Method, Apparatus, and Computer Program Product for Providing Non-Visual Access to On-Screen Menus for Remote Controlled Devices
First Claim
1. An apparatus for providing non-visual access to an on-screen menu for an electronic device having a remote control, comprising:
- at least one processor;
a memory coupled to the at least one processor;
a repeater device comprisinga receiver for receiving a first signal from a transmitter of the remote control, wherein the first signal is not received by a receiver of the electronic device but is operable for interaction with the on-screen menu for the electronic device in a case where the first signal is received by the receiver of the electronic device;
a transmitter for transmitting a second signal to the receiver of the electronic device;
a repeater mechanism residing in the memory and executed by the at least one processor, the repeater mechanism causing the transmitter of the repeater device to transmit the second signal to the receiver of the electronic device, said second signal being based on the first signal received by the receiver of the repeater device from the transmitter of the remote control;
a feedback mechanism residing in the memory and executed by the at least one processor, the feedback mechanism causing a non-visual response to be provided to a user of the electronic device, said non-visual response being based on the first signal received by the receiver of the repeater device from the transmitter of the remote control.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for providing non-visual access to on-screen menus for remote controlled electronic devices, such as DVD players, DVRs, VCRs, satellite receivers, televisions, etc. A repeater device is interposed between the remote control and the electronic device. The repeater device includes a receiver for receiving a first signal from the remote control and a transmitter for transmitting a second signal, based on the first signal, to a receiver of the electronic device. A repeater mechanism causes the repeater device to transmit the second signal and a feedback mechanism causes a non-visual response, such as an audio and/or Braille message, to be provided to the user. This response is based on a key pressed on the remote control in the context of a sequence of keys pressed earlier, and may inform the user of an action associated with the depressed key and options for additional keystrokes.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for providing non-visual access to an on-screen menu for an electronic device having a remote control, comprising:
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at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor; a repeater device comprising a receiver for receiving a first signal from a transmitter of the remote control, wherein the first signal is not received by a receiver of the electronic device but is operable for interaction with the on-screen menu for the electronic device in a case where the first signal is received by the receiver of the electronic device; a transmitter for transmitting a second signal to the receiver of the electronic device; a repeater mechanism residing in the memory and executed by the at least one processor, the repeater mechanism causing the transmitter of the repeater device to transmit the second signal to the receiver of the electronic device, said second signal being based on the first signal received by the receiver of the repeater device from the transmitter of the remote control; a feedback mechanism residing in the memory and executed by the at least one processor, the feedback mechanism causing a non-visual response to be provided to a user of the electronic device, said non-visual response being based on the first signal received by the receiver of the repeater device from the transmitter of the remote control. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for providing non-visual access to an on-screen menu for an electronic device, comprising:
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a remote control having a transmitter that transmits a first signal; an electronic device having an on-screen menu and a receiver that receives a second signal for interaction with the on-screen menu; an apparatus, comprising; at least one processor; a memory coupled to the at least one processor; a repeater device comprising a receiver for receiving the first signal from the transmitter of the remote control, a transmitter for transmitting the second signal to the receiver of the electronic device; a repeater mechanism residing in the memory and executed by the at least one processor, the repeater mechanism causing the transmitter of the repeater device to transmit the second signal to the receiver of the electronic device, said second signal being based on the first signal received by the receiver of the repeater device from the transmitter of the remote control; a feedback mechanism residing in the memory and executed by the at least one processor, the feedback mechanism causing a non-visual response to be provided to a user of the electronic device, said non-visual response being based on the first signal received by the receiver of the repeater device from the transmitter of the remote control. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A computer-implemented method for providing non-visual access to an on-screen menu for an electronic device having a remote control, the computer-implemented method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a first IR signal from an IR transmitter of the remote control; transmitting a second IR signal to an IR receiver of the electronic device, said second IR signal being based on the first IR signal received from the remote control; providing a non-visual response to a user of the electronic device, said non-visual response being based on the first IR signal received from the remote control. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A computer program product for providing non-visual access to an on-screen menu for an electronic device having a remote control, comprising:
a plurality of instructions provided on a signal-bearing media, wherein the instructions when executed by at least one processor of a digital computing device, cause the digital computing device to perform the steps of; transmitting a repeated IR signal to an IR receiver of the electronic device, said IR signal being based on an original IR signal received from an IR transmitter of the remote control; providing a non-visual response to a user of the electronic device, said non-visual response being based on the original IR signal from the remote control. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
Specification