# US 7,053,811 B2 · Control apparatus which remotely controls a device in a network system and control method therefor

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- Number: US 7,053,811 B2
- Document ID: US7053811B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/021,534
- Filed: 2001-10-30
- Published: 2002-07-11
- Granted: 2006-05-30
- Earliest claimed: 2000-11-01
- Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Shuntaro Aratani; Hideaki Yui; Tomoyuki Ohno
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7053811B2

## CPC

- H04L 12/282: {based on user interaction within the home (receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204)}
- G05B 19/0426: {Programming the control sequence}
- G06F 3/0238: {Programmable keyboards (key guide holders G06F3/0224)}
- H04L 12/2803: {Home automation networks}
- H04N 21/42204: {User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor (constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205)}
- H04N 21/426: Internal components of the client {; Characteristics thereof} (H04N5/44 takes precedence)
- H04N 21/43615: {Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals (home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805)}
- H04N 21/4622: {Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet (web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859)}
- H04N 21/4782: Web browsing {, e.g. WebTV}
- G05B 2219/23238: TV microprocessor executes also home control, monitoring of appliances
- G05B 2219/23297: Remote load of program with cellular, wireless, satellite connection
- G05B 2219/25072: Initialise each module during start up
- G05B 2219/2642: Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
- H04L 2012/2849: {Audio/video appliances}
- H04N 21/42212: {Specific keyboard arrangements}
- H04N 21/4316: {for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window}
- H04N 21/47: End-user applications
- H04N 21/485: End-user interface for client configuration
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

A television receiver serves as a control which remotely controls a device in a network system, and is provided with a remote controller for remotely controlling the television receiver itself. The television receiver displays, on a display device, a graphical user interface (guide panel) for graphically guiding the functions assigned to the plural numeral keys provided in the remote controller. Such configuration allows the user to remotely control the desired AV device in the network system in a simple manner with a limited operation sequence.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A control apparatus which remotely controls a device in a network system, comprising:
a remote controller for remotely controlling said control apparatus;
communication means for downloading a control program for remotely controlling an unknown device; and
control means for generating, according to the downloaded control program, a graphical user interface for graphically displaying functions assigned to a plurality of keys provided in said remote controller.

### Claim 2

A control method for a control apparatus which remotely controls a device in a network system and has a remote controller for remotely controlling said control apparatus, said method comprising steps of:
downloading a control program for remotely controlling an unknown device; and
generating, according to the downloaded control program, a graphical user interface for graphically displaying functions assigned to a plurality of keys provided in said remote controller.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said communication means starts to perform a process of downloading the control program if said control apparatus detects that said unknown device is connected to the network system.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control apparatus is a television receiver.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said communication means start to perform a process of downloading the control program if said control apparatus detects the said unknown device is connected to the network system.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

A method according to claim 2, wherein said downloading step starts to perform a process of downloading the control program if said control apparatus detects that said unknown device is connected to the network system.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

A method according to claim 2, wherein said control apparatus is a television receiver.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

A method according to claim 7, wherein said downloading step starts to perform a process of downloading the control program if said control apparatus detects that said unknown device is connected to the network system.

### Claim 9

A control apparatus which remotely controls a device in a network system, comprising:
a remote controller adapted to remotely control said control apparatus;
a communication unit adapted to download a control program for remotely controlling an unknown device; and
a control unit coupled to said communication unit, and adapted to generate, according to the downloaded control program, a graphical user interface for graphically displaying functions assigned to a plurality of keys provided in said remote controller.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said communication unit starts to perform a process of downloading the control program if said control apparatus detects that said unknown device is connected to the network system.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said control apparatus is a television receiver.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said communication unit starts to perform a process of downloading the control program if said control apparatus detects that said unknown device is connected to the network system.