder, a video camera, a radio, a personal computer and the like. - Thus, the external input/
output controller 2012B receives an image signal and an audio signal of a television broadcast, an image signal and an audio signal from a video recorder or a video camera, and an audio signal from a radio. - Furthermore, the external input/
output controller 2012B has a function of transmitting and receiving a data signal and a control signal to and from a personal computer. - Furthermore, the external input/
output controller 2012B may be connected to the Internet through a network such as LAN and the like. In this case, it is necessary that the external input/output controller 2012 is configured as a terminal apparatus having a communicating function. - The external input/
output controller 2012B is configured so as to select those signals in accordance with the control of thefourth controller 2010B, and enter into the fourth displayingunit 2006B and theaudio output unit 2014B or output a necessary signal. - The
audio output unit 2014B comprises a speaker and an amplifier (which are not shown) and the like, and it is configured so as to make the audio signal from an input audio signal and output it. - The
fourth controller 2010B comprises CPU and configured so as to be operated by carrying out the operational program stored in thefourth memory 2008B. Then, it controls thefourth communicator 2002B, thefourth operation unit 2004B, the fourth displayingunit 2006B, thefourth memory 2008B, the external input/output controller 2012B and theaudio output unit 2014B. Furthermore, it generates the remote controller display information to be transmitted to theremote controller 10B. FIG. 13 is an explanation view showing a usage state of theremote control system 100B.- As shown in
FIG. 13 , a user P located at a position away from theimage display apparatus 20B operates theoperation unit 1004B of theremote controller 10B, and carries out the two-way communication between thethird communicator 1002B and thefourth communicator 2002B of theimage display apparatus 20B, and remotely controls theimage display apparatus 20B. - Furthermore, a
charging device 1028B is placed in the vicinity of theimage display apparatus 20B. It is configured such that the battery is charged by installing theremote controller 10B in thischarging device 1028B. - The operation for using the
remote control system 100B and remotely operating theimage display apparatus 20B will be described below with reference to a flowchart ofFIG. 16 . Here, it is assumed that theremote controller 10B and theimage display apparatus 20B are at stand-by mode at first. - As shown in
FIG. 14A , theremote controller 10B indicates a stand-by screen at stand-by mode (Step S10B). - That is, the
display surface 1014B displays thereon a character information indicative of a year, a month and a day, and an image information indicative of a current time by a combination of a long needle and a short needle, and Furthermore displays thereon a menu button D1B to request a menu display and a television button D2B to request a television image display, as the remote controller display information to operate theremote controller 10B. - The menu button D1B and the television button D2B are a second remote controller display information stored in the
third memory 1008B, and they are the information used to operate thethird operation unit 1004B. - Here, when a user P operates the
first operation button 1016B corresponding to the menu button D1, the stand-by mode ends to then display a main menu (Step S12B). - That is, as shown in
FIG. 14B , a menu list D3B for listing the contents displayed on theimage display apparatus 20B and the functions of theimage display apparatus 20B, a return button D4B to return a display content to a display one display earlier, and a selection button D5 to select the menu D3B are displayed on thedisplay surface 1014B. - The menu button D3B, the return button D4B and the selection button D5B are the second remote controller display information previously stored in the
third memory 1008B, and it is the information used to operate thethird operation unit 1004B. - Then, the user P reclines the
operational lever 1018B corresponding to a selection button D5B forwardly and backwardly, moves a cursor displayed on the menu D3B to a position of a desired function, and then operates the determiningbutton 1024B at that state, and thereby determines the selected function. Thus, a low order menu is displayed (Step S14B). - When a ground wave television or a BS television is selected and determined, the screen (function screen) indicative of television station names (channels) D6B, D7B, and a program table button D8B is displayed on the
display surface 1014B, as shown inFIGS. 14C, 14D (Step S16). - Each ground wave television station name (channels) D6B, each BS television station name (channel) D7B and the program table button D8B as mentioned above are the second remote controller display information previously stored in the
third memory 1008B, and it is the information used to operate thethird operation unit 1004B. - Here, when the
second operation button 1020B corresponding to the program table button D8B is operated to select and determine a function, the return button D4B, a program table D9B, a recording/reserving button D10B and a different station button D11B to request a program table of a different station are displayed as shown inFIG. 15A . - That is, the
third controller 1010B of theremote controller 10B transmits the operational information requesting the program table D9B through thethird communicator 1002B to theimage display apparatus 20B (Step S18). - When the
fourth communicator 2002B receives the operational information, thefourth controller 2010B of theimage display apparatus 20B generates the program table D9B from EPG, which the external input/output controller 2012B receives from a television station, and transmits this program table D9B as the first remote controller display information through thefourth communicator 2002B to thethird communicator 1002B. Thus, thethird communicator 1002B receives the program table D9B (Step S20B). - The
third controller 1010B controls to display the return button D4B, the recording/reserving button D10B and the different station button D11B together with the program table D9B received by thethird communicator 1002B, on thedisplay surface 1014B of the third displayingunit 1006B, and then displays a functional screen (Step S22B). - Thus, the
third display 1006B displays thereon the program table D9B serving as the first remote controller display information, the return button D4B serving as the second remote controller display information previously stored in thethird memory 1008B, the recording/reserving button D10B and the different station button D11B. - Here, when the recording/reserving button D10B is operated, a reservation screen is displayed for selecting and entering a channel, a program name, a year, month, day and time in a start of a recording operation, a record destination and the like, as shown in
FIG. 15B (Step S24B). Furthermore, the return button D4B, a determining button12B and the different station button D11B are displayed. - On the reservation screen, the channel, the program name, the year, month, day and time in the start of the recording operation, and the record destination are set by using the
third operation unit 1004B. This setting is done by using the information of the program table and then operating theoperational lever 1018B or the determiningbutton 1024B. - Accordingly, the operational information generated by the
third operation unit 1004B is transmitted to theimage display apparatus 20B. Thefourth controller 2010B carries out the reservation recording setting of a tuner or a video recorder, in accordance with the received operational information (Step S26B). - The operation of the reservation recording setting is ended as mentioned above.
- Furthermore,
FIGS. 17A, 17B and17C show the screen examples displayed on thedisplay surface 1014B of theremote controller 10B when WWW is read after the Internet is selected on the menu screen ofFIG. 14B . FIG. 17A shows a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) D11B, a scroll button D12B to move a display area displayed on the fourth displayingunit 2006B of theimage display apparatus 20B, a return button D13B, a menu button D14B and a previous page button D15B, as the remote controller display information.FIG. 17B shows a URL D11B, a scroll button D12B, a page movement button D16B, a home page button D17B, a book mark button D18B, a return button D13B, a scroll button D19B and a cut button D20B for indicating a communication cut, as the remote controller display information.FIG. 17C shows the URL D11B, the page movement button D16B, the home page button D17B, the book mark button D18B, a cursor D21B, the return button D13B, the scroll button D19B and the cut button D20B for indicating the communication cut, as the remote controller display information.- The cursor D21B is the cursor serving as an index to move the cursor displayed on the fourth displaying
unit 2006B of theimage display apparatus 20B by operating thetouch panel 1015B with the touch pen. - When the WWW of the Internet is read, it is operated by displaying those screens shown in
FIGS. 17A, 17B and17C. - Those information D11B to D21B are the second remote controller display information previously stored in the
third memory 1008B, and they are the information used to operate thethird operation unit 1004B. - Furthermore,
FIG. 18A shows the screen example displayed on thedisplay surface 1014B of theremote controller 10B when the recorded content is read, after the video recorder or the video camera is selected, on the menu screen ofFIG. 14B . - In
FIG. 18A , a reproducing button D22B, a rewinding button D23B, a fast feeding button D24B, a backward head-search button D25B, a forward head-search button D26B, a stop button D27B, a content (program name) title D28B, a reproduction elapse time D29B, a return button D30B to return a display content to a display one display earlier, a selecting button D31B for selecting a content and the like, a detail display button D32B for displaying a detail of a content, a recordable remaining time D33B and the like are displayed as the remote controller display information on thedisplay surface 1014B. - When a reproduction image (moving image) of the video recorder is enjoyed, the screen shown in
FIG. 18A is displayed and operated. - Those information D22B to D34B are the second remote controller display information previously stored in the
third memory 1008B, and they are the information used to operate thethird operation unit 1004B. - Furthermore,
FIG. 18B shows the screen example displayed on thedisplay surface 1014B of theremote controller 10B when the recorded content is read, after the video camera is selected, on the menu screen ofFIG. 14B . - In
FIG. 18B , similarly toFIG. 18A , the reproducing button D22B, the rewinding button D23B, the fast feeding button D24B, the backward heading button D25B, the forward heading button D26B, the stop button D27B, the reproduction elapse time D29B, the return button D30B, the selecting button D31B, the detail display button D33, the recordable remaining time D34B and the like are displayed on thedisplay surface 1014B. - When a reproduction image (moving image) of the video camera is enjoyed, the screen shown in
FIG. 18B is displayed and operated. - Those information D22B to D34B are the second remote controller display information previously stored in the
third memory 1008B, and they are the information used to operate thethird operation unit 1004B. - As mentioned above, according to the
remote controller 10B, theimage display apparatus 20B and theremote control system 100B in this embodiment, it is possible to use the first remote controller display information transmitted to thethird communicator 1002B from theimage display apparatus 20B as the remote controller display information displayed on the third displayingunit 1006B of theremote controller 10B. - Thus, the remote controller display information to operate the
third operation unit 1004B of theremote controller 10B can be associated with the content displayed by theimage display apparatus 20B and the function of theimage display apparatus 20B. Hence, this is advantageous in improving easiness of use. - This embodiment is described by exemplifying the case in which the first and
second operation buttons operational lever 1018B are used as thethird operation unit 1004B. However, thetouch panel 1015B may be used. - Furthermore, it may be configured such that a home server (relay unit) is installed for carrying out two-way communication to the
third communicator 1002B of theremote controller 10B and also carrying out two-way communication to thefourth communicator 2002B of theimage display apparatus 20B, and the communication between the third communicator and the image display is carried out through the home server. - Furthermore, the remote controller display information displayed on the third displaying
unit 1004B of theremote controller 10B is not limited to this embodiment, and it may be the image information of the still image and the moving image. - Furthermore, the first remote controller display information and the operational information are not limited to this embodiment.
- For example, they can be configured as follows. That is, a character broadcast as the first remote controller display information and the like are transmitted from the
image display apparatus 20B to theremote controller 10B and displayed at any time. Then, when the user selectively operates the keyword portion of the displayed character broadcast by using thethird operation unit 1004B, the operational information indicative of the keyword is transmitted from theremote controller 10B to theimage display apparatus 20B. Accordingly, a television program in relation to the selected keyword is displayed in accordance with the operational information received by theimage display apparatus 20B. - Alternatively, they can be also configured as follows. That is, URL associated with a content of a television program is transmitted from the
image display apparatus 20B to theremote controller 10B and displayed as the first remote controller display information. Then, when a user selectively operates the displayed URL by using thethird operation unit 1004B, the operational information indicative of that URL is transmitted from theremote controller 10B to theimage display apparatus 20B. Accordingly, a site of the selected URL is displayed in accordance with the operational information received by theimage display apparatus 20B. - Furthermore, they may be configured as follows. That is, the keyword or the URL is once stored in the
third memory 1008B of theremote controller 10B. As necessary, it is again displayed on the third displayingunit 1006B, and the selective operation is carried out by thethird operation unit 1004B. - As mentioned above, according to the present invention, the first remote controller display information transmitted to the remote controller from the image display apparatus is used as the remote controller display information displayed on the remote controller. Thus, the remote controller display information to operate the remote controller can be associated with the content displayed by the image display apparatus and the function of the image display apparatus. Hence, this is advantageous in improving easiness of use.
- Although the present invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, obviously many changes, combinations and variations are possible therein. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Claims (17)
1-38. (canceled)
39. A remote controller configured to control an image display apparatus including:
a display unit configured to display remote controller display information;
an operation unit configured to generate operational information based on a user's operation;
a communicator configured to perform two-way information communication to said image display apparatus; and
a controller configured to display said remote controller display information on said displaying unit, and to transmit said operational information to said image display apparatus by using said communicator, wherein:
said remote controller display information displayed on the display unit comprises display information transmitted to said communicator from said image display apparatus and a content title when the content is read.
40. A remote controller according to claim1, wherein:
said remote controller display information further comprises remaining time or reproduction elapse time of the content.
41. A remote controller according to claim1, wherein:
said remote controller display information comprises a menu button to display a menu on said display unit.
42. A remote controller according to claim1, wherein:
said remote controller display information further comprises a return button to return a display content to a display one display earlier.
43. A remote controller according to claim1, wherein:
said remote controller display information further comprises a detail display button to display in detail.
44. A remote controller according to claim1, further comprising:
a memory configured to store a remote controller display information, wherein said remote controller display information is for controlling said image display apparatus.
45. A remote controller according to claim1, wherein: said remote controller display information is information used to operate said operation unit.
46. A remote controller according to claim1, wherein: said remote controller display information comprises at least one of still image data and moving image data.
47. A remote controller according to claim1, wherein: said remote controller display information comprises at least one of text data, graphic data and symbol data.
48. A remote controller according to claim1, wherein: said remote controller display information comprises URL data.
49. A remote controller according to claim1, further comprising:
a relay unit configured to carry out two-way communication to said communicator and carry out two-way communication to said image display apparatus, wherein the communications between said communicator and said image display apparatus is carried out through said relay unit.
50. A remote controller according to claim1, wherein:
said image display apparatus is controlled in accordance with said operational information.
51. A remote controller according to claim1, wherein:
said image display apparatus selects and displays contents received from a plurality of apparatuses, and the selection of said contents is carried out in accordance with said operational information.
52. A remote controller according to claim1, wherein:
said remote controller display information is associated with contents displayed by said image display apparatus or functions of said image display apparatus.
53. A remote controller configured to control an image display apparatus including:
a display means for displaying remote controller display information;
an operation means for generating operational information based on a user's operation;
a communication means for performing two-way information communication to said image display apparatus; and
a control means for controlling said display means to display said remote controller display information on said displaying unit, and for transmitting said operational information to said image display apparatus by using said communicator, wherein:
said remote controller display information displayed on said display unit comprises display information transmitted to said communication means from said image display apparatus and a content title when the content is read.
54. A method configured to control an image display apparatus from a remote controller, comprising steps of:
displaying remote controller display information on a display unit of said remote controller;
generating operational information based on a user's operation; and
receiving display information from said image display to said remote controller and transmitting said operational information from said remote controller to said image display apparatus; wherein:
remote controller display information displayed on said display unit comprises display information transmitted to said remote controller from said image display apparatus and a content title when the content is read.
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Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP3462613A2 (en) | 2019-04-03 |
| EP2980991B1 (en) | 2018-10-24 |
| EP3462613A3 (en) | 2019-05-08 |
| US9769412B2 (en) | 2017-09-19 |
| EP2980991A2 (en) | 2016-02-03 |
| EP1276237A1 (en) | 2003-01-15 |
| US7190345B2 (en) | 2007-03-13 |
| US20030020693A1 (en) | 2003-01-30 |
| US20140232943A1 (en) | 2014-08-21 |
| EP2980991A3 (en) | 2016-03-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation | Free format text:ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |