Telephonically programmable apparatus
First Claim
1. In a control device of the type having a control program and an alterable memory for storing parameters related to said control program, apparatus for remotely configuring the alterable memory through a telephone system having first and second terminal ends defining a transmission path, comprising;
- means for electrically coupling said control device to said first terminal end also having a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMP) transceiver connected thereto;
a computer system connected to said second terminal end, including a source of audio messages; and
an application program resident in said computer system, said program being operative, upon said first terminal end being connected to said second terminal end, to select certain of said audio messages for transmission to said second terminal end so that the audio messages are telephonically received at said first terminal end, said audio messages being selected to direct an operator at said first terminal end to enter responses relating to the operating environment of said control device, said responses causing said computer system to generate and transmit signals from said second terminal end to said control device which configure said alterable memory of said control device with said parameters.
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Accused Products
Abstract
To initialize a remote control device for use in a particular installation, initialization parameters are entered relating to the relationship between user input codes and equipment to be controlled. In the preferred embodiment involving video recorder equipment, the initialization procedure concerns the video channels available to the recorder and remote control codes associated with the operation of the recorder using a receive-only modem on the device attached to a phone jack, initialization is performed by dialing up a remote location with a touch tone phone. At the remote end a computer sends selected audio response signals to the telephone receiver requesting that the user key in information using the touch tone pad. The computer then transmits the appropriate signals to the memory of the remote device to initialize it.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a control device of the type having a control program and an alterable memory for storing parameters related to said control program, apparatus for remotely configuring the alterable memory through a telephone system having first and second terminal ends defining a transmission path, comprising;
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means for electrically coupling said control device to said first terminal end also having a dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMP) transceiver connected thereto; a computer system connected to said second terminal end, including a source of audio messages; and an application program resident in said computer system, said program being operative, upon said first terminal end being connected to said second terminal end, to select certain of said audio messages for transmission to said second terminal end so that the audio messages are telephonically received at said first terminal end, said audio messages being selected to direct an operator at said first terminal end to enter responses relating to the operating environment of said control device, said responses causing said computer system to generate and transmit signals from said second terminal end to said control device which configure said alterable memory of said control device with said parameters. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 15, 16)
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9. The method of configuring a control device having a programmable memory for use in a particular application comprising:
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connecting said programmable memory of said control device to a first terminal of a telephonic system; connecting a dual-tone, multi-frequency (DTMF) telephone transceiver to said first terminal; using said DTMF transceiver to connect said first terminal to a second terminal of said telephonic system; transmitting a series of audio inquiries from said second terminal to said first terminal; manually inputting responses to said audio inquiries onto keys of said DTMF transceiver; using said responses to formulate configuring signals for said programmable memory of said control device; transmitting said configuring signals to said programmable memory through said telephonic system. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of configuring an alterable control program in a television viewing system including a cable tuner connected to a multi-channel source of video programming from a computer system which is physically remote from said viewing system, comprising the step of:
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transmitting an inquiry from said computer system to said viewing system requesting that an operator enter postal zip code information; determining the geographical location of said viewing system based upon the postal zip code information entered by said operator; selecting configuration parameters in accordance with the geographical location determined from the zip code information entered by said operator; and transmitting, from said computer system, the selected configuration parameters associated with the alteration of said alterable control program, including configuration parameters relating to the geographical location of said viewing system; configuring said alterable control program in said viewing system using said selected configuration parameters.
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Specification