Remote master control
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An audio/video apparatus comprising:
- a remote master control device configured to generate at least one master instruction;
a secondary control device configured to generate at least one secondary instruction; and
a signal processing device responsive to the at least one master instruction and selectively responsive to the at least one secondary instruction, wherein when the signal processing device receives one of the at least one master instruction, the signal processing device is non-responsive to a conflicting one of the at least one secondary instruction until the signal processing device receives an override instruction corresponding to the received master instruction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus, method, and system for controlling electronic devices with a remote master control device is disclosed. The apparatus, method, and system are especially useful for monitoring and controlling electronic devices such as televisions to manage viewing habits and to supervise programming content presented by the electronic devices.
40 Citations
54 Claims
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1. An audio/video apparatus comprising:
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a remote master control device configured to generate at least one master instruction;
a secondary control device configured to generate at least one secondary instruction; and
a signal processing device responsive to the at least one master instruction and selectively responsive to the at least one secondary instruction, wherein when the signal processing device receives one of the at least one master instruction, the signal processing device is non-responsive to a conflicting one of the at least one secondary instruction until the signal processing device receives an override instruction corresponding to the received master instruction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An audio/video apparatus comprising:
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a remote control device configured to generate a rating selection signal; and
a signal processing device responsive to the rating selection signal, wherein the signal processing device is configurable in at least two rating selection modes and wherein the signal processing device is sequentially configured in one of the at least two rating selection modes responsive to the receipt of the rating selection signal from the remote control device. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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17. An audio/video apparatus comprising:
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a remote control device configured to generate a channel lock signal; and
a signal processing device responsive to the channel lock signal, wherein the signal processing device locks out the currently tuned channel upon receipt of the channel lock signal from the remote control device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A remote control for use with a signal processing device comprising:
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a transmitter capable of communication with the signal processing device; and
a controller coupled to the transmitter, wherein the controller is capable of generating and transmitting from the transmitter at least one control instruction capable of configuring the signal processing device, wherein the remote control device can be locked and unlocked, and wherein the signal processing device is not configured by at least one of the at least one control instruction when the remote control device is locked. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An audio/video apparatus comprising:
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a remote control device configured to generate at least one message instruction corresponding to a user defined message; and
a signal processing device configured to present the user defined message at a presentation device responsive to the at least one message instruction. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
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28. An audio/video apparatus comprising:
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a remote control device configured to generate at least one monitoring instruction, wherein the remote control device includes at least one presentation component; and
a signal processing device configured for bi-directional communication with the remote control device, the signal processing device receiving an input signal and passing at least a portion of the input signal to the remote control device responsive to the at least one monitoring instruction for presentation by the at least one presentation component. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31)
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32. A method for configuring a signal processing device comprising the steps of:
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receiving at least one master instruction from a remote master control device;
receiving at least one secondary instruction from a secondary control device;
configuring a signal processing device responsive to the at least one master instruction; and
selectively configuring the signal processing device responsive to the at least one secondary signal, wherein, when one of the at least one master instruction is received, the signal processing device is not configured in response to a conflicting one of the at least one secondary instruction until an override instruction corresponding to the received master instruction is received. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A rating selection method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a rating selection signal from a remote control device; and
configuring a signal processing device responsive to the rating selection signal, wherein the signal processing device is sequentially configured in one of at least two rating selection modes responsive to the receipt of the rating selection signal from the remote control device. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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39. A channel lock out method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a channel lock signal from a remote control device; and
configuring a signal processing device responsive to the channel lock signal, wherein the signal processing device is configured to lock out a currently tuned channel for a predefined period of time responsive to the receipt of the channel lock signal from the remote control device.
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40. A channel lock out method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a channel lock signal from a remote control device; and
configuring a signal processing device responsive to the channel lock signal, wherein the signal processing device is configured to lock out a currently tuned channel for a remaining time period corresponding to a program being shown on the currently tuned channel responsive to the receipt of the channel lock signal from the remote control device.
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41. A method for locking a remote control comprising the steps of:
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receiving a lock keystroke sequence at a remote control device configured for use with a signal processing device, the signal processing device selectively configured responsive to at least one control instruction capable of being generated and transmitted to the signal processing device by the remote control device, the remote control device capable of being locked and unlocked, wherein the signal processing device is configured responsive to the at least one control instruction when the remote control device is locked and the signal processing device is not configured responsive to the at least one control instruction when the remote control device is unlocked; and
locking the remote control device responsive to the lock keystroke sequence such that the signal processing device is not configured responsive to the at least one control instruction. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44)
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45. A method for presenting a message on a presentation device comprising the steps of:
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generating a message instruction at a remote control device;
receiving the message instruction at a signal processing device; and
presenting a message at a presentation device responsive to the message instruction generated by the remote control device. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
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49. A method for monitoring programming presented on a presentation device, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a monitoring instruction from a remote control device having at least one presentation component at a signal processing device, the signal processing device being configured to present an input signal at a presentation device;
passing at least a portion of the input signal to the remote control device responsive the received monitoring instruction; and
presenting the portion of the input signal at the at least one presentation component of the remote control device. - View Dependent Claims (50, 51, 52)
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53. A system for configuring a signal processing device comprising:
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means for receiving at least one master instruction from a remote master control device;
means for receiving at least one secondary instruction from a secondary control device;
means for configuring a signal processing device responsive to the at least one master instruction; and
means for selectively configuring the signal processing device responsive to the at least one secondary signal, wherein, when one of the at least one master instruction is received, the signal processing device is not configured in response to the receipt of a conflicting one of the at least one secondary instruction until an override instruction corresponding to the received master instruction is received.
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54. A computer readable medium including software that is configured to control a general purpose computer to implement a method for configuring a signal processing device, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving at least one master instruction from a remote master control device;
receiving at least one secondary instruction from a secondary control device, one of the at least one secondary instruction in conflict with one of the at least one master instruction;
configuring a signal processing device responsive to the at least one master instruction; and
selectively configuring the signal processing device responsive to the at least one secondary signal, wherein, when one of the at least one master instruction is received, the signal processing device is not configured in response to a conflicting one of the at least one secondary instruction until an override instruction corresponding to the received master instruction is received.
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Specification