Universal remote control unit with model identification capability
First Claim
1. Method for adapting a remote control unit to generate appliance command signals having a required signal structure for controlling a selected one of a plurality of appliances of different categories and different manufacturers, each appliance being responsive to a different signal structure, comprising the steps of:
- generating a selected category signal signifying the category of said selected one of said plurality of appliance under user control;
setting said selected appliance to execute a predetermined action upon receipt of a response-evoking signal having said required signal structure;
transmitting in sequence a plurality of response command signals each commanding said predetermined action in a different signal structure until said selected appliance executes said predetermined action, whereby the last-transmitted one of said response command signals constitutes said response-evoking signal having said required signal structure;
storing signal structure identification data corresponding to said required signal structure of said response-evoking signal, thereby creating stored signal structure identification data; and
generating subsequent appliance command signals at least in part under control of said selected category signal and said stored signal structure identification data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A remote control unit responds to activation of a "identify" button by transmitting a sequence of command signals, each of the same command in a different format. Since the appliance to be controlled is turned on, it responds in a predetermined way (e.g. a channel change) when it receives the properly formatted command. The user then terminates the learn mode and a pointer denoting the address of the last transmitted command, i.e. the properly formatted command, is stored in the unit and used as part of the address for reading data for subsequent user-selected commands out of memory.
324 Citations
13 Claims
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1. Method for adapting a remote control unit to generate appliance command signals having a required signal structure for controlling a selected one of a plurality of appliances of different categories and different manufacturers, each appliance being responsive to a different signal structure, comprising the steps of:
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generating a selected category signal signifying the category of said selected one of said plurality of appliance under user control; setting said selected appliance to execute a predetermined action upon receipt of a response-evoking signal having said required signal structure; transmitting in sequence a plurality of response command signals each commanding said predetermined action in a different signal structure until said selected appliance executes said predetermined action, whereby the last-transmitted one of said response command signals constitutes said response-evoking signal having said required signal structure; storing signal structure identification data corresponding to said required signal structure of said response-evoking signal, thereby creating stored signal structure identification data; and generating subsequent appliance command signals at least in part under control of said selected category signal and said stored signal structure identification data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Method for adapting a remote control unit having an indicator to generate appliance command signals having a required signal structure for controlling a selected one of a plurality of appliances each responsive to a different signal structure, comprising the steps of:
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setting said selected appliance to execute an observable action uppon receipt of a response-evoking signal having said required signal structure; transmitting in sequence a plurality of response command signals each having a different signal structure until said selected appliance executes said observable action, whereby the last-transmitted one of said response command signals constitutes said response-evoking signal having said required signal structure; storing signal structure identification data corresponding to said required signal structure of said response-evoking command, thereby creating stored signal structure identification data; generating subsequent appliance command signals with a signal structure associated with said stored signal structure identification data; and activating said indicator to indicate when said pluralilty of response command signals has been transmitted without execution of said observable action by said selected appliance.
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6. Apparatus for adapting a remote control unit to generate appliance command signals having a required signal structure for controlling a selected one of a pluraliy of appliances each responsive to a different signal structure, said selected appliance being set to execute a predetermined action uppon receipt of a response-evoking signal having said required signal structure, comprising
means for transmitting, in sequence a plurality of response command signals each having a signal structure different from the others of said response command signals, until said appliance executes said observable action in response to said response-evoking signal; -
means for storing signal structure identification data corresponding to said response-evoking signal; means for generating subsequent appliance command signals at least in part in dependence on said stored signal structure identification data; wherein each of said appliances belongs in one of a multiplicity of categories; further comprising second user operable selector means for generating a selected category signal signifying a selected one of of said categories; and where in said subsequent appliance command signal generating means further operates at least in part in dependence upon said selected category signal. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification