Infra Red Protocols
The actual communication link between the remote control and the main product, the software protocol, is a vital element in each wireless input device. Philips Home Control (formerly known as RCS) can meet any required coding standard including the standard coding systems RC5, RC6 and RCMM, the new evolving standard for multimedia usage. When designing a wireless input device, standard codes can be selected, an OEM coding system can be implemented or special codes can be purchased directly from Philips.
RC5/RC6
RC5/6 are the Philips standard infrared protocols for remote control products. However, RC6 is now also available for OEM customers who want to define a reliable future proof remote control protocol. Therefore within RC6 it is possible to define for each OEM customer a unique customer code which makes the protocol dedicated to his/her products. This will guarantee that no other brand/device will be using the same code set.
RC5
One of the most frequently used protocols for traditional remote controls, RC5 is designed for multiple usage. This one protocol can meet the software requirements for a variety of remote control product ranges.
RC6
An advanced version of the RC5 coding system, the RC6 accepts special OEM customer codes, preventing interference with other RC6 codes.
RCMM (Remote Control Multimedia protocol)
This evolving one-way or two-way standard for interactive multimedia remote control products offers high speed and very low power consumption to maximize remote usage and main product performance.
RCMM (one-way and two-way)
Although RC5/6 is dedicated to remote control type of applications, it is not ideally suited for more interactive new input devices like wireless keyboards, multiple wireless game devices and wireless pointing devices.
Therefore Philips has defined a higher speed and very low power consumption protocol targeted to the above new products.
Although it is a standard within Philips, it is currently widely used as a ‘de facto standard’ for many OEM customers. RCMM can either work in a one-way or a two-way mode depending on whether multiple simultaneous devices need to work together or not.
RCMM 1.5
The patented RCMM 1.5 way solution is designed to provide the decoding simplicity of a one-way protocol and at the same time allow for multi-user simultaneous use, e.g. gamepads. In short it combines the best out of both worlds. No additional complexity is introduced at the receiver side, while it opens up a plethora of new possibilities in the multi-user application areas. Typical applications include set-top-box remote controls or gamepads that allow multiple player gaming.
RCFAST (2-way data applications)
With the amount of digital content exploding, a new category of products is conquering the living room. Devices such as digital media adapters or harddisk audio-video systems require a true 2-way remote control to maximize the experience. Remote controls like the Tino allow users to view, browse and select digital content easily from their couch through the display of the remote itself.
To achieve this functionality, Philips Home Control developed a highly optimized 2-way IR protocol, called RCFast.
RCFast implements a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint datalink between the remote control and a ‘server’. Using the available 20kbps bandwidth, the server can have full control over the content that is displayed on the remote control’s display. The protocol includes possibilities to display lists, labels, icons and many other graphical widgets allowing implementing the full user interface of your product on the remote control’s screen.
OEM coding systems
When designing a remote control however, it is not necessary to use a standard RC5 or RC6 code. Home Control has the possibility to structure and implement any OEM coding system into its remote control products.
Universal Infrared solutions
Universal/multibrand coding
Universal or preprogrammed remote controls are used to control several pieces of electronic equipment of different brands. They can operate a variety of televisions, video recorders, satellite tuners/cable converters and CD players world-wide. This means that you only need one universal remote to control all your equipment. You only have to install your remote once for your specific brand of TV, VCR or CD...
Home Control offers remote controls with universal and multibrand coding features as required for various market purposes. Moreover, multibrand coding can be integrated as a pre-programmed feature in most equipment. Thanks to an alliance with a market leader in this area, Home Control has a direct connection to the most complete code database.
Our software expertise such as advanced compression techniques, and download & upload techniques also add to the coding excellence of the universal database.
Philips Home Control can thus develop tailor made universal remotes based on your specific requirements.
Setup solutions for universal Remote Controls
Universal remote controls need to be configured by the end user to make it work with his/her precise brand and model. Various solutions exist in this area:
- Key digit entry, based on a brand list: users key in their code number
- Autosearch method : the remote control will try all codes one by one until the correct code is found
- Manual search method: the user can intervene in the search process
- For high end advanced remote controls, the setup and configuration of the remote control can also be done on a PC, with the Editor software
Infrared Learnable
Learnable know-how
This technology allows the customer to learn infrared codes from any remote into one single remote. It also forms a key selling point for remote controls that operate multiple devices in a single system setup.
Given its expertise in remote control codes, Philips Home Control has built up significant know-how in learning remote controls.
This technology enables the end-user to upgrade at any time his remote control. In other words if the consumer buys e.g a new TV-set, he can learn these new codes into his remote.
Learn & match
A further step to improve ease of use is the unique “learn and match” procedure. This technique requires a user to learn fewer codes in a manual process: after the user has learned one IR code, the code will be matched against the available codes in the remote controls database. Using this technique a match can be found very quickly, preventing thus that a user has to learn up to 20 or 40 IR codes into his remote himself!
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