JPH0417564B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a tuning device for television and radio receivers that includes a storage device for storing a list representing channels desired to be received.

〔background〕

The tuning system for television receivers usually has a ``skip memory'' that stores a list of recommended (desired) and non-recommended (undesired) channels, i.e. channels that should be ``skipped'' when selecting a channel. It may include a storage device, and when the user presses the "scan up" or "scan down" button, the key storage locations in the skip memory corresponding to each channel are sequentially recalled and an indication that that channel is recommended is displayed. Interrogations are made until a containing memory location is found, at which point the search is stopped and the channel corresponding to the recalled memory location is tuned.

Ordinary skip memory must be programmed by the user, so either make the skip memory non-volatile or provide continuous operating power to the skip memory from a standby power source so that the skip memory does not need to be reprogrammed when the receiver is shut off. It is desirable to do so. Non-volatile storage devices are expensive. A standby power supply can be configured with a power supply or a battery that is always connected to an AC line regardless of the receiver's on/off switching device, but an AC line-connected standby power supply has a skip memory when the AC power goes out or the receiver is disconnected. The use of batteries in television receivers creates safety-related problems in insulating the user from the high voltages generated within the receiver.

To solve the problem associated with reprogramming skip memories that are not non-volatile or battery-powered, a recommended (desired) skip memory storage location can be selected whenever the received carrier has a certain characteristic, e.g. a signal strength above a certain level. ) It has been proposed to use a signal search and detection device that automatically writes channel indications, but with this method, the channels specified in the skip list may not match the ones that the user actually wishes to receive.

[Disclosure of the invention]

According to one feature of the invention, a skip memory is provided within a remote control transmitter of a remote control system of a television or radio receiver. In this manner, the battery of the remote control transmitter serves to maintain the information contained in the skip memory, thereby allowing the use of volatile storage which is relatively less expensive than non-volatile storage. Since the battery for maintaining the information in the skip memory is in the remote control transmitter rather than in the television receiver itself, the above safety concerns are eliminated.

Another skip memory is provided in the chassis of the television receiver to allow the user to select channels locally on the television receiver itself as well as by means of a remote control. In order to eliminate the need for the user to reprogram the local skip memory in the television receiver, the device automatically programs the local skip memory with a skip list stored in the remote skip memory in the remote control transmitter.
In other words, "learning". In particular, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, when a channel displayed as the desired channel in the remote control transmitter's skip list is selected after pressing the "Scan Up" or "Scan Down" keys, the remote control transmits The machine transmits the channel number of its selected channel as well as the selected scan direction. Upon receipt of a remote control message indicating channel selection by the ``scan up'' or ``scan down'' key on the remote control transmitter, the television receiver will skip each memory location in the local skip memory starting from the address corresponding to the first channel. A device is provided for sequential addressing in the selected scanning direction. Data representing a deprecated (undesired) channel, such as a logical 0, is written into each addressed memory location of the local skip memory until the memory location corresponding to the transmitted channel number is reached. When that location is reached, data representing the recommended channel, such as a logic "1", is written to the then addressed storage location of the local skip memory.

[Detailed explanation]

The remote control transmitter shown in FIG. 1 includes a keyboard 10 for the user to select channels and control various other functions of the television receiver shown in FIG. It has two normally open push button switches. One representative switch is shown at 10a. When a key on a pushbutton switch is pressed, the switch closes and places a low logic level or logic "0" on its output conductor.
(ground potential) and when the key is released, the switch automatically returns to the open position and the logic "0" disappears from its output conductor.

The numeric keys (0 to 9) on the keyboard 10 allow direct channel selection by sequentially pressing the 10th and 1st digits of the corresponding channel number, SU (upward scan) and SD (downward scan).
The keys allow you to select the next highest channel (of the currently selected channel) or the next lowest channel in the list of recommended channels, and the ADD and DEL keys select the next highest or next lowest channel (of the currently selected channel). The VU and VD keys are for adding or subtracting channels, the VU and VD keys are for increasing or decreasing the volume, and the ON and OFF keys are for turning the television receiver on or off.
Keys for controlling functions other than volume may also be provided as needed.

The output lead of the keyboard 10 is coupled to a power supply circuit 12 and a microprocessor 14. When a key on keyboard 10 is pressed, a corresponding logic "0" signal causes power supply circuit 12 to apply supply voltage from battery 16 to the remainder of the remote control transmitter, including microprocessor 14. Microprocessor 14 responds to the logic "0" signal corresponding to the pressed key by generating parallel bit format digital words representing the appropriate remote control message as described below. This parallel bit digital word is applied in serial bit format to a modulator 18 which modulates a carrier wave provided by an oscillator 20 with the serial digital word. The obtained modulated carrier wave is amplified by driver 22 and applied to transducer 24 . Transducer 24 is an ultrasonic or infrared emitting device that transmits its modulated carrier wave to the remote control receiver of the television receiver shown in FIG.

The power supply circuit 12 includes an off function gate 26 so that when any one key on the keyboard 10 is pressed, a corresponding logic "0" signal is passed through the off function gate 26 to the set/reset flip-flop 2.
8, which sets flip-flop 28 to produce a high logic level logic ``1'' signal at its Q output. In response to a logic "1" signal developed at the Q output of flip-flop 28, a normally open electronic switch 30 having a control input coupled to its Q output is closed so that the supply voltage from battery 16 is reduced. It is applied to the supply voltage input V <sub>CC</sub> of microprocessor 14 and to each of the supply voltage inputs of modulator 18 , carrier oscillator 20 and driver 22 . After the microprocessor 14 generates the remote control command corresponding to the pressed key, it generates a "power off" signal, which is applied to the reset input R of the flip-flop 28. This resets flip-flop 28 and produces a logic ``0'' signal at its Q output. In response, switch 30 is opened, removing the supply voltage from battery 16 from microprocessor 14, modulator 18, oscillator 20, and driver 22. The transmitter is therefore only energized long enough to transmit the remote control command after a key is pressed, thereby extending the life of the battery 16.

The output of switch 30 is applied to a power rise detector 32 whose output is coupled to the reset input of microprocessor 14. A key on keyboard 10 is pressed, resulting in switch 30 being closed and supplying When power is applied to microprocessor 14, power rise detector 32 generates a reset pulse in response to which a control program for microprocessor 14 is initiated as described below.

Microprocessor 14 receives information (in digital form) from keyboard 10 and transmits it to modulator 1.
8 and a flip-flop 28. Central processing unit 36 controls data transfer and processing under the control of programs stored in read only memory (ROM) 38. Therefore, the unit 36
8, reads the instruction stored at the storage location of the specified address, and processes or transfers data according to the instruction. During this operation, internal volatile random access memory (RAM) 40 is used to temporarily store the data being processed. The central processing unit 36 specifies an address in the RAM 40 and moves data into and out of the storage location at the specified address.

Volatile RAM 42, external to microprocessor 14, is used to store a list of recommended and non-recommended channels, or "skip list", and other data as described with reference to FIG. 2a. The skip list portion of the RAM 42 includes a storage location for each receivable channel, and each storage location contains data indicating whether the corresponding channel is a recommended channel or a non-recommended channel, such as logic "0" and "1", respectively. . The central processing unit 36 specifies the address of the RAM 42 and moves data into and out of the storage location at the specified address. To conserve connection pins, addresses and data are transferred serially between microprocessor 14 and external RAM 42. When the user presses either the SU or SD key, the skip list section of RAM 42 is sequentially addressed in channel number order until the memory location containing a logical "1" representing the recommended channel is reached. The channel number corresponding to the storage location of the designated address is then sent to the receiver, where the corresponding channel is tuned. In order to input data representing a recommended channel into the skip list section of the RAM 42, when the user enters the channel number of the recommended channel using the numeric keys on the keyboard 10, the corresponding memory location in the RAM 42 is addressed, and then ADD Press the DEL key to indicate that the selected channel is a recommended channel, or press the DEL key to indicate that the selected channel is a non-recommended channel (i.e. should be captured or skipped in scanning channel selection). Bye.

Battery 16 is connected directly to the supply voltage input of RAM 42, bypassing switch 30, so that the contents of RAM 42 are maintained when the remote control transmitter is off, i.e., when no keys are pressed. . Although an internal RAM such as 40 of the microprocessor 14 may be used to store the skip list, an external RAM such as 40 may be used to store the skip list.
Preferably, RAM 16 is used to store the skip list.

The microprocessor 14 is manufactured by National Semiconductor.
Corp.'s COP420 type microprocessor is suitable, and the company's COD499 type RAM is also suitable for RAM42. The COP420 microprocessor is constructed from complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) devices, which are particularly suitable because CMOS devices use relatively little energy.

FIG. 2a shows the data format of the information stored in external data RAM 42. As previously mentioned, the skip list portion of RAM 42 contains storage locations for each channel that the television receiver may receive. Assuming that the television receiver is adapted to receive the 82 broadcast channels available in the United States, RAM 4, denoted by the symbol SLR,
The skip list section of 2 will contain 82 storage locations, each with an address corresponding to one of the 82 broadcast channels. The storage locations are arranged so that they can be addressed sequentially in order of channel number. In this example, a logical ``1'' represents a recommended channel and a logical ``0'' represents a non-recommended channel, so each storage location in the SLR only needs to store one bit.

RAM 42 includes a skip list section as well as a storage location in which the channel number of the last channel selected by the remote control transmitter is stored for future use. The contents of this storage location are denoted by the symbol CNR. In this example, the channel number of the selected channel is encoded in binary coded decimal (BCD) format, so the digital word NCR contains a 4-bit 10th place (NRT) and a 4-bit 1st place (CNU). I have it.

Finally, external RAM 42 is an 8-bit word
Contains storage locations for PLCER. This word is used by the control program to determine whether the contents of RAM 42 have been lost due to loss of power from battery 16 (eg, during battery replacement).

The data format of the internal RAM 70 is set to 2b.
As shown in the figure. RAM 40 contains a memory location for storing the word KEYR, which represents the last key pressed by the user of keyboard 10, and also when a channel is selected directly with the numeric keys, or when a function such as volume is controlled. It contains a memory location for storing the one bit word DA which is set to ``1'' and another memory location when a channel is selected by a scanning motion initiated by pressing the SU or SD key, or when the volume is Stores a 1-bit word SK which is set to logic ``1'' when such a function is controlled.

Another storage location in internal RAM 40 stores an 8-bit word CHR representing in BCD format the channel number transmitted by the remote control transmitter at the end of a channel selection operation, the digital word being the 10th part CHTR. It is divided into two parts, the first place CHUR.

Finally, one memory location in RAM 40 contains an 8-bit word FNR representing control of special functions other than channel selection, such as volume or on/off control.
is given to memorize. Figure 1 shows
Only the ON, OFF, VU, and VD keys are shown, but since the FNR is 8 bits, it can also control a total of 256 functions in addition to channel selection. For explanation, RAM 40 has each word CHR,
Although the display is shown as having a storage location for FNR, since only commands for either channel selection or function control are transmitted at the same time, one storage location can be used to store both.

Figure 2c shows the format of the data sent from the remote control transmitter. 10 words sent
The 10th bit is the DA bit,
The 9th bit is the SK bit. When a channel is selected, the data words CHTR and CHUR are used, with the 8th through 5th bits and the 4th through 1st bits representing the 10th and 1st digits, respectively, of the selected channel. Contains. When a function other than channel selection is controlled, the eighth through first bits contain a digital word FNR representing the function being controlled.

Next, in FIG. 3a, a key is pressed and the battery supply voltage is first applied to the microprocessor 14, modulator 18, oscillator 20 and driver 22 via switch 3.
When applied through 0, the control program is initiated in response to the generation of a reset signal from power rise detector 32. In response to the reset signal, the central processing unit 36 addresses a storage location in the program ROM 38 corresponding to the start of the control program. At this point in the program (judgment diamond
001) Power dissipation constant word PLCER stored in external RAM 42 is compared with the correct power dissipation constant word PC generated under program control. If the two words match, this is external data RAM
42, indicating that the remote skip list is not lost, but a mismatch indicates that power is removed from external RAM 42, and thus the stored remote skip list is lost. . In the latter case, each bit in the remote skip list (SLR) is automatically set equal to logic ``1'', and each of the 82 channels is a preferred channel (function rectangle 002), so that it is discussed below with respect to Figures 3f and 3g. It is shown that channels can be selected sequentially by an upward or downward scanning motion to program the skip list to do so. This is accomplished by sequentially addressing each storage location in the SLR and writing a logic "1" to each designated address storage location.

Assuming now that the remote skip list did not disappear, the output leads of the keyboard 10 are tested to determine if any keys were pressed within a predetermined time delay, eg, 30 milliseconds (diamond 003). This is done by setting a counter (not shown) built in the microprocessor 14 to a predetermined delay time, and testing the output conductor of the keyboard 10 to see if a key was pressed while the counter did not reach zero count. This can be achieved by determining whether If no key is pressed by the end of the predetermined delay time (diamond 003), the central processing unit 36 transmits the power cutoff signal to the input/output port 3.
4 to the reset input of flip-flop 28 (rectangle 004). This resets flip-flop 28 and switches 30.
is opened, cutting off power from microprocessor 14 and circuits 18-22. This places the transmitter in standby mode and the program ends at this point.

If the key is pressed within the specified delay time (diamond 003, the word representing the pressed key is
Stored in memory location KEYR of RAM40 (rectangular
005). Then, as shown in Figure 3b, the word
KEYR is tested to determine which key on keyboard 10 was pressed (diamonds 006-010). Key
Pressing one of SU, SD, ADD, or DEL initiates the correspondingly fixed program subroutines of FIGS. 3c, 3d, 3f, and 3g.

When the pressed key corresponds to a function other than channel selection, that is, when the pressed key corresponds to SU, SD,
If it is not one of ADD, DEL or a number key,
After word KEYR is written to the memory location for word FNR and bits DA, SK are each set to logic '1', bits DA, SK and word
The FNR is transferred to the modulator 18 via the input/output port 34 in this order to send a remote control command (rectangular
011). As will be discussed below, the purpose of setting DA and SK to a logic "1" is to indicate to the remote control receiver shown in FIG. 4 that functions other than channel selection are to be controlled. After transmitting this remote control command, the program will display the decision diamond 003 (Figure 3a).
and wait for the next keyboard operation. If there is none, the transmitter is placed in standby mode.

According to the SU subroutine shown in FIG. 3c, the skip list is tested in order of increasing channel number starting from the last selected channel represented by the word CNR stored in external RAM 42 to find the next recommended channel. At the beginning of the SU subroutine, bit DA is set to logic '0' and bit SK is set to logic '0'.
is set to logic "1" (rectangle 012). This means that the scanning channel selection operation begins and the scanning direction is in the direction of increasing channel number, or "upward." Furthermore, the word CHR is set equal to the word CNR representing the channel number of the last selected channel (rectangle 012).
After that, the channel number represented by CHR becomes 1.
(rectangle 013). A test is then performed to see if the current channel number, represented by CHR, is greater than 83, the highest channel number in this example (diamond 014).
If the current channel number is greater than 83, the word CHR will represent channel 02, the lowest channel number in this example (the rectangle
015). This is done because when the maximum channel number is reached, the upward scanning operation must continue from the minimum channel number.

If the current channel number is 83 or less (diamond)
014) or if set to 02 (rectangle 015),
A test is made to determine whether the current channel number, represented by CHR, is equal to the channel number of the last selected channel, represented by CNR (diamond 016). If CHR and CNR are equal (diamond
016), this indicates that all remote skip lists were searched from the channel number of the last selected channel, but no recommended channel was found.
In this case, the remote skip list is empty and the current channel number represented by CHR is sent (rectangular
019). If CHR and CNR are not equal (diamond
016), the memory location corresponding to the current channel number (represented by SLR (CHR)) in the remote skip list section of RAM 42 is tested to determine if it contains a logic "1" (diamond 017). ). If included, it indicates that the CHR represents the channel number of the recommended channel, in which case the CHR is stored for the future in that storage location in RAM 42 (rectangle 018), DA,
SK and CHR are transmitted sequentially (rectangle 019). The program then returns and waits for the next key press, if none, it puts the transmitter in standby mode, if there is no logical ``1'' in the memory location for the current channel number (diamond 017), the program is repeated with successively higher channel numbers (starting from rectangle 013) until a storage location containing "1" in the skip list is reached, or until the entire skip list has been explored.

The SD subroutine for the downward scanning operation shown in FIG. 3b is similar to the SU subroutine shown in FIG. 3c except that the scanning direction is downward. Therefore,
SD subroutine parts 020, 021, 022, 023,
024, 025, 026, 027 are part of the SU subroutine 012, 013, 014, 015, 016, 017, 018,
Corresponds to 019. When a channel corresponding to a recommended channel is located in the skip list, as in the SU subroutine, the channel number, represented by CHR, is transmitted along with the appropriate SK and DA data bits. Since this type of channel selection operation is a scanning operation, the DA bit is set to logic '0' and its scanning direction is downward, so
The SK bit is also set to logic '0'.

The DE subroutine generates a complete two-digit channel number when the user makes a direct channel selection. A word representing the 10th digit of the channel to be selected after a number key is pressed.
CHTR is set equal to word KEYR, the DA bit is set to logic '1' to indicate direct selection,
The SK bit is set to logic ``0'' (rectangle 028).
A test is then performed to determine whether the second numeric key is pressed after a predetermined delay (diamond
028, rectangle 030, diamond 031). If the second numeric key is not pressed within the predetermined delay time, central processing unit 36 generates a power down signal to place the transmitter in standby mode and the program ends. This prevents partial direct channel selection operations from being sent. However, if the second numeric key is pressed within the predetermined delay time, the word KEYR is changed to the word CHUR representing the first digit of the selected channel number.
written to a memory location in RAM 40 for the word
CHR is written to the storage location for CNR, DA,
SK and CHR are transmitted in that order (033). The program then returns to its original state and waits for the next keystroke, and if none is found, it puts the transmitter into standby mode.

A subroutine for writing recommended channels into the skip list portion of the RAM 42 is shown in FIG. 3f. After selecting the channel number of the channel to be written to the skip list by a direct selection operation or an upward or downward scanning motion, press the ADD key to write a logic "1" to the skip list storage location corresponding to the channel number of the selected channel. (Rectangle 034). The program then returns to its original state and waits for the next keyboard operation. A subroutine showing deprecated channels in the skip list is shown in FIG. 3g. This subroutine is similar to the ADD subroutine of FIG. 3f, but instead of a logic "1", a logic "0" is written to the storage location in RAM 42 corresponding to the deprecated channel of the skip list (rectangle 034).

4 which shows a television receiver including a microprocessor controlled remote control receiver for automatically learning the remote skip list stored in RAM 42 of the remote control transmitter of FIG. 1. refer. The receiver includes an RF input represented by an antenna 44 and a tuner 46 and signal processing section 48 of conventional construction for generating video and audio signals from the RF television signals received by the antenna 44.
Tuner 46 and signal processor 48 receive their supply voltage from a mains power supply 50 which derives its supply voltage from the AC line voltage. An electronic switch 52 is coupled to the main power supply 50, which selectively supplies power to and from the tuner 46 and signal processing section 48 to turn the receiver on and off.

The remote receiving section of the receiver receives the remote control signals sent from the remote control transmitter shown in FIG. The remote control receiver receives supply voltage from standby power supply 54 . A standby power supply 54 is connected directly to the AC line and provides power to the receiver's remote control so that the remote control signal that turns the receiver on can be processed even when the tuner 46 and signal processor 48 are off. . The remote control includes a transducer 56 which converts the signals emitted by transducer 24 of the remote control transmitter shown in FIG. 1 into corresponding electrical signals. Transducer 56 is sequentially followed by an amplifier 58 and a demodulator 60. Demodulator 6
0 removes the transmit carrier from the amplified electrical signal to produce a digital word in serial format representing the transmitted remote control command. This serial word is provided to a microprocessor 62 which generates control signals for the tuner 46, signal processor 48 and on/off switch 52 under program control. The microprocessor 62 has an input/output port 64, a central processing unit 6, which cooperate to function similarly to the corresponding portions of the microprocessor 14 of the remote control transmitter shown in FIG.
6. Program ROM68 and internal RAM70
Contains.

A keyboard 72 with which a user can control the receiver locally (i.e. at the receiver) has an output lead connected to the input/output port 6 of the microprocessor 62.
4 is combined. To obtain control characteristics similar to those obtained by the remote control transmitter of FIG.
The keys on the keyboard 72 are the same as those on the keyboard 10 except that the ADD and DEL keys are missing. The ADD and DEL keys do not need to be programmed by the user because the skip list associated with local channel selection is automatically learned or programmed from the remote skip list stored in the transmitter's external RAM 42, as described below. It is not necessary for the keyboard 72.

The local skip list is microprocessor 62.
is stored in the internal RAM 70 of. The internal RAM 7 is designed to maintain power to the microprocessor 62 even when the receiver is shut off so that it can process received remote control signals.
The skip list stored at 0 is also maintained when the receiver is shut down. Additionally, internal RAM 70 eliminates the need for additional integrated circuits and their associated wiring. For use as the microprocessor 62, National Semiconductor Corporation (National
Semiconductor Corp.'s COP444L microprocessor is suitable.

When the remote control receiver of a television receiver is de-energized, for example by disconnecting the receiver from the AC line (unplugging it) or when the voltage on the AC line is temporarily lost, the RAM, including the local skip list,
Obviously, the information stored in 70 will be lost, but because of the automatic learning or programmability described above, no reprogramming is required by the user.

When power is restored after a power outage on the AC line, the power rise detector 74 determines the time according to the supply voltage for the microprocessor 62 generated by the standby power supply 54, and generates a reset signal to send the reset signal to the microprocessor 62. 62 reset input. This reset signal starts a control program as described below.

Depending on the type of remote control message or key pressed on keyboard 72, microprocessor 62 issues control commands to turn on/off switch 52.
and thereby control certain functions of the signal processing section 48, such as the on/off state of the television receiver, the channel selection of the tuner 46, and the volume level.

Flip-flop 76 receives SET S and RESET R control signals from microprocessor 62 and provides control signals to on/off switch 52 to control the on and off states of the television receiver. When flip-flop 76 is set, switch 52 conducts, turning on the mains of the receiver; when flip-flop 76 is reset, switch 52 becomes non-conducting, turning on the mains of the receiver. Convert part off.

To select a channel, a digital word representing the channel number of the selected channel is provided in parallel bit format to a channel number register 78, and depending on the channel number stored in the channel number register 78, the tuner 46 is activated. Tuning the RF signal corresponding to the selected channel. The channel number of the selected channel is displayed by a two-digit display unit 80.

A microprocessor 62 is used to control the volume.
generates a digital word representing the volume level,
This is supplied to a volume register 82, and the contents of the volume register 82 are applied to the signal processing section 48 to control the volume level.

The supply voltages for flip-flop 76, channel number register 78 and volume register 82 are provided by standby power supply 54 so that their contents are maintained even when the main body of the receiver is turned off. The contents of channel number register 78 and volume register 82 are maintained even when the receiver is turned off, so that when the receiver is turned on again,
The previously selected channel is retuned and the previously set volume level is set again.

Next, a method for the remote control receiver to learn the skip list stored in the remote control transmitter will be described with reference to the program flowcharts of FIGS. 6a to 6d. The format of data stored in internal RAM 70 and processed by central processing unit 66 according to a program is shown in FIG.

The skip list section SLL of RAM 66 is constructed in the same format as the skip list section of external RAM 42 of the remote control transmitter and includes 82 1-bit storage locations addressed by respective channel numbers. A memory location is provided for storing a word CNL representing the channel number of the last selected channel in BCD format. This word CNL is divided into a 10th place CNLT and a 1st place CNLU. The word KEYL representing the last key on the keyboard 72 pressed by the user
A storage location is also provided for storing the .
In this example, the keyboard 72 has 15 keys, so KEYL is 4 bits. more words
An 8-bit storage location is provided for storing the word CHL which is processed by microprocessor 62 to generate CNL. This word CHL has two 4-bit BCD parts CHLT and CHLU representing the 10th and 1st digits of the channel number.
An 8-bit storage location is also provided for storing the word FNL representing the selected function under the control of microprocessor 62.

Bit DA of remote control notification received from transmitter
Two 1-bit storage locations are provided to store the words CHR and DK of the transmitted notification.
Two 8-bit storage locations are provided for storing the FNR. Finally, the local keyboard 72
Alternatively, a memory location is provided for storing a one bit word LAST indicating whether the last channel selection command was entered by the remote keyboard 10. When this last channel selection command is entered by the local keyboard 72,
LAST becomes logic “1” and remote keyboard 10
LAST is a logic ``0'' when input by .

Returning to FIG. 6a, when the receiver is first connected to the AC line (i.e., plugged in) or when the AC line voltage is restored after a temporary power outage, the power rise detector 74 generates a reset signal. In response to this, a control program for microprocessor 62 is started. Specifically, the reset signal causes the central processing unit 66 to designate the address of the storage location in the program ROM 68 corresponding to the start of the program. After the reset signal is generated, the RAM
A logic "1" is written into each storage location of the 70 local skip list (SLL) (rectangle 001). This identifies each channel as a recommended channel and allows the user to select one channel using the SU and SD keys on the local keyboard 72. The local skip list is the remote control transmitter's
This state is maintained until the remote list stored in RAM 42 is learned. Additionally, word CNL is set to represent the lowest channel number, 02 in this example, and is sent via input/output port 64 to channel number register 78 to tune to channel 02 (rectangle 001). The program then detects when a key on the local keyboard 72 is pressed.
or wait for a remote control notification to be received.

A test is performed to determine whether a local key has been pressed by testing the output conductor of the keyboard 72 (diamond 002). If the local key is pressed, the corresponding word key is stored in the storage location KEYL of the RAM 70 (rectangle 003). The format of the next pressed key is determined. If the key pressed is either a number key or keys SU or SD, that is, if it represents a channel selection command,
Word LAST is set to logic “1” (rectangle
005), after which a subroutine represented by LTUNE (local tuning) begins.

If the key pressed is a function control key rather than a channel selection key (diamond 004), the word KEYL is written to the memory location for word FNL and the function is executed (rectangle 006). After that, the central processing unit 66
input/output the word representing the function to be controlled to the on/off flip-flop 7 via the input/output port 64.
6 or a suitable function register, such as a volume register. After that, the program is a diamond of judgment.
Returning to 002, it is determined whether another local key has been pressed.

If the local key is not pressed (diamond 002), a test is made to determine whether a remote control signal is being received (diamond 007). This is done by checking whether a remote control data word is being accepted from demodulator 60 via input/output port 64. If the remote data word is not accepted, the program returns to decision diamond 002 and determines whether the local key was pressed. Although not shown in this flowchart, it should be appreciated that other television functions may be performed by the microprocessor 62 while waiting for local key activation or remote control signal reception. For example, microprocessor 62 may be used to control channel number display 80.

If a remote control data word has been received (diamond 007), a test is made to determine whether it represents a channel selection command or other function control command (diamond 008). As mentioned above, function control commands other than channel selection commands are represented by both the DA and SK data bits being set to logic "1". If both DA and SK are not set to logic "1" (diamond 008), it indicates that the remote control notification is a channel selection command, and as shown in Figure 6b.
A routine designated RTUNE (remote tuning) begins. However, if both data bits DA and SK are set to logic "1" = (diamond 008), it indicates that the remote control notification is a function control command other than a channel selection command, and the transmitted data word is not controlled. The portion FNR representing the function to be performed is moved to a storage location for storage of the data word FNL, the function represented by FNL is executed, and the appropriate control instructions are sent to each control unit, such as flip-flop 76 or volume register 82. Transfer (rectangle 010). The program then returns to decision diamond 002 and waits for local key operation or other remote control notifications to be received.

FIG. 6b shows the RTUNE subroutine for automatically programming the local skip list (SLL) stored in RAM 70 of the television receiver's remote control receiver by learning the remote skip list stored in RAM 42 of the remote control transmitter. shows. The first step in the RTUNE subroutine is to determine whether a direct channel selection has been made with the keyboard 10 of the remote control transmitter by determining whether the DA bit of the transmitted remote control data word is a logic "1". (Rhombus 001) If DA is logic ``1'', the portion of the transmitted data word representing the transmitted channel number is in the RAM corresponding to the data word CNL.
70 storage locations. (Rectangle 012). next
The channel corresponding to the channel number represented by CNL is tuned (rectangle 021), after which the program returns to decision diamond 002 in FIG. 6a and waits for the next keyboard operation.

If DA is not a logical ``1'' (diamond 011), it indicates that the remote control data word represents a scanning channel selection command, and whether the last channel selection command was entered locally, i.e. by the keyboard 72. A test is performed to determine whether the LAST bit is a logic "1" (diamond 013). If the last channel selection command has been entered locally, no routine for automatic programming is started and the remotely selected channel is simply tuned. As explained in more detail later, the purpose of this is to prevent erroneous information from entering the local skip list. Therefore, when the LAST bit is set to a logic '1', the word LAST is set to a logic '0'.
, the next remote control channel selection operation gives an indication that the last channel selection was made remotely (rectangle 012), and the portion CHR of the transmitted data word representing the transmitted channel number is
is stored in the memory location for CHL in RAM 70 (rectangle 012), and the corresponding channel is tuned (rectangle 012).
021).

If the last channel selection command was not entered locally, as indicated by the LAST bit being a logic ``0'', the routine for automatic programming begins (diamond 013). First, the contents of the CNL memory location are set so that the automatic programming routine begins with the last selected channel.
Move to CHL storage location (rectangle 014). The direction of scanning is therefore determined by examining the SK bit of the transmitted remote control data word (diamond 013).
A logical ``1'' in the SK bit indicates that the scanning direction is upward, and a logical ``0'' indicates that the scanning direction is downward.

When the scanning direction is upward, the channel number represented by CHL is raised by 1 (rectangular
016). Thereafter, a test is performed to determine whether the channel number exceeds the highest value, for example 83 (diamond 017). If the channel number exceeds 83, the word
Make the CHL display the lowest channel number, say 02 (rectangle 018), so that operation continues within the legal channel number range between 02 and 83. Whether or not the highest channel number has been reached, a test is performed to determine whether the just generated channel number, represented by CHL, is equal to the transmitted channel number, represented by CHR (diamond 019). If both match (diamond 019), it indicates that the address of the memory location corresponding to the recommended channel in the local skip list (SLL) of RAM 70 has been reached. This is because the address corresponds to the recommended channel number sent by the remote transmitter in response to scanning channel selection. In this case, (SLL(CHL)
Logic "1" is written in the memory location of the skip list corresponding to the channel number currently being generated, represented by CHL.
CHL is stored in the memory location for CNL and the channel represented by CNL is tuned (rectangle 020,
021). The program then returns to the beginning and waits for the next input.

If the currently generated channel number, expressed in CHL, does not correspond to the transmitted channel number, expressed in CHR (diamond 019), this indicates that the currently selected channel is not the recommended one. Logic "0" is written in the storage location of the skip list section of the RAM 70 corresponding to the CHL (rectangle 022). A routine to find a match between CHL and CHR is then run from diamond 015 to the next highest channel number.

If the scan direction is downward as indicated by SK not being a logical ``1'' (diamond 015), the routine is essentially the same as if the scan direction was upward. That is, successively smaller channel numbers are generated until a match is obtained between the locally generated channel number, represented by CHL, and the remotely transmitted channel number, represented by CHR. for each locally generated channel number represented by CHL until a match is obtained.
A logic "0" is written to the corresponding memory location in RAM 70. When a match is obtained, a logic "1" is written to the memory location in RAM 70 corresponding to the locally generated channel number, denoted CHL. Blocks 023, 024 and 025 relate to the downward scanning operation and correspond functionally to blocks 016, 017 and 018 of the upward scanning operation.

As previously mentioned, when a remote control signal corresponding to a channel selection command is received, it is determined whether the last channel selection command was issued locally or remotely, as indicated by decision diamond 013. A test is conducted to determine whether The purpose of this is to ensure that the last channel is selected using the remote control transmitter and the automatic programming operation of the local skip list begins. If this is not done, the local skip list may not match the remote skip list. This will be explained using an example. As an example, the skip list stored in the transmitter includes US channels 2-13 (i.e.
Assuming all VHF channels are included,
Also assume that the last channel selected remotely is channel 05, and then channel 03 is selected locally. When the next remote channel selection command SU is sent, the channel number sent is channel 06 (because the scanning operation begins on channel 05 and all VHF channels are indicated as recommended channels in the remote skip list). Unless a test is performed to determine whether the selection command was issued locally or remotely on the last channel, the automatic programming operation for the local skip list will be interrupted for the interpolation of channel 03 and the local selection on channel 05. It starts from channel 03 instead of from. Therefore, there is no match between the channel numbers transmitted up to channel 06 and the locally generated channel numbers, so even though channels 04 and 05 are actually the recommended channels, the local skip list for the corresponding memory location is The display of the deprecated channel is input.

FIG. 6c shows the LTUNE subroutine for channel selection by local keyboard 72. A determination is first made whether the key pressed was a numeric key (diamond 026), the representation of which was previously stored in the memory location of word KEYL in RAM 70 (rectangle 003 in FIG. 6a). If the pressed key is a numeric key, the word representing the 10th position of the channel number
Word KEYL is placed in the memory location of RAM70 for CNTL.
is written (rectangle 027). A test is then performed to determine whether any other local numeric key has been pressed within a predetermined delay time, e.g. 30 seconds (diamond 028, rectangle
029, diamond 030). If the second local key is not pressed, the program returns to decision diamond 002 (Figure 6a) and waits for the next local key operation. When a second key is pressed, the word KEYL representing the key pressed
is written to a storage location in internal RAM 70 for the word CNUL representing the first digit of the selected channel number (rectangle 031), and the corresponding channel is tuned (rectangle 042). If the second key pressed is not a numeric key, the program returns to decision diamond 002 and waits for another input.

If the pressed key of local keyboard 72 is not a numeric key (diamond 026), the word CHL is set equal to the word CNL representing the last selected channel number (rectangle 032). Then the word KEYL
to determine whether the key SU or SD was pressed (diamond 033). The channel number represented by CHL increases sequentially depending on the scanning direction (rectangle 034,
diamond 035, rectangle 036) or decrease (rectangle 037, diamond
038, rectangle 039), and each storage location of the local skip list is checked for each channel number to determine whether the corresponding channel is a recommended channel.
If the corresponding channel is the recommended channel,
Word CHL is traditionally 70 words of RAM
It is moved to the storage location for CNL and the corresponding channel is tuned (rectangle 042).

If the local skip list is not programmed, the recommended channel will not be found. To prevent the test from continuing indefinitely, i.e. from causing an infinite loop in the program, after testing the storage location of the local skip list (diamond 040),
The currently selected channel number, represented by CHL, is compared with the last selected channel number, represented by CNL (diamond 043). CHL and CNL
If they do not match, the program returns the judgment diamond 033
to continue searching for recommended channels in the selected scan direction.

Referring to the remote control transmitter of FIG. 1, a mode switch is coupled to the microswitch 14, which is pushed to the programmed position so that the remote skip list (and therefore also the local skip list) can be changed during normal use of the keyboard. Make sure there is no ADD
It is desirable to be able to respond only to key and DEL key operations. The same thing can be done by providing movable force covers for the ADD and DEL keys. In the remote control receiver shown in Figure 4, the on/off
Off flip-flop 76, channel number register 78, and volume register 82 are external to microprocessor 72, but they could also be located internal to microprocessor 72. Furthermore, although the invention has been described in terms of an apparatus using a microprocessor, it will be clear that the invention could also be implemented using discrete logic elements. These modifications fall within the technical scope of this invention as described in the claims.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block circuit diagram of a microprocessor-controlled remote control transmitter constructed in accordance with the present invention, and FIGS. 2a, 2b, and 2c are microprocessor circuit diagrams of the remote control transmitter of FIG. Figures 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d showing the storage location distribution and format of data processed by
3e, 3f, and 3g are flowcharts showing each part of the control program for the microprocessor of the remote control transmitter of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is a block circuit diagram of a television receiver including a microprocessor-controlled remote control receiving section; FIG. 5 shows the storage location distribution and format of data processed by the microprocessor of the remote control receiving section of FIG. 4; 6a, 6b, and 6c are diagrams showing various parts of a flowchart of a control program for the microprocessor of the remote control receiver of FIG. 4. 10...Remote keyboard, 14...Remote channel number generation means, 18, 20, 22, 24...
Transmission means, 36...Remote memory test means, 42...
Remote storage device, 46... Tuning means, 56, 58,
60, 62...Remote control receiving unit, 62...Local channel number generation means, 66...Local storage device testing means, 68...Programming means, 70...
Local storage device, 72...Local keyboard, SU,
SD...Scan key.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A remote keyboard having at least one scan key; remote channel number generating means for generating encoded signals representing channel numbers sequentially when the scan key of the remote keyboard is operated; a remote storage device including storage locations corresponding to each channel addressable in response to a channel number indication signal and each storing an encoded indication of whether each channel is desired to receive; testing the contents of the addressed storage location of said storage location, and stopping the modification of said encoded channel number indication signal by said remote channel number generation means when said addressed storage location contains an indication of a desired channel to receive; a remote control transmitter, which is attached to a communication receiver, and includes a remote storage device testing means that causes the remote channel number generation means to transmit the coded channel number display signal generated by the remote channel number generation means as a remote control message; a local keyboard comprising at least one scan key of the same type as the scan key of the remote keyboard; receiving means for receiving a transmitted remote control message; and a code sequentially representing a channel number when the scan key of the local keyboard is operated; a local channel number generating means for generating a coded signal, and an address can be specified according to the encoded channel number display signal generated by the local channel number generating means, and each channel is encoded as to whether reception is desired or not. A local storage device containing a storage location corresponding to each channel storing an indication, and testing the contents of the addressed storage location of said local storage device to determine which storage location is desired to be received by that designated storage location. local storage test means for aborting the modification of said encoded channel number indication signal by said upper local channel number generation means when a channel indication is included; programming means for automatically programming said local storage device with the same desired and undesired channel information as the coded channel generated by said local channel number generating means; A remote control system for a communications receiver including a channel tuning device, comprising: tuning means within the communications receiver for tuning a corresponding channel in accordance with a number display signal;