Remotely controlled transmitter with a bar code reader.

The invention relates to a remote control transmitter having the features specified in the preamble of claim 1.

From EP application 0098956 a remote control transmitter is known, is integrated in which the appearance of a barcode reader. Such a remote control transmitter can advantageously be used in addition to his normal duties (use of one or more devices in consumer electronics) to a bar code, which is printed in a program guide and includes broadcast-specific information, such as on the air, broadcasting time, broadcasting station, etc. to read, and to transmit in terms of programming in a memory, for example a video recorder. A disadvantage of this remote control transmitter is that the read bar code can not be verified for its correctness, so that under certain circumstances incorrect data are transferred to the memory of the video recorder. This results in the desired program contribution is not recorded.

Starting from this prior art, the invention has the object of a remote control transmitter of the type mentioned in such a way that was read from the bar code reader bar code prior to transmission to the memory of the programmed receiver can be checked for correctness.

This object is achieved with a remote control transmitter having the features specified in the preamble of claim 1 by the features specified in the characterizing part features. Advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the dependent claims.

The advantages of the invention consist in particular in the fact that the remote control transmitter claimed there is a decoding of the read bar codes and the decoded bar code is displayed in plain text on the display of the remote control transmitter. A possible error in reading the bar codes can be recognized in this way before the transfer of the bar code in the memory of the receiving device and corrected. This ensures that the desired program is actually recorded. Further advantageous features of the claimed result from the remote control transmitter to an embodiment, which is explained with reference to the (single) FIGURE.

The remote controller FB shown in the figure includes a keyboard T, which, in addition to the usual numerical and function keys Z or F send key S and a barcode reader activation button A. By means of numerical and function keys are input, the usual operation commands of a video recorder. These include forward switching from the standby mode, normal playback, fast search, fast search backwards, rewinding forward, rewinding backwards, still playback and manual programming. The input from the numerical and function key commands are not a processor PR supplied via an 8-bit line, where it is converted into a coded signal, for example, a biphasecodiertes signal, and when you press the PTT 5 via an infrared transmitter IR for ( transmitted subscribed) VCR. Further, the input via the numerical and function keys control commands in the processor PR are converted to ASCII data words. These are supplied to a character generator ZG. In character generator are obtained from the ASCII data words letter and number that are displayed on a display driver DT on a display D as the control commands descriptive plaintext signals.

Upon actuation of the bar code reader activation key A keyboard T by the processor via a line L2, a bar code reader SL is activated. The data read from the bar code reader SL when passing over a printed in a TV magazine barcodes barcode data on the one hand supplied to the processor PR and secondly a Strichcodeauswerteschaltung SA. The processor PR checks whether the barcode data are coded complete and correct, as if at the beginning of each data word, a start bit is present, whether the code has been read completely, etc.

If this is the case, then the processor PR generates a release signal which of the Strichcodeauswerteschaltung SA is supplied through a line L1. In the Strichcodeauswerteschaltung SA the encoded barcode data into ASCII data words are converted. These are supplied to the character generator ZG. In character generator are obtained from the ASCII data words letters and numbers that are shown on the display driver DT on the screen D as the bar code read descriptive plaintext signal.

on the other hand are incorrect and / or incomplete bar code data, then the processor PR generates a blocking signal which the Strichcodeauswerteschaltung SA is supplied via the line L1. This causes an evaluation of the bar code data in the SA Strichcodeauswerteschaltung omitted. Further, the processor in this case generates ASCII data words which information about the presence of a fault and its type (for example the absence of the start bit, code is incomplete, ...) provide. This ASCII data words are supplied to the character generator ZG. In character generator are obtained from the ASCII data words letters and numbers that are shown on the display driver DT on the screen D as the fault descriptive plaintext signals.

Using this on the display D plaintext, representing an error message at the correct barcode, the decoded bar code signal and to incorrect bar code, the user can check before sending the barcode information, whether the bar code is read by the bar code reader correctly or not. If this is not the case, then the user can repeat the reading process, if necessary, present to correct bar code data. Thus, a correct programming of the video recorder is ensured.