Amino Remote Controls User manual

Amino Remote ControlConfiguration Guide
Version 1
AminoCommunications
Commercial inConfidence
AminoCommunications Ltd
Amino Remote Controls
ConfigurationGuide
Date:8
th
December2003
NickEbsworth;ProductManager

Amino Remote ControlConfiguration Guide
Page2
1ScopeandPurpose........................................................................................................................3
2Overview.........................................................................................................................................3
3Specifications.................................................................................................................................4
3.1 Mechanical..............................................................................................................................4
3.2 Security....................................................................................................................................4
3.3 Batteries..................................................................................................................................5
3.4 Optical.....................................................................................................................................5
4Standard Remotes.........................................................................................................................6
5
Hand-Held IR Remote Operation..................................................................................................7
5.1 Setting the Mode.....................................................................................................................7
5.2 EnteringTV BrandCodes......................................................................................................7
6Operation inTelevision Mode........................................................................................................9
7Operation inSTBmode...............................................................................................................11
8Remote ControlKeyCodes.........................................................................................................13
9Learning........................................................................................................................................13
10 CustomisingtheHand-Held Remote Control.........................................................................14
10.1 Lead Times........................................................................................................................14
10.2 Logo Customisation..........................................................................................................14
10.3 LegendCustomisation......................................................................................................15
10.4 Layout Customisation.......................................................................................................15
10.5 Macros...............................................................................................................................17
10.6 UserMacroProgramming................................................................................................18
10.7 Macro Programming Flowchart........................................................................................20
11 AppendixA:EuropeanTV BrandCodes................................................................................22
12 AppendixB:US/Asia TV Brand Codes...................................................................................32
13 AppendixC:ExampleConfiguration Specification................................................................41
14 AppendixD:Default Button Functions....................................................................................47
15 AppendixE:STB KeyCodes...................................................................................................49

Amino Remote ControlConfiguration Guide
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1Scope and Purpose
Thisdocument isintended to be a guide tothe Amino IR RemoteControls
Itisintended forusebytheAminocustomer in order to:
1.Understandthe functionalityof the standardAminoremote controls
2.Understandhowto specify acustomized remote control
3.Understandhowto configure andchange macros
ItisNOTintended tobean end-userguide.Amino haswritten separate
documentsthat are intended to beused bythe customerasa template for
an end-user guide.
Amino does not providean end-userguidefor theremote control. Theend-
userinterfaceisgoverned by the middleware that isbeingused. Generally,
the middleware iseither writtenbythecustomer orpurchasedby the
customerdirectly from aspecializedmiddlewareprovider, and then
customized forthe application. Aminodoesnotsupplymiddleware.
2Overview
TheAmino remote control isdesigned to complementthe Amino range of
Set-Top Boxes intermsofstyle, quality and functionality.
Theremote isuniversal;capableof controllingthe end-usersown television
aswell as theAminoset-top box.Approximately 95%of alltelevisions
worldwide can becontrolled using thisremote.
Theremote iseasilyprogrammed tocontrolthe end-usersTVby enteringa
3-digit TV Brand Codetaken froma tableofbrand codes. (SeeAppendix A
forEuropean TV Brand Codes and Appendix B forUS/AsiaTVBrand
Codes)
Theremote canbespecified with different button layouts, legends,and
brand logo.
Theremote canbespecified pre-configured with macrosto give multi-step
command sequencesinresponseto a single button press.

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3Specifications
3.1Mechanical
Thedimensionsof theremote are approximately195mm longby48mm
wide.
Theweightisapproximately78gwithoutbatteriesand 112gwith batteries
Thebodyof theremote isABSplasticin a lightgraycolour(Pantone Cool
Gray3U).Being a solid colourratherthan a spray finish, theremote does
not easilyshowsmallscratchesor otherminor damage.
A fine spark-texture finishisapplied to the bodyofthe remote.Aswell as a
pleasing aestheticfinish,thisalso providesagood grip.
Primarybutton functionsare clearlyprintedontothe top of each rubber
button inhighlywear-resistantink,testedto over100,000 operation cycles.
Thebuttonsprovide positive tactile feedbackandaretested to over 100,000
operations.
Theremote isrugged, capableofsurvivingadrop from2monto concrete
flooron anyface.
3.2Security
In orderto deterbatterytheft, the batterycompartment covercanbe
secured bya screw. The screw issuppliedfitted into thebase of theremote.
In orderto fit the battery coverscrew:
1. Remove thebatterycompartment cover.
2. Remove thesilverscrew at thebase of theremote using a 0pt
Posidrive™ screwdriver.
3. Fit the batteriesand re-fit thebatterycover.
4. Insert the screw into theholein the baseofthe battery cover
Theremote hasanunobtrusive feature molded intothe case toallow secure
fixingbycablelock (not supplied)

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3.3Batteries
Theremote ispowered by3 xAAA, MN2400, UM-3 or LR03 batteries.
Theuse of alkalinebatteriesisstronglyrecommended.
Battery life(usingalkalinebatteries) istypically around 6 monthsof 30-
minutesintermittentuseperday.
3.4Optical
A high-power980nm LED isfitted totransmit IR commands to the usersTV
andSTB.
A transmitterhalf-power angle of 45degreesensuresreliablecontroleven
whenthe remote isnotalignedaccuratelywiththe receiver.
When controlling theAminoset-top box,the remote usesa 56kHz
proprietary IR protocol thatishighlyimmune to interference fromother IR
sources.The IR protocolisshared by the Amino IR keyboard (available
separately)
IR rangewith theAminoSTBistypicallygreater than6metersunder
standardtungsten room lighting andin directline of sight.
Therangedecreasestoapproximately3 metersat an angleof 45 degrees
to theAmino Set Top Box.
Theeffective range andangle of controlwiththe userstelevisionis
dependent onthe TV IR frequency, protocoland receiversensitivity,butwill
typicallybe similarto thatof the Amino STB

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4Standard Remotes
Amino supplies one of 3standard remotes with itsset-top boxproducts:
1. A remote for use inEuropean andHong-Kongmarkets
2. A remote for use inUS andAsian market for use with middlewares
other than Minerva
3. A remote for use inUS andAsian marketsand withMinerva
middleware.
AminoStandard
Remotefor
European market
AminoStandard
Remotefor
US/Asia market
AminoStandard
Remotefor
US/Asiamarket
with Minerva
middleware
!
TheEuropean remote
hasaTV brandcode
librarythatworks
specificallywith
European(and Hong-
Kong)Televisionsand
the US/Asiaremotes
have a TV codelibrary
that worksspecifically
withUSandAsia
televisions.
It isimportant tousethe
correct remote for the
televisionsin use!

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5Hand-Held IRRemoteOperation
5.1Settingthe Mode
In common withmostuniversal remotes, theAminoremote ismoded and
operatesin oneoftwomodes, either STB mode or TV mode.
Themode isselected bypressing theTV or STB mode-select
button at the top of the remote. Whenpressed, the TV orSTB mode–select
button illuminatesfor 1secondto indicate that the correspondingmode has
been set.
When any functionbuttonontheremote ispressed,the TV orSTB button
willlightto indicate thata command isbeing transmitted inthat mode.
Themode remainsselected until changed bythe user.
Ifa button hasnovalid function in thatmode,neither theTV norSTB mode
buttonswilllight.
5.2EnteringTVBrand Codes
In orderforthe remoteto transmit thecorrectsignalsto controltheTV,the
remote mustfirst be programmed withthe 3-digit code corresponding tothe
makeand modelof TV in use.
Thisisdonein the followingway:
• Identify the makeofthe TV thatistobecontrolled.E.g.Sony,
Magnavox,Philips etc.
• Find the TV make listed in the brandingtable in the Remote Control
UserGuide
• Simultaneouslypress andholdtheTV andOK buttons onthe
remote.
• Afterapproximately2 seconds,the TV button willlight.
• Release theTVand OK buttons – theTV button remainsilluminated.
• Now enter the3-digitbrandcodeaccording to themake ofthe TV
that isbeingcontrolled.
• Aseach of the digitsareentered,the TV buttonwill briefly flash off
andonagain
• When the third digit has been entered,the TV buttonwill goout.
• Ifa TV brand codehasbeen entered thatthe remotedoesnot
recognize, theTV button willflash rapidly for asecond and remain
illuminated.Ifthishappens,re-enterthe correctTVbrandcode.
• Verify that theremote control works with the TV.

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• Ifno brandcode isentered, or thebrand codeenteredisincomplete,
afterseveral seconds,the remote will exit the TV brand code entry
modeand theTVbrandcodewillbeunchanged.
• Theremotesare suppliedbydefaultwith TV BrandCode 000.
Most TV makeshave more thanone brand code listedin the brand code
table – if thisisthecase try allbrand codesthat are listed for thatmakeuntil
a suitable match isfound.
Ifno brandcode islisted forthe TV, trybrand codesforcommontelevisions
such asPhilips and NEC.
Thebrandcode tablesfor European andUS/Asiaremotesare includedin
Appendix A and Appendix B respectively.

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6Operation in Television Mode
Theremote cancontrolthe following TV functions:
TV Function
US
Remote
European
Remote
Default Button
Symbol
Description
Power üüTogglesthe TV
power. (Note 1)
Direct
channel
number
entry
üü
Allowsdirectentryof
channelnumbers
Volume
up/down üü
Volumeupand
volumedown
Channel
up/down üü
Channelup and
channeldown
Mute üüTogglesTV mute
AV üüCycles theTV
through the available
AV inputs (Note2)
Last
Channel üüTogglesthe TV between thelast
displayed TV channel
andthecurrent TV
channel (Note 3)
Multi-Digit rüTogglesTV between
singleand multi-digit
channelselection

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Menu ür DisplaystheTVset-
upMenu
(Note 4)
Navigation&
OK ür
NavigatetheTV set-
upmenu (Note4)
TeleText rü Display & Control TV
Teletextpages
FastText rü Context-sensitive
navigation ofTeletext
pages
Functionsthatare not listed above are not available on the Amino remote.
Note 1.AllTVswillpoweroffwith thisbutton. Some TVswillswitch on
whenthe powerbutton isnext pressed and other TVswillonlypoweron
whenachannel button or channel +/-ispressed.
Note 2.Some TV’swillcyclethroughavailable AV inputsusing the Channel
+/-button. OtherTVsonly use theAVbutton to access the AV inputs.
Note 3.Thisbutton issometimesmarked as on TV remotes.Not all TVs
supportthisfeature.
Note 4.SomeUS TVsuse themenu, navigation andOK buttonsto access
settingsthat are not commonly changed (Closed-caption display,for
example)European TVsdonotnormallyuse thesebuttons.

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7Operation in STBmode
In STB mode, the remotescancontrolthe followingSTBfunctions:
STB Function DefaultButton
Symbol
Description
Power Togglesthe STB power.
Directchannel
number entry
Allowsdirectentry of STB channel
numbers
Also functionastextentrybuttonswhe
n
web-browsing. (Note1)
Volumeup/down
TV Volumeupand volume down (Note2)
Channel
up/down
STBChannelup andchannel down
Mute TogglesTV mute
(Note2)
AV Cyclesthrough TV output videomodes
(Note2)
(Mayalso beused to toggle STB TEXT
mode)
Delete Deletesasinglecharacter,leftof the
current cursor position, in textentry
boxes.
(Thisbutton isnot available with
Minerva middleware)
Enter Actsasareturn keywhenenteringtext.
(Thisbuttonisnotavailablewith
Minerva middleware)

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DEL Deletesasinglecharacter,leftof the
current cursor position, in textentry
boxes
(Thisbutton isunique to theMinerva
middleware)
Menu Displaysthe mainmenu
Navigation Navigate themenusandwebpages.
Navigation Colourednavigation buttons(Note 3)
Rewindthemovie
Play the movie
Pause the movie
FastForward the movie
Stop the movie
VideoControl
Record themovie
Scroll up and down thecurrent page
View the previouspage or thenext
page (ifalreadyvisited)
Refresh (reload) the current page
Page Control
Jump to homepage
Note 1.Text entry using the remote controlisnot supported bydefault.
Note 2.These buttonscontrolthe TV functions inbothTVmodeand STB
mode.
Note 3.TheMinerva middlewareversionofthe US/Asia remote has specific
use for these buttons.

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8RemoteControl KeyCodes
EachSTB functionthat the remote iscapable oftransmitting hasit’sown
unique codethat can bereported bythe operating software through to the
middleware.
Thelistof buttonsandtheircorresponding keycodesthat arereceived by
the middleware inresponse to STB IR codesisgiven in Appendix E
9Learning
Theremote hasnoIR codelearningcapability.

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10 Customising the Hand-Held RemoteControl
Theremote control isthe usersinterface to the middleware thatisbeing
used to providethe end-user interface forthe Set-top box.
Amino recognizesthat the standard remote maynotalwaysfulfill the
requirementsof the end-user interface in termsof functionalityor branding.
Amino therefore provides a meansof customizingthe standardremote
controlaccordingto the customersrequirements.
Once the configuration informationissuppliedto Amino, Aminowill return a
Remote Control Configuration Specification to thecustomer.Aftersign-off,
the remotewillthen bemanufactured and tested to theagreed specification.
An exampleConfigurationSpecificationisincluded inAppendixC
Itispossiblefor Amino to provide functionalsamples ofremoteswith
standardAminoartworkfor functional verification.
Itis not generallypossiblefor Aminoto provide samples ofcustomized
artworkonremotesdue to the long lead times requiredto generate the silk-
screens
Customization may include any of:
1. Replacing theAminologowith thecustomersown logo
2. Movingbuttons
3. Removing unnecessaryfunctions
4. Addingbuttons.
5. Addingmacros to buttons
10.1Lead Times
Lead timesoncustomized remotesare aminimumof 14weeks following
sign-off of theremote specification.
10.2Logo Customisation
Thesimplestformof customization isto replace the Amino logo onone of
the standard Amino remoteswith the customersownbrand logo.
Thecustomersown logo willreplace the Amino logo inthepositionshown.
In orderto brand theremote witha newlogo,the customermust supply
Amino with a copyof the logo artwork.

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Thelogodrawingmustbesupplied ineitherEPS (Encapsulated Post-Script)
or AI (Adobe Illustrator)format.
Thelogomustbesinglecolour and single-density, suitable forsingle-pass
silk-screenprinting.
Themaximum logosize isapproximately40mm widex23mm high
Thelogocolour mustbespecified insolid Pantone™ colour reference.
Amino willsize andpositionthe logoonthe remote.
A dimensioned drawing of the remote can be provided to the customeron
request, forapproval. The dimensioned drawing willbe available
approximately 2weeks aftersign-offof theremote specification.
10.3Legend Customisation
Button legends maybe changedto ones more suitedto thedemographicof
the end-user.
Example:
Theexistingpower controllogo buttonsymbolcan bereplaced with
Thelegendsprinted on the body ofthe remote can also be removedor
changed.
In orderto specifythe button orbodylegends,the customer mustsupply
marked-updrawings ora change-listto Amino.ItisNOT necessaryforthe
customerto provide finished artworkto Amino,a sketch issufficient.
10.4LayoutCustomisation
Where theexistingbuttonlayout isnotacceptable, it mayeasilybe
changed.
No further TV functionsmaybe added above those available on the
standardEU or US remote.
However,the TV and STB functionsmay befreelymovedaround the
remote orremovedcompletelyif not required.
Thelower panelof 16 buttonscanbepopulatedor depopulated asrequired.
Theholes left bybuttonsthat have been removed fromthe lower panelare
covered bya customizable printedoverlaylabel.
Theone limitation isthat the button colourscannot be changedfrom the
standardlayout.

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Customisable 4 x4
buttonpanel.

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10.5Macros
With the exceptionofthe STB and TV mode setbuttons, all
buttonsonthe remote can be programmedwith 1or2 macros, an STB-
modemacro and/ora TV-mode macro.
Macrosare typicallyusedto move buttonfunctions from one button on the
remote to another, remove button functions, oraddcomplexsequencesof
mixed TV andSTBcommandsto a button.
Withouta macro, thebutton assumesit’sdefault behaviour. (forthe default
button codesandfunctions,seeAppendix D)
Eachmacrocan hold a minimumof zero, and a maximum of4 sequential
commands.
Betweeneach macro command, apause of between500msand2 s(in
500mssteps)can be programmed.
Buttonsthat are programmedwith macros thathave no commandshave no
function. Abutton that hasno function, when pressed, will nottransmit any
IR and themode set buttonwill notilluminate.
A macro can consistofmixed TV andSTBcommandsin any order.
Macroscannot be nested.
A macro can be setto repeat when thebuttonishelddown, ortransmitonce
only for each button press.
Once abutton Ispressed,the entiremacro willbe transmitted.
Eachmacrocan be configuredto auto-repeat when the button ishelddown,
or transmitonlyonce perbutton press.
Macroscan be user-programmed, orpre-programmed inmanufacturing.
Macrosthat arepre-programmed in manufacturing canbe‘locked’ to
preventaccidentalormaliciouserasureoralteration. Macroscanbe
individually locked.
Unlocked macroscannotbe locked after manufacture. (Macro lockingcan
only beperformed at manufacture)
A macro can be used toprograma button with nofunction(inwhich case,
whenpressed,neither STBorTV buttonswillilluminate)
Macrosenteredby theend user can only include functionsforwhich there
are buttonson the remote.(WhenenteringMacros,the remote assumes
that each function ispositionedat thedefault location)
Macrosare specifiedby meansof theConfiguration Specification in
Appendix C.

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Macrosare retained when the remotebatteryisreplaced.
TheTV brandcode canbe changed without affecting the macro. The TV
brand code onlyaffectstheIR protocolthatistransmitted foreachTV
function.
10.6User Macro Programming
10.6.1To enter themacro programming mode.
1. Press andhold STB and TV buttonssimultaneouslyfor2 seconds
2. Both STB andTV buttonscontinuously illuminate
3. Press the STB or TVbutton to select themode forthe macro.The
button willflashoff and on againonce.
4. Press the button thatisrequired to store themacro
5. Press the STB or TVbutton andthentherequired function
6. Repeat step5above upto a maximumof4 timesto program4
sequential commands into the button
7. In orderto entera pause, press either STB button, ‘n’times,where n
istherequired delayin500msincrements, up toa maximumof 4
button presses.(A pause doesnotcount as one of the4 macro
programsteps)
8. At the endofthe macro program, in orderfor the macro torepeat,
pressthe TV button once.Omit thisstep if themacroisto be
transmitted once foreachbuttonpress.
9. Press andhold theSTBand TV buttonssimultaneouslyfor2
seconds to endthe macro recording.
10.TheSTBand TV buttons go darkandthe macro isstored.
Any keycanbe programmed with a macro.
Ifa macro hasbeen locked into the remoteatthe factory, the above procedure
willnot overwrite the existing macro.
EXAMPLE
A repeating TV macro isprogrammedinto the MENU button.Thismacro turns
the TV on, pausesa second, tunesthe TV to channel99 andturnsthe STB on.
Themacrosteps areas follows:
1. Transmitthe TV code forpower
2. Pause 1 second
3. TransmitTVcode 9
4. TransmitTVcode 9
5. TransmitSTBcode forpower
In orderto program thismacro, the following buttonsare pressed.

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1. Press andhold STB and TV buttonsfor2 seconds untilboth LEDS light
(entermacro programming mode)
2. Press the TV button (Themacro isto be recorded in TV mode)
3. Press the MENU button(TheMacroison the MENU button)
4. Press the TV button The firststepofthe macro isaTV command)
5. Press the POWER button(TV power ON)
6. Press STB button twice (entersthe1s pause between thisstep and the
next)
7. Press TV button
8. Press 9 button (TVchannel9)
9. Press TV button
10.Press 9 button (TVchannel 9)
11.Press STB button
12.Press POWER button(STB PowerON)
13.Press TV button (macrorepeats)
14.Press andhold STB and TV buttonsuntil LEDsgo out (Finish macro
programming)
10.6.2To remove a macrofroma button.
1. Press STB andTVsimultaneously for 2seconds
2. Both STB andTV button illuminate
3. Press the STB or TVbutton to select themode forthe macro.The
button willflashoff and on once.
4. Press the button thatistobeerased
5. Press andhold theSTBand TV buttonssimultaneouslyfor2
seconds to endthemacro recording
6. The STB andTV buttonsgodark and the macro iserased. The
button now hasno functionin the modeselected at step3and will
not transmit anyIR when pressed. NorwilltheLED light.
Note that,inthecase of abuttonwith both a TVmacroand an STB macro
recordedon thesame button, the above processwillonlyerase the macro inthe
modechosen atstep3 andwill noterase bothmacros.In order to erase both
STB andTVmacros,the above processneeds toberun through twice, once
selectingTVmode atstep3 andnexttime selecting STB at step 3
Ifa macro hasbeen ‘locked’into theremote during manufacture, themacrowill
notbe removedbytheabove procedure.

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10.7Macro Programming Flowchart
Press&HoldSTB& TVbuttons
For 2seconds
Macroprogrammingmode,
STBandTVbuttons arelit.
Press STB or TVbutton
To selectmacro mode
Button flashes offandon
Press required function button
Press STB or TVmodebutton
Press STB button
1 press=0.5s
2 press=1.0s
3 press=1.5s
4 press=2.0s
Pauserequired?
NO
YES
YES
Clear button?
NO
YES
Button will have no function and no IR transmitted when button is pressed
Finished?
Press STB button
1 press=0.5s
2 press=1.0s
3 press=1.5s
4 press=2.0s
Pauserequired?
NO
YES
YES
Finished?
Pressrequiredbuttontohold
Macro
Press required function button
NO
NO
Press STB or TVmodebutton