Customizable and upgradable devices and methods related thereto

• US 20030151538A1
• Filed: 04/11/2003
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Conway, James N. Jr., Hayes, Patrick H., Escobosa, Marcus
• Application Number:
  US10/411,792
• Publication Number:
  US 20030151538A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• 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 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/254 Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server arrangements for maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00; network services using third party service providers H04L67/53
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4117 for generating hard copies of the content, e.g. printer, electronic paper interfaces to printers G06F3/12; printing data G06K15/02
• 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 21/4143 embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• 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 21/4222 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 21/42224 Touch pad or touch panel provided on the remote control
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/435 Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data, reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4586 Content update operation triggered locally, e.g. by comparing the version of software modules in a DVB carousel to the version stored locally deployment, distribution, installation, update of software G06F8/65; error detection or correction of the data by redundancy during software upgrading G06F11/1433; arrangements for updating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/25
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8186 : specially adapted to be executed by a peripheral of the client device, e.g. by a reprogrammable remote control

Abstract

A customizable and an upgradable remote control is provided which may be customized or upgraded via a Web site or through other remote, and preferably interactive, processes. A database is provided which includes a plurality of functions of a consumer electronic device, such as a TV and/or a DVD player. A user selects among the plurality of functions at least one of the desired functions. In response to the user selection a virtual configuration is created to virtually configure the customizable remote control. The virtual configuration may be downloaded to the customizable remote control.

Claims

1. A method of customizing a remote control, comprising:

displaying to a user at a client computer a plurality of pre-programmed sequences comprising a plurality of operations capable of being performed by one or more consumer electronic devices; and

in response to a user selection, causing at least one of the pre-programmed sequences to be downloaded to the remote control.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of pre-programmed sequences are accessible via an Internet Web site.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the pre-programmed sequence comprises instructions for causing the one or more consumer electronic devices to perform a channel tuning operation.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the pre-programmed sequence comprises a code for use in accessing a broadcast program.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user selection comprises the user identifying a brand/model of each of the one or more consumer electronic devices.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, further comprising causing code data for use in commanding general operations of the one or more consumer electronic devices to be downloaded to the remote control.

7. A method of customizing a remote control comprising the steps of:

displaying a plurality of consumer electronic devices to a user at a client computer; and

in response to a user selection of at least one of the consumer electronic devices, displaying a plurality of pre-programmed sequences operable with the at least one of the consumer electronic devices the sequences being available for download to the remote control to be customized.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the plurality of pre-programmed sequences are accessible via an Internet Web site.

9. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the pre-programmed sequence comprises instructions for causing the one or more consumer electronic devices to perform a channel tuning operation.

10. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the pre-programmed sequence comprises a code for use in accessing a broadcast program.

11. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the user selection comprises the user identifying a brand/model of each of the one or more consumer electronic devices.

12. The method as recited in claim 11, further comprising causing code data for use in commanding general operations of the one or more consumer electronic devices to be downloaded to the remote control.

13. A computer-readable media having instructions for use in customizing a remote control, the instructions performing steps comprising:

causing a plurality of pre-programmed sequences comprising a plurality of operations capable of being performed by one or more consumer electronic devices to be displayed to a user at a client computer; and

in response to a user selection, causing at least one of the pre-programmed sequences to be downloaded to the remote control.

14. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 13, wherein the plurality of preprogrammed sequences are displayed in response to the user accessing an Internet Web site.

15. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 13, wherein the pre-programmed sequence comprises instructions for causing the one or more consumer electronic devices to perform a channel tuning operation.

16. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 13, wherein the pre-programmed sequence comprises a code for use in accessing a broadcast program.

17. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 13, wherein the user selection comprises the user identifying a brand/model of each of the one or more consumer electronic devices.

18. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 17, further comprising causing code data for use in commanding general operations of the one or more consumer electronic devices to be downloaded to the remote control.