Remote control system
DCFirst Claim
1. A remote control system with data coupling including:
- a remote control comprising input means including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands into the remote control, infrared signal output means including IR lamp driver means for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device, a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the input means and to the signal output means, memory means coupled to the CPU and data coupling means including receiving means coupled to the CPU for enabling at least one of (a) instruction codes or (b) code data for creating appropriate IR lamp driver instructions for causing the 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 the remote control through the receiving means 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 means and a data transmission system including coupling means for coupling the receiving means to a computer, directly, through a telephone line, through a modem and a telephone line, or through decoding means and a television set which receives a television signal containing at least one of the instruction codes or the code data.
2 Assignments
Litigations
1 Petition
Accused Products
Abstract
The remote control system includes a remote control and a computer having a memory and at least one of instruction codes or code data for creating appropriate IR lamp driver instructions for causing an infrared signal generator 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, stored in the memory of the computer. The remote control comprises: input circuitry including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands into the remote control, infrared signal output circuitry including IR lamp driver circuitry for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device, a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the input circuitry and to the signal output circuitry, a memory coupled to the CPU, and data coupling circuitry and structure for periodically coupling the computer to the remote control for inputting from the computer memory at least one of instruction codes or 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 into the memory of the remote control to enable the remote control to control various devices to be controlled upon the inputting of commands to the keys of the input circuitry.
151 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A remote control system with data coupling including:
- a remote control comprising input means including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands into the remote control, infrared signal output means including IR lamp driver means for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device, a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to the input means and to the signal output means, memory means coupled to the CPU and data coupling means including receiving means coupled to the CPU for enabling at least one of (a) instruction codes or (b) code data for creating appropriate IR lamp driver instructions for causing the 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 the remote control through the receiving means 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 means and a data transmission system including coupling means for coupling the receiving means to a computer, directly, through a telephone line, through a modem and a telephone line, or through decoding means and a television set which receives a television signal containing at least one of the instruction codes or the code data.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
13. A method for communicating at least one of (a) instruction codes or (b) function code data for operating a controlled consumer electronic device, such as a television set, with the remote control, from a computer, through a modem system comprising a modem or a pickup coil associated with a remote control, to a memory of the remote control, said method comprising the steps of:
-
providing function code data for creating appropriate infrared (IR) lamp driver instructions for causing an infrared signal generator 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, in a digital format of data bytes each comprising a predetermined number of bits for transmission over a telephone line; providing instruction codes for transmission over a telephone line; transmitting the information of the at least one of the instruction codes or the function code data over a telephone line; picking up with the modem or pick up coil the information being transmitted; retrieving from the information transmitted at least one of the instruction codes or the function code data; and
,storing the at least one of the instruction codes or the function code data in digital format in the memory of the remote control.
-
-
14. A remote control system with data coupling including:
- a remote control, a computer having a memory, at least one of instruction codes or code data for creating appropriate infrared (IR) lamp driver instructions for causing an infrared signal generator 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, stored in said memory of said computer, said remote control comprising input means including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands into said remote control, infrared signal output means including IR lamp driver means for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device, a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to said input means and to said signal output means, memory means coupled to said CPU, and data coupling means for periodically coupling said computer to said remote control for receiving from said computer memory and inputting into said memory means of said remote control at least one of (a) said instruction codes or (b) said code data for creating appropriate IR lamp driver instructions, said code data causing said infrared signal output means to emit infrared signals which will cause specific functions to occur in a specific controlled device when said input means are operated, and said code data operating a variety of devices to be controlled and enabling said remote control to control various devices to be controlled upon the inputting of commands to said keys of said input means.
-
15. A remote control system with data coupling including:
- a remote control, a computer having a memory, at least one of instruction codes or code data for creating appropriate infrared (IR) lamp driver instructions for causing an infrared signal generator 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, stored in said memory of said computer, said remote control comprising input means including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands into said remote control, infrared signal output means including IR lamp driver means for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device, a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to said input means and to said signal output means, memory means coupled to said CPU, and data coupling means for periodically coupling said computer to said remote control for receiving from said computer memory and inputting into said memory means of said remote control at least one of (a) said instruction codes or (b) said 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 into said memory means of said remote control to enable said remote control to control various devices to be controlled upon said inputting of commands to said keys of said input means and a data transmission system including said data coupling means for coupling said remote control to said computer, directly, through a telephone line, through a modem and a telephone line, or through decoding means and a television set which receives a television signal containing at least one of said instruction codes or said code data.
-
16. A remote control system with data coupling including:
- a remote control, a computer having a memory, instruction codes stored in said memory of said computer, said remote control comprising input means including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands into said remote control, infrared signal output means including IR lamp driver means for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device, a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to said input means and to said signal output means, memory means coupled to said CPU for storing instruction codes and code data for creating appropriate IR lamp driver instructions, said code data causing said infrared signal output means to emit infrared signals which will cause specific functions to occur in a specific controlled device when said input means are operated, and said code data operating a variety of devices to be controlled and enabling said remote control to control various devices to be controlled upon the inputting of commands to said keys of said input means, and data coupling means for periodically coupling said computer to said remote control for receiving from said computer memory and inputting into said memory means of said remote control said instruction codes.
-
17. A remote control system with data coupling including:
- a remote control, a computer having a memory, instruction codes stored in said memory of said computer, said remote control comprising input means including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands into said remote control, infrared signal output means including IR lamp driver means for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device, a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to said input means and to said signal output means, memory means coupled to said CPU for storing instruction codes and code data for creating appropriate IR lamp driver instructions, said code data causing said infrared signal output means to emit infrared signals which will cause specific functions to occur in a specific controlled device when said input means are operated, and said code data operating a variety of devices to be controlled and enabling said remote control to control various devices to be controlled upon the inputting of commands to said keys of said input means, and data coupling means for periodically coupling said computer to said remote control for receiving from said computer memory and inputting into said memory means of said remote control said instruction codes, and a data transmission system including said data coupling means for coupling said remote control to said computer, directly, through a telephone line, through a modem and a telephone line, or through decoding means and a television set which receives a television signal containing at least one of said instruction codes or said code data.
-
18. A remote control system with data coupling including:
- a remote control, a computer having a memory, at least one of instruction codes or code data for creating appropriate infrared (IR) lamp driver instructions for causing an infrared signal generator 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, stored in said memory of said computer, said remote control comprising input means including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands into said remote control, infrared signal output means including IR lamp driver means for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device, a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to said input means and to said signal output means, memory means coupled to said CPU, and data coupling means including a modem associated with said remote control for periodically coupling said computer to said remote control through a telephone line for receiving from said computer memory and inputting into said memory means of said remote control at least one of (a) said instruction codes or (b) said code data for creating appropriate IR lamp driver instructions, said code data causing said infrared signal output means to emit infrared signals which will cause specific functions to occur in a specific controlled device when said input means are operated, and said code data operating a variety of devices to be controlled and enabling said remote control to control various devices to be controlled upon the inputting of commands to said keys of said input means.
-
19. A remote control system with data coupling including:
- a remote control, a computer having a memory, at least one of instruction codes or code data for creating appropriate infrared (IR) lamp driver instructions for causing an infrared signal generator 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, stored in said memory of said computer, said remote control comprising input means including a set of keys or pushbuttons for inputting commands into said remote control, infrared signal output means including IR lamp driver means for supplying an infrared signal to a controlled device, a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to said input means and to said signal output means, memory means coupled to said CPU, and data coupling means including a pick up coil associated with said remote control and being positionable adjacent a telephone handset for periodically coupling said computer to said remote control through the telephone handset and a telephone line for receiving from said computer memory and inputting into said memory means of said remote control at least one of (a) said instruction codes or (b) said code data for creating appropriate IR lamp driver instructions, said code data causing said infrared signal output means to emit infrared signals which will cause specific functions to occur in a specific controlled device when said input means are operated, and said code data operating a variety of devices to be controlled and enabling said remote control to control various devices to be controlled upon the inputting of commands to said keys of said input means.
Specification