Universal remote control including quick touch function
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of controlling the operation of a remotely controllable device with a remote controller, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) specifying a particular operating function and a subsequent operating function to be performed by a remotely controllable device by operating a key in a remote controller;
(b) setting a timer in the remote controller in response to the operating state of the same key to specify the duration of the performance of the particular operating function;
(c) transmitting at least one command from the remote controller to the remotely controllable device to cause the device to initiate execution of the particular operating function;
(d) counting down the timer value during execution of the particular operating function by the remotely controllable device; and
(e) transmitting at least one other command from the remote controller to the remotely controllable device when the timer value has been reduced to zero to cause the device to execute said subsequent operating function.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for causing a remote controller to execute a sequence of instructions at a preprogrammed time. A remote controller includes a timer and may be used to turn on the various components of an electronic entertainment system including a recording device and to transmit a starting sequence which causes the recording device to record. After the selected duration of time expires the remote controller stops and recording device from recording and turns off the components of the system or causes other instructions to be performed.
49 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of controlling the operation of a remotely controllable device with a remote controller, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) specifying a particular operating function and a subsequent operating function to be performed by a remotely controllable device by operating a key in a remote controller; (b) setting a timer in the remote controller in response to the operating state of the same key to specify the duration of the performance of the particular operating function; (c) transmitting at least one command from the remote controller to the remotely controllable device to cause the device to initiate execution of the particular operating function; (d) counting down the timer value during execution of the particular operating function by the remotely controllable device; and (e) transmitting at least one other command from the remote controller to the remotely controllable device when the timer value has been reduced to zero to cause the device to execute said subsequent operating function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. In a remote controller for controlling the operation of a plurality of remotely controllable devices, the controller including a keyboard having a plurality of keys for inputting instructions from a user, a memory for storing instructions specifying operating functions to be performed by the remotely controllable devices, means for transmitting the instructions to the remotely controllable devices, and clock means for generating time signals defining base time units;
- the improvement comprising;
a timer; means including one of said plurality of keys for specifying a particular operating function and a subsequent operating function to be performed by one of said plurality of remotely controllable devices; means coupled to said timer and including said one of said plurality of keys for setting the performance duration of the particular operating function in said timer means; start means coupled to said setting means and responsive to the operation of said one of said plurality of keys for enabling said transmitting means to transmit at least one of said instructions corresponding to said particular operating function from the remote controller to said one of said remotely controllable devices to cause that device to initiate execution of the particular operating function; a timer control coupled to said clock means and said timer for ending said clock means to count down the value in said timer during execution of the particular operating function; and end means coupled to said timer for enabling said transmitting means to transmit at least one other instruction from the remote controller to said one of said remotely controllable devices when the timer value has been reduced to zero to cause that device to execute said subsequent operating function. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- the improvement comprising;
Specification