JPH113166A - Computer system and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] (Modified) [Problem] An interface for controlling a plurality of consumer devices via a computer. A control system for using a personal computer as a centralized platform for entertainment, communication, and creativity in a home or office, wherein a personality module is physically connected to a host computer to select a consumer device. A series of re-programmable device buttons for controlling the function of the selected device, and a series of re-programmable function keys for controlling the function of the selected device. A programmable display element for displaying symbols is provided. The system also has a personality module that interfaces with a computer program resident on the host computer with improved power management capabilities to control the operating state of the host computer and consumer devices.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to multimedia computing and multimedia entertainment systems, and more particularly to the use of personal computers as a simple, convenient, centralized platform for entertainment, communications, and productivity at home or office. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a control system and method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Some recent consumer electronic devices have a remote control system to allow a user to control the function of a device in a simple and convenient manner. A typical remote control system has a portable remote control unit with a receiver and a transmitter in the device to be controlled. Generally, a remote control unit includes a keypad having buttons that correlate to device functions. When a function key is pressed, the remote control unit transfers a corresponding electrical signal to the controlled device.

[0003] Multimedia computing / entertainment systems use remote control devices to integrate a wide variety of consumer devices into a single controllable unit. The integrated remote control unit is a portable device having keys for selecting functions of consumer equipment. Further, some multi-device remote control units have keys for activating certain consumer devices. Some remote control units change a function of a specific key by a program code built in the remote unit. The inherent program storage capacity and microprocessor speed constraints of this portable device limit the versatility and user friendliness of the code.

[0004] Various multi-device control systems have increased the capabilities of remote control units in stand-alone personal computer systems. Personal computer systems can store keypad programming data, facilitate device and function selection, and provide a communication path from a remote control unit to a controlled device. Some conventional home automation systems use a microcomputer to centrally control a large number of household equipment. The system uses a remote control unit, a touch display panel, and various switching devices to allow the user to select and activate equipment functions. Personal computers are TV and radio,
It includes a multimedia entertainment circuit that controls various consumer equipment such as telephone answering equipment. The circuit includes a remote control control circuit that communicates with the portable remote control unit and permits device and channel selection.

[0005] As another conventional system, there is a system in which a personal computer displays electronic devices in which functions are mapped to keys of a remote control unit in a menu list. As a related system, a personal computer stores a display menu and keypad programming data of a remote control unit. In such a system, the remote control unit downloads programming data in response to activation of a particular key to receive data from the computer.

On the other hand, some multi-device control systems use an independent control device for inputting data to a personal computer and remotely controlling a plurality of consumer devices. The controller of such a system has a single button that is used as a switch to select various modes of operation of the controller. In one mode, the control operates as a computer cursor control. In another mode, the controller receives control data from a personal computer and converts it to a remote control unit that transmits the received data to the intended consumer device.

[0007] All of the above systems remotely control multiple consumer devices using a single computer programmable control unit to change the function of the keys on the remote control unit, or control multiple consumer devices. The assignment of more than one key to a device cannot be tolerated.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a personality module for controlling a plurality of consumer devices via a computer, and a control system having a computer program as an interface with the personality module. It is in.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to multimedia computing and multimedia entertainment systems. A computer system according to the present invention includes a computer having a plurality of devices, an apparatus button for selecting one of the plurality of devices, and a function button for controlling a function of the selected device. And a control program provided on the computer and configured to generate a control command for controlling a device selected by the device button in response to activation of the function button. It is characterized by.

A method for controlling a plurality of devices according to the present invention is a computer system having a control panel having a plurality of device buttons for selecting one of a plurality of devices and a plurality of function buttons for controlling the functions of the plurality of devices. Transmitting an electrical signal from the control panel to a computer in response to activation of one of the device buttons; and, in the computer, determining a device corresponding to the device button. And activating a device corresponding to the activated device button.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system block diagram using each configuration of the present invention. The system of the present invention includes a personality module (PM) 100, a computer program 110a running on a host personal computer 110, and a plurality of consumer devices 120-122. PM 100 and computer program 110
a indicates to the user of the host PC 110 that each consumer device 1
Provides simple, convenient centralized control of 20-122. The consumer devices 120-122 are connected to the computer 11
0 represents software and hardware for controlling devices such as TV, radio, CD player, answering device, telephone, and Internet access. Although only three devices 120-122 are shown in FIG. 1, the present invention facilitates the operation of three or more consumer devices as is well known to those skilled in the art.

The PM 100 has components controlled by software, such as buttons, knobs, and display elements. The PM button has a plurality of device selection buttons for selecting a consumer device and a plurality of function selection buttons for controlling functions of the selected device.
According to the present invention, the device selection button is pressed to select one of the consumer devices 120-122, and the function selection button of the PM 100 is activated to control the function of the selected device. In various embodiments, the PM 100 has a display element such as an LED or LCD. PM
100 uses display elements to indicate device selection and status.

In various embodiments, the PM 100 is external to the host PC and is attached to the host PC 110 via an easily detachable coupling mechanism, such as a front monitor bezel or ramp hook. In one embodiment, the host PC 110 is an IBM compatible desktop PC, and the Microsoft Windows 9
5 (Trademark) is available. PM100
Can control multiple consumer devices controlled by the host PC 110 and display the status. Host PC1
10 functions a computer program 110a for interfacing the PM 100 with device-specific software that controls the consumer devices 120-122. The program 110a is stored in a storage medium 123 such as a computer disk, for example.

The PM 100 is electrically connected to a host computer 110 via a standard connection unit 105 made of a normal communication medium. In one embodiment, the standard connection is a cable that supports the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard. The USB cable provides two-way communication between PM 100 and host PC 110. For example, PM
Pressing the 100 device button generates a message
It is converted into a B packet and sent to the host PC 110.
The host PC 110 translates the packet and activates and deactivates application software for controlling the selected device.

FIG. 2 illustrates a multimedia electronic system having a personal computer 200 and a plurality of consumer devices 201-206. This architecture can support various types of consumer devices. The device is, for example, a TV 201, a VCR 202, or a radio 203
And an internal device such as, for example, a CD player 204, a telephone answering device 205, or Internet access 206. The computer program used in the system of the present invention interacts with device specific software running on the personal computer 200 to control the plurality of devices 201-206. The personality module according to the present invention comprises a device 2
01 to 206 can be interfaced with a computer program of the personal computer 200.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show two embodiments of the personality module according to the invention. Various embodiments of the personality module include a control panel having a device button for selecting a device, a function button for controlling the function of the device, a sleep button, a flywheel or flywheel knob, and a remote control receiver. Having. Each device button has a label and a device indicator such as an LED. The label identifies the consumer device controlled by the device button. Function buttons also have labels. In various embodiments according to the present invention,
The flywheel knob controls the master volume of the system, turning it clockwise turns up the volume and turning it counterclockwise turns it down. The sleep button controls a power management function of the host computer.
The remote control receiver receives a signal from a remote control that controls a remote personality module.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first embodiment of the personality module has only an LED display element. It has eleven buttons 301-311, six LED indicators 312-317, a flywheel knob 318, and a remote control receiver 319. The eleven buttons are five device buttons, five function buttons, and a sleep button. Device buttons 301-305 have corresponding labels 320-324. Each label 320-324 includes a decal or copy sticker that identifies the consumer device controlled by the device button.

The six LED indicators correspond to the five devices L
It consists of an ED indicator and a message LED. Each device LED 312-316 indicates the status of the corresponding device. The message LED 317 flashes to indicate a new message for the telephone answering device, and displays different colors, such as when the host system has sufficient power (green), when it is operating at reduced power (amber). Knob 3
18 provides master volume control for host computer systems and consumer devices. The remote control receiver 319 is interfaced with a handheld remote control to control the personality module. Function buttons 306-310 control the function of the currently selected consumer device and the corresponding label 325-310.
329.

As shown in FIG. 4, a second embodiment of the personality module has eleven buttons 351-3.
61, an LED display element 362, a knob 363, and a remote control receiver 364. It also has a programmable display element, such as an LCD display 350. The LCD display 350 is divided into three sections having a total of eleven display areas. Section 350a is a message display area, section 350b
Has five device display areas, and area 350c has five function display areas. 11 buttons 351-36
1 has five device buttons, five function buttons, and a sleep button. Each device button 351-355 identifies a consumer device controlled by the device button,
It has a corresponding display area in the LCD section 350b. When the personality module controls five or more devices, one of the device buttons operates as a next page button,
Repeat multiple pages of the device. The function buttons 356-360 each have a display area corresponding to the LCD section 350c, and display the same functions available to the currently selected device. Sleep button 36
1, the message LED 362, the knob 363, and the remote control receiver 364 operate in the same manner as the components corresponding to the first embodiment shown in FIG.

The LCD display 350 is an important difference between the first and second embodiments. Message area 350
a displays the latest status message generated by the device specific software controlling the consumer device via the computer. The LCD display area 350b
Displays characters and graphs for each consumer device. The display area 350c displays textually and graphically the available functions of the currently selected device. The computer program 110a of FIG. 1 provides the ability to change the symbols associated with the device and function buttons.

FIG. 5 shows an LCD display element 4 as shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of an embodiment of a personality module including a personal computer; The personality module hardware according to FIG. 3 comprises a microcontroller 400 such as, for example, an Intel 82930A USB microcontroller. The hardware configuration further includes a storage device 410 and an LCD panel 420.
And LCD controller interface 425, 3 × 4
It has a scan keypad 430, an incremental quadrature output encoder 440, an infrared receiver 450, and an LED indicator 460. The 82930A microcontroller is a microcontroller that supports a universal serial bus (USB) interface. USB
The interface 405 is the host computer 1 of FIG.
A full speed, 12 Mbps device that provides a standard connection 105 between 10 and PM 100. LCD panel 4
Reference numeral 20 denotes a 240 × 40 dot matrix display using a graph mode. In various embodiments, the backlight of LCD panel 420 is LED 460.
And three separate LED display elements. The LCD code for controlling the LCD panel 420 is stored in the storage device 410 and operates via the microcontroller 400 and the LCD controller interface 425. 3x4
The keypad 430 can have buttons on the front panel of the personality module. The incremental quadrature output encoder 440 is like a flywheel knob that spins freely and is used to control volume. Encoder 440 has 24 positions and has two channels that provide the direction and speed of rotation or spin. Infrared receiver 450 interfaces with the remote control unit of the system of the present invention. It is 829
Attached to serial input pin of 30A microcontroller. The LED indicator 460 indicates a waiting message from the telephone answering device and the power status of the host computer.

FIG. 6 shows the microcontroller 40 of FIG.
7 illustrates a firmware architecture of one embodiment of a PM implemented at 0. In such an embodiment, the firmware causes the personality module to function as a dump device. The personality module sends user control events such as button presses, knob rotations, or remote control transmissions to a host computer program for the translation and generation of control commands for controlling consumer devices. The personality module changes the status indication that appears on the display element based on information sent from the host computer program.

The firmware shown in FIG.
Power on self test 501, diagnostics or diagnostics 502, configuration 503,
Button 504, knob 505, infrared remote receiver 50
6, an LED 507, an LCD 508, a USB report handler 509, and a USB driver 510. The kernel 500 has a timer interrupt service routine (ISR) and an infinite loop for scheduling execution of the firmware process. The timer ISR counts software timer items that control the permanent loop. Power On-Self Test (POST) 501 and Diagnostic Process 5
02 is performed at system initialization time to ensure hardware integrity. Diagnostic 50
2 is executed in response to a command received from the host computer process. The configuration process 503 is also performed at initialization time to determine which consumer devices are active. The configuration 503 updates specific characteristics of various components of the personality module, such as a volume knob stabilization time, in response to a command from the host computer. Button 504, knob 505, and I
The RR 506 handles the specifics from the corresponding components of the personality module and sends status or state changes to the USB report handler 509. LED50
7 and the LCD 508 handle the status or display sent by the USB report handler 509 and set the LED or LCD device as directed by the sent report. The USB report handler 509 generates an input report to the host if there is anything to report such as pressing a button or turning a knob. The USB report handler 509 also receives the output report from the host and sends the report to the appropriate display element of the PM. USB report handler 509 checks the validity of incoming output reports to ensure data integrity. The USB driver 510 handles transmission and reception of events, and establishes a protocol required for USB communication. FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the system architecture of one embodiment of the system of the present invention. The system architecture has three key functions, PM600
, A transport 630, and a host 670. The PM function 600 is composed of two components, hardware 610 and firmware 620. In various embodiments, PM hardware 610 corresponds to the elements shown in FIG. 5, and PM firmware 620 corresponds to the elements shown in FIG. PM firmware 620 receives the user command from PM hardware 610 and sends this command to PM transport handler 640. P
M firmware 620 also receives status data from PM transport handler 640 and responds accordingly to P
Activate M hardware 610.

The transport function 630 includes a PM 600
A set of hardware and software protocols that provide a communication path for passing information between the host and the host 670. The transport function 630 passes information such as a control event from the PM 600 to the host 670. Control events include events in response to activation of device buttons for selecting devices and function buttons for performing device functions. The transport function 630 also
Host 6 for displaying the display element of hardware 610
Pass the state from 70 to PM600.

The transport function 630 includes a PM transport handler 640 and a transport medium 65.
0 and a host transport handler 660. The PM transport handler 640 controls the interface between the peripheral controller hardware and the host PC 110 by the P.
This is a combination with driver level software that operates M100. PM transport handler 64
0 takes data from PM firmware 620 and passes it to transport medium 650. It also takes data from PM firmware 620 and passes it to transport medium 650. The protocol required to pass the data is determined by the transport medium 650. The transport medium 650 is the host 6
It is physically connected between 70 and PM600. In various embodiments, the transport medium 650 comprises a USB connection having a USB cable, a USB connector, and a PM100 USB connector of the host PC of FIG. The host transport handler 660 and the PM transport handler 640 are connected to the transport medium 65.
0 and the transport medium 6
It makes the necessary protocols for transmission and reception via 50. The host transport handler 660 takes the data from the transport medium 650, performs any necessary protocol conversion, and passes the data to the PM manager 680. The host transport handler 660 also
Take data from M manager 680 and pass it to transport medium 650. The host transport handler 660 is a combination of host controller hardware and drive level software that operates a host PC. In various embodiments, the software driver includes instructions for Microsoft Windows 95 ™ to operate the system environment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the architecture of the system of the present invention is separate from the type of method implemented in the transport function 630. In various embodiments,
Transport function 630 is any of a variety of standard universal interfaces having a universal serial bus (USB) and radio frequency communication.

The host 670 has a PM manager 680
, A PM manager application programming interface (PMM API) 685, and application devices 690-692. The PM manager 680 has the host 670 and the PM 60
0, which controls the PM 600 and manages a plurality of application devices 690-692 that control consumer devices. PM manager 68
0 takes data from the host transport handler 660, translates the data, and issues device specific control commands to the appropriate application device 690-692 to control the selected device. PM manager 68
0 also takes device specific data from application devices 690-692, formats the data for use by PM firmware 620, and passes device specific information to host transport handler 660.

The PM manager 680 provides a user-accessible configuration to define and update the association between PM components controlled by PM 600 and consumer devices controlled by application devices 690-692. Provide management function. The configuration management function has the ability to add or remove consumer devices from the control of the personality module, assign device buttons to the device, and change the character and graph designations associated with the device and function buttons. Application devices 690-692 represent components that extend the functionality of host 670 that controls multiple consumer devices, such as 120-122 in FIG. Application device 6
90-692 has device specific software to operate the consumer device via the hardware comprising the computer and the consumer device. The device specific software controls and operates the functions of the consumer device and provides a user interface to access the device functions. Apparatus hardware is a physical embodiment of a consumer device in the form of an electronic device.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, PM manager 680 controls how the personality module interfaces to multiple application devices 690-692 simultaneously. When a plurality of devices operate simultaneously, the PM manager 680
Execute the application stack to track the selection sequence as well as the operating state of each of the 90-692. When the user selects one of the application devices 690-692 via the device button of the personality module, the selected application device will be in the current mode for the personality module. Current mode, function buttons and a display device which application device for driving to define whether the currently personality module and interface. Depending on each new current mode, the PM manager 680 will select the selected application device,
And update the application stack with information about the operating state of the previously selected application device. By deactivating the currently selected device via the corresponding device button, PM manager 680 uses the application stack to restore the previously selected application device to current mode.

According to another aspect of the invention, the system architecture has a PM application programming interface (PM API) 675 and a PM manager application programming interface (PMM API) 685. PM API6
The 75 and PMM API 685 allow for a modular design and reduce dependencies between the various components of the system of the present invention. PMAPI 675 interfaces host transport handler 650 and PM manager 680. The PMM API 685 includes a PM manager 680 and an application device 690-692.
Interface with

FIG. 8 shows a personality module (P
M) and a computer-readable program stored in a host computer having improved power management capability according to an embodiment of the present invention. With improved power management, computers can be turned off, on,
A minimum of three sleep power states can be maintained. Interacting with the power state of the host computer, the PM and the computer program create a PM state machine. As shown in FIG. 8, the PM state machine has at least five states: off, on 701, on 702, sleep 703, and sleep 704. In the off state, the PM and the host computer do not receive power, and the consumer device does not operate. A standard AC power switch supplies power to the host computer and transitions the PM state machine from the off state 700 to the on state 701. In the ON state 701, the computer and PM are activated without operating any consumer device. When one or more consumer devices are activated via the PM, the state machine transitions to the ON state 702. On 702, the host computer, PM,
And one or more consumer devices are activated.

In sleep states 703 and 704, the host computer operates at low power in an energy saving mode known as sleep mode. Pressing the sleep button of the present invention initiates the sleep mode of the computer and triggers a state transition in the PM state machine. Initiating the sleep mode of the computer turns off the monitor if the TV device is not maintained, shuts off the hard disk drive if it is not currently being accessed, slows down the fan or turns off the computer's internal CD drive. In the sleep mode, the functions of the host computer are not completely accessed. However, the personality module continues to interface with the host computer program to operate various consumer devices. For example, when the host is in the sleep mode, FIG.
PM manager 680 cooperates with one of the application devices, controls the TV device, and displays a TV screen on the monitor of the host computer.

Referring again to FIG. 8, the PM state machine and the trigger event will be further described. ON state 701 and 7
02, pressing the sleep button of the present invention causes all consumer devices to stop executing, the computer program to store the current state of the device, and the state machine to go to sleep state 703. Sleep state 7
At 03, pressing the sleep button returns the machine to either the on state 701 before the device was inactive or the on state 702 where the device was active and remembers the previous state. In the sleep state 703, the machine is shifted to sleep 704 by selecting a device. In sleep state 704, the host computer is in sleep mode, but one or more consumer devices are active. Pressing the sleep button in sleep 704 causes all consumer devices to stop running, the computer to stay in sleep mode, and the PM state machine to go to sleep 703. Sleep 703
Pressing the sleep button at
Return to 1. In various embodiments of the present invention, TMR70
An inactive timer, designated 5 and TMR 706, causes the computer to enter sleep mode, causing the state machine to enter sleep state 703 or 704 as shown in FIG.
Move to

FIG. 9 is a table summarizing the operation of the sleep button according to the embodiment of the present invention. Pressing the sleep button will trigger different events depending on the power mode of the host computer. The sleep button is on the personality module, host computer or remote control unit. When the user presses the sleep button to invoke the sleep mode of the host computer, PM
Can be activated or deactivated. When the host computer is active without any consumer device operating, pressing the sleep button puts the host computer into sleep mode. When the host computer and the consumer device are active, pressing the sleep button deactivates the consumer device, puts the host computer into sleep mode, and transitions the PM state machine to sleep state. This also means that the computer program comprising the PM manager 680 of FIG. 7 can store information about the state of the consumer device via the application stack before becoming inactive. When the event triggers a transition from the sleep state, the computer program restores the device to its previous state.

When the host is in sleep mode, the PM state machine is in the sleep state, and the consumer device is active, pressing the sleep button deactivates the consumer device and transitions the PM state machine to a different sleep state. When no consumer device is active, the host is in sleep mode, and the PM state machine is in the sleep state, pressing the sleep button puts the host in a state where the host has sufficient power and the state machine transitions to the on state. According to the present invention, whether the mouse is moved or the keyboard is input, the state machine can be switched from the sleep state to the on state and can be triggered to supply sufficient power to the host computer.

FIG. 10 shows a remote control unit 900 of the present invention used to remotely control a personality module. In one embodiment of the present invention,
The remote control unit 900 comprises three sections, the first being a miniature personality module 90
0a, the second is a mouse device and volume buttons, and the third is a numeric keypad and application specific keys. The miniature personality module has 11 buttons 901 corresponding to the buttons of the personality module.
-911, five device buttons 901-905, five function buttons 906-910, and a sleep button 9.
11 The mouse device 915 includes a pointing device 915a such as a pressure-energized mouse pad or a multidirectional mouse pointer, and left and right mouse buttons 915b-c. Volume button is volume up 913
, A volume down 914, and a weak sound 912. The numeric keypad 920 includes ten telephone-type numeric keys, and “*” and “#” keys. The application specific key comprises a storage dial 916, a redial 917 for a telephone device, and a quick jump 918 for selecting a TV or radio channel.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the present invention, in which a remote control unit 1000 and a monitor 102 are provided.
1, a personality module 1010 detachably attached to the
Consists of Remote control unit 1000
Allows the user to remotely control the personality module 1010.

Remote control unit 1000
Transmits a signal corresponding to the activation of one of the plurality of buttons of the personality module 1010 to the module. The personality module 1010 receives the signal transmitted via the remote control receiver, sends the signal to the multimedia computer 1020, and is processed by the computer program having the host function 670 of FIG. The personality module 1010 is
Monitor 1021 of multimedia computer 1020
, And is electrically connected to a USB terminal 1022 of the computer.

Remote control unit 1000
Transmits a signal corresponding to the movement of the mouse device pointer and the activation of the mouse button to the personality module 1010. Personality module 1010
Transmits the mouse signal to the multimedia computer 1020
And is processed by the computer program having the host function of FIG. According to one aspect of the present invention, a computer program having a host function 670 sends mouse data received from the remote control unit 1000 to a mouse control program of the host computer 1020 to translate and generate computer control commands.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the system of the present invention, in which a personality module 1010 and a host computer 1110 having a remote control receiver 1110b are wirelessly connected. In such an embodiment, PM 1100 is physically separated from the host computer. PM1100
Is a computer program 1110a embedded in the host.
And a wireless communication medium 1105. The wireless PM 1100 transmits the signal to the remote control receiver 1
Transmitted to 110b, receiver 1110b communicates this signal to computer program 1110a to control one of consumer devices 1120-1122, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a control system having a personality module for controlling a plurality of consumer devices via a computer, and a computer program as an interface with the personality module. The personality module of the system has a control panel with a series of re-programmable device buttons for selecting consumer devices and a series of re-programmable function buttons for controlling the function of the selected device.

The personality module is re-programmable in a way that allows the user to quickly select and activate any one of the various devices or device functions operated by the system of the present invention. Devices and function buttons are provided.

As one aspect of the present invention, the present invention is removably attached to a computer using a computer program as an interface with a personality module as a host.

In another aspect of the invention, a state machine comprising a personality module and a computer program residing on a host computer with improved power management capabilities can control the operating states of the host computer and consumer devices. In yet another aspect of the invention, a remote control unit separate from the personality module can operate the personality module remotely.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the specific embodiments with reference to the drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention can be embodied with many modifications or alterations without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. It is clear to the traders.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the system of the present invention,
The system includes a personality module, a host computer for operating a computer program that interfaces with the personality module, and a plurality of consumer devices.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a multimedia electronic system including a computer and a consumer device.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a personality module according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the personality module according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of an embodiment of the personality module according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting a firmware architecture of one embodiment of a personality module according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram depicting a system architecture implementing one embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a state transition diagram of one embodiment of the present invention having a host computer with improved power management capabilities.

FIG. 9 is a table summarizing the operation of the sleep button of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a remote control device according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the system of the present invention comprising a remote control device and a personality module connected to a host computer.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the system of the present invention using a wireless communication medium between a personality module and a host computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 100 Personality module (PM) 105 Standard connection 110 Host personal computer 110a Computer program 120-122 Consumer device 123 Storage medium 301-305 Device button 306-310 Function button 312-316 LED 317 Message LED 318 Flywheel knob 319 Remote control receiver 350 LED display 351-361 Button 362 LED 363 Knob 364 Remote control receiver 400 Microcontroller 405 USB interface 420 LCD panel 600 Personality module PM 610 PM hardware 620 PM firmware 630 Transport 640 PM Transport handler 650 Transport media 660 Strike transport handler 670 host 680 PM manager 685 PM manager application programming interface 690-692 application device 900 remote control unit 901-905 device button 906-910 function button 911 sleep button 1000 remote control unit 1010 personality module 1020 multimedia computer 1021 monitor 1022 USB terminal

Continuation of front page (72) Inventor John, F. Matsumoto California, USA, 92713-9724, Irvine, P.O.Box 19724, Irvine Boulevard 9740, Toshiba, USA, Information, Systems, Inc. (72) Inventor Isabel, W. Linn California, USA, 92713-9724, Irvine, P.O. Box 19724, Irvine Boulevard 9740, Toshiba, USA, Information, Systems, Inc. (72) Inventor Ryan, H. J. California, USA, 92713-9724, Irvine, P.O. Box 19724, Irvine Boulevard 9740, Toshiba, USA, Information, Systems, Inc. (72) Inventor Juliana, C. Coo, California, USA, 92713-9724, Irvine, P.O.Box 19724, Irvine Boulevard 9740, Toshiba, U.S.A., Information, Systems, Inc.

Claims (29)

[Claims] A computer having a plurality of devices, an apparatus button for selecting one of the plurality of devices, and a function button for controlling a function of the selected device, connected to the computer via an interface port A control panel provided on the computer, and a control program for generating a control command for controlling a device selected by the device button in response to activation of the function button. And a computer system. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said control panel is removably mounted on said computer. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein said control panel is removably mounted on a monitor associated with said computer. 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said control panel further comprises a display element for visually displaying an operation of said plurality of device buttons. 5. The system of claim 4, wherein said display element comprises a plurality of indicators each proximate to a corresponding one of said plurality of device buttons. 6. The system of claim 4, wherein said computer program further comprises a device for changing a symbol associated with one of said plurality of device buttons. 7. The system of claim 4, wherein said computer program further comprises a device for changing a symbol associated with one of said plurality of function buttons. 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein said computer program further comprises means for generating a table for changing a relationship between one of a plurality of device buttons and a corresponding device. 9. The computer program further generates a current device pointer that is considered to be the same as that of the plurality of devices selected by the first activation of the plurality of device buttons, and 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a device that changes the current device pointer in response to activation of the second device. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein said control panel further comprises a free spin knob having a device for indicating a spin direction and a device for indicating a spin speed. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein said interface terminals communicate via a universal serial bus protocol. 12. The system according to claim 1, wherein said interface terminals communicate via a wireless communication protocol. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein said control panel further comprises computer control buttons for controlling a power management function of the computer. 14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said computer control button is a sleep button for controlling a low power operation state of the computer. 15. A remote control device comprising: a plurality of remote device buttons for selecting one of the plurality of devices; and a plurality of remote function buttons for a control function of the selected device. The system of claim 1, further comprising a remote control receiver that receives a signal from the remote controller in response to activation of one of the plurality of remote buttons of the remote controller. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein said remote control further comprises a sleep button for controlling a low power operating state of the computer. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein said remote control has a plurality of cursor control buttons for controlling a cursor function of a computer. 18. The system of claim 17, wherein said plurality of cursor control devices include a pointing device for controlling a cursor position visually displayed on a computer. 19. A computer system comprising: a plurality of device buttons for selecting one of a plurality of devices; and a control panel having a plurality of function buttons for controlling functions of the plurality of devices. Transmitting an electrical signal from the control panel to a computer according to the activation; determining a device corresponding to the device button in the computer; and activating the device button in the computer in response to the determination. Activating a device corresponding to the above. 20. Generating a signal from the computer to the control panel to change a symbol associated with one of the plurality of device buttons, and visually displaying the changed symbol on a display element of the control panel. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: 21. The method of claim 19, further comprising: generating a signal from the computer to the control panel to change a combination between one of the plurality of device buttons and a corresponding device. 22. The method of claim 19, further comprising determining which of the plurality of devices has been selected via activation of the first plurality of device buttons in response to activation of the second plurality of device buttons. The described method. 23. A step of transmitting a signal from a remote control device to a control panel in response to activation of one of a plurality of remote device buttons of the remote control device, and generating a device control command in a computer in response thereto; Activating the device to perform. 24. The method of claim 19, further comprising controlling power management functions of a computer from said control panel. 25. A step of receiving a signal from the remote control device in response to activation of one of a plurality of cursor control buttons of the remote control device, and generating a cursor control command accordingly to control a cursor function of the computer. 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of: 26. A selection device for selecting one of a plurality of devices, a control device for controlling a function of each selected device, and a reception device for receiving an electric signal corresponding to activation of the selection device and the control device A system for controlling a plurality of devices, comprising: and a generator for generating a device control command corresponding to one of the plurality of devices. 27. A control system comprising: a control panel removably mounted on a computer; the selection device having a plurality of device buttons on a control panel each corresponding to one of a plurality of devices; Has a plurality of function buttons on a control panel each corresponding to an apparatus function for one of a plurality of devices, the receiving device has a wired communication path between the control panel and a computer, and the generating device has a computer. 20. The system according to claim 19, further comprising a computer program provided in the computer. 28. A computer readable medium used in a system for controlling a plurality of devices, the computer readable medium comprising: a plurality of device buttons for selecting one of the devices; and each selected device. A device that receives a signal from a control panel combined with a computer in response to activation of a plurality of function buttons for controlling the functions of the device, and controls one of the plurality of devices and generates a device control command accordingly. A computer-readable medium used in a system for controlling a plurality of devices, comprising a computer program having a generating device. 29. The computer readable medium according to claim 28, wherein said computer program further comprises a device for changing a symbol associated with one of a plurality of device buttons on a control panel.