Abstract:
A controlling device (200) for operating a PC (208) and one or more home appliances (202). The described controlling device has integrated mouse and remote control functions, and may be configured to automatically detect whether the controlling device is being used as a mouse or as a remote control. For effective operation in both control modes, the controlling device includes both RF and IR transmitters, and is configured to transition between these transmission mediums based on the detection of whether the controlling device is being used as a mouse or as a remote control.
Abstract:
A controlling device, such as a universal remote control, that uses visual, audio, and/or tactile cues, such as sounds, color, patterns, shapes, vibrations, etc., to indicate relationships. Relationships may be between a function key and an intended target appliance for a command transmitted in response to activation of the function key, a user and the controlling device, or a room and the controlling device.
Abstract:
A system and method for configuring a remote control to command the operation of appliances, to capture demographic data, and to provide services, such as automated warranty registration, instructions, viewing guides, etc., relevant to the appliances is provided. The system includes a database and associated server that are located remotely from the remote control and accessible via a network connection. Command codes, graphical user interface elements, and services are accessed and downloaded to the remote control, as appropriate, using data supplied to the server that identifies the appliances and/or functional capabilities of the appliances. This data can be supplied by the appliances directly or can be obtained from other sources such as barcode labels, network devices, etc.
Abstract:
A controlling device (10) having programming which ensures an appliance (12) will be placed into a desired power state. The controlling device (10) transmits a query message to a power monitor (14) associated with the appliance (12) to obtain the current power state of the appliance (12). If the current power state does not correspond to the desired power state, the controlling device (10) transmits a command to the appliance (12) to effect a change in the current power state of the appliance (12).
Abstract:
A hand-held electronic device (1150) 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 favourites. 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 user interface (12) for displaying graphical operational mode information to a user of a universal remote control (10). The user interface (12) displays to the user in a circular queue arrangement iconic representations of every home appliance, which the universal remote control (10) is setup to control. The user may then interact with the user interface (12) to select an iconic representation of the one of the home appliances, which the user desires to control. In response to this selection, the user interface (12) will display the iconic representation of the home appliances such that the iconic representation of the home appliance indicated by the user is moved to a predetermined position in the circular queue arrangement relative to the remaining iconic representations and/or is given an appearance distinct from the appearance of the remaining iconic representations within the circular queue arrangement. In this manner, the user interface (12) indicates to the user the current operational mode of the universal remote control(10).
Abstract:
Methods for identifying control keys with particular devices are disclosed along with methods of assigning control keys to particular devices. In particular, a remote control (10) comprises a set of hard keys (12) comprising channel group keys (16) and volume group keys (14) and a set of soft keys (32) activated via a touch screen display. The display identifies the device the volume group keys are set to control and the device the channel group keys are set to control. Selecting the device currently controlled by the channel group keys by, for example, depressing the device indicator (20) on the display screen, initiates a set up mode that displays numerous devices that may be controlled by the channel group keys. Selecting one of the numerous devices assigns the channel group keys to that device.
Abstract:
A system and method for creating a controlling device. In response to a user specifying one or more operating criteria for the controlling device, the system selects executable instructions from a library of executable instructions and command code sets from a library of command code sets that are to be store in the memory of the controlling device. In addition, the system uses the criteria to suggest command key/command code mappings for use within the controlling device. The user may interact with the system to modify the selected executable instructions, command code sets, and command key/command code mappings. When stored in the memory of the controlling device, the executable instructions are to be used to perform various operations and functions within the controlling device and the command codes are to be transmitted from the controlling device to command the operation of controllable devices in response to activation of one or more of the command keys.
Abstract:
The remote control (10) comprises a microprocessor including a CPU and memory, a keypad (20) including keys (25) for operating the remote control coupled (10) to the microprocessor (38) IR, lamp driver circuitry (62) coupled to the microprocessor (38), hardware and software, including the microprocessor (38), for generating infrared (IR) signals coupled to the IR lamp driver circuitry (62), code data for executing command functions for operating a home entertainment device stored in the memory. The keys (25) include a SCAN key (28), circuitry for coupling the SCAN key (28) to the microprocessor and a channel scan program stored in the memory for effecting a channel scan of channels when the SCAN key (28) is depressed.
Abstract:
The remote control (10) comprises: a microprocessor (38) including a CPU (44) and a memory (40, 42); a keyboard (20) coupled to the microprocessor (38) and including a set of keys (25) including at least one MACRO key; IR lamp driver circuitry (62) coupled to the microprocessor (38); light emitting circuitry for generating and emitting IR signals coupled to the IR lamp driver circuitry (62); code data for creating the IR signals, which are sent by the light emitting circuitry to a controlled device to cause the controlled device to perform specific command functions stored in the memory (40, 42); a macro entry/definition program in the memory (40, 42) for enabling a user of the remote control (10) to define a macro for selecting at least one favorite channel by entry of a series of keystoke commands on the keyboard (20); and a macro playback program in the memory (40, 42) for enabling an operator of the remote control (10) to effect rapid selection of at least one favorite channel upon subsequent depression of the at least one MACRO key.