WO2012046174A1

WO2012046174A1 - Automatic control device for a television set

Info

Publication number: WO2012046174A1
Application number: PCT/IB2011/054320
Authority: WO
Inventors: Esterino Castellazzi
Original assignee: Esterino Castellazzi
Priority date: 2010-10-04
Filing date: 2011-10-01
Publication date: 2012-04-12
Also published as: ITPC20100020A1

Abstract

An automatic control device for a television is proposed for automatically controlling a television and its functions, the television having (i) a receiver suitable to receive wireless signals from a remote control unit, and (ii) a circuit regulated and/or controlled by the receiver via coded commands according to a predefined data protocol, characterised by the fact of comprising an stage suitable to receive from said circuit a signal relative to a functional parameter of the television; an stage suitable to interpret the signal received according to the protocol and depending on this decide a variation of state of the television, an stage suitable to send a command signal according to the protocol to said receiver so as to make the receiver act to obtain the variation of state.

Description

AUTOMATIC CONTROL DEVICE FOR A TELEVISION SET

The invention relates to an automatic control device for a television.

A modern television 10 can be schematised in extreme synthesis as in Fig.l. The television signal is picked up by an antenna 22 and sent to a tuner 20, which filters and selects a precise working frequency and presents it in output as a signal 24. The signal 24, often digitally coded, is fed in input to a low frequency stage 30, from which an audio baseband signal 32 and a video signal 34 both inclusive of multiple parameters (e.g. brightness, chrominance, colour, black, tones, bass, treble, etc.) are produced in output, decoded and/or extracted from a digital frame thanks to a processing inside the television. The audio 32 and video signals 34 are then sent to a monitor or display 40 for the final reproduction visible to the user.

To control the television the user uses a remote control unit 60 usually equipped with a transmitter antenna 62. In response to a key being pressed by the user, the remote control unit 60 sends command signals to a receiver stage 50 of the television 10, received via an antenna 52. These signals, generally coded according to a predefined and proprietary protocol, are interpreted by the receiver 50 which sends suitable commands to the television stages 10 to perform the action requested, these too according to the television's own protocols. The control by the receiver 50 of the tuner 20 can be schematised by a signal line 56, and of the stage 30 by a signal line 54. The receiver 50 can for example vary the tuning frequency (channel) or audio volume and generally perform or control all the functions provided in the television. Protocol is taken to mean the signal coding by which the various stages of the television dialogue with each other.

It is known that all television channels broadcast considerably long and unacceptable advertising breaks, during which viewers almost always turn off the volume completely or switch to another channel. The elderly or tired viewers often fall asleep in front of the television while it is still on, with a waste of energy and unhealthy or uncomfortable sleep. And often one forgets to turn on the television to see a desired program, which is missed for good.

To sum up, either one is forced to use the remote control 60 to avoid the adverts or one cannot use it when needed as a result of force majeure. The enjoyment of television entertainment is thus jeopardised.

The main object of the invention is to overcome this problem.

A further object is to give the user the chance to choose his favourite program/s and optimise the use of the television.

Such objects are achieved by a device and/or television as defined in claims 1 to 9, to which reference is made.

The device is characterised by a circuit or architecture which implements various stages, integrated or separate . The stages may be hardware (such as electronic circuits, boards or FPGA) and/or implemented functionally using software, for example via a program which performs the functions described for the stages.

A stage receives a signal relative to a functional parameter of the television from a receiver circuit of wireless signals coming from a remote control unit.

Another stage interprets such signal according to the predefined data protocol of the television and depending on this signal decides a variation of state of the television.

After which a stage sends a command signal according to the data protocol to the receiver so as to make the receiver act to obtain the variation of state.

It is clear that any function of the television can be made automatic and programmable with the device, as if one were programming an automaton to drive as desired the provided remote control. The dependent claims describe advantageous embodiments.

One advantageous application of the device is the control of advertising and/or television breaks. To such purpose the device may comprise a processing unit programd to detect variations in a video and/or audio signal for recognising a publicity break or specific program. Given the the programability of the device, it is possible to program the functions in relation to any variation or break.

For reasons of algorithmic simplicity it is preferred for the processing unit to be programd for (or able to) detecting the publicity break by identifying a discontinuity in the video and/or audio signal. Or the processing unit may be programd for (or able to) detecting the publicity break or other program by comparing the video signal with stored signal sequences. In this case regardless the structure of the signal transmitted at the change of program the effective content of the program is taken as basis. To make the device open for updating and/or remote control, it may comprise a data communication stage from and to an Internet network, or a data communication stage from and to a mobile phone network, or a wireless data transceiver stage to remotely receive functioning commands and/or receive/transmit data.

The invention also relates to an automatic control method for a television, for example constructed as described above.

The method envisages receiving from the receiver circuit a signal relative to the variation of a functional parameter of the television; interpreting the received signal according to the protocol and as a function of this deciding one or more of state variations of the television, sending a command signal according to the protocol to the receiver so as to make the receiver act to obtain the state variation. Other variations of the method are described in the dependent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of the inventive concept will be clearer from the following description of a preferred embodiment illustrated by way of example in the appended drawing, wherein:

-Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a known television;

-Figure 2 shows a block diagram of a television and/or device according to the invention.

A device according to the inventive concept is indicated by numeral 70 in fig.2 and can be applied to a television as described in Fig.l (a description of which will not be repeated but the concepts of which are retained).

The device 70 comprises

- an output stage 92 by which to send command signals to the receiver 50 via a signal line 72, and

- an input stage 94 by which to receive the signals generated by the tuner 20, from the low frequency stage 30, and from the monitor 40 via respective signal lines 76, 74, 78.

In the drawing and in the description the device 70 is connected only to the stages 20, 30, 40 for ease of explanation. It may however interface to send or receive data and/or commands with any stage inside the television 10, all or just some stages, depending on the functions one wishes to perform or have performed by the device 70.

The signals sent and received by the device 70 are coded in compliance with a data protocol used inside the television 10, and are processed and interpreted by a processing unit 90, such as a microprocessor. Even though the functioning logic of the device 70 could be made with lumped components, it is preferred to use a programmable unit and instruct it using software. A hard disk or in any case means able to store and run software may be associated with the device 70; some televisions are produced with a hard disk incorporated in them and this simplifies integration.

The device 70 may also be interfaced with a data communication stage 96 to establish a connection 98 to the Internet network 80 or a LAN or WAN. The stage 96 can function via cable, optic fibre or be wireless, for example by means of a radio transceiver or GSM.

The device 70 can be arranged inside the television 10, that is incorporated in its circuit architecture, or external such as an accessory which can be connected using suitable sockets, or even remote, in which case it dialogues with the television via lines 72, 74, 76 and 78 which are wireless or longdistance wired channels.

The device 70 can be programed by the user on site, for example via a USB port or user interface (not shown), or by another person who can even program it remotely via the stage 96.

The device 70 makes it possible to automatically control all the functions of television 10. By receiving and managing the signals of the stages 20, 30, 40 and by the lines 74, 76 and 78 it sends program commands to the receiver 50 which in turn varies one or more operating parameters of the television 10 (for example the transmitted program, the channel, the turning on/off of the television, the control of the PIP, the volume etc.).

Below are some examples.

I. One can make the television 10 turn off automatically at the end of a program which the user is watching and/or turn it on automatically at the beginning of a program. II. The television 10 can be automatically tuned to a different program from the current program should a program, which the user has indicated as preferable, begin.

III. The device 70 may compare the picture viewed with other pictures or sample sequences stored inside it and switch to a different program or channel should the current compared pictures prove identical or similar, telling the user that he is watching something he has already seen, such as the advertisements. To such purpose the device 70 can make the television change channel automatically, for example by switching the current channel to one of the AV channels. Any variations in any of the television parameters may be used as switching criteria, such as brightness, contrast, sound or quantity of black, duration or value of the black. For example should the device 70 detect the absence of brightness, contrast, luminance or chrominance below a certain threshold, and/or detect a value of black protracted for a certain period, the device 70 gives a command, via the receiver 50, to the tuner 20 to change channel, frequency or program (if there are various programs in a frame of the same frequency).

IV. The device 70 can read the teletext of the channel being watched and decide when to insert, always automatically, the PIP with the latest news, and/or make it remain for a few seconds and then disconnect the PIP.

V. The device 70 can, for example, in the event of audio volume being absent and only black remaining for a predefined period, insert a predefined picture (such as a trademark).

VI. The device 70 can command not just one television but all those connected to it which are on the same channel. Each channel has its own programming, and the software in the device 70 makes the tuner 20 switch from the current channel to another channel when the command is given. This is possible on all the televisions which are tuned in to the same channel at that moment, which is then changed. The device 70 can do all this both controlling various televisions or just one at a time being controlled from a remote central station (not shown) via the means or stage 96. The remote central station can control all the devices 70 in the same way or diversify their behaviour, for example on a territorial or temporal basis.

VII. The device 70 with the television in stand-by can remain active and even, if programed to do so, turn on the display 40 when it recognises the pictures of a program which the user wishes to see. Or it can turn on the display 40 and set the volume to maximum to broadcast a public safety announcement, for example during an earthquake.

In practice one can see that the device 70 is able to do what the user holding with the remote control unit 60 would do in an automatic and programmable manner. It should be noted that the device 70 can be easily integrated with a pre-existing television.

The switching control between channels when the advertising comes on offers an opportunity for good business and for improving the efficiency of advertising techniques.

A television system comprising the device 70 is able to detect a publicity break within an audio-video flow and tune the television 10 deviating it to a predefined channel. When the advertising is over it returns to the original channel.

Clearly the control of the destination channel implies not only the elimination of advertising which is annoying to the user but also the chance to substitute it with alternative informative content, such as alternative advertising but of interest or on demand, or even other contents (such as comments on the news etc). A user may express his preferences on the topic covered by the advertising to be received, and the system can provide him with that advertising, which may be transmitted in real time on another channel or read from a memory, such as of the device 70, where it was previously stored. Such memory may be continuously updated from a remote source for example via the stage 96.

The consequences are considerable. Advertisers are sure that the advertisement will reach people who are interested in listening to and watching it.

Those watching it have chosen to do so and are not distracted.

"Prime time" would be a thing of the past inasmuch as the user sees the advertising when he turns the television on, even for example at four in the morning.

By being able to send advertising at interested viewers in a widespread manner, the frequency of broadcasting of the advertisements could be reduced (the conditions of impression being equal) and territorial coverage be focused where needed. Advertising thus costs the client less and since a number of advertisements can be broadcast at the same time to different viewers, the proceeds of the advertising agent are compensated or even increased, satisfying various advertising clients.

The user may be given a television on loan free of charge and even be paid (for example by a periodic credit or for every advertisement seen) for having adhered to the system. Besides, the user of the device 70 may receive money (for example with a periodic credit or for every advertisement actually seen).

Claims

1. Automatic control device (70) for a television, the television having (i) a receiver (50) adapted to receive wireless signals from a remote control unit (60), and (ii) a circuit (20) regulated and/or controlled by the receiver via coded commands according to a predefined data protocol, characterised by comprising

- a stage (94) adapted to receive from said circuit a signal relative to a functional parameter of the television;

- a stage (90) adapted to interpret the signal received according to the protocol and as a function of this decide a state variation of the television,

- a stage (92) adapted to send a command signal according to the protocol to said receiver so as to make the receiver act to obtain the state variation.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said circuit comprises a video and audio tuner stage (20) for tuning in to a video and audio signal to be viewed and listened to, and the device comprises a processing unit (90) programed to detect variations in the video and/or audio signal to recognise a publicity break or a specific program.

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit is programed to detect the publicity break by identifying a discontinuity in the video and/or audio signal.

4. Device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the processing unit is programed to detect the publicity break or other programs by comparing the video signal with stored signal sequences.

5. Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising a data communication stage (96) to and from an Internet network (52).

6. Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising a data communication stage to and from a mobile phone network.

7. Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising a wireless data transceiver stage to remotely receive functioning commands and/or to transceive data.

8. Television comprising a device according to claims 1 to 7.

9. Automatic control method for a television (10), the television having (i) a receiver (50) adapted to receive wireless signals from a remote control unit (60), and (ii) one or more circuits (20) regulated and/or controlled by the receiver via coded commands according to a predefined data protocol, characterised by

- receiving from said circuit a signal relative to the variation of a functional parameter of the television;

-interpreting the received signal according to the protocol and as a function of this deciding one or more state variations of the television,

- sending a command signal according to the protocol to said receiver so as to make the receiver act to obtain the variation of state.

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein a variation in the video and/or audio signal is detected to recognise a publicity break or specific program.

11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the publicity break is detected by identifying a discontinuity in the video and/or audio signal.

12. Method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the publicity break or other programs are detected by comparing the video signal with stored signal sequences.

13. Method according to any of the previous claims from 9 to 12, wherein data relative to the programming and/or control of the television is communicated to and from an Internet network.

14. Method according to any of the previous claims from 9 to 13, wherein data relative to the programming and/or control of the television is communicated to and from a mobile phone network.

15. Method according to any of the previous claims from 9 to 14, wherein by transmitting in wireless mode functioning commands for the television are remotely received and/or data relative to the television are transceived.