DYNAMIC LINKING OF CODESETS IN UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL DEVICES

• US 20110102230A1
• Filed: 01/12/2011
• Published: 05/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: UEI Cayman Incorporated (Universal Electronics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vergis, George, Mankame, Sunilkumar
• Granted Patent: US 9,621,836 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/36 using optical means to covert the input signal characterised by optical transfer means G01D5/26; optical analogue digital converters G02F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• 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 21/42225 characterized by types of remote control, e.g. universal remote control

Abstract

A codeset having function-code combinations is provisioned on a controlling device to control functions of an intended target device. Input is provided to the controlling device which designates a function to be controlled on the intended target device. From a plurality of codes that are each associated with the designated function in a database stored in a memory of the controlling device a first code that is determined to be valid for use in controlling the designated function on the intended target device is selected. When the codeset is then provisioned on the controlling device, the provisioned codeset includes as a function-code combination thereof the designated function and the first code.

Claims

1. A method for creating a codeset having function-code combinations usable by a controlling device to control functions of an intended target device, comprising:

receiving input at the controlling device designating a function to be controlled on the intended target device;

selecting from a plurality of codes that are each associated with the designated function in a database stored in a memory of the controlling device a first code that is determined to be valid for use in controlling the designated function on the intended target device; and

causing the codeset to be provisioned on the controlling device, wherein the provisioned codeset includes as a function-code combination thereof the designated function and the first code.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the designated function is part of a function cluster which also includes a second function and the method comprises automatically selecting from a plurality of codes that are each associated with the second function in a database stored in the memory of the controlling device a second code that is within a family of codes which includes the code that is valid for use in controlling the designated function on the intended target device and wherein the provisioned codeset includes as a function-code combination thereof the second function and the second code.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein an auto-scan program is executed by the controlling device to assist in the selection from the plurality of codes that are each associated with the designated function in the database stored in the memory of the controlling device the first code that is determined to be valid for use in controlling the designated function on the intended target device.

4. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein an auto-scan program is executed by the controlling device to assist in the selection from the plurality of codes that are each associated with the designated function in the database stored in the memory of the controlling device the first code that is determined to be valid for use in controlling the designated function on the intended target device.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the input received at the controlling device used to designate a function to be controlled on the intended target device comprises at least an activation of an input element of the controlling device corresponding to the function.

6. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the input received at the controlling device used to designate a function to be controlled on the intended target device comprises at least an activation of an input element of the controlling device corresponding to the function.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the controlling device is placed into a setup mode to receive input for designating a function to be controlled on the intended target device and wherein the codeset is provisioned to the controlling device when the setup mode is exited.

8. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the controlling device is placed into a setup mode to receive input for designating a function to be controlled on the intended target device and wherein the codeset is provisioned to the controlling device when the setup mode is exited.

10. The controlling device as recited in claim 1, wherein the designated function is part of a function cluster which also includes a second function and the programming functions to automatically select from a plurality of codes that are each associated with the second function in a database stored in the memory of the controlling device a second code that is within a family of codes which includes the code that is valid for use in controlling the designated function on the intended target device and wherein the provisioned codeset includes as a function-code combination thereof the second function and the second code.

12. The controlling device as recited in claim 10, wherein an auto-scan program is executed by the controlling device to assist in the selection from the plurality of codes that are each associated with the designated function in the database stored in the memory of the controlling device the first code that is determined to be valid for use in controlling the designated function on the intended target device.

14. The controlling device as recited in claim 10, wherein the input received at the controlling device used to designate a function to be controlled on the intended target device comprises at least an activation of an input element of the controlling device corresponding to the function.

16. The controlling device as recited in claim 10, wherein the controlling device is placed into a setup mode to receive input for designating a function to be controlled on the intended target device and wherein the codeset is provisioned to the controlling device when the setup mode is exited.

9. A controlling device having input elements activatable to cause the controlling device to use a codeset to control functions of an intended target device, wherein the controlling device includes programming, stored in a non-transient readable media thereof, which performs functions comprising:

receiving input to designate a function to be controlled on the intended target device;

selecting from a plurality of codes that are each associated with the designated function in a database stored in a memory of the controlling device a first code that is determined to be valid for use in controlling the designated function on the intended target device; and

causing the codeset to be provisioned on the controlling device, wherein the provisioned codeset includes as a function-code combination thereof the designated function and the first code.

11. The controlling device as recited in claim 9, wherein an auto-scan program is executed by the controlling device to assist in the selection from the plurality of codes that are each associated with the designated function in the database stored in the memory of the controlling device the first code that is determined to be valid for use in controlling the designated function on the intended target device.

13. The controlling device as recited in claim 9, wherein the input received at the controlling device used to designate a function to be controlled on the intended target device comprises at least an activation of an input element of the controlling device corresponding to the function.

15. The controlling device as recited in claim 9, wherein the controlling device is placed into a setup mode to receive input for designating a function to be controlled on the intended target device and wherein the codeset is provisioned to the controlling device when the setup mode is exited.