System and method for device configuration using a portable flash memory storage device with an infrared transmitter
First Claim
1. A system for configuring a consumer electronic (CE) device comprising:
- a portable configuration-file transfer device comprising a processor, memory coupled to the processor, a connector for connection to a configuration controller for receipt of the configuration file into the transfer device'"'"'s memory, an infrared (IR) transmitter, and a switch for causing the configuration file to be transmitted by the IR transmitter; and
a CE device to be configured comprising an IR receiver, a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and a computer program responsive to the transmitted configuration file.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for configuring a consumer electronic (CE) device that has an infrared (IR) receiver uses a portable configuration-file transfer device. The CE device may be part of a local area network (LAN) and the configuration file may include network setup parameters, including a network security key, and user personalization data representing user preferences. The configuration file is initially stored in a network hub or configuration controller, such as a PC, or may be downloaded into the hub or PC from a remote internet site. The transfer device has an interface compatible with an interface on the hub or PC to permit transfer of the configuration file, memory for storing the configuration file, and an IR transmitter for transmitting the configuration file to the IR receiver of the CE device. The transfer device may be a compact universal serial bus (USB) “flash drive” modified to include an IR transmitter and a battery for powering the IR transmitter.
90 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A system for configuring a consumer electronic (CE) device comprising:
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a portable configuration-file transfer device comprising a processor, memory coupled to the processor, a connector for connection to a configuration controller for receipt of the configuration file into the transfer device'"'"'s memory, an infrared (IR) transmitter, and a switch for causing the configuration file to be transmitted by the IR transmitter; and
a CE device to be configured comprising an IR receiver, a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and a computer program responsive to the transmitted configuration file. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for configuring a consumer electronic (CE) device on a local area network (LAN) comprising:
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a personal computer (PC) containing a configuration file including LAN setup parameters and having an industry-standard interface selected from a universal serial bus (USB), a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA), a Compact Flash (CF), and a SecureDigital (SD);
a portable configuration-file transfer device comprising a connector for connection to said PC interface, a processor, memory coupled to the processor for storage of the configuration file transferred from the PC across said interface, an infrared (IR) transmitter, and a setup button for causing the configuration file to be transmitted by the IR transmitter; and
a CE device to be configured on the LAN comprising an IR receiver for receiving the IR-transmitted configuration file, a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and a computer program responsive to the configuration file. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A portable configuration-file transfer device comprising:
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a universal serial bus (USB) connector;
a controller;
a USB interface circuit coupling the USB connector to the controller;
flash memory coupled to the controller;
a data file including consumer electronic (CE) device setup parameters stored in the flash memory;
an infrared (IR) transmitter;
a setup button for causing IR transmission of the stored data file; and
a power storage unit for powering the IR transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for transferring consumer electronic (CE) device configuration data from a personal computer (PC) having a universal serial bus (USB) interface to a CE device having an infrared (IR) receiver, the method comprising:
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providing a portable data-file transfer device that includes a USB connector, a controller, a USB interface circuit coupling the USB connector to the controller, flash memory coupled to the controller, an infrared (IR) transmitter, a switch for causing IR transmission, and a power storage unit for powering the IR transmitter;
inserting the transfer device'"'"'s USB connector into the USB interface on the PC;
transferring the configuration data from the PC to the flash memory of the transfer device;
removing the transfer device from the PC;
locating the transfer device near the IR receiver of the CE device; and
activating the switch on the transfer device to cause IR transmission of the configuration data from the flash memory to the CE device. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification