PROGRAMMABLE ON SCREEN DISPLAY AND REMOTE CONTROL

• US 20080158148A1
• Filed: 03/16/2007
• Published: 07/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Savant Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Savant Systems, LLC
• Inventors: Silva, Michael C., Shields, Gerald W., Kicklighter, Kevin C., Madonna, Robert P., Noonan, Michael E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,199,113 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/451 Execution arrangements for user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/30 User interface
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/33 Remote control using macros, scripts
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2809 indicating that an appliance service is present in a home automation network monitoring functionality H04L43/0817; discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services, H04L67/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/20 Network management software packages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42226 Reprogrammable remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/485 End-user interface for client configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus

Abstract

Both an on screen display and a physical programmable remote control have buttons whose functionality may be dynamically reassigned in accordance with a user'"'"'s navigation through menu levels, states or across different services. The physical programmable remote control, in conjunction with a TV or other video display, provides an intuitive, heads up experience for the user and eliminates the need for multiple physical remote controls. User profiles and zones may be used to customize a user'"'"'s remote control functionality based on preferences, access controls, location and the like.

Claims

1. A method for programming a programmable remote control comprising the steps of:

defining one or more functions that a user may initiate by pressing one or more buttons on a physical remote control device;

storing information representing said functions;

using a graphical programming environment to initially assign at least one of said functions to at least one of said buttons in connection with a first predetermined on screen display; and

dynamically reassigning one or more of said functions in response to said remote control device being used to control a second predetermined on screen display.