Abstract:
A state-based remote control system for providing efficient and simple operation of a plurality of electronic devices as a coordinated system based upon an overall task. The state-based remote control system includes a housing, a keypad in communication with an electronic system contained within the housing, and a communication device in communication with the electronic system for communicating with external electronic devices. The electronic system monitors the buttons selected by a user to determine the state of all external electronic devices that are to be controlled. When the user selects a task (e.g. watch television), the electronic system automatically determines the actions required to achieve the desired task based upon the current state of the external electronic devices. After the task has been fulfilled, the electronic system updates the data to reflect the modified state of the external electronic devices.
Abstract:
A universal remote control system (100) for controlling a consumer electronics system (200). The remote control system (100) includes a hand-held remote control device (102) for entering a user command, such as a voice command or a keypad command. The remote control system (100)further includes a personal computer (104), which is wirelessly connected to the hand-held remote control device (102). In this regard, the user command can be wirelessly transmitted to the personal computer (104). The personal computer (104) generates formatting data in response to the user command. The formatting data is wirelessly transmitted from the personal computer (104) to the remote control device (102). The remote control device (102) issues a control signal based on the formatting data. This control signal is wirelessly transmitted to the consumer electronics system (200) for configuration thereof.
Abstract:
A state-based remote control system for providing efficient and simple operation of a plurality of electronic devices as a coordinated system based upon an overall task. The state-based remote control system includes a housing, a keypad in communication with an electronic system contained within the housing, and a communication device in communication with the electronic system for communicating with external electronic devices. The electronic system monitors the buttons selected by a user to determine the state of all external electronic devices that are to be controlled. When the user selects a task (e.g. watch television), the electronic system automatically determines the actions required to achieve the desired task based upon the current state of the external electronic devices. After the task has been fulfilled, the electronic system updates the data to reflect the modified state of the external electronic devices.
Abstract:
A system and method is disclosed for using two or more cooperating but physically independent displays for enhanced viewing of data streams, where the viewing on one display does not interfere with the viewing on the other displays. The type of data streams may include complex streams such as multiple television broadcast signals or other video signals, internet data, or other local data such as information related to the state of a consumer's home appliances. The signals may be data embedded in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) for analog signals, or in dedicated slots in a digital signal according to protocols such as MPEG. The system includes a hand held and portable remote control (10) with a motion picture display and hardware or software enabling interaction between a primary display (80) and the hand held display (10). The hardware may include an integrated TV tuner or a physically separate base station (75) having a TV tuner, in which case the base station (75) and the remote control (10) would communicate via radio frequencies (110 and 115).
Abstract:
A method and system for commanding and controlling diverse home devices. A first home device capable of displaying user interface data is connected to a home network. A second home device stores user interface data that defines a user interface for commanding and controlling the second home device, also connected to the homenetwork. The first device receives the user interface data from the second device over the network. The first device then displays the user interface as defined by the data. The user interacts with the user interface displayed on the first device by a control device. User input is accepted from the user responsive to the interaction. Control and command information is sent from the first home device to the second home device in order to control the second device according to the user input. Since the user interface can be displayed from any device, a single control device may control a plurality of different devices without requiring any change in the mode of operation of the control device.
Abstract:
A remote control device comprising a display unit for displaying a function item selection screen on which remote operation target equipments as a plurality of function items such as "luminaire", "air conditioner" and "television" are arrayed, a function item selection switch for selecting a remote operation target equipment, for example, "air conditioner", on the function item selection screen, a positive button for determining the selected remote operation target equipment, for example, "air conditioner", a negative button for cancelling the selected function item, a control section for causing the display unit to display another function item selection screen on which set functions as a plurality of other function items such as "ON/OFF", "temperature" and "timer" are arrayed when, for example, "air conditioner", is determined and indicated by the positive button, and outputting an indication code of the determined and indicated "air conditioner", and a communication section for converting the outputted indication code to an infrared signal and transmitting the signal to, for example, "air conditioner". As a result, the number of operating switches and buttons may be reduced and operation procedures for various remote operation target equipments may be unified, thus providing high operability.
Abstract:
A method and system is provided for detecting, commanding and controlling diverse home devices currently connected to a home network. An interface is provided for accessing the home devices that are currently connected to a home network. According to the method, a device link file is generated, wherein the device link file identifies home devices that are currently connected to the home network. A device link page is created, wherein the device link page contains a device button that is associated with each home device that is identified in the device link file. A hyper-text link is associated with each device button, wherein the hyper-text link provides a link to an HTML page that is contained on the home device that is associated with the device button, and the device link page is displayed on a browser based home device.
Abstract:
A method and system for commanding and controlling diverse home devices on a home network to perform a service is provided. According to the method, a client device that is capable of displaying a user interface is connected to a home network. A software agent is executed on the client device to cause a user interface to be displayed on the client device. First and second home devices connected to the home network are selected from the user interface, and control and command data are sent from the client device to the first and second home devices to cause these devices to communicate with each other to perform the service.
Abstract:
A hand-held electronic device having a remote control application user interface that functions to displays operational mode information to a user. The graphical user interface may be used, for example, to setup the remote control application to control appliances for one or more users in one or more rooms, to perform activities, and to access favorites. The remote control application is also adapted to be upgradeable. Furthermore, the remote control application provides for the sharing of operational mode information.
Abstract:
A hand-held electronic device having a remote control application user interface that functions to displays operational mode information to a user. The graphical user interface may be used, for example, to setup the remote control application to control appliances for one or more users in one or more rooms, to perform activities, and to access favorites. The remote control application is also adapted to be upgradeable. Furthermore, the remote control application provides for the sharing of operational mode information.