Multipurpose remote controller and method for controlling the same

• US 20040181292A1
• Filed: 12/23/2003
• Published: 09/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Choi, Hwan Jong, Kim, Dae Woong, Lee, Koon Seok, Baek, Seung Myun, Koo, Ja In, Lim, Jeong Hyun, Kang, Sung Hwan, Ha, Sam Chul
• Application Number:
  US10/481,816
• Publication Number:
  US 20040181292A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/17
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

A multipurpose remote controller and method for controlling the same is disclosed, which includes a user interface unit to which a control command signal is input by a user from outside, wire and wireless transmitting/receiving units for transmitting the control command signal input from the user interface unit to corresponding apparatuses, and for receiving operation state signals of the corresponding apparatuses, a central processor for controlling the user interface and wire and wireless transmitting/receiving units, a storage storing data for controlling the central processor, and a display unit for displaying control keys under control of the central processor and for displaying operation state and results.

Claims

1. A multipurpose remote controller, comprising:

a user interface unit to which a control command signal is input by a user from outside;

wire and wireless transmitting/receiving units for transmitting the control command signal input from the user interface unit to corresponding apparatuses, and for receiving operation state signals of the corresponding apparatuses;

a central processor for controlling the user interface and wire and wireless transmitting/receiving units;

a storage for storing data necessary to control the central processor, and

a display unit for displaying control keys under control of the central processor and for displaying operating state and results.

2. The remote controller according to claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises touch screen or keys.

3. A method for controlling a multipurpose remote controller, comprising the steps of:

configuring a home network for intercommunication by networking household apparatuses;

selecting a particular apparatus to be controlled through an initial screen on which the networked apparatuses are divided according to apparatus or function;

displaying a control menu and present operation state of the particular apparatus;

selecting a control command for operating a corresponding apparatus through the control menu being displayed;

performing the corresponding operation as the selected control command is input, and then signaling the operation state of the apparatus to the multipurpose remote controller; and

if the state of the apparatus is changed or a new apparatus is added or an existing apparatus is deleted, updating the initial screen and then repeating the whole procedure.