STATE-BASED REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM

• US 20110133976A1
• Filed: 02/14/2011
• Published: 06/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Original Assignee: Logitech Europe S A (Logitech International SA)
• Inventors: Henry, Justin M., Harris, Glen McLean
• Granted Patent: US 8,653,950 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 2201/50 Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4131 home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807
• 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 21/42206 characterized by hardware details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18

Abstract

A remote control system includes a remote control device configured to control a plurality of consumer electronic devices. The remote control system further includes a programming system configured to: i) receive identifying information, which identifies each of the consumer electronic devices, ii) generate at least one macro, which is configured for collectively controlling the consumer electronic devices to perform a media function; and iii) issue a query to a user to determine whether the macro is to be used by the remote control device. If a positive response is received by the programming system in response to the query, then configuring the remote control device for using the macro. If a negative response is received by the programming system in response to the query, then not configuring the remote control device for using the macro.

Claims

1. A remote control system comprising:

a remote control device configured to control a plurality of consumer electronic devices; and

a programming system configured to;

i) receive identifying information, which identifies each of the consumer electronic devices, ii) generate at least one dynamic command code set, which is configured for collectively controlling the consumer electronic devices to perform a media function; and

iii) issue a query to a user to determine whether the dynamic command code set is to be used by the remote control device, wherein if a positive response is received by the programming system in response to the query, then configuring the remote control device for using the dynamic command code set, and if a negative response is received by the programming system in response to the query, then not configuring the remote control device for using the dynamic command code set.

2. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the programming system forms a portion of the remote control device.

3. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the programming system is configured to communicate with the remote control device.

4. The remote control system of claim 3, wherein the programming system is configured to transfer command codes to the remote control device for the dynamic command code set.

5. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the remote control device is configured to send command codes from the dynamic command code set to each of the consumer electronic devices to collectively control each of the consumer electronic device.

6. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the remote control device includes an input module configured to receive input from a user for receiving the identifying information.

7. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the remote control device includes an output module configured to issue the query.

8. The remote control system of claim 1, wherein the dynamic command code set is a macro.

9. A remote control comprising:

an electronic module configured to control a plurality of consumer electronic devices;

input module configured to receive a user input for identifying information, which identifies each of the consumer electronic devices; and

a programming system configured to;

i) generate at least one macro, which is configured for collectively controlling the consumer electronic devices to perform a media function; and

ii) issue a query to a user to determine whether the macro is to be used by the remote control device, wherein if a positive response is received by the programming system in response to the query, then configuring the remote control device for using the macro, and if a negative response is received by the programming system in response to the query, then not configuring the remote control device for using the macro.

10. The remote control of claim 9, wherein the electronic module is configured to send command codes from the macro to each of the consumer electronic devices to collectively control each of the consumer electronic device.

11. The remote control of claim 10, further comprising an output module configured to issue the query.

12. The remote control of claim 10, wherein the dynamic command code set is a macro.