Remote control system

• US 10,210,749 B1
• Filed: 06/23/2016
• Issued: 02/19/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Monterey Research, LLC (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Monterey Research, LLC (Vector Capital Corporation)
• Inventors: Wisniewski, John Anthony, Young, Kristopher L., Wright, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael
• Application Number:
  US15/190,416
• Time in Patent Office: 971 Days
• Field of Search: 348734
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/21 Programming remote control devices via third means
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42225 characterized by types of remote control, e.g. universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42226 Reprogrammable remote control devices

Abstract

A method and apparatus receive first control data associated with a first device, using a radio frequency transceiver and store the first control data in a memory. The method and apparatus detect selection of an operational function of the first device through an interface and use a processor to access the memory for control data corresponding to the operational function. The method and apparatus transmit the control data corresponding to the operational function to control the first device.

Claims

1. A method of operating a wireless device comprising:

detecting selection of a first device through an interface of the wireless device;

detecting selection of an interface element, of the interface of the wireless device, to be used to initiate an operational function of the first device;

responsive to detecting selection of the interface element to be used to initiate the operation function of the first device, receiving first control data associated with the first device via a 2.4 GHz frequency band, using a radio frequency (RF) transceiver of the wireless device;

storing the first control data in a memory of the wireless device;

detecting selection of the operational function of the first device through the interface element of the wireless device;

using a processor of the wireless device, accessing the memory for control data, of the first control data, corresponding to the operational function; and

transmitting the control data corresponding to the operational function to control the first device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving of the first control data associated with the first device includes receiving the first control data from a remote computer through a set top box.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting the selection of the first device includes detecting input to select at least one of a device type, a device vendor, and a device model of the first device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the first control data associated with the first device includes receiving first control data corresponding to a plurality of operational functions of the first device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first control data includes one or more command codes used by the wireless device to control the first device and the transmitting the control data includes transmitting the control data using an infrared transmitter of the wireless device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a software upgrade using the RF transceiver; and

responsive to the processor executing an upgraded software, transmitting the control data corresponding to the function to control the first device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting input, to select a second device, through the interface of the wireless device;

receiving second control data associated with the second device using the RF transceiver of the wireless device;

storing the second control data in the memory of the wireless device;

detecting selection of an operational function of the second device through the interface of the wireless device;

using the processor of the wireless device, accessing the memory for control data, of the second control data, corresponding to the operational function of the second device; and

transmitting the control data of the second control data corresponding to the operational function of the second device, using an infrared transmitter of the wireless device, to control the second device.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

an interface configured to receive input indicating a first device, the interface comprising an interface element selectable by a user to indicate that the interface element is to be used to select an operational function of the first device;

a wireless transceiver, based a selection of the interface element by the user, configured to request and then receive first command information associated with the first device via a 2.4 GHz frequency band;

a memory device configured to store the first command information, the interface further configured to indicate an operational function of the first device,

a processor, responsive to the indication of the operational function, configured to access the memory device for command information, of the first command information, corresponding to the operational function; and

an infrared (IR) transmitter configured to transmit the command information corresponding to the operational function.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the interface is configured to receive input indicating at least one of a device type, a device vendor, and a device model of the first device.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first command information corresponds to a plurality of operational functions of the first device.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first command information includes at least one of one or more command codes to control the first device and one or more signaling protocols associated with the first device.

12. A wireless device, comprising:

an interface structure configured to receive input to select remote devices and to select buttons to be used to initiate functions of selected remote devices;

a wireless receiver configured to receive, through a 2.4 GHz frequency band, control data corresponding to the functions responsive to selection of the buttons to be used to initiate the functions and configured to receive an update to a firmware of the wireless device;

a memory device configured to store the control data and the update to the firmware;

a processor configured to operate based on the update to the firmware, wherein responsive to button input to select a function of one of the selected remote devices, the processor is configured to access the memory device for the control data corresponding to the selected function; and

a wireless transmitter configured to transmit the control data corresponding to the selected function to control the one of the selected remote devices.

13. The wireless device of claim 12, wherein the input to select the remote devices includes input to select at least one of a device type, a device vendor, and a device model of a remote device.

14. The wireless device of claim 12, wherein a device type of the remote devices includes at least one of a media device and a household appliance.

15. The wireless device of claim 12, wherein a device type of the remote devices includes at least one of a video device, an audio device, a fan, a window blind, and a lighting device.

16. The wireless device of claim 12, wherein the interface structure comprises a plurality of buttons.

17. The wireless device of claim 12, wherein the control data corresponding to the functions of the selected remote devices includes infrared command codes.

18. The wireless device of claim 12, wherein the wireless receiver comprises a radio frequency receiver.

19. The wireless device of claim 12, wherein the wireless transmitter comprises an infrared transmitter.