User interface for a remote control application

• US 20030103088A1
• Filed: 11/06/2002
• Published: 06/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Huang, Steve LanPing, Hayes, Patrick H., Conway, James N. Jr., Scott, Cheryl, Klein, Sandro David, Scott, Wayne, Yuh, Han-Sheng, Wang, Weidong William, Campbell, Robert, Dresti, Mauro, Louie, Alex, Smith-Kielland, Ingvald Alain
• Granted Patent: US 7,831,930 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/835
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/445 Program loading or initiating bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/21 Programming remote control devices via third means
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/33 Remote control using macros, scripts
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/42 Transmitting or receiving remote control signals via a network
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/91 Remote control based on location and proximity
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 17/22 Interactive procedures; Man-machine interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/0025 in a remote control unit remote control tuning in general H03J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 2200/23 Remote control device with display showing data to be transmitted to the controlled apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 2200/25 : Remote control device with display
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 2200/26 : Remote control device with touch screen display
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/20 : for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 : by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2816 : Controlling appliance services of a home automation network by calling their functionalities arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station; in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom H04Q9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/509 : wherein the managed service relates to media content delivery, e.g. audio, video or TV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 : being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• 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 21/4131 : home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807
• 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 21/42209 : for displaying non-command information, e.g. electronic program guide [EPG], e-mail, messages or a second television channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4222 : Remote control device emulator integrated into a non-television apparatus, e.g. a PDA, media center or smart toy remote control device for a television receiver integrated into a mobile phone H04M1/72415
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4227 : Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 : End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6547 : comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8543 : using a description language, e.g. Multimedia and Hypermedia information coding Expert Group [MHEG], eXtensible Markup Language [XML] information retrieval of semistructured data, the underlying structure being taken into account, e.g. mark-up language structure data G06F16/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/50 : Tuning indicators; Automatic tuning control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/16 : Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

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.

Claims

1. A readable media having instructions for displaying capabilities of a hand-held device used to remotely control the operation of different types of devices of different manufacturers, the instructions performing steps comprising:

displaying a representation of a soft key with a first appearance indicative of a state wherein the hand held device needs to be setup to perform a function in response to activation of the soft key; and

displaying the representation of the soft key with a second appearance indicative of a state wherein the hand held device is setup to perform the function in response to activation of the soft key.

2. The readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein the second appearance comprises the first appearance with an overlay removed.

4. The readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein activation of the soft key places the remote control in a mode to effect control of a specific one of the types of devices.

5. The readable media as recited in claim 4, wherein the soft key is setup by specifying one of the different manufacturers of the specific one of the types of devices.

6. The readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein activation of the soft key causes the transmission of commands to cause one of the different types of devices to tune to a favorite channel.

7. The readable media as recited in claim 6, wherein the soft key is setup by specifying one of the different manufacturers of the specific one of the types of devices and a tuning location of the favorite channel.

8. The readable media as recited in claim 1, further comprising displaying an add icon the activation of which is used to add a representation of a second soft key which is required to be setup.

9. The readable media as recited in claim 8, wherein the add icon is used to add a representation of a mode of operation of the hand-held device.

10. The readable media as recited in claim 1, wherein activation of the soft key having the first appearance automatically invokes a setup wizard.

3. The readable media as recited in claim 3, wherein the overlay comprises an image of a wrench.

11. A readable media having instructions for displaying information to a user of a hand-held device, comprising:

displaying to the user in a circular queue arrangement a plurality of iconic representations each corresponding to a home appliance which the hand-held device can be setup to remotely control;

accepting input from the user for setting up the hand-held device to control the operation of a home appliance; and

changing the appearance of the iconic representation corresponding to the home appliance after the user sets up the hand-held device to control the operation of the home appliance.

12. The readable media as recited in claim 11, wherein the circular queue is displayed as a wheel and the instructions further move the iconic representation corresponding to the home appliance the user setup the hand-held device to control to a top portion of the wheel.

13. The readable media as recited in claim 11, wherein changing the appearance of the iconic representation comprises removing an overlay from the iconic representation.

14. The readable media as recited in claim 13, wherein the overlay comprises an image of a wrench.

15. The readable media as recited in claim 11, wherein the instructions further display an iconic representation corresponding to an activity whereby the hand-held device can be setup to remotely control the operation of a plurality of home appliances to perform actions related to a common function.

16. The readable media as recited in claim 15, wherein the common function is control of home appliances arranged into a home theater system.

17. A readable media having instructions for displaying information to a user of a hand-held device, the instructions performing steps comprising:

displaying to the user a plurality of iconic representations the activation of which causes the hand-held device to perform an action which is assigned within the hand-held device to the activated iconic representation;

sensing a continuous activation of an iconic representation for a predetermined length of time; and

in response to the sensed continuous activation of the iconic representation for the predetermined length of time, automatically starting a setup wizard which allows a user to enter information to change within the hand-held device the action assigned to the iconic representation.

45. The readable media as recited in claim 17, wherein activation of the iconic representations cause the hand-held device to transmit a command to cause a device to tune to a channel which is assigned within the hand-held device to the activated iconic representation.

18. A readable media having instructions for displaying information to a user of a hand-held device, the instructions performing steps comprising:

displaying to the user a plurality of iconic representations each indicative of a source of programming;

accepting a user selection of one of the iconic representations;

using an electronic program guide downloaded to the hand-held device to determine the channel number of the source of programming corresponding to the selected one of the iconic representations; and

transmitting a command to cause a home appliance to tune to the channel number.

72. The readable media as recited in claim 18, wherein each iconic representation is assigned an alphanumeric tag which alphanumeric tag is associated with a channel number within the electronic program guide.

19. A readable media having instructions for displaying information to a user of a hand-held device, the instructions performing steps comprising:

displaying a soft-key with an iconic representation of one of a plurality of groups of functions assigned to hard-keys of the hand-held device wherein at least some of the functions are used to control the operation of one or more home appliances in response to activation of the hard-keys;

sensing activation of the soft-key; and

in response to a sensed activation of the soft-key, displaying to the user a plurality of groups of functions assignable to the hard-keys of the hand-held device and, after a selection of one of the groups of functions by a user, displaying the soft key with the iconic representation of the selected one of the plurality of groups of functions.

20. The readable media as recited in claim 19, wherein one of the groups of functions comprises command codes for controlling transport functions of the one or more home appliances.

21. The readable media as recited in claim 19, wherein one of the groups of functions comprises commands for navigating through information displayed on the hand-held device.

54. The readable media as recited in claim 19, wherein a function assigned to at least one of the hard-keys is non-reassignable.

22. A hand-held device, comprising:

a processor;

a display;

a transmitter; and

a memory storing a plurality of software applications having instructions for controlling the operation of the processor and the display including a remote control software application further having instructions for causing the transmitter to transmit command codes to home appliances to control the operation of the home appliances;

wherein the remote control software application has a first mode of operation whereby a user is provided access to the other ones of the plurality of software applications and a second mode of operation whereby the user is limited to using only the remote control software application.

23. The hand-held device as recited in claim 22, wherein the second mode of operation prevents the user from accessing power control functions of the hand-held device.

24. A readable media having instructions for displaying information to a user of a hand-held device, comprising:

displaying to the user a plurality of iconic representations to which are assigned a first set of actions whereby activation of an iconic representation causes the hand-held device to perform the action assigned to the activated iconic representation and wherein activation of at least some of the iconic representations causes the hand-held device to transmit command codes for controlling the operation of one or more home appliances;

accepting input for assigning a new action to at least one of the iconic representations;

storing a representation of the assignment of the first set of actions to the iconic representations; and

allowing the user to access the stored representation of the assignment of first set of actions to the iconic representations to restore the assignment of the first set of actions to the iconic representations.

25. The readable media as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of accepting input comprises downloading command codes to the hand-held device which are mapped to corresponding ones of the iconic representations.

26. The readable media as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of accepting input comprises the user defining a macro to be assigned to the at least one of the iconic representations.

27. The readable media as recited in claim 24, wherein the step of accepting input comprises the user setting up the remote control to control the operation of a specific type and brand of home appliance.

28. A readable media, comprising:

a first set of data fields containing data indicative of attributes of a hardware platform;

a second set of data fields containing data indicative of attributes of devices the hardware platform is configured to remotely control the operation of;

a third set of data fields containing data indicative of attributes of pages displayable by the hardware platform;

a fourth set of data fields containing data indicative of attributes of soft keys comprising at least a portion of the pages; and

a fifth set of data fields containing data indicative of attributes of functions performed by the hardware platform in response to activation of the soft keys.

29. The readable media as recited in claim 28, further comprising a sixth set of data fields containing data descriptive of resources for use in display of the soft keys.

30. The readable media as recited in claim 28, further comprising a sixth set of data fields containing data indicative of attributes of a user of the hardware platform.

31. The readable media as recited in claim 30, further comprising a seventh set of data fields containing data indicative of a room in which the devices are found.

32. A readable media in a hand-held device having instructions for use in creating a remote control macro, the instructions performing steps comprising:

accepting input from a user specifying a plurality of devices to be remotely controlled by the hand-held device;

using a predetermined set of rules to automatically define a chain of commands that comprise the macro as a function of the plurality of devices specified by the user, the macro to be used to command the operation of the plurality of devices to place the plurality of devices into a specific state;

displaying the macro to the user; and

accepting input from the user to change the chain of commands that comprise the macro.

33. A readable media having instructions for displaying information to a plurality of users of a hand held device, the instructions performing steps comprising:

allowing each user to define a list of their favorite channels; and

accepting input that identifies a user of the hand held device and, in response, displaying to the user their corresponding list of favorite channels whereby the user may interact with the list to cause the hand held device to transmit command codes to a home appliance for the purpose of tuning the home appliance to a channel represented on their list of favorite channels.

34. The readable media as recited in claim 33, further comprising instructions for gathering information indicative of frequency with which each user uses the hand held device to transmit command codes to tune the home appliance to a channel represented on their list of favorite channels and using the information to provide an order to the list of favorite channels as it is displayed to the corresponding user.

48. The readable media as recited in claim 34, wherein the order provided to the list of favorite channels is day of the week dependent.

49. The readable media as recited in claim 34, wherein the order provided to the list of favorites is time of day dependent.

63. The readable media as recited in claim 33, wherein the instructions further allow a new user to be defined and wherein the instructions automatically create a favorites page for maintaining a list of favorite channels for the new user.

71. The readable media as recited in claim 33, wherein at least one of the users is identified using registration information for the hand-held device.

35. A readable media having instructions for displaying information to a user of a hand held device, the instructions performing steps comprising:

allowing a list of favorite channels to be defined for a plurality of home appliance which the hand-held device is adapted to control; and

accepting input that specifies a mode to control one of the plurality of home appliances and, in response, displaying to the user the corresponding list of favorite channels whereby the user may interact with the list to cause the hand held device to transmit command codes to the home appliance for the purpose of tuning the home appliance to a channel represented on the list of favorite channels.

36. The readable media as recited in claim 35, further comprising instructions for gathering information indicative of frequency with which the hand held device is used to transmit command codes to tune each of the plurality of home appliances to a channel represented on the corresponding list of favorite channels and using the information to provide an order to the list of favorite channels displayable to the user.

50. The readable media as recited in claim 36, wherein the order provided to the list of favorite channels is day of the week dependent.

51. The readable media as recited in claim 36, wherein the order provided to the list of favorites is time of day dependent.

37. A readable media having instructions for displaying information to a user of a hand held device, the instructions performing steps comprising:

allowing a list of favorite channels to be defined for a room mode of operation whereby the hand-held device is adapted to expose functionality to the user for use in controlling the operation of the plurality of home appliance while in the room mode;

displaying to the user, in response to the hand held device being placed in the room mode, the list of favorite channels whereby the user may interact with the list of favorite channels to cause the hand held device to transmit command codes to at least one of the plurality of home appliances for the purpose of tuning the at least one of the plurality of home appliances to a channel represented on the list of favorite channels;

gathering information indicative of frequency with which the hand held device is used to transmit command codes to tune each of the plurality of home appliances to a channel represented on the list of favorite channels; and

using the information to provide an order to the list of favorite channels displayable to the user.

52. The readable media as recited in claim 37, wherein the order provided to the list of favorite channels is day of the week dependent.

53. The readable media as recited in claim 37, wherein the order provided to the list of favorites is time of day dependent.

62. The readable media as recited in claim 37, wherein the instructions further allow a user to define a new room mode and wherein the instructions automatically create a favorites page for maintaining a list of favorite channels for the new room.

38. A method for displaying operational mode information to a user of a hand held device, comprising:

displaying a plurality of mode soft-keys each activatable to place the hand held device in a mode to remotely control the operation of one or more home appliances while simultaneously displaying an add soft-key activatable to automatically allow a user to setup the hand held device to control the operation of one or more additional home appliances and, once the setup is completed, adding an additional mode soft-key to the plurality of mode soft-keys, the additional soft-key activatable to place the hand held device in a mode to remotely control the operation of the one or more additional home appliances.

39. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein at least one of the mode soft-keys is displayed with an image representative of a home appliance.

40. The method as recited in claim 39, wherein at least one of the mode soft-keys is displayed with an image representative of an activity.

41. A method for displaying operational mode information to a user of a hand held device, comprising:

displaying an activity soft-key activatable to cause the transmission of commands to remotely control the operation of a plurality of designated devices while simultaneously displaying a device mode soft-key activatable to place the hand held device in a mode to remotely control the operation of a designated home appliance via command soft-keys that are displayed in response to activation of the device mode soft-key.

42. The method as recited in claim 41, wherein the device mode soft-key and the activity soft-key are displayed in a circular queue.

43. A readable media having instructions for displaying remote control command keys to a user of a hand held device, the instructions performing steps comprising:

accepting input by which a first user and a second user can by identified to the hand held device;

displaying a first remote control transmitter interface to the first user, the first remote control interface having a plurality of first remote control command keys such that activating a respective one of the plurality of first remote control command keys causes the hand held device to transmit a corresponding command code to one or more home appliances; and

displaying a second remote control transmitter interface to the second user, the second remote control transmitter interface having a plurality of second remote control command keys such that activating a respective one of the plurality of second remote control command keys causes the hand held device to transmit a corresponding command code to one or more home appliances, the plurality of second remote control command keys being a subset of the plurality of first remote control command keys and smaller in number than the plurality of first remote control command keys.

44. A readable media having instructions for displaying capabilities of a hand-held device used to remotely control the operation of different types of devices of different manufacturers, the instructions performing steps comprising:

displaying a representation of a soft key; and

in response to the first activation of the soft key, automatically invoking a setup wizard which is used to setup the soft key whereby subsequent activation of the soft key causes the hand held device to perform an operation.

46. A readable media having instructions for displaying capabilities of a hand-held device used to remotely control the operation of different types of devices of different manufacturers, the instructions performing steps comprising:

allowing the user to specify a geographical region in which the hand-held device is intended to be operated; and

using the specified geographical region to determine a manner in which keys used to transmit command codes to command operations of the devices are displayed to the user.

47. A readable media having instructions for displaying capabilities of a hand-held device used to remotely control the operation of different types of devices of different manufacturers, the instructions performing steps comprising:

allowing the user to specify a geographical region in which the hand-held device is intended to be operated; and

using the specified geographical region to associate command functions to keys which are activated to cause the transmission of command codes to the devices.

55. A readable media having instructions for assigning functions to hard-keys of a hand-held remote control device having a display, the instructions performing steps comprising:

displaying a soft-key in the display the activation of which places the hand-held remote control device into a mode to control the operation of a type of appliance; and

in response to activation of the soft-key, automatically and dynamically assigning functions to the hard-keys depending upon the type of the appliance.

56. The readable media as recited in claim 55, wherein the assigned functions comprise transport functions.

57. The readable media as recited in claim 55, wherein the assigned functions comprises navigational functions.

58. The readable media as recited in claim 55, wherein the assigned functions comprise volume and tuning functions.

59. A readable media having instructions for assigning functions to hard-keys of a hand-held device having a remote control application and a non-remote control application, the instructions performing steps comprising:

when the remote control application is in focus on the hand-held device, automatically assigning to the hard-keys functions used to command the operation of the remote control application; and

when the remote control application is not in focus on the hand-held device, automatically assigning to the hard-keys functions used to command the operation of the non-remote control application.

60. A readable media having instructions for displaying information to a user of a hand-held device, the instructions performing steps comprising:

displaying to the user a plurality of iconic representations the activation of which causes the hand-held device to perform an action which is assigned within the hand-held device to the activated iconic representation;

allowing a user to enable a text descriptor of the action associated within an iconic representation.

61. The readable media as recited in claim 60, wherein the text descriptor is a device vendor descriptor for the action.

64. A method for displaying operational information to a user of a remote control, comprising:

displaying to the user in a circular queue arrangement iconic representations of every device which the remote control is setup to control;

accepting input from the user indicating one of the devices which the user desires to control; and

rotating the iconic representations in the circular queue such that the iconic representation of the selected devices moves from its current location within the circular queue to a predetermined location within the circular queue, the movement being in a direction that moves the iconic representation the shortest distance.

65. The method as recited in claim 64, wherein the circular queue comprises a wheel and the predetermined location is generally located at a top portion of the wheel.

66. A readable media having instructions for controlling a display of a hand-held device having a remote control application and a non-remote control application, the instructions performing steps comprising:

when the remote control application is in focus on the hand-held device, determining if a user input is received within a first time-out period and, if the user input is not received within the first-time out period, causing the display to shut-off; and

when the non-remote control application is in focus on the hand-held device, determining if a user input is received within a second time-out period and, if the user input is not received within the second-time out period, causing the display to shut-off.

67. The method as recited in claim 66, wherein the first time-out period has a duration that is different than the second time-out period.

68. The method as recited in claim 66, wherein the first time-out period is user settable.

69. The method as recited in claim 66, wherein causing the display to shut-off further comprises displaying a splash screen prior to shutting off the display.

70. The method as recited in claim 69, wherein the splash screen is displayed for a predetermined time prior to shutting off the display.

73. A readable media having instructions for displaying information to a user of a hand-held device, the instructions performing steps comprising:

displaying to the user a plurality of iconic representations of sources of programming each having mapped thereto a channel number such that selection of one of the iconic

representations causes the hand-held device to transmit a command to cause a home appliance to tune to the channel mapped to the selected iconic representation; and

using an electronic program guide downloaded to the hand-held device to automatically update the mapping between the channel numbers and the iconic representations in the hand-held device such that the mapping of the channel numbers to the iconic representations within the hand-held device correspond to an assignment of channel numbers to sources of programs with the electronic program guide.