Control system
OwnerAnthony Stephen Walton, Peter Hiltoninventors
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control system for controlling the operation of equipment such as a television and VCR via remotely generated signals in accordance with a first protocol. The system includes one or more remote controllers for generating equipment control signals in accordance with a second protocol. An STB includes a sensor for detecting control signals from the remote controllers, and a signal generator for generating and transmitting corresponding equipment control signals using the first protocol to the equipment. The STB causes the appearance of the remote controller for the equipment to be displayed on a display. The remote controller of the control system allows a user to interact with the display to select a control instruction from the displayed equipment remote controller.
Claims16
A control system for controlling the operation of equipment which is controlled by remotely generated signals in accordance with a first protocol, the system comprising:
- a remote controller for generating equipment control signals in accordance with a second protocol;
- and
- control apparatus including a detection system for detecting control signals generated by the remote controller and a signal generator for generating and transmitting corresponding equipment control signals in accordance with the first protocol for receipt by a remote receiver of the equipment;
- wherein at least one of the equipment or the control apparatus further comprises a display,
- wherein the signal generator includes a processor for causing the appearance of at least part of an equipment remote controller designed to operate the equipment directly using signals according to the first protocol, to be displayed on the display,
- and wherein the remote controller of the control system includes a selector for selecting a desired control instruction from the displayed equipment remote controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.