Abstract:
A method and system for configuring a universal remote control (URC) to control a remote-controlled device includes establishing a communication link between the URC and the remote-controlled device in response to detecting a gesture motion of the URC. Device information may be received from the remote-controlled device and used by the URC to program the URC to control the remote-controlled device. The URC may be configured to control a plurality of remote-controlled devices. The communication link may be a near field wireless communication link.
Abstract:
A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a new remote controlled device having a digital mark is disclosed. A digital representation of the mark is generated and sent to a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) server, along with MCDN account information. The digital mark may be used to retrieve programming codes, which are sent to client premises equipment (CPE) at an MCDN client identified by the MCDN account information. The CPE may be instructed to reprogram the URC to control the new device using the programming codes. The digital mark may be scanned and sent to the server using wireless telephony service provided by the MCDN service provider.
Abstract:
A system and method for enabling set up of a controlling device capable of controlling a plurality of appliances, via an interactive instruction set and associated programming. The programming is accessible by a STB or other controllable appliance and is configured to appropriately display interactive instructions and prompts to a user during a user initiated set up procedure for configuration of another controllable device (e.g., DVD, VCR, DVR, etc) available to the user. Appropriate set up data, generally in the form of command library codes, is displayed to the user by the interactive instruction set and associated programming for entry and trial by the user in set up of the desired appliance(s).
Abstract:
A control device which controls an operation of a controlled device, includes: an operation information storage unit to store operation information about an acceptable operation; a control information acquisition unit to acquire control information about the controlled device; and an association table generation unit to generate an association table for storing the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit associated with the control information acquired by the control information acquisition unit.
Abstract:
Presented is a control system for augmenting a portable touch screen device having integral processing capability. The control system includes an enclosure configured for encasing the portable touch screen device, an internal docking connector configured for communicatively mating with the portable touch screen device, and hard buttons. At least one of the hard buttons is functionally configured for use with an application program running on the portable touch screen device. The control system includes further includes a processor configured for converting button actuations into a digital format, and a first facility for communicating the digital format to the portable touch screen device via the internal docking connector. The application program is configured such that, during operation, the application program communicates the status of the one hard button to at least one external device.
Abstract:
Presented is a control system for augmenting a portable touch screen device having integral processing capability. The control system includes an enclosure configured for encasing the portable touch screen device, an internal docking connector configured for communicatively mating with the portable touch screen device, and hard buttons. At least one of the hard buttons is functionally configured for use with an application program running on the portable touch screen device. The control system includes further includes a processor configured for converting button actuations into a digital format, and a first facility for communicating the digital format to the portable touch screen device via the internal docking connector. The application program is configured such that, during operation, the application program communicates the status of the one hard button to at least one external device.
Abstract:
A server device receives identity data retrieved from an appliance through use of a physical and logical interconnection referenced to a standard. The identity data is used at the server device to identify within a database having a plurality of appliance records, each of which is cross-referenced to an appliance, an appliance record having data in one or more record fields which matches the identity data retrieved from the appliance. A codeset identifier associated with the identified appliance record is then used to select from a plurality of codesets a codeset for use in configuring the portable device to command functional operations of the appliance.
Abstract:
Data indicative of topography of an object of interest is received at a recognition system having an associated database in which is stored topography data for a plurality of reference objects each of which is cross-referenced to configuration information for a universal controlling device. The reference system uses the received data and the topography data for the plurality of reference objects to discern one or more reference objects as being a match for the object of interest. At least a subset of the configuration information that has been cross-referenced to the one or more reference objects discerned by the recognition system as being a match for the object of interest is then used to configure the universal controlling device to enable the universal controlling device to communicate commands to one or more target appliances.
Abstract:
A handheld electronic device is provided. The handheld electronic device comprises a storage unit, an audio sensor, a processing unit and a wireless control unit. The storage unit is configured to store first device data and first control data. The audio sensor is configured to receive an audio and generates an audio signal accordingly. The processing module identifies electronic device information according to the audio input and searches the storage module to retrieve a corresponding device code set from the device code sets. The infrared control module generates an infrared control signal to an electronic device to be controlled according to the corresponding device code set and an input control signal from the processing module after the corresponding device code set is retrieved to control the electronic device.
Abstract:
In one embodiment, location aware operation is provided using Bluetooth positioning. A Bluetooth-enabled handheld device is operated within a structure. Received Bluetooth signal strengths are measured for a plurality of Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver units dispersed within the structure, where respective ones of the plurality of Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver units are located on separate floors, in separate rooms, or in different portions of a same room. Based on the received Bluetooth signal strengths, a single Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver unit is selected. A location of the selected Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver unit is assigned to the Bluetooth-enabled handheld device. A first electronic device is controlled based on the assigned location. In response to movement by a user of the Bluetooth-enabled handheld device within the structure, a location of a different Bluetooth-enabled transmitter/receiver unit is reassigned to the Bluetooth-enabled handheld device. A second electronic device is controlled based on the reassigned location.