WO1996022633A1

WO1996022633A1 - Universal controller for radio receivers and ancillary equipment

Info

Publication number: WO1996022633A1
Application number: PCT/EP1995/000189
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guido Ciburski
Original assignee: Bauersachs, Petra
Priority date: 1995-01-19
Filing date: 1995-01-19
Publication date: 1996-07-25
Also published as: EP0819342A1

Abstract

A universal controller that can automatically execute all the control signals of all equipment subject to control is at all times informed as to equipment status and about all current broadcast programs. In ways which can be defined by the user it controls all connected equipment by way of the control interfaces available in each case and in addition provides an input, storage and output function where data is lacking. The type of control can be selected by the user. The program categories and other additional information are produced by the broadcast stations or staff of a central office and broadcast by radio (e.g. shortwave) or provided by remote data transmission. The equipment encompasses suitable receivers, transmitters and decoding processors. The device can be used in any household in the world since it has universal hookup to all equipment and operates independently of standards.

Description

Universal controller for radio receivers and their additional devices

A Technical task and objective;

Household appliances such as Televisions can only be operated in simple technical terms. More complex control options on the content level are missing. Modern home appliances like

- television,

- video recorders,

- SAT receivers,

- cassette recorders,

- CD players and others lack various complex control options because the two components required for this are missing:

- Necessary interfaces for communication between the devices

- Information channels necessary for the control of these devices

Examples of desired reactions of the individual devices on the content level:

1. A television should switch to the next non-violent program as soon as a violent scene that is unsuitable for children's eyes appears in the current program.

2. A video recorder should interrupt the recording of a program for the duration of a sex scene so that no scenes that are harmful to young people are recorded on video cassettes. The television should select a youth-free program for the duration of the sex scene or switch off. As soon as the sex scene is over, the television and video recorder should continue to function.

3. The channel change button on the remote control should no longer work numerically, but the offer and the sequence of the channels should be based on user-defined criteria: a filter should be placed on unwanted program scenes (eg sex and violence) and the visible programs should be based on the previous one user-defined rating. "Channel-Up" does not get the meaning "jump from channel x to +1" but "jump from an interesting program e.g. news, to an even more interesting program e.g. movie". In this way, the user does not confuse the overview with channel selections of more than 100 channels that are customary today.

4. Certain program sectors are to be assigned to a trigger function. For example, the television should switch on automatically in the event of crisis news or the video recorder should automatically record all feature films of a certain level without direct programming being necessary.

5. Certain programs are repeated on various channels daily or within a week. The television should no longer broadcast programs that the user has already seen.

6. The list of programs recorded on a cassette should contain the names of the programs, important data on the program, duration and sequence and should be printable so that the cassettes can receive their table of contents.

7. Individual programs on video recorders should be marked as deletable. New programs should be included in these areas.

8. A television should show which programs are currently starting in other channels and change there at the push of a button. 9. Some additional devices (eg satellite receivers) do not generate any channel processing, so they are all contained in the same channel in the TV (eg 0) and are controlled by their own remote control. The user can therefore only program video recordings if he previously selects the corresponding satellite channel and leaves the television and satellite receiver in it. The user wants a solution to this problem because, for example, he wants to record two programs on different satellite channels and therefore needs an automatic channel change.

10. The user of satellite systems wants the television to perceive (better) terrestrial reception as soon as both types of reception are possible, terrestrial and via satellite.

11. The user wants to control all devices with a universal remote control

12. In the case of programmed video recordings, in order to save energy, the user would like to switch off all devices involved before the broadcast begins.

13. The user no longer wants to take care of the selection of the shipments himself, but joins a service that carries out this selection. Switching to the appropriate channels should take place fully automatically.

14. Audiences should be able to be determined in a neutral and simple manner.

15. The user would like direct billing and decoding of individual shipments (pay per view).

16. Generally speaking, what is desired is a device that controls differentiated and e.g. changes the channel for the duration of the unwanted program form and then changes back itself.

According to the invention, all of the technical requirements outlined above are met for the first time by the device according to claim 1.

B) State of the art:

No comparable devices have been described so far.

The following attempts should be mentioned in the area of suppression of unwanted mail:

German patent DE 41 06 246 C1 from Grundig since February 28, 1991:

Not functional, because depending on the broadcast of constant block

End pictures that are either not broadcast at all by the broadcasters or vary.

Disclosure DE 4024695 A1 by Vendel, Karl-Heinz since 3/8/1990:

As above, only with end-tone detection.

European patent 0 366 001 A2 from Thomson Consumer Electronics since October 25, 1988: and European patent 0 384 388 A1 from RCA Licensing Corporation since February 21, 1989:

No economic importance as a timer only for programs with the same

Length works.

None of the devices mentioned is able to avoid the transmission of unwanted broadcasts in reality.

The following control problems are particularly unsolved: C) Problem description:

The problems that arise with the external control of multichannel receivers have not yet been solved:

- In which channel is the device to be controlled located?

- How is user intervention (channel change) recognized or prevented?

- Which channel should you switch to for the duration of the interruption?

- How can a channel change be carried out automatically and without unsuccessful attempts?

- How is it ensured that an unwanted program is not shown in this channel?

- How is the end of the unwanted scenes in the source channel recognized when there is only one receiver when the indicator is received via the receiver?

- How can a video recorder be stopped and started during recording in order to avoid unnecessary tape consumption and pauses?

- How can a reaction to events in channels not currently being received be implemented?

-How can a control be implemented when the receiver devices are switched off?

D) Solution description:

According to the invention, these problems are solved by a device having the features of patent claim 1, since all control signals (video on, off,

Channel change) can be carried out automatically and the patent device is informed at all times about all device states and about all current transmitter programs.

A universal controller controls all connected devices in a user-definable manner via the available control interfaces and also provides an input,

Storage and output function for missing information ready. The kind of

The user can choose control.

The program categorizations and other additional information are either generated by the broadcaster or broadcast by employees of a central office and broadcast by radio (e.g. shortwave) or by remote data transmission. The devices have suitable receivers, transmitters and

Decoding processors. The device can be used in all households worldwide, as it can be universally connected to all devices and works independently of the standards.

E) Design example:

The user must first save the assignment of his transmit channels to the device and train the frequencies of the individual remote control buttons. For this purpose, the device has a remote control receiver (infrared, ultrasound or other) and a memory that records which transmitter can be selected by which remote control signal and which frequencies the individual remote control buttons are assigned to. The device is then connected (in this configuration example) to a PC that reads out and manages this information.

The device remote control receivers and keyboards are pasted over and deactivated. All devices can only be controlled via the universal controller, which picks up the remote control frequencies via its own remote control receiver and forwards them to the connected PC. This decides by evaluation

- the custom settings,

- the additional information that is provided via remote data transmission, e.g. the categorization of programs in violence, news, etc.

- the saved device properties

- the current device status, e.g. from the previous controls result in the desired program or the desired device behavior.

The required control commands are determined by target / actual comparison and passed on to the devices via the SCART interface. Normally, this flow of information behaves transparently (e.g. if the user presses irrelevant buttons such as the sharpness button for program selection). However, as soon as the user-specific specifications are affected (e.g. no violent scenes), current user inputs are reinterpreted and the desired controls are enforced. All devices can still be operated via the remote control (since this is redirected) and also via the PC interface. The user could therefore have the programs selected by a third party who may be far away. Depending on the target group, this third party could take over the selection of the programs and put together an optimized program. The switching would then take place fully automatically.

The user guidance depends on the components used: display, switch or buttons enable the selection, storage and changes of user-related settings. It would be even easier to do this via the connected PC and its software. It would be adjustable e.g. the reaction to violent scenes, feature films or news. Examples of adjustable device functions:

- Switch to the next adult-free channel in violent scenes and then back again.

- Interrupt the video recording for the duration of unwanted scenes.

- Automatic switching to programs that are of particular interest to the user (news, sports) so that the start of these programs is not missed.

- Record all movies without time programming

- Blocking sex films for children from television

- Quiet places during non-music scenes in music programs.

- Program compilation or selection by a third party. The user guidance is interchangeable, for example in the EPROM. The categorization of the programs into, for example, violence, sports, news is carried out by employees in a central office who constantly monitor all the stations and can make the setting almost simultaneously.

The categorizations are coded together with the sender name as a signal and transmitted from the central office to all PCs. These have the appropriate receivers and decoders. Via the display, the user can be informed about events in channels that he would otherwise miss, e.g. "Beginning of feature films on ZDF". Of course with an acoustic signal and also when the television is switched off.

See Figure 4 for the following description of the function of the design example:

The invention can be installed in a device which is the size of a CD player. So you could put it under the television and connect it to the power supply.

In this exemplary embodiment, the device has a bidirectional PC interface. The universal controller can record remote control signals using its own remote control receiver. The display and control panel are state of the art. The remote control receivers of the television and the video recorder were pasted over and deactivated. The patent device controls televisions and video recorders by redirecting the Scart connection to the patent device. This type of intermediate connection gives the patent device the possibility of controlling the devices without missing control signals between the devices. The control decisions can be made by the connected PC or the patent device itself. In this example, the PC is indispensable for receiving the categorization information from a public data exchange network via modem. In this example, it can also be used for external control via a PC keyboard and to show the current station assignment on its display. The control of the television and video recorder in this example is handled by the patent device by control via SCART interfaces.

Abbreviations:

* UC = Universal Controller (patent device)

* PC = personal computer or other computer

Description of the image: Universal controller

Figure 1: Block diagram

Main components:

Read bus (9), write bus (10) establish the connection of the device to the environment. The processor (7) between the read and write buses takes control. The processor also has access to the memory (8).

The input media have a connection to the read bus. Examples are:

(1) the sub-channel receiver with digital decoder, e.g. a long-wave receiver with A / D converter and decoder.

(2) A bar code scanner with its controller. (3) Memory cards with controller. There are standard default values (4) in the factory memory, which are read into the memory if required. The keyboard of the device can also be used for input (5). Data from a personal computer can be read in (6) or from other input media or sensors with their controllers and A / D converters (11). This also includes random generators, timers or identification transmitters.

The output media in Figure 1 are limited to the examples: (12) display of the universal controller, a PC output interface (13) such as a parallel or serial interface. A printer interface (15) (e.g. a parallel interface) or other output options (16).

The control modules (19) are connected for the control commands on the write bus (10) and for feedback and user requests on the read bus (9). In general, each control module consists of at least one tapping device (17) or at least one relay device (18) or both. Structurally, these can be summarized in the control adapter (20). If the UC is deactivated, the control module can pass on the inputs of the tapping device (17) directly to the relaying device (18) without involving the UC. This signal path is identified in the control module by a dotted line.

Figure 2: General options for taking control of controls

MONO directional controls

Section 0): Initial situation.

Box A could e.g. be a remote control transmitter.

Box B could e.g. be a remote control receiver.

A is therefore a device that transmits control signals to device B and controls it.

Write / Send denotes the signal path, e.g. Infrared signals from the remote control transmitter on the way to the remote control receiver.

Various options are shown to control this signal path, i.e. to snatch the control from device A and move it to the universal controller:

Section 1): Full control

There is no signal transmission directly from A to B. All signals are first diverted to the UC and the latter decides which signals are ultimately passed on to B or generates its own signals.

If all control paths of device B are shielded in this way, the UC controls device B.

It is sufficient if at least one control path is diverted in this way and all others are totally interrupted in order to shift control from device B to the UC.

Section 2): No control, only involvement

The UC is only informed about the control by device A, but cannot actively intervene.

If other control options are available to the UC, the model is based on section 4).

Section 3): Indirect control, depending on A

In this example, the UC can actively influence control device A and indirectly control device B. Control commands are created later with a certain time delay.

Section 4): Unsafe control

As in 3), control commands are created later or at least in parallel. The response of target device B to simultaneous or parallel may contradicting commands may make this type of control unsafe.

Figure 3: General options for taking control of controls

Bi-directional control

Section 0): Initial situation.

Boxes A and B could e.g. be a SCART connector.

A and B exchange information and control each other.

Write / Send denotes the signal path, e.g. the SCART CABLE

The same applies to Sections 1) -3) for Figure 2. Figure 4: Example of arrangement

The structural integration of the universal controller into common audio and video device configurations is shown:

A television (2) with a receiving antenna (1) or connection to a satellite receiver and a video recorder (4), as well as a hi-fi system (3). All three devices can be operated remotely and have remote controls, e.g. Infrared remote controls (5).

The control adapters (round black dots) are glued in front of the respective remote control receivers and connected to the universal controller (6), which has its own secondary channel receiver (7). This receiver supplies the UC e.g. with the information needed at the same time as the television program to classify a program. The UC can therefore control the devices (2, 3, 4) mentioned.

An additional extension is shown in the picture:

The bidirectional connection of the UC to a personal computer (8).

The UC serves the PC as a device controller, similar to a hard disk.

Provided that the appropriate software is installed on the PC, all devices (2, 3, 4) can be controlled using a software program.

In this way, all inputs and

Output media can also be used by the UC.

Figure 5: Interfaces of common audio-video devices:

The possible control paths of the common audio and video devices and the other input and output paths are shown.

Output:

Speaker, display, screen

Input:

Keyboard fields, microphone, remote control keyboard, remote control receiver, sensors, antenna socket (SAT / TERR.)

Input and output:

SCART connections,

Figure 6: Specific design examples for the control of the most common audio-video interfaces.

For each interface from Figure 5, the complete control by the UC according to Figures 2 and 3 section 1) is shown.

Control device for keyboards:

A) Section A shows a read facility for buttons

A sensor (1) is placed over the button (2), which detects every button press and forwards it to the UC (READ device according to Figure 2 Section 2). Entire keypads could be covered by a flexible, transparent and soft film (3), which consists of these sensors and is divided in such a way that a clear signal is sent to the UC by pressing each key that is pressed. The sensors could be pressure sensitive or operate by changing the resistance and would have to be soft enough to pass on the original key press.

B) Section B shows a write device according to Figure 2 for keyboards:

Each button is covered with a print device.

A movable pin is normally retracted in the pushing device (4) and extended by a signal from the UC (5) (e.g. by an electro magnet). He presses the button and releases it. In order not to be pushed away, the pushing device is rigidly connected to the key surrounding body.

In this way, entire keypads can be checked by applying suitable pushing devices (6).

C) A read / write device for keyboards cannot be achieved by a combination of read device and write device, since the rear wall of the write device is fixed and does not transmit any key presses. Two ways are suggested:

1) Firstly, the above-mentioned write device, which is attached to the keyboard and on the back of an ordinary (replacement keyboard, both connected to the UC. (8) and (7)

2) A field with button bolts, the movement of which is recorded by the UC and which can be moved by the UC itself (with coils) (8b).

Due to the complex design, it is sufficient for devices with remote control to either not use the keyboard or to prevent use in order to give control to the UC. In practice, the above arrangements are therefore only necessary for functions which cannot be controlled by remote control and which are important for the control of the terminal. Go to picture 6:

Control device for remote controls (infrared, ultra-sound or other wireless information transmission)

Fig. 6 -D) A simple plate (13) can be placed in front of the remote control receiver in such a way that no signals can reach the receiver directly.

This plate consists of a remote control receiver (10) and a remote control transmitter (11).

The remote control signals are thus first sent from the remote control transmitter (9) to the UC (because tapped by the receiver of the plate = read device) and then (changed) from the UC to the transmitter of the plate (11), which is sent to the Receiver (12) of the target device sends.

Depending on the attachment of the plate, a full control according to Figure 2 section 1) can be achieved or an uncertain control according to Figure 2 section 4).

Full control is achieved when the plate completely shields the remote control receiver or the transmitter (if there are no other transmitters).

Uncertain control is achieved if direct signal paths remain possible, be it by only partially covering the transmitter or receiver or by placing this plate somewhere on the direct signal path or one that can be generated by radiation between the remote control transmitter and remote control receiver.

Internal connection to devices that have this control option as an option:

Figure 6- E)

All relevant information lines are looped out within the target device and fed back into the device (14). A plug (15), which simply short-circuits the output connections with the input connections, initially ensures that the target device functions without UC. The UC can then be connected by exchanging the plug (15) with the control adapter (16) of the UC. This adapter routes the two halves of the information channels separately to the UC. This can only loop through when the mode is switched off, similar to the connector (15), but can control the device when the mode is switched on.

Continued on picture 7

Figure 7 -A) Read-write devices for displays

Read device for displays (1 and 4): CCD scanners (2) or light-sensitive sensor matrices can digitize the optical information back with the help of OCR processes. If conventional displays (3) are used as write devices and these are placed over the read device and these over the original displays (5), the user is only shown what the UC allows.

B) Check SCART connections and connections

Two audio and video devices (1 and 2) can often be connected using SCART cables (5). Tapping takes place through an adapter plug which is inserted between the cable and one of the two sockets (3 and 4) and which forwards and returns the two plug pin sides separately to the UC. It can also be plugged into both sockets in the event that the cable is missing.

This is the interposition of read / write devices as shown in Figure 3 Section 1).

C) Checking speakers (1)

A microphone (2) is put on and connected to the UC. The UC emits the tones to a loudspeaker (3).

D) Checking microphones (1)

A loudspeaker (2) is put on and is supplied by the UC. The UC receives from a microphone (3).

Image 8:

Check the antenna input to set up a

PAY-PER-VIEW function

Figure 8- A) Situation for users without UC decoding:

A transmitter transmits on different channels in a random change. A receiving device without a UC is therefore not able to play an uninterrupted program. Since the coding is random, it is impossible to replicate the decoding device.

Figure 8 B) Situation for users with decoding by UC:

A (HUB) device is connected to the UC, which redirects the changing reception frequencies to a fixed frequency. The recipient can receive these items as long as the random change is always compensated for by the HUB. The HUB is informed of the change by listening to the secondary channel. The secondary channel can only be listened to by authorized participants by entering the USER CODES and paying. For example, the secondary channel could be done by logging into a computer network.

In terms of construction, the HUB is inserted between the receiving device and antenna in analogy to the previous control adapters. Here, too, there is a redirection to the HUB and a forwarding from the HUB to the receiving device, whereby non-pay-per-view channels are simply looped through. Setup of a PAY-PER-VIEW function without influencing the receiver setup.

Figure 8-C)

Figure 8-C) The receive current (6) is not affected in this embodiment. The transmission of a pay-per-view channel is randomly distributed over several frequencies (1), whereby all frequencies can be displayed and selected in the receiving device. The more frequencies used for this, the more disruptive it is for the user to switch to the current channel on which the current program is continued. Since the UC (2) is informed of the respective frequency at the same time via the secondary channel (4), it can independently switch the receiving device to the correct channel (3) as long as it is authorized to do so (5).

A receiver without switchover receives program 1, then program 3, then program 2 in the example at 1100 MHz. A receiver with switchover always receives program 1, first in the channel 1100 MHz, then 1200 MHz, then 1300 MHz.

The interference occurs here through the parameter of the reception frequency which is randomly varied and is simultaneously available to the authorized user as a decoding key via the secondary channel.

One variation is the change in volume, which the UC can also control and which also quickly removes the unauthorized user the pleasure of receiving unpaid programs.

General: Temporally random and parameterized disrupted program broadcasts, which can be compensated for by transmitting the disruption times and parameters through UC.

Claims

Claim 1 A universal controller consisting of:

1. Control option for the various end devices and/or for additional devices such as decoders

2. Possibility of recording the states in which the end devices are located

3. Capture ability for ongoing user actions

4. Ability to capture basic user preferences regarding desired general device responses

5. Capture option for additional information that is necessary to carry out user requests

6. Possibility of recording various properties of the end devices in order to be able to predict their reaction to controls

7. Possible possibility of preventing unwanted user interventions

8. Storage options for all resulting data

9. Output option for warnings, statistics, results, notes, user guidance

10. General electronic components to fulfill the tasks

11. Possibility of calculating the control for 1. as a function of 3.,4.,5.,6. and 8..

12. the feature that the UC is interposed in the human-terminal control link and/or in the program reception link, in such a way that the UC can intervene in any control, but irrelevant controls can still be passed on transparently.

Regarding 1.: Examples of control options for the various end devices:

1.1 Delivery of the corresponding signals to the remote control receivers of the devices via the remote control transmitters of the UC

1.2 Connection to SCART interface or other standardized control interfaces for issuing control commands

1.3 direct connection to internal circuits when installing the UC

1.4 Attaching keyboard controls

Example of controlling the end device: “Set the television to channel 4”

Regarding 2.: Examples of recording the terminal device states:

2.1 Calculation from initial state and captured user controls or from initial state and captured state signals

2.2 Connection to SCART interface or other interfaces from whose signals conclusions can be drawn about the status of the end device

2.3 direct connection to internal circuits when installing the UC

2.4 Attachment of suitable sensors (acoustic, optical, etc.), which are attached, for example, via light-emitting diodes or in front of loudspeakers

Example for terminal device status: "Current television channel is channel no. 12" Regarding 3. Examples of recording user control:

3.1 Listening to the remote control frequency

3.2 Connection to SCART interface

3.3 direct connection to internal circuits when installing the UC

3.4 Input via PC input interface

3.5 Recording of keyboard operations using sensor surfaces placed over the terminal keyboard.

Example of user control: "User selects channel button 4"

Regarding 4. Examples of the possibility of recording user wishes for the device reactions:

4.1 Factory default

4.2 Input via the keyboard and display of the UC

4.3 Input via PC interface via software

4.5 direct connection to the internal circuits and memory of the end device when installing the UC in the end device

4.6 Scanner for e.g. barcode

4.7 Listening to the remote control frequency, input using codes from the normal remote control

Examples of a desired device response (user request):

“Television should prevent the broadcast of sex or violent scenes”

"The video recorder should record all animal films, regardless of the channel"

“As soon as a better feature film is shown on a channel, the TV channel should switch to it”

"Signal for feature films with certain actors"

Regarding 5. Examples of the possibility of recording additional information that is necessary to carry out user requests:

(Transmission on multiple frequencies or time slice method)

5.1 Receiver for secondary channel (radio)

5.2 Picking up the television signals in front of the receiver, with at least one television station providing the necessary information, or this information being mixed in in a cable network

5.3 Inserting memory cards

5.4 PC interface, whereby the PC in turn receives current information via radio, modem or other direct connections and/or less current information via diskette/hard drive/CD-ROM.

5.5 The above examples (5.1-5.4) apply to both internal (built-in) and external (additional devices) UCs.

5.6 Scanner for e.g. barcode

Examples of additional information that is necessary to carry out user requests:

- Ongoing: "Show name and currently broadcast category" e.g. news on CNN, music on MTV

- in advance: TV magazine with additional information e.g. time 8:15 p.m. Feature film on SKY with actors X, Y, Z worth seeing Category 4 directed by xy, 1956, black and white mono, etc Regarding 6. Examples of recording options for various properties of the end devices. Necessary to be able to predict reactions to controls:

6.1 Factory default, selectable according to common manufacturing types

6.2 Input via the keyboard and display of the UC

6.3 Input via memory cards

6.4 Input via PC interface via software

6.5 The above examples (6.1-6.4) apply to both internal (built-in) and external (additional devices) UCs.

6.6 Scanner for e.g. barcode

6.7 Listening to the remote control frequency, input using codes from the normal remote control

Examples of device properties: -"TV always starts with channel 1" -"TV starts with the last active channel" -"TV works with three-digit channel selection" -"TV is type XY"

Regarding 7. Examples of ways to prevent unwanted user interventions

7.1 Closing, masking, switching off or destroying the keyboard as a control option

7.2 Clear indication that end devices should only be used via remote controls.

Example of unwanted user intervention: Keyboard operations on the terminal devices are disruptive, for example, if the terminal device state is calculated using the start state and detection of the following remote control signals. See Constitution 2.1. In this case, the (simulated or assumed) terminal device state may differ from the actual one and may require a reset, since this method lacks a return channel for querying the terminal device state.

Regarding 8. Examples of storage options for all resulting data

8.1 own read-write permanent memory e.g. memory cards, RAM, hard drives, etc. for digital information.

8.2 Use of third-party storage via data line (e.g. PC or end device)

Examples of resulting data:

Internal tables are managed in the UC for recording, evaluating the recorded data, issuing the appropriate control impulses, keeping the UC software ready, for temporary storage during calculations and for output to third-party devices (printers).

Examples:

- Table of device-specific properties

- Table with all available channels

In each case: channel number, broadcast name, current category and statistical information: frequency of use and by which

User, duration of use by which user Regarding 9. Examples of output options for warnings, statistics, results, notes and/or user prompts

9.1 Display on the UC or, if installed, the end device display

9.2 Output via PC interface to software, PC screens or modem

9.3. Output to your own printer interface and/or connection to install your own printer

Example of expenses:

- Current UC settings on display

- Display of the best channels with channel number and current program

- Print out the recordings on current video tape to stick on the cassette with all relevant information.

- Viewing habits for media industry evaluations

Regarding 10. Examples of general other electronic components:

10.1 Alarm sirens and their controllers

10.2 Display and its controllers

10.3 RAM and processor

10.4 Permanent Storage

10.5 Power supply, timer, basic ROM

10.6 Data and address bus and its control

10.7 Buttons, switches and their controllers

10.8 Software (e.g. in EPROM)

Depending on the design, one or more of the following components/modules:

10.9 depending on the number of connected devices, one or more Scart ports

10.10 depending on the number of connected devices, remote control transmitter (infrared, ultrasound or others)

10.11 depending on the number of connected devices, remote control receiver (infrared, ultrasound or others)

10.12 Printer output interface and its interface components (parallel/serial)

10.13 bidirectional PC interface (parallel, serial, Ethernet, etc.) and its controller

To 12. Examples of control interconnection of the UC

Depending on the transmission technology, the control signals are redirected using reverse transmitting (writing) and receiving (reading) devices. The transmission path user-transmitter->receiver-device is redirected, for example, through transmitter->UC-receiver-UC-UC-transmitter->receiver

12.1 Full control by redirecting the user<->device signal path to the user<->UC<->device signal path, whereby signals that are irrelevant for control pass through the UC transparently.

Example: User->Remote control transmitter->FB receiver of the device becomes: User->Remote control transmitter->UC receiver->UC->UC-FB transmitter->FB receiver device

12.2 Participation of the UC by expanding the transmitter->receiver signal path into two signal paths: 1. Transmitter-receiver, 2. Transmitter->UC

The UC is therefore informed about every control of the device, but cannot actively intervene.

12.3 Indirect control, depending on the sender (user)

The signal path sendβr->receiver is expanded into three signal paths as in 12.2: 1. transmitter->receiver, 2. transmitter->UC, 3. UC->transmitter

Manipulation of the receiver by the UC is (only) possible via the transmitter. Control commands from the UC would come with a certain delay in response to control signals from the transmitter.

12.4 Unsafe Control

The transmitter->receiver signal path is expanded to include the transmitter->UC signal path and the UC->receiver signal path. This type of control may be unpredictable due to delayed or parallel signals.

12.5 Bidirectional Control

Further examples analogous to the intermediate connections mentioned in 12.1-12.4 through full or partial replacement of the reading and writing devices in reading/writing devices. The symbol "->" should be replaced by "<->".

Subclaim 1

Universal controller consisting of a control as in example 1.1 a status capture as in example 2.1 a user control capture as in example 3.1 a user request capture as in example 4.2 and/or 4.7 an additional information capture as in example 5.1 a terminal property capture as in example 6.2 a prevention option for unwanted user interventions as in Example 7.1 of a data storage device as in Example 8.1 of an interposition of the UC in the user->device control path as in example

12.1 Subclaim 2

Method for implementing a PAY-PER-VIEW function using a UC from claim 1 for controlling a decoding device, such that the decoding device detects temporally random interference signals transmitted at the same time

Filters out secondary channel information and / or a UC from claim 1 whose control behavior represents the decoding, such that the program reception would be unusable without the UC, but the UC enables usable reception through controls that match the interference signal.

Subclaim 3

The signal intermediate circuits mentioned in examples to 12, claim 1:

The redirection of the control signals, depending on the transmission technology, through reverse transmitting (writing) and receiving (reading) devices. The transmission path user-transmitter->receiver-device is redirected, for example, through transmitter->UC-receiver-UC-UC-transmitter->receiver

1. through full control = by redirecting the user<->device signal path to the user<->UC<->device signal path, whereby signals that are irrelevant to control pass through the UC transparently.

Example: User->Remote control transmitter->FB receiver of the device becomes: User->Remote control transmitter->UC receiver->UC->UC-FB transmitter->FB receiver device and/or

2. through the participation of the UC = by expanding the signal path sender->receiver into two signal paths: 1. sender-receiver, 2. sender->UC

The UC is therefore informed about every control of the device, but cannot actively intervene., and/or

3. through indirect control, depending on the sender (user).

The transmitter->receiver signal path is expanded into three signal paths as in 12.2: 1. transmitter->receiver, 2. transmitter->UC, 3. UC->transmitter

Manipulation of the receiver by the UC is therefore (only) possible via the transmitter. Control commands from the UC would come with a certain delay in response to control signals from the transmitter. and or

4. through insecure control«

The transmitter->receiver signal path is expanded to include the transmitter->UC signal path and the UC->receiver signal path. This type of control may be unpredictable due to delayed or parallel signals. and/or δ.through bidirectional control interconnection as above-mentioned interconnections 1.-5. through full or partial replacement of reading and writing devices in reading/writing devices. The symbol "•>" must be replaced by "<->".

Abbreviations: UC= Universal Controller (patent device) PC- personal computer or other computers CHANGED CLAIMS

[received by the International Bureau on January 9, 1996 (09.01.96); . original claims 1 and 3-6 amended; all other claims unchanged (8 pages)]

Patent claim 1

A universal controller consisting of:

2. Possibility of recording the states in which the end devices are located

3. Capability to record ongoing user actions

5. Possibility of recording additional information that is necessary to carry out user requests

6. Possibility of recording various properties of the end devices in order to be able to calculate their reaction to controls in advance

7. Possible possibility of preventing unwanted user interventions

8. Storage options for all resulting data

9. Output option for warnings, statistics, results, notes, user guidance

10. General electronic components to fulfill the tasks

11. Calculation possibility of the control for 1. as a function from 3.-4.,5.,6. and 8..

Subclaim 1

Universal controller consisting of a control as in example 1.1 a status capture as in example 2.1 a user control capture as in example 3.1 a user request capture as in example 4.2 and/or 4.7 an additional information capture as in example 5.1 a terminal property capture as in example 6.2 a prevention option for unwanted user interventions as in Example 7.1 of a data storage device as in Example 8.1 of an interposition of the UC in the user->device control path as in Example 12.1

Subclaim 2

Method for implementing a PAY-PER-VIEW function using a UCs from claim 1 for controlling a decoding device, such that the decoding device filters out temporally random interference signals through simultaneously transmitted secondary channel information (Figure 8 A, 8 B) and / or one UCs from claim 1 whose control behavior represents decoding in such a way that program reception would be unusable without the UC, but the UC enables usable reception through controls that match the interference signal. (Picture 8 C)

AMENDED SHEET ARπKEL1 Subclaim 3

The basic functions 6,7 and 11 from Address 1 individually and in combination, i.e. devices with the individual or integrated range of functions:

3.1: Function 6

3.2: Function 7

3.3: Function 11

3.4: Function 6 together with function 7

3.5: Function 6 together with function 11

3.6: Function 7 together with function 11

3.7: Function 6 together with functions 7 and 11

Subclaim 4

Functional expansion of devices with functions 2+5+8+9+10+12 to include functions 1,3,4,6,7,11 individually or in combined expansion.

Subclaim 5

Functional expansions of devices with functions 1+3+4+5+8+9+10+12 expanded by functions 2,6,7,11 individually or in combined expansion.

Subclaim 6

The following specific configurations as a concrete structural arrangement for carrying out the basic functions mentioned (see examples below for reference in brackets):

6.1: (1.2) Connection to SCART interface or other standardized control interfaces for issuing control commands (also via pins that were not intended for this purpose)

6.2.: (1.3) direct connection to internal circuits when installing the UC in some or all of the terminal devices for the purpose of issuing control commands to terminal devices

6.3: (1.4) Attachment of keyboard controls (see Figure 6: B 4.-6. and C 7 -8b) for issuing control commands

6.4: (2.1) Calculation from initial state and captured user controls or from initial state and captured state signals for the purpose of capturing the terminal device states

6.5: (2.2) Connection to SCART interface or other interfaces from whose signals conclusions can be drawn about the status of the terminal device. (e.g. video signals, AV channel switching level, or bar detection and thus conclusions about program type: article/advertising, or logo recognition and thus conclusions about program type and current program)

Through the audio part of the SCART input, patterns in the sound stream can be recognized, which can be compared with predetermined patterns of the additional information (claim 1.5) and provide conclusions about, for example, the current program. (2.4) Optical sensor that can obtain status information from the display of the end devices and display it in modified form. (Figure 7 A)

6.6: (3.2) Connection to SCART interface for recording user controls (e.g. channel switching causes signal level change)

6.7: (3.4) Input via PC input interface for the purpose of recording user control (TV remote control via PC)

6.8: (3.5) Recording of keyboard operations through sensor surfaces placed over the terminal keyboard (see Figure 6: C 7 - C8b) "Eavesdropping on the terminal keyboards"

6.9: (4.3) Input via PC interface via software for the purpose of recording the basic user wishes for the reactions of the end devices 6.10: (4.5) direct connection to the internal circuits and memory of the end device when installing the UC in end devices in order to record the general user wishes for the reactions of the end devices

6.11: (5.4) Acquisition of additional information via the PC interface, whereby the PC in turn receives current information via radio, modem or other direct connections and or less current information via diskette/hard drive/CD-ROM. “Use of (third-party) PC interfaces”

6.12: (6.1) Recording of the end device properties by factory default, selectable according to common manufacturing types, e.g. using a device response pattern file according to the control libraries of universal remote controls

6.13: (6.3) Recording of the terminal device properties by inserting a variable memory card

6.14.: (6.4) Recording of the end device properties by input via PC interface using software

6.15: (7.1) To stabilize and prevent unwanted user interventions (e.g. by unauthorized users), disable the device keyboard by closing, taping, switching off or destroying the keyboard as a way to control the relevant functions or by periodically recurring stabilizing control signals that prevent any unwanted user interventions can compensate.

6.16: (7.2) In order to stabilize and prevent unwanted user interventions (e.g. from unauthorized users), other remote controls should be disabled by clearly indicating that terminal devices should only be used via certain remote controls or by removing annoying remote controls.

6.17: (8.2) Use of third-party storage via data line (e.g. PC or end device) to store all data

6.18: (9.2) Use of third-party (PC) output media via PC interface to software, PC screens or modem

6.19: (10.9) depending on the number of connected devices, one or more Scart connections as a general component, e.g. for outputting screen information or beeps or for status queries for the purpose of calculating states

6.20: (11.1) Calculation option for the control for claim 1.1 as a function from 3,4.,5.,6. and 8..

6.21: (12.3) Arrangement of control elements through one-sided indirect control, depending on the transmitter (user).

The redirection of the control signals, depending on the transmission technology, through reverse transmitting (writing) and receiving (reading) devices. The transmitter->receiver signal path is expanded into three signal paths as in example 1.12.2: 1. Transmitter->Receiver, 2. Transmitter->UC, 3. UC->Transmitter Manipulation of the receiver by the UC is therefore (only) possible via the transmitter. Control commands from the UC would come with a certain delay in response to control signals from the transmitter, and/or

6.22: (12.5 applied to 12.1) Transmitter/UC/Receiver arrangement with bidirectional full control:

The redirection of the control signals, depending on the transmission technology, by reversed transmitting (writing) and receiving (reading) devices, by redirecting the user<->device signal path to the user<->UC<->device signal path, whereby to the control irrelevant signals pass through the UC transparently. Example: User->Remote control transmitter->FB receiver of the device becomes: User->Remote control transmitter<->UC<->FB receiver device and/or 6.23: (12.5 applied to 12.2/12.3) Arrangement with bidirectional participation of the UC or through indirect control, depending on the sender (user).

The redirection of the control signals, depending on the transmission technology, by reversing the sending (writing) and receiving (I-ese) device, by expanding the signal path from transmitter to receiver into two signal paths:

1. Transmitter->Receiver, 2. SendK->UC

Manipulation of the receiver by the UC is (only) possible via the transmitter. Control commands from the UC would therefore come with a certain delay

Reaction to control signals from the transmitter.

6.24: (12.5 applied to 12.4) Arrangement with bidirectional uncertain control

The redirection of the control signals, depending on the transmission technology, through the reverse transmission (write) and reception (--£se) device. The transmitter->receiver signal path is expanded to include the transmitter<->UC signal path and the UC<->receiver signal path. This type of control may be unpredictable due to delayed or parallel signals.

6.25: (from Figure 6 E) Spatial arrangement for looping control adapters into designated, closely spaced - otherwise bridged - sockets for intervening in the internal control logic of end devices. 6.26: (from Figure 7 B and Figure 1 (20)) Spatial arrangement for tapping

Control lines of two spatially separate end devices by looping in

control adapters. 6.27: (from Figure 6 A) Spatial arrangement for overlaying keyboards with sensor pads that can intercept controls at the touch of a key and pass them on to another location. 6.28: (from Figure 6 B) Spatial arrangement for overlaying keyboards with sensor pads that can provide controls via electromechanical keystrokes. 6.29: (from Figure 6 C) Spatial arrangement for overlaying keyboards with sensor pads that can intercept controls, forward them to a third party and from there return them to the keyboard.

6.30: (from Figure 6 C 7) Keyboard external control, which allows full control at all times as users can no longer access the keyboard directly. 6.31: (from Figure 6 C 8b) External keyboard control, which enables simple structural implementation by moving rollers that, converted into electrical impulses, inform a third party about the type of actuation (duration, speed). The button attachment can operate the corresponding target button under external control by driving the roller (e.g. with coil winding), also with variation of the duration, intensity and speed. 6.32: (from Figure 7 A) Sensors that detect the output of displays using OCR processes and light-sensitive CCD pads and/or manipulate the output by covering it with their own displays.

6.33: (from Figure 7 D) Control device for microphones, consisting of a loudspeaker placed over it and/or a microphone placed above it, in such a way that the inputs are made into the microphone placed over it, passed on to a control device and then only through the loudspeaker to the microphone of the terminal device - possibly in a modified form.

Illustrative examples of claim 1 and related subclaims

To 1.: Examples of control options for various end devices:

1.1 Sending the corresponding signals to the remote control receivers of the devices through the remote control transmitters of the UC

1.3 direct connection to internal circuits when installing the UC

1.4 Attaching keyboard controls

Example for controlling the device: “Set the television to channel 4”

Regarding 2.: Examples of recording the terminal device states:

2.2 Connection to SCART interface or other interfaces - from whose signals conclusions can be made about the status of the end device

2.3 direct connection to internal circuits when installing the UC

Example for terminal device status: “Current television channel is channel no. 12,,

Regarding 3. Examples of recording user control:

3.1 Listening to the remote control frequency

3.2 Connection to SCART interface

3.3 direct connection to internal circuits when installing the UC 3.4 input via PC input interface

Example of user control: "User selects channel button 4"

Regarding 4. Examples of the possibility of recording user wishes for the device reactions'.

4.1 Factory default

4.2 Input via the keyboard and display of the UC

4.3 Input via PC interface via software

4.6 Scanner for e.g. barcode

4.7 Listening to the remote control frequency, input by codes of the normal remote control

Examples of a desired device response (user request):

“Television should prevent the broadcast of sex or violence scenes”

“The video recorder should record all animal films, regardless of the channel”

"As soon as a better feature film is shown on a channel, the television channel should switch to it."

“Signal for feature films with certain actors” Regarding 5. Examples of the possibility of recording additional information that is necessary to carry out user requests:

(Transmission on multiple frequencies or time slice method)

5.1 Receiver for secondary channel (radio)

5.2 Tap the television signals in front of the receiver, whereby at least one television station provides the necessary information, or this information is mixed in in a cable network

5.3 Inserting memory cards

5.4 PC interface, whereby the PC in turn receives current information via radio, modem or other direct connections and or less current information via diskette/hard drive/CD-ROM.

5.6 Scanner for e.g. barcode

• Ongoing: "Channel name and program category currently broadcast" e.g. news on CNN, music on MTV

•» in advance: TV magazine with additional information e.g. time 8:15 p.m. feature film on SKY with actors X.Y.Z worth seeing Category 4 directed by xy, 1956, black and white mono, etc

To 6. Examples of recording options for various properties of the end devices. Necessary to be able to predict reactions to controls:

6.1 Factory default, selectable according to common manufacturing types

6.2 Input via the keyboard and display of the UC

6.3 Input via memory cards

6.4 Entry via PC interface using software

6.6 Scanner for e.g. barcode

6.7 Listening to the remote control frequency, input by codes from the normal remote control

Examples of end device properties:

• “TV always starts with channel 1”

• “TV starts with last active channel”

• “Television works with three-digit channel selection”

• "TV is type XY"

Regarding 7. Examples of possible ways to prevent unwanted user interventions

7.2 Clear indication that end devices should only be used via remote controls.

Example of undesirable user intervention: Keyboard operations on the terminal devices are disruptive, for example, when the terminal device status is calculated using the start status and detection of the following remote control signals. See procedure 2.1. In this case, the (simulated or assumed) terminal device state may differ from the actual one and may require a reset, since this method lacks a return channel for querying the terminal device state. Regarding 8. Examples of storage options for all resulting data

8.1 own read-write permanent memory e.g. memory cards, RAM, hard drives ILS.W. for digital information.

8.2 Use of third-party storage via data line (e.g. PC or end device)

Examples of data generated:

To record, evaluate the collected data, and submit the appropriate ones

Control impulses, for keeping the UC software ready, for buffering during calculations and for output to third-party devices (printers) are managed in internal tables in the UC.

Examples:

• Table of device-specific properties

• Table with all receivable channels. Each: channel number, channel name, current category and statistical information: frequency of use and by which

User, duration of use by which user

To 9. Examples of output options for warnings, statistics. Results, notes and/or operator instructions

9.1 Display on the UC or, if installed, the end device display

9.2 Output via PC interface to software, PC screens or modem

9.3. Output to your own printer interface and/or connection/installation of your own printer Example for outputs:

• Current UC settings on display

Display of the best channels with channel number and current program

Print out the recordings on current video tape to put on the cassette with all relevant information.

Viewing habits for media industry evaluations

Regarding 10. Examples of general other electronic components:

10.1 Alarm sirens and their controllers

10.2 Display and its controllers

10.3 RAM and processor

10.4 Permanent Storage

10.5 Power supply, timer, basic ROM

10.6 Data and address bus and its control

10.7 Buttons, switches and their controllers

10.8 Software (e.g. in EPROM)

Depending on the design, one or more of the following components/modules:

10.9 depending on the number of connected devices, one or more Scart ports

10.10 depending on the number of connected devices remote control transmitter (infrared, ultrasound or others)

10.12 Printer output interface and its interface components (parallel/serial)

10.13 bidirectional PC interface (parallel, serial, Ethernet, etc.) and its controller To 12. Examples of control interconnection of the UC

Depending on the transmission technology, the control signals are redirected using reverse transmitting (writing) and receiving (reading) devices. The transmission path user-transmitter->receiver-device is redirected, for example, through transmitter->UC-receiver->UC->UC-transmitter->receiver

12.3 Indirect control, depending on the sender (user)

The transmitter->receiver signal path is expanded into three signal paths as in 12.2:

1. Transmitter->Receiver, 2. Transmitter->UC, 3. UC->Transmitter Manipulation of the receiver by the UC is therefore (only) possible via the transmitter.

Control commands from the UC would come with a certain delay in response to control signals from the transmitter.

12.4 Unsafe Control

12.5 Bidirectional Control

Further examples analogous to the intermediate connections mentioned in 12.1-12.4 through full or partial replacement of the reading and writing devices in reading/writing devices. The symbol “->” should be replaced by “<->”.