WO2007023414A2

WO2007023414A2 - Automatic adaptive remote control method, system and device

Info

Publication number: WO2007023414A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/052802
Authority: WO
Inventors: Theodorus M. Hendriks
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2005-08-22
Filing date: 2006-08-14
Publication date: 2007-03-01
Also published as: WO2007023414A3

Abstract

In a remote control method a controllable device is configured to transfer at least one device control parameter to a remote control device. Based on the at least one device control parameter the remote control device configures a user interface. The user interlace may comprise a button to be associated with a device control parameter. In an embodiment, the remote control device may use a display to present suitable controls to a user. In an embodiment a server may be comprised in a remote control system providing additional functionality.

Description

Automatic adaptive remote control method, system and device

The present invention relates to remote control methods and devices, and in particular to a method for controlling a device using a remote control device, a remote control device and a controllable device configured for use in the method and a remote control system.

Many devices may be remote controlled providing ease of use to users of the devices. For example, in a home environment, audio and video equipment may be remote controlled. Also other equipment may be remotely controlled, such as lighting equipment and the like. With an increasing number of remote controllable devices, the number of remote control devices increases, as each device has its own dedicated remote control device.

It is known to integrate a number of remote control devices, for example enabling to control a variety of audio and/or video equipment using one remote control device. However, such an integrated remote control device has to be preprogrammed for each device that may be controlled using said remote control device, thereby increasing manufacturing costs.

It is desirable to have a remote control method and remote control system wherein a remote control device is suitable for controlling a number of devices without being preprogrammed. In an embodiment of the present invention, a method for configuring a remote control device for controlling a controllable device is provided. The method comprises transferring at least one device control parameter of the controllable device from the device to the remote control device; and configuring a user interface of the remote control device based on the at least one device control parameter. The controllable device transfers one or more control parameters to the remote control device. The remote control device is thus provided with the suitable control parameters. The remote control device may therefore be a general remote control device. After receipt of the control parameters, the remote control device configures or programs a user interface based on the control parameters. For example, a button of the remote control device may be designated to be an on/off switch, or a button or a number of buttons may be designated for controlling a setting of the controllable device. Thus, for example, if the remote control device comprises a button presented to a user as a button for switching the controllable device on and off, configuring the user interface comprises associating an on/off device parameter with said button. As further described below, the remote control device may comprise a display for presenting a function description of a function associated with a button of the remote control device, the function being a function of the controllable device. In such an embodiment, configuring the user interface comprises associating a device control parameter with a button and controlling a corresponding (part of a) display to show the function of the button.

A communication between the controllable device and the remote control device may be performed using any kind of communication, preferably wireless communication. Examples of suitable wireless communication systems comprise infrared and electromagnetic systems. An infrared communication system may be employed if the communication is to be limited to a bounded space, such as a room, since the infrared signals cannot pass through an object such as a wall. If the controllable device may as well be controlled from another room, electromagnetic communication systems may be employed. A person skilled in the art readily understands that other communication systems may as well be employed based on the requirements of a remote control system comprising the at least one controllable device an at least one remote control device.

The communication further requires a communication protocol. The protocol may be any suitable protocol for transferring the device control parameters and possibly other data between the controllable device and the remote control device. A person skilled in the art readily understands which protocols are suitable for use in the communication. Such a protocol may be a known protocol or a new, possibly dedicated, protocol.

The device control parameters transferred may include all controllable parameters. However, in an embodiment, a set of device control parameters may only include a part of the control parameters and further device control parameters may be transferred in another way or on a later moment, e.g. upon request from the remote control device. In an embodiment, the controllable device transmits one or more device control parameters at a regular time interval. Thus, for example, once per minute or every ten seconds, the controllable device transmits its device control parameters or at least a part thereof. If a remote control device receives the one or more device control parameters, the remote control device configures a user interface, thereby enabling the user to control the controllable device. If a user enters a room with a remote control device, the remote control device may receive device control parameters from a controllable device present in the room within the above-mentioned time interval.

In another embodiment, the remote control device may transmit a request message to each controllable device within its communication reach. Upon receipt of the request message, each controllable device transmits all or part of its device control parameter(s). In this embodiment, the controllable devices only transmit at least part of their device control parameters if requested.

If multiple controllable devices are within operating range of a remote control device, it is advantageous if the device control parameters comprise a device identification parameter. Configuring of the user interface of the remote control device may then comprise: gathering a number of device identification parameters from a respective number of controllable devices; configuring a device selection user interface menu based on the number of device identification parameters; and configuring a device control user interface menu for one or more controllable devices. Thus, based on the gathered device identification parameters, the remote control device may present a device selection menu to a user. The user may select from that menu, which controllable device is to be controlled. After selection of the controllable device, a device control menu may appear for controlling the selected controllable device. However, if the number of detected controllable devices is relatively small, in particular if the total number of controls needed for all or a number of the detected devices is relatively small, the remote control device may combine the above-mentioned two menus such that a user may control said number of devices from one device control menu. In an embodiment of the method according to the present invention, a set of device control parameters is divided over a number of subsets of parameters. A complete set of device control parameters may be large. The parameters may be divided in subsets of interrelated parameters. Using the division over subsets, a first transmitted set of device control parameters may be one of those subsets providing basic device control parameters, or may be a set of general device control parameters and further subsets may comprise specific device control parameters related to said general parameters. Also, any other subset division may be useful.

In a further embodiment, configuring the user interface comprises configuring a number of device control menus based on the subsets of device control parameters. In particular, if a first set of general device control parameters is received, a main menu may be configured from those general device control parameters and submenus may be configured from the specific device control parameters. If a user selects a general device control parameter from the main menu, the related specific device control parameters appear for control in a submenu.

In an embodiment a first controllable device and a second controllable device are grouped in a group of controllable devices. The first controllable device may transfer a first set of device control parameters to the second controllable device. In this embodiment the step of transferring a set of device control parameters may comprise transferring the first set of control parameters from the second controllable device to the remote control device. Thus, a number of, i.e. two or more, controllable devices are grouped in a group of controllable devices. One controllable device may transfer device control parameters of one or more other controllable devices to the remote control device. For example, if infrared communication is used, a controllable device may be positioned behind an object in a room with respect to a remote control device present in the room, which object thus would prevent communication between the "hidden" controllable device and the remote control device. If the controllable devices are grouped and communication may be established through one or more other controllable devices, the hidden controllable device is still detected by the remote control device and may still be controlled by said remote control device.

If a number of controllable devices share functionality, e.g. a number of lamps present in a room, the setting of each lamp influencing the lighting in the room in general, the control of said number of devices may be grouped. For example, the control of the lamps in a room may be combined to control the lighting in the room. Thereto, the lamps may be grouped as mentioned above. Employing intelligent control, the user may set a desired lighting setting and the intelligent control may control each lamp present in the room such that the desired lighting conditions are established. In an embodiment, such an intelligent control may use a lighting sensor for feedback of the actual lighting conditions, as e.g. sunlight cannot be controlled. It is noted that intelligent control may as well be established using only one controllable device, such as a lamp.

The intelligent control may be provided by the remote control device, one or more controllable devices or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, a controllable device is operatively connected to a server. The controllable device may transfer one or more of its device control parameters to the server. In this embodiment, the step of transferring at least one device control parameter may comprise transferring the device control parameter from a server to the remote control device. In a further embodiment, an intelligent control may be provided by a server. In an even further embodiment, a group of controllable devices is operatively connected to a server. One or more device control parameters of each controllable device are transferred to the server, and the server determines one or more group control parameters based on the received device control parameters. The one or more group control parameters are transferred from the server to the remote control device. Thereafter, the remote control device may configure a user interface for controlling the group of controllable devices. User input then results in a group control parameter setting that is transferred to the server. The server then determines and transfers a corresponding device control parameter setting to each controllable device in said group based on the group control parameter setting.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a controllable device, a remote control device and a server configured for use in the above-described method.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

The annexed drawings show non- limiting exemplary embodiments, wherein:

Fig. 1 schematically shows an embodiment of a controllable lamp and an embodiment of a remote control device according to the invention;

Figs. 2A - 2C schematically show embodiments of a remote control device according to the invention; and Fig. 3 schematically shows an embodiment of a remote control system comprising a server according to the invention.

In the different Figures, like reference numerals refer to like elements, or elements having the same or similar function.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a controllable lamp 1, i.e. a controllable device, and an associated remote control device 2. The controllable lamp 1 comprises a communication device 11, an electronic storage device 12 for storing a set of device control parameters, and a dimmer circuit 13. For example, the lamp 1 may be switched on and off and a light output level, i.e. a dimming level, may be set using the dimmer circuit 13. The set of control parameters may thus comprise an 'on/off parameter and a dimming parameter. The dimmer circuit 13, the communication device 11 and the storage device 12 may of course as well be integrated into a lamp holder or a lamp ballast circuit, and the like. The remote control device 2 comprises a communication device 21, a processing device 22 and a configurable user interface 23. The processing device 22 is configured to connect the user interface 23 and the communication device 21.

One or more device control parameters received from the controllable lamp 1 may be received by the communication device 21 and supplied to the processing device 22. The processing device 22 may then configure the user interface 23 based on the received one or more device control parameters. In an embodiment, the processing device 22 may be a part of the communication device 21 and/or a part of the user interface 23.

The communication device 11 of the lamp 1 may be any kind of communication device suitable for communicating with the communication device 21 of the remote control device 2. The communication may be performed using any kind of wired or wireless connection. For example, the communication may be performed using an infrared connection or a radio-wave connection. Any other kind of connection may be suitable as well. The communication may require a protocol. Such a protocol may be any kind of protocol, for example a known protocol or a new, possibly dedicated protocol.

In operation, the lamp 1 provides at least one device control parameter stored in the storage device 12 to the remote control device 2. In an embodiment, the communication may be initiated by the remote control device 2, for example by sending a request to the lamp 1. In another embodiment, the lamp 1 may regularly transmit at least one device control parameter which may be received by the remote control device 2, if the remote control device 2 is within a communication range of the lamp 1. Other initialization methods may be used as well.

After receipt of the at least one device control parameter the remote control device 2 configures its user interface 23. The at least one device control parameter is supplied from the communication device 21 to the processing device 22, which may evaluate the at least one device control parameter and supply configuration parameters to the user interface 23. The processing device 22 may be integrated in the communication device 21 or the user interlace 23. The functionality of the processing device 22 may be dependent from the kind of user interface 23, as is explained below with reference to Figs. 2 A - 2C. As soon as the user interface 23 is configured, a user may enter a desired setting of the controllable device. The desired setting is then transferred to the lamp 1 as a device control parameter setting through the communication device 21 and the communication device 11. If the device control parameter setting e.g. indicates a lowered light output level, the parameter setting is supplied to the dimmer circuit 13, which in response dims the lamp 1.

Fig. 2 A shows a simple embodiment of a remote control device 30. The remote control device 30 comprises eight buttons 31 - 38. The person skilled in the art readily understands that the remote control device 30 may comprise any other number of buttons. The buttons 31 - 38 may be configured to switch on or off a number of lamps present in a communication range of the remote control device 30, for example. The user interface may as well be configured such that one of a number of controllable devices may be selected using buttons 31 - 34. After selection, the buttons 35 - 38 may be configured such that the selected controllable device may be controlled using the buttons 35 - 38. Also other configuration methods may be employed.

Fig. 2B shows another embodiment of a remote control device 40 according to the present invention. The remote control device 40 comprises a number of buttons, such as buttons 41 - 45. Further, the remote control device 40 comprises a display 46 for displaying the function of the buttons, which may change e.g. depending on the device to be controlled and/or user input. In this embodiment the user interface is more user friendly compared to the embodiment of Fig. 2 A, since the remote control device 40 is enabled to show a user which button may be used to control a device control parameter. Also the remote control device 40 is better suited to be used in combination with more complex user interface menus, for example having one or more submenus, since it is at any time clear to a user which function is associated with a button 41 - 45. As mentioned above, the device control parameters may be divided over a number of subsets, for example enabling the user interface to display a number of submenus.

Fig. 2C shows an embodiment of a remote control device 50 comprising a number of buttons 51 - 53 and an interactive display 54. The interactive display 54 may be a touch sensitive display, for example. The buttons 51 - 53 may provide a predetermined basic functionality, for example on and off switching of the remote control device 50, or they may have a changing function similar to the buttons 41 - 45 as shown in and described in relation to Fig. 2B, or they may even be omitted. User input may be provided through the interactive display 54. A control menu may be displayed on display 54 and a user may set a desired control parameter by pointing at, or pressing on the display 54.

It is noted that the user interface techniques illustrated in Figs. 2A - 2C as such are known in the art and therefore a person skilled in the art readily understands how such remote control device having such a user interface may be constructed and programmed. Further, it is noted that the embodiment of a remote control device 40 or 50 according to Fig. 2B or Fig. 2C, respectively, may be a commonly available Personal Data Assistant (PDA), hand-held computer or a, possibly cellular, telephone having a suitable communication device. If necessary, such general portable devices may be provided with suitable software to enable remote control of controllable devices according to the present invention. Moreover, installing suitable software once may enable control of several controllable device according to the present invention. Using the installed software, device control parameters may be interpreted after receipt from a controllable device through the suitable communication device and then used for control of a controllable device. Fig. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a remote control system 100, comprising a number of controllable devices, e.g. a first lamp 110, a second lamp 120, a television system 130 and a door lock 140. Further, a server 150, a first remote control device 160 and a second remote control device 170 are comprised in the system 100.

In the illustrated embodiment, the controllable devices, i.e. the first lamp 110, the second lamp 120, the television system 130 and the door lock 140 and the server 150 are positioned in a room 101. The first remote control device 160 is assumed to be positioned in said room 101, while the second remote control device 170 is positioned outside the room 101. The remote control devices 160 and 170 use a wireless communication method to receive and transfer device control parameters. Communication between the server 150 and the controllable devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 may as well be wireless or may be wired. It is presumed that the first lamp 110 and the second lamp 120 are grouped as explained below.

Assuming that the communication range of the controllable devices 110, 120, 130 and 140 is limited to the room 101, for example because an infrared communication is used, the first remote control device 160 may communicate with the controllable devices 110, 120, 130 and 140 and with the server 150. The second remote control device 170 cannot communicate. To enable control of the devices 110, 120, 130, and 140 the first remote control device 160 receives device control parameters from each controllable device 110, 120, 130, 140. The device control parameters may be transferred from each controllable device 110, 120, 130 and 140 to the first remote control device 160 directly, or may be transferred to the server 150 first (possibly before the first remote control device 160 was taken into the room 101) and thereafter from the server 150 to the remote control device 160. After receipt of the device control parameters of the controllable devices 110, 120, 130, 140 the first remote control device 160 configures its user interface and a user may then control each controllable device 110, 120, 130, 140 in an appropriate way. Since the first lamp 110 and the second lamp 120 have a similar functionality, both influencing the lighting conditions in the room 101, they are grouped. As a group, they may be controlled using group control parameters, possibly determined by the server 150, by the first remote control device 160, by the lamp 110, and/or by the lamp 120. It is noted that a designation of a group of controllable devices may be a user setting or may be automatically determined by the server 150, the first remote control device 160 and/or a controllable device 110, 120. Thus, a user may be provided with a general lighting setting functionality, while the server 150, the first remote control device 160 and/or a controllable device 110, 120 determine the corresponding individual settings of the lamps 110, 120. In an embodiment, the lighting setting may as well be automatically changed upon controlling another controllable device, such as upon switching on the television system 130 or upon locking the door using door lock 140.

The system 100 may employ a communication protocol that continuously or at least regularly verifies whether a remote control device 160, 170 is within the communication range of the system 100. If no remote control device 160, 170 is within said range, the lamps 110, 120, and the television system 130 may be switched off and the door lock 140 may be activated to lock the door.

Now assuming that the door lock 140 is locked, an approaching remote control device 170 carried by a person wishing to enter the room 101 may be supplied with a set of device control parameters comprising e.g. a door unlock code requiring a user to enter the code into the remote control device 170 to unlock the door. Upon unlocking the door, the door lock 140 may supply a signal to the server 150 to switch on the lamps 110, 120 and/or the television system 130. At the same time, the door lock 140 may transfer the device control parameters of each present controllable device 110, 120, and 130 to the second remote control device 170, enabling the second remote control device 170 to be configured for controlling any of the devices 110, 120, 130 and 140 upon entering the room 101 without delay.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention provides a method and corresponding device that may be used to build a user-friendly remote control system. Moreover, the system enables further functionality and possibilities and may be extended by only introducing a controllable device into a communication range of a remote control device and/or a server and/or other controllable devices. Further possibilities for the remote control system 100 include, but are not limited to: remote control through a data network like the Internet, e.g. connecting the server 150 to the Internet; use of sensors for feedback control, e.g. for lighting conditions; timer control, e.g. for waking up; and memory functionality, like individual presets.

In the above description as well as in the appended claims, 'comprising' is to be understood as not excluding other elements or steps and 'a' or 'an' does not exclude a plurality. Further, any reference signs in the claims shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Method for configuring a remote control device for controlling a controllable device, the method comprising: transferring at least one device control parameter of the controllable device from the device to the remote control device; and configuring a user interface of the remote control device based on the at least one device control parameter.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein a device transmits the at least one device control parameter at a regular time interval.

3. Method according to claim 1, the method comprising: transmitting a request message to the controllable device by the remote control device; transmitting the at least one device control parameter by the controllable device after receipt of the request message.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one device control parameter comprises a device identification parameter; and wherein the step of configuring comprises: gathering a number of device identification parameters from a respective number of controllable devices; configuring a device selection user interface menu based on the number of device identification parameters; and configuring a device control user interlace menu for one or more controllable devices.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a set of device control parameters is divided into a number of subsets of parameters.

6. Method according to claim 5, wherein configuring the user interface comprises configuring a number of device control menus based on the respective subsets of parameters.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a first controllable device and a second controllable device are grouped in a group of controllable devices, the method comprising the first controllable device transferring at least one first device control parameter to the second controllable device and wherein the step of transferring at least one device control parameter comprises transferring the at least one first device control parameter from the second controllable device to the remote control device.

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the controllable device is operatively connected to a server, the method comprising transferring the at least one device control parameter of the controllable device to the server and wherein the step of transferring at least one device control parameter comprises transferring the at least one control parameter from the server to the remote control device.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein a group of controllable devices is operatively connected to the server, the method further comprising: transferring at least one device control parameter of each controllable device to the server; determining at least one group control parameter by the server based on the device control parameters from the group of controllable devices; and transferring the at least one group control parameter from the server to the remote control device.

10. Controllable device configured for use in the method according to any of claims 1 - 9, the controllable device comprising: a storage device for storing at least one device control parameter; and a communication device for transferring the at least one device control parameter and for receiving a device control parameter setting.

11. Remote control device configured for use in the method according to any of claims 1 - 9, the remote control device comprising: a communication device for receiving at least one device control parameter and for transferring a device control parameter setting; and a user interface being configurable based on the received at least one device control parameter.

12. Remote control system, the system comprising a remote control device according to claim 11 and a controllable device according to claim 10, wherein the controllable device is configured to transfer at least one device control parameter of the controllable device from the device to the remote control device; and wherein the remote control device is configured to configure a user interface of the remote control device based on the at least one device control parameter.

13. Server configured for use in the method according to claim 8 or 9, the server comprising: a communication device for receiving at least one device control parameter, for transferring at least one device control parameter, for receiving at least one device control parameter setting and for transferring at least one device control parameter setting.

14. Server according to claim 13, the server further comprising a processor for determining at least one group control parameter based on a number of device control parameters.