Universal remote control capable of simulating a skip search

• US 6,781,638 B1
• Filed: 08/10/2001
• Issued: 08/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ThinkLogix, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Universal Electronics, Inc.
• Inventors: Hayes, Patrick H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Michael H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Trang U.
• Application Number:
  US09/928,171
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.544, 348/734, 386/68, 386/81, 386/82, 386/83, 386/46
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/00 Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/92 Universal remote control
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/023 remotely controlled
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 15/026 by using processor, e.g. microcomputer
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/027 Remotely controlled remote control systems in general G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/20 Disc-shaped record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/107 of operating tapes
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control

Abstract

A system and method for using a remote control device to simulate a skip search operation on a consumer appliance playing a recorded media. In response to a sensed activation of a skip search button, the remote control transmits at least one recorded media shuttle command to the consumer appliance and, after waiting a period of time, transmits an additional command to the consumer appliance to cause the recorded media to resume playback at a standard speed. When the media shuttle command is a fast forward command, the simulated skip search is effective for forwarding past timed portions of the recorded media. When the media shuttle command is a rewind command, the simulated skip search is effective for replaying timed portions of the recorded media.

Claims

1. In a remote control having a skip search button and a timer, a method for simulating a skip search operation on a consumer appliance playing a recorded media, comprising:

sensing activation of the skip search button of the remote control; and

in response to a sensed activation of the skip search button, transmitting from the remote control at least one recorded media shuttle command to the consumer appliance;

activating the timer of the remote control to measure a period of time; and

, after the period of time has lapsed, transmitting from the remote control an additional command to the consumer appliance to cause the recorded media to resume playback at a standard speed.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the additional command is a play command.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recorded media shuttle command comprises a fast forward command.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recorded media shuttle command comprises a rewind command.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the period of time is determined as a function of the speed at which the recorded media is played within the consumer appliance under the influence of the shuttle command, the speed at which the recorded media is played within the consumer appliance under the influence of the play command, and a time of recorded media playback to be skipped over.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the period of time includes a compensation for time it takes a user to activate the skip search button.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the period of time includes a compensation for a consumer appliance overshoot correction feature.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recorded media shuttle command comprises a plurality of fast forward commands.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recorded media shuttle command comprises a plurality of rewind commands.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving into the remote control user input that establishes the period of time.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the user input comprises a user entered wait time.

12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the user input comprises data functioning to identify the consumer appliance.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of accepting into the remote control user input to increase the period of time before the step of transmitting the additional command.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the user input comprises a further activation of the skip search button.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of accepting into the remote control user input to end the period of time before performing the step of transmitting the additional command.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the user input comprises activation of a button other than the activated skip search button.

17. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the consumer appliance comprises a PVR.

18. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recorded media shuttle command is repeatedly transmitted to the consumer appliance for the duration of the period of time and the additional command comprises the cessation of the transmission of the recorded media shuttle command.

19. For use in a remote control having a skip search button and a timer, a readable media having instructions for use in simulating a skip search operation on a consumer appliance playing a recorded media, the instructions performing steps comprising:

sensing activation of the skip search button of the remote control; and

in response to a sensed activation of the skip search button, transmitting from the remote control at least one recorded media shuttle command to the consumer appliance;

activating the timer of the remote control to measure a period of time; and

, after the period of time has lapsed, transmitting from the remote control an additional command to the consumer appliance to cause the recorded media to resume playback at a standard speed.

20. The readable media as recited in claim 19, wherein the additional command is a play command.

21. The readable media as recited in claim 19, wherein the recorded media shuttle command comprises a fast forward command.

22. The readable media as recited in claim 19, wherein the recorded media shuttle command comprises a rewind command.

23. The readable media as recited in claim 19, wherein the instructions perform the further step of receiving into the remote control user input that establishes the period of time.

24. The readable media as recited in claim 19, wherein the consumer appliance comprises a PVR.

25. The readable media as recited in claim 19, wherein the consumer appliance comprises a VCR.

26. The readable media as recited in claim 19, wherein the instructions perform the step of sensing a second activation of the skip search button and, in response, increasing the period of time.

27. A universal remote control, comprising:

a memory having a library of commands for use in commanding the operation of consumer appliances of different makes and models;

a keypad having a plurality of buttons including a skip search button; and

a transmission circuit for transmitting to an identified consumer appliance one or more commands selected from the library in response to activation of one or more buttons on the keypad;

where in the memory further has instructions for use in simulating a skip search operation on the identified consumer appliance, the instructions performing steps comprising;

sensing activation of the skip search button of the universal remote control; and

in response to a sensed activation of the skip search button, transmitting from the universal remote control to the identified consumer appliance via the transmission circuit at least one recorded media shuttle command selected from the library;

activating a timer of the universal remote control to measure a period of time; and

, after the period of time has lapsed, transmitting an additional command from the universal remote control to the consumer appliance to cause the recorded media to resume playback at a standard speed.