DIGITAL INTERCONNECT OF ENTERTAINMENT EQUIPMENT IN THE HOME

• US 20100157171A1
• Filed: 03/03/2010
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Conway, James N. JR., Johns, Gregory L., Hayes, Patrick H.
• Granted Patent: US 8,558,676 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/21 Programming remote control devices via third means
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/93 Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2805 Home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/282 based on user interaction within the home receiver circuitry for displaying additional information being controlled by a remote control apparatus H04N21/42204

Abstract

A method for configuring a controlling device to command functional operations of at least one controllable appliance. The method includes the steps of receiving at the controlling device from the at least one controllable appliance, via a first communication channel, data indicative of an identity of the at least one controllable appliance and using the data indicative of the identity of the at least one controllable appliance to configure the controlling device whereby, in response to activation of one or more command keys of the controlling device, the controlling device will be caused to transmit to the at least one controlling device, via a second communication channel, those commands selected from a library of commands that are appropriate for commanding functional operations of the at least one controllable device.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a controlling device to command functional operations of at least one controllable appliance, comprising:

receiving at the controlling device from the at least one controllable appliance, via a first communication channel, data indicative of an identity of the at least one controllable appliance; and

using the data indicative of the identity of the at least one controllable appliance to configure the controlling device whereby, in response to activation of one or more command keys of the controlling device, the controlling device will be caused to transmit to the at least one controlling device, via a second communication channel, those commands selected from a library of commands that are appropriate for commanding functional operations of the at least one controllable device.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first communication channel comprises an adaptor in communication with a bus which, in turn, is in communication with the at least one controllable appliance.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein a controllable appliance comprises the adaptor.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the controllable appliance comprising the adaptor comprises a set top box.

5. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the second communication channel comprises a wireless communication channel between the controlling device and the at least one controllable appliance.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the wireless communication channel comprises an IR communication channel.

7. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the second communication channel comprises a wireless communication channel between the controlling device and the at least one controllable appliance.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the wireless communication channel comprises an IR communication channel.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the library of commands are stored in a memory of the controlling device.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data indicative of the identity of the at least one controllable appliance comprises data indicative of type of the at least one controllable appliance.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data indicative of the identity of the at least one controllable appliance comprises data indicative of a manufacturer of the at least one controllable appliance.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the data indicative of the identify of the at least one controllable appliance is used to configure a graphical user interface the controlling device, the graphical user interface comprising the one or more command keys.

13. A method for programming a controlling device, comprising:

electronically retrieving information, exclusive of remote control command codes, about a device connected to a home entertainment network from the device.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the information comprises data representative of functional capabilities of the device.

15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the device is a display device.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the device comprises a television.

17. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the information is used to configure a graphical user interface of the controlling device.

18. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the information comprises an identity of the manufacturer of the device.

19. A universal remote control programmer, comprising:

circuitry to retrieve information exclusive of remote control command codes, about a device connected to a home entertainment network from the device.

20. The remote control programmer as recited in claim 19, wherein the device is a display device.

21. The remote control programmer as recited in claim 19, wherein the information comprises the identity of a manufacturer of the device.