Key mover

• US 6,195,033 B1
• Filed: 09/29/1999
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: DuPerault, Don G., Luo, Qiuju, Darbee, Paul V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr., Timothy
• Application Number:
  US09/408,729
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 341/22, 341/23, 341/176, 340/825.25, 340/825.69, 340/825.72, 345/169, 345/172, 708/146, 708/144, 708/145
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/28 using pulse code
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/20 Binding and programming of remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/21 Programming remote control devices via third means
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/33 Remote control using macros, scripts
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/189 with a tactile symbol or indication, e.g. for blind people
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2221/056 Modular conception
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 1/0025 in a remote control unit remote control tuning in general H03J9/00
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 2200/24 Remote control device with display showing program content
• CPC Class Codes: H03J 9/06 using electromagnetic waves other than radio waves, e.g. light
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/114 Indoor or close-range type systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/116 Visible light communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/44 Receiver circuitry for the reception of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention teaches remote control device for reassigning functions associated with one key to another key, wherein the functions are stored in memory. In one embodiment the remote control comprises a memory and a plurality of function instructions stored in the memory, including a first function instruction and a second function instruction. A plurality of keys, including a first key, is operably connected to execute the first function instruction. Reassignment programming is stored in memory and provides for connecting the first key such that it will execute the second function instruction instead of the first function.

Claims

1. A medium storing instructions for use in reassigning functions on a remote control device having a plurality of function keys and a memory storing a remote control function command, the instructions performing steps comprising:

checking for an entry of at least one function key selected from the plurality of function keys;

checking for an entry of the remote control function command;

checking for an entry of a reassignment command code; and

in response to the entry of the reassignment command code, the at least one function key and the remote control function command, mapping the remote control function command to the at least one function key thereby effectively reassigning functions of the remote control device.

2. The medium as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote control is adapted to control a plurality of devices and wherein the steps of the entry of the remote control function command further comprises checking for the entry of a first device selected from the plurality of devices.

3. A medium storing instructions for use in issuing function commands from a remote control device having a plurality of function keys and a memory storing a first remote control function command and a key reassignment table in which a second remote control function command is mapped to at least one key selected from the plurality of function keys, the instructions performing steps comprising:

checking for the activation of at least one of the plurality of function keys;

scanning the key reassignment table to determine if the second remote control function is mapped to the function key activated;

if the determination is positive, issuing from the remote control signals consistent with the second remote control function command; and

if the determination is negative, issuing from the remote control signals consistent with the first remote control function command.