Universal remote control transmitter with simplified device identification
First Claim
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1. Remote control transmitter for transmitting device control signals remotely controlling a plurality of devices each belonging to a respective category of devices, at least two of said devices being of the same category of devices, and at least two being of different categories of devices, two of said devices of the same or different categories requiring a different signal format, comprising:
- memory means permanently storing respective specific device formatting data for said plurality of devices at respective memory addresses;
keyboard means having a plurality of keys for providing respective keyboard output signals upon user activation of respective one of said keys, said plurality of keys including a predetermined group of keys each representing a different one of said different categories of devices, each of said memory addresses corresponding to at least one of said keyboard output signals, said keyboard output signals further comprising an entry initiate signal;
means for addressing said memory means in response to activation of said at least one of said keys following activation of one key of said predetermined group of keys and receipt of said entry initiate signal, thereby reading out said specific device formatting data for a selected device in a specific one of said different categories of devices as determined by the activated one key of said predetermined group of keys; and
transmitter means operative under control of said specific device formatting data to transmit said device control signals towards said selected one of said plurality of devices in said specific one of said different categories of devices as determined by the activation of one key of said predetermined group of keys.
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Abstract
A permanent non-erasable memory stores formatting data and command bit patterns for a plurality of devices of different categories manufactured by different manufacturers to be controlled by the remote control transmitter incorporating the memory. To select the correct format, the user activates an enter initiate key, thereafter a key to indicate the category of the selected device, and thereafter two digits which together signify the manufacturer and model number. The keyboard output signals resulting from activation of the keys are stored in RAM in the microprocessor controlling the remote control transmitter'"'"'s operation. The stored values in RAM constitute an address for the memory. Under microprocessor control, the data read out from memory is then applied to the transmitter driver circuit to cause the properly formatted device control signal to be transmitted.
93 Citations
12 Claims
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1. Remote control transmitter for transmitting device control signals remotely controlling a plurality of devices each belonging to a respective category of devices, at least two of said devices being of the same category of devices, and at least two being of different categories of devices, two of said devices of the same or different categories requiring a different signal format, comprising:
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memory means permanently storing respective specific device formatting data for said plurality of devices at respective memory addresses; keyboard means having a plurality of keys for providing respective keyboard output signals upon user activation of respective one of said keys, said plurality of keys including a predetermined group of keys each representing a different one of said different categories of devices, each of said memory addresses corresponding to at least one of said keyboard output signals, said keyboard output signals further comprising an entry initiate signal; means for addressing said memory means in response to activation of said at least one of said keys following activation of one key of said predetermined group of keys and receipt of said entry initiate signal, thereby reading out said specific device formatting data for a selected device in a specific one of said different categories of devices as determined by the activated one key of said predetermined group of keys; and transmitter means operative under control of said specific device formatting data to transmit said device control signals towards said selected one of said plurality of devices in said specific one of said different categories of devices as determined by the activation of one key of said predetermined group of keys. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Method for generating device control signals remotely controlling a plurality of devices each belonging to a respective category of devices, at least two of said devices being of the same category of devices, and at least two being of different categories of devices, two of said devices of the same or different categories requiring a different signal format, in a remote control transmitter having said signal formats permanently stored at respective memory addresses, said remote control transmitter further having a keyboard having a plurality of keys, said plurality of keys including a predetermined group of keys each corresponding to one of said different categories of devices, comprising the steps of
user activation of one key in said predetermined group of keys; -
user activation of an entry initiate key; user activation of at least one address key, after said entry initiate key, said address key signifying the memory address storing specific device formatting data for said selected one of said plurality of devices, thereby reading out said specific device formatting data; and transmitting device control signals in accordance with said device formatting data to a selected category of devices and said selected one of said plurality of devices in said selected category. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeHome Control Singapore Pte Ltd. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
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Original AssigneeUS Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
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InventorsMcIntyre, William R., McConnell, Donald P.
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Primary Examiner(s)LAO, LUNYI
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Application NumberUS08/066,405Time in Patent Office2,094 DaysField of Search455/603, 358/194.1, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 340/825.71, 340/825.22, 340/825.7, 348/734, 345/169, 345/168, 345/507US Class Current345/169CPC Class CodesH03J 1/0025 in a remote control unit re...H04B 1/202 by remote control
