US Patent:
20040237115, Nov 25, 2004
Inventors:
Koichi Horiuchi - Nara-shi, JP
Hiromichi Shimada - Nishinomiya-shi, JP
Toyohiko Matsuda - Katano-shi, JP
Kuninaga Azuma - Edgewater NJ, US
International Classification:
H04N007/173
G06F013/00
H04N005/445
G06F003/00
H04N007/16
US Classification:
725/116000, 725/146000, 725/093000, 725/058000, 725/147000
Abstract:
A remote control unit can operate a server capable of transmitting contents data, and accept a recording medium. The remote control unit includes a controller for generating a control signal to control the server and the remote control unit, an operation section for switching an operating mode of the remote control unit, a transmitter/receiver operable to transmit the control signal generated by the controller to the server, and to receive the contents data from the server, and a recorder/reproducer. The recorder/reproducer is operable to accept the recording medium, record the contents data received by the transmitter/receiver into the recording medium, reproduce data from the recording medium, and output the data to the transmitter/receiver. According to the control signal generated by the controller based on the operating mode, the recorder/reproducer is operable to switch a function of the remote control unit between a drive belonging to the server and a drive independent from the server.