Universal remote control unit
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A universal remote control unit for remotely controlling a plurality of devices, said universal remote control unit comprising:
- function means activatable by a user to select any of a plurality of functions in connection with the operation of each of the plurality of devices;
a transmitter;
a processor having a plurality of operating modes, each corresponding to a different one of the plurality of devices and said processor being operable in each of said plurality of operating modes to control transmission from said transmitter in response to activation of said function means by the user; and
said function means including a single preprogrammed means activatable by the user for simultaneously turning on/off all the plurality of devices.
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Abstract
A universal remote control unit for controlling the operation of a plurality of devices such as a cable box, a television, a video device, and an audio device, includes a processor having a plurality of operating modes. In one embodiment the universal remote control unit includes an ALL key preprogrammed to allow a user to turn on or off all of the devices. In another embodiment, a remote control unit allows assigning an additional function to a key having a preprogrammed function.
45 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A universal remote control unit for remotely controlling a plurality of devices, said universal remote control unit comprising:
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function means activatable by a user to select any of a plurality of functions in connection with the operation of each of the plurality of devices;
a transmitter;
a processor having a plurality of operating modes, each corresponding to a different one of the plurality of devices and said processor being operable in each of said plurality of operating modes to control transmission from said transmitter in response to activation of said function means by the user; and
said function means including a single preprogrammed means activatable by the user for simultaneously turning on/off all the plurality of devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A universal remote control unit for remotely controlling a plurality of devices, said universal remote control unit comprising:
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an input unit activatable by a user to select any of a plurality of functions in connection with the operation of each of the plurality of devices;
a transmitter;
a processor having a plurality of operating modes, each corresponding to a different one of the plurality of devices and said processor being operable in each of said plurality of operating modes to control transmission from said transmitter in response to activation of said input unit by the user; and
said input unit including a preprogrammed ALL key activatable by the user for simultaneously turning on/off all the plurality of devices. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for remotely controlling a plurality of devices, the method comprising:
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obtaining a universal remote control having a preprogrammed ALL key activatable by the user for simultaneously turning on/off all the plurality of devices; and
activating the ALL key to at least one of simultaneously turn on and off all of the plurality of devices. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. A universal remote control unit for remotely controlling a plurality of devices, said universal remote control unit comprising:
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function means activatable by a user to select any of a plurality of functions in connection with the operation of each of the plurality of devices;
a transmitter;
a processor having a plurality of operating modes, each corresponding to a different one of the plurality of devices and said processor being operable in each of said plurality of operating modes to control transmission from said transmitter in response to activation of said function means by the user; and
said function means including a plurality of means each of which is preprogrammed to enable the user to turn on/off one of the plurality of devices and each of which is user programmable to effect at least one additional function. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. A universal remote control unit for remotely controlling a plurality of devices, said universal remote control unit comprising:
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an input unit activatable by a user to select any of a plurality of functions in connection with the operation of each of the plurality of devices;
a transmitter;
a processor having a plurality of operating modes each, corresponding to a different one of the plurality of devices and said processor being operable in each of said plurality of operating modes to control transmission from said transmitter in response to activation of said input unit by the user; and
said input means including a plurality of keys each of which is preprogrammed to enable the user to turn on/off one of the plurality of devices and each of which is user programmable to effect at least one additional function. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A remote control unit for remotely controlling a device, said remote control unit comprising:
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function means activatable by a user to select any of a plurality of functions in connection with the operation of the device;
a transmitter;
a processor operable to control transmission from said transmitter in response to activation of said function means by the user; and
said function means including at least one means preprogrammed with a first function and user programmable to effect at least one additional function different from said first function for controlling the device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A remote control unit for remotely controlling a device, said remote control unit comprising:
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an input unit activatable by a user to select any of a plurality of functions in connection with the operation of the device;
a transmitter;
a processor operable to control transmission from said transmitter in response to activation of said input unit by the user; and
said input unit including at least one key preprogrammed with a first function and user programmable to effect at least one additional function different from said first function for controlling the device. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for remotely controlling at least one device, the method comprising:
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assigning an additional function to at least one key preprogrammed with a first function for controlling the at least one device; and
activating the at least one key to control the at least one device to effect the preprogrammed function and the assigned additional function. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29)
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Specification