Remote control, apparatus, system and methods of using the same
First Claim
1. A method of using a remote control to control an operation of an apparatus, wherein the remote control comprises a plurality of controls including a first control that corresponds to a first function, the method comprising:
- sensing that a first object is near the first control before the first function is activated;
in response to sensing, providing a first audible signal that corresponds to a first identifier of the first control; and
sending a first activation signal to the apparatus to identify activation of the first control.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system provides an audible signal to the user of the system before a control or function is activated by the user. In one embodiment, a remote control can be used with an apparatus, such as a set-top box. When the user places an object near a control of the remote control, a control or function associated with the control may be announced to the user before activating the control. The system can include an apparatus is configured to be operated at least in part from a remote control that includes a plurality of controls including a first control. The apparatus includes a control module configured to receive an identification signal from the remote control, wherein the identification signal corresponds to the control, determine a state of the apparatus, determine a function to which the control corresponds, and send another identification signal to an audio system.
118 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A method of using a remote control to control an operation of an apparatus, wherein the remote control comprises a plurality of controls including a first control that corresponds to a first function, the method comprising:
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sensing that a first object is near the first control before the first function is activated;
in response to sensing, providing a first audible signal that corresponds to a first identifier of the first control; and
sending a first activation signal to the apparatus to identify activation of the first control. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A remote control for controlling an operation of an apparatus, the remote control comprising:
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a plurality of controls including a first control that corresponds to a first function; and
a control module configured to;
receive a first sensing signal when a first object is near the first control before the first function is activated;
in response to receiving the first sensing signal, provide a first audio signal that corresponds to a first identifier of the first control; and
send a first activation signal to the apparatus to identify activation of the first control in response to a predetermined activity. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating a system comprising an apparatus and a remote control that controls an operation of the apparatus, wherein the remote control comprises a plurality of controls including a first control, wherein the first control corresponds to a plurality of functions including a first function, the method comprising:
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sensing that a first object is near the first control during a first time period, wherein sensing is performed by the remote control;
determining a first state of the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is capable of being in at least one state of a plurality of states including the first state;
determining a first function corresponds to the first control, based at least in part on the first state of the apparatus; and
providing a first audio signal, wherein the first audio signal corresponds to a first identifier of the first function. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A remote control comprising:
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a plurality of controls including a first control, wherein the first control corresponds to a plurality of functions including a first function;
a control module configured to;
receive a first sensing signal when a first object is near the first control during a first time period;
in response to receiving the first sensing signal, provide a first identification signal to a remote apparatus, wherein the first identification signal corresponds to the first control;
receive a second identification signal, wherein the second identification information signal corresponds to the first function; and
provide a first audio signal, wherein the first audio signal corresponds to a first identifier of the first function. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. An apparatus configured to be operated at least in part from a remote control that comprises a plurality of controls including a first control, wherein the apparatus comprises:
a control module configured to;
receive a first identification signal from the remote control, wherein the first identification signal corresponds to the first control;
determine a state of the apparatus, wherein the apparatus is capable of being in at least one state of a plurality of states;
determine a function to which the first control corresponds, based at least in part on the state of the apparatus; and
send a second identification signal to an audio system, wherein the second identification signal corresponds to the first function. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of using a system that comprises a plurality of controls including a first control, the method comprising:
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sensing a first object is near the first control before a first function associated with the first control is activated;
in response to sensing, providing a first audible signal, wherein the first audible signal corresponds to a first identifier of the first control or the first function; and
sending a first activation signal to identify activation of the first control. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A system comprising:
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a plurality of controls including a first control; and
a control module configured to;
receive a first sensing signal when a first object is near the first control before a first function associated with the first control is activated;
in response to receiving the first sensing signal, provide a first audio signal, wherein the first audio signal corresponds to an identifier for the first control or the first function; and
send an a first activation signal to identify activation of the first control in response to a predetermined activity. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34)
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Specification