Bi-directional remote control unit and method of using the same
View Patent ↗A bi-directional communications link between a television set and a remote control unit assists a viewer in controlling the entertainment system. The television set can signal the remote control unit to confirm instruction signal received from the remote control unit. The television can also transmit electronic program guide information to the remote control unit which is displayed on a display device on the remote control unit. The television can send the remote control unit a listing of available sub-channels within a single digital channel. The listing is displayed on the remote's display device, and the viewer can then choose from among the sub-channels.
1. A remote control unit comprising:
a transmitting portion configured to output additional information after outputting an instruction, a confirmation signal confirming receipt of said instruction by an external source;
a receiving portion configured to receive said confirmation signal and a prompt signal, said prompt signal being a request from said external source for said additional information,
wherein said instruction is executable by said external source, said external source using said additional information to execute said instruction.
2. The remote control unit of claim 1 , wherein said additional information is obtainable from a user input.
3. The remote control unit of claim 1 , wherein said instruction is user enterable using keys or buttons.
4. The remote control unit of claim 1 , further comprising:
a display configured to display viewable information, said receiving portion being configured to receive said viewable information from said external source.
5. The remote control unit of claim 4 , wherein said viewable information is said request.
6. The remote control unit of claim 4 , wherein said viewable information is program guide information, said program guide information being a menu of programming.
7. The remote control unit of claim 4 , wherein said instruction is viewable on said display.
8. The remote control unit of claim 4 , wherein said viewable information is a list of sub-channels.
9. The remote control unit of claim 8 , wherein a sub-channel from said list of sub-channels is user selectable.
10. The remote control unit of claim 8 , wherein said prompt signal comprises said list of the sub-channels.
11. The remote control unit of claim 8 , wherein said sub-channels are within a digital channel.
12. The remote control unit of claim 11 , wherein the channel number of said digital channel is viewable on said display.
13. The remote control unit of claim 11 , wherein said instruction commands said external source to tune said digital channel.
14. The external source of claim 1 , wherein said external source is configured to output said confirmation signal and execute said instruction.
15. The external source of claim 14 , wherein said external source is configured to output an error signal when said instruction is an invalid instruction signal, said external source being configured to output said confirmation signal when said instruction is a valid instruction signal.
16. A peripheral device connectable to the external source of claim 14 , wherein a set of commands for the peripheral device is transmissible from said external source to said remote control unit so that the remote control unit can transmit command signals to said peripheral device.
17. The peripheral device of claim 16 , wherein command signals are transmissible from said remote control unit to said peripheral device.
18. The peripheral device of claim 17 , wherein said command signals are transmissible through said the external source.
19. The peripheral device of claim 17 , wherein said external source is configured to send a delete signal to said remote control unit when said peripheral device is disconnected from said external source.
20. The peripheral device of claim 19 , wherein said delete signal dictates a removal of said set of commands from said remote control unit.