Remotely upgradable universal remote control
DCFirst Claim
1. A universal remote control system including a universal remote control comprising input means including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands into the remote control, infrared signal output means for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device including IR lamp driver circuitry, a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to said input means and to said signal output means, a single, non-volatile, read-write memory coupled to said CPU and data coupling means including terminal means comprising a receiving port coupled to said CPU for enabling code data for creating appropriate IR lamp driver instructions for causing said infrared signal output means to emit infrared signals which will cause specific functions to occur in a specific controlled device, for operating a variety of devices to be controlled, to be supplied from outside said remote control through said receiving port of said terminal means directly to said CPU for direct entry to said memory to enable said remote control to control various devices to be controlled upon the inputting of commands through the keys of the input means and a data transmission system for coupling a telephone line to said terminal means of said remote control whereby the code data can be supplied to said memory of said remote control via a telephone line.
3 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
The universal remote control system includes a universal remote control comprising an input including a set of keys or push buttons for inputting commands into the remote control, infrared signal output circuitry for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device including IR lamp driver circuitry, a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the input and to the signal output circuitry, a single, non-volatile read-write memory coupled to the CPU and data coupling circuitry including terminal structure comprising a receiving port coupled to the CPU for enabling code data for creating appropriate IR lamp driver instructions for causing the infrared signal output circuitry to emit infrared signals which will cause specific functions to occur in a specific controlled device, for operating a variety of devices to be controlled, to be supplied from outside the remote control through the receiving port of the terminal structure directly to the CPU for direct entry to the memory to enable the remote control to control various devices to be controlled upon the inputting of commands to the keys of the input. The universal remote control system further includes a data transmission system including coupling circuitry for coupling the terminal structure to a computer directly, through a modem to a telephone line, or through a television set to a television signal picked up by the television set, the coupling circuitry including a cable, a first connector for connection to the terminal structure at one end of the cable, and an interface connector at the other end of the cable for connecting directly to a computer, or through a modem and a telephone line to a computer, or to a television set which receives data in a television signal from a computer.
259 Citations
21 Claims
- 1. A universal remote control system including a universal remote control comprising input means including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands into the remote control, infrared signal output means for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device including IR lamp driver circuitry, a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to said input means and to said signal output means, a single, non-volatile, read-write memory coupled to said CPU and data coupling means including terminal means comprising a receiving port coupled to said CPU for enabling code data for creating appropriate IR lamp driver instructions for causing said infrared signal output means to emit infrared signals which will cause specific functions to occur in a specific controlled device, for operating a variety of devices to be controlled, to be supplied from outside said remote control through said receiving port of said terminal means directly to said CPU for direct entry to said memory to enable said remote control to control various devices to be controlled upon the inputting of commands through the keys of the input means and a data transmission system for coupling a telephone line to said terminal means of said remote control whereby the code data can be supplied to said memory of said remote control via a telephone line.
- 9. A universal remote control system including a universal remote control comprising input means including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands into the remote control, infrared signal output means for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device including IR lamp device circuitry, a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to said input means and to said signal output means, a single, non-volatile, read-write memory coupled to said CPU and data coupling means including terminal means comprising a receiving port coupled to said CPU for enabling code data for creating appropriate IR lamp driver instructions for causing said infrared signal output means to emit infrared signals which will cause specific functions to occur in a specific controlled device, for operating a variety of devices to be controlled, to be supplied from outside said remote control through said receiving port of said terminal means directly to said CPU for direct entry to said memory to enable said remote control to control various devices to be controlled upon the inputting of commands through the keys of the input means and a data transmission system for coupling a television set to said terminal means of said remote control whereby the code data can be supplied via a television signal to said memory of said remote control.
- 13. A universal remote control system including a universal remote control comprising input means including a set of keys or push buttons for inputting commands into the remote control, infrared signal output means for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device including IR lamp driver circuitry, a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to said input means and to said signal output means, a single, non-volatile read-write memory coupled to said CPU and data coupling means including terminal means comprising a receiving port coupled to said CPU for enabling code data for creating appropriate IR lamp driver instructions for causing said infrared signal output means to emit infrared signals which will cause specific functions to occur in a specific controlled device, for operating a variety of devices to be controlled, to be supplied from outside said remote control through said receiving port of said terminal means directly to said CPU for direct entry to said memory to enable said remote control to control various devices to be controlled upon the inputting of commands to the keys of the input means and a data transmission system including coupling means for coupling said terminal means to a computer directly, through a modem to a telephone line, or through a television set to a television signal picked up by the television set, said coupling means including a cable, first connector means for connection to said terminal means at one end of said cable, and interface connector means at the other end of said cable for connecting directly to a computer, or through a modem and a telephone line to a computer, or to a television set which receives data in a television signal from a computer.
Specification