초록 ▼

A remote control unit for efficiently selecting programming/channels is disclosed. The remote control unit is particularly applicable to receiver stations that receive transmitted signals from more than one source on more than one frequency. Movement back and forth between the different signal sourc

A remote control unit for efficiently selecting programming/channels is disclosed. The remote control unit is particularly applicable to receiver stations that receive transmitted signals from more than one source on more than one frequency. Movement back and forth between the different signal sources typically calls for the viewer to perform more than one selection operation. In the disclosed embodiment, a single selection operation (e.g., entry of a desired channel number or operation of one of the arrow keys or the up/down channel keys) initiates the several actions that are needed to move from one source to another and select a channel associated therewith. The different sources may be identified automatically based on channel assignments. In the disclosed embodiments, the channel number assignments for one signal source are in the range from "0" to "99," and the channel number assignments for another signal source are in the range from "100" to "999."

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method of selecting transmitted programming from a plurality of sources including a first source and a second source, wherein the first and second sources are controlled by a single remote control device and wherein both the first and second sources can be commanded t

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A method of selecting transmitted programming from a plurality of sources including a first source and a second source, wherein the first and second sources are controlled by a single remote control device and wherein both the first and second sources can be commanded to increment or decrement the selected channel being processed, the steps comprising:assigning to a first selection means which is part of said remote control device the function of incrementing the channel selection of said first source;assigning to a second selection means which is part of said remote control device the function of decrementing the channel selection of said first source;assigning to a third selection means which is part of said remote control device the function of incrementing the channel selection of said second source;assigning to a fourth selection means which is part of said remote control device the function of decrementing the channel selection of said second source;in response to activation of said first, second, third or fourth selection means, generating a mode command sequence which comprises an appropriate sequence for selecting the output of said first source for display if said first or second selection means is activated, or for selecting the output of said second source for display if the third of fourth selection means is activated; andthereafter, generating a tuning command which comprises an appropriate command sequence to increment the tuner of said first source if the first selection means was activated, or an appropriate command sequence to decrement the tuner of said first source if the second selection means was activated, or an appropriate command sequence to increment the tuner of said second source if the third selection means was activated, or an appropriate command sequence to decrement the tuner of said second source if the fourth selection means was activated.