EP0575956A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Favourite channel selection using extended keypress duration
Assignee: Technicolor USA Inc
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Filing: 1993-06-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2013-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A television receiver provides a "favorite channel" selection function for up to ten favorite channels without the addition a dedicated array of keys. In apparatus according to the present invention, a user holds-down a digit key for an extended period of time (preferably 3 seconds), and circuitry in the television receiver interprets this "extended keypress" as an instruction to tune favorite channel "N" where "N" corresponds to the digit key (260,660) pressed. Two digit channel entry can be accomplished as usual by releasing the digit keys (260,660) in less than the extended period of time (i.e., less than three seconds). An extended keypress of a CHANNEL UP or CHANNEL DOWN key (240,250,640,660) is interpreted as a command to store the currently tuned channel in the favorite channel memory in the location specified by the number of the next digit key pressed. CHANNEL UP and CHANNEL DOWN functions can be accomplished as usual by releasing the CHANNEL UP or CHANNEL DOWN key (240,250,640,660) in less than the extended period of time (i.e., less than three seconds). Alternatively, a separate MEMORY key (670) may be employed for storing favorite channel information. Pressing the MEMORY key (670) serves as a command to store the current channel in the favorite channel memory location identified by the next digit key pressed.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas Marvin Keenan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:18
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/50; H04N21/00; H04N21/40; H04N21/41; H04N21/422; H04N21/42204; H04N21/42206; H04N21/4221; H04N21/42212; H04N21/42213; H04N21/42215
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
A radio frequency receiver, comprising: tuner means (102) for selecting a radio frequency (RF) signal from a plurality of RF signals; memory means (120) for storing tuning data relating to preferred ones of said RF signals; keyboard means (118,128,200,600) including a plurality of numeric keys (260,660) for generating at an output keycodes corresponding to individual ones of said keys when said keys are activated by a user; control means (110) for receiving said keycodes and for generating tuner control signals in response thereto for controlling said tuner means (102); characterized by said control means (110) operating in a first mode for timing an interval during which a first keycode is received when said keycode corresponds to a predetermined value, said control means (110) storing in said memory means (120) tuning data corresponding to a currently tuned one of said RF signals when said interval exceeds a predetermined time period, and said control means (110) processing said received keycode according to the content of said keycode when said interval does not exceed said predetermined time period; said control means (110) operating in a second mode for timing an interval during which a first keycode is received when said keycode corresponds to a digit of said numeric keys, said control means (110) reading from said memory means stored tuning data corresponding to one of said RF signals and tuning said RF signal when said interval exceeds a predetermined time period, and said control means (110) operating in a third mode when said interval does not exceed said predetermined time period for generating one of said tuner control signals upon receiving the second of two of said numeric keycodes consecutively generated by said keyboard means (118,128,200,600).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 characterized in that said predetermined value is corresponds to one of a CHANNEL UP keycode, a CHANNEL DOWN keycode, and a MEMORY keycode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of Claim 1 characterized in that said predetermined time interval is three seconds.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 1 characterized in that, said memory means (120) includes a plurality of data storage locations; and during an operation to store channel data in said memory means, and during an operation to read data from said memory means, said control means uses the value of said first-received digit as a pointer to a particular memory location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
187 words
Television channel selection apparatus for a television receiver, comprising: memory means (120) for storing tuning data relating to preferred ones of said television channels; keyboard means (118,128,200,600) including a plurality of keys for generating at an output keycodes corresponding to digits of channel numbers when said keys are activated by a user; control means (110) coupled to said keyboard means for receiving said keycodes and for generating a tuning control signal in response thereto; and characterized by said control means (110) operating in a first mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving the second digit of one of a two digit channel number, and operating in a second mode to generate said tuning control signal upon receiving an instruction to tune one of said preferred television channels; said control means (110) timing an interval during which data corresponding to the first digit of one of said two digit channel numbers is received, said control means (110) operating in said second mode when said interval exceeds a predetermined time period, and operating in said first mode when said interval does not exceed said predetermined time period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of Claim 5 characterized in that said predetermined time interval is three seconds.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 5 characterized in that, said memory means (120) includes a plurality of data storage locations; and during an operation to store channel data in said memory means (120), and during an operation to read data from said memory means (120), said control means (110) uses the value of said first-received digit as a pointer to a particular memory location.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
260 words
Television channel selection apparatus for a television receiver, comprising: memory means (120) for storing tuning data relating to preferred ones of said television channels; keyboard means (118,128,200,600) including a plurality of keys for generating at an output keycodes corresponding to digits of channel numbers when said keys are activated by a user; control means (110) for receiving said keycodes and for generating a tuning control signal in response thereto; and timing means (122) for timing a predetermined time interval; and characterized by said control means (110) examining a received keycode and starting said timing means if said keycode is corresponds to one of a first-received digit of one of said numeric keys, or a predetermined keycode; said control means (110) measuring the duration of time in which said keycode is received, and if said duration reaches a predetermined value said control means performs one of storing in said memory means in accordance with a next entered numeric keycode current channel data if said received and measured keycode is said predetermined keycode, and reading said memory means (120) and tuning one of said preferred channels according to stored channel data if said received and measured keycode is said first-received digit of one of said numeric keys. said control means (110) entering said digit as a first digit of a two digit channel number if said first-received digit is not received for said predetermined duration of time, and said control means processing said predetermined keycode according to its content if said predetermined keycode is not received for said predetermined duration of time.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 8 characterized in that, said predetermined keycode is corresponds to one of a CHANNEL UP keycode, a CHANNEL DOWN keycode, and a MEMORY keycode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 9 characterized in that, said predetermined duration of time is three seconds.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 8 characterized in that, said memory means (120) includes a plurality of data storage locations; and during an operation to store channel data in said memory means (120), and during an operation to read data from said memory means (120), said control means (110) uses the value of said first-received digit as a pointer to a particular memory location.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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