System and method for automatically setting up a universal remote control

• US 20030189509A1
• Filed: 05/20/2002
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Arling, Paul D., Hayes, Patrick H., Conway, James N. Jr., Lilleness, Robert P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,218,243 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/176
• 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 2201/41 Remote control of gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/205 with control bus for exchanging commands between units
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/281 indicating a format for calling an appliance service function in a home automation network for remote control or remote monitoring of applications H04L67/025
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2814 Exchanging control software or macros for controlling appliance services in a home automation network arrangements for maintenance or administration involving configuration of the network and network elements H04L41/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/40117 Interconnection of audio or video/imaging devices home automation networks H04L12/2803; bitstream network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2849 Audio/video appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/007 with remote control systems remote control in general G08C

Abstract

A system and method for configuring a remote control to command the operation of appliances, to capture demographic data, and to provide services, such as automated warranty registration, instructions, viewing guides, etc., relevant to the appliances is provided. The system includes a database and associated server that are located remotely from the remote control and accessible via a network connection. Command codes, graphical user interface elements, and services are accessed and downloaded to the remote control, as appropriate, using data supplied to the server that identifies the appliances and/or functional capabilities of the appliances. This data can be supplied by the appliances directly or can be obtained from other sources such as barcode labels, network devices, etc.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a remote control to command the operation of an appliance, comprising:

receiving data that functions to identify the appliance;

using the data to retrieve from a database located remotely from the remote control command codes to which the appliance is adapted to respond; and

storing the retrieved command codes in the remote control to be used to command the operation of the appliance.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising using the data to retrieve from the database located remotely from the remote control graphical user interface elements corresponding to the command codes and storing the graphical user interface elements in the remote control to be used as a means to initiate transmissions of command codes to command the operation of the appliance.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising receiving the data at the remote control and transmitting a signal from the remote control including a representation of the data to retrieve the command codes from the database.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising receiving the data from a transmission sent by the appliance.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising receiving the data from a barcode.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising receiving the data from a personal computer.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising receiving the data from a cable converter box.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising receiving the data at the remote control, uploading the data from the remote control to a client device, causing the client device to use the data to retrieve the command codes from the database, and downloading the retrieved command codes from the client device to the remote control for storage in the remote control.

9. A method for configuring a remote control to command a specific operation of an appliance, comprising:

receiving data that functions to identify the operation;

using the data to retrieve from a database located remotely from the remote control one or more command codes to which the appliance is adapted to respond to perform the specific operation; and

storing the one ore more retrieved command codes in the remote control to be used to command the specific operation of the appliance.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising using the data to retrieve from the database located remotely from the remote control a graphical user interface element corresponding to the command codes and storing the graphical user interface element in the remote control to be used as a means to initiate transmissions of the one or more command codes to command the specific operation of the appliance.

11. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising receiving the data at the remote control and transmitting a signal from the remote control including a representation of the data to retrieve the one or more command codes from the database.

12. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising receiving the data from a transmission sent by the appliance.

13. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising receiving the data from a barcode.

14. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising receiving the data from a personal computer.

15. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising receiving the data from a cable converter box.

16. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising receiving the data at the remote control, uploading the data from the remote control to a client device, causing the client device to use the data to retrieve the one or more command codes from the database, and downloading the retrieved one or more command codes from the client device to the remote control for storage in the remote control.

17. A method for providing warranty registration for an appliance, comprising:

receiving data that functions to identify the appliance;

providing the data to a network server, the network server using the data to automatically complete a warranty registration form for the appliance.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising receiving the data from a transmission sent by the appliance.

19. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising receiving the data from a barcode.