METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR A UNIVERSAL DEVICE CONTROLLER USING PEER TO PEER COMMUNICATION
First Claim
1. A method of operating a communications device, comprising:
- receiving a wireless signal from a remotely controllable device;
adding said remotely controllable device to a list of controllable devices in wireless communications range of said communications device; and
enabling control of the remotely controllable device via a user interface on the communications device.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus relating to wireless remote control are described. A communications device, such as a cell phone with peer to peer signaling capability, supports remote control functionality. The same communications device can be used as a universal wireless remote controller for a plurality of different remotely controllable devices including, e.g., a television, a DVD player, a light switch, a garage door opener, etc. The communications device monitors for and detects peer to peer signals from remotely controllable devices in its local vicinity. The communications device maintains a list of remotely controllable devices in its vicinity based on the detected peer to peer signals. The universal remote control user interface is configured in accordance with the maintained list. The universal remote controller provides a user interface which varies based on the device to be controlled.
74 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of operating a communications device, comprising:
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receiving a wireless signal from a remotely controllable device; adding said remotely controllable device to a list of controllable devices in wireless communications range of said communications device; and enabling control of the remotely controllable device via a user interface on the communications device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A communications device, comprising:
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means for receiving a wireless signal from a remotely controllable device; means for adding said remotely controllable device to a list of controllable devices in wireless communications range of said communications device; and means for enabling control of the remotely controllable device via a user interface on the communications device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer program product for use in a communications device, the computer program product comprising:
a computer readable medium comprising; code for causing at least one computer to receive a wireless signal from a remotely controllable device; code for causing said at least one computer to add said remotely controllable device to a list of controllable devices in wireless communications range of said communications device; and code for causing said at least one computer to enable control of the remotely controllable device via a user interface on the communications device.
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16. A communications device comprising:
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at least one processor configured to; receive a wireless signal from a remotely controllable device; add said remotely controllable device to a list of controllable devices in wireless communications range of said communications device; and enable control of the remotely controllable device via a user interface on the communications device; and memory coupled to said at least one processor. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification