Remote control mode on-screen displays and methods for producing the same

• US 20070176787A1
• Filed: 02/02/2006
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DIRECTV, LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Iten, Tommi, Green, David, Bennett, Eric
• Granted Patent: US 8,531,275 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.690
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are disclosed for notifying a user of a remote control regarding the mode of a remote control. An example method includes detecting a code from the remote control, comparing the detected code to a list of recognized codes, and informing the user of the mode the remote control is operating based on the detected code and/or that the current mode of the remote control is not programmed.

Claims

1. A method for notifying a user of a remote control regarding the mode of a remote control, the method comprising:

detecting a code from the remote control;

comparing the detected code to a list of recognized codes;

informing the user of at least one of;

the mode the remote control is operating based on the detected code, or that the current mode of the remote control is not programmed.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein informing the user occurs via an on-screen display.

3. A method as defined in claim 2, wherein the on-screen display is presented on at least one of:

a television screen, the remote control, or a set-top box.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising offering to program the remote control according to a desired mode of the remote control.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising programming the remote control according the desired mode of the remote control.

6. A method as defined in claim 5, wherein the programming utilizes interface screens.

7. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising indicating to the user to change the mode of the remote control.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the detected code is a code indicating that the mode the remote is operating is an unprogrammed mode.

9. A method of programming a remote control to operate a mode of the remote control, the method comprising:

detecting a code from the remote control;

comparing the detected code to a list of recognized codes;

informing the user if the current mode is unprogrammed; and

offering instructions on how to program the remote control according to a desired mode of the remote control.

10. A method as defined in claim 9, wherein informing the user occurs via an on-screen display.

11. A method as defined in claim 10, wherein the on-screen display appears on at least one of:

a television screen, the remote control, or a set-top box.

12. A machine accessible medium having machine readable instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to:

detect a code from the remote control;

compare the detected code to a list of recognized codes;

inform the user of at least one of;

the mode the remote control is operating based on the detected code, or that the remote control is note programmed.

13. A machine accessible medium as defined in claim 12, wherein the machine informs the user via an on-screen display.

14. A machine accessible medium as defined in claim 13, wherein the on-screen display appears on one of:

a television screen, the remote control, or a set-top box.

15. A machine accessible medium as defined in claim 12, further causing a machine to offer instructions on how to program the remote control according to a desired mode of the remote control.

16. A machine accessible medium as defined in claim 12, further causing the machine to indicate to the user to change the mode of the remote control.

17. A machine accessible medium as defined in claim 12, wherein the detected code is a code indicating that the mode the remote is operating is an unprogrammed mode.

18. A system comprising:

a remote control;

a set-top box;

a memory storing a first data structure including a plurality of data records, each of the plurality of data records storing modes of a remote control; and

software for notifying a user if the mode of the remote control is programmed into the memory.

19. A system as defined in claim 18, wherein the software includes the steps of:

detecting a code from the remote control;

comparing the detected code to a list of recognized codes;

informing the user of at least one of;

the mode the remote control is operating based on the detected code, or that the current mode is not programmed.

20. A system as defined in claim 19, further comprising an on-screen display for informing the user.

21. A system as defined in claim 20, wherein the on-screen display appears on one of:

a television screen, the remote control, or a set-top box.

22. A system as defined in claim 18, further comprising software that includes the step of programming the remote control according to a desired mode of the remote control.

23. A system as defined in claim 18, further comprising an indicator indicating to the user to change the mode of the remote control.

24. A system as defined in claim 18, wherein the detected code is a code indicating that the mode the remote is operating is an unprogrammed mode.